Authentic Borneo Orangutan Trip

Our trip will lead you travel from the exotic orangutan deep in the thick jungles to pure boating thrills along its countless rivers in Tanjung Puting National Park. A private local wooden boat "Klotok" will take you sailing along the rivers where you get chance to encounter orangutans, proboscis monkey with its “Jimmy Durante”, macaques and so on. You will also visit Camp Leakey, the old orangutan rehabilitation centre. It was founded in 1971, when a student at UCLA University in Los Angeles, called Birutte Galdikas, began studying the orangutans there.
This program is a perfect fit for those who want to discover the main points of wildlife on Borneo Kalimantan island. It's especially made for the animal lovers, with the unique possibility to experience an encounter with the famous Orang utan and some other monkey species in the nature.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Arrive in Pangkalan Bun Kalimantan

    Arrive in Pangkalan Bun Kalimantan Today, you arrive at the airport of Pangkalan Bun in Kalimantan. Your driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer to your hotel for getting a rest before your boat trip in Tanjung Puting National park for next days.

    - 30 drive
    - Night in BRITS HOTEL PANGKALAN BUN: deluxe queen room
    - No Meals

  • Day 2 PANGKALAN BUN – KUMAI – TANJUNG HARAPAN

    PANGKALAN BUN – KUMAI – TANJUNG HARAPAN Your guide will be waiting for you at your hotel, transfer to the port of Kumai about 15-20 minutes by car where we will embark on a great adventure! You arrive to the traditional wooden boat called klotok. Your guide will reconfirm with the crew that everything is ready and start the cruise up the river in the famous Sekonyer River aboard a klotok. We can arrive in time to the rehabilitation center of Tanjung Harapan where at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the rangers of the national park feed the orangutans and you can have the first close encounters with them. The translation of Tanjung Harapan is Cape of Hope. This first camp is around wetlands and in the afternoon, there are more mosquitoes so make sure you put on enough mosquitoes repellent. After visiting this Rangers Camp, you will continue upstream, resting on the boat, while we search for animals in the vicinity of the Sekonyer River. This afternoon it is very frequent to see groups of proboscis monkeys and monkeys in the treetops, jumping from one branch to another, or even see crocodiles, lizards in the shallow waters of the sides of the river. Prepare for sunset, the boat moored on one side of the river to spend the night.
    Tonight we can do a walk into the Jungle to look for Night Animals like Snakes, Tarantulas or even is we are lucky luminescent mushrooms or Tarsiers.

    - 20m drive
    - Night on Klotok Boat
    - Meals: B, L, D

  • Day 3 PESALAT – CAMP LEAKEY – BOAT

    PESALAT – CAMP LEAKEY – BOAT After an extraordinary breakfast, we prepare the backpacks to start trekking in the area of Pesalat where we can enjoy more intensely the endemics of the area, search for wild orangutans, but above all here we will have two objectives; one will be to see birds and another will take part in conserving the National Park visiting the center of reforestation of the Foundation Friends of the National Park (FNPF) where you can be volunteers to plant a tree and so take pride that you have contributed a grain of sand in conservation with your step over there. On the way we will have the opportunity to meet our local guides which some of them born in the jungle, how to look for animals or carnivorous plants or simply listen to their experience of life in the jungle. The jungles of Borneo have given life and are house to the settlers for many many years. The jungles that under the eyes of the grandparents are able to give everything you need such as food, water, medicines, etc. Yes... Never put anything in your mouth without the recommendation of your guide.
    Back to the klotok, then we start crossing up the river, going further into the jungle. You will see how the coloration of the river changes and you will have the opportunity to see crocodiles and large monitor lizards, together with Gibbons and proboscis Monkeys. Arrival at Camp Leakey, the old orangutan research and rehabilitation center since 1971, when a student at UCLA Los Angeles University, Birutte Galdikas began studying the Orangutans there. The name Camp Leaky comes from Birutte’s own teacher, the Paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey. At least 200 orangutans had already been cured and returned to the jungles thanks to this center. However since 1995, the Government of Indonesia has banned the introduction of more Orangutans in this camp, so Orangutans are increasingly adapting more to freedom. To this day, this camp is used as an investigation into the behavior and feeding of Orangutans. You will take advantage of your guide to explore the interiors of the jungle a bit to look for orangutans in freedom and other animals.
    At 14.00 you can see the feeding time of the Orangutans. You can also visit the small museum made by the scientist Dr. Birute Galdikas.

