Spirit Of Kalimantan

AM: On arrival in Palangka Raya, we pick you up from the airport in our air-conditioned private charter 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 prior to their release into the wild. We watch from a distance that will not disturb this process as they adapt to the natural forest environment of the island.

PM: After returning to land, we visit the Foundation’s Education Centre (if it is open to guests) and have lunch in a favorite Dayak grill warung, before returning to the cars for a 2.5 hour drive to Jahanjang port on the Katingan River. Here we board the Spirit of Kalimantan for a welcome drink and snack as the boat heads upstream to the village of Jahanjang. Walk through this delightful village to the beautiful Danau Bulat to see the cattle feed local industry and to watch the sunset. The boat finds a quiet mooring for the night near the Sebangau National Park entrance. 

The Spirit of Kalimantan cruises downstream to the small Punggu Alas River, where canoes are waiting to make the transfer into the National Park. Make sure you wear your walking shoes and bring mosquito repellent. On arrival at the research and information site, we have a short presentation on activities at the research center and then we will stroll around the camp and then walk deeper into the forest with an experienced guide to spot some of the wildlife that makes this forest home. Observations of orangutans, sun bears, wild boar or clouded leopards cannot be guaranteed.

After the exertion of trekking through the Sebangu Forest, we make the short return trip to the Spirit of Kalimantan for a cool drink. As a delicious lunch is served, the boat cruises downstream 2 to 3 hours along the wide muddy river with forested riversides and passing tiny, subsistence villages, to our southernmost destination – the village of Telaga. Here we take a walk through this isolated and surprisingly busy outpost. Learn how they survive with such a simple lifestyle and visit their busy fish market. Buy some of their giant river prawns for dinner (if there are any available). Return to the boat, which will find a quiet mooring place for the night. 

AM: After breakfast this morning, we cruise to the nearby Klaru River. At the river mouth, we are joined by some local canoes to explore this beautiful black water lake system. Within RMU’s Katingan Mentaya Project forest rehabilitation area, we 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.

PM: Enjoy your final lunch on board as we make the 3 hour cruise to Jahanjang, where we transfer to cars for the return journey to Palangka Raya.

AM: Starting this trip, we pick you up from the airport or your hotel in our air-conditioned private charter car. From here we travel to Sei Gohong and board a simple local canoe to see the beautiful Kaja and Bangamat orangutan islands, home to rehabilitated orangutans prior to their release into the wild operated by Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS). We watch from a distance that will not disturb this process as they adapt to the natural forest environment of the island. After return to land, we visit the Orangutan Education Centre to learn more about BOSF programs. Lunch in a local Dayak grilled river fish restaurant.

PM: Driving an hour gets us to Bukit Batu, a rocky outcrop, for a short climb to see the vast flat surrounding landscape. Returning to the car, we continue our trip to Baun Bango on the Katingan River (2 hours). Here we board the Spirit of Kalimantan for a welcome drink and snack as the boat heads downstream to find a quiet mooring on the river.

Dinner and overnight on board the Spirit of Kalimantan.

AM: Early morning, we visit the tiny village of Jahanjang and take the opportunity to walk to the beautiful calm Lake Bulat behind the village. Then we continue our stroll through the village to meet the people and learn about their livelihoods, including the cattle farming, which is improving village incomes.

PM: Returning to the boat, we continue downstream to the mouth of the small tributary, Punggualas River, the beginning of our forest adventure. We serve lunch on board before transferring to smaller canoes to travel the narrow river course to reach the park information and research site managed by the National Parks Authority. Here you can choose to settle into a private lodge. Each one can accommodate 2 people. Explore the camp and have a short talk on the activities in the camp.

Then we venture along the boardwalks adjacent to the centre, walking deep into the dense forest, keeping an ear and eye out for wildlife. If you choose to stay in the forest overnight, after dinner at the centre, we set off on an exciting night wildlife spotting expedition, looking for the elusive clouded leopard.

Optional dinner and overnight in the forest cabin or onboard the Spirit of Kalimantan.

AM: After early breakfast, set off on your trekking adventure. This is a challenging trek through wet and uneven peat swamp forests, to follow and spot wild orangutans. This experience cannot be guaranteed.

