Ultimate Borneo Experience: From Pristine Rainforests to Coral Lagoons

Arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport, where you are greeted by your English-speaking guide. After a short transfer to Kumai river port, board your traditional wooden “klotok” boat. Leaving Kumai behind, you quickly enter Tanjung Puting National Park via a small tributary, the Sekoyer River. After around 1.5 hours of cruising, stop at the Tanjung Harapan rehabilitation center to observe your first orangutans. Continue your journey deeper into the wild, spotting proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, birds, and more. Dinner and overnight on board: enjoy comfortable mattresses, cushions, refined meals, drinks, mosquito nets, all while soaking in the mesmerizing sounds of the jungle at night. The lower deck features a kitchen, basic Western-style toilets, and a simple bathroom.
Transfers: 3h

Trekking: 1–2h

Spend a full day exploring the upper reaches of the river, where the banks narrow and the water runs crystal clear. Today offers a longer jungle trek in search of wild orangutans, birds, and other equatorial wildlife and flora. In the afternoon, observe orangutans at Camp Leakey. Optional activity (weather permitting): a night walk near Pondok Tanguy to spot nocturnal wildlife and glowing mushrooms; or a peaceful river cruise to admire hundreds of fireflies.
Transfers: 3–4h

Trekking: 2–3h

Early return to the mouth of the Sekoyer River, observing mangroves and nipa palms along the way. From Kumai, enjoy a long overland transfer to Palangkaraya, crossing wetlands, palm oil plantations, and traditional villages.
Transfers: 9–10h

Morning transfer to Baon Bango port, where you board a motorized canoe to explore Sebangau National Park. During your river journey, spot proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, numerous bird species, and more. Optional night trek depending on weather conditions.
Transfers: 2h

Trekking: 2–3h

Early morning jungle trek in search of orangutans and other wildlife. Return to Baon Bango in the afternoon, then continue to Palangkaraya. If time allows, visit Balanga Museum to learn more about Dayak traditions and culture.
Transfers: 3–4h
Trekking: 2–3h

Morning transfer to the port, then cruise by motorized canoe up the Rungan River toward Kaja & Bapalas islands, home to more orangutans. Continue to Mt Tangkiling for a stunning panoramic view over the emerald rainforest. Transfer onwards to Banjarmasin.
Transfers: 6–7h

Banjarmasin is not only famous for its diamonds but also for its floating market, a key part of Banjar culture. Enjoy a canal exploration by motorized canoe to deepen your understanding of local life. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.
Transfers: 2h

Morning transfer to Cempaka village to observe raw diamond mining and polishing. Continue to the Martapura gemstone market before heading to Pandak, where you discover traditional buffalo breeding techniques in surrounding swamps and wetlands. Transfer to Loksado after sunset.
Transfers: 4–5h

A full day dedicated to a scenic trek through equatorial rainforest on the slopes of Mt Meratus, discovering beautiful waterfalls along the way. Cross bamboo bridges to reach remote Dayak villages. Return to Loksado in the afternoon.

Morning dedicated to a fun bamboo rafting descent along the Amadit River. At Muara Hariang, your vehicle transfers you back to Banjarmasin.
Transfers: 4–5h

Morning transfer to Banjarmasin Airport and flight to Balikpapan. Continue overland to Samarinda via highway.
Transfers: 3h30

Transfer by vehicle to Kota Bangun, then board a motorized canoe to reach the village of Pela along the Mahakam River. Optional visit to the freshwater dolphin museum. In the evening, enjoy a friendly game of badminton or football with locals.
Transfers: 5h

At dawn, head out to observe dolphins at the confluence of Pela or in the Seamayang Lake delta. Later, cross Lake Jempang to reach the lakeside village of Tanjung Isuy, where you are welcomed with a traditional dance.
Transfers: 4h30

A full day dedicated to meeting local communities and exploring the village and its surroundings. A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Dayak traditions and lifestyle.

