Indonesia: Wildlife Exploration
Indonesia’s vast and varied landscape is home to some truly extraordinary wildlife. This trip offers unique animal encounters with Indonesia’s ‘Big Three’ that symbolizes a stellar list of signature species, orangutan, elephants and Komodo dragons; the latter of which can only be found here. Encompassing three distinctive destinations in far-flung corners of the archipelago, the tour also provides an unparalleled view of the landscapes, cultures and habitats that define Indonesia as a wonderland for nature lovers.
Bukit Lawang, in Sumatra is home to rainforests inhabited by exotic wildlife, framed by towering volcanoes and waterfalls cascading down into verdant valleys. In the little town of Tangkahan, a team of elephants and their mahouts work together to maintain a fledgling national park, where visitors can join these gentle giants at work and play in the pristine rivers and jungle paths of the region. Just upriver, the town of Bukit Lawang is the perfect place to see orangutan in the wild. The apes here have grown used to human interaction, so expect some up close and personal encounters.
Tanjung Puting, is a 415,040-hectare national park in Kalimantan, home to thick rainforest, river delta systems and epic mountain ranges cloaked in ancient jungles. Over 220 species of mammals and more than 400 bird species are known to live here. In addition to wild orangutan, Tanjung Puting is home to proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, pythons, tarantulas, sun bears and even a dwindling population of leopards known to haunt the shadows in hidden corners of the jungle interior.
Komodo, is a spectacular, rusty red volcanic island in Nusa Tenggara, with steep hillsides of sun-blasted rock surrounded by immaculate coral gardens, mangroves and tropical shores. The world-famous Komodo Dragons can grow up to 3m in length and weigh in at around 100kg, making them an imposing and awe-inspiring sight. This group of islands is also home to a rich diversity of birdlife, along with flying foxes, fruit bats, wild horses, long-tailed macaques, palm civets, boar and snakes. Komodo National Park is an Eden for wildlife of all kinds, plus a great place for trekking, spotting, swimming and diving.
Good to know
- Strong current and waves during the peak of wet season (December – February).
- Best time to visit is during the dry season (April – June).
- Early booking is highly recommended for traveling during high season and peak season period.
Pricing
Private tour starting at $4,365* CAD per person, based on double occupancy (flights not included)
Domestic flights while on tour estimated to start at $1,330 CAD per person; prices subject to change based on seat availability
12 Days – Medan to Labuan Bajo (Indonesia)
Your package includes
- 10-night accommodation
- 26 meals: 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 6 dinners
- Private transportation in a chauffeur-driven, air-conditioned vehicle
- Tours and activities as indicated in the itinerary
- Professional and licensed English-speaking
- All entrance fees, donations and parking fees as per itinerary
- Public Liability Insurance
Not included
- International or domestic airfare and airport taxes
- Gratuities to hotel personnel, guides and drivers
- Personal expenses
- Beverages
- Any optional excursions
- Visa for Indonesia if required
Note
- Minimum of 2 people required, privately guided.
- Daily departures available.
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
Medan – Tangkahan, Indonesia
Meals
Description
Upon arrival at Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, meet with your professional and licensed guide, then head into Medan; the capital of North Sumatra province for a brief city tour. Thereafter, take a drive from Medan to Tangkahan. Check-in upon arrival at your hotel.
NOTE: Morning time of arrival is highly suggested if you choose to do the Medan city tour.
Approximate distance and journey time: Medan – Tangkahan (99.2 km) : 4 hour 35 minutes.
Accommodation: Tangkahan Inn (or similar, 1 night)
Day 2
Tangkahan – Elephant Activities – Bukit Lawang
Breakfast, Lunch
Dawn gives way to a new day as the sounds of a jungle symphony awakens you. Enjoy breakfast at the lodge and then head down to the riverside, where you will help in bathing the elephants. Proceed on an hour-long elephant ride through designated dirt trails, where lunch is provided at the end of the trek with a stunning waterfall set up. Return back to the hotel for a quick check-out.
Next, take a trip to Bukit Lawang traversing thickly cultivated plantations overlooking the dramatic views of forested foothills in the Bukit Barisan mountain range, where you’ll see shady countryside interspersed with local rural houses. Check-in upon arrival at your hotel in Bukit Lawang.
Approximate distance and journey time: Tangkahan – Bukit Lawang (60 km): 3 hours 15 minutes.
Accommodation: Bukit Lawang Eco Lodge (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 3
Bukit Lawang Trekking
Breakfast, Lunch
Following breakfast at your hotel, embark on a full day of trekking through the national park, where you may be lucky enough to see orangutan swinging gently through the trees, through an unforgettable landscape of exotic flora and fauna. Pause for a packed lunch during the trek, then follow a footpath through the rainforest along a network of trails which lead down to the riverside, where you will conclude the day’s trekking by taking a refreshing whitewater tube ride on crystal-clear mountain streams downriver. From here you will then return on foot to the hotel for accommodation.
