KALIMANTAN/BORNEO ADVENTURE AND WILDLIFE ECO TOURS

Located in East Kalimantan, Mahakam is one of Borneo’s (Kalimantan’s) largest and most important wetland areas. Mahakam is home to a total of 90 bird species, including various herons and lesser adjutant, a wading bird in the stork family, and is a very important area for migrating and breeding bird species. This biodiverse wetlands is also home to endangered animals such as the crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis and Tomistoma schlegeli), false gavial or gharial, proboscis monkeys, wild banteng (or tembadau, or jungle cattle/ox), and Irrawaddy dolphins. Read more about the Mahakam wetlands here.

 

DAY 1

Airport (Balikpapan)/Samarinda/Kota Bangun

 

Your guide will meet you at the airport, then you will drive approximately six hours to Kota Bangun and check-in at your homestay. We will then travel by boat around the Semayang and Melintang Lakes, where we will try to spot fresh water dolphins, and will observe village life and beautiful sunset. Return to homestay. Includes lunch and dinner.

 

DAY 2

Kota Bangun/Mancong/Muara Muntai

 

We will travel across Jempang Lake to Mancong by motorized canoe, observing the various bird species, proboscis monkeys, monitor lizards, and other wildlife, and fishermen’s floating houses along the Ohong River, with lunch served en route. We will explore a local longhouse in Mancong, and experience Benuaq Dayak life. We will travel to Muara Muntai, where we will stay at a homestay and have dinner. Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

DAY 3

Muara Muntai/Kuyung/Samarinda

 

After breakfast, we will explore the exotic Muara Muntai village, and its long, iron wood bridge, which links all the roads in the hamlet. We will proceed to Kuyung to meet our car and driver, and then travel to Tenggarong town to explore the King Collection on the Museum of Mulawarman and Royal Cemetery of Kutai Kartanegara kingdom. After the museum, we will drive to Samarinda and overnight at the hotel. Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

DAY 4

Samarinda/Airport

 

We will have breakfast at the hotel, and then have leisure time prior to the airport transfer. Includes breakfast.

 

5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS SANGALAKI, DERAWAN ISLANDS SNORKELING/DIVING (EASY)

Pristine and unspoilt Sangalaki Island in the Derawan Island archipelago is home to manta rays, sea turtles, corals, dolphins, and many other sea creatures. You can read more about Sangalaki and the Derawan Islands here.

 

DAY 1

Balikpapan/Arrival

 

You will meet your guide at the airpot, then transfer to the hotel in Balikpapan to check-in, followed by free time.

 

DAY 2

Balikpapan/Berau/Derawan

 

You will have breakfast at your hotel, then have some free time prior to your airport transfer and flight to Berau. Upon arrival in Berau town, you will drive approximately 2-1/2 hours, crossing mountains and rainforest, then transfer to a speed boat to the Derawan Island (approximately 20 minutes). After checking in at the lodge, you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon, diving/snorkeling around Derawan Island or exploring the daily life of the local villagers. We will have lunch en route, and have dinner and overnight at the lodge. Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

DAY 3

Derawan/Kakaban/Derawan

 

You will have breakfast at the lodge, then travel to Kakaban Island by boat, for diving and to explore the sea garden (with four species of jelly fish). Lunch will be served en route. We will travel back to the lodge, where we will have dinner and overnight. Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

DAY 4

Derawan/Sanggalaki/Derawan

 

You will have breakfast at the lodge, then travel to a dive site on Sangalaki Island called Capital of the Manta Rays. Here we hope to observe many exotic fish, including manta rays, napoleons, tunitates, purple sea horses, dwarf scorpion fish, and a fascinating coral sea garden. We will have lunch en route and enjoy some sightseeing on Sangalaki Island, then return to the lodge on Derawan Island for dinner and to overnight. Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

DAY 5

Derawan/Berau/Balikpapan/Airport

 

We will have breakfast at the lodge, then travel to the airport in Tanjung Batu for your flight to Balikpapan. We will have some free time until catching your flight to your next destination. Includes breakfast.