All reviews
Review Author: Dylan B
Review Date: 11 Feb 2026
Review Body: I highly recommend this trip. It’s a great for photography as there is plenty of space on the klotuk (riverboat) to keep your camera at the ready while you relax and watch the reflections of ancient plants in the river or study it for the snouts of patient crocodiles. I saw more than twenty orangutans, not just at feeding stations but in the trees and swinging between them as well as on the foot trail. Along the river were dozens and dozens of proboscis monkeys, an alpha and his harem of females and kids, plus the rival group of bachelor males vying for their opportunity at procreation. Long tailed macaques brewed up trouble with their playful antics, one made off with our bananas by leaping to the river and swimming across to the other side. A lonely charismatic white cheeked gibbon swung through the trees like a child’s toy. Many birds are visible, lots of kingfisher species and storks and croaking hornbills and other technicolor dream coat varieties flying and singing overhead. The boat is comfortable, much like a house, with plenty of space to store your stuff and a comfy bed to sleep on with a mosquito net. There is your knowledgeable guide, a helpful deck hand, the skilled captain and the cook who made three wonderful meals a day. (Guide Vera, Cook Ira ,Capt Dedet, Boat assistant Agus)
They make sure you are very well taken care of. We did short treks (about two hours each) during the day to see animals and plants like pitcher plants or fungi or local medicinal plants, plenty of cool insects, the most colorful and varied butterflies you’re likely to see anywhere, truly kaleidoscopic, giant ants matching, industrious termites, and moths. At night we trek hunted for nocturnal species and found frogs, lizards, spiders and mouse deer. The ammoniac whispers of the nocturnal tarsiers were everywhere. Only the creator who fashioned this rainforest and its denizens via evolution knows what is was truly like over the last hundred million years. But floating along the tea black river will at least give you glimpse of the forgotten eons of time, like shaking the hand of a centenarian and looking into their ancient eyes.
Dylan
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Andrea
Review Date: 05 Oct 2026
Review Body: We’re impressed! The 5-day, 4-night tour was simply amazing. The whole crew went above and beyond, so we always had the best food on the table and, overall, the best trip we could ever have imagined. The tour is perfect for unwinding, observing animals in the wild, seeing orangutans, waking up at first light, and soaking in the jungle in all its splendor. It‘s truly a very special place to see.
We really enjoyed our time with Jeff, our tour guide. We were able to pepper him with all kinds of questions, have deep conversations, learn Indonesian card games, understand the various behaviors of the orangutans, and spot so many wild animals that we probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise. Seeing the orangutans in the wild, as well as experiencing semi-wild ones up close, is a truly unique feeling.
Would we do the tour again? Absolutely. We can recommend this tour 1000%. Thank you so much for the wonderful time, and a big thank you goes out to the entire crew.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Astrid
Review Date: 10 Aug 2026
Review Body: It was an extraordenery experience for us to be on the boat with Orang Utan Applause. We felt so well cared of in every minute. We had the best malayian food we ever ate (And had the need for glutenfree diet, that was no problem at all). The guide knew so much about nature and she saw all hidden creatures. At every day and nighttime she showed us animals. We felt so spoiled to be with them. All the crew was so friendly and we had much fun. We can strongly recommend Orang Utan Applause.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Edina
Review Date: 15 Aug 2026
Review Body: An unforgettable experience with Orang Utan Applaus! The tour was perfectly organized, and we had amazing encounters with orangutans in the beautiful Borneo rainforest.
A special thank you to our guide Alan — he was knowledgeable, passionate, kind, and made the whole experience truly special. His love for nature and wildlife was inspiring.
Highly recommended! Thank you, Alan, for an incredible adventure.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Jialin
Review Date: 30 Jun 2025
Review Body: One of the best wildlife/nature trips I've done in Southeast Asia!! 12/10 experience. We went during end May and saw 40 orangutans in 4 days! As well as so much other wildlife like rare birds, proboscis monkeys, macaques.