Day 4
Bukit Lawang – Medan – Jakarta
Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, before setting out for some short trekking (approximately 2-3 Hours) in the unforgettable jungles of Bukit Lawang. Next, head back to the hotel and check out, before driving onwards to Medan, where you will catch an afternoon flight to Jakarta.
Transfer to your hotel upon arrival and then spend the evening free at leisure.
Accommodation: The 101 Jakarta Airport Hotel, 4* (or similar, 1 night)
Day 5
Jakarta – Pangkalan Bun – Tanjung Puting
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, travel to the airport in Jakarta and transfer direct to Kumai village in Tanjung Puting National Park, where you will board a traditional houseboat known as ‘klotok’. This unique and charming houseboat will be your home for the next few days and your own personal viewing platform for the delights of the rainforest; its traditional design features an upper deck where you can view the jungle as it glides by. The boat crew includes the boatman, cook and an expert guide. While away the afternoon watching primates, birdlife and many other natural wonders float by on the riverside. Check-in an ecolodge to spend the night.
Accommodation: Rimba Eco Lodge (or similar, 3 nights)
Day 6
Tanjung Puting National Park
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, cruise further upriver to Camp Leakey, where the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rainforest. At this station, you will have the opportunity to trek into the jungle with your expert guide and rangers to appreciate the flora, as well as viewing wild orangutan, gibbons, macaques and birds.
In the afternoon, we will visit the feeding station to see where rehabilitated orangutans are given additional food. We will then sail back down the river. Breakfast and lunch will be served on the houseboat.
Day 7
Tanjung Puting National Park
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Set out on a river safari by houseboat in the morning to observe the unique ecology and wildlife along the banks of the river. En route, we will stop at Pondok Tanggui Feeding Station to watch rangers feed orangutan, and then continue our trip by visiting the Pesalat Station to explore reforestation activities and the famous ironwood, as well as other exotic vegetation. Lunch will be served on board while sighting wild animal activities along the riverside.
Next, we will depart to Tanjung Harapan Feeding Station for viewing the feeding process of the orangutan. Enjoy the natural views on the way back. Breakfast and lunch will be served on board.
Day 8
Pangkalan Bun – Denpasar, Bali
Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast before catching a flight from Pangkalan Bun to Denpasar via Semarang. Upon arrival, drive to your hotel. Check in and spend the day free at leisure on the island of Bali.
Accommodation: Swiss Belhotel Tuban, 4* (or similar, 1 night)
Day 9
Denpasar – Labuan Bajo – Kelor – Kalong Island
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin your trip with the first flight of the day to Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province. Once a small fishing village, Labuan Bajo is now a busy, bustling centre of tourism, since it is the entry point for trips to see the world-famous Komodo Dragons, or Varanus Komodensis. Meet your assigned guide upon arrival, then directly transfer to Labuan Bajo Harbour to embark on a local wooden boat with full air-conditioned cabin.
A 1-hour boat journey gets you to Kelor Island & Manjarite for snorkeling near the island (snorkeling gear is provided). After another soft-trekking at Loh Buaya, continue sailing towards Kalong Island where you can observe bats filling the sky as they come home to roost at sunset. Your boat will be positioned nearby the island during your first night in the Komodo National park area. Lunch and dinner are provided onboard.
Accommodation: Local Wooden Boat (picture in “Photos” section, 2 nights)
Day 10
Kalong Island – Padar Island – Komodo Island – Pink Beach – Manta Point
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up this morning and breakfast is provided onboard as the boat starts sailing towards to Padar Island, and treeking to the top. Continue sailing towards to Komodo Island, another island that is home to the Komodo dragons. Arrive at the island, have a safety briefing then start following the trails of the dragon walking path, guided by a local ranger. Observe the dragons from a safe distance and have a quick stop at the local museum.
The boat journey then continues on to Pink Beach for swimming and more snorkeling (snorkeling gear provided). A freshly cooked lunch is served onboard as the boat sails to Manta Point. Observe the rich marine life such as turtles, huge clams, various kind of sponges and cuttlefish, along with healthy reefs and corals. If you are lucky, you will get to swim with manta rays! In the afternoon, your boat takes you to Gililaba where your boat is stationed for your last evening on board with dinner provided.
Day 11
Kanawa Island – Sebayur Island – Labuan Bajo
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy your breakfast and another opportunity for snorkeling nearby Kanawa Island. Crystal clear water provides you great visibility to observe the marine life better while snorkeling. Freshly cooked lunch is served as the boat sails towards Labuan Bajo. Arrive at the harbour, where a chauffeured vehicle is waiting to take you to a hotel for your last evening in Labuan Bajo.
Accommodation: Puri Sari Beach Hotel, 3* (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 12
Labuan Bajo
Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out afterwards. You will be picked up at the hotel lobby at the designated time depending on your flight schedule. Proceed directly to Komodo Airport for your onward journey with wonderful memories of your visit.
*Hotel rooms are subject to availability and are confirmed by the supplier at time of booking; they may be replaced by other hotel rooms of similar category at the sole discretion of the supplier.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Indonesia: Wildlife Exploration: in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.