Guided Wildlife Watching & Sailing Indonesia: Orangutans of Borneo & Dragons of Komodo
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Sail with Ombak Putih as she takes guests to explore the tropical wilds of Borneo before journeying to the Komodo National Park, as you venture through the rainforests and Indonesia’s Ring of Fire.
Enter the land of the critically endangered Orangutan, take an intimate look at the destruction of their precious home before travelling to Komodo where you will visit the mighty Komodo dragon.
From riverboat cruises to Orangutan survival centres, tours of local villages to trekking in tropical rainforest, active volcanoes to vibrant coral reefs and endless snorkelling with underwater giants. This voyage is one of ever-changing magic and discovery, of wildlife in the skies, on the land and below the surface and one of understanding as you will see first hand how this delicate balance between nature and humankind is teetering on the edge.
- Borneo Orangutans
- Komodo National Park
- Knowledgeable Tour Leaders
- World famous Coral Reefs
- Coral reef Snorkelling
- Rainforest trekking
- Private ensuite cabins
- Package Travel Cover
- Full Board
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
A day to day guide
Borneo to Komodo, Indonesia
Depending on current airline schedules, to get to the start point of the river cruise in Borneo, guests will have to fly from either Bali or Jakarta on the day before the cruise’s official start date and stay overnight in a hotel or fly at 7 am on the day of the trip. A member of the crew will pick you up from your airport or hotel (this is included in your ticket price). Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the office to discuss your flight arrangements into Indonesia; we work with an affiliate flight company.
Please note: This tour starts with the first three nights on a smaller riverboat, followed by a night in a hotel in Bali, and then starts with Ombak Putih on day five. This is all included in the ticket price.
Day 1
Greeted either on arrival at the airport or in your hotel lobby at 8am, we transfer you 40 minutes to the small city of Palangkara in Borneo. Here, we board local canoes to observe the gentle orangutans on the beautiful forested island of Pulau Kaja. The island is managed by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation or BOS, and we transfer to BOS’s nearby Education Centre in Nyaru Menteng for more information on their vital activities in trying to restore and protect this incredible animal.
Returning to Palangka Raya harbour, we board the Rahai’i Pangun for lunch and a short cruise through the city upstream. From here, it’s a 30-minute journey by road to the historic towns of Bukit Rawi and Sigi, home to the magnificently painted sandungs. You are guaranteed to receive a warm Dayak welcome as you learn about their history. We then return to the boat to start the cruise downstream, mooring overnight in a quiet location.
D A Y 2
We will board motorised canoes in the early morning to visit the extensive blackwater Lake Bagantung. This unique peatland swamp ecosystem provides the opportunity to spot birds and other wildlife and observe the villagers’ fishing activities.
Returning to the village of Pusaka we learn the local self-defence or shadow boxing exercise, encouraged to try it for yourself!
Returning to the boat, we continued cruising downstream to Tumbang Nusa village. On arrival, we will have a walking tour in the village to see some of their traditional livelihoods before continuing downstream. As we journey, we pass the large forested Selat and Badak Islands, where it may be possible to spot orangutans again. We then find a quiet place to tie up overnight.
D A Y 3
Meandering onwards to the village of Pilang, we take a short walk in the forest near the village to see the process of rubber tapping (Mamantat) and rattan harvesting (Manetes). A local village guide will also point out some medicinal plants growing in the forest and explain their uses.
Then it’s time for a walking tour in the village to discover some of their traditional livelihoods. Watch local ladies at their rattan weaving process and meet the villagers. Over a special tea and coffee, with traditional Dayak cakes, be entertained with a Kacapi (two-stringed instrument) performance.
Escaping the heat of the midday sun, we will return to the boat for lunch as we travel steadily downstream to find a quiet mooring for the night.
D A Y 4-5
Following a relaxed breakfast we take a very special visit to the Sebangau National Park. A true adventure, bags will be packed before being transferred to the car for the 40 minute journey to Kereng Bangkirai village. Here we join a canoe to travel another half hour across the amazing reflections of Lake Sebangau to the tiny Koran River.
Well worth the effort, time here will be spent exploring the boardwalks and forests on the eastern boundary of the park. Tour the information centre established there and walk along the carefully created boardwalks, which provide a better vantage point for catching sight of birds and perhaps wild orangutans.
Return to the village of Kering Bangkirai for a cool refreshment before being transferred back to the vehicle and returned to the airport. Upon arrival in Bali, you will be escorted to your hotel for the night.
** If doing a 14-day journey, you will spend two nights in Bali at the Puri Santrian Hotel with the extra day at your leisure. This is included in the ticket price.
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D A Y 6-7
Catching the early morning flight from Bali, you will be met at the airport in Komodo by your tour leaders and be taken straight to Ombak Putih. As you settle into your new home, we will head to our first snorkelling spot, a coral restoration project where you will see how the corals and fish populations have grown since they were first transplanted in 2014.
