Travel Information - Indonesia

ARRIVAL PROCEDURES:

ARRIVAL IN YOUR DESTINATION CITY
Upon arrival in your destination city, please collect your checked luggage and proceed through immigration and customs to the arrivals exit of the terminal. Once outside, please look for hotel (hotel name will be provided) staff with a sign reading YOUR NAME. They will provide your transfer to the hotel and assist with check-in. In the case that you cannot locate your transfer, please refer to the contact details provided to you in your final email from us and try to make contact with them yourself. If for any reason you cannot find the hotel staff please look for the airport taxi service (Bluebird) and give them the hotel details. The costs should be approx. 100,000 to 200,000 rupiah ($10-15) and we shall arrange to refund this you.

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WITHIN INDONESIA
Orangutan Odysseys use only commercial airlines. In Indonesia our preferred airline is Garuda Indonesia, however, domestic flight bookings are subject to flight schedules, availability and destinations.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
A valid passport with at least 6 months validity from your return travel date is required by all visitors. You will need to obtain a VOA Visa On Arrival once you arrive in Indonesian Immigration. It is approx AUD$50 and is paid for in cash. We always suggest that your check visa requirements for your country before travel as the VOA does not apply to all countries.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel Insurance is mandatory to take part in this trip and Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance is required for all trekkers. If you are an Australian resident, this can be obtained from our website by clicking on the Insurance menu tab or emailing our office at oo@orangutanodysse ys.com. We strongly recommend that you also take out trip cancellation, baggage loss and accident insurance.

If an aircraft evacuation is required, Orangutan Odysseys will undertake to arrange the evacuation on the condition that the expenses are reimbursed by the passenger before departing the country.

Please ensure that you take two copies of your travel insurance with you on your expedition.

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT LIST
On top of the list below, we recommend you bring a fresh set of clothes to leave in your hotel (only if your itinerary has you returning to the same hotel) when you return to Bali or Jakarta. This way you will have a very fresh set of clothes to change into when you return from your expedition. Please note that the boating experiences are a very laid back affair.

Please pack all your gear into a duffel bag or backpack. Your baggage will be either left on the boat or with the expedition crew when you go exploring. For security purposes, we suggest that you bring a small padlock for your bags.

1-2 pairs of lightweight long pants (required IF jungle trekking)
2-3 pair light weight shorts
1-2 long sleeve cotton shirt
3-4 t-shirts
Underwear
1 light weight polar fleece
Light hiking boots or firm runners (for jungle trekking)
Pair of thongs/sandals to wear around the villages (or boat if applicable)
Socks
Hat
Sunscreen
Tropical strength insect repellant
Torch or headlamp with spare batteries
Rain poncho (something light weight)
Cotton towel
Water bottle
A small personal first aid kit. Your personal first aid kit should contain band-aids, blister dressings, topical cream for bites and grazes, antibiotic cream for cuts and scratches, paracetamol, deep heat or other muscle cream and insect repellent. Your Orangutan Odyssey Guide will carry a larger first aid kit. Please note: If you have something you are particularly prone to, ear infections or sinus problems; please bring your required items for this.

Optional items:

Gaiters
Inflatable pillow (for expeditions where accommodation is in tents)
Snacks such as barley sugar, Mentos, chocolate, muesli bars etc.
Bathers
Sunglasses
Notebook and pen
Camera and spare batteries, lens cleaner, tripod

Sleeping gear: For our orangutan expeditions where you will be sleeping on the Klotok (boat), we provide very comfortable foam mattresses with mosquito nets. To sleep in we suggest you bring a sarong or a silk sleeping bag liner. (Please note that on the Palangkaraya Cruise you will be provided with a private cabin and bedding)

Note: If you have any questions regarding the above list or any other items that you want to ask about please contact us. We can provide you with additional information at any time.

Camping gear: For camping components of a trip, we provide the use of tents and an inflatable mattress.

HEALTH AND FIRST AID
No vaccinations are required for entry to Indonesia. However, you should consider cholera, typhoid and hepatitis vaccinations and make sure your tetanus cover is up to date. Please plan ahead and consult your doctor regarding personal health requirements as well as vaccinations and anti-malarial medication recommended for the area you are travelling to.

MONEY
The currency in Indonesia is the Rupiah (Rp). Money can be changed at the airport and at some hotels. ATM's are also available in some areas while on tour. Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted whereas American Express is limited in its acceptance.

TIPPING
Tipping while not compulsory is encouraged to show your appreciation to our guides, drivers and assistants during your travel.