Our Seek Sophie guide Guh was the BEST - he was so knowledgable and could answer any questions that we threw at him, and of course, was so good at spotting wildlife. We learnt so many things during these 4 days - like how orangutans are actually solitary creatures, and have a complex social hierarchy. It was sooo interesting (and sometimes funny) to see it all play out - like watching a Nat Geo documentary live!
Because we did a 4 day Seek Sophie slowboat instead of the usual 3 days, we were able to go to the feeding stations earlier (to get a good spot) and leave later (to have higher chances of spotting more wildlife). And we got super lucky on our last day - we spotted a huge male orangutan up in the trees while still on the boat! It was extra special because unlike the feeding platforms, sightings like this when you're on the boat are way less guaranteed.
Besides spotting a ton of wildlife, we really enjoyed chilling on the boat. No motion sickness because the boat moves really slowly! And because there's no signal, it was a good time to disconnect and just enjoy nature. The boat is not fancy by any means, but it was decently comfortable. The toilet even had a rain shower. Food was also yummy. And the boat crew took the best care of us!
Other things that we got to do like tree planting and canoeing down the river in a sampan (small wooden boat) was very peaceful. Appreciated that the tree planting here is legit and not greenwashing - they plant native trees to restore the orangutans' habitat and saw 8 orangutans come to feed in this area!
Loved that this whole trip was done super ethically - no touching, feeding or getting close to orangutans. Just observing them in their natural habitat. And we learnt so much about the conservation efforts too.
Pro-tip: the sun and mosquitos are relentless so make sure to cover up. I personally wore a sleeveless sports crop top + layered with a thin breathable long sleeve + covered pants + socks + shoes + wide bucket hat + polarised sunglasses.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Ky
Review Date: 26 Jul 2026
Review Body: This cruise was one of the highlights of our trip to Indonesia.
We navigated on a small klotok that was absolutely clean and spotless, which isn't always the case on boats and was immensely appreciated.
The boat was comfortable, with a clean shower (even the shower head was spotless!) and a cozy bed with a mosquito net on the upper deck.
The crew was fantastic. The captain was very skilled, spotted animals along the way and was always smiling. His assistant was helpful and efficient and kept the boat in perfect condition. The cook, Ira, was very talented : we had some of the best food of our entire trip on board (special mention to the pandan cakes and the sweet potato fritters with brown sugar, which were unforgettable!).
Our guide, Tiyo, was energetic, positive and incredibly knowledgeable. He could spot countless animals during the cruise and the different activities, was always enthusiastic and engaged, answered all our questions and did everything he could to help us whenever needed. He was also very patient with my fear of heights and my dislike of some of the bugs we encountered in the jungle :)
We met many orangutans, including wild ones, and also saw crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, macaques, spiders, scorpions, snakes and even a tarsier.
The evenings on board were peaceful and relaxing, and we loved watching the star-filled sky.
The canoe ride through the jungle was absolutely beautiful, surrounded by the sounds of nature.
We also took an evening stroll in a nearby village with Tiyo, which we really liked for its peaceful atmosphere.
Planting a tree on the last day also felt like a meaningful way to end the experience.
A huge thank you to Arif, the entire crew and Tiyo for this unforgettable adventure !
We wish you all the very best.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Mara
Review Date: 03 Aug 2026
Review Body: This was truly an unforgettable experience and one of the highlights of our trip to Indonesia.
From the very beginning, Arif was incredibly helpful. Even though we booked quite last minute, he did everything he could to find us a boat and organize the trip. He also provided us with lots of useful information before our departure, making everything smooth and stress-free.
The entire staff was wonderful—kind, professional, and always ready to help. A special thank you goes to our guide, Qoriah, who was absolutely amazing. She was incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and always happy to answer our questions. We learned so much thanks to her, and she made the experience even more memorable.
The activities were fantastic. The night trek was exciting, and the day trek to the third feeding station was equally interesting. We were also very lucky to see so many orangutans, as well as many different species of monkeys and other wildlife during the river cruise.
