Orangutans and Dragons Tour in Borneo

Giving Back

Your tour fare includes the cost of one deluxe orangutan adoption through The Orangutan Project that will make a difference to their survival.

The Story So Far
Orangutan Odysseys has been operating since 2011. There Vision and Goal is to protect the environment of the orangutan, no matter where they live. So how are we going?
To say the struggle is a David and Goliath one would be an understatement. Large tracts of land have been cleared by powerful and wealthy palm oil companies. Many of these continue to slash and burn forest, causing untold havoc on the environment. Large land concessions continue to be handed out both legally and illegally.
However, palm oil demand has weakened. This could be due to the slowing global economy, over supply, a change in purchasing habits due to palm oils bad reputation or a combination of all three.
There is hope though. Orangutan Odysseys has worked hand in hand with local conservation groups that directly protect wildlife endangered by deforestation. In the last year, Orangutan Odysseys has teamed up with scientists, conservationists and researchers to introduce them to a public that is wants to help the orangutan. People such as Birute Galdikas, Leo Biddle, Leif Cocks, Ian Singleton, Gary Shapiro, Karmele Sanchez and more have joined us to show tourists their part of the orangutan world and to raise funds to help their causes.
In their first year of full operation, Orangutan Odysseys helped raise over $100,000 towards these causes. They established hundreds of orangutan adoptions through The Orangutan Project (TOP) which not only help for a year but usually continue to help as people re-adopt their orangutan.
So while they have not yet changed the direction of destruction, they have put in place the relationships that will provide the bridge between the orangutan and the wider public.
In 2013 they will continue our fundraising trips and education programs through tourism and social media. We have also established the Trans Borneo Challenge in which we have invited 20 people from 10 different countries to walk, paddle and drive across Borneo, to raise awareness of the orangutan on a global scale and to raise more than $200,000, the single largest orangutan fundraiser ever.
With your help we can save the environment through tourism.

INCLUSIONS

• All Domestic return airfares
• Accommodation Pangkalan Bun, Labuan Bajo, Bali (twin share)
• Meals as noted in the intinerary (B,L,D)
• Live aboard boat in Komodo Islands
• National park fees – all locations
• Airport transfers & private cars
• Experienced local guides (english speaking)
• Orangutan Odysseys t-shirt

EXCLUSIONS

• International airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Personal expenses – alcohol, laundry, phone calls
• Entry fees to parks in Bali
• Tipping

ITINERARY
Day 1 : Arrive in Destinaton Port (Bali / Jakarta)
You will be met at the airport and provided with your hotel transfer to your overnight accommodation.

Day 2 : Bali/ Jakarta to Pangkalan Bun – Tanjung Puting National Park
This morning you will fly from Bali or Jakarta to the Central Borneo town of Pangkalan Bun. On arrival, you will be met at the aiport by our local OO team and guide and be taken to the port of Kumai, where you will board our klotok (river boat) and start your journey up the Sekonyer River into the National Park. Later that day you will visit feeding station #1 and see your first orangutans. Afterwards, you will get back aboard our klotok and travel along the river looking for probosics monkeys.   Overnight at Rimba Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 3 : Rimba Lodge – Pondok Tanggui – Camp Leakey – Crocodile Lake
An early start today sees you back on the klotoks and headed to Pondok Tanggui (feeding station #2) for morning feeding. After this, you will be travelling up the Sekonyer River to Camp Leakey, the oldest camp set up for the orphaned orangutans. On arrival at Camp Leakey, you will have lunch aboard the klotok before you start the short trek in the surrounding area to visit the information centre. You are likely to see orangutans (or have them see you) near the boat.  After enjoying afternoon feeding time of the orangutans and being given a tour of the surrounding forest area, its back to the boat and cruising down the Camp Leakey River to Crocodile Lake where you will spend the night. You will most likely see other wildlife of Borneo such as gibbons & proboscis monkey. Overnight on the klotok – we provide a mattress, pillow and mosquito net. (B,L,D)
Day 4 : Crocodile Lake – Pondok Tanggui – Pesalat – Tanjung Harapan – Fireflies
An early morning start sees you back down the river to Pondok Tanggui for morning feeding again. Then, it’s off to Pesalat Plantation, where you get to plant some trees to help regenerate the forest.  From there, you will be back on the boat for lunch and depending on time, may get another final orangutan viewing at Tanjung Harapan station or a tour of the local village. Later that afternoon you will take the boat down the river to a mangrove of Nipah Palms, where you will stop for your last night’s dinner in the park.   On the way, you will watch many proboscis monkeys along the river banks.   Then it’s back to Kumai by klotok and overnight at Swiss Belinn Hotel in Pangkalan Bun. (B,L,D)
Day 5 : Pangkalan Bun – Bali – Labuan Bajo
This morning you check out of the hotel and head to the airport for your morning flight to Labuan Bajo in Flores (via Bali). On arrival, you will be taken to the your hotel for check in and lunch. In the afternoon, you will take a city tour and have some free time to rest up ahead of your Island boat tour. (B,L)

