Wild Orangutan, Kalimantan, Borneo
Wild Orangutan, Kalimantan, Borneo
A visit to see the Komodo Dragon's in Indonesia is an unforgettable experience
Spectacular views from Komodo Island
Trekking in Komodo National park
The amazing colours of the reef
The gigantic and gentle whale shark
Local children in the Nusa Tenggara Islands
The mythical Komodo Dragon
The crater lake on Satonda Island, Indonesia

Orangutans & Dragons Cruise

Cruise turquoise waters aboard a traditional Indonesian sailing boat

13 Days from

$8800 USD

Trip Code: STO
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Fuel Surcharge 2026
$200 USD
Fuel Surcharge 2025
$400 USD
Single Cabin Supplement 2025
$6300 USD
Single Cabin Supplement 2026
$6600 USD

Duration

  • 13 Days

Activities

  • 9 days adventure cruising, optional kayaking, snorkelling, SUP and hiking

Accommodation

  • 3 nights aboard Rahai’i Pangun
  • 8 nights aboard Katharina or Ombak Putih
  • 1 night hotel in Bali

Meals

  • 11 Dinners
  • 13 Lunches
  • 12 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

2 / 10

Adventure touring

Trip highlights

  • Cruise on a riverboat through Borneo and see orangutans living free in their natural habitat.
  • Visit the Borneo Orangutan Survival Centre (BOS) and learn about their rehabilitation into the wild.
  • Experience being in the water with whale sharks and learn how they live in symbiotic harmony with local fishermen.
  • Trek the hills and forests of the park’s prehistoric islands in search of Komodo dragons in the wild.
  • Swim, kayak, paddle and play on remote island beaches and feel the soft pink sand between your toes.
  • Paddle board and kayak on an ancient freshwater crater lake in the heart of an extinct volcano.
  • Visit local villages to experience local customs and see how the people live their lives and make their living from fishing, farming and boat building.

Overview

Embark on an extraordinary journey that combines a river expedition in Borneo to observe wild orangutans with an unforgettable sailing adventure through the Coral Triangle aboard a traditional Indonesian Phinisi boat in Komodo. Your adventure begins in Palangkaraya, where you'll board a riverboat to explore the untamed wilderness of Borneo. Cruise along the remote Kahayan River, visiting Sebangau National Park to witness orangutans thriving in their natural habitat. After immersing yourself in the lush rainforests of Borneo, fly to Bali for an overnight stay before continuing to Komodo. In Komodo, step aboard an authentic "Phinisi" sailing ship and journey into the volcanic heart of Indonesia’s Ring of Fire. Go ashore to encounter the legendary Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard, found only on this unique island. Dive into exhilarating activities as you snorkel vibrant coral reefs, including the famous Pink Beach, and kayak in a saltwater crater lake formed by the eruption of Mount Tambora. Swim alongside the majestic whale shark, discovering their fascinating symbiotic relationship with local fishermen. Immerse yourself in the culture and wildlife of Moyo Island, and explore the picturesque island of Rinca, home to a wealth of flora and fauna. Throughout the voyage, your expertly trained Indonesian crew, deeply connected to their homeland, will share their passion and knowledge, offering you unparalleled insights into the rich history, culture, and biodiversity of this remarkable region. This is more than a trip—it's an adventure that connects you with nature, culture, and unforgettable moments in one of the world's most captivating destinations.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

We will meet you in your hotel lobby at around 8 am and transfer you 40 minutes to the tiny village of Sei Gohong where we board local canoes to observe orangutans on the beautiful forested island of Pulau Kaja. The island is managed by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation or BOS. After observing orangutans in their island habitat, we then transfer to BOS’s nearby Education Centre in Nyaru Menteng for more information on their activities. Returning to Palangka Raya harbour, we board the Rahai’i Pangun for lunch and a short cruise through the city upstream. Boarding vehicles, we travel 30 minutes to the historic towns of Bukit Rawi and Sigi to see the magnificently painted sandungs, receive a Dayak welcome and learn about the history. We then return to the boat to start the cruise downstream to moor overnight in a quiet location. NB* Due to the unpredictability of flight schedules we highly recommend arriving in Palangkaraya the day before departure. Ask us about pre-tour accommodation options.

Meals: L,D

In the early morning, we will use motorised canoes to visit the extensive blackwater Lake Bagantung. This is a unique peatland swamp ecosystem where we have the opportunity to spot birds, the other wildlife and fishing activities by the villagers. Returning to the village of Pusaka, we learn the local self-defence or shadow boxing exercise. Try it yourself! Returning to the boat, we continue the cruise downstream to Tumbang Nusa village. On arrival, we will have a walking tour in the village to see some of their traditional livelihoods. The boat will continue to cruise downstream, passing the large forested Selat and Badak Islands, where it may be possible to spot orangutans. We then find a quiet place to tie up overnight.

Meals: B,L,D

We continues downstream to the village of Pilang where we take a short walk in the forest area near the village to see the process of rubber tapping (Mamantat) and rattan harvesting (Manetes). Our village guide will also point out some local medicinal plants growing in the forest. We then have a walking tour in the village to see some of their traditional livelihoods. Watch the local ladies at their rattan weaving process and meet the villagers. Over a special tea and coffee, with traditional Dayak cakes, we will be entertained with a Kacapi (two-stringed instrument) performance. Escaping the heat of the midday sun, we will return to the boat for lunch. The boat will cruise downstream to find a quiet mooring place for overnight.

