D a y 1
- 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 return to Palangka Raya harbour where we board the Rahai’i Pangun to start the cruise.
- During lunch on board we will take a short cruise through the town as we head 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.
D a y 2
- 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.
D a y 3
- The boat 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
D a y 4
Early morning, the Rahai’i Pangun sets off upstream to visit the village of Pusaka, where we learn the local self-defence or shadowboxing exercise.
Farewelling the villagers, we return to the boat for our final village stop at Tundai, a tiny fishing village perched atop raised walkways. On the edge of an expansive blackwater lake, we float through here on canoes, admiring the stunning reflections and learning more about the unique fishing practices.
We will leave the boat late morning to travel to the airport for your onward journey to Bali.
** If doing a 14-day journey, you will spend two nights in Bali with the extra day at your leisure.
D a y 5 - 6
- You will be greeted by your Tour Leader(s) either at the airport or your hotel if you’ve arrived before the embarkation day. As you settle into your new home, we will head to our first snorkelling session of the trip.
- Go ashore searching for 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 meters and weighing up to approximately 70 kilograms.
- Enjoy some magnificent snorkelling on some of Komodo Park’s best reefs. 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 reef’s shallow water.
D a y 7 - 8
- 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 snorkelling on the beautiful coral reef that lies parallel to the beach.
- Cruise to a nearby active volcanic island where we will enjoy 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.
- 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.
D a y 9 - 1 0
- 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.
- Visit the beautiful village on Moyo Island for an amazing experience. Walk to the stunning waterfall and enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool water.
D a y 1 1 - 1 2
- Visit a nearby active volcanic island where we will encounter a large wooden pinisi boat with the same pedigree and history as SeaTrek’s very own ships being built on the beach. 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 souvenir.
- Entering the Komodo National Park again, we will go snorkelling and beachcombing. We'll have the opportunity to participate in the coral restoration program, where you will see how the corals and fish populations have grown since they were first transplanted in 2015.
- Experience one of our famous SeaTrek beach BBQs under a night sky filled with millions of stars as you feast on the fantastic local delicacies prepared by our chef, all accompanied by live musical entertainment from our talented crew.
D a y 1 3
- After breakfast on our last day, we will take you on 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.
