Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans of Kalimantan

12 days
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Small Group Tour
Go in search of the gentle giants of the Borneo jungles – the elusive orangutan – on a 12-day wildlife expedition. Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of Borneo, is teeming with jungles to explore, cultures to learn, and welcoming people to have a laugh with – and your wildlife expedition will be so much more than that. Staying in comfortable eco-lodging and a...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Travel aboard a traditional klotok boat, traversing the winding rivers in Tanjung Puting National Park in search of local and endemic wildlife, including the elusive orangutan.
    • Learn about the organisation working to rescue, rehabilitate and release these critically endangered animals at the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF).
    • Appreciate a truly local experience in Tumbang Malahoi village with a stay in a longhouse. Receive a welcoming blessing ceremony and enjoy a night of eating and dancing with local families.
    • Head out on a canoe safari in Sebangau National Park, searching for orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, monitor lizards, hornbills, kingfishers, and – if you’re lucky – clouded leopards!
    • Discover Indonesia’s central metropolis in Jakarta and the up-and-coming city of Palangka Raya, with plenty of free time in both to explore at your own pace.
    • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Coral Triangle Center Foundation. Donations help expand their coral restoration project and support their educational outreach activities for local schools in Nusa Penida.

What's this trip about?

    Go in search of the gentle giants of the Borneo jungles – the elusive orangutan – on a 12-day wildlife expedition. Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of Borneo, is teeming with jungles to explore, cultures to learn, and welcoming people to have a laugh with – and your wildlife expedition will be so much more than that. Staying in comfortable eco-lodging and a traditional longhouse in the heart of the jungle, go out in search of orangutans and learn about how the local communities’ conservation efforts have ensured that these creatures, along with other endemic wildlife, continue to thrive in this slice of jungle paradise. Share in the wonder of an untouched Borneo before others find out about it, with a unique opportunity to spot orangutans in their natural habitat.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityJakarta
End CityJakarta

Travel Themes

  • Local Immersion & Homestays
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Trekking & Expeditions

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Indonesia

Attractions

  • Borneo
  • Jakarta

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Jakarta

Selamat datang! Welcome to Jakarta, Indonesia. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you happen to arrive early, check out some of Jakarta's interesting museums such as the Wayang Museum (full of traditional puppets), Balai Seni Rupa Museum (f...

Day 2 Jakarta – Tanjung Puting NP

Time to begin your Kalimantan adventure! In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight bound for Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. Once arrived, take a taxi to the port where you'll board a traditional klotok river boat. These boats are named after the sound ...

Day 3 Tanjung Puting NP

Head off for an early morning aboard your klotok and cruise upriver in search of the local wildlife. Your first stop is the renowned Camp Leakey – possibly the most famous place for orangutan research in the world. At Leakey, visit the education centre to learn a litt...

Day 4 Tanjung Puting NP

After breakfast, leave for the feeding station of Pondok Tanggui, 1 hour upstream for morning feeding time. Look out for giant squirrels, pigs, and many butterflies on the walk in. As at most of the stations, you are likely to spot another large alpha male here too. A...

Day 5 Tanjung Puting NP – Sampit

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Tanjung Puting National Park, boarding your klotok once more and taking a leisurely boat ride to the port city of Kumai. Stop for lunch in the city, a good chance to reflect on your special time in the national park, then d...

Day 6 Sampit - Palangka Raya

Your journey continues as you drive on to the city of Palangka Raya, the capital of the Central Kalimantan Province. This low-key city is pretty new, having grown from a small Dayak village in 1957. On arrival, your leader will let you know the best spots to sample so...

Day 7 Sebangau NP

Time to head off for some more wildlife adventures! Depart early for Sebangau National Park this morning for the best chance to see wildlife seeking out food and water near the riverside. There is the possibility of seeing orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, moni...

Day 8 Tumbang Malahoi Longhouse

After breakfast, travel around 40 minutes to the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF). Here, you’ll get to learn all about the foundation and its work in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing critically endangered orangutans back into the wild. You’ll see a se...

Day 9 Tumbang Malahoi Longhouse - Palangka Raya

After a simple local breakfast, take a walk around to learn about how the people of this village live. The majority of the villagers here work as carpenters, gold miners or fishermen. Later, explore the nearby jungle with some of the locals. After lunch in the jungle,...