Meals: B,L,D

We have a relaxed breakfast before our very special visit to the Sebangau National Park. For this adventure, we pack our bags and transfer to the car for the journey to Kereng Bangkirai village (40 minutes). Here we join a canoe to travel a half hour across the amazing reflections of Lake Sebangau to the tiny Koran River. Explore the boardwalks and forests on the eastern boundary of the park. We will visit the information centre established there and walk along boardwalks provided for visitors to more easily explore the area to catch sight of birds and perhaps wild orangutans. We return to the village of Kering Bangkirai for a cool drink for transfer to the vehicle and return to the airport. Upon arrival in Bali, you will be escorted to your hotel for the night.

Meals: B,L

Taking the early morning flight from Bali, you will be greeted by your tour leader at the airport and taken to the boat. As you settle into your new home, we will head to our first snorkelling spot; a coral restoration project where you will see how the corals and fish populations have grown since they were first transplanted in 2014.

Meals: B,L,D

Today we go ashore on Komodo Island in search of the fearsome Komodo dragons, found only in the Komodo National Park. This is the world’s largest lizard, growing up to a length of three metres and weighing up to approximately 70 kilograms. In the afternoon enjoy some magnificent snorkelling on some of the Komodo Park’s best reefs. Here we may swim with manta rays as they feed on the current and circle the so-called cleaning stations, where small fish remove parasites from their skin. We may also snorkel at a favourite hangout of sea turtles, where we will have a chance to swim with these gentle reptiles as they cruise along the shallow water of the reef.

Meals: B,L,D

Wake up off the coast of a beautiful uninhabited island with a beach of pure white sand with some sparkles of powdered red coral, creating the effect of a “pink beach.” We will spend the morning here, swimming, paddle boarding, and snorkeling on the beautiful coral reef that lies parallel to the beach. Cruise to a nearby active volcanic island where we will enjoy a unique snorkeling experience where volcanic gasses escape in the form of bubbles from the sea floor among the corals, with the metallic black volcanic sand below being home to an abundance of very interesting invertebrates. Spend the day at a strange and mystical volcanic island with a sunken crater lake in its centre that was filled with saltwater when the nearby Mt Tambora catastrophically erupted in 1815. Here we will swim, kayak and paddleboard on the lake.

Meals: B,L,D

Prepare for an exhilarating opportunity to swim with whale sharks, the majestic gentle giants of the sea. These massive but harmless animals have long congregated here in the bay but now, thanks to travellers like you, we have formed a mutually beneficial alliance with the local fisherman who have their traditional small floating fishing platforms in the bay that attract the sharks. We can’t make any promises, as we don’t have these wild animals on a leash, but fingers crossed that we will see them. We will also visit the beautiful village of Labuan Aji on Moyo Island for an amazing experience. Walk to the stunning waterfall and enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool water.

Meals: B,L,D

Over the next two days we njoy a unique snorkelling experience where volcanic gasses escape in the form of bubbles from the sea floor among the corals, with the metallic black volcanic sand below being home to an abundance of very interesting invertebrates. We re-enter Komodo National Park were we will go drift snorkelling in one of the best and healthiest coral reefs in the park, and for those who want to take the land-adventure to another level, you can do a sunset hike up to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the other islands in the park. We will also visit Rinca Island, which is well known for its diverse wildlife, and maybe spot dragons, monkeys, wild buffaloes and deer as well. From the top of the hills, the scenery is breath taking.

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast on our last day, we will take a scenic drive towards Melo Village, where you will witness the traditional Caci dance performance. Local strongmen perform a ritual whip-fight between two rivals in which the players, each armed with a rattan shield and a whip, will try to hit each other while dancing to the rhythm of traditional acoustic instruments. After lunch on the boat, we will say farewell to the crew and your fellow shipmates as you disembark and continue onto your next destination.

Meals: B,L

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

  • 12 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 11 dinners
  • twin share cabin accommodation
  • internal flights Palangkaraya to Bali and Bali to Komodo
  • one night twin share hotel in Bali including breakfast
  • park entrance fees and boat levies
  • snorkelling equipment
  • use of kayaks and paddle boards
  • local guide and crew
  • airport transfers

Not included

  • international flights to and from the point of embarkation
  • alcoholic & aerated drinks
  • items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc.
  • tips
  • airport & departure taxes
  • visas
  • travel insurance

About your guide

The all-Indonesian tour leader and crew are highly experienced and competent in the ways of the sea, the islands, and the cultures we visit. They all speak English very well, and are on hand to look after you and ensure you have a very safe and enjoyable time.

Adventure Highlighted Video

komodo surviving natural selection

komodo surviving natural selection
Indonesia underwater

Responsible travel

Extra trip info

Guaranteeing A Great Indonesia Trip

Pioneering World Firsts

Quality equipment

Quality accommodations

Innovative itineraries

Custom built, reliable transport

Our all inclusive approach

Multi Award Winning Adventures

Thoughtful Travel

Adventure Experts Since 1975