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Kalimantan & North Sulawesi – Indonesia Tour

$2,195.00

This is an adventure like no other through Kalimantan North Sulawesi. Indonesia is a country of large numbers; it consists of more than 17,000 islands, of which approximately 8000 are inhabited, 300 languages are spoken amongst a population of almost 250 million, making it the fourth most populous country. Over time deep and rich cultures have evolved within Indonesia.

On this incredible adventure you you’ll take a cruise on a traditional klotok riverboat, an impossibly romantic way to make your way through the jungle, stopping off at orangutan feeding stations and viewing platforms. While the orangutans are the stars here, they’re joined by an impressive supporting cast of clouded leopards, long-snouted crocodiles and gibbons.

North Sulawesi boasts some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world; a gateway to stunning beaches, volcanoes, misty mountains, and rich cultural traditions. Coral reefs around the Bunaken Marine Reserve drop to a forty-metre shelf before plunging to depths of 200m and more, creating stupendous reef walls abounding with Napoleon (maori) wrasse, barracuda, tuna, turtles, manta rays, whales, and dolphins.

DATES: This is a custom tour and is available upon request – we will tailor this adventure to your liking.

Category:

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HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

  • Sailing aboard a private Klotok to Tanjung Puting National Park
  • Encountering endangered Orangutans
  • Searching for unique wildlife such as sun bears, clouded leopards and tarsiers
  • Exploring the small villages in the Minahasa highlands
  • Hiking to the top of the Mahawu volcano
  • Relaxing, snorkelling*, or diving* (*additional cost) in the pristine waters around Bunaken National Park, one of the best dive sites in the world
  • Experiencing pure tranquility and pristine beaches

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Itinerary” tab_id=”1449208778879-fcec8e78-e9ba”][vc_column_text]Day 1: Arrive in Jakarta

Meals: None

Welcome to Indonesia!

Upon arrival in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, clear the immigration and head to the exit gate where the driver waiting to take you to the hotel where you can relax while waiting for your flight to Kalimantan on the next day. The remainder of the day is free.

Overnight at the Bandara International Hotel Jakarta – Deluxe Garden View

Day 2 Jakarta – Tanjung Puting National Park

Meals: B L D

Early in the morning, meet your driver and head to the airport to fly to Kalimantan

Fly Jakarta – Pangkalan Bun with Trigana Air IL708; departing 09:25 – arriving 10:50 Economy class

Upon arrival in Pangkalan Bun, meet the guide the drive to Kumai to board your private Klotok and start the beautiful journey up to Tanjung Puting National Park. Here you will explore the Sekonyer River and observing the wildlife such as the Proboscis monkey (long nose monkey), long tail monkey, birds etc along the river sides.

Lunch will be served on the boat. After about two hours, you reach the national park and visit the information center here then proceed directly to Tanjung Harapan feeding station where you will experience your first encounter with endangered Orangutans. Tanjung Harapan built in the late 70’s and was the original site of the Sekonyer Village. It is now used as a Park Management facility and as a release and rehabilitation center. Arrive at 15:00 to the feeding platform, sit and simply enjoy the majestic primates, hopefully meet the alpha male, and witness orangutans’ behavior in a wild environment.

Overnight onboard Klotok – AC cabin

Klotok is a traditional river boat with cabin room equipped with air condition and one open deck bed. The boat crew consists of the captain, the cook and the tour guide.

Day 3 Tanjung Puting National Park (Pondok Tanggui – Camp Leakey)

Meals: B L D

If you are an early riser, wake up early to observe the wildlife up in the trees early in the morning. Discover endemic birds and possibly wild orangutans before enjoying your breakfast.

Travel upstream to the Pesalat Reforestation Center. This forest regeneration area offers a nice easy walk through peat swamp and dry land, nice birding, a medicinal plant area and it allows you to select saplings such as Ironwood and plant them. Talk to the local ranger and learn about the different stages necessary to grow ironwood. Clouded Leopard and Sun bears have occasionally been spotted in this area.

