by Duration: 21 Days/20 Nights
Grade: Challenging
Day 01 ARRIVAL IN PONTIANAK
Arrive at Pontianak airport and directly transfer to the hotel. Pontianak is the capital of West Kalimantan, located precisely on the equator and lies on the delta of Kapuas River, the longest river in Indonesia. Free at your own leisure.
Day 02 PONTIANAK – SINTANG
After breakfast, we will leave to Sintang by public bus for about 8 hours. Lunch and dinner will be served at the local restaurants. Staying overnight at the local hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 03 SINTANG – PUTUSSIBAU
Breakfast at the local hotel and then proceed to Putussibau by public bus for about 8 hours passing the beautiful view of Mount Kelam at the roadside. Arrive at Putussibau and directly transfer to the local hotel to stay overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 04 PUTUSSIBAU – BONGAN RIVER
After breakfast, we will proceed to the headwater of the Kapuas River to reach Bongan River by long boat with all necessary supplies. The boat is about 1,5 – 2 meters wide and 6 – 8 meters long occupies for 4 – 5 passengers with no roof, so it will be hot and noisy. On the way, we may stop at the Dayak village to see the longhouse. In certain places, we have to go down the river to pull and push the boat as the level of the water in the dry season is too shallow. Here you will experience how amazing the boatman and what we call “the Stone Man” knows exactly where the rock is and how to get away from the rapids. If the rapid is too extreme, we have to walk along the rock or villager farmlands at the riverside and the boat will pick us up in certain places. It’s tough here. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner and stay overnight at the bivouac/tent on the riverside. (B,L,D)
Day 05 BONGAN RIVER – TANJUNG LOKANG
After breakfast, we will continue our journey with more challenging. Go down, pull and push the boat, walk on the rock or villager farmlands at the riverside while the boat passing the rapids, those all can give you an unforgettable experience. On the way, you will see the tropical rainforest of Kalimantan, villager farmlands, hills, and temporary huts till you reach Tanjung Lokang. It is a remote village, inhabited by Punan Bongan Dayak, located on the area of Betung Kerihun National Park. If you are a handicraft collector you may find some rattan basket weaving, traditional Dayak machete, blow pipe gun, palm leaves rounded hat, and many more. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner and stay overnight at the local house. (B,L,D)
Day 06 TANJUNG LOKANG –SUNGAI BULIT
After breakfast at the local house, we will trek across villager farmland and secondary rainforest. The first 2 hours, we will hike the hill and then another 2,5 hours passing the jungle and small rivers. After lunch at the riverside, we will trek up and down again, crossing a small shallow river, and Nyinyit Cave where the local people collect the swiftlet nest that cost very expensive and good to support their life inside the cave. Before dark, we will set the campsite at the riverside for a dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 07 SUNGAI BULIT – SUNGAI BONGAN
After breakfast, we will cross rivers, up and down passing the jungle while exploring exotic flora and fauna of Borneo. After lunch at the riverside, we will then crossing 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 08 SUNGAI BONGAN – SUNGAI BONGAN LEA
The trekking path here is varied but tougher. We will have lot of deal with water about 0,5 – 1 meter deep and walking on rock at 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 a campsite at the riverside for a dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 09 SUNGAI BONGAN LEA – PIANG LO`ONG
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 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 10 PIANG LO`ONG – MULLER RANGE
After breakfast, we will trek about two hours up and down river till reaching the foot of Muller Range. It started from the altitude of 500 M above sea level to reach the border of West and East Kalimantan at 1000 M above sea level. The path is not so difficult only high up hill passing the jungle. It takes about 1 – 2 hours, depends on your ability. No need to rush as the jungle view is fantastic. After lunch enroute, we will be trekking downhill to find a good place to set our campsite at the riverside. (B,L,D)
Day 11 MULLER RANGE – MUARA CUTING
The trek here is almost the same with before day but never boring, we will cross rivers and jungle. On the way, our Dayak porters will show us how to survive on the jungle, collecting the rattan, animal hunting, fish catching, and setting animal trap that involve you. Before dark, we will set a campsite at the riverside for a dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 12 MUARA CUTING – SAITE
After breakfast, we will proceed to trek for about 3 hours to reach Saite, this time you will have plenty of time for relaxing, swimming, take a break or anything else after hard trekking. The trek will pass the jungle and rivers. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner and stay overnight at the bivouac/tent on the riverside. (B,L,D)
Day 13 MUARA SAITE – TIONG OHANG
After breakfast, proceed to trek across the river and jungle to reach the mouth of the Mahakam River for about 3 hours. We will pass villager farmlands before reaching the riverside. Upon arrival, the longboat will take us to Tiong Ohang village for about 2 hours boating. You will pass some temporary hut as well as villager farmlands and jungle. This is the first village you encounter after long days in the jungle. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner at the simple restaurant, and staying overnight at the homestay in Tiong Ohang Village. (B,L,D)
Day 14 TIONG OHANG – LONG BAGUN
After breakfast, we will get a full day trip by public fast-boat crossing down the headwaters of Mahakam River through some challenged rapids while sightseeing beautiful view of rainforest as well as people unique activities at riverside. Lunch will be served enroute, dinner and stay overnight at the homestay. (B,L,D)
Day 15 LONG BAGUN – MAHAKAM RIVER
Breakfast at the homestay and then cruise downward the Mahakam River into Samarinda by a 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 at the first deck. The boat will stop sometimes to pick and drop passengers or loading some supplies. Lunch, dinner and staying overnight at the public houseboat. (B,L,D)
Day 16 MAHAKAM RIVER – SAMARINDA
At the second day of the cruise started by having breakfast at the canteen. We will cruise the lower part of Mahakam River while sightseeing people unique activities at the riverside. Arrive in Samarinda port and then driving to Balikpapan to stay overnight at the hotel. Free at your own leisure. Lunch and dinner will be served at the local restaurants. (B,L,D)
Day 17 SAMARINDA – BALIKPAPAN – BANJARMASIN
Breakfast at the hotel and free at your own leisure till the proper time for transferring to the airport for your onward flight to Banjarmasin. Arrive at Banjarmasin airport and directly transfer to the hotel for check in. Next, exploring Banjarese river civilization by taking an afternoon canal sightseeing. Afterwards, return to the hotel to stay overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 18 FLOATING MARKET – PANGKALAN BUN – TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK
Early in the morning, we will leave to the floating market for exploring the unique culture of Banjarese that trade commodities from boat to boat, then return to the hotel crossing Banjarmasin River while sightseeing people activities at the riverside. Breakfast at the hotel and free at your own leisure till the proper time for transferring to the airport to catch your 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 19 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 20 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 21 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 Pontianak – Sintang – Putussibau
- 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 Pontianak
01 Night at local hotel in Sintang
01 Night at local hotel in Putussibau
01 Night at public houseboat in Mahakam River
01 Night at 3 stars hotel in Samarinda
11 Nights at bivouac/tent/local house
01 Night at 3 stars hotel in Banjarmasin
03 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