Early departure by motorized canoe toward Mancong village via Ohong Creek. Along the way, observe various tree species, monkeys, and birds. In Mancong, visit one of the oldest Dayak “long houses” in East Kalimantan, then continue cruising toward Muara Pahu along the Mahakam River.
Transfers: 5h

In the morning, continue by motorized canoe along the Kedang Pahu River toward the foothills of Mt Bayan. Visit the Dayak village of Terbisak, famous for its impressive “long house” inhabited by Dayak Benuaq families. Around a hundred people still live together here, maintaining traditional hunting and farming practices. Continue upstream, spotting wildlife such as otters, monkeys, and birds. Reach the Belowan River delta, where wetlands are home to freshwater dolphins. Continue to Melak for the night.
Transfers: 6h30

Morning transfer to the port, then cruise by motorized canoe to Rukun Damai village, home to Dayak Kenyah & Kayan communities. Explore the village “long house” and immerse yourself in local traditions. Continue onward to Data Bilang, further upstream.
Transfers: 3–4h

Data Bilang is a tribal village mainly inhabited by Kenyah Dayaks who migrated from the distant Kayan region. Explore its colorful “long house” and learn about Kaharingan, the local religion blending Hindu influences and animism. The region is also home to the Bahau Dayaks, known for their masked Hudoq ceremonies celebrating planting and harvest seasons. Return to Melak in the late afternoon.
Transfers: 2h

Journey by jeep and vehicle to the highlands of Eheng, where you visit an ancient Tunjung “long house”. Continue to Kersik Luway, where you may be lucky enough to spot the rare black orchid in the surrounding jungle. In the afternoon, optional stop at Ombau Asa waterfall for a refreshing swim. Return to Melak in the evening.
Transfers: 3–4h

Transfer to Melak port and return to Samarinda by speedboat.
Transfers: 6h

In the late morning, visit a Dayak knife museum showcasing the legendary “mandaus”, once used in headhunting rituals (30 min drive). Continue to the traditional village of Pampang (2h), where Dayak Kayan communities share their vibrant culture. Dayak art, expressed through tattooing and characterized by flowing geometric patterns influenced by the Dong Son era, mainly depicts scenes of daily life. The long-eared women are also among the last guardians of a fading tradition. In the afternoon, transfer (4h) to the booming frontier town of Sangatta.
Transfers: 6h

At dawn, travel up the Sangatta River by motorized canoe, venturing deep into Kutai National Park. After settling into your ecolodge, set off on a scenic jungle walk to explore the rich biodiversity, including wild orangutans in their natural habitat. Short rest in the afternoon, followed by another trek in the early evening to observe nocturnal wildlife.
Transfers: 45 min

Trekking: 2–3h

Continue your exploration of Kutai National Park along different forest trails.
Trekking: 2–3h

The morning is dedicated to exploring the surrounding mangroves, home to diverse wildlife and flora (crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, birds, etc.). Return to Sangatta late morning, then transfer to the Berau region through tropical forests and palm plantations. Overnight by the sea in Talisayan.
Transfers: 7h

Trekking: 2h

At dawn, board a boat to encounter whale sharks, then visit a traditional Bajau village. These sea nomads are renowned for their free-diving fishing techniques. They will also introduce you to unusual structures used by swiftlets to build their nests. Continue to Labuan Cermin Lake, a unique mix of freshwater and saltwater, perfect for snorkeling. Optional exploration of the surrounding forest area. In the afternoon, transfer to the idyllic Kanjungan Island.
Transfers: 3–4h

Free morning at leisure. In the afternoon, a klotok boat takes you to Turtle Bay to observe several specimens (please avoid touching them). Continue to Sumbang Bay.
Transfers: 1h30

Free day at leisure. Enjoy the turquoise lagoon or the white sandy beach.

Morning dedicated to kayaking through the surrounding mangroves, where you will likely spot proboscis monkeys and other wildlife. In the afternoon, enjoy a short 3 km walk to a Dayak Basap village on the Mangkaliat plateau, discovering local traditions and customs. Continue your walk through the forest to a waterfall. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon.
Trekking: 2h

Free time until your transfer to Talisayan port, where you board a speedboat to the Derawan Islands. Afternoon at leisure in a true tropical paradise.
Transfers: 5h

Free days by the sea. Enjoy this hidden paradise: turquoise lagoons, white sandy beaches, snorkeling over vibrant coral reefs, hotel pool, cycling, kayaking, Bajau fishing villages, and more.

Transfer by speedboat to Kakaban Island, famous for its jellyfish-filled lake surrounded by lush mangroves. Opportunities for diving and/or snorkeling (sharks, leopard fish, tuna, snappers, barracudas). Continue to Sangalaki Island, renowned for its manta rays. You may also encounter Napoleon wrasse, purple seahorses, tunicates, dwarf scorpionfish, coral gardens, and more. Option to explore another turtle bay.

Free day at leisure.

Return by speedboat to Tanjung Batu, then transfer to the mangroves of Besing Island, explored by canoe: flying foxes, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and more. Afternoon transfer to Tanjung Redeb.
Transfers: 4h