    - Night on Klotok Boat
    - Meals: B, L, D

  • Day 4 PONDOK TANGGUI – CAMP LEAKEY – BOAT

    PONDOK TANGGUI – CAMP LEAKEY – BOAT After an extraordinary breakfast, we will go in time to see the Camp Tanggui at the time of feeding (9 AM). Sooner or later you will see how the branches of the treetops begin to move and then you will see the silhouettes of the Orangutans arriving to the feeding platform. Tanggui was a release camp for young Orangutans that were rehabilitated, and they continue to add food every day, to prevent the Orangutans from leaving because of lack of food, and they end up outside the National Park, with the following risk of falling into traps of settlers or fields of palm oil plantations. After lunch, we will have the opportunity to repeat feeding camp, Camp Leaky. It is a unique opportunity to dedicate more time to your observation and to discover more wild animals, along with the Orangutans.

    - Night on Klotok Boat
    - Meals: B, L, D

  • Day 5 KUMAI PORT – PANGKALAN BUN

    KUMAI PORT – PANGKALAN BUN In the early morning, we will enjoy the last moments of the sounds of the jungle, before heading to the port, to be transferred to the hotel in Pangkalan Bun.

    - 20m drive
    - Night in BRITS HOTEL PANGKALAN BUN: deluxe queen room
    - Meals: B

  • Day 6 Farewell Tanjung Puting Park - End of your trip

    Farewell Tanjung Puting Park - End of your trip Free time in PANGKALAN BUN before the driver take you to the airport according to your flight schedule.

    - 30m drive
    - Meals: B

This itinerary can vary due to local conditions and strength of kayaking team. Days can be shortened or lengthened depending on many factors. 

Period & budget

When to travel?

The best period for travelling is during the following months:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Price

From 800 euros per person (booking from minimum 2 people)

The budget is an indication of the price per person, subject to availability. Your local agent will send you a customized quote with the exact price. The price can vary according to availability, level of services, period of travel, number of participants, booking time frame and other items.

Included

  • 2 night in hotel B&B basis and 3-Night accommodation based on private Klotok Boat (traditional wooden boat to cruise rivers with Bathroom
  • Transfers airport -  Hotel - Klotok - Hotel - Airport
  • Transfers in land and river
  • English speaking guide
  • 4-Day of permission from the police, rangers and the National Park
  • Camera or video camera fees
  • Water, Tea, Coffee, Cookies, Tropical Fruits
  • Captain, assistant captain and cook
  • All meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=dinner)
  • For each client of ours, we donate 10 euros to various projects within the Tanjung Putting National Park

Not included

  • Domestic/international flights
  • Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended)
  • Alcohol, soft drinks, personal expenses
  • Extra expenses occurred due to causes beyond our control (force majeure) such as cancellations of flights, natural disasters, diseases, etc
  • Any extra- surcharge if the Government suddenly raise fee or add new permits

Notes

- Accommodation/boat trip upon availability

- This itinerary is provided as an indication: according to the weather and operational conditions, your driver/guide can modify this itinerary for your safety.

Terms and conditions

Booking conditions

Booking a trip with Altaï Indonesia implies acceptance of the terms and conditions of sale. Each customer is required to complete a registration form and, subject to availability at the time of registration, travellers are expected to pay a deposit of 30% of the total price to complete their booking. Payments can be made online or by bank transfer. You will receive an e-mail with your booking confirmation.

Invoice procedure

Once your booking is confirmed you will receive an invoice by e-mail. The full balance of the trip must be received at least 30 days before your departure date. Altaï Indonesia reserve the right to cancel your booking, free of charge, if this deadline is not respected.

Cancellation policy

If for any reason you have to cancel your trip, Altaï Indonesia require written confirmation of your decision. The money you have paid will then be refunded according to the following deductions:

  • Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: a sum of €50 per person will be retained
  • Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: your deposit, 30% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 20 to 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total trip price will be retained

Special cases:
Please note that, regardless of the date of cancellation or modification if you have agreed to pay for services such as hotel reservations, flights or additional activities, these services are usually non-refundable so additional fees may apply.
  • Fixed airfares: if your airline ticket was issued in advance, often done to avoid significant surcharges, you will be charged 100% of any non-refundable fees if you wish to change or cancel your flight plan.
  • Fixed in-country costs: early charges for firm bookings will be charged if you cancel or modify your trip.
  • Insurance costs: if you have taken out comprehensive or cancellation insurance, the cost of insurance is due and cannot be refunded.

Please note that fees apply according to the date Altaï Indonesia receive your cancellation or modification request in writing.

If we have to cancel a departure due to an insufficient number of participants, you will be informed no later than 21 days before departure and a full refund will be issued, you will not be entitled to further compensation. We reserve the rights to cancel departures due to exceptional circumstances which may impact the safety of participants. Such circumstances include those amounting to 'force majeure' in which case participants will receive a full refund but they will not be entitled to any compensation.