Day 10 Palangka Raya

Today, you’ll pay a visit to the Balanga Museum, where you’ll find fascinating Indonesian artifacts that provide insight into Kalimantan's indigenous cultures. The afternoon is free for your own discoveries. Perhaps take an optional canoe trip to see the islands where the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation’s pre-release program takes place.

Day 11 Jakarta

Transfer to the airport today for your flight back to Jakarta. After checking into the hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish, and with a range of things to see and do in Jakarta, such as visiting the Grand Mosque or the Catholic Cathedral – you’ll be kept occupied by this lively city.

Day 12 Jakarta

With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end, and you are free to leave the accommodation at any time.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,007
Price per day$251
Last Updated: 3/12/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
18 Jun 2024
29 Jun 2024
$3,415
3 spots left
25 Jun 2024
06 Jul 2024
$3,165
8 spots left
23 Jul 2024
03 Aug 2024
$3,545
1 spots left
13 Aug 2024
24 Aug 2024
$3,195
8 spots left
27 Aug 2024
07 Sep 2024
$3,007
10 spots left
03 Sep 2024
14 Sep 2024
$3,195
6 spots left
17 Sep 2024
28 Sep 2024
$3,165
6 spots left
10 Jun 2025
21 Jun 2025
$3,325
10 spots left
24 Jun 2025
05 Jul 2025
$3,325
12 spots left
08 Jul 2025
19 Jul 2025
$3,455
12 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
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  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

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Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
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  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights),Ecolodge (3 nights),Resort (1 night),Longhouse (1 night),

Transportation & Flights

Plane,Taxi,Klotok boat,Canoe,Private vehicle,

Transportation & flights

Plane,Taxi,Klotok boat,Canoe,Private vehicle
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements INDONESIA: Passport holders for most nationalities are permitted to pay for Visa on Arrival and enter Bali. The Visa on Arrival will allow for stay up to 30 days for tourism purposes. Please check here for nationalities eligible for Visa on Arrival - https://www.imigrasi.go.id/en/permohonan-visa-republik-indonesia-wisata-c316/ Visa on Arrival requirements: presentation of onward or return tickets, passport which is valid for at least 6 months; install the Peduli Lindungi mobile application; show proof of a full course of vaccination finished at least 2 weeks prior to arrival; Travel insurance that covers Covid-19 and its related expenses at USD 25,000 insurance coverage per person (booking on line through:https://www.jagawisata.com/COVID19/); download Pedelui Lindungi App and verify your vaccination certificate (take a copy of vaccination certificate just in case) Visa on Arrival cost IDR 500,000 per person and can be paid through credit or debit card or cash in currencies of USD, EUR, GBP and other currencies as per set exchange rate. Please consult with the closest embassy or consulate if your country is not on the Visa on Arrival list. PASSPORTS Local laws require that you must always carry identification. We recommend taking a clear photocopy of your passport photo page and photo of your visa (after arriving), to carry with you.
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines TERRORISM: Many governments advise to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia, including Bali, Surabaya, Jakarta and Lombok, because of the high threat of terrorist attack. See travel advisories from your country of residence for further information. CIVIL UNREST AND POLITICAL TENSION: Political rallies, protests and demonstrations occur regularly and can turn violent with little notice. Avoid all public gatherings of this nature and follow the advice of local authorities. PETTY CRIME: A range of petty crime occurs in Indonesia, particularly in tourist areas of Bali. Theft, robbery and bag snatching are common. Be vigilant for thieves on motorbikes targeting pedestrians, in crowded and popular tourist areas. Be alert in bars and nightclubs where drink spiking with toxic substances can occur. Credit card and ATM fraud occurs in Indonesia. Monitor your transaction statements and tell your bank when you'll visit Indonesia so your cards won't be blocked. Only use ATMs within controlled and secure areas such as banks, shops and shopping centres. SCAMS: All types of gambling are illegal in Indonesia. Travellers have lost large sums of money in card game scams run by organised gambling gangs, particularly in Bali. TAXIS: Only use officially licensed taxi companies you can book by phone, from inside an airport or at stands at major hotels.
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information
Finish point Yello Harmoni Jakarta Jl. Hayam Wuruk No. 6, DKI Jakarta 10120 Jakarta Java INDONESIA
Trip ID
intrepid-TISW

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