All Info

TRAVEL

How do I reach Tanjung Puting National Park?You need to fly to Pangkalan Bun in Central Kalimantan, in the Southern part of Indonesian Borneo. There are a couple of airlines flying there from cities in Kalimantan, and cities in Java at the moment. Reaching Pangkalan Bun from other destinations requires taking connecting flights. Are flights in and out of Pangkalan Bun reliable? Most flights leave on the day they are scheduled, but the time they leave is often dependent on the weather that day. For example, if there is a storm somewhere on the route, there are likely to be delays taking off, while they wait for clearer skies. If you’re taking connecting flights, play it safe, and book connections a few hours apart at least. During the rainy season, many flights are delayed, so we recommend that you book a flight to arrive in Pangkalan Bun the day before your tour starts. This way, if your flight is delayed, you wouldn’t miss any of your tour. There are plenty of cheap hotels to stay at in Pangkalan Bun, and we can often help you book.Are tours scheduled to depart on certain, set dates? All tours are private, and customised for guests, so you can book whatever start date and end date that you want, depending on availability. Occasionally we have private tours booked with guests who are open to sharing their tour with others. Please enquire if you are a single traveller and would like to join a group.Can you arrange travel or trip extensions to other parts of Indonesia? We currently focus on arranging tours within the Pangkalan Bun area. We feel it’s best to specialise in one area and give an excellent service.Can you arrange our flights? We are currently not licenced to arrange flight tickets for our guests, but we can point you in the direction of a good website allowing straightforward online bookings. What are the visa requirements and fees? Please check with your local Indonesian Embassy in your home country for advice before you travel to Indonesia. Visas are available on arrival for some nationalities, at the price of $25 US dollars per person. What type of medical or travel insurance should I have?Make sure you have good insurance covering medical evacuation, as health care of an international standard is not available in the Pangkalan Bun area. Make sure your travel insurance covers airline cancellations, as if your flight is cancelled and you miss your tour, you would not receive a refund of your tour payment.

ARRIVING AND DEPARTING

When do tours start and finish?Tours are customised, so you can start your tour at whatever time suits you. Most guests choose to be met at the airport on their arrival, and transfer to their klotok to start their tour straight away. Most guests also finish their tour at the airport on their last day.

TIPPING

How much should I tip the boat crew and guide, assuming everything is satisfactory?Tippig is not compulsory, or expected, so it’s completely up to you. some guests do tip if they can afford to, and if they are particularly happy with the staff on their tour.

TOURS

How physically demanding are the tours?There are no hills or mountains in Tanjung Puting, and many of the main trails in the park are flat. Some trails have uneven wooden planks/board-walks to walk on, and some are just dirt over roots. You can do as little or as much trekking as you decide, after discussing your wishes with your guide. If you have young children with you, you may decide to do the minimum amount of walking, and only take short treks out to the feeding stations. If you are very fit and adventurous, you may choose to take some whole days of trekking with your guide.What does the tour price include? Prices include airport OR hotel transfers by car, park tickets, camera permits, accommodation and travel by klotok which is supplied with a western toilet, mandi bucket shower, mosquito nets, mattresses, pillows, bedding, mineral water, tasty food, basic first aid kits, life jackets, and staff (Boat driver, cooks, your guide). All guided trips within the forest, breakfast, lunch and dinner as specified in itineraries (full board).What isn’t included in the tour price? Flights; travel, medical or accident insurance; airport taxes/passenger service charges; alcoholic drinks; personal expenses; and tips (only if you wish) are not included.Is there a minimum age for participating in a tour?No, although anyone under 18 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult.Will someone be at the airport to meet us? If your tour has been arranged to start on your arrival, your guide will be waiting for you in the arrivals area of Pangkalan Bun airport, holding a sign with your name on.

FOOD

What type of food is included on a tour?Our cooks provide wholesome, delicious local Indonesian cuisine. This is adapted slightly to suit western taste, being less spicy, but if you prefer to eat spicy food please let us know! Drinks include bottled mineral water, cartons of fruit juices (usually including sugar), and tea and coffee. There is little in the way of dairy products used in Indonesian cooking, so milk is usually either tinned sweetened and condensed milk for things like deserts or coffee, or coconut milk in cooking. Snacks are also provided, in the way of dishes such as french fries or friend bananas.

ALCOHOL

Is there beer available? If you wish to have alcoholic drinks on board, you may bring your own, or you can request some when you book. It is sometimes possible to source beer to take on trips. These would be charged at the cost price and added on to your tour price (currently very expensive, at 70,000 Rupiah per bottle). Please note that whether you bring your own drinks or order some in advance, there is no fridge on board, therefore beer could only be served warm! Alcoholic drinks can not be ordered on arrival, as they are difficult to source, so therefore need time to arrange before you arrive.

WHAT TO BRING

What do we need to bring for our trip? Mosquito nets are on board correct? Do we need sleeping bags? Torch? Special clothing? Footware?There are mosquito nets on board for everyone. There is also bedding, so you don’t need a sleeping bag – but you may like to take a lightweight blanket, as in the rainy season, or during storms, you may be a little chilly at night. Also an extra towel, in case it rains a lot and towels don’t dry as quickly as usual. Torch – yes, advisable – head-torches are easiest, but any will do. Clothing – some with long sleeves and legs to cover your arms and legs for early morning and evening when there are more mosquitoes around. A rain coat or even better, a rain poncho – which would cover all of you and a day pack if carrying one. Insect repellant too (lots of it!). Shoes…good to bring old comfy footware, trainers are best as they dry quickest if they get muddy or wet. A spare pair is a good idea too, to change into for when you’re on the klotok and want to feel clean and dry.What form of money should I bring with me?It is best to bring enough cash, in Indonesian Rupiah, to cover your time in Kalimantan. You can either bring it with you into Indonesia, or change currency in Jakarta airport, or withdraw it from an ATM in Jakarta airport. ATMs in Pangkalan Bun and Kumai are not reliable. Travellers cheques are not recognised in Pangkalan Bun or Kumai. Please note, that if staying at the Rimba Lodge, there is no ATM, and credit cards are not accepted.