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Java & Borneo
offered by supplier M15964 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 16
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 12
people
Destination(s):
Indonesia
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Rainforest
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 2950 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2950 US Dollar (USD)
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Lying in the shadow of the aptly named "Fire Mountain", (2914 meter-high active volcano, Mt. Merapi), is the seat of the once mighty Javanese Empire of Mataram. Jogyakarta (Yogya) came into being in 1755, when a land dispute split the power of Mataram into the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (solo). Prince Mangkubumi built Kraton (The Palace) of Yogyakarta and created one of the most powerful Javanese states ever. The Kraton is still the hub of Yogyakarta's traditional life. Jogyakarta is one of the supreme cultural centers of Java, along with its neighboring Heritage. Full Gamelan orchestras keep alive the rhythms the past, classical Javanese dances entrance with visions of beauty and poise, shadows come to life in the stories of the Wayang kulit and a myriad of traditional visual art forms keep locals and visitors alike spell-bound.
Borneo has always been very interesting to explore. Humid and exotic, densely forested and inscrutable, it used to be a traditional opposite to the rational and orderly (New) World. Old travel reports tell about almost naked 'wild humans', which decorated their bodies with feathers and tattoos and whom high graded warriors kept themselves busy with creating heads from a log, which were used as sacrifice to the gods. The message, that the mysterious Dayaks sometimes lived in big groups of over one hundred people in houses on pawls, was received with disbelieve and dismay by the people of that times. Most Dayak nowadays wear regular clothing and headhunters only exist in rites and stories and the softening influence of Christianity didn't touch the rich culture of the Dayaks’.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Jakarta
Upon arrival at Jakarta Airport, we will be met by our guide and escorted to our hotel within the Airport for rest and relaxation. Rest of the day is free.
Overnight: Airport Hotel, Jakarta (1 night)
Day 2: Jakarta / Semarang / Pangkalan Bun / Tanjung Puting NP (flights)
This morning we will be met by our local guide and taken to Garuda Airways' check in counter for our first flight to Semarang. From Semarang we’ll proceed with the Kalstar or Indonesia Air Transport to Pangkalan Bun. Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport we will be met by our local staff and taken to Kumai to board the boat. The boat is a traditional Klotok wooden river boat, about 8m long by 2.5m wide, with a top which forms the upper deck from where one can view the rainforest as it glides by.
The staff team includes the English speaking Escort, the boatman, a cook and a local expert guide & ranger. Lunch is served on the river-way toward the Park, followed by a peaceful afternoon to slowly explore the quite river, to observe the nature and the monkeys along the riverside. After dinner we’ll overnight on the boat. Thin mattress, clean pillow, fine meals, bottled mineral water, mosquito net, full kitchen supplies, simple toilet is available on the boat, beside the familiar & helpful staff.
Overnight: Onboard Klotok (2 nights). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Camp Leakey & Orangutan exploration
After breakfast aboard, the Klotok will travel up on the River for about 2 hours to reach a side creek and Camp Leakey, where the ‘Orangutan Station’ is located and where the older individuals are taught to readapt from captivity into the rainforest. En route we’ll also stop at Pondok Tanguy, the rehabilitation center for the new ex-captive Orangutans. At Camp Leakey we will have the opportunity of an easy trek into the rainforest, with our expert guide and forest rangers, to explore the flora as well as (perhaps) sighting wild orangutans, gibbons, macaques, and numerous birds. We will return for Lunch to our boat.
Our afternoon is dedicated to visit the feeding station, to see the rehabilitation process, while Orangutans are given additional food to survive. We might also spot some of the ex-captive Orangutans, successfully reintroduced to their natural habitat. Many of them still come to the rehabilitation center at Camp Leakey station to visit the rangers and to interact with the new Orangutans. We will then sail back and overnight on the River. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: Rimba Lodge / Bakonsu Dayak Village – Central Kalimantan
After our early breakfast, we continue boating down to Kumai and from here have transferred by car to the speedboat harbor. Before we board, we must make sure that we’ve covered our valuable things with dry bags and use high factor suntan lotion for Sun protection. We also recommend soft earplugs, as the sound of the speedboat might be too loud for some. After boarding our speedboat, we take off on the Arut River and later meet the Lamandau River and continue up to the village. On our way will pass by some smaller river-villages along the Lamandau, will also stop for lunch and for a short sightseeing at Kotawaringin Palace and its beautiful remains and after like 5 - 6 hours, will arrive to Bakonsu Village.
