Drifting Downstream in Kalimantan

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Palangkaraya - Bapallas island - Kanarakan - Tangkiling - Palangkaraya
Duration:
3 days / 2 night (Tuesdays or Saturdays)
Price:
from £ 925.- per person (excluding flights)

Cruise down the winding jungle rivers, meet indigenous Dayak people and spot orangutans in their natural habitat during your adventure to the heart of Kalimantan. You will be living on board a traditional wooden boat (klotok) and waking up to the sights and sounds of the untouched rainforest. Although getting here takes some dedication, the reward is priceless: without a single soul around, it's just you and the glorious nature. True explorers, come aboard!

Day 1 – Departure from Palangkaraya

Upon arrival in Palangkaraya Airport you will be met by your driver and whisked to the port to board a traditional wooden boat called a “klotok”, your home for the next 2 nights. With only a handful of cabins, a viewing deck and an outside dining area, your floating hotel is cosy and comfortable. Once settled in, you’ll start drifting away the civilisation, passing by the floating villages and stilted houses until there is nothing but the jungle.

Later this afternoon you’ll make your first stop in a picturesque location by the lake. Here, you can hop on a small canoe and glide around the mirror-like surface, spotting proboscis monkeys, hornbills and other inhabitants of the forest. Back on the boat, you’ll be treated to incredible views of the river and the jungle while enjoying your freshly-made dinner whipped up by the local chef on board.

Day 2 – Visit Bapallas Island and Dayak tribe

This morning after breakfast you will reach Bapallas, one of the islands used by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation for the final stage of the rehabilitation programme. Here, orangutans are introduced back into their natural habitat with minimal human interaction, getting ready for their life in the rainforest. There are no feeding platforms or set visit times here, and you won’t be allowed to set foot on the island, but you can watch them swinging between the trees from a small boat. The rules are strict, but the experience is truly unforgettable!

After a hearty lunch back on your klotok, you will explore Kanarakan village, home to indigenous Dayak people, native inhabitants of Borneo. The tribe will welcome you with a traditional ceremony and spiced coffee, followed by an invititation in to their humble homes to share their history and traditions. After you are shown around the village by the head of the community, it’s time to return to the boat for your final night aboard.

Day 3 – Return to Palangkaraya

Today after breakfast your adventure comes to an end as the klotok reaches Palangkaraya port. Your driver will be waiting for you on the shore, ready to take you back to the airport in time for your next flight.