Duration: 16 Days/15 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. 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
Meet at airport and directly transfer to Samarinda for overnight at hotel. Free at your own leisure.
Day 02 SAMARINDA – MAHAKAM RIVER
After breakfast at hotel, we will proceed to boat station for starting our expedition by cruising the Mahakam River by 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 overnight at the public houseboat. (B,L,D)
Day 03 MAHAKAM RIVER – LONG BAGUN
At the second day on the houseboat, we will cruise the upper Mahakam River while sightseeing beautiful view of rainforest as well as people unique activities at riverside. Lunch, dinner and overnight at the houseboat. (B,L,D)
Day 04 LONG BAGUN – TIANG OHANG
Get a full day trip by public boat to cruise the headwaters of Mahakam River through some amazing rapids while sightseeing beautiful view of rainforest as well as people unique activities at riverside. Lunch will be served en route, dinner at simple restaurant, and staying overnight at homestay. (B,L,D)
Day 05 TIONG OHANG – MUARA HUBUNG – MUARA SAITE
After breakfast at local house, we will cruise the headwaters of Mahakam River by motorized canoe for about 2,5 hours to reach Muara Hubung. Afterwards, we will start our jungle trekking by climbing up the Atikop hill to reach Muara Saite for 3,5 hours approximately. Before dark, we will set a campsite at riverside. Lunch will be served en route, dinner and overnight at bivouac/tent on riverside. (B,L,D)
Day 06 MUARA SAITE – SUNGAI BEKANA – ARINGE
We will be trekking deeper into the jungle by crossing rivers and climb up the hills to reach Aringe for setting our campsite at riverside. Lunch will be served en route, dinner and overnight at bivouac/tent on riverside. (B,L,D)
Day 07 ARINGE – MULLER RANGE
We will be trekking deeper into the jungle to reach Muller Range by crossing rivers and hills. On the way, our Dayak porters will show us how to survive on the jungle by collecting the rattan, fish catching, and setting animal trap that involve you. Before dark, we will set a campsite for 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 for setting a campsite at riverside. No need to rush as the jungle view is fantastic. Lunch will be served en route, dinner and overnight at bivouac/tent on 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 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 riverside. Lunch will be served en route, dinner and overnight at bivouac/tent on 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 ½ – 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 for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 11 BRAKAN – DATAH OPET
After breakfast, we will cross rivers, up and down passing the jungle while exploring exotic flora and fauna of Borneo. After lunch at riverside, we will then cross jungle, rivers, cave and temporary huts used by villagers when having cultivation or hunting deer, wild pig, birds, and even sometimes clouded leopard. Lunch will be served en route, dinner and overnight at bivouac/tent on 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 en route, dinner and overnight at local house. (B,L,D)
Day 13 TANJUNG LOKANG – KAPUAS RIVER – PUTUSSIBAU
After breakfast, we will cruise downward the Kapuas River to Putussibau crossing challenged rapids while sightseeing beautiful view of rainforest as well as people unique activities at riverside. Lunch will be served en route, dinner and overnight at local hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 14 PUTUSSIBAU – SINTANG
Breakfast at local hotel and then proceed to Sintang by public bus for about 8 hours passing the beautiful view of Mount Kelam on the roadside. Arrive at Sintang and directly transfer to a local hotel for 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 en route, dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 16 DEPARTURE
Breakfast at hotel and free at your own leisure till the proper time for transferring to airport for your flight to next destination. (B)
Included:
- AC land transportation
- Public bus for Putussibau – Sintang – Pontianak
- Public speed boat
- Public houseboat in Mahakam River
- Motorized boats
- Accommodation based on twin share:
01 Night at 3 stars hotel in Samarinda
01 Night at public houseboat in Mahakam River
10 Night at bivouac/tent/local house
01 Night at local hotel in Putussibau
01 Night at local hotel in Sintang
01 Nights at 3 stars hotel in Pontianak - 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