One thing I particularly appreciated was the company's commitment to conservation and sustainability. Instead of giving every guest single-use plastic water bottles, they provide a large water dispenser so everyone can refill their own bottles. It may seem like a small detail, but I think it is a very important and responsible choice.
Overall, this is an incredible experience that I would recommend to anyone. It is truly one of those once-in-a-lifetime adventures that you will never forget.
Thank you again to Arif, Qoriah, and the whole team for making our trip so special!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Tammy Ascher
Review Date: 25 Sep 2026
Review Body: My husband and I booked a private 4D/3N Klotok boat trip in Indonesian Borneo through Seek Sophie. They arranged our tour with Orangutan Applause and we explored Tanjung Puting National Park. This trip exceeded every expectation!
The entire experience was seamlessly organized from booking, pickup, and drop-off thanks to Seek Sophie and Arif & Dessy! Life on the boat was exciting and comfortable. We saw an abundance of wildlife, including spectacular close-up views of orangutans at the feeding platforms (and the cutest babies), and also wild orangutans in the trees along the river (including an alpha male). We also saw countless Proboscis Monkeys and Long-tailed Macaques (they were very entertaining), a few crocodiles, snakes, lizards and a wide variety of birds.
Our guide, Vera, was fantastic! She was knowledgeable, attentive, and passionate about the animals and forest conservation.
Even though, as a wildlife guide she sees the animals daily, her enthusiasm remained high, and her excitement was contagious. She’s one of the best wildlife guides we’ve ever had!
The boat crew was equally fantastic! Our captain, Ian (Eyon sp?) and deckhand, Danu kept us safe and always positioned the boat perfectly for wildlife viewing.
Chef Lili prepared delicious local Indonesian meals. We especially loved the whole fish and pumpkin soup! There was literally more food than we could eat!
This was truly an unforgettable trip! Thank you to the entire teams at Seek Sophie & Orangutan Applause for making our trip so special!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Erfy Arriany
Review Date: 30 Jun 2025
Review Body: When I decided to go on a 4D3N slow boat cruise through Tanjung Puting National Park, I honestly didn’t expect to fall in love with the place.
It wasn’t the most comfortable or luxurious trip (we were sweating buckets most of the time, and even a cold towel felt like a five-star treat), but if you love disconnecting and being in nature, this trip is such a treat. And I really appreciated being off-grid - no signal, just the sounds of the jungle and the river!
One of the biggest highlights for me was of course the orangutans. My last encounter with them was at the zoo. So to see them in the wild, where they truly belong, was surreal. You’re not guaranteed to see one of the dominant males, but when I saw King Roger calm, powerful, and completely at home in the trees — I was like… daaaamn. What a privilege it is to see him in his natural habitat.
Honestly, the more time I spent in the park, the more I was reminded of how important it is to be mindful about the companies and organisations we support when it comes to eco-tourism. Coexisting means learning to respect space, set boundaries, and accept that animals deserve a home just like we do.
And big shout out to the boat crew! Always making sure we were well-fed, and pampering us with little touches like cold wet towels and a bottle of Coke after our wildlife walks (which were very well needed and appreciated). It's those thoughtful details that really made the experience extra comfortable.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Yun Hua
Review Date: 30 Jun 2025
Review Body: I honestly didn't expect to enjoy this trip as much as I did, especially since it’s not usually the kind of adventure I’d go for, but I wanted to try something different. And it turned out to be such a great experience!
My favourite parts were definitely the peaceful river cruises and just chilling on the boat. Tree planting was also a meaningful highlight - we even got to personalise and name our own tree, which was a nice touch. And of course, seeing wild orangutans and monkeys up close was super cool. You really feel like you're in their world.
Sleeping on the boat was actually way better than I expected. It was cool at night, the mosquito nets worked well, and I managed to get good rest.
