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Maestro Jrnys

Wild Borneo

An Expedition with Photographer Subhash Nair

LED BY

Subhash Nair

TRIP DATES

04 Jul 26 - 09 Jul 26

PRICE PER PERSON

$ 1,445

WILDLIFE

ADVENTURE

PHOTOGRAPHY

Join This Jrny

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Overview Stay Itinerary FAQs

Join This Jrny

Wild Borneo: An Expedition with Photographer Subhash Nair

TRIP DATES

04 Jul 26-09 Jul 26

PRICE PER PERSON

$ 1,445

Join This Jrny

About this Jrny

Borneo greets you with a rush of tropical energy, where misty rainforests, wild rivers, and rare wildlife set the stage for an unforgettable escape. This Jrny is curated by wildlife photographer Subhash Nair, whose passion for the wild brings every moment to life. Known for capturing soul-stirring stories of nature, Subhash guides you into the heart of Kalimantan with his vibrant, optimistic spirit.

Touch down in Jakarta before diving into the emerald world of Tanjung Puting. Cruise the Seikonyer River on a traditional houseboat, spot proboscis monkeys with their quirky long noses, and catch sight of orangutans at Tanjung Harapan—fun fact: orangutans share nearly 97% of their DNA with humans. Drift through the rainforest as hornbills glide overhead and the jungle hums around you.

Step deeper into conservation at Camp Leakey and Pondok Tanggui. Watch orangutans swing through the canopy, plant a tree that becomes part of the forest’s future, and marvel at fireflies illuminating the Nipa palms like floating constellations. Evenings unfold on the water, surrounded by the rhythm of the jungle.

Round off your Jrny in Pangkalan Bun, exploring Dayak culture, riverside life, and the historic Istana Kuning. Fly home carrying stories that stay with you—now come, join this epic wild adventure and let Subhash show you the magic that hides behind every leaf.

Highlights

Stay on a charming wooden houseboat and glide through Borneo’s magical riverscape.
Enter the wild heart of Tanjung Puting National Park, where adventure buzzes everywhere.
Spot orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and vibrant birdlife so close it feels unreal.
Step into a traditional Dayak longhouse and feel the pulse of ancient culture.
Wander through Istana Kuning’s legendary ‘Yellow Palace’ and soak in the Arut riverfront vibe.
Plant a tree and become part of Borneo’s inspiring conservation story.
Drift into a night forest glowing with thousands of dazzling fireflies.

Inclusions

Meals as per itinerary

Unique Stays

Internal Flights

Entrance Fees and Permits

Airport Transfers

Maestro's Expertise

Led by Jrny Maestro

Subhash Nair

Wildlife photographer and Nikon India Ambassador

6 Jrnys

19 Happy Travellers

Overview

Dates

04/07/26 - 09/07/26

Suggested Ages

Min 18

Duration

6 Days

Activity level

Moderate

Price per person

$ 1,445

Travel Style

comfort

Maximum Group size

Any

Itinerary

Sat 04 Jul

Arrival in Jakarta

Sun 05 Jul

Jakarta - Pangkalan Bun - Kumai

Mon 06 Jul

Tanjung Harapan Camp & Camp Leakey

Tue 07 Jul

Pondok Tanggui & Tanjung Harapan Village

Wed 08 Jul

A Day in Pangkalan Bun

Thu 09 Jul

Pangkalan Bun - Jakarta - Departure

Stay

CHECK IN 04 Jul

1 N

CHECK OUT 05 Jul

FM7 Resort Hotel Jakarta Airport

Jakarta

CHECK IN 05 Jul

3 N

CHECK OUT 08 Jul

Kumai Houseboat

Kumai

CHECK IN 08 Jul

1 N

CHECK OUT 09 Jul

Brits Hotel

Pangkalan Bun

Your Daily Itinerary

Sat 04 Jul

Arrival in Jakarta

As we touch down at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, the pulse of Jakarta instantly wraps around us—this city never tiptoes; it roars with colour, rhythm, and character. We head to our hotel near the airport, but even this short drive feels like an introduction to Indonesia’s electric heartbeat. Jakarta is a place where old-world charm dances with futuristic skylines—where centuries-old traditions meet hip cafés, neon lights, and food so good it demands a moment of silence.

Step outside and the energy hits different: bustling markets spilling with aromas, scooters weaving through traffic like a perfectly choreographed performance, and locals whose warmth feels genuinely infectious. Fun fact: Java is the world’s most populated island, and Jakarta sits right at its centre—so you’re literally arriving in the middle of the action.

We keep the rest of the day easy, giving ourselves time to settle in, breathe in the city’s vibrant spirit, and warm up for the exciting adventure ahead. Indonesia is calling, and trust us—this is just the opening act.

