BORNEO SPIRIT          


This is a 10-day journey about discovering the spirit of Borneo. From daydreams to day journey curiosities to treasures. Find the great culture and nature of the Borneo rainforest with eyes wide opened. You will face the Orang-utan, the Dayak tribes and the sensational river of Amandit.
An adventurous and unforgettable journey through the wild jungle of Borneo. 



Day 1 Banjarmasin
Arrival at the airport of Banjarmasin followed by a transfer to the hotel. This day is for leisure.

Day 2 Banjarmasin - Loksado
In the early morning the boat leaves for the floating market at Lokbaintan. Enjoy the floating market at Martapura. Selling and shopping on the river is purely a women's work and women protect themselves from sunshine by large hats called “Tanggui ". Drive further to Cempaka village to visit the traditional diamond mines. At Martapura a visit is made to a gem grindery and the shopping complex in Cahaya Bumi Selamat, famous in all south-East Asia for its diamond, gems and gold market. Then the trip continues north-east to the province of Hulu Sungai Selatan. In the afternoon you will reach a small mountain town, Loksado, located in the Meratus mountain region. In Loksado a visit is made to a new grand longhouse of Dayak Bukit. A day exploring the simple life of this area, showing the great heart of Mother Earth.

The floating market is a colourful, lively, organic market on the river. Because of the stream, the market will slowly move. The big ships provide the smaller ships of fruit and vegetables, which the women in colourful outfits will sell to the costumers. There are also boats that sell drinks. During the day, more and more boats will come and also sell products.



Day 3 Loksado - Banjarmasin
After breakfast, a sensational journey starts on Amandit River with a traditional bamboo float. This is one of the highlights of this roundtrip. Bamboo floats were traditionally built by Dayak tribes for traveling to the market in the province town in order to sell their goods. Then they disassembled their floats, sold the bamboo and walked back to their village which took several days through the jungle. The float will be made especially for you and for this occasion. The journey opens a spectacular view in the tropical nature. These floats are called “lanting” and are operated by experienced local pilots. After this extraordinary experience you can change your possibly wet clothes. Then continue to Banjarmasin for overnight.

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 4 Banjarmasin - Palangkaraya
After breakfast the journey continues to Palangkaraya. Enjoy the panorama on the way and once arrived at Palangkaraya the day is free to spend.

Day 5 Palangkaraya - Sampit
There is time to visit the Palangkaraya city in the morning and in the late afternoon the journey goes on to Sampit for overnight.

Day 6 Sampit - Kumai
After breakfast the road continues to Kumai. The beautiful panorama of the coconut plantations and traditional villages give a really stunning view. In the harbour city of Kumai you will board on a private houseboat, which will be your float for the next two days. Then up the Stream of Sekonyer River reaching Tanjung Puting Reserve. Relax and observe the flora and fauna of the jungle from this lovely houseboat.

Tanjung Puting Reserve is one of the natural wonders of the world. It is covered by a complex mosaic of diverse lowland habitats. It contains 3,040 km2 (or 1,174 square miles) of low lying swampy terrain punctuated by black water rivers which flow into the Java Sea. Tanjung Puting also includes tall dry ground and tropical rain forest. The tropical heath forest which is called “kerangas” in parts of Borneo, is only found on very poor, typically white sandy soils and is characterized by medium sized trees. Tanjung Puting reserve is not just famous for its Orang-utans but also other apes such as long nose monkeys (Nasalis larvatus), several rare bird species, long tailed macaques, and extensive butterfly species. Sekonyer River is also a habitat for rare alligator species



Day 7 Kumai
At daybreak the boat makes a stop at Pondok Tanggui, one of the observation stations in Tanjung Puting Reserve, where Orang-utans are registered. Share a wonderful experience with these incredible animals by help feeding them. Observe the way of their live and enjoy these colourful moments that will stay with you, forever. After this unique experience, you trek back to Pondok Tanggui and then up stream again to camp Leaky.

Orang Utanshave 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 8 Kumai
After breakfast you will visit Pesalat area, the rehabilitation of reforestation. This area has been developed for reintroducing the rain forest and reintroduction of the Orang-utans especially for the babies of Orangutans. Enjoy the moment when you feel their love and their caring to each other, just like a human being.

Day 9 Kumai
Today is the perfect time to turn the corner and discover the rainforest of Kumai. Be one with the nature, have trust in every step that you make. The jungle will welcom you with her heart. The moment of entering the forest is a moment of listening to the sounds of nature. Enjoy it.  

Day 10 Kumai
When the morning start, is time to say good bye to the spirit of Borneo. A transfer to the airport of Pankalan Bun will be reserved. This is the last day of the unforgettable journey.

Price starting from € 1.825,- 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