Return to return to your boat in time and travel the Sekonyer River to Camp Leakey. Lunch is served on board. Camp Leakey is a landmark research and rehabilitation center established in 1971 by renowned primatologist, Dr Birute Galdikas and her former husband Rod Brindamour. Observe Orangutans in the wild and discover their vulnerability. Camp Leakey also offers an informed information center with a strong educational purpose.

Please follow recommendations and do not touch or disturb orangutans (humans transmit diseases), do not eat or drink in front of them, keep the area pristine.

Overnight onboard Klotok – AC cabin

Day 4 Tanjung Puting National Park

Meals: B L D

If you are a keen birder, you might repeat your early rise and watch for birds or wild orangutans from the deck.

After breakfast, travel the Sekonyer River and reach Pondok Tangui, a newly established Rehabilitation Center. Walk through deep forest to the feeding station and observe orangutans’ behavior in the wild. At around 9:00AM, rangers supplement the primates’ diet with coconut milk and bananas. Query your guide and learn more about the alpha male and the other members. On your way back to the boat, look for giant squirrels, wild pigs and glorious butterflies.

Lunch will be provided on board while crossing to Tanjung Harapan. The village was relocated from the national park side to the present site and is government funded. Walk around and get an insight of the villagers’ daily life.

Return to the boat and cruise down to “nipa palm” area and enjoy your dinner accompanied by thousands of fireflies.

Overnight onboard Klotok – AC cabin

Day 5 Tanjung Puting National Park – Tomohon

Meals: B D

Early in the morning, you will sail to Kumai and transferred to Pangkalan Bun airport to board your flight to Manado via Jakarta. Breakfast is served on the boat

Fly Pangkalan Bun to Jakarta with Trigana Air IL709; departing 07:35 – arriving 08:45 continue with Garuda Indonesia GA600; departing 11:30 – arriving 16:00

Economy class

Welcome to Manado, the capital city of North Sulawesi, the gateway to stunning beaches and underwater landscape as well as great mountain panorama.

Upon arrival at Sam Ratulangi Int’l airport, you’ll be met and take a scenic drive to the beautiful hill town of Tomohon, located approximately 800m above sea level in the Minahasa highlands, less than a two-hour drive from Manado. Cradled by Lokon and Mahawu mountains with a cool and refreshing climate, this town is one of the best places to experience Indonesian hospitality. It is known for its colorful flower cultivation in the foothills of Mount Lokon, as well as its wooden-houses, palm-sugar production and vegetable farming.

Overnight at the Gardenia Country Inn – Chalet room

Day 6 Tondano

Meals: B

After breakfast, you will drive to the city of Tondano where the bicycles are waiting. Explore the beautiful surrounding, get close to the local life and enjoy the views and the fresh air. The route goes through small villages and along the rice fields that lead to the 48 square km Tondano Lake.

After the cycling, drive to Ranopaso hot spring to unwind and relax before returning to the hotel.

Return to the hotel afterwards.

Overnight at the Gardenia Country Inn – Chalet room

Day 7 Tomohon – Tangkoko

Meals: B D

Early in the morning, grab the opportunity to visit traditional bustling markets of Tomohon known for their unique commodities.

Afterward, challenge yourself with an exciting soft adventure experience and climbing the active Mahawu Volcano, stands at 1,311 meters above sea level. You will drive to the starting point and after an hour ascent to the edge of the Mahawu Crater; you will be rewarded with a sensational bird-eye view of the surrounding area. On a clear day, you can see Bunaken Islands, Manado Bay, Lokon Volcano, Soputan Volcano and Manado Tua Island.

In the early afternoon, set off for the next adventure and head to Tangkoko National Park where you stay in a simple accommodation. The drive takes about three hours with several stops along the way planned. Halfway through, another stop will be made to explore the 19th century Waruga, the sarcophagus-like tomb hewn from the stone or sand built for distinguished families. Check-in to your lodge on arrival.

Overnight at Tangkoko Lodge – Standard room (AC)

Day 8 Tangkoko – Bunaken / Gangga

Meals: B D

Early in the morning, depart on three hours hike to the dense virgin jungle to have the opportunity to see some animal species unique to North Sulawesi such as Crested Macaques and the Tarsier Spectrum which is known as ‘the smallest primate in the world’. The sounds of the hornbill and the Maleo are not uncommon.