Day 6 – 8: – Komodo Islands – Live Aboard Boat
Early morning you will board your private live aboard boat and head out into the Komodo National Park for the next 2 nights/3 days. You will see the Komodo Dragons, visit pristine beaches and snorkel among Turtles, Reef Sharks and if lucky, Manta Rays in one of the best marine snorkelling and diving spots in the world. Overnight in airconditioned cabin on boat. (B,L,D)
Note: Day 8. After returning back to Labuan Bajo you have another night to enjoy Labuan Bajo before you will fly back to Bali tomorrow. Overnight in hotel. Dinner not included this night.
Day 9:   Komodo Islands – Bali – Tour Ends
Today your tour ends and we will fly you back to Bali for your (evening) connecting flight home or onwards travels.  (Please note that we are able to arrange additional accommodation on this night if you wish) (B)

Duration and price

$3,585 ex Bali or Jakarta. 2 person minimum

9 day

Check out dates here or contact Hayley at hayley@orangutanodysseys.com to organise customised dates.

What to expect

You are embarking on an adventure to places and amongst people whose lives are very different from your own. Many aspects of life in Indonesia will seem unusual. Remember that these are often the same aspects that make an area an exotic and attractive destination. While boat expeditions are considered easy, no trek is easy, even those rated “easy or moderate”. In addition to the personal physical challenges you may face, travel conditions can present unexpected obstacles, such as rough and bumpy roads and changeable weather. To prepare for this “pack” a flexible and relaxed attitude. Bring a spirit of adventure and inquiry, a healthy sense of humour and a willingness to encounter the unexpected and you will find your trip to Indonesia the adventure of a lifetime!

Testimonials

The trip was beyond our expectations and the Orangutan Odyssey team were great fun and looked after us really well.  We saw orangutans, both wild and rehabilitated, everyday as well as proboscis monkeys, langurs, gibbons and birds as we cruised along the various rivers.The highlight was staying overnight on the klotok in Tanjung Puting and waking up to the magical sound of gibbons singing in the jungle.
– Therese Lewis, Canberra, Australia
I have never had the great urge to travel to Indonesia, however after joining the Orangutan Odysseys Borneo trip in May I can’t wait to go back. This trip has offered too many great experiences to mention. They made the trip a truly memorable and happy one.
– Anna Graham, Launceston, Australia
All my expectations were far surpassed! From start to the finish this trip was organised perfectly. The food was fantastic and the orangutans were even more amazing. I will recommend the Orangutan Odysseys trip to everyone. How can you resist the baby orangutan’s dark brown eyes when they are looking at you… speaking to you through their eyes … pleading with you to save their habitat.
– Alison Hoban, Launceston, Australia
This was amazing. I took heaps of photos and saw so many incredible things. My favourite parts were the swamp, hanging out on the boat, and seeing all the orangutans in the wild. I also made friends with our Indonesian guides, Gilang, Danny and Edy, they were really cool guys. It was awesome. I want to do it again.
– Max Malherbe, Sydney, Australia
We had a fabulous time, shared with a small but wonderful group of people in some of the most beautiful wilderness you’ll find anywhere – lush green jungle, black water rivers that look like mirrors, brilliant coloured birds, all the orangutans, macaques, gibbons and proboscis monkeys and the unbelievably spectacular fireflies at night. You can’t help but turn into an environmentalist along the way. I can’t thank Garry and our guides enough for such a memorable trip.
– Michael Malherbe, Sydney, Australia
The Orangutan Odysseys trip was a reality check for the plight of countries trying to survive economically at the expense of the wildlife. Visiting the orphanage was humbling to witness, the dedication and tireless care the staff provided to the infant orphaned orangutans. We already have confirmed participants for next year’s tour of Borneo. Thanks for the opportunity to contribute in a small way. Let’s hope the tours can impact on the Indonesian government to reduce forest degradation.
– Sue Grasby, Melbourne, Australia

Listen to more testimonials here!