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Trip Inspiration

11 Days Exploring Indonesia’s Nature and Wildlife

Unique experiences, spectacular settings

Few places in the world can rival the diversity of Indonesia and nothing demonstrates this more than its variety of animals. Embark on a 11-day adventure that will introduce you to some of Indonesia's most iconic wildlife. Visit orangutans and learn about Indonesia's successful research and rehabilitation programs keeping these primates safe. Spend time enjoying the culture and beauty of the country before heading off on a luxurious private cruise to Komodo to meet its infamous dragon. Throughout your trip, you will be dazzled by both the beauty and variety of the animals who call Indonesia home.

Trip Highlights

Locations

  • 3 nights aboard a private boat in Tanjung Puting National Park
  • 2 nights at MesaStila in central Java
  • 1 night at Belmond Jimbaran in Bali
  • 3 nights aboard the Ananda in Komodo National Park

Activities

  • Go deep inside the Tanjung Puting National Park to observe orangutans in their natural home
  • Explore the temples of Java
  • Discover Komodo dragons and the manta rays of Komodo
  • View some of Indonesia’s most beautiful and remote locations
  • Learn about conservation efforts in place to protect Indonesian wildlife and its habitats.
What does “Trip Inspiration” mean?

At Travel Beyond, we believe your trip should be designed just for you, not for the masses. Our travel consultants create a custom itinerary for each client, offering recommendations for places and experiences that best fit your style. The itinerary below was planned for a past client, but we’re sharing it for travel inspiration and as an example of what a trip to Indonesia might look like. Let us know when we can design a trip just for you!

DAY 1

Arrive Jakarta, Indonesia

Welcome to Indonesia! Upon your arrival in Jakarta, you will be met planeside for VIP assistance through customs and immigration. You will then be escorted to your private driver for your transfer to the nearby FM 7 Hotel, where you will spend one night in a Deluxe Room.

FM 7 HotelMeals: N/A

DAY 2

Jakarta to Tanjung Puting National Park

This morning you will return to the airport for your flight to Pangkalan Bun. Here, you will be met by your private guide who will transfer you to the nearby port of Kumai, where you will board a klotok, your home for the next three nights. A klotok is a traditional wooden river boat designed to navigate the waters of Indonesia and named after the noise the engine makes: klok tok tok tok.

You will journey along the Sekonyer River into Tanjung Puting National Park. Established as a national park in 1982 and composed of more than 400,000 hectares of mangrove swamp, Tanjung Puting is notable for both its ecological and biological diversity as well as its orangutan conservation. With both rain forest and dense jungle, the park is home to primates, leopards, lizards and more than 600 species of birds.

This afternoon your local guide will have you searching for orangutans and proboscis monkeys as well as other species of animals and birds that call the national park their home.

Traditional Klotok River Boat Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

DAY 3

Tanjung Puting National Park

This morning you will head further upstream to the Sekonyer River and travel along its tributary, known locally as Crocodile River, and home to a large number of these aquatic reptiles. Enjoy the superb scenery and a fresh lunch en route to your next stop, Camp Leakey.

Established in 1971, Camp Leakey is a renowned Orangutan Research and Rehabilitation Center located in the heart of the national park. The camp focuses on conservation and rehabilitation, and conducts important research about these fascinating primates. You will have time to explore the center, meet some of the local rangers, and witness the orangutan’s  afternoon feeding. You may opt to take a short trek into the jungle surrounding the camp prior to heading back to the boat

Traditional Klotok River Boat Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

 

DAY 4

Tanjung Puting National Park

This morning you will visit the feeding station at Pondok Tanggui. As you journey, the jungle will become more dense and there are good opportunities to spot wildlife from the deck of the boat.

You will arrive at Pondok Tanggui in time for the orangutans’ morning feeding. After disembarking with your guide and a local park ranger, you will hike to the feeding area, deep in the jungle. You will have time to observe the orangutans in a close setting before returning to the boat.

Next, you will head to Pesalat Reforestation Camp. This project focuses on the large and critical task of rehabilitating parts of the national park that have been destroyed over the years by illegal logging and forest fires. Return to the boat for a delicious lunch, but keep your eyes on the sky, as there is a good chance of spotting proboscis monkeys high in the trees above you.

Traditional Klotok River Boat Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

DAY 5

Tanjung Puting National Park to Java

This morning you will be transferred to the Pangkalan Bun airport for your flight to Java.Upon arrival in Semarang, you will met for your private transfer to Gedong Songo Temple, en route to your hotel in central Java.

