Orang Utan in Tanjung Puting National Park

  • Kalimantan forest
  • Klotok wooden river boat in Tanjung Putting
  • Klotok wooden river boat in Tanjung Putting
  • Map of central Kalimantan
  • Orang Utan in Tanjung Puting 2
  • Orang Utan zoom in
  • A male orangutan near a feeding station at Camp Leakey
  • Tanjung Putin National Park sign
Kalimantan forest

Kalimantan forest

Tanjung Puting National Park was designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1977. Tanjung Puting National Park has several ecosystems as it consists of lowland tropical rainforest, dry land, forests, freshwater swamp forests, mangrove forests, coastal forests and secondary forests. This area is mainly dominated by lowland forest plants like Gelatin (Dyera costulata), Ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), Meranti (Shorea sp.), Keruing (Dipterocarpus sp.), and Rattan.

Endangered endemic species contained in Tanjung Puting National Park include orangutan (Pongo Satyrus), proboscis monkey (Nasalis Larvatus), maroon leaf monkey (Presbytis rubicunda rubida), bears (Helarctos malayanus erysipelas), deers (Tragulus javanicus close), clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa), and cats (Prionailurus bengalensis borneoensis), all protected.

Map of central Kalimantan

Map of central Kalimantan

Tanjung Puting National Park is the first location in Indonesia designated as an orangutan rehabilitation center. There are three more locations: Tanjung Harapan, Pondok Tanggui, and Camp Leakey. Bornean orangutan has a dark reddish fur and tail. As they grow older, adult males develop big cheek pads that give their face a sinister look.

THE TOUR

DAY 01, Airport-Kumai-Tanjung Puting

Klotok wooden river boat in Tanjung Putting

Klotok wooden river boat in Tanjung Putting

Arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport, meeting with tour assistants and driving to Kumai by taxi (25 minutes), passing several villages. Upon arrival in Kumai, we board the boat and slowly sail up to Tanjung Puting National Park to explore the Sekonyer river by klotok (a traditional wooden boat), observing wildlife such as Proboscis monkeys (long nose monkeys), long tail monkeys, birds along the river sides. Dinner, sleeping on the boat.

The boat is a traditional wooden river boat about 14m long by 2m wide with roofed upper deck where you can sit and observe the rainforest. The guides team includes boatmen, cook and a tourist guide. On the boat, you will be provided with a simple mattress, a pillow, a mosquito net, meals, mineral water. Toilet on board.

DAY 02, Tanjung Puting-Pondok Tanggui-Camp Leakey-Nipa Area

Orang Utan in Tanjung Puting 2

Orang Utan in Tanjung Puting 2

After an early breakfast, you get boated up to Pondok Tanggui Camp to witness orangutan feeding at 9am. Upon arrival at Pondok Tanggui, we walk to the feeding area. After the orangutan feeding session, we take a short trekking in the forest, then proceed to Camp Leakey (about 1,5–2 hours boating time). After a lunch on the boat, you have the opportunity to take a short trek, or you can chose to visit the information center before watch orangutan feeding again at 2 pm. After visiting Camp Leakey, we slowly boat down to Nipa Palm Area (house of fireflies). On the way down can still observe monkeys, birds and other animals, and in the evening if the weather is good we can witness lots of fireflies along nipa palms. Dinner and night on the boat.

DAY 03, Nipa Area-Kumai-Pangkalan Bun Airport

A male orangutan near a feeding station at Camp Leakey

A male orangutan near a feeding station at Camp Leakey

After breakfast, we sail down to Kumai and then transfer you by car to Pangkalan Bun Airport for your final destination. If you have extra time we can offer you a City Tour, or you can chose to stay longer in Tanjung Puting National Park (depending on your flight schedule).

The tour price includes: guides, boat, ranger fee, meals, soft drinks and other snacks, entrance permit to Tanjung Putting.

The tour priceexcludes: personal expenses, ticket flights, tipping to guide.

To be remembered: this tour starts in Pangkalan Bun, if tourist needs to be picked up in Palangkaraya-Palangkalan Bun, additional charges may apply.

If the quota is less than 5 people, additional charges may apply, as specified in the price list.

More info and bookings with Central Borneo Guide on http://centralborneoguide.com/package/borneo-orangutan-tanjungputing/

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About the author

Thomas has a university background in the UK and in Latin America, with studies in Languages and Humanities, Culture, Literature and Economics. He started his Asian experience as a publisher in Krabi in 2005. Thomas has been editing local newspapers and magazines in England, Spain and Thailand for more than fifteen years. He is currently working on several projects in Thailand and abroad. Apart from Thailand, Thomas has lived in Italy, England, Venezuela, Cuba, Spain and Bali. He spends most of his time in Asia. During the years Thomas has developed a great understanding of several Asian cultures and people. He is also working freelance, writing short travel stories and articles for travel magazines. Follow Thomas on www.asianitinerary.com

View all articles by Thomas Gennaro