Tangkoko Nature Reserve is a flora and fauna conservation area on Mount Tangkoko in the district of Bitung, North Sulawesi, about one and a half hour’s drive from Manado. The reserve covers an area of 8,700 hectares including three mountains, namely, Mount Tangkoko, Mount Dua Saudara and Mount Batuangus. The reserve is a particularly fascinating place, because of its unique wildlife. It is home to a number of Sulawesi’s endemic species, such as the tarsier, crested black macaque, cuscus possum, maleo bird and hornbill, among others.

Afterward, you’ll be transferred to Manado port where a boat is waiting to take you to your accommodation in front of the beach in Siladen/Gangga, one of several islands belongs to Bunaken National Park which coral garden and its drop-offs enjoy worldwide fame.

Bunaken National Park is well known for its great snorkeling, and as one of the best wall and muck diving sites in the world. In addition to Bunaken Island, the 890 km2 marine national park includes the neighboring islands of Manado Tua (a distinctive cone-shaped extinct volcano), Siladen, Mantehage, Nain, and Nain Kecil.

Day 9 – 11 Siladen / Gangga

Meals: B L D

These three days are free for you to dive, snorkel or walk through the island to experience the local life and enjoy the tranquility of the deserted beach at your doorstep. Pre-arranged snorkel or dive package available at additional cost.

Day 12 Siladen/Gangga – Manado – Departure

Meals: B

At designated time, you’ll be transferred to Manado airport to board your onward flight

Selamat Jalan! We wish you a good journey

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Inclusion & Exclusion” tab_id=”1449208780765-5fd2d40a-5e8d”][vc_column_text]TOUR INCLUSIONS:

• All transport and transfers per program

• All accommodation as per program

• Service of English speaking guides during excursions

• All meals as mentioned

• All entrance fees on tour

• National park ranger escort in Tanjung Puting and Tangkoko

• All applicable taxes

• Private Klotok boat in Tanjung Puting with crew

• Return boat transfer Bunaken/Siladen/Gangga Island – Manado
TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

 

• International flights (can be arranged through us nicola@finisterra.ca)

• Domestic Flights quoted separately

• Mandatory travel medical insurance and optional cancellation insurance (can be arranged through us nicola@finisterra.ca)

• Services not specified, meals not specified

• Expenses due to mishaps

• Tips for local guides, service staff, drivers, housekeeping, etc

• Alcohol, laundry or other personal expenses

• Departure taxes (if applicable)

*IMPORTANT NOTES:

– This is just a sample itinerary and can be changed to best suit your travel needs.
– Klotok – cabin equipped with maximum 2 cabins; therefore for 5 and 6 participants, 2 guests sleep on the bed in the deck

FLIGHTS:
Day 2 Jakarta – Pangkalan Bun IL708 09:25 – 10:50 : $90US per person
Day 5 Pangkalan Bun – Jakarta IL709 07:35 – 08:45 : $90US per person
Day 5 Jakarta – Manado GA600 11:30 – 16:00 : $250US per person
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Accommodation” tab_id=”1568419904976-3e01af6c-54e6″][vc_column_text]SAMPLE ACCOMMODATIONKlotok (boat) – cabin equipped with maximum 2 cabins
Tondano – Gardenia Country Inn
Tankoko – Tangkoko Lodge
Siladen/Gangga – Kuda Iaut Dive Resort

Please note that accommodation and Klotok can be upgraded at extra cost.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Pricing & Dates” tab_id=”1449223591510-29ce0fb2-4172″][vc_column_text]Date: Custom Dates Available Upon Request

*Please note that pricing depends on number of participants and hotels/lodges chosen.

Upgrades available for accommodation and boat. Please ask us for more information.

Final Payment

Full payment is due 60 prior to departure.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Important Info” tab_id=”1449289392103-be095264-cb20″][vc_column_text]PLEASE NOTE: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. Although we always do our best to stick to the itinerary, due to the ever changing nature of our world, activities, hotels, and sites are subject to change due to forces beyond our control.

PASSPORTS: Must be valid for at least 6 months upon return date to your home country. Proper documentation is the responsibility of each traveller. All visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller.

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