Delve into learning about the wildlife and culture of Indonesia on this multi-part, 13-day tour and cruise. From Bali, fly to Borneo for a river cruise that visits an island operated by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, where you'll learn about these incredible great apes and conservation efforts in the area. Spend the next few days visiting a local Dayak village to learn about the customs of the indigenous people of this island before returning to Bali to embark on your cruise. Your ship will take you to some of the most striking islands in Indonesia, providing plenty of opportunities to snorkel over vibrant coral reefs, kayak clear waters, or stand-up paddleboard amongst bright tropical fish. Explore volcanic islands and relax on sunny beaches, and spot Komodo dragons in their natural habitat.
Highlights
Spend time getting to know a local Dayak community
Learn about orangutans and conservation efforts in Borneo
Snorkel over vibrant coral reefs and spot bright tropical fish
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Meet at Bali airport early in the morning for your flight to Borneo in the company of your guide, and be escorted to your river boat to start your journey. Cruise past the stilted and floating houses of the and continue upstream along the forest lined river, passing local villages along the way and catching glimpses of wildlife in the canopy. Visit a local village to see the local library foundation, before continuing upstream to a beautiful black water lake system, where you can take canoes out at sunset. Later the ship will find a quiet location to anchor overnight.
Day 2: Borneo | Orangutan Survival Foundation Visit
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The boat moves upriver as you enjoy breakfast to a pre-release island operated by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS). Take a motorized canoe to observe the orangutans and later continue to the BOS Education Center where orangutans are awaiting release in socialization cages and you can learn about the BOS history and rehabilitation programs. Over lunch, cruise upstream, passing more orangutan pre-release islands, where you can see the great apes in their natural environment. Here transfer to small canoes to have closer observation of the orangutans before heading for a refreshing swim in the black water lake.
Day 3: Dayak Village Visit
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Early in the morning, travel by car to visit a local Dayak to see the cultural spirit houses and learn about their ancient forest culture. Meet by the village elder with Dayak Ngaju welcoming ceremony then stroll around with him to see the village home gardens, rubber field & rubber tapping demonstration, and other village livelihoods.
Visit to the elder’s house and enjoy the traditional spices coffee while sharing stories, before returning to the boat for lunch as you cruise downstream through the forest, relaxing and looking out for wildlife along the way.
After breakfast, the boat cruises to a local village where you disembark for the short trip to a Dayak village, See the ancient Dayak painted sandungs and watch a traditional dance.
Head back to the boat boat for the final cruise to Palangkaraya, where you will check out and head to the airport for our flight to Bali.
Upon arrival in Bali, you will be escorted to your hotel for the night.
After breakfast in the hotel where you meet your fellow guests, experience the best that Bali can offer with a tour of East Bali with its deep culture and glorious landscapes. Visit water palaces, ancient villages, see lush rice terraces and jungles and the islands volcanic peaks, and dine on some of Bali’s freshest and most delicious traditional cuisine. In the late afternoon you will arrive at your beachside resort in East Bali and have a chance to unwind, swim, or have a snorkeling lesson with your tour guide. In the evening join all your fellow guests for a welcome dinner and drinks in the hotel’s beachside restaurant. Sleep in the shadow of Bali’s active volcano Mt. Agung, the mother mountain of all Balinese people, and the most imposing figure on the whole landscape of Bali.
Day 6: Komodo Island, Indonesia
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Take your included morning flight to Komodo. Once you arrive at the airport, transfer to your hotel where you can relax by the pool, swim in the sea, and brush up on your snorkeling skills with your tour leader. Gather at sunset for evening cocktails before sitting down to an Indonesia buffet dinner as you get acquainted with your fellow guests who will be joining you on the cruise ahead.
In the morning, take a short drive to a traditional local village high up in the hills, where you will be witness to the fast and imposing caci whip dance by the local villagers. Here enjoy their hospitality with coffee, betel nut and a highly potent local arak (not for the faint-hearted!), before being treated to a selection of traditional dances by their men and women. By late morning board the boat, and as you enjoy a buffet lunch it will cruise out into the Komodo National Park where you will have your first snorkel amongst the corals. In the early evening at cocktail hour, the ship will anchor off Kalong Island to see thousands of fruit bats emerge from their mangrove homes and fill the sky as they head off to the mainland in search of food.
Visit Rinca Island and go on a trek in search of Komodo dragons. See monkeys, dear, pigs, buffalo, and myriad species of birds as you walk through the forests and savannahs of this large island. Swim with schools of manta rays as they feed on the current and circle the so-called "cleaning stations," where small fish remove parasites from their skin. Hover above these giant and noble beasts for as long as you like. Later, snorkel at Siaba Island, a favorite hangout of sea turtles, where you will have a chance to swim with these gentle reptiles as they cruise along the shallow water of the reef.
Spend the morning on Gili Banta, a deserted island with a beautiful white sand beach. Explore the magnificent coral gardens, hike to the crest of the surrounding hills for a view of the surrounding islands, swim, paddle, kayak and play. Cruise across the sea as the crew raises the sails and sets course for Sangeang Island, where local villagers are in the process of building a fifty-plus meter, traditional wooden pinisi boat, with the same pedigree and history of your ship. Walking around this small village, get a feel for their simple way of life, chat with the locals and maybe buy some handmade textiles as a memento. In the afternoon, snorkel on a vibrant coral reef just off the shore filled with fish and marine creatures from all shades of the color spectrum, including a meadow of hundreds of glass eels.
Wake up off Satonda Island, an extinct volcano with a brackish lake at its heart, where you can swim, snorkel, kayak, paddle board and explore the surrounding forest if you wish. The lake was created when it the crater was flooded by a tsunami caused by a massive volcanic event from the nearby Tambora Volcano, which in 1815 was the largest eruption in recorded history. Set sail for Moyo Island and take a walk through a village to a jungle waterfall and play with local kids as they take the lead on a rope swing above a cool, deep jungle pool to show you how it’s done.
Wake up early off the coast of Sumbawa, where you can hopefully swim with a group of whale sharks that congregate off fishing platforms, where local fishermen catch small baitfish and keep them suspended in nets, which attract the sharks. Spend the afternoon on a nearby beach where you can snorkel, paddle, kayak and explore the lush jungle surroundings.
Visit a village of the famous Bajao "Sea Gypsies" of Southeast Asia, and see how they live their lives so close to, on and in the water. Another relaxing afternoon awaits as you land on a nearby uninhabited island, where once again you can relax and enjoy snorkeling, kayaking and paddle boarding. Enjoy Indonesian hospitality as your crew hosts a beach barbecue this evening. On offer is plenty of good food, music, cocktails, dancing, and frivolity as you dance and sing the night away next to a bonfire under a clear tropical night sky.
Day 13: Bali | Disembark
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Wake up at anchor off the coast of Bali under in the shadow of Bali’s Mt. Agung, the mother mountain of all Balinese people, and the most imposing figure on the whole landscape of Bali. Enjoy an early morning swim or snorkel before saying goodbye to the crew and starting your tour back to the south of Bali. Along the way, experience the best that East Bali can offer can offer with a tour of its deep culture and glorious landscapes. Visit water palaces, ancient villages, see lush rice terraces and jungles and the islands volcanic peaks, and dine on some of Bali’s freshest and most delicious traditional cuisine.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$6,890
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Cabin Deck
Cabin Deck. Spacious, air-conditioned twin-share cabins with twin bunks or double beds and private bathroom with toilet and hot shower.
Notes
- All rates are quoted in USD and represent cost per person, based on double occupancy.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.75 times the published rate.
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
