Highlights
Wonderful rich and varied birding!
Lots of very special and unique birds and wildlife, including astounding mammals, from Orangutans to Proboscis Monkeys
Excellent reserves and birding areas at National Park, lowland rainforests, and along marvelous rivers
Tour Overview
This tour promises an unparalleled adventure through one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, where every moment spent in nature offers the thrill of discovering new species and appreciating the beauty of Kalimantan’s wildlife. Whether you're a beginner, this experience will immerse you in the splendor of Borneo’s natural treasures.
Included
Ground transportation
All meals and accommodation
Canoes
EET guide plus a local guide with 4 - 8 participants
All park, conservation and entrance fees
Gratuities to local guides and drivers
Excluded
Flights to and from start/end location
Travel Insurance
Items of a personal nature
Alcoholic beverages
What to Expect
Food
We usually have early breakfasts and some before-breakfast birding since it is best to begin birding at daybreak. Some lunches will be picnic style to maximize our time in the field. In the evenings, we eat at the hotel or lodge where we are staying and review the list of birds and other wildlife that we have encountered, as well as discuss the following day’s activities.
Accommodation
During the tour we stay in moderate to excellent accommodation.
Walking
Walking conditions will be generally easy to moderate. Time permitting, there may be an optional steeper walk to higher altitudes on the Mount Kinabalu trail for the friendly warbler. Trails anywhere may be muddy depending on how recently it has rained.
Boat trips
We will take boat trips along the Kinabatangan River.
Climate
Be prepared for hot, humid and sunny weather at low altitudes, with showers in the afternoon. It is recommended to take a light rain-jacket or poncho, although we try to avoid birding in any rain worse than a light drizzle. It will likely be cool at higher elevations on Mount Kinabalu.
Bring mosquito repellent or mosquito-proof clothing because bugs can be a problem, especially at low elevations in moist humid conditions. Leeches can be a nuisance, but can usually be deterred with insect repellant. You will need to bring a hat and sunblock, especially on the boat trips on Katingan River
DAY 1. Palangkaraya - Kaja Island
On arrival in Palangka Raya, we pick you up from the airport in our air-conditioned car. From here we travel to Sei Gohong village and board a simple local canoe to see the beautiful orangutan island, home to rehabilitated orangutans before their release into the wild. The island is managed by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation or BOSF. We travel by road 45 minutes to Kasongan to board the Spirit of Kalimantan for a welcome drink and lunch as the boat heads downstream to find a quiet mooring for the night near the Sebangau National Park entrance. (LD)
DAY 2. SEBANGAU NATIONAL PARK - KLARU
The Spirit of Kalimantan cruises to the mouth of the Punnggualas Canal, where canoes are waiting to make the transfer into the National Park. Make sure you wear your walking shoes and bring mosquito repellent. We take a 40 minutes canoe ride along the canal into the dense forest.
Alighting, if conditions permit, we then make a short trek deeper into the forest with an experienced guide to spot some of the wildlife that makes this forest home. Observations of orangutans, various monkey species and proboscis are possible but cannot be guaranteed.
After the exertion of trekking through the Sebangau Forest, we make the short return canoe trip to the Spirit of Kalimantan for a cool drink. As a delicious lunch is served, the boat cruises downstream 3 hours along the wide muddy river with forested riversides and passing tiny, subsistence villages, to our southernmost destination – the Klaru River. At the river mouth, we are joined by some local canoes to explore this beautiful black water lake system. We pass RMU’s Katingan Mentaya Project forest rehabilitation area, and learn more about their REDD+ project as we quietly cruise upstream to a site to watch birds, proboscis monkeys and a variety of other wildlife. Marvel at the reflections here, especially during the rainy season.
Return to the boat, which will find a quiet mooring place for the night. (BLD)
DAY 3. KLARU - TAMPELAS
On arrival, receive a warm welcome from the villagers. Walk around the village and meet the people. Visit the school and then stop at the village garden to pick some vegetables. We then walk back to the jetty for a cooking class and delicious lunch ‘from the forest and river’ with the villagers. After resting onboard, at 3pm we join canoes for a magical ride to the nearby Nusa River for a special bird-watching experience. Return at dusk for dinner onboard.(BL)
Dinner and overnight on board the Spirit of Kalimantan. [B/L/D]
DAY 4. TAMPELAS - PAKAHI
Optional canoe very early morning (5am and on the way back the boatman will check his fish traps for our lunch). Today we travel upstream to Pakahi port. Rest and relax as the scenery passes. Enjoy your last lunch on board. On arrival in Pakahi, transfer to Palangka Raya by car (4 hours) arriving between 6 and 7pm).
