Kumai on the river
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Private Charter

Kumai

A traditional wooden riverboat, adapted into a comfortable houseboat for the enjoyment of nature.

Overview

Encounter the culture and wildlife of Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, on a magical jungle river journey aboard the KM Kumai. Named after the river on which she was built, this former fishing boat was recently remodeled in a local boatyard by skilled Bugis boat builders hailing from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

Life On The River

Kumai is a traditional ‘Klotok’ wooden riverboat, with a high prow, fully renovated and adapted into a comfortable houseboat for the enjoyment of nature and wildlife river cruises. Silently powered by solar panels, she measures 64 ft in length and is just over 12 ft wide, with a roofed but open-sided upper viewing deck from where you can watch the rainforest as it glides by. Chill out on board as you travel through magical reflections and spot orangutans on forested islands. Go ashore to observe the rehabilitation process of the orphaned or displaced orangutans and visit a traditional Dayak village to witness the riverside lifestyle of these indigenous tribes.

What To Expect On Board

This charming riverboat can accommodate six passengers, with space to gaze at the views from the comfort of rattan sofas and optional outdoor hammock sleeping. Below deck are three air-conditioned cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom with a shower. The cabins are fully equipped with mosquito netting, sheets, towels and toiletries. The boat crew includes the boatman, a cook, an assistant cook, and an English-speaking guide who will take you on exciting daily tours.

You can look forward to flavorsome Asian fusion meals, prepared on board by the accomplished cooks and eaten around the dining table on the deck. The front of the deck acts as a sun deck, where you can relax, search for wildlife and watch the emerald panoramas pass you by.

What You Can Expect To See

Observe how the river is a source of life to the local people as you cruise upriver past villages of wooden stilted houses, canoe-like fishing boats and excited local children. As the human world fades away, you will be engulfed by nature and all you can expect to hear, see and smell is the river and the forest. Take a canoe through a network of shimmering black water lakes and drop in for a swim. Keep your eyes peeled for the long-nosed proboscis monkeys, red langurs, brahmini kites, and hornbills flying gracefully overhead, their wings whooshing.

Kalimantan’s meandering rivers remain the best way to travel through the lush rainforest jungles of Borneo, and a Kumai Borneo River Cruise offers an adventurous and rewarding way to both relax and explore, while spending quality time with your partner, family, or friends immersed in spectacular scenery, a startling array of flora and fauna and a wealth of cultural and ecological treasures.

Itineraries & Prices

All itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s or your guide's discretion.

1 / 3
3-Day
4-Day
5-Day

3 Day - Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey

itinerary map

Embarkation

AM: Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport 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.

PM: 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.

Kumai's 3-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day One - Borneo Cruise
Location
Kumai
Day
1 / 3

Tanjung Harapan, Camp Leakey

AM: After breakfast, the klotok cruises up river for about 2 hours, spotting wildlife in the forested river sides. En route, we stop at Pesalat, the reforestation site, where you can plant a tree, for a small donation.

PM: Boarding the klotok again, we have lunch whilst proceeding along the side creek to access Camp Leakey. Here the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rain forest. On arrival, we take an easy forest walk to see the original research station and historical display and to see feeding time at 14.00. Overnight on board.

Kumai's 3-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day Two - Guests Watching Orangutans
Location
Sekonyer River
Day
2 / 3

Disembarkation

AM: The boat cruises downstream. En route, we stop at Pondok Tangguy, the rehabilitation center for the new ex-captive orangutans to see feeding time at 09.00am.

PM: Reboarding, we then continue slowly downstream spotting wildlife as lunch is served. After lunch, we arrive in Kumai for transfer to Pangkalan Bun airport.

Kumai's 3-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day Three - Tour Guide & Group
Location
Kumai
Day
3 / 3
1 / 3

4 Day - Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey

itinerary map

Embarkation

AM: Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport 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.

PM: 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.

Kumai's 4-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day One - Boat Side View
Location
Kumai
Day
1 / 4

Pesalat, Camp Leakey

AM: After breakfast, the klotok cruises up river for about 2 hours, spotting wildlife in the forested river sides. En route, we stop at Pesalat, the reforestation site, where you can plant a tree, for a small donation.

PM: Boarding the klotok again, we have lunch whilst proceeding along the side creek to access Camp Leakey. Here the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rain forest. On arrival, we take an easy forest walk to see the original research station and historical display and to see feeding time at 14.00. Overnight on board.

Kumai's 4-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day Two - Proboscis Monkey
Location
Sekonyer River
Day
2 / 4

Pondok Tangguy

AM: After breakfast, board the klotok to travel up the river for Pondok Tanguy, the rehabilitation center for the new ex-captive orangutans, see feeding time at 09.00am.

