Cross Borneo And Orangutan Adventure I

Duration: 20 Days/19 Nights

Grade: Challenging

Experience the ultimate challenge by traversing one of the most rugged islands in the world from the east to west crossing jungles, hills, mountain, rivers, rapids, and wilderness. We will be trekking to the lush of Borneo jungle with diversity of vegetation and animal wildlife. We will use land transportation, public houseboat and chartered motorized canoe to access the jungle for roughed days trekking. We will sleep in the jungle and simple houses of the villagers with basic facilities, we will be trekking in tough and mostly wet trails, those are the only way to appreciate the primary jungle of Borneo with the most traditional Dayak tribe settlements as well as the exotic wildlife of the jungle itself. On this long and challenging journey, we can also explore the only Asian Great Ape in Tanjung Puting National Park which is located on a peninsula in the south coast of Borneo. It is the world third largest tropical rainforest park covers an area 415,040 hectares, the only protected area in Southeast Asia with vast tract of wet and low land, tropical heat and swamp forests with large rookeries that provide breeding grounds for a wide population of waterfowl. The needs of orangutans and other wildlife primates are also satisfied by 400 species of trees as their diets. However, the reward of the trip are the romance of the journey itself, combination of river travel with long stretches of rapids, the experience of jungle trekking, wildlife exploration, as well as interacting with the Dayak people who accept visitors with their friendly attitude and hospitality that tend to make visitors immediately feel at home in their midst. Therefore, good level of fitness, strong sense of determination, and of course the spirit of adventure are the conditions for accomplishing this challenging trip.

Day 01 ARRIVAL IN BALIKPAPAN – SAMARINDA

Arrive at Balikpapan airport and directly transfer to Samarinda to stay overnight at the hotel. Free at your own leisure.

Day 02 SAMARINDA – MAHAKAM RIVER

After breakfast at the hotel, we will proceed to the boat station to start our expedition by cruising the Mahakam River with the public houseboat, here you can explore the local people way of life, the riverside civilization that certainly different with our normal life on the land. The houseboat is a public traditional wooden boat with two decks, the first deck for carrying goods and economy class with capacity about 100 passengers and the second deck is for executive class with capacity of 75 passengers. The economy room is more open both sides and no mattress while the executive served mattress, with communal room, no cabin and no AC. At the back side, there are some Borneo style toilets and simple restaurant providing Indonesian food, tea, coffee, and snacks on the first deck. The boat will stop sometimes to pick and drop passengers or loading some supplies. Lunch, dinner, and stay overnight at the public houseboat. (B,L,D)

Day 03 MAHAKAM RIVER – LONG BAGUN

At the second day of the cruise started by having breakfast at the canteen. We will cruise the upper part of Mahakam River which has beautiful view of rainforest as well as people daily activities at the riverside. Lunch, dinner, and stay overnight at the houseboat. (B,L,D)

Day 04 LONG BAGUN – TIANG OHANG

Breakfast at the local restaurant and get a full day trip by public fast-boat crossing the headwaters of Mahakam River through some challenging rapids while sightseeing beautiful view of rainforest as well as people daily activities at the riverside. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner at local restaurant, and staying overnight at the homestay. (B,L,D)

Day 05  TIONG OHANG – MUARA HUBUNG – MUARA SAITE

After breakfast at the local house, we will cross the headwaters of Mahakam River by motorized canoe for about 2,5 hours to reach Muara Hubung to start our jungle trek by climbing up the Atikop hill to reach Muara Saite for 3,5 hours approximately. Before dark, we will set a campsite at the riverside. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner and stay overnight at the bivouac/tent on the riverside. (B,L,D)

Day 06 MUARA SAITE – SUNGAI BEKANA – ARINGE

After breakfast, we will be trekking deeper into the jungle by crossing rivers and climb up the hills to reach Aringe to set the campsite at the riverside. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner and stay overnight at the bivouac/tent on the riverside. (B,L,D)

Day 07 ARINGE – MULLER RANGE

Breakfast at the campsite and then trekking deeper into the jungle to reach Muller Range by crossing rivers and hills. Before dark, we will set our campsite at the riverside for a dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 08 MULLER RANGE – SUNGAI SABANG

The trek here is almost the same with before day but never boring, we will pass the monument border of West and East Kalimantan at 1000 M above sea level. Afterwards, we will be trekking downhill and crossing rivers to reach Sungai Sabang to set the campsite at the riverside. No need to rush as the jungle view is fantastic. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner and stay overnight at the bivouac/tent on the riverside. (B,L,D)

Day 09 SUNGAI SABANG –SUNGAI BONGAN LEA

This is the longest and toughest of all paths, since we will be trekking up and down by crossing rivers, rocks, and hills. After lunch at the riverside, we will continue the trek with almost the same characteristic. The trek is so challenging and need more power and spirit of adventure. Before dark, we will set the campsite at the riverside. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner and stay overnight at the bivouac/tent on the riverside. (B,L,D)