Our guide & interpreter will take us to the Elders of the Village and later to the ‘Long House’ for our accommodation. Have a short sightseeing around the village, to witness head hunting expedition remains, a host of traditional mausoleums and memorials to the dead, and later join in their welcome dancing ceremony called "Bagondang". Have to taste their traditional rice wine called "Tuak" before dancing, as they will serve us the drink while the blessing for our safety and protection from the bad spirit by a "Tongang" bracelet is given. We are now welcome to be part of the Dayak Family. All Dayak people are friendly and welcome the foreigners and the blessing ceremony is always accompanied by traditional Dayak music. The dance will start and after they show us how, we can join to dance with them. After the party, we return to the ‘Long House’ for overnight. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Bakonsu Dayak Village / Pangkalan Bun (speed boat)
After breakfast we’ll have another short sightseeing around the village. If you are interested to collect/purchase Dayak artifacts, such as the masks, mat and carvings, there is one place where these are available. After packing our luggage, we take again the speedboat down on the river, back to Pangkalan Bun. On the way we stop for Lunch and short visits. Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun, we meet our driver who takes us back to our hotel. The rest of the day is free at our own leisure.
Dinner and overnight at: Blue Kecubung Hotel (1 night). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Pangkalan Bun / Semarang Airport / Jogyakarta (fly & drive)
After breakfast we are transferred to Pangkalan Bun airport for our flight back to Semarang. Upon arrival at Semarang airport we will be meet by our local guide & driver and they will take us for a 4-hour scenic drive to Jogyakarta. Upon arrival at Jogyakarta, check into our hotel. The rest of the day is kept free for you to rest and ‘recharge’ after traveling in a ‘limited facilities’ area of Central Borneo. Dinner will be at the hotel. The 300-year old city of Jogyakarta is the cultural heart of Java. Here also is Indonesia's oldest palace 'The Kraton,' still the domicile of Jogya's Royalty. Even now the current Sultan of Jogyakarta retains remarkable political prestige. Jogyakarta offers an abundance of Javanese art, painting, silverwork, batik handicraft, traditional Javanese dances, as well as contemporary art. The city is the cultural centre not only of Java, but of the whole of Indonesia.
Overnight: Hotel Jayakarta, Jogyakarta (3 nights). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Jogyakarta / Dieng Plateau / Borobudur Temple (drive)
Early morning we leave for Dieng Plateau via Wonosobo, passing through the beautiful countryside and rich vegetable plantation. Arrive to Dieng Plateau and enjoy visiting the oldest Hindu temple complex in Java at an elevation of 2,000 m (6,000 feet). After Lunch at a local restaurant, and on our way back to Yogyakarta, we’ll stop and visit the famous WHS, Borobudur Temple. The most famous of Indonesia's temples is this huge Buddhist pyramid. This is the Buddhism's largest shrine in Indonesia since the 9th Century. Located north west of Jogyakarta, Borobudur was completed in the second half of the ninth century. Unlike the Hindu temple complexes of Prambanan and the Dieng Plateau, Borobudur was unknown and neglected for almost a thousand years, covered under thick layers of volcanic ash. From far Borobudur looks like a huge but ordinary stone construction but from nearby we can see that it consists of hundreds of wonderfully detailed statues and sculptures, representing Buddhist teachings mixed with images of Javanese life of a thousand years ago. After our visit here, we will return to our hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: Jogyakarta / Prambanan Temple (drive)
We start our morning with Yogyakarta City Tour, visiting Sultan Royal Palace, Ngasem Bird Market, Water Castle (Taman Sari), Batik Home Industry and Silverwork at Kotagede. After our Lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll visit the other famous establishment around, the Prambanan Temple. Perhaps the finest temple complex in Indonesia, Prambanan is a ten-century old Hindu temple. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, locally called Candi Loro Jonggrang, which means 'slender virgin.' From an architectural point of view this beautifully sculptured spire, fifty meters high, indeed resembles a 'slender virgin.' Like the Buddhist stupa Borobudur, Prambanan was abandoned when the Buddhist and Hindu Javanese inhabitants moved to East Java. When we return, we’ll have our evening free. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: Jogyakarta / Surabaya / Balikpapan (flights)
Today we’ll fly first to Surabaya, just to connect with another flight to East Borneo’s capital city of Balikpapan. Upon arrival at Sepinggan airport of Balikpapan we board the houseboat, our home the next four days as we ‘take off’ for our exciting Mahakam River experience. Our journey will take us on the mighty Mahakam River and it’s tributaries on a houseboat, which meanders through thousands of kilometers through one of the World’s largest tropical rainforest, from its headwater near to the center of the island.