Meals included: none

Activities

Meet and Greet in Jakarta

00:00 - 23:59

Arrive at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta (Code: CGK). Look for the JrnyOn representative holding a placard with the JrnyOn logo. Transfer to your hotel

Duration: 10 min
Distance: 3km/ 1.8 miles

Sun 05 Jul

Jakarta - Pangkalan Bun - Kumai

We kick off the morning with an early flight to Pangkalan Bun, buzzing with that familiar sense of anticipation—because today, the wild heart of Borneo opens up for us. The moment we land, the rhythm of the rainforest takes over. A short ride brings us to Kumai, where our wooden houseboat awaits, and just stepping onto it feels like entering a world untouched.

As we drift along the Kumai River and slip into the emerald corridor of the Sekonyer, the jungle starts showing off. Towering Nipa Palms lean over the water, Pandanus trees stretch out like nature’s artwork, and suddenly—there they are. Macaques leaping between branches, proboscis monkeys with their comical long noses lounging by the banks, and if luck is on our side, the unmistakable rust-coloured silhouettes of wild orangutans watching us drift by. Fun fact: proboscis monkeys are such incredible swimmers that locals call them “river experts” of Borneo!

If time is kind, we visit the Tanjung Harapan feeding platform, where orangutans swing in with the most dramatic entrances. As the sun softens, we cruise further upriver, soaking in the magic of wildlife returning to their nests. It’s one of those days that remind us why we chase moments like these—raw, real, unforgettable.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Jakarta - Pangkalan Bun - Kumai - Day 2 image

Activities

Fly from Jakarta to Pangkalan Bun

06:00 - 07:25

Early morning transfer to the airport. Fly from Jakarta (airport code: CGK) to Pangkalan Bun (airport code: PKN) on Batik Air flight ID6202.

Flight Duration: 1.5 hours

Transfer to Kumai

08:30 - 09:00

Upon your arrival in Pangkalan Bun Airport, meet with our staff to transfer to the houseboat in Kumai.

Duration: 20 min
Distance: 10.5km/6.5 miles

Cruising the Seikonyer river

10:00 - 15:00

Boating down Kumai River, it takes approximately 15 minutes to reach Seikonyer River, the main river in Tanjung Puting National Park. Cruising up the Seikonyer river you will see nice vegetation around the river bank, Nipa Palm, Pandanus, and some kinds of trees growing up around the river. See some wildlife such as birds, Macaque, Proboscis Monkey and Orangutan. If the time still permits you will visit Orangutan feeding in Tanjung Harapan at 3pm.

See Proboscis monkeys

16:00 - 18:00

Return back to the boat and continue boating up to observe and learn more about Proboscis monkeys along the river banks. Proboscis monkeys are being endemic animal that can be seen only in Borneo.

Mon 06 Jul

Tanjung Harapan Camp & Camp Leakey

We set off after breakfast, gliding upriver as Borneo wakes up in full stereo sound—proboscis monkeys leaping through the canopy, hornbills slicing across the sky, and the forest humming like its own orchestra. Our first stop is Tanjung Harapan Camp, where we join the rangers for a meaningful tree-planting session. Fun fact: some of these saplings grow more than a metre a year, so the tree we plant today could soon be towering over the riverbank with our name rooted into the rainforest’s future.

Back on our cosy houseboat, lunch awaits as we drift towards the legendary Camp Leakey—home to one of the world’s longest-running orangutan research centres. It’s wild to think that this very forest helped bring the species back from the brink. We trek into the dense green, arriving at the feeding platform where semi-wild orangutans swing in with the confidence of true forest royalty. Watching them up close feels like stepping into a National Geographic moment but with the jungle breeze on our skin.

As the sun softens, we cruise back downriver, the boat anchoring in a quiet cove wrapped in nature’s hush. Dinner on deck, the river shimmering beside us—pure magic.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Tanjung Harapan Camp & Camp Leakey - Day 3 image

Activities

Morning cruise

09:00 - 11:00

After breakfast, set off on a river cruise to spot more wildlife as the morning comes alive and the animals begin their daily activities.

Visit Tanjung Harapan Camp

11:00 - 13:00

Visit Tanjung Harapan Camp for planting trees, where you will plant trees to contribute to the Carbon Offset program. Here you may contribute donation for maintaining your own trees, the ranger will name your trees based on your name.

Visit Camp Leakey

13:00 - 16:00

On arrival in Camp Leakey, trekking up into the forest to see the orangutan feeding. At 4pm we return to the boat and cruise down the river.