I was pleasantly surprised food-wise. The meals were tasty and filling for a houseboat. Also, I usually get motion sickness pretty easily, but the boat was stable and moved slowly along the river, so it was very manageable.
Our Seek Sophie guide was fantastic too — knowledgeable, friendly, and made the trip smooth from start to end.
If you’re thinking of going, just be prepared that it’s a bit of a “roughing it out” kind of experience. No signal, cold water for showers, limited power for charging. Would also recommend bringing a small fan for the hikes.
But if you're up for an adventure, it's well worth it. Definitely recommend!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Natasha & Alex
Review Date: 27 Sep 2026
Review Body: Amazing must do experience! We loved every minute of the trip! I booked and was worried about the comfort of the klotok and safety in the jungle, but everything was way above our expectations. The klotok was spotless, bathroom had everything we needed, shower is cool water and refreshing. Food is amazing and varied, our chef Tarmi is so talented. After excursions, we would come back to cold towels, cold cokes and snacks. The bed sheets we changed everyday. Sleeping was comfortable, not too hot and you’re covered with mosquito net. Our captain (Halim) stopped the boat multiple times when wildlife was spotted. Our guide Tiyo was very knowledgeable and fun. He also prioritized safety and was prepared when I wasn’t feeling well, even had an oxygen monitor on board to monitor vitals. Of course the wildlife was the star, it’s very special to see them in their natural habitat and see how much the locals care for them. There were active forest fires in the national park on our last night, the team kept us safe and handled it well.
- Bring: bug spray, sunscreen, anti-nausea meds (boat rocks), travellers diarrhea meds
- we went in September: very dry season, no need for leech socks or rain jacket because of el niño. guide said almost no malaria.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Lina
Review Date: 20 Apr 2025
Review Body: I have visited a few places around South East Asia where you can see orangutans (Leuser National Park in Sumatra, Kinabatangan River in Sabah and Semenggoh in Kuching) and this place by far was the most impressive in terms of abundance of wildlife. Not only did we see orangutans at the feeding platforms where it's a fairly high probability, but also loads along the river banks. In addition to orangutans we also saw loads of proboscis monkeys and macaques. Plenty of hornbills and kingfishers and even a quick glance of a crocodile.
I would also highly recommend Dessy's and Arif's team for this trip as their company focuses on slow cruising letting visitors enjoy wildlife in their natural habitat. We ended up seeing more orangutans eating in the trees than we could count! We did get lucky with fruiting season as it was happening during our visit in mid April (but it can vary!)
The guides are incredibly knowledgable, full of stories of the local orangutan lives and behaviours. The crew is super friendly and the food is very good!
Do be prepared for the boat trip. Although relaxing, it is exposed to the elements so do bring bug spray, sun protection and change of clothes (for hot, wet and cooler weather).
Highly highly recommend!!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Destiny Venable
Review Date: 19 Sep 2026
Review Body: The Orangutan Applause tour was the best tour I have ever been on. Arif was very accommodating and flexible with my requests. When I wanted to stay at the Rimba Ecolodge overnight instead of aboard the klotok boat, he worked with my flight schedule and the hotel to ensure a smooth experience. I felt like I barely needed to lift a finger.
His crew that run the boat during the tour, the cook, deck hand, captain, and tour guide were absolutely outstanding. Above and beyond the amazing scenery and wildlife experiences (i.e. orangutans, monkeys, crocodiles, rare hornbill birds, beautiful insects), I will have lifetime memories of this trip because of the crew. The meals were some of the best of my life, the deckhand and captain were very kind and experienced on the water, and the tour guide was an expert on the national park. I could tell he loved sharing his island, traditions, culture, and knowledge with visitors. He even performed traditional rain forest music from his village. His love for Borneo made me see just how special this place is.