Changes to travel contract 

If you wish to make a change to your booking please contact Altaï Indonesia in writing; you will be expected to pay any fee which might arise from this change. In the event of unforeseen external events, Altaï Indonesia may change some aspects of the travel contract. If any changes are necessary you will be informed as quickly as possible.

Pricing

The prices on our website are updated regularly and all of the prices we advertise are accurate when published. We reserve the rights to make changes to any of these prices. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen holiday including any supplements, upgrades or additional activities you may have requested. If the number of travellers is fewer than the indicated number of participants on the website, a small group surcharge may be applied. For all of our trips we include details of services, prices and what is/is not included but please be aware that changes to the prices may be necessary in accordance with exchange rates or price changes of various components of the journey.

Contract transfer 

If you are unable to travel for any reason, you can transfer your booking to another person in which case our modification conditions apply. Both the transferor and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the total holiday price and other associated expenses. Some airline carriers treat name changes as cancellations and you may be required to pay for the cost of a new ticket.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you take out personal travel insurance for your trip with Altaï Indonesia as soon as your booking is confirmed. We advice you to purchase a travel insurance policy which covers flight cancellations, luggage loss and emergency health care. Please look carefully at which activities are covered by your insurer and do not forget to bring all necessary documents and information with you (name of the company, name of the contract, insurance policy number, telephone number...)

Practical info

Staff

English speaking guide + Local crew onboard of the klotok boat

Food

Dinners, lunches and breakfasts are taken in restaurants or at the hotel. Please be aware that the tap water in Indonesia is not drinkable.
Please let us know about any dietary requirements when you book the trip and we will work with you to cater for your needs.

Accommodation

Klotoks are two-storeyed wooden river boats equipped with inboard or outboard motor, and are specially built to navigate through shallow waters and narrow sections of the river. They have a shallow draft and generally measure 19 meters in length by 3.5 meters width. 

You will live on the klotok wood houseboat with mosquito net bed. The boat has prive toilet and shower room. 

















If you want to upgrade the comfort level of your boat, you can choose from Speedboat to deluxe klotok with different price. (pls advise our travel consultant for the price) !!!

Budget & exchange

The currency in Indonesia is the Indonisian Rupiah, Rp (IDR)
Visit http://www.xe.com for the latest currency converter and exchange rates. You can withdraw Indonesian Rupiahs from in- country ATMs or exchange money at the airport/local currency exchange offices. ATMs and exchange desks are only found on bigger islands like Bali (Denpasar, Ubud, Sanur). The cost of an average meal in Java is around 3US$ to 8US$; in Bali it is 4US$ to 11US$.

When purchasing souvenirs, we ask that our travelers resist the temptation to buy traditional items which are part of local families/the countries heritage. We also ask our travelers to respect the Species Protection Agreements (CITES) which aims to protect more than 2,500 species of animals and 30,000 species of threatened plants by prohibiting the trade of hides, ivory, scales, corals, shells, and the import of live exotic animals.

Tips

Tipping is not an obligation and must be left to everyone's discretion.
Nevertheless, in Indonesia it is customary to leave one when you are satisfied with the service rendered. Its amount depends on the appreciation of it and must take into account the local economy.
Tips too important, given the general standard of living of the country visited, destabilize local economic balances. As a reminder, the tip is a supplement and does not replace their remuneration. Indeed, anyone acting on our trips being paid elsewhere.
We recommend a budget of 3€ to 5€ per person per day for tips.

Vital equipment

We recommend packing:


For your head:

A cap or sunhat
A good pair of sunglasses (level 3 or 4, glacier)
For your core:

1 or 2 sets of thermals: long-sleeved thermal tops and full-length long johns
Long sleeved and short sleeved t-shirts, appropriate for hiking in 1 fleece or equivalent
A breathable wind proof, waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex...)

A rain cape or protective waterproof bag for your day-bag

For your legs:

1 or 2 pairs of long shorts
1 pair of walking trousers
For your feet and hands:
Your hiking boots (high-cut, thick soles...)
A pair of trainers
A pair of sandals for wearing in the sea
Thick walking socks
To keep you hydrated:

A good water bottle (min. 1.5 l)


And do not forget:

A good sun-cream (SPF 50+, water resistant, biodegradable...)

