Borneo: Meeting the Last Orangutans (in Rehabilitation)
In the winding paths of Tanjung Puting National Park, orphaned orangutans relearn life in the wild.
Duration
4 days
From
€475/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Style
Navigation & Cruises
Comfort
Charm & Character
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
If you have ever dreamed of approaching orangutans in their natural environment, this tour will suit you perfectly. Through Tanjung Puting National Park (in southern Borneo), recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve, you will meet orphaned orangutans and monkeys that are relearning how to live in the wild.
Tanjung Puting National Park was created notably thanks to the initiative of Dr Biruté Galdikas, who founded the famous "Camp Leakey", one of the very first rehabilitation centres for orangutans, and contributed to the preservation of the species. Today, there are indeed approximately 6,000 orangutans living in the wild.
This tour therefore has the alternative mission of supporting aid to these animals endangered with extinction, and your meeting with notably Tom, the dominant male of the park, will only reinforce the idea that tourism can also contribute to the preservation of animal and plant species.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Welcome to Borneo
From Pangkalanbun
Welcome at Pangkalanbun airport by your English-speaking guide, short transfer to the Kumai river port and boarding on your "klotok", traditional wooden boat from the rivers of Borneo.
You leave Kumai and enter fairly quickly into the Tanjung Puting National Park via a small tributary of the river, the Sekoyer River. After approximately 1 hour 30 minutes of navigation, you stop at the Tanjung Harapan rehabilitation centre where you observe the first orangutans. You then resume your navigation and leisurely explore the surrounding wildlife: proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, birds, etc. Dinner and overnight aboard: you then enjoy comfortable mattresses, pillows, refined meals, drinks, mosquito nets, while soaking up the 1,001 nocturnal sounds of the jungle. On the lower deck of the boat are the kitchen, basic Western-style toilets and a simple bathroom.
Meeting the Orangutans
Your cruise on the Sekoyer River consists of a peaceful glide along the banks in search of wildlife: river crocodiles, various species of monkeys, birds, etc. Navigation is interspersed with several stops for forest hikes and orangutan observation at "Pondok Tanguy" and "Camp Leakey".
These short and easy walks (though you should still expect some mud and therefore wear closed-toe shoes) are also an opportunity to observe some specimens of the amazing local flora (including magnificent carnivorous plants).
In the evening, you moor along the riverbank and admire the starry sky with thousands of stars… Unforgettable moments. All your meals are prepared by your excellent ship's cook.
Meeting the Orangutans
Full day in the upper part of the river, where the banks are closest together and the water is purest. Today is an opportunity for a longer forest walk in search of wild orangutans, birds and other equatorial animals and plants.
Orangutan observation at Camp Leakey in the afternoon.
Additional activity if it doesn't rain: night walk near Pondok Tanguy to track nocturnal animals and luminescent fungi; or simple slow navigation to admire hundreds of fireflies.
See you very soon in Borneo!
Tanjung Puting → Pangkalanbun
Early morning return to the mouth of the Sekoyer river while observing the mangrove and nipah palms. From Kumai, short transfer to Pangkalanbun airport for your return flight.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International & domestic flights
- Insurance & assistance
- Visas & Possible Airport Taxes
- Beverages, personal expenses & tips
- Everything that is not mentioned in "Inclusions"
Included
- English-speaking guide
- Private vehicle transfers with air conditioning
- River transfers
- Accommodation on a klotok (traditional boat) with full board
- Site entrances, trekking permits & donations
- Mineral water and energy supplements during trekking days
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- More than 60 days before departure: 40% of the total price (deposit retained)
- Between 60 and 30 days before departure: 50% of the total price
- Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total price
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns tourists entering Indonesia. Entry requirements may change, and we recommend verifying the information with the official authorities of your country of residence and with the Indonesian embassy or consulate before your departure.
Passport
To enter Indonesia, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after your entry date and must contain at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Tourist stay without visa
Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for a visa exemption for tourist stays in Indonesia. Entry requirements vary by nationality and should be verified with the Indonesian embassy or consulate of your country of residence.
The authorities may also request:
an exit ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
Formalities on arrival
Before your arrival, it is recommended to complete the online arrival declaration via the official Indonesian customs and immigration portal (e-CD, Electronic Customs Declaration).
This form allows you to transmit to the authorities certain information necessary for entry into the territory:
passport information
flight details and itinerary
address of first accommodation in Indonesia
declaration of goods and currency carried
A confirmation QR code may be requested when passing through customs and immigration controls.
Health and vaccinations
No vaccine is mandatory to enter Indonesia, except in case of transit through a country at risk of yellow fever, in which case an international vaccination certificate may be required.
As a precaution, it is advisable to consult a doctor or vaccination center before departure. Vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies are commonly recommended for stays in Indonesia. Antimalarial treatment may also be recommended depending on the regions visited (particularly outside Bali and major cities).
Travel with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
In some countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to exit the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Entry requirements by nationality
Entry conditions vary depending on nationality. Travelers should consult the Indonesian embassy or consulate of their country of residence for specific requirements.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific contract developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, find out about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the agreement detailing all coverage and the procedures for filing a claim are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the procedures for reporting any claim. The participant must therefore keep this agreement with them for the entire duration of their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A Visa on Arrival (35 USD) is required upon arrival, valid for an initial stay and extendable once. You can also obtain an e-VOA online before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date. Before booking, check the conditions applicable to your nationality with the consular authorities of your destination.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailored trip, plan between 140 and 230 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. International flights (700-1100 euros return) are additional. The archipelago allows you to combine beaches, volcanoes, jungle and culture at attractive rates.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor each circuit to the travelers' profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate stories.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until you get the perfect version. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Borneo
Photographer of Indonesian volcanoes and trails, based in Yogyakarta
Before drawing up an itinerary, you have to observe, walk, listen to the locals and understand the place. Only then can an adventure trip remain authentic.
— Dominic