Tue 07 Jul

Pondok Tanggui & Tanjung Harapan Village

After breakfast, we glide upriver towards Pondok Tanggui, a place where rescued orangutans relearn the rhythm of the wild. The 09:00 feeding session feels unreal—suddenly, you’re surrounded by these charismatic forest dwellers swinging in with that iconic rust-orange swagger. Fun fact: orangutans share nearly 97% of our DNA, which explains why they stare back at us with that knowing look!

We return to our cosy houseboat and drift toward Tanjung Harapan village, where wooden stilt homes, friendly smiles, and the quiet hum of daily life paint a beautiful portrait of traditional Malay culture. Lunch on board energises us before we step into Tanjung Harapan Camp for the final feeding of the day at 15:00—a chance to see even more personalities pop out of the forest shadows.

As evening falls, we cruise deeper into the Nipa Palm forest, and—if the skies bless us—we witness thousands of fireflies twinkling in perfect synchrony. It’s nature’s own light show, a moment that always makes us pause and whisper a soft “wow”. Dinner on the houseboat ends the day on the most magical note.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pondok Tanggui & Tanjung Harapan Village - Day 4 image

Activities

Visit Pondok Tanggui

08:00 - 10:00

After breakfast, boating down to reach Pondok Tanggui, the second rehabilitation centre for the orangutans. See the orangutan feeding at 9am, enjoy your time while taking some pictures.

Visit Tanjung Harapan village

10:00 - 12:00

Return to the houseboat. Continue boating down to Tanjung Harapan village to see the Malayan settlement activities in the afternoon.

Tanjung Harapan Camp

13:00 - 16:00

After lunch on board the houseboat, cross to Tanjung Harapan Camp to see the last orangutan feeding at 3pm.

Fireflies at Nipa Palm

18:00 - 20:00

Retun to the boat and cruise to the Nipa Palm area to see thousands of fireflies (depending on the weather).

Wed 08 Jul

A Day in Pangkalan Bun

After breakfast, we journey towards Kumai and slip into the heart of Borneo’s living heritage as we step inside a traditional Dayak Longhouse. This is where history breathes — centuries of wisdom, warrior legends, and ancestral rituals still echo through the wooden beams. Fun fact: some Dayak longhouses once housed entire communities under one roof, functioning like vibrant mini-villages! We soak in their traditions, feel their warmth, and appreciate how deeply nature shapes their way of life.

From here, we visit Istana Kuning, the iconic Yellow Palace, glowing like a reminder of the region’s royal past. Then it’s time to wander along the Arut River boardwalk, watching daily life unfold — children playing by the water, locals chatting by wooden shops, fishermen repairing nets. We hop onto a motor canoe and glide through Pangkalan Bun’s waterways, drifting past floating homes and bustling riverside markets. After a hearty local lunch, we check in and unwind, or continue exploring if the energy still buzzes in us — because in Borneo, every corner has a story waiting.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities

Visit Dayak Longhouse

09:00 - 11:00

After breakfast, continue boating down to Kumai to visit a Dayak Longhouse. A Dayak longhouse offers a glimpse into the traditional communal way of life of Borneo’s indigenous people. These impressive wooden structures house multiple families under one roof, reflecting a spirit of unity and togetherness. Rich in culture, the Dayak heritage shines through their rituals, crafts, dances, and deep connection with nature.

Explore Istana Kuning and Arut River

11:00 - 13:00

Explore Istana Kuning, the famous Yellow Palace, before transferring to the Arut River for a leisurely walk along the riverside boardwalk to observe local daily life. Continue your journey by motorised canoe, discovering Pangkalan Bun from the water. Along the way, stop to see riverside facilities, meet local fishermen, and experience the bustle of a traditional market.

Free time in Pangkalan Bun

13:00 - 21:00

After lunch at a local restaurant, return to the hotel for check in. Rest of the day is free to relax or explore.

Thu 09 Jul

Pangkalan Bun - Jakarta - Departure

We rise after breakfast, feeling the last stirrings of Borneo’s wild magic still echoing in our thoughts. Today, we transfer to Pangkalan Bun Airport — but this isn’t a quiet goodbye. It’s a final nod to riverside mornings, lush jungle whispers, orang-utan memories, and the kind of laughter that only a wildlife-filled forest can bring. As the wheels of the van crunch over the path to the airport, we look back once more at the landscapes that turned strangers into fellow explorers.

Flying Batik Air ID6203 at 08:10, we soar away from island rhythms and tropical canopies, letting the morning light play through the window as we drift above Borneo one last time. We touch down in Jakarta at 09:35, breathing in the city’s pulse — a stark but exciting contrast to the jungle’s calm. With the memories of Borneo’s wild creatures, riverside villages, and hidden jungle trails tucked into our minds and hearts, we prepare to connect to our onward international flight.