Day 10 SUNGAI BONGAN LEA – BRAKAN

Trekking path here is varied but tough. We will have lot of deal with water about 0,5 – 1 meter deep and walking on rock at the riverside. Afterwards, we will continue our journey by trekking up and down along the riverside while sighting flora and fauna as well as the fascinating landscape along the trek. Before dark, we will set our campsite at the riverside for a dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 11 BRAKAN – DATAH OPET

After breakfast, we will cross rivers, up and down hill, passing the jungle while exploring exotic flora and fauna of Borneo. After lunch at the riverside, we will then crossing the jungle, rivers, cave and temporary huts used by villagers when they do hunting for deer, wild pig, birds, etc.. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner and stay overnight at the bivouac/tent on the riverside. (B,L,D)

Day 12 DATAH OPET – TANJUNG LOKANG

After breakfast, we will be trekking to Tanjung Lokang crossing secondary rainforest, rivers, hills, villager farmlands and cave. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner and overnight at the local house. (B,L,D)

Day 13 TANJUNG LOKANG – KAPUAS RIVER – PUTUSSIBAU

After breakfast, we will cross downward the Kapuas River to Putussibau crossing challenged rapids while sightseeing beautiful view of rainforest as well as people unique activities at the riverside. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner at restaurant, and staying overnight at the local hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 14 PUTUSSIBAU – SINTANG

Breakfast at the local hotel and then proceed to Sintang by public bus for about 8 hours passing the beautiful view of Mount Kelam at the roadside. Arrive at Sintang and directly transfer to the local hotel to stay overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 15 SINTANG – PONTIANAK

After breakfast, we will leave to Pontianak by public bus for about 8 hours. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner and stay overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 16 PONTIANAK – PANGKALAN BUN – TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK

Breakfast at hotel and free at own leisure till the proper time for transferring to the airport for your onward flight to Pangkalan Bun. Arrive at Pangkalan Bun and directly transfer to Kumai Village to board the houseboat into Tanjung Puting National Park. The houseboat is a traditional wooden river boat with the roof that 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 afternoon, we will slowly cruise the romantic river to explore the flora and fauna along the riverside. Staying overnight at the houseboat or Rimba Lodge with dining at the boat, with facilities; mattress, pillow, fine meals, mineral water, mosquito net, kitchen, and simple toilet available at the boat besides the familiar helpful guides and boatmen. (B,L,D)

Day 17 TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, we will cruise upward the creek into Camp Leakey where the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rainforest. At this station, we will explore the story of the first orangutan project in the world, we will then trek to the feeding station to see the rehabilitated orangutans are given additional food. Afterwards, cruising down the river while exploring nature and wildlife at the riverside. In the peaceful evening, we can do a night walk to explore the nocturnal animals, such as; tarantula, sleeping birds, frogs, mousedeers, insects, etc. Lunch and dinner will be served at the houseboat. Staying overnight at Rimba Lodge or houseboat. (B,L,D)

Day 18 TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, we will get the morning river safari to observe the river ecology and wildlife along the riverside. Enroute, we will stop at Pondok Tanggui Feeding Station to watch rangers feed the rehabilitated orangutans. Lunch will be served at the boat while sightseeing nature and wildlife along the riverside. Next, proceed to Tanjung Harapan Feeding Station to watch the feeding process of orangutans. Afterwards, visiting Tanjung Harapan Village to explore people daily activities. Enjoy the natural river view on the way back. Staying overnight at the houseboat or Rimba Lodge. Lunch and dinner will be served at the houseboat. (B,L,D)

Day 19 TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK

Exploring the National Park is never boring. We will observe deeper the lowland rainforest by trekking in other paths that may give you an opportunity to encounter the differences of orangutans either wild or ex-captive as well as other wildlife of the low land tropical rainforest with fascinating atmosphere of the nature itself. Enjoy the natural river view on the way back and staying overnight at the houseboat or Rimba Lodge. Lunch and dinner will be served at the houseboat. (B,L,D)

Day 20 TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK – DEPARTURE

After breakfast, we will get the morning safari to explore nature and wildlife at the riverside. Afterwards, proceed to Kumai Village to catch the car for driving to the airport for your onward flight to the next destination. (B)

Included:

• AC land transportation
• Public bus for Putussibau – Sintang – Pontianak
• Public speedboat
• Public houseboat in Mahakam River
• Private houseboat in Tanjung Puting National Park
• Motorized boats
• Accommodation based on twin share:
  01 Night at 3 stars hotel in Samarinda
  01 Night at public houseboat in Mahakam River
  10 Nights at bivouac/tent/local house
  01 Night at local hotel in Putussibau
  01 Night at local hotel in Sintang
  01 Night at 3 stars hotel in Pontianak
  04 Nights at houseboat or Rimba Lodge in Tanjung Puting National Park
• Entrance fee, donation & refreshments
• English speaking guide
• Meals as stated on program, indicated as (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: dinner)
• Tent/bivouac
• Porters on trekking (only carrying supply)

Excluded:

• Airfares
• Airport taxes and extra baggage fees
• Travel insurance
• Expenses incurred due to Force Majeure
• Personal expenses