Meals and overnight on the boathouse (3 nights). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: Muara Muntai / Mancong/ Melak (on the River)
After breakfast on boat we stop at Muara Muntai Fort, observing the way of life of local people. From here, by a smaller motorized canoe, we take a side trip to Mancong, crossing Jempang Lake and also passing the Ohong River, all with beautiful views and exceptional flora and fauna along the River. On arrival to Mancong, a welcome ceremony will be performed by Dayak Banuaq tribe in front of their ‘Long House’, followed by a short visit and familiarization with their daily habits and lifestyle. The Dayak Tribes are the indigenous people of Borneo Island. The twenty main Dayak Tribes - once all feared headhunters - have their homes in this river basin. We will have the chance to observe their traditional way of life, longhouses, watch their dance and also to meet the women with long earlobes and the men with beautifully elaborate tattoos. We will then return to the houseboat and continue cruise up to Melak. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 11: Melak / Benuaq Village / Kersik Luway / Tenggarong (cruise)
Breakfast on boat then will have a full-day excursion by jeep, for visiting the old communal ‘Long House’ at Benuaq Village and then have an (optional) opportunity for an easy-grade jungle trekking, along with our guide and local assistance. We later proceed to Kersik Luway, famous for its black orchid forests. We will take a short trekking on a 5,000-acre ‘Orchid Reservation’ close to the village, where 27 different species of orchids, including the very rare Cologenia Pandurata, or black orchid can be observed. This visit is followed by a short cruise down on the River to Tenggarong. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12: Tenggarong / Loa Janan / Balikpapan (cruise)
We’ll start our day by visiting to the Museum and Royal Cemetery at Tenggarong, the fish market and then we board again to cruise down for Loa Janan. After Lunch and a short visit here, we proceed to Balikpapan, our final stop in Borneo.
Overnight: Hotel Bahana Surya, Balikpapan (1 night). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 13: Balikpapan / Bali (fly)
After Breakfast we’ll have our morning free until our transfer to the airport for the flight to Bali. Upon arrival at Denpasar airport of Bali, we will be met by our local guide and driver and taken to our hotel in Ubud area, a peaceful hinterland of Bali. We check in to Kamandalu Resort & Spa, our accommodation for the coming three days. Rest of the day is free.
Overnight: Boutique Hotel Kamandalu Resort & Spa, Ubud (3 nights). Includes: (B).
Days 14-15: Bali
Two days free in Ubud, where you can enjoy the beach and Sun, or just wander around this nice Center of Balinese art & cultures. Optional tours can be arranged upon request. Includes: (B).
Day 16: Bali / Departure
Today will leave this magical Island and as all good and exciting things come to an end, we bid farewell to Indonesia and its Java, Borneo and Bali Islands, as we are transferred to the Denpasar airport, for our International flight home. Includes: (B).
Tour highlights and World Heritage Sites (WHS):
• Borobudur Temple compound (WHS)
• Prambanan Temple compound (WHS)
• The Dayak Tribes of Borneo
Tour Price Includes:
* Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
* Return airport transfers with Air Conditioned cars (where available)
* Bottled water and snacks during tours only
* English speaking local guide and escort & Forest Rangers during trekking
* Air Conditioned transportation during Tours and Sightseeing
* Entrance fees to performance, tourist objects, museums, monuments
* Parking fees, road taxes, Drivers overnight wages
* All Boat rides, canoe ride, where mentioned (Klotok Boat ride in Tanjung Puting National Park, local speedboat for the Dayak Bakonsu Village visit, Air-conditioned house boat – ‘floating villa’ - during Mahakam River cruise)
* Tax and service charge at hotels
Tour Price Excludes:
* PRIVATE DONATIONS to the local tribal communities
* All Domestic airfares (as per the flights mentioned in the itinerary, est. USD: 650.00 per person)
* Airport taxes at all airports or border/departure taxes
* Visa fees (if required)
* Excess baggage fee on local carriers (some have limit of 20 kg pp)
* Any personal expenses such as laundry bills, phone bills, bar bills
* Meals not mentioned in itinerary
* Tips or other such costs
* Any other items not mentioned above
* All expenses arising due to the flight cancellation or due to other causes beyond our control.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour cost in 2008:
USD: 2,950.00 / CAD: 3,050.00 - per person in double occupancy. Single
supplement USD: 800.00 / CAD: 850.00
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Indonesia
Cultural Journey
Rainforest
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