Duration: 16 Days/15 Nights
Grade: Easy
Day 01 ARRIVAL IN PANGKALAN BUN – TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK
Meet at airport and directly transfer to Kumai village for boarding the houseboat to Tanjung Puting National Park. The houseboat is a traditional wooden river boat with roof forms the upper deck where you can view the rainforest as it glides by. The boat crew including the boatman, cook and expert guide. In the peaceful afternoon, we will slowly explore the romantic river by the houseboat while observing the primates and birds along the riverside, such as racket tailed drongo, little green and pink necked pigeons, spotted dove, stork billed kingfisher, herons, kinds of bul-bul, etc. Lunch, dinner and staying overnight at houseboat. (L,D)
Day 02 TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK
Early morning, we will proceed to Pondok Tanggui station which is inhabited by species of birds such as greater and lesser coucals, kinds of bul-bul, chestnut bellied and raffless malkohas, bristlehead, red throated barbet, hooded and garnet pittas, sunda pygmy and banded woodpeckers, minivet, leafbird, babblers, flowerpeckers, trogons, bulwer’s pheasant, asian paradised flycatchers, etc. Next, boarding the houseboat for cruising upward the creek to Camp Leakey where the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rainforest. At this station, we will explore the story of first orangutan project in the world, we will then trekking to the feeding station to see rehabilitated orangutans are given additional foods. Afterwards, cruising downward the river while spotting some birds on riverside such as stork billed and blue eared kingfishers, black and red broadbills, rhinoceros, black, and oriental pied hornbills, storm’s stork, etc. If the weather is good, we can do a night trekking to explore nocturnal animals such as tarantula and species of birds. Lunch, dinner and staying overnight at houseboat. (B,L,D)
Day 03 TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK – BANJARMASIN – BARITO RIVER
Breakfast at houseboat and cruising the Sekonyer river while exploring the wildlife and birds on riverside and then return to Kumai port to catch the car for driving to Pangkalan Bun airport for your flight to Banjarmasin. Arrive in Banjarmasin and directly driving to hotel for check in. In the afternoon, we will cruise downward the Barito River to the estuary for exploring the fascinating mangrove forest which is inhabited by proboscis monkeys, silvery langurs, long tailed macaques, and many birds. Afterwards, return to hotel while birding with slow boating across beautiful rice field, bushes, mangrove forest, and remote villages. (B,L,D)
Day 04 FLOATING MARKET – SUNGAI RUTAS – LIMESTONE HILL – LOKSADO
Early morning, we will leave to the floating market to explore the unique culture of Banjarese that trade commodities from boat to boat, then return to hotel crossing Banjarmasin River while sightseeing people activities at riverside. During the boating, we will have the opportunity to spot birds at the riverside such as green pigeons, munias, bul-buls, sunbirds, tailorbirds, kingfishers, babblers, etc. We will then driving across lowland and peat-swamp forest landscape to reach Sungai Rutas village to get our boat crossing the romantic river to spot wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, long tailed macaque, monitor lizards, and bird species like; kingfishers, bee-eaters, long tailed parakeet, buffy fish owl, green pigeons, oriental darter, lesser adjutant, etc. Next, proceed to the limestone hill of Meratus Mountain to spot the black-browed babbler and other bird species such as barbets, drongo, bul-buls, etc. Afterwards, heading to Loksado to stay overnight at the lodge. Lunch and dinner will be served at the local restaurants. (B,L,D)
Day 05 LOKSADO – BATU LICIN – LIMESTONE HILLS – SERONGGA
After breakfast, we will get the adventure trip of bamboo rafting across beautiful landscape of tropical rainforest along the Amandit riverside. We can do bird-watching during the bamboo rafting. We will then drive across rainforest and mountainous landscape to reach the limestone hills near Batu Licin to spot the Bornean black-browed babbler and other bird species. Afterwards, proceed to Serongga Village to stay overnight at the local hotel. Lunch and dinner will be served at local restaurants enroute. (B,L,D)
Day 06 SERONGGA – LATI PETANGIS FOREST PARK – TANAH GROGOT