ELECTRICITY
Indonesia uses 220 Volt for its electricity. The electrical outlet has two round holes, similar to those in continental Europe. The voltage may be unstable in some places.

CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
Please note Indonesia is comprised mostly of people and locations of the Muslim religion (Bali is the main exception). As such you should be prepared for:
1. The "Call to Prayer" at about 4 am each morning (and 5 times per day) from the many Mosques that are scattered around the towns where you might stay.
2. Alcohol. Please note that purchasing alcohol can be very difficult to impossible along with expensive once in Indonesia (outisde of Bali). Should you require any alcohol other than beer while on tour we suggest that this be purchased ahead of your arrival (duty-free). Note that only 1 litre per person is allowed through customs in Indonesia. Please also make sure when travelling domestically in Indonesia that the bottle remains unopened until your final destination and is carried in your stowed luggage only. Beer can generally be purchased at most locations.
3. Ladies are requested to dress modestly when walking through towns and village (other than Bali). A head scarf is not required, but a covering of shoulders and knee-length shorts or skirts are suggested.

THE ENVIRONMENT
Many of the places you will visit are pristine. As travellers, we should try to have as little impact on these natural environments as possible. As such we recommend the following:

We discourage the use of soaps when washing both body and clothes. We recommend the use of biodegradable soap to wash hands to help protect the ecosystem.

All rubbish taken into the Park is taken out of the Park. If you have rubbish, can you please leave it in the rubbish bins provided on the boat or give it to your guide to be carried out. Please do not dispose of batteries in the country. They are extremely harmful to the environment. At campsites, use toilet facilities as directed by your guide. By abiding by these simple guidelines, you will be protecting the environment for the local people.

Orangutan Odysseys has prepared these important travel procedures with very valuable and expert advice so that we can issue our visitors to all Indonesian eco-tourism sites with information to help inform them about their responsibilities during their expeditions. We request that guests read these carefully and understand the appropriate behaviour that is needed during their time in Indonesia. Your co-operation in adhering to these guidelines will ensure the well-being of the animals, their environment and yourselves will help to maintain a stable and long term viable tourism facility for all.

As you trek through the forests or visit the care Centers (if applicable to your itinerary), it is important to remember that you are entering the habitat of one of the rarest great ape species on Earth. The population of Sumatran and Bornean orangutans can generate from two different origins:

Ex-captive individuals who have been rehabilitated and released in the forest. These released rehabilitated orangutans often do not fear humans and even expect to interact with them

Wild individuals, some of whom have become habituated to human presence while others remain naïve and not use to people’s presence in their forest habitat. Inappropriate behaviour by visitors may affect the behaviour and health of orangutans from both populations negatively, which places them at increased risk of becoming stressed, or the transfer of diseases. By following these simple guidelines, visitors can see the orangutans at all locations in a way that is safe for both themselves and the orangutans whilst at the same time, experiencing a more natural, unique experience in the forest. Please check our complete protocols page for information.

WHAT DO OUR ORANGUTAN EXPEDITIONS INCLUDE:

DONATIONS TO HELP SAVE THE ORANGUTANS
Your trip fee will include a donation amount that will go fully and directly to helping save the orangutans.

SERVICES OF AN EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDE
All our trek guides have been carefully selected for their ability and temperament. Each Guide has training and proven abilities in eco-friendly methods, safety and careful trek operations as well as an understanding of the importance of keeping the health and happiness of the trekkers and crew as a priority. Our Guides are committed to making sure that all our trekkers have an enjoyable trek, come back safely and are overwhelmed by their experience. Your Guide will be a friend and companion, who takes pleasure in showing you his country's specialties and perhaps his home and family too.

ACCOMMODATION
Orangutan Odysseys use hotels, boats, guest houses and tents on their expeditions and we try to maintain a high standard to ensure that these are always clean and comfortable. Orangutan Odysseys encourages the use of eco-friendly places where possible.

MEALS WHILE ON EXPEDITION
Meals included are as per itinerary. We usually also serve up afternoon tea and coffee as well as purified water.

TRANSPORT
We provide all domestic airfares, airport transfers in private airconditioned vehicles as well as all forms of transportation during your expedition.

CONSERVATION FEES, NATIONAL PARK AND TREK PERMITS
All trekking permits, National Park and Conservation Fees are included.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & SUPPORT
If you have any questions or want more information please feel free to contact the office on +61 (0) 417 973 355 or email the OO team at oo@orangutanodysseys.com We are here to support you with all the information you require to help you prepare for your travels to Indonesia. Once you have confirmed your booking you will receive a Welcome Pack and further information specific to your tour including Australian and Indonesian contact details.

Travel Information - Indonesia

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