HIGHLIGHTS
- Travel with Leif Cocks, Founder of The Orangutan Project
- See the largest lizard on earth, some 3m long and weighing 150kg.
- Visit pristine rainforest in search of the amazing orangutan
- Swim in some of the most beautiful reefs
- Visit remote islands
- Travel up jungle rivers to witness proboscis, ebony and grey macaque monkeys
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EXPEDITION OVERVIEW
Our Orangutans and Dragons tour will take you to see two of the most amazing animals on the planet, both only found on the islands in Indonesia. This unique adventure is unlike anything being offered and provides you with two once-in-a-time destinations in one.
Firstly, we will take you to Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan. Tanjung Puting National Park is a unique place. It is not only home to the orangutan, but also the rare proboscis monkey and the false gavial crocodile. During your time in the park you will be living aboard our river boat also known as a klotok. The klotok is well equipped with basic amenities, at night you will sleep on deck or in the downstairs cabin on a comfortable mattresses with a mosquito net. Our crew will cook delicious meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The klotoks come fully equipped with safety features including life vests and a first aid kit. When not walking through the jungle, you can relax on deck watching the wildlife, read a book or just laze the day away.
And then it's onto the Komodo Islands. Your 4 day Komodo Islands tour is a great way to see this unique part of Indonesia. The Komodo National Park will be your home for 3 days and 3 nights as you stay on your "live aboard" boat. You will see the amazing ecosystems, reach remote villages and visit Rinca Island. The 1,817-square-kilometer Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the treasures of Indonesia. On this journey, you will see the amazing komodo dragon firsthand, whilst experiencing the wild natural beauty of their habitat. You will see some of Indonesia's most unspoiled and remote islands, visit beautiful pristine beaches and visit charming local villages. The area also boasts some of the best snorkeling on the planet. Here you will swim among reefs, sharing the azure waters with an abundance of local marine life, including manta rays and sea turtles.
Your expert host, Leif Cocks, Founder of The Orangutan Project.
Join world-renowned orangutan expert, Leif Cocks, as he guides you throughout your journey and the Bornean forests. Leif will provide invaluable insight drawing from personal experiences that now shape The Orangutan Project and its dedicated efforts to saving the species through wild-release programs.
Leif Talks Tours
"Want an enjoyable holiday, but want it to be something more? Connect with the most intelligent fellow beings on the planet, meet the people working at the coalface and become part of the solution. I have now completed several Leif Cocks Orangutan Odysseys Eco-tours and on all, we have had a great time, learnt all about the orangutan's habitat, made new friends, and most importantly raised awareness and much-needed funds to help save this critically endangered species."
EXPEDITION GOALS
We want our guests to have a truly unique and connected experience, and to have the pleasure of observing wild and semi-wild orangutans in their natural habitat.
Orangutan Odysseys will provide you with a safe platform to observe the incredible wildlife of Borneo, including orangutans (of course), proboscis monkeys, hornbills, red leaf monkeys, gibbons and more. It's also our goal to educate and inspire our guests so that you become future stewards for the destination, its natural environment, and the survival of the orangutan.
In driving this legacy we have partnered with The Orangutan Project to support their conservation programs across Borneo in Sumatra. Each guest's fare includes the cost of adopting an orangutan for one year.
Tour Food - Vegetarian and Vegan based
All included meals provided during this tour will be vegetarian, with a vegan option available. Guests will have the option of non-vegetarian meals during breakfast at hotels and for meals (some dinners) not included in the itinerary.
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. Whilst 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!
ITINERARY 16 - 25 SEPT 2025
*Subject to change without notice due to local conditions
Day 1 - 16 Sept: Arrive in Jakarta
Today you will be met at Jakarta airport and transferred to your Jakarta hotel (FM7 Resort Hotel) for your overnight stay. This evening the group will meet for a tour briefing (6pm) and details about tomorrow's departure.