PM: Returning to the camp, pack your bags for the short canoe trip to the Spirit of Kalimantan. The boat continues the journey downstream to the village of Telaga. Arriving in the late afternoon, we have walkaround the village with a local guide to meet the people and visit the fish markets, as well as seeing the traditional livelihood activities. Buy some of the locally fished giant prawns or other available fish and the cook will prepare them for dinner!

Return to the boat which will move downriver to find a quiet location to enjoy the sunset and moor overnight.

Overnight onboard.

AM: Wake with the dawn for a stunning wildlife experience as we board village canoes to explore the black water Klaru River. Within RMU’s Katingan Project forest rehabilitation area, we learn more about their REDD+ project.

We make our way upstream to a site to watch birds, proboscis monkeys and a variety of other wildlife, walk along the boardwalks and climb the lookout tower whilst marvelling at the perfect reflections.

PM: After this experience, we return to the boat while we cruise 4 hours upstream to Jahanjang for transfer to cars for the return trip to Palangka Raya.

AM : Starting this trip, we pick you up from the airport or your hotel in our air-conditioned private charter car. From here we travel to Sei Gohong and board a simple local canoe to see the beautiful orangutan islands, home to rehabilitated orangutans before their release into the wild operated by Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF). We watch from a distance that will not disturb this process as they adapt to the natural forest environment of the island. Lunch in a local Dayak grilled river fish restaurant.

PM : Returning to the car, we continue our trip to Baun Bango on the Katingan River (2 hours). Here we board the Spirit of Kalimantan for a welcome drink and snack as the boat heads downstream to find a quiet mooring on the river.

Dinner and overnight on board the Spirit of Kalimantan.

AM : Early morning, we board local canoes for a trip to the vast peat water Lake Jelampangen. Entering along narrow canals used by fishermen. Watch out for birdlife.

PM : Mid-afternoon, we visit the tiny village of Jahanjang and stroll along the walkways to meet the people and learn about their livelihoods, including cattle farming which is improving village incomes. We then take the opportunity to walk to the beautiful calm Lake Bulat behind the village to watch the sunset reflected in the mirror waters. We have a snack there and then return to the boat overnight.

AM : Today we continue downstream to the mouth of the small tributary, Punggualas River, the beginning of our forest adventure. Early morning, we transfer to small canoes to travel the narrow river course to reach the park information and research site managed by the National Parks Authority. Explore the camp, meet the ranger, and talk briefly about the camp's activities. Venture along the boardwalks adjacent to the centre, walking deep into the dense forest, keeping an ear and eye out for wildlife, for orangutans, proboscis monkeys or macaques. Return to the boat for lunch.

PM : In the cool afternoon, we set off for a short forest trek to track wild orangutans and later spotting night wildlife as we return to the boat for dinner and overnight. Note that this is a challenging trek through wet and uneven peat swamp forests to follow and spot wild orangutans, which we cannot guarantee. You may also see the rare clouded leopard or hear gibbon songs.

Optional dinner and overnight in the forest cabin or onboard the Spirit of Kalimantan.

AM : The boat continues the journey downstream and we stop at villages to see their traditional fishing industry. Lunch is served is served as we cruise. Keep an eye for the iconic hornbills crossing the river. Reaching the larger village of Telaga, we walk around with a local guide to meet the people to see traditional livelihood activities. Buy some of the locally fished giant prawns or other available fish and the cook will prepare them for dinner!

PM : Return to boat which will move down river to find a quiet location near Klaru River to enjoy the sunset and moor overnight.

AM : Wake with the dawn for a stunning wildlife experience as we board village canoes to explore the black water Klaru River. Within RMU’s Katingan Project forest rehabilitation area, we learn more about their REDD+ project.

PM : We make our way upstream to a site to watch birds, proboscis monkeys and a variety of other wildlife, walk along the boardwalks into the forest for further opportunities to see wildlife. After this experience, we return to the boat while we cruise 4 hours upstream to Jahanjang for transfer to cars for the return trip to Palangka Raya (approx 3.5 hours by road).