On top of contributing to the conservation of orangutans and the rain forest, your money is going to the local small business that makes it possible. I already want to go back.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Sean O’Reilly
Review Date: 01 Oct 2026
Review Body: This was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever experienced. We did 4D3N and expected it to be great, but it exceeded those expectations. We were greeted by our guide Uri at the airport who helped us into our taxi, and from that point forward everything was taken care of. They brought us to the boat where we met our crew and had a delicious breakfast waiting, showed us our bed and accommodations, then we set sail shortly after. Within the first day we saw many orangutans, monkeys, snakes, and bugs. That only continued throughout the next few days. The bed was comfortable, the boat was very well laid out for relaxation and sight seeing, and the food was phenomenal. Seriously it’s like we had a 5 star chef, we actually gained weight throughout the stay. A few recommendations if you choose this:
- power banks for keeping electronics charged
- binoculars (we used them so often)
- strong bug spray
- good hiking shoes and hat for protection
- portable battery powered fan (it can get hot, you’re in the jungle after all)
Overall this was a 10/10 experience and I will be recommending it to all of my friends family. Thank you Uri and crew for an amazing time.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Paula
Review Date: 20 Apr 2025
Review Body: What a beautiful experience!!! Can’t say enough about this trip. Communication with the owner and staff was second to none. We were treated meticulously from start to finish, picking us up at the airport at the beginning to personally taking us to our hotel on our return. Our guide Vera was so friendly and enthusiastic and so much fun by giving us her “fun facts on birds, crocodiles, primates and bird nest houses to mention a few. We learned so much not only about the orangutan but Indonesia and their culture. The food was some of the best we have had in the country and many courses and snacks. More than enough for us. The captain and his right hand managed the riverboat safe and smooth. Staff were always looking for wildlife to show us. They truly love their job and it shows! We saw wild orangutan not only at the feeding stations, went on a night walk which was amazing. The ranger was very kind and knowledgeable about the forest and its inhabitants. The bed on the boat was comfortable and the loungers worked great for spotting with our binoculars. Thanks so much to the owners for giving us the trip of a lifetime!! Mike & Paula from Canada.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Alex and Layla
Review Date: 28 Oct 2025
Review Body: An experience of a lifetime!
We had the most amazing trip last week, we could not have asked for more.
Our tour guide Teguh was brilliant - he was so knowledgeable and was always eager to share facts and stories about everything that we saw. The rest of the crew were also superb, the food was amazing, the boat was always clean and the captain was very good at stopping in the perfect spot to view wildlife along the river. The Seek Sophie reps that were there to greet us on arrival and wave us off at the end were very welcoming.
The activities were nicely spread out across the 4 days so that there was plenty of time to relax and cruise along the river but also lots for us to do and see. We were super lucky with the wildlife that we saw and a lot of that was down to the crew spotting them from the boat - they are all so talented.
The whole national park is set up with the welfare of the orangutans in mind and the tourism provides a large chunk of the funding for the national park. So there is no uneasy feelings about the animals, they are being really well looked after.
100% book this trip if you are having any doubts!!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Paul
Review Date: 17 Jul 2025
Review Body: We have just finished a 4d3n river boat tour with Orangutan Applause, which was incredible.
We are a family of 4, 2 children aged 11 & 13, and were slightly worried how they would cope saying goodbye to creature comforts, but the boat was brand new, the food was excellent, and the crew did a fantastic job of making it as pleasant as possible!
Our guide Guh was very impressive, with a high standard of English, his knowledge of the Orangutans was excellent, being able to identify all of them individually, but he also knew so much about the rainforest in general.
Doing the 3 night tour meant we were able to take the trip at a relaxed pace, taking time to spot wildlife as we cruised up the river to the national park feeding stations, which felt like a real advantage.
The night walk through the rainforest and canoeing down one of the tributaries were real highlights.
The trip was very well organised, with the company being really helpful over some last-minute changes to our travel plans due to illness. I have only got good things to say about this trip, if you’re thinking of booking it, do it!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Paul Pan
Review Date: 30 Jun 2025
Review Body: This was an amazing and rewarding adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed. We were incredibly lucky with wildlife sightings — over 40 orangutans, including massive alpha males! Honestly felt like we were on a live David Attenborough episode.