Step ashore on Komodo Island in search of 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 metres and weighing up to approximately 70 kilograms.
After, enjoy some magnificent snorkelling on some of the Komodo Park’s best reefs, swim with manta rays as they feed on the current and circle the so-called cleaning stations, where small fish remove parasites from their skin. There’s even the chance to snorkel with sea turtles as they gently cruise along the shallow water of the reef.
D A Y 8-9
Wake up off the coast of a beautiful uninhabited island with a beach of pure white sand sparkling with 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.
Over lunch we will cruise to a nearby active volcanic island to tour a large wooden pinisi boat with the same pedigree and history of SeaTrek’s very own ships. Walking around this small village you’ll soon get a feel for their simple way of life, talking with the locals and maybe buying some handmade textiles as a souvenir.
There will also be the chance to 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 can swim, kayak, and paddleboard on the lake, and the more adventurous can go trekking around the crater rim!
During one of the evenings, you will have the chance to experience one of our famous beach BBQs under a night sky filled with millions of stars. Feast on amazing local delicacies freshly prepared by our chef, and enjoy the live musical entertainment from our talented crew.
Another highlight of our visit to this island will be the sight of thousands of flying foxes that fly at dusk from the island to feed on the mainland.
D A Y 10-11
Experience an early morning swim with whale sharks, the gentle giants of the sea. These massive but harmless animals have long congregated here, but now, thanks to travellers like you, we have formed a mutually beneficial alliance with the local fishermen who have their traditional small floating fishing platforms placed in the bay to attract the sharks. We can’t make any promises, as we don’t have these wild animals on a leash, but fingers crossed we will see them.
Spend time on a pretty beach set on a small limestone island, go kayaking, swimming and snorkelling to explore the local karst formations.
Cruise to Labuan Aji village on the island of Moyo to visit the village and walk to a scenic waterfall where we can bathe in the refreshing cool water.
D A Y 12-13
Enjoy a unique snorkelling experience where volcanic gasses escape in the form of bubbles from the sea floor among the corals. The metallic black volcanic sand below is home to an abundance of interesting invertebrates and makes for a rare snorkelling backdrop.
Re-enter the Komodo National Park and go drift snorkelling in one of the best and healthiest coral reefs in the park. For those keen on a land adventure to another level, take a sunset hike up to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the entire park.
Visit Rinca Island, well known for its diverse wildlife, and perhaps spot dragons, monkeys, wild buffaloes, and deer. The scenery from the top of the hills is utterly breathtaking.
D A Y 1 4
Following breakfast on our last day, we will take you on a scenic drive towards Melo Village to witness the traditional Caci dance performance. This entails local strongmen performing 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 onboard, we will say farewell to the crew and your fellow shipmates as you disembark and continue on to your next destination.
Please note that this is a guide as to what to expect from your sailing holiday in Indonesia. With the ever-changing wind and tides, flexibility is key. Our mission is to provide the best experience possible for our guests, given the current conditions and when unexpected adventure opportunities may present along our cruise routes.
Sometimes, weather conditions, tides or other local factors dictate that we need to vary from the published route, and at times, there are special opportunities to explore and discover new locations, events and activities. These explorations will always be a definite enhancement to the published itinerary and will be undertaken after discussion and agreement among guests. Ultimately, the boat captains and your tour leader will make decisions to maximise trip safety and your overall enjoyment, so please come prepared to be flexible!
Travel insurance notes
As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.
Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.
This voyage will be more than 12miles offshore.
Package Travel Regulations
This trip is covered by our Package Travel Regulations (PTR) Insurance. Please click here to view the Terms & Conditions.
Life on board
Our sailing holidays in Indonesia on board traditional pinisi vessel Ombak Putih are one of simple pleasures, tropical paradises’ and unforgettable locations. Indulge in a world of adventure as you discover the natural beauty of the Indonesian archipelago from the water. Walk barefoot along sandy shores, enjoy delicious local cuisine and wonder at the endemic wildlife species across the islands.
Have fun!
Ombak Putih has ample on-board facilities and a professional crew on-hand to organise activities, as guests un-wind and relax in a tropical playground. Snorkelling, swimming, paddle-boarding, fishing or even kayaking are all included in the ticket price. (For those wanting a private charter in Indonesia, scuba diving can be arranged up to 2x a day for a maximum of eight divers per charter.)
Kick back and relax in the sun with a good book, either on the sun deck, in the cool of your air-conditioned cabin or on a sandy beach ashore. The crew can also help to arrange further activities (at an additional cost) from Indonesian cooking classes, rock climbing to kite surfing and wake-boarding.
A typical day
Start your day with buffet style breakfast before setting off to explore another island and anchorage. If the wind permits, watch as the sails are set (or get involved if you’d like) and this graceful vessel glides through crystal clear waters. Depending on the