5 Days The Katingan River & Sebangau National Park
Come and explore a new destination and a different river! Venture into the dense forest that is the Sebangau National Park, famous as a refuge for the largest remaining population of wild orangutans in Borneo. Following the boundary of the Park, the Katingan River, one of the longest in Central Kalimantan, we visit villages to experience traditional livelihoods and culture, explore mazes of black water lakes and finally venture into the forest to search for a wild orangutan. At nightfall, we go on a magical canoe ride to spot nocturnal creatures. Bird watching is also a feature of this trip, as we cruise along the canals and rivers, in the park and highlighted in our visit to Tampelas village.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
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 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.
Overnight on board.
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.
Overnight on board.
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 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.
Optional: Canoe very early morning (5am and on the way back the boat man will check his fish traps for our lunch).
Today we travel upstream to the Punggualas River for another visit to the Sebangau National Park – this time to experience an amazing nighttime canoe expedition.
Sunset dinner and overnight on board in a quiet location.
Very early morning we have a bird watching experience in the Sebangau Park. We then cruise to the village of Jahanjang for a walk and to meet the people there. Return to the boat for your final lunch onboard as we make the final short cruise. On arrival in Pakahi, transfer to Palangka Raya by car (4 hours) arriving at 5pm).
Route
- This tour is departing every Tuesdays of the month (from Tuesday to Saturday);
- Single Supplement (SS) will be added 50% from above rate (Note: we will only apply this rate (SS) in July and September, during the high season. At all other times, single
passengers will pay the standard single (above rate) per person rate for the cabin); - Children under 03 years old and sharing a cabin with parent will be free of charge;
- Children from 03 – 12 years old and sharing a cabin with parent will get 50% discount from twin share rates;
- In line with the program, customers are strongly advised to spend the night prior to the start of this package in Indonesia;
- We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this tour; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of local
restaurant; - We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the tour in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the
safety of our guests; - Guests traveling over and during local holidays may experience longer waiting times than normal, may see certain sites being closed down, and this program may be subject to supplementary charges;
- Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this;
- Tours and excursions often include obstacles of various kinds that may not make this excursion suitable for wheelchair users or guests with limited mobility;
- The protection of the country’s flora, fauna and its historical and cultural treasures is of immense importance for us. We will not pursue any activities that are not in line with our animal, wildlife and environment protection principles;
- Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us. Even when it is cloudy, the sun still has an immense power;
- All mentioned times, durations and stops are based on approximations and may change due to unforeseen circumstances, weather and traffic conditions beyond our control.
- Tours and transfers with licenced English-speaking guiding services / assistance. Other languages are on request and subject to availability;
- Accommodation in sharing twin / double with air-conditioning;
- Transportation for tour and transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, unless otherwise stated;
- All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the programme;
- All applicable taxes and service charges;
- All meals as indicated in the programme (food only).
- Personal expenses such as other meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours/ visits, unless otherwise stated;
- Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement;
- Any domestic / international airline tickets, airport taxes, visa fees, specific camera / video fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general pick-up / drop-off regions (such as airports, out-of-town resorts, ports, harbours and accommodation in surrounding towns);
- Any accommodation expenses of a personal nature. This includes (compulsory festive) meals and drinks, mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the programme;
- International travel and medical insurance coverage for customers;
- Voluntary carbon emission compensation USD 1.50 per person per day.