Big shoutout to our Seek Sophie guide, Guh, and the boat crew. They were such a huge part of what made the experience special. Super passionate, knowledgeable, and always went the extra mile.
The food on the boat was another unexpected win — tasty and varied, especially considering it was all cooked on a tiny houseboat kitchen. And while the setup is definitely basic, sleeping on the boat was surprisingly comfy. Mosquitoes and flies were manageable (though there were quite a few flies during dinner at night which can't be avoided because you're in the wild)
Canoeing into the quieter parts of the river was a peaceful highlight, and I’m so glad we ventured deeper into the national park — it felt like we were truly off the beaten path.
My personal tip for photographers/videographers: charging ports are limited on the boat, so pack extra battery packs
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Peggy C
Review Date: 24 Sep 2025
Review Body: I absolutely loved this trip! Best part of my month-long visit to Indonesia. The guide and crew of the boat were fantastic - knowledgeable and helpful with everything. And the cook - best food I've had in a long time. Orangutan Applause runs a professional operation from start to finish - good communication about logistics and an amazing team for the trip itself.
Seeing the orangutans at the feeding stations was amazing and my guide made sure we arrived in a timely way to see all the action. But we also saw totally wild orangutans from the boat as we cruised down the river, as well as proboscis monkeys and other wildlife. The guide and the crew were always looking and pointing them out to me.
And just being on the river itself was amazing - I love being on the water and it was relaxing (even when we got a bit of rain). And I would 100% recommend doing the 4 day/3 night trip as you really get to relax and enjoy things, as well as spend more time on side excursions.
Again, do not hesitate - book this trip today!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Håkon da Silva Hyldmo
Review Date: 23 May 2026
Review Body: We (family of seven with my parents 70 years old and children aged 9 - 16) had an absolutely amazing experience with Orangutan Applause. From the moment we were met at the airport by our lovely guide Vera, we were incredibly well taken care of and looked after. Vera was absolutely wonderful, kind, smart and extremely knowledgeable about the areas we visited, as was the rest of the crew on the boat. We had fantastic meals and everything about the trip was so well planned out. Seeing the orangutans at multiple sites, including completely wild orangutans, was great, but the real highlight for my family and I was to see all the wildlife along the route as we travelled along the rivers and canals, including multiple crocodiles, snakes, countless groups of different kinds of monkeys, and lots of birds, including the Rhinoceros Hornbill.
We are so grateful for the experience - and I'd recommend the trip to everyone.
(Attached photos are just a small part of everything we saw, copyright and photographer: Tor Hyldmo)
Review rating: 5
Itinerary
Itinerary Day 1
Itinerary Summary: Get on your Klotok! Klotok cruise, orangutan feeding and night wildlife walk
Itinerary Description: 12:00 PM Pickup from Pangkalan Bun Airport or hotel → transfer to Kumai
01:00 PM Board your traditional wooden klotok and begin cruising up the Sekonyer River
03:00 PM Visit Tanjung Harapan orangutan feeding station
04:30 PM Return to the boat, river cruise and primate spotting
06:00 PM Dinner on board
07:30 PM Night walk (approx. 1 hr) to observe nocturnal wildlife: spiders, frogs, snakes, glowing fungi
09:00 PM Overnight onboard
Itinerary Day 2
Itinerary Summary: Cruise, jungle trek, Camp Leakey visit, wildlife spotting
Itinerary Description: 07:00 AM Breakfast on the boat
08:00 AM Cruise toward Camp Leakey through blackwater creek, for wildlife spotting primate, aves/birds, reptiles
12:00 PM Lunch onboard
01:00 PM Visit Camp Leakey orangutan feeding site & take a rainforest hike (peat swamp, dipterocarp forest)
04:00 PM Wildlife cruise & sunset spotting
06:00 PM Dinner on board
08:00 PM Overnight onboard
Itinerary Day 3
Itinerary Summary: Orangutan feeding, jungle walk, canoe trek & wildlife spotting in peat swamp forest
Itinerary Description: 07:00 AM Breakfast
09:00 AM Visit Pondok Tanggui for orangutan morning feeding
11:00 AM Short jungle walk → return to boat for lunch
01:00 PM Cruise downstream to Sungai Buluh side creek
03:00 PM Join local community guides for 2-hour canoe trek & forest walk in peat swamp
05:00 PM Cruise slowly through the riverbanks for wildlife spotting like long tailed macaque, proboscis monkey, and birds
06:30 PM Dinner on board
09:00 PM Overnight onboard
Itinerary Day 4
Itinerary Summary: Orangutan spotting, tree planting, Sekonyer Village visit & firefly show at night
Itinerary Description: 07:00 AM Breakfast onboard
07:30 AM Cruising to Sekonyer river for wildlife spotting. Re visit camp for orangutan observation site in Pondok Tanggui or Camp Leakey
12:00 PM Lunch on board
01:00 PM Visiting Jerumbun Reforestation Project for planting trees and forest walk.
