- The privilege of a one-on-one encounter with nature.
- Observe orangutans in their natural habitat.
- Live to the slow rhythm of the river and the jungle.
- Sleep on the water, lulled by the forest’s nighttime sounds.
- Take part in a committed experience that respects biodiversity.
An immersion to the rhythm of the river
This private cruise in the heart of Borneo offers a gradual immersion in one of Indonesia’s best-preserved ecosystems, along the river that runs through Tanjung Puting National Park. From Pangkalan Bun to the depths of the Kalimantan jungle, the itinerary moves away from the usual landmarks in favour of a slow pace, guided by the waterway and natural conditions. This experience was designed by our responsible travel agency, committed to creating journeys that respect the territories you travel through.
On board the klotok, a traditional wooden boat privatized for your trip, you travel in a deliberately simple setting, designed to maintain a direct connection with the environment. Comfort takes a back seat to the experience: cruising as close as possible to the forest, with no filter or artifice.
The trip is part of a responsible approach, based on gentle navigation, respectful observation of orangutans, and taking part in a reforestation project in Jerumbun. An approach that favours the right gesture and continuity with the living world, rather than performance or spectacle. An experience to be fully enjoyed on a trip to Indonesia.
Sailing upriver, entering the forest
From the very first moments on the water, the landscape asserts itself unfiltered. The banks drift apart and then draw in again, the vegetation gradually takes over everything, and time seems to stretch.
The journey unfolds gently, to the river’s rhythm. Cruising times naturally vary depending on the stages, conditions, and wildlife-viewing opportunities. Nothing is set in stone—and that is precisely what gives the itinerary its flexibility.
As the klotok makes its way deeper into Tanjung Puting National Park, the riverbanks narrow and the vegetation grows denser. Each bend reveals a new scene, never foretold.
A first stop takes you to Camp Tanjung Harapan. A short walk in the forest brings you close to orangutans in their natural environment. Here, there is no staging. The primates appear, move about, and interact with one another, often just a few metres away. The moment naturally calls for silence.
Back on board, cruising resumes. Your eyes stay alert. In the foliage or along the banks, wildlife sometimes makes itself known: fleeting shapes, barely perceptible movements—discreet presences, yet very real.
The night is spent on the river. The klotok comes to a standstill, and little by little, sound takes over. Sleeping in the heart of the Kalimantan jungle, lulled by this constant presence, becomes one of the trip’s highlights.
Rare encounters, at the jungle’s pace
The next day, cruising continues to Camp Leakey, an emblematic site in the region. Another walk in the forest lets you observe orangutans under conditions that remain respectful of their habitat.
Each sighting requires a certain openness. It’s not about searching, but about being there—present, attentive. The animals’ interactions, movements, and behaviour form a living spectacle, never predictable.
At the end of the day, the experience continues with a different approach to the forest. At Camp Pondok Ambung, a night walk invites you to discover another rhythm. As night falls, the jungle takes on a new face. The sounds shift, and so do your bearings. Some animals emerge from their refuge, offering a new reading of this ecosystem.
The atmosphere becomes denser, more enveloping. The forest never falls silent; it transforms.
An extended immersion between commitment and contemplation
The following days extend this slow cruise, punctuated by stops and observations. The scenery remains continuous, yet never monotonous. Life reveals itself discreetly, almost quietly.
A stop takes you to the Jerumbun reforestation site. Planting a tree in your name is a simple yet tangible gesture. The act is modest, but it takes on its full meaning in this fragile environment.
Cruising then resumes, always guided by the same spirit of observation and presence. Moments follow one another without rupture—between silence, fleeting appearances, and contemplation.
At the end of the day, the klotok stops beneath the nipah palms. As night falls, fireflies appear, lighting up the vegetation with moving points of light. The moment is calm, almost unreal—hard to truly grasp in any way other than by living it.
The last moments on board continue in the same vein. Cruising gently resumes towards Kumai. The forest gradually recedes, giving way to more open landscapes.
Disembarkation does not mark a sudden break, but a transition. After several days spent to the river’s rhythm, returning to solid ground is done with restraint.
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