Early morning, we proceed to the limestone hills to spot the Bornean black-browed babbler and other bird species. Breakfast at the hotel and then proceed to Cantung Village to get the boat crossing down the river to spot wildlife such as estuarine crocodile, proboscis monkeys, silvery langurs, monitor lizards, and birds such as kingfishers, emerald dove, imperial pigeons, white bellied sea eagle, brahminy kite, and others that hang around the riverside. Next, driving across beautiful Karst topography, jungle, and mountainous landscape to reach Lati Petangis Forest Park to explore the rainforest and wildlife such as gibbons, white fronted langurs, long tailed macaques, giant squirrel, and birds like pittas, malkohas, barbets, magpies, cuckoos, babblers, parakeet and parrots, etc. Afterwards, continue driving for about 30 minutes into Tanah Grogot to stay overnight at the local hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 07 TANAH GROGOT – SUNGAI WAIN RESERVE
After breakfast, we will drive to Sungai Wain Reserve and check in to the homestay. We will then trekking to the forest to do birdwatching with hope to see Bornean peacock-pheasant, Bornean ground-cuckoo, Malaysian honeyguide, blue-headed pitta, bristlehead, bornean wren-babbler, grey-breasted babbler, yellow-rumped flowerpecker, red bearded bee-eater, banded woodpecker, hornbills, Asian paradise flycatcher, etc. Return to the homestay for overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 08 SUNGAI WAIN RESERVE – BUKIT BANGKIRAI
Full day birdwatching with hope to see the exotic birds such as Bornean peacock-pheasant, Bornean ground-cuckoo, Malaysian honeyguide, blue-headed pitta, bristlehead, bornean wren-babbler, grey-breasted babbler, yellow-rumped flowerpecker, red bearded bee-eater, banded woodpecker, broadbills, hornbills, Asian paradise flycatcher, etc. Afterwards, driving to Bukit Bangkirai for check in to the jungle lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 09 BUKIT BANGKIRAI – KUYUNG VILLAGE – MUARA MUNTAI
Early morning, we will trek and climbing the canopy bridge to explore the rainforest from above as well as spotting birds such as hornbills, Borneo magpies, velvet-fronted nuthatch, leafbirds, malkohas, Asian paradise flycatchers, woodpeckers, blue-crowned hanging parrots, barbets, etc. We will then return to the lodge for packing up our stuff and then driving to Kuyung Village to catch our boat crossing the Mahakam River to reach the homestay in Muara Muntai Village. On the way, we will have opportunity to spot birds and other animals as well as people daily activities at the riverside. In the afternoon, we can have sightseeing the villagers daily activities from the long wooden bridge which is made of iron wood. (B,L,D)
Day 10 MUARA MUNTAI – JEMPANG LAKE – OHONG RIVER – SAMARINDA
Early morning, we can proceed to the bush and farmland nearby the village to spot some birds such as; pink necked green pigeons, spotted dove, flycatchers, starling, coucal, bee-eaters, tailorbirds, flowerpeckers, sunbirds, spiderhunters, etc. Next, proceed to Jempang Lake by motorized canoe to explore the waterbirds such as herons, egrets, darter, black winged stilt, waterhen, common moorhen, lesser adjutant, whistling ducks, fish eagle, whiskered terns, and storm’s stork if you are lucky. We will then entering the Ohong River to reach Mancong village to explore an exotic longhouse. The Ohong River is habitat of proboscis monkeys, monitor lizards, mangrove snakes, reticulated python, and some beautiful birds such as blue eared kingfishers, pittas, broadbills, woodpeckers, green leafbirds, racket tailed drongo, asian paradised and blue flycatchers, blue tailed bee-eater, etc. Afterwards, proceed back to Kuyung village to catch our car for driving back to Samarinda to stay overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 11 SAMARINDA – KABO VILLAGE – KUTAI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, we will be driving to Kabo village for crossing up the river into Prevab camp of Kutai National Park, during the boating we will have opportunity to sight some birds such as oriental pied hornbill, coucals, brahminy kite, kingfishers, broadbills, etc. Arrive at the national park and then trekking to the jungle to spot orangutans and birds as many as possible such as; kinds of bulbul, chestnut bellied and raffless malkohas, brown and red throated barbets, sunda pygmy and banded woodpeckers, hornbills, fiery minivet, leafbirds, babblers, scarlet backed flowerpecker, crimson sunbirds, bornean blue flycatcher, hooded and blue headed pittas, red bearded bee-eater, spider hunters, oriental dwarf kingfisher, trogons, violet cuckoo, hornbills, white rumped shama, black and red broadbill, hill myna, scoop owls, green imperial pigeon, crested fireback, etc. In the evening, we can do night trekking to explore tarantula and other animals such as insects, sleeping birds, frogs, etc. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner and staying overnight at the jungle guesthouse. (B,L,D)