03:30 PM Cruising to Sekonyer river, wildlife spotting, and sunset hunting.
05.30 PM visiting Sekonyer Village
07:00 PM Dinner near Nipa Palm Forest
07:30 PM Enjoy a magical firefly show (weather dependent)
09:00 PM Overnight onboard
Itinerary Day 5
Itinerary Summary: Early birdwatching, river cruise to Kumai, transfer to airport/hotel
Itinerary Description: 06:00 AM Wake up early for birdwatching and wildlife spotting from the deck
07:00 AM Breakfast on board with coffee and morning river views
08:00 AM Cruise slowly back to Kumai Port
09:00 AM Disembark and transfer to Pangkalan Bun Airport or hotel
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5D4N Slow Paced Houseboat Journey into Tanjung Puting
Slow 5-Day Orangutan River Cruise with Jungle Treks and Wildlife Spotting
5.0
|71 Reviews
Group size
Up to 8 guests

DURATION
5 days 4 nights

Booking type
Private trip

MEET UP
Free pick-up

Group size
Up to 8 guests
- Experience highlights
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Accommodation
- Availability
- More Info
- Host
- Reviews
Slow down and connect with Borneo's ancient nature
This 5-day, 4-night orangutan experience is for those who want to truly slow down and immerse themselves in nature — without rushing from one stop to the next. Unlike shorter river cruises that only cover the main feeding stations, this extended journey takes you deeper into the jungle, with more chances to explore quiet side rivers, do meaningful jungle treks, and spot wildlife few others get to see.What makes this special is the team guiding you — all university-educated in biology, forestry, or conservation. You don’t just see orangutans; you’ll walk away understanding their world, how they live, and the threats they face. Guided night walks, reforestation visits, and canoe trips with local community guides all offer unique windows into the ecosystem of Tanjung Puting National Park.If you're the kind of traveller who wants real connection — with nature, with locals, and with the experience itself — you’ll love this. It’s also perfect for birdwatchers, forest lovers or anyone curious about the smaller creatures of the jungle, from fireflies to tree frogs and hornbills.What to ExpectVery Slow-paced, immersive river cruise aboard a traditional klotok boatVisit all three key orangutan feeding stations: Camp Leakey, Pondok Tanggui & Tanjung HarapanGuided jungle treks and night walks to spot birds, insects, frogs and moreTime to truly relax — birdwatch, read, or just enjoy the sounds of the rainforest from the deckLearn from expert local guides with university backgrounds in wildlife conservationTree planting and visits to active reforestation sitesOptional canoe trips into side creeks for quiet wildlife spottingEvenings onboard enjoying good food, storytelling and starry skiesGood to KnowTanjung Puting National Park is closed annually from 15–31 January and 1–15 June for the annual habitat recovery programJungle walks are easy to moderate – suitable for beginnersNational Park fees are included, but drone permits cost extra and must be paid in cash (IDR 2,010,000)Best for travellers aged 10+ who enjoy slow nature travel – not ideal for those in a hurryWildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed, but the slow pace gives you many chances over 5 daysAmenities/facilitiesPrivate traditional houseboat (klotok) accommodationOnboard sleeping area with mosquito nets and basic beddingChild & Infant Pricing:Infants (0–1 year) and Children (2–4 years): Please contact us for more details on available discounts. Discounts are only available when there are 2 paying adults in the booking, and the infant/child is the 3rd guest.Children (5 years and above): Same pricing as adults.
