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Sekonyer

A charming ‘klotok’ riverboat cruising the wildlife-rich Sekonyer River in Indonesian Borneo.

Overview

Measuring 59 feet in length and 10 feet in width, the KM Sekonyer is a traditional Indonesian ‘klotok’ riverboat. This charming vessel has been fully renovated and adapted into a comfortable houseboat that can accommodate up to six guests for the enjoyment of nature and wildlife river cruises. The name klotok comes from the noise that the boat makes as it chugs down the river: klok tok tok klok tok tok. 

Life on board

Imagine falling asleep to the nocturnal hum of the jungle and awakening at first light to the symphony of the dawn chorus! As you watch the sunlight breaking through the early morning river mist, the only interruption will be the calls of the monkeys and the rhythmic flapping of a hornbill’s wings overhead. It’s a magical and deeply moving experience.  

The Sekonyer river cruise boat has three air conditioned cabins, each with a double bed, reading lights, and an ensuite bathroom, supplied with locally made natural soaps from Permakultur and fitted with a western-style toilet. The cabin windows are protected with a fly screen and have sliding shutters for privacy. Completely open to the marvelous scenery, the upper viewing deck is furnished with comfortable rattan furniture and a dining table, where delicious Asian meals are served as the passing scenery glides by. In case of rain, the deck is equipped with waterproof roller blinds with clear inserts.  

Your cruise

The Sekonyer River is located in the Tanjung Puting National Park in Indonesia’s Central Kalimantan province, which occupies the south of the mystical island of Borneo. Tanjung Puting is covered by an intricate montage of diverse lowland habitats, including tropical rainforest, peat swamp forest, and low-lying swampy terrain interspersed with blackwater lakes and blackwater rivers that flow into the Java Sea.

The best-known animals in the park are the orangutans, the bizarre looking proboscis monkey as well as seven other primate species, clouded leopards, civets, Malaysian sun bears, mouse deer, barking deer, sambar deer, the wild cattle known as banteng, and more than 230 species of birds, including hornbills, deep forest birds, and many wetland species. 

The orangutans

You will have the opportunity to encounter the orangutans at the rehabilitation centers operated by Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), whose aim is to care for orangutans that have been displaced from their natural habitat, orphaned, or illegally captured and held as pets. The orphans cannot be immediately returned to a natural, safe forest environment due to their young age so they will undergo the long process of rehabilitation; learning all the skills they need to be able to survive in the wild.

The ultimate goal of BOSF is to successfully reintroduce the orangutans into safe suitable habitat where they can live an independent life, breed freely and strengthen the conservation of the wild orangutan population. 

A Sekonyer river cruise offers you and your partner, family, or friends to explore the extraordinary diversity of the flora and fauna of this incredible region. If you’re passionate about wildlife, you may want to consider combining this Orangutan river cruise with a Komodo Dragon cruise to Eastern Indonesia.

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 transferred to the port of Kumai to board the Wow Borneo boat. All COVID protocols are adhered to. Each boat is a renovated traditional Klotok, or wooden riverboat, 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 the 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.

PM: 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. Optional night walk in the forest. Dinner and overnight on the boat.

Sekonyer's 3-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day 1 - Sekonyer River
Location
Kumai
Day
1 / 3

Tanjung Harapan, Camp Leakey

AM: During your early breakfast, the klotok cruises slowly up the river, spotting wildlife in the forested riversides, and then turning from the muddy Sekonyer River into the narrow black water canal which gives access to Camp Leakey. On arrival, we take a beautiful walk along boardwalks and into the forest to the wild orangutan feeding area, where orangutans can be observed making their way through the treetops to the echoing calls of the rangers. We continue our walk through the forest to spot more orangutans in their natural habitat.

PM: Boarding the klotok again, we resume our cruise downstream, animal and bird spotting along the way. Tie up for a peaceful overnight in the midst of the forest. Dinner and overnight on board.

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

Disembarkation

AM: The boat cruises downstream, observing the forest and wildlife as we go. Entering the Sekonyer River again, we stop at Pondok Tanggui, the rehabilitation centre for the new ex-captive orangutans. Take your final forest walk to observe orangutans in this beautiful natural setting.

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

Sekonyer's 3-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day 3 - 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. 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.

Sekonyer's 4-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day 1 - Boat with Guests
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 riversides. 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.

Sekonyer's 4-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day 2 - Proboscis Monkey
Location
Senkoyer 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)

Sekonyer's 4-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day 3 - 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.

Sekonyer's 4-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day 4 - 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.

Sekonyer's 5-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day 1 - Trekking
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.

Sekonyer's 5-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day 2 - 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.

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

Sekonyer's 5-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day 3 - 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.

Sekonyer's 5-Day Tanjung Puting & Camp Leakey - Day 4 - Breakfast 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.

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

Accommodations

Social Areas

Dining
Sundeck
Viewing Deck
Breakfast
Back Deck
Front Deck

Suites & Cabins

Sekonyer's Double Cabin Sekonyer - Double Cabin
2 Cabins

Double Cabin

Guests
2
Size
9 m² / 97 ft²
Beds
Double or Twin

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 ensuite bathroom comes equipped with a shower, toiletries, and clean towels. One cabin features a double bed, whereas the other features a twin bunk, with beds arranged perpendicular to one another.

Sekonyer's Superior Cabin
1 Cabin

Superior Cabin

Guests
2
Size
12 m² / 129 ft²
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
  • Mosquito netting
  • Hot showers
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