Discovered by Sir Stanford Raffles in 1804, Gedong Songo is a Hindu temple complex built during the 8-9th centuries at a time when the Medang Kingdom controlled Central Java. Gedong Songo was constructed out of volcanic stone and is one of the oldest Hindu structures in Java. Positioned in five clusters, the nine temples are spread over the gentle slopes of Mount Ungaran and connected by a stone pathway. The circuit is a relatively easy hike of about one mile and offers panoramic views of the temples and surrounding countryside. There is also an active sulfuric hot spring believed to provide healing benefits to those who bathe here.

Following your visit, you will continue to MesaStila hotel where you will stay for two nights in a One-Bedroom Plantation Villa. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

MesaStila Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

DAY 6

Java

This morning you will visit the stunning temple complex at Borobudur, one of Southeast Asia’s most impressive sites and the largest single Buddhist monument in the world. Receiving UNESCO World Heritage status in 1991, the monument consists of six square terraces topped by three circular ones. Two million stone blocks were required to build the temple and with at least 2,500 relief panels and more than 500 Buddha statues, it is exquisite beyond comparison.

Next, you will head to Candirejo, a peaceful village surrounded by plantations and lush scenery where you will learn about harvesting and other local activities. Getting to the village is part of the fun as you traverse the beautiful countryside by traditional dokar (horse-drawn buggy) or you may opt to ride bicycle to and from the village.

This morning’s excursion ends with a lesson in Indonesian Gamelan music and lunch at a local restaurant. Following your visit, you will return to MesaStila. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

MesaStila Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

DAY 7

Java to Bali

This morning you will return to the Semarang Airport for your flight to Bali. You will be met by your private driver and transferred to the Belmond Jimbaran where you will stay for one night in a Garden View Cottage Suite.

Belmond JimbaranMeals: Breakfast

DAY 8

Bali to Komodo National Park (Embark the Ananda)

Today you transfer to the airport for your flight to the Komodo airport of Labuan Bajo. From here, you will be transferred to your private luxury cruise aboard the Ananda, your home for the next three nights!

You will be exploring the Komodo Archipelago, which starts in Bali and ends in Tanimbar. This beautiful area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Man and Biosphere Reserve, and one of the New 7-Wonders of Nature. Enjoy scenic pink beaches and blue waters bursting with sea life. In addition to the Komodo dragons you seek, the area is home to 1,000 species of fish, 260 species of coral reef, 70 species of sponge, ten species of dolphin, five species of sea turtle, and 14 species of whale, as well as dugong, shark and manta ray.

Your journey begins with a cruise to Mesa Island. Visit the traditional fishing village of Mesa, mingle with colorful local children and friendly fisherman. Next, continue cruising to Kalong Island, a small island with a huge mangrove forest. Take a refreshing swim on a nice little beach and during sunset watch thousands of fruit bats rising from the mangroves and flying into the sunset.

Enjoy your first evening aboard the Ananda!

AnandaMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

View Gallery

DAY 9

Komodo National Park

This morning you sail to Rinca Island, the home of Indonesian deer, horses, buffalo, pigs, Komodo Dragons and megapode birds. Trek through the jungle and see the Komodo hiding in the grassy undergrowth, waiting for its prey.

Later you will sail to Komodo Island. Komodo Dragons, the largest lizard in the world, grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 140 pounds. It is estimated that there are around 2,000 Komodo Dragons on the island. The island is also excellent for bird watchers, with cockatoos and go song birds, among many others. The terrain is flat and the flora changes constantly with the seasons, going from dry and dusty with thin vegetation, to lush and green with the scent of wild basil in the wet season.

Continue to Pantai Merah (Pink Beach), so named because of the red coral on the seabed which breaks off with the tidal changes and mixes with the sand, causing it to turn a pale pink color. Jump in and snorkel in the clear waters, where you can witness sea turtles and a myriad of fish including parrotfish, clown fish.

AnandaMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

DAY 10

 

Komodo National Park

After breakfast, you will meet a park ranger and set out on a one hour walk to Banunggulung to see the Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Komodo Island is also home to deer and wild boar, as well as birds such as sulfur-crested-cockatoo, megapode and collared kingfisher.

Next cruise to Kerang Makassar, home of the Komodo Mantas. Enjoy snorkeling around Kerang Makassar Reef and try to find Mantas or watch them from the boat. In the afternoon set to sail to Sabayor and anchor in a protected lagoon with crystal clear waters.

AnandaMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 11

Depart Indonesia

Before departing today, try your hand at some of the different watersports available, including waterskiing or snorkeling. During your early lunch you will cruise back to Labuan Bajo and proceed to the airport for your onward flights.

N/AMeals: Breakfast / Lunch

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