5 Days Tanjung Puting – Dayak Long House
5 Day Tanjung Putung –
Dayak Long House
Delve into nature on this five-day exploration of
Tanjung Puting National Park’s captivating natural wonders.
WHY THIS TOUR?
The sprawling diversity of this landscape takes in swamps and winding black rivers, mangroves teeming with wildlife, lush tropical rainforests and dense jungle. The area’s most famous resident is the orangutan. Their plight has been boosted by the efforts of the Orangutan Research and Conservation Programme. Bizarre-looking proboscis monkeys, clouded leopards, civets, Malaysian sun bears and sambar deer also reside in this sanctuary.
Our discovery sees us get a glimpse into local life at Kudangan and Pedukuhan villages, tranquil spots nestled in rainforest where we spend the night with villagers in their longhouse. Soak-up the serene surroundings during a gentle cruise on a traditional klotok (wooden river houseboat) and trek through the jungle to refresh at gushing waterfalls. The highlight of the tour is hanging out with the stars of the show, orangutans at landmark Camp Leakey Research Station.
TRAIL ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrival Pangkalanbun – Hotel Pangkalan Bun [-]
Settle into laidback life with free time to explore Pangkalan Bun. Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport, we will be met by our local guide and transferred to our hotel in the city. After check-in, we have the rest of the day free at leisure to discover our new surroundings.
Pangkalan Bun mainly serves as a transit city for travellers heading to Tanjung Puting National Park. However, it is home to a handful of attractions that make a stop worthwhile. Highlights include the Istana Kuning (Yellow Palace). This dates back to 1811 and was built by Pangeran Ratu Sultan Imannudin (the Ninth Sultan).
Istana Pangeran Mangkubumi (Prince Mangkubumi’s Palace) was built in 1850 and is a stilted building that houses a collection of heirlooms of the Sultanate of Kutaringin. Kolam Pemandian Putri Tujuh (Bath of the Seven Daughters) is another revered spot where locals flock to bathe in the waters that are said to maintain youth.
Overnight in Pangkalan Bun
Day 2
Pangkalan Bun – Kudangan – Trekking Pedukuhan [B,L,D]
Delve into the traditions and customs of the communities that call this remote part of the world home. After breakfast at the hotel, we will hit the road for a four-hour scenic drive to Kudangan village, stopping along the way for lunch at a local restaurant. Upon arrival, we will have some time to explore the locality before continuing to Penyombaan village to start our morning trek.
The 2.5-hour hike takes us along a 5 km trail to Pedukuhan that runs past sprawling farmland and rolling hills. On arrival, we will receive a warm welcome in the form of a traditional welcoming ceremony provided by the village dukun or shaman.
We then have some free time to meet our new neighbours and immerse ourselves in local life before settling into the longhouse for our overnight stay. A longhouse is a traditional home that sees many families live under one roof.
Overnight in Pedukuhan
Day 3
Pedukuhan – Kudangan – Rimba Lodge [B,L,D]
Delve into the rainforest’s wealth of wildlife. After breakfast, we will set off on a light trek through the rainforest to nearby waterfalls. Here, we can enjoy a refreshing dip in the clear pools the falls cascade into before returning to Pedukuhan and on to Kudangan village.
From here, we will drive to Kumai, where our stylish traditional wooden houseboat will be waiting. Lunch will be served on-board as we cruise along the waterways. After about two hours, we will dock at Rimba Orangutan Ecolodge and check-in.
We then have the late afternoon free to discover our new surroundings and take a stroll through the jungle or along the river banks in search of proboscis monkeys swinging from the treetops and other wildlife that call this pristine patch of land home.
Overnight in Kudangan
Day 4
Rimba Lodge – Pondok Tangui – Camp Lakey – Tanjung Harapan [B,L,D]
An extra helping of aping around waits as we spend the day soaking up our tranquil surroundings alongside orangutans. In the morning, we cruise upstream to Pondok Tanggui, the national park’s second rehabilitation centre where tireless work is carried out to rescue and rehabilitate the mighty creatures.
We will visit the orangutan feeding station at 9 am to watch them gather for their morning meal before returning to the boat and continuing to Camp Leakey, passing the Black River en route. Nestled in Tanjung Putting National Park, the active research camp was established in 1971 and has since supported the work of numerous international scientists.
We can explore the expansive centre and learn about the research carried out. We then return to the boat and make our way to the second feeding station of the day to watch the orangutans swinging from the treetops. We then make our way back to the Eco-lodge as the sun sinks into the horizon.
Overnight in Tanjung Harapan
Day 5
Tanjung Harapan – Pangkan Bun – Airport [B]
We recommend rising early and waking to the sound of the rainforest as it springs to life. Enjoy a stunning sunrise before a leisurely breakfast on-board the boat with the ancient rainforest serving as the backdrop. Soak-up more of the jungle’s tranquillity and spot the wildlife that lives on the riverbanks as we cruise back to civilization.
We then bid a fond farewell to our boat crew as we disembark at Kumai River Port where we will be met by our driver and transferred to the airport for our onward flight. This brings an end to our five-day adventure in Borneo’s lush rainforest.
We have created lifelong memories cruising along waterways that wind through jungle, hung out with some of the orangutans who call Borneo home and met a wealth of other wildlife while being treated to the warm hospitality of locals along the way.
