Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans of Kalimantan

12 Days | Embark on an authentic Indonesian orangutan expedition

4.8 out of 5 based on 14 reviews submitted.
Expeditions
Wildlife
From
EUR 2.620 €
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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.

Trip overview

Map of Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans Of Kalimantan including Indonesia
Start
Jakarta, Indonesia
Finish
Jakarta, Indonesia
Theme
Expeditions, Wildlife
Destinations
Indonesia
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
TISW
This trip generates 120 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip takes you to a part of Borneo not often visited by foreign travellers and is ideal for those who have been to Indonesia previously and are keen to explore more. Each day is an adventure, and we filled this trip full of diverse wildlife experiences of Borneo which are impossible to find on any other trip. Please note that there is no guarantee of seeing wildlife on specific days of this journey, as you will be visiting national parks with endemic and rare species. Your expert guides will provide the best opportunity to see wildlife along the way, but as to be respectful to your environment, you may have a day or two simply admiring the jungle around you.
  • Sometimes you’ve got to rough it to get amongst it. While most of the accommodation on this trip is tourist class, there will be some very basic accommodation during the overnight stay in the longhouse. All bedding and mattresses are provided, plus mosquito nets to sleep under.
  • Some of the best scenery is found deep in Borneo’s jungles, which can be quite steamy, muddy and, at times, slippery. In order to experience the splendour of the diverse landscapes and waters, the included activities on this trip often require a moderate level of fitness. We ask that you read the Essential Trip Information and itinerary carefully to ensure that you will be able to participate fully.
  • Temperatures and humidity can be high in Indonesia, especially when walking around the jungles of Borneo where there may be little respite. Be prepared by taking plenty of drink breaks and wearing appropriate skin protection.
  • This trip has some long travel days by private vehicle, including on bumpy local roads. It's not unusual for journeys to take longer than estimated and travel times to vary from one departure to the next. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
  • The longhouse stay is a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday rural life and includes a home-cooked dinner. Facilities are simple and multi-share but comfortable, with mattresses, bedding and mosquito nets all provided. Some travellers are nervous about the experience before they arrive, but we find most end up naming this as a highlight of their time and a rewarding, authentic experience. Other accommodation is in no frills, simple guesthouses and hotels, perfect for travellers on a budget. On occasion our accommodation may not have hot water, but you will probably be keen to cool down from the heat with a refreshing cold shower!

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

Map of Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans Of Kalimantan including Indonesia

Inclusions

Meals

11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Plane, Taxi, Klotok boat, Canoe, Private vehicle

Accommodation

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

Activities
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Tanjung Harapan orangutan feeding station
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Klotok boat cruise
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Camp Leakey
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Orangutan Feeding Platform 2
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Tanjung Harapan village visit
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Pondok Tanggui orangutan feeding station
  • Sebangau NP - Wildlife ranger walk
  • Tumbang Malahoi Village - Blessing ceremony
  • Tumbang Malahoi Village - Traditional dancing
  • Palangka Raya - Balanga Museum
  • Tumbang Malahoi Village - Village & jungle walk
  • Palangka Raya - Sei Gohong River Boat Tour
  • Palangka Raya - Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation Kaja Island Visit
Add on activities
  • Jakarta - Wayang (Puppetry) Museum - IDR5000
  • Jakarta - Museum Seni Rupa Dan Keramik (Fine Arts & Ceramics) - IDR5000
  • Jakarta - Museum Nasional - IDR10000
  • Walking/biking to local villages - IDR60000
  • Trip to Tangkiling Hill & Dayak Spiritual Site of Batu Banama - IDR20000

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking for the flight ticket on this trip. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
2. A Single Supplement is available on this trip excluding Days 2-4 (Ecolodge) where you will be in twin share accommodation and Day 8 (Longhouse) which is multishare.
3. To secure Tanjung Puting National Park permits and the flight ticket for this trip, a scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport needs to be sent to your booking agent no later than 45 days before departure. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket or permit.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 14 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Marta · Traveled August 2024
An outstanding trip to get to know the magnificent wildlife of Borneo. The encounters with the orangutans were all magical, in particular the boat trip to the pre-release Kaja island, which half of the group decided to repeat it during our free time at our own cost. And not only we spotted orangutans, but also proboscis monkeys, macaques, kingfishers, storm stork and many more!. The guides were all amazing and helped us to see all of them. Besides the wildlife, this trip allows you to learn the Dayak culture and get to know a part of Borneo which is not so touristic. The interaction with the locals in this area is truly special. As mentioned in the trip notes there are some long driving hours included, but this allows you to get to know the real Borneo. I would definitely recommend this trip for all wildlife lovers!
Review submitted 26 Aug 2024

Nicholas · Traveled July 2024
The itinerary started out well, but petered out. The final two days we were left to our own devices with no programmed activity including one day stuck in a grim resort hotel in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do. Seeing the orang utans was awesome though.
Review submitted 11 Aug 2024

Amanda · Traveled June 2024
Excellent orangatan focused tour in less touristed area with fun, small group & excellent guide Nova. Tour starts and ends strong, with stay at eco lodge & boat ride to visit feeding stations as well as briefing from BOSF and boat trip around pre-release island. Enjoyable stay in longhouse with warm, welcoming villagers. Tour lags in middle with several days of long drives & limited activities. Good accommodation, meals, & local rangers.
Review submitted 11 Jul 2024

Harriet · Traveled June 2024
Tanjun Puting is amazing, we saw many orangutans and our local guide Hakim was excellent. However, the itinerary is quite misleading in places, for example it is suggested we might see orangutans in Sebangu however, whilst there are orangutans living there, you will not see them in the dry season due to the fruiting conditions. Also, the BOSF sanctuary is permanently closed to the public so you won't be going there either. Overall, the trip was outstanding and I would recommend but Intrepid does need to update the itinerary and trip info so it better reflects the experience.
Review submitted 24 Jul 2024

Nicholas · Traveled June 2024
Excellent immersive adventure that gets well off the Westerners' tourist track to see rural areas, jungle and lots of orangutans and other wildlife. The days crusing the river on a Klotok in Tanjun Puting National Park going to the orangutan centres are superb as is the Dayak Village stay and visit and Orangutan Release Centre visit at the end. It does have a few early starts and travel days but it's all to pack in more wildlife encounters. And Abraham was a great tour leader!
Review submitted 14 Jul 2024
Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans of Kalimantan
From
EUR 2.620 €