Experience highlights
What You’ll be Doing
Day 1:
Get on your Klotok! Klotok cruise, orangutan feeding and night wildlife walkDay 2:
Cruise, jungle trek, Camp Leakey visit, wildlife spottingDay 3:
Orangutan feeding, jungle walk, canoe trek & wildlife spotting in peat swamp forestDay 4:
Orangutan spotting, tree planting, Sekonyer Village visit & firefly show at nightDay 5:
Early birdwatching, river cruise to Kumai, transfer to airport/hotelShow Details
What’s Included
Private Houseboat accommodation
All meals onboard
Airport pick-up and drop-off (transfer to/from Kumai Port)
Guided visits to all feeding stations
Highly trained, university-educated guides
Daily guided jungle treks and nature walks, including a night safari and optional short jungle trek
River cruises offering wildlife spotting opportunities (proboscis monkeys, hornbills, macaques, etc.)
National Park Entrance Fee
1 traveler 1 tree
Canoe motorized by local villager
Not included
Drone permit (Approx. IDR 2.010.000) payable cash. Need to inform 7 days in advance.
Tipping
Available Add-ons:
Show Details
Who you’re supporting

Community Champion

Wildlife Protector

Low Carbon Hero
Show Details
Where You’ll Sleep
Next Available Dates
Prices shown in USD
Select Time for 17 Oct 2026
Additional Information
Where we'll meet
Start Point
Free pick-up from Kumai city(Kumai, Indonesia)
- Start time is flexible. Do let us know which time you prefer
+ 1 other option
End Point
- End at Start Point(s)
Start & Ends
- If Pick-up from Kumai cityYou can choose any start time. Just let your host know after booking.
- If Pick-up from Pangkalanbun AirportYou can choose any start time. Just let your host know after booking.
Suitability / Accessibility
- Vegetarian food available
- Halal food available
- Child Friendly (No Minimum Age)
Cancellation & other policies
Cancellation
To secure your spot, your host will turn away other guests. Because of this, cancellations aren't allowed.Extenuating Circumstances Policy
Partial cancellation : Change of total number of pax , charge 20% of the price per pax
What to Pack
- Battery bank (electricity is sporadic onboard)
- Binoculars
- Bug Spray
- Closed toe shoes for trekking
- Dramamine or ginger candies (in case someone is very sensitive to being on water)
- Extra change of clothes after getting wet or sweaty
- Hats and sunglasses
- High quality zoom camera
- Leech socks
- Light weight clothing (make sure to have some long sleeves and long trousers)
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle (free refills available onboard)
From
Rp9.881.475,17
/person5.0(71)
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Meet your host
Arif and Dessy are the thoughtful pair , an eco-tour company grounded in their hometown of Pangkalan Bun. Arif brings a rare mix of field research experience and deep local knowledge, thanks to his background in biology and years working on wildlife projects across Kalimantan. He’s not just a guide—he’s someone who genuinely enjoys helping others understand the rainforest and its wildlife. Together with Dessy, they’ve built a team that includes trained local guides and crew, many of whom grew up nearby. Their tours move at a relaxed pace, with a strong focus on ethical travel and community support. It’s clear they care—not just about the animals, but about the people and future of the place they call home.
Experience: 11 years
Speaks: Fluent English
Acceptance rate: 86%
Top Rated Host

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