Day 12 KUTAI NATIONAL PARK – KABO VILLAGE – BERAU
Proceed to the jungle with hope to see birds as many as possible such as; kinds of bulbul, chestnut bellied and raffless malkohas, brown and red throated barbets, sunda pygmy and banded woodpeckers, hornbills, fiery minivet, leafbirds, babblers, scarlet backed flowerpecker, crimson sunbirds, bornean blue flycatcher, hooded and blue headed pittas, red bearded bee-eater, spider hunters, oriental dwarf kingfisher, trogons, violet cuckoo, hornbills, white rumped shama, black and red broadbill, hill myna, scoop owls, green imperial pigeon, crested fireback, etc. We will then cross down the river into Kabo Village and take a long drive across rainforest and mountainous landscape to reach the hotel in Berau town. During the driving, we can make stops when spotting birds at the road side. Lunch and dinner will be served at the local restaurants and stay overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 13 BERAU – TANJUNG BATU – MARATUA ISLAND
Breakfast at hotel and then driving to Tanjung Batu port crossing bushes, mountainous landscape, rainforest, farmland, and villages. We can make stops to explore birds at the road side. Arrive at Tanjung Batu Port and then crossing the Sulawesi Sea to reach Maratua Island for check in to the cottage. In the afternoon, we can do birding to spot species of birds such as; Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Nicobar Pigeon, Grey Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit Dove, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Maratua Shama, Maratua Bul-bul, Rainbow Bee-eater, Blue-naped Parrot, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Kingfishers, Frigate Birds, etc. (B,L,D)
Day 14 MARATUA ISLAND – KAKABAN – SANGALAKI – MARATUA ISLAND
After breakfast, we will proceed to Kakaban island for snorkeling on the wondrous lake with 4 different species of jelly fish that can be found by thousands. Next, proceed to Sangalaki for snorkeling on the site which is called as the Capital of The Mantas Rays, including kinds of exotic fish, such as; Napoleons, purple sea horses, tunitates, dwarf scorpion fishes, and not to forget the coral sea garden which is fascinating. Afterwards, return to the cottage to stay overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 15 MARATUA ISLAND BIRDING
Early morning, proceed to the forest to do birdwatching to spot species of birds such as; Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Nicobar Pigeon, Grey Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit Dove, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Maratua Shama, Maratua Bul-bul, Rainbow Bee-eater, Blue-naped Parrot, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Kingfishers, Frigate Birds, etc. (B,L,D)
Day 16 MARATUA ISLAND – TANJUNG BATU – DEPARTURE
Early morning, we can do birdwatching to spot birds such as; Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Nicobar Pigeon, Grey Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit Dove, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Maratua Shama, Maratua Bul-bul, Rainbow Bee-eater, Blue-naped Parrot, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Kingfishers, Frigate Birds, etc. Afterwrads, proceed back to Tanjung Batu port to catch our car for driving to Berau airport for your afternoon flight to the next destination. (B)
Included:
- AC land transportation
- Private houseboat in Tanjung Puting National Park
- Motorized boats
- Accommodation based on twin share:
02 Nights at houseboat in Tanjung Puting National Park
01 Night at 3 stars hotel in Banjarmasin
01 Night at Loksado Lodge
01 Night at local hotel in Serongga Village
01 Night at local hotel in Tanah Grogot
01 Night at the homestay in Sungai Wain
01 Night at the jungle lodge in Bukit Bangkirai
01 Night at the homestay in Muara Muntai Village
01 Night at 3 stars hotel in Samarinda
01 Night at Jungle Guesthouse in Kutai National Park
01 Night at 3 stars hotel in Berau
03 Nights at Borneo Cottage in Maratua Island - Entrance fee, donation & refreshments
- English speaking guide
- Meals as stated on program, indicated as (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: dinner)
Excluded:
- Airfares
- Airport taxes and extra baggage fees
- Travel insurance
- Expenses incurred due to Force Majeure
- Personal expenses