PM: The boat continues downstream, In the afternoon, we visit again Tanjung Harapan rehabilitation center and witness another feeding time at 15.00, or take this opportunity to hike further into the forest. Overnight on the boat.

(Free additional program: we could arrange the night walking on this place searching for nocturnal animal or glowing mushroom or just enjoy down the river at nipah palm mangrove observing fireflies)

Kumai's 4-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day Three - Lunch On Board
Location
Sekonyer River
Day
3 / 4

Disembarkation

AM: Enjoy breakfast on board. The boat slowly cruises along the Sekonyer River. This is the last opportunity for wildlife spotting along the mangrove riversides.

PM: After lunch, transfer to Kumai port then to Pangkalan Bun airport for departure.

Kumai's 4-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day Four - Eagle
Location
Kumai
Day
4 / 4
1 / 4

5 Day - Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey

itinerary map

Embarkation

AM: Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport you will be picked up by our local staff for transfer to the port of Kumai to board the Wow Borneo boat. Each boat is a renovated traditional Klotok, or wooden river boat, measuring 18m by 3m, with a comfortable upper deck where you can view the rainforest 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.

PM: 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 along the riverside. Dinner and overnight on the boat.

Kumai's 5-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day One - Kumai Boat
Location
Kumai
Day
1 / 5

Pesalat, Camp Leakey

AM: After breakfast, we cruise the waterways in the park through tea colored water to see the perfect reflections from the vegetation along the river. You may even see fresh water crocodiles! Stop along the way to observe proboscis monkeys or other wildlife. En route, we stop at Pesalat, the reforestation site, where you can plant a tree, for a small donation.

PM: After lunch on board, visit Camp Leakey, the research and information center and where the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rain forest. From the centre, set off on an easy and pretty trek through the tropical rainforest to see orangutans, birds and other rainforest animals and jungle plants. Keep an eye out for noisy gibbons, deer and wild boar. Return to the boat for dinner and move to a quiet mooring for the night.

Kumai's 5-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day Two - Hornbill
Location
Sekonyer River
Day
2 / 5

Pondok Tangguy, Tanjung Harapan

AM: 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 rehabilitation centre for new ex-captive orangutans, to see feeding time at 9 o’clock.

PM: Return to the boat and cruise downstream for an afternoon we visit to Tanjung Harapan rehabilitation centre, where we witness feeding time at 3pm and take the opportunity to hike further into the forest.

Overnight on the boat (B,L,D)

Optional program – night walking into the forest to see noctural wildlife and insects, and searching for the glowing endemic mushrooms.

Kumai's 5-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day Three - Infant Orangutan
Location
Sekonyer River
Day
3 / 5

Pondok Tangguy, Trekking

AM: Start in the morning for a full day trek from Pondok Tangguy, the second release site for rehabilitated Orangutans, accompanied by the ranger. On the way keep an eye out to observe wildlife through this area of secondary forest.

PM: Packed lunch in the forest. Return to the boat for dinner and overnight in a quiet location on the river.

Kumai's 5-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day Four - Lunch On Board
Location
Sekonyer River
Day
4 / 5

Disembarkation

AM: Enjoy your breakfast on board. The boat cruises slowly along the Sekonyer River, giving you the opportunity for more wildlife spotting as we enjoy the final lunch on board. 

PM: The boat returns to Kumai, for transfer to the airport or your hotel. Check-out 14:00.

Kumai's 5-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day Five - White-faced Gibbon
Location
Kumai
Day
5 / 5
1 / 5

Accommodations

Social Areas

Aft Observation Deck
Dining
Bird Watching
Lunch Time
The Foundation
Top deck
Outdoor Table

Suites & Cabins

Kumai's Double Cabin Kumai - Double Cabin
1 Cabin

Double Cabin

Guests
2
Size
9 m² / 97 ft² (approximately)
Beds
Double

The double cabins have a large shuttered and mosquito screened window to ensure you are comfortable in the room and still get enough natural light. The bathroom features an ensuite bathroom equipped with a shower, toiletries, and clean towels.

Kumai - Twin Cabin
1 Cabin

Twin Cabin

Guests
2
Size
9 m² / 97 ft² (approximately)
Beds
Single

This roomy cabin featuring local timber comes with large shuttered and mosquito-screened windows. The twin has 2 separate single beds. This gives more flexibility for sharing a cabin.

Kumai's Superior Cabin
1 Cabin

Superior Cabin

Guests
2
Size
16 m² / 172 ft² (approximately)
Beds
Double

This roomy cabin featuring local timber comes with windows on both sides to allow maximum light into the room. Guests in the superior cabin also have private access to the terrace and an ensuite bathroom with clean towels and toiletries.

Technical Information

Deck Plan

Features

  • Air conditioning
** Use of certain equipment at additional cost, ask for details
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