Carry with you more than just photos — carry an energy, a story, a whisper of wild earth that stirs every time you think of rain-drenched canopies and golden dawns. This isn’t just the end of a trip. It’s the beginning of a memory that will flicker in your mind again and again.

Note: As we arrive in Jakarta at 09:35, book your international flight in the afternoon — so you glide out with ease and with time to breathe after our early landing.

Meals included: Breakfast

Pangkalan Bun - Jakarta - Departure - Day 6 image

Activities

Fly from Pangkalan Bun to Jakarta

08:10 - 09:35

Morning transfer to the airport. Fly from Pangkalan Bun (airport code: PKN) to Jakarta (airport code: CGK) to on Batik Air flight ID6203.

Flight Duration: 1.5 hours

Depart Jakarta

12:00 - 23:59

Today your JrnyOn journey comes to an end. You will be transferred to Jakarta International Airport (Airport code: CGK), for your return flight home.

Frequently Asked Questions

- You are looking for a trip with wildlife, adventure, and culture in one unforgettable journey.

- You’ve always wanted to explore the rainforests of Borneo and experience life deep in Kalimantan.

- You are excited to cruise along jungle rivers on a traditional houseboat, surrounded by the sounds of the wild.

- You’ll spot rare wildlife and see orangutans up close in their natural habitat — a true once-in-a-lifetime moment.

- You enjoy meaningful travel, contributing to conservation through tree-planting and connecting with local communities.

- You’re curious to learn about the Dayak people’s traditions and their deep relationship with the forest.

- You appreciate a mix of nature, cultural immersion, and comfort, but don’t mind simple houseboat stays with open-air decks and shared bathrooms — because the experience is worth it.

- International flights (To and back from Jakarta)

- Visa fees (if applicable)

- Alcoholic beverages

- Personal expenses (e.g., drinks, laundry, tips for guides and drivers)

- Camera/video charges during sightseeing

- Tips for guides and drivers

- Additional meals not mentioned in the itinerary

The tour starts and ends in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta (code: CGK).

All foreign travellers will require a valid passport. The passport should have a validity for at least six months beyond the completion of travel. All travellers will require a visa for entry into Indonesia. Indian passport holders are eligible for Visa on Arrival. The VoA costs approximately IDR 500,000 (~₹2,700) and grants a single-entry stay of 30 days. However, please check the latest visa requirements for your nationality on the official Indonesia immigration website. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.

Travel insurance is mandatory to protect against loss of personal valuables, illness or unforeseen late cancellations. While suppliers make every effort to ensure guests' safety, we cannot be held responsible for events beyond our control. For those looking for an insurance supplier, we can recommend Insurance Nomads. Write to them at [email protected] with your Jrny details for insurance options.

There are no mandatory vaccinations for Indonesia. However, routine vaccines like tetanus, hepatitis A, and typhoid are recommended. Due to time spent in rainforest regions, consult your doctor about malaria precautions and other health advisories based on your personal history.

Yes, airport transfers are included in this tour. These transfers will be shared with you before your travel.

There are no fixed activities before the welcome dinner, so you can arrive anytime on Day 1. Standard hotel check-in is from 14:00 hours onward.

Please book your international flight post 2pm, as you have a domestic flight to Jakarta in the morning.

Children under 12 are not allowed on this Jrny. Children above 12 are welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

Normally, yes! In some cases if the exact hotels are unavailable for any reason, we'll make sure you're put up in hotels that are equivalent to the original in terms of location and facilities. Rest assured, your stay will be as promised. Please note, the houseboat accommodation is very simple, with mattresses on an open air deck and shared bathrooms.

Please read through the itinerary in detail to understand the intensity of the activities planned. There are some long walks scheduled. Overall for the tour on a scale from 1 - 5, a fitness level of 2 would be ideal.

No long drives, but there are domestic flights and long hours on a boat.

Absolutely, a variety of vegetarian meal options will be available. Vegan options may be limited but available.

We try and cater to other diet restrictions as much as possible. But, we do focus on regional local cuisine. So there will be limitations. Please write to [email protected] with your booking number in the subject line to inform us well in advance of any such restrictions.

Borneo has a tropical rainforest climate—expect warm, humid days and the possibility of rain throughout the year. Temperatures typically range from 24°C to 32°C. Lightweight, breathable clothing, a waterproof jacket, and insect repellent are essential. For up to date weather information, visit weather.com before your trip begins.

We require a 35% advance payment at the time of booking.

The remaining balance needs to be paid in full at least 50 days before the date of travel

We have the following cancellation terms for this tour:

65 days or less from the date of travel: 35% cancellation charges will be levied (as per the total trip cost), the rest will be refunded to you.

35 days or less from the date of travel: 100% cancellation charges will be levied.

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