HEART OF BORNEO          


A colourful 7-day journey to the heart of Borneo. Let the great spirit of the rainforest surprise your life during this journey. Experience the great Dayak tribes with their love for the earth and their respect for the Orang-utans. Be with them and share a moment of every day beauty through this journey to the heart of Borneo. 



Day 1 Pangkalan Bun - Kumai
After arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport there is a transfer to Kumai. From here a boat leaves to sail over the Sekonyer River to spot the monkeys way up the river. Dinner and overnight at Rimba Lodge.

Day 2 Kumai
At the wonderful daybreak the journey continues floating down the river to Pondok Tanggui, a rehabilitation centre where you can see the Orang-utans and other monkeys. Followed by a trip to camp Leaky. Explore the flora and fauna of the jungle. At camp leaky, there is also the possibility to see and be part of the feeding. Dinner and overnight again at Rimba Lodge

Orang-utans have a dark, orange red coat. The Orang-utans of Borneo can be 110 till 140 centimetres tall and 40 till 80 kilograms heavy. In Borneo are some legends about the
orang-utan. Because of his human appearance, the Orang-utan is seen as a primitive human species by the local citizens. The Dayak consider the Orang-utans as their ancestors.



Day 3 Kumai
When the sun rises and a beautiful morning starts the boat is heads for Pondok Tanggui where a jungle trekking will be made through the tropical swam forest. Pondok Tanggui is one of the observation stations in Tanjung Puting Reserve for the Orang-utans. During the trip you can observe more and more bramble bushes. Enjoy the sounds of nature and discover the many plants and animals. Join the spectacle of feeding an Orang-utan with one of the reserve rangers in camp Leaky. Please pay attention by following the ranger's instruction.

Day 4 Kumai
After breakfast, the walk continues to Pesalat reforestation. This area has been developed for re introducing the rain forest and re-introduction of the Orang-utans especially for the babies of Orang-utans. Afterwards you go back to the Rimba Lodge where the afternoon is for leisure.

Day 5 Kumai - Dayak Village
Time to explore the culture of Borneo. This is inseparable with the Dayak people who live as first inhabitants on this great island. You will be brought to the longhouse, this is the traditional home of the Dayak, built on beautiful wooden poles near the river or water source. They live together with each other. Enjoy the traditional music, song and their welcome dance. This night you are truly Dayak, a tribe that understands how important it is to take care of family and the universe.

The Dayak
The indigenous people inhabiting the dense tropical rainforests of Borneo are collectively called the Dayak, but in fact they comprise many tribes that are diverse in culture as well as in language. The word “Dayak” actually means “inland” or “upriver”, especially where the Indonesian part of Borneo, - called Kalimantan, - is cut by many long and wide rivers as well as many tributaries, which are used as transportation highways. 

In Central Kalimantan live the Ngaju Dayaks, the Lawangan, the Ma’anyan and the Ot Danum, known as the Barito Dayaks, named after the Barito River. The Ngaju are involved in agricultural commerce, planting rice, cloves, coffee, palm oil, pepper and cocoa, whilst, the other tribes still mostly practice subsistence farming through the slash and burn lifestyle. Although many Dayaks have modernized and converted to Christianity and Islam, however, the majority still adhere to the original Kaharingan belief, also known as the Hindu-Bali Kaharingan, which is a state recognized faith. Kaharingan belief focuses on the supernatural world of spirits, including ancestral spirits. The Ot Danum tribe is known for their skill in plaiting rattan, palm leaves and bamboo. Until today they still continue to follow the ways of their ancestors. The Ot Danum live in long houses built on 2-5 meter pillars above the ground. One house has around 50 rooms. These longhouses are locally known as betang. Dayak tribes make a living by clearing forests and hunting for wild animals.



Day 6 Dayak Village - Pangkalan Bun
In the morning the boat will go downstream to the Arut River with a stop in Kota Waringin village for lunch at a local restaurant.  Then this amazing journey continues to Pangkalan Bun where you are free to spend the rest of the noon.

Pangkalan Bun is a sub district and capital of the West Kotawaringin district. The bustling little town was once the seat of power of the Kutaringin Sultanate in the reign of Sultan Imanudin, 1811 – 1814. The legacy of the sultanate can be found at the Keraton Kuning or Yellow Palace, in the heart of Pangkalan Bun. The palace itself is reconstructed, since the original site was burnt down in 1986. Historically, the Kutaringin Sultanate was once a district of the Banjar Kingdom which emerged as a separate sultanate during the reign of Sultan Banjar IV Mustainbillah. The Sultanate came under the rule of Javanese Majapahit Kingdom, and therefore traces of Javanese culture are found abundant in the area.



Day 7 Pangkalan Bun
The last day of the journey. There is time to say goodbye before a transfer takes you to the airport of Pangkalan Bun for your next destination. The end of this adventurous journey to the loving part of Borneo.

Price starting from € 855,- p.p.
* The arrangement as described can be booked as a private or as a group journey.
* Due to weather conditions the program can be changed
* The journey includes hotel or cottage accommodation with breakfast
* Transfer by private car
* Additional options can be arranged, such as:

 

- International or Domestic flights
- Lunches and/or dinner
- Daily guide, speaking the language of your choice
- Insurances
- Entrance fees at the sites
- Any other wish to complete your journey