DAY 5. KUMAI - TANJUNG HARAPAN
Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun you will be picked up by our local staff and transfer you to the port of Kumai to board on the Wow Borneo boat. Each boat is a renovated traditional Klotok, or wooden river boat, measuring about 18m by 3m, with a comfortable upper deck where you can view the rain forest as it glides by. The boats have 3 air conditioned ensuite cabins below deck. Your cabin is fully equipped with sheets, towels and toiletries. Delicious Asian fusion meals are eaten around the dining table on deck. The boat crew includes the boatman, a cook, assistant cook, and English speaking guide. En route to the Tanjung Puting National Park, we stop first at Tanjung Harapan, a rehabilitation center for orangutans. After a short walk in the forest to the platforms, we witness feeding time at 15.00. Later, in the peaceful late afternoon, we will slowly explore the quiet river to observe the proboscis monkeys and possibly fireflies in season among the nipa palms along the riverside. Dinner and overnight on the boat.
DAY 6. FOREST WALK – CAMP LEAKEY
After breakfast, the klotok slowly cruises up the river, spotting wildlife in the forested river sides. The klotok then turns off the muddy Sekonyer River as lunch is served. It slowly makes its way along the pure black waters of the side creek to access Camp Leakey. Dense vegetation is reflected perfectly in the tannin waters. Camp Leakey is where the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rainforest. On arrival, we take an easy forest walk to see the original research station and historical display and to see feeding time at 14.00pm. Overnight on board.
DAY 7. PONDOK TANGGUY - TANJUNG HARAPAN
During your early breakfast, the klotok cruises slowly downstream following the black water canal, spotting wildlife in the forested riversides and then turning into the muddy Sekonyer River. We are headed for Pondok Tangguy, the rehabiltiation centre for new ex-captive orangutans, to see feeding time at 9 o’clock.
In the afternoon we visit Tanjung Harapan rehabilitation centre, witness feeding time at 3pm and take the opportunity to hike further into the forest.
Overnight on the boat (B,L,D)
DAY 8. SEKONYER RIVER – KUMAI – PANGKALAN BUN AIRPORT
Enjoy breakfast on board. The boat slowly cruises along the Sekonyer River. This is the last opportunity for wildlife spotting along the mangrove riversides. After lunch, transfer to Kumai port then to Pangkalan Bun airport for departure.
Includes :
Transfers from and to the airport, private air-conditioned, ensuite, cabin accommodation, all meals during the cruise, National Park entry ticket, English speaking guide, snacks, coffee, tea, fresh juices and mineral water, ranger donation.
Excludes :
Airfares, personal expenses, additional tour, personal insurance.
Itineraries are samples only. Cruise itineraries are subject to seasonal river conditions. Dry season conditions may cause alterations to the itineraries. Note that, depending on your arrival time in Pangkalan Bun, the program may change to fit with orangutan feeding times. However over the course of your visit, we will visit the forest locations described, but in a different order. We recommend that you purchase comprehensive accident, medical, baggage and trip cancellation/interruption
Upon confirmation, Wow Borneo will need to know your arrival and departure flight details in order to have you at the port/airport in time. Or you could opt to arrive and/or depart a day earlier. In this case, please let us know your hotel details and we will pick you up from the Lobby at 8.30 am on the first day of the cruise, and/or transfer you there at the end of the cruise.
We will also need copies of your passport photo pages (official requirements) at least 5 working days before your trip so that we have sufficient time to apply for the park entry tickets.
We advise guests to bring insect repellent, sun hats, sunscreen, and covered walking shoes. It is best to wear long sleeves and trousers in the forest (dull colors, not black, which attracts mosquitoes). As there are no towns or villages along the route, please bring all personal medications. We provide drinking water and reusable water bottles but do not have soda water or alcohol on board. Guests are welcome to bring these along. Let us know if you have any special dietary requirements. Harmoni Permata