Insect repellent
Towel(s)
A wash bag - your personal toiletries

Helpful equipment

You may also want to bring:

  • A camera and spare batteries/portable charger
  • A power plug travel adapter
  • A head torch and spare batteries
  • A pocket knife

  • A fast drying micro-fibre beach towel
  • A bath towel
  • Blister plasters
  • A small personal first aid kit

  • Zip lock bags to protect your important documents and electronics
  • A laundry bag/bin bag for your dirty clothes
  • Tissues
  • Earplugs

Luggage

Please bring a small rucksack to use as a day bag. You can bring this as hand luggage on the airplane. You will carry your lunch, water, spare layers and any personal medication with you each day in this bag. You will also need a larger bag to store your other clothes and belongings in, please ensure that this is a soft bag like a rucksack or holdall rather than a hard cased suitcase because it is more practical. We recommend packing all of your clothes in plastic bags so that they stay dry in the event of wet weather.

Medicine

Your guide is a trained first-aider and will carry a full first aid kit at all times during the trip. We recommend that you bring a small personal first aid kit containing any medication you may need such as inhalers, plasters, antiseptic and painkillers.

Passport

To go to Indonesia travelers need a passport which is valid for at least six months after the date of entry. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific passport requirements and proof of onwards travel is required.

Visa

Visa on Arrival

Travelers applying for visa on arrival must submit:

A passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months,
A return ticket or onward ticket to another country,
Visa on Arrival fee of 500,000 IDR
Proof of ownership of health insurance which includes financing for COVID-19 and medical evacuation

Visa on Arrival initial validity is up to a maximum of 30 days and can be extended once for up to another 30 days at the local Immigration Office.
It is your responsibility to confirm your specific visa requirements.

Mandatory vaccines

For clients who come from Saudi Arabia, you need to be vaccinated against meningitis 10 days before your arrival in Indonesia.


For the other nationalities, pls consult our travel consultant when you make the booking. 

Health information & recommendations

It is your responsibility to check that your personal insurance covers everything in this trip. A consultation with your doctor is a prerequisite for any trip. Malaria prophylaxis is advised if your trip goes to Flores, Komodo, Sumatra, Sulawesi, the Sundra Islands or Kalimatan. Anti-malaria treatments are not necessary in Bali, Java or Lombok. Avoid contact with mosquitoes as much as possible: apply repellents, wear long trousers/sleeves and sleep with a mosquito net. The World Health Organisation can provide further details of the latest health news and medical advice.

Weather

Indonesia is positioned on both sides of the equator making it subject to a similar climate year round. As a rule the South is generally drier and less hot. The average temperature ranges between 24°C and 35°C (75°F and 95°F). We cannot guarantee no rain but we can suggest that the best season to visit Indonesia is the dry season, from mid-April to October/November.

Electricity

Indonesia uses European-style plugs with two round pins. Voltage is normally 220 V 50 Hz except in a few places where it is 110 V.

Local time

Indonesia is spread across three time zones. The Lesser Sunda Islands use Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)/ Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +8. Indonesia does not use Daylight Saving Time (DST).

Sustainable tourism

As adventure and wilderness travel experts who run trips to some of the most remote parts of the world, we take responsible tourism very seriously.
We respect the ‘Leave No Trace’ outdoor ethical code and try to explore this beautiful location whilst causing minimal environmental damage.

The Leave No Trace policy can be summarized in 7 simple steps which we hope you will follow during our trip...


1. Be prepared
2. Stick to trails and camp overnight right
3. Stash your trash and pick up waste
4. Leave it as you find it
5. Be careful with fire
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of other visitors


Over the years we have built up good relations with our local suppliers and we are keen to support local businesses as much as possible. We are a small company and we pay our local partners and suppliers directly insuring fair rates.
Our small group sizes not only provide a more intimate adventure but also cause less impact on the environment and local communities.

We expect all who travel with us to support and uphold our Sustainable Tourism philosophies.

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Yang Yang

My local agent
Yang Yang

  • I was born and raised in China, in a region where I was surrounded by the Himalayan mountains. Since I was very young, I've hiked mountains two and three thousand meters high and rafted in the long mountain rivers.
  • I'm fascinated with new places and cultures. When I finished high school in China, I decided to go to study in France. Since then, I have traveled around Europe, Middle East and also Asia. First France, then Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Nepal, and Vietnam. I traveled by foot, on cycles, and even rafting and snorkeling.
  • When I turned 27, I decided to move to Bali, Indonesia, wanting to discover a new world with a natural tropical environment. It was here that I took up traveling as a profession, sharing my experience and tips with other travelers.
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Region
Borneo
Activity
Family Vacation Multi-activity trips Travel to unknown corners
Duration
6 days
Code
ALINBORNEO
Price
From €765
Level
2/5
Comfort
2/5

Strengths

- The Most closed moment with Orangutans
- Traditional Wood boat experience
- Learning time in the old orangutan research and rehabilitation center

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