Arrival Pangkalan Bun – Pangkalan Bun                                                                   [-]

Arrival at Pangkalan Bun Domestic Airport, transfer from the airport to your booked accommodation in Pangkalan Bun (around 20 minutes by car). The rest of the day is at leisure.

Still with a few surprises up its sleeve, Pangkalan Bun has everything one need to venture into town and find examples of Kalimantan hospitality almost around every corner. Constructed along the Arut River, it is one of the stronger and pleasant features of the administrative capital of the South Arut district. For almost all arrivals, the town serves as an excellent base to head out towards Tanjung Puting National Park. Time to unwind and get ready to meet nature head on, an overnight in Pangkalan Bun certainly benefits each traveller.

Overnight at Pangkalan Bun

Pangkalan Bun – Pedukuhan                                                                                        [B, L, D]

After breakfast at hotel, you will drive to Kudangan Village by private car for about 4 hours. We will make stops en route to get an up and close view into the daily lives of Kalimantan plantation owners. The arid lands form the perfect base for rubber plantations. Intertwined with these plantations are the many local communities that have lived here for generations and remain true to what their ancestors have built up.

Lunch will be provided en-route at a local restaurant.

Kudangan Village is the starting point where we go deeper into the Kalimantan jungle by car towards Penyombaan Village. It is here where we really start exploring the natural surroundings on foot. It will take about 2, 5 hours for 5 kilometres with your guide constantly on the lookout for the diverse flora and fauna. You will pass by several rivers following down from the mountain, so be prepared to get wet! On arrival in Pedukuhan, expect a traditional welcome by the Dukun (or Shaman) – honoured by our visit, a special welcome ceremony following ancient beliefs. This ceremony is used for welcoming guest before enter a new forest or village and to bless them for their onward journey. Enjoy your time to exploring the local village life, accompanied by your guide.

Dinner and overnight at a Long House (basic, shared accommodation)

Pedukuhan – Rimba Lodge                                                                                           [B, L, D]

It is time to say goodbye to our hospitable hosts as we prepare ourselves for another hike through the green heart of Kalimantan. Not all waterfalls are suited for a refreshing dip but the one we will take you certainly fits our profile for a break and enjoying the cool waters. Following in the footsteps of our local trek leader, we meander through the thick vegetation back to Pedukuhan before moving on in direction of Kudangan Village where your driver for the day waits for your arrival. The ride to Kumai, a local sea port and starting point to enter the Tanjung Puting National Park, will follow with boarding a Klotok – a traditional wooden boat, suitable to navigate the waters through the Kalimantan jungle. Lunch will be served on board, freshly prepared by your own on-board cook.

The crossing from the Kumai River into the Sekonyer River is the signal that 2 hours of relaxing aboard the Klotok commences: these boats used to be the main means of transportation of goods from and to local ports, such as Kumai, before turning into pleasant cruising vessels. The open deck concept provides astounding views along the river banks, where wildlife still roams freely.

After 2 hours navigating the Sekonyer River, we arrive at the Rimba Lodge for the night over. This small eco-resort has to be one of the most fabulous overnight addresses right in the heart of Tanjung Puting National Park. The simple wooden bungalows are part of a broader, sustainable project that ensures the protection of the flora and fauna for visiting customers. The smell of fresh air and the sound of nature coming out of all wind directions are a blessing that will make you slow down and simply enjoy.

After exploring shortly the area, we head out to observe Proboscis monkeys along the riverbanks near the lodge (if not too dark). Proboscis monkeys are being the endemic animal that can be seen only in Borneo. With their large pendulous nose, and giant bellies the proboscis monkey has one of the most unusual appearances of all primates. Their most distinctive trait is their large protruding nose. Unfortunately, this species is on the threat of being extinct due to ongoing habitat loss and ongoing logging practices for agricultural purposes.

Dinner and overnight at the Rimba Lodge (basic accommodation)

Rimba Lodge – Tanjung Harapan                                                                                [B, L, D]

After breakfast, proceed upstream in to Pondok Tanggui the second rehabilitation centre where we can enjoy many babies and juveniles at feeding area around 9am. We continue our tour to reach the highlight of National Park, Camp Leakey area. On the way, we’ll pass the black river with many kinds of birds, primates, fish, also crocodiles.

At the end of the morning, the gates of Camp Leakey are visible and we’ll hiking into the forest to gain information of the heterogenic forest wildlife while observing some wild animals. It takes a lot of patience, persistence and failing before getting to the final result. It often results in thinking outside of the box and successfully embraces the trial and error concept. Researchers at Central Kalimantan’s Camp Leakey know all about this in finding means to preserve the Orang Utan population away from complete extinction. It is considered one of the leading conservation centres in the world thus spending some time will be well worth it.

At noon, we’ll walk towards our Klotok for enjoying a freshly-prepared lunch which will be served by our own cook. Our tour continues by following resident conservation orangutan experts in their daily feeding program (held every day at 14:00 hrs). Local rangers will guide us to the platform where these hungry primates may be already waiting for their meal. We will stay with these giants the activity until 16:00 hrs, giving you ample time to admire these animals and taking pictures, before heading back to our Klotok. With all on board, we continue downstream the river and enjoy the magnificent landscape on the boat during night time.

Dinner and overnight on board the Klotok (basic accommodation)

Tanjung Harapan – Pangkalan Bun Departure                                                      [B]

While slowly waking up to the sound of nature welcoming you to another day in Kalimantan, your chef will have a simple breakfast served on board. The captain and his crew slowly make their way back to Kumai port before you thank them for their shown hospitality and experience across the Sekonyer River. The final leg of the journey will go overland back to Pangkalan Bun Airport to your catch you flight for next Indonesian destination.