Day 2 - 17 Sept : Jakarta - Pangkalan Bun - Tanjung Puting National Park - Rimba Lodge
Early this morning we will fly from Jakarta to Pangkalan Bun in Central Borneo. We will meet our local guide team at the airport and be taken straight to the riverside town of Kumai where we will board our klotoks (riverboat) and travel into the National Park. This is the start of your 3-day/2 night national park tour. We will cruise slowly along the river looking for orangutans and other wildlife. After lunch, we will check in at our jungle lodge before heading out on the klotok once again in search of more wildlife. Late afternoon return to Rimba Lodge for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Note: Flight departure time approx. 5:50 am by Citilink. Arrive 7:00am
Day 3 - 18 Sept: Tanjung Puting National Park
An early start today sees you back on the klotok and cruising up the Sekonyer River to Camp Leakey area, the oldest camp set up for orangutan research. Along the way, you will keep a lookout for wild orangutans, birds, monkeys and other wildlife that may be waiting in the trees along the river. On arrival at Camp Leakey, you will have lunch aboard the klotok before starting 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 our cruise along the river and tour of the surrounding forest area, it's back to the boat to cruise 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 and proboscis monkeys. Overnight on the klotok where you will be provided a mattress, pillows, blankets and mosquito net. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - 19 Sept: Tanjung Puting National Park - Kumai- Pangkalan Bun
This morning after a relaxing breakfast on the river you will travel slowly back down the river in search of more wild orangutans, birds and other wildlife. After lunch, you will take a tour of the local village and in the afternoon you will slowly travel downriver, stopping along the way to watch the proboscis monkeys on the riverbanks. As dusk falls, we will travel back to Kumai harbour and enjoy dinner along the river as we go, hopefully, accompanied by the sighting of fireflies. Transfer and overnight stay in Pangkalan Bun Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - 20 Sept:: Pangkalan Bun - Labuan Bajo
This morning you check out of the hotel and head to the airport for your morning flights to Labuan Bajo in Flores via Surabaya. On arrival, you will be taken to your hotel for check-in. (B)
Day 6 - 21 Sept: Bali to Labuan Bajo - Gado - Rinca Village - Kaaba - Overnigh on boat Kambing Island
This morning you will fly into Labuan Bajo and be met at the airport by one of the representatives and will be transferred to the harbour to board your private liveaboard boat for the next 3 days/2 nights. After a safety briefing on board the boat, you will make your way out into the Komodo National Park, with your first stop being Gado - with its wonderful mangroves and some amazing snorkelling in a spot with giant table corals and much more. After lunch, you will boat to Rinca Village and visit the people living on this island sharing their habitat with the all-mighty Komodo Dragon. There you will get an idea of what island life is like for them. This will be followed by a sunset boat ride to a small mangrove island (Kaaba), inhabited by bats. This is a great sight enjoyed from the top deck of the support boat with thousands of bats flying into the night sky for their evening meal. Overnight in a cabin on your liveaboard boat in the park at Kambing Island. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - 22 Sept: Kambing Island - Padar Island - Komodo Island - Pink Beach
Early morning you will rise and we will boat towards Padar Island, where you will be able to take a trek up the hill to see the famous view of the surrounding islands. Once you are back on the support boat you will make your way to Komodo Harbour from where we will engage on our walk to look for the infamous Komodo Dragon. You will trek for about an hour with a trained Ranger who will explain the ecosystem, the Dragon's habits, and the life of other inhabitants on the island such as the Macaque, Buffalo, Deer, Tree snakes, etc. Once back on the boat we make our boat to the famous Pink Beach and its coral garden for a refreshing afternoon snorkel. Overnight in a cabin on your liveaboard boat in the park. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - 23 Sept: Pink Beach - Manta Point - Taka Makassar/ Pungu Island/Bedadhari - Labuan Bajo
On your last day in the Komodo National Park, you will make your way to Manta Point, where you will spend some time with Manta Rays and hopefully get to swim with these majestic creatures. From there, depending on the tight, we will boat towards one of the other reefs for some more snorkelling before you start to make your way back to Labuan Bajo harbour and transfer to your hotel for your last overnight stay. Overnight at Puri Sari Hotel in in Labuan Bajo. (B,L)
Day 9 - 24 Sept: Komodo Islands - Bali - Tour Ends
This morning you are transferred to the airport and fly to Bali for our final day. Check into the hotel for a relaxing afternoon around the pool and later enjoy our final dinner together. (B)
Day 10 - 25 Sept: Depart Bali - Tour ends
Today you will transferred to the aiport for your flights home or onward travel (B)
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
INCLUSIONS
- All domestic airfares
- Accommodations througout (twin share basis). Single supplement available
- Meals as noted in the intinerary (B,L,D)
- Riverboats in both locations including safety equipment.
- National park fees - all locations
- Airport transfers and private cars
- Experienced local guides (english speaking)
EXCLUSIONS
- International airfares and any expenses due to flight delay or cancellations
- Visas and visa fees
- Travel Insurance
- Personal expenses - alcohol, laundry, phone calls
Tipping
$5150.00 (AUD)
ex Jakarta (twin-share basis) and finish in Bali. Plus a mandatory fundraising target of AUD$1,250.
BOOK NOW $950.00Single Supplement available
ACTIVITIES
- Wild and semiwild orangutan sightings
- See the amazing Komodo dragons
- Snorkelling in prisitine waters
- Experience local culture
- and more.......
You will be supporting The Orangutan Project (TOP) in their work protecting orangutans and the environment as well as other vital environmental research. Y