All the Beauty of Borneo: From Primary Forests to Coral Lagoons

Welcome at Pangkalanbun airport by your English-speaking guide, short transfer to the river port of Kumai and boarding your "klotok", a traditional wooden boat from the rivers of Borneo. You leave Kumai and quickly enter Tanjung Puting National Park via a small tributary of the river, the Sekoyer River.

After approximately 1h30 of navigation, you stop at the Tanjung Harapan rehabilitation center where you observe the first orangutans. You then resume your journey and leisurely explore the surrounding wildlife: proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, birds, etc…

Dinner and overnight on board: you enjoy comfortable mattresses, pillows, refined meals, drinks, mosquito nets, while immersing yourself in the thousand and one nocturnal sounds of the jungle. On the lower deck of the boat are the kitchen, basic Western-style toilets and a simple bathroom.

Transfers: 3h
Hiking: 1-2h

Early morning return to the mouth of the Sekoyer river while observing the mangrove and nipa palms. From Kumai, long vehicle transfer to Palangkaraya, crossing wetlands, palm oil plantations and some traditional villages.

Transfers: 9-10 hours

Morning transfer to Baon Bango port, where you board a motorized canoe that travels through Senbangau park.
During your navigation, you will spot proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, many bird species, etc.
Night trek possible, depending on weather conditions.

Transfers: 2h
Hiking: 2-3h

Early in the morning, you begin a pleasant trek in the surrounding jungle, in search of orangutans and other wild animals.

Return to Baon Bango in the afternoon, then to Palangkaraya.
If time permits, visit the Balanga museum, which will tell you more about the customs and traditions of the Dayak tribes.

Transfers: 3-4h
Trekking: 2-3h

Morning transfer to the port, where you board a motorized canoe that goes up the Rungan River towards the Kaja & Bapalas islands, which are home to other orangutans. You then head towards Mt Tangkiling, which offers a superb panoramic view of the emerald-colored forest. Transfer then to Banjarmasin.

Transfers: 6-7 hours

Early morning transfer to Cempaka village to observe raw diamond extraction and polishing.

Take the opportunity to make a detour to Martapura's precious stone market, before continuing your journey to Pandak, where you discover age-old buffalo breeding techniques in the surrounding swamps and marshes.

Transfer to Loksado after sunset. Transfers: 4-5 hours

The morning is dedicated to an amusing descent of the Amadit River by bamboo raft.
At Muara Hariang, your vehicle takes you towards Banjarmasin.

Transfers: 4-5h

Morning transfer to Banjarmasin airport and flight to Balikpapan.

Then transfer to Samarinda by highway.

Transfers: 3h30

Transfer by vehicle to Kota Bangun, where you board a motorized canoe. It then takes you to the village of Pela, along the Mahakam River.
On site, possibility to visit the freshwater dolphin museum.

In the evening, you will have the opportunity to participate in a badminton or football match with the local population.

Transfers: 5h

Early morning departure by motorized canoe towards the village of Mancong, via Ohong Creek.
During the journey, you have the opportunity to observe different species of trees, as well as numerous monkeys and birds.
In Mancong, you visit one of the oldest Dayak « long houses » in East Kalimantan, then you continue your navigation towards Muara Pahu (still along the Mahakam).

Transfers: 5h

In the morning, you resume a motorized canoe and head, along the Kedang Pahu river, towards the foot of Mt Bayan.

You visit the Dayak village of Terbisak, renowned for its superb « long house », which houses Dayak Benuaq families. Around a hundred people still live, in fact, in this communal house and continue to practice hunting and farming in the traditional way.

You continue your navigation upstream where diverse wildlife unfolds before your eyes (otters, monkeys, birds, etc.). You then reach the delta of the Belowan river, where swamps shelter freshwater dolphins.

Continuation towards Melak where you will spend the night.

Transfers: 6h30

Data Bilang is a tribal village composed mainly of Kenyah Dayaks who migrated from the distant Kayan region.
You will notably tour its very colorful « long house » and learn more about Kaharingan, the local religion which is a blend of Hindu beliefs and animism.
The Data Bilang region is also inhabited by Bahau Dayaks, known for their masked ceremonies, the Hudoq, which celebrate planting and harvesting periods.

Return to Melak late afternoon.

Transfers : 2h

Route to Eheng by Jeep and vehicle, on the highlands. You will discover an old "long house" of a Tunjung tribe and continue towards Kersik Luway.
In the surrounding jungle, you may have the chance to spot the famous black orchid. In the afternoon, possibility to stop at the Ombau Asa waterfall, where you will have the opportunity to swim.

Return to Melak in the evening.

Transfers: 3-4h

Transfer to Melak port and return to Samarinda by speed-boat. Transfers: 6h

Mid-morning visit to the Dayak knife museum – the famous « mandaus », which were notably used in the past to behead (30 min drive).
Then, you head to the traditional village of Pampang (2h), where Dayak Kayan people present their vibrant culture.

Dayak art, represented by tattooing and characterized by fluid geometry whose influence dates back to the Dong Son era, mainly depicts scenes of daily life. The long-eared women are also the last witnesses of a culture that is tending to fade.

In the afternoon, transfer (4h) to the boomtown of Sangatta.

Transfers: 6h

Early in the morning, you head up the Sangatta river by motorized canoe to venture into the heart of the Kutai National Park. After settling into the ecolodge, you embark on a pleasant walk through the jungle to explore the local fauna and flora, particularly in search of orangutans in their natural habitat.
Short rest in the afternoon, then another hike early in the evening to observe nocturnal life.

Transfers: 45 min

Hiking: 2-3h

The morning is dedicated to exploring the surrounding mangrove, where the fauna and flora are very diverse (crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, birds, etc.).
Return to Sangatta at the end of the morning, then transfer to the Berau region, through tropical forests and palm oil plantations.

Night by the sea in Talisayan.

Transfers: 7h
Hiking: 2h

At dawn, you board a boat to observe some whale sharks, then you visit a traditional Bajau village.
These fishermen are renowned for their apnea fishing techniques. They will also introduce you to strange buildings that allow swallows to nest.

You continue your journey to Lake Labuan Cermin, half freshwater and half saltwater, for some snorkeling. You also have the option to explore the surrounding forest area.

Transfer in the afternoon to Kanjungan Island, a paradise as you could wish for.
Transfers: 3-4h

Free morning for rest.
In the afternoon, a klotok takes you to Turtle Bay, where you can observe a few specimens (however, be careful not to touch them).

Transfer then to Sumbang bay.

Transfers: 1h30

The morning is dedicated to a kayaking excursion in the surrounding mangroves. You should normally spot proboscis monkeys and other animals.

In the afternoon, you begin a short walk of approximately 3 km towards a Dayak Basap village, located on the Mangkaliat plateau, in order to explore local customs and traditions. You then continue

your walk through the forest towards a very beautiful waterfall.

Return to the lodge in late afternoon.

Hiking: 2h

Free time until transfer to Talisayan port, where you board a speed-boat heading to the Derawan Islands.

Free afternoon to rest in a paradisiacal setting.

Transfers: 5h

Speed-boat transfer to Kakaban Island, renowned for its fish-filled lake surrounded by lush mangroves. Opportunity for diving and/or snorkeling (sharks, leopard fish, tuna, snappers and barracudas). You then continue to Sangalaki Island, renowned for its Manta rays. You will also be able to observe Napoleons, purple seahorses, sea squirts, dwarf scorpionfish, coral gardens, etc. Possibility also to explore another turtle bay.

Return by speed-boat to Tanjung Batu, then transfer to the mangroves of Besing Island, which you explore by canoe: flying foxes, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, etc.

Transfer to Tanjung Redeb in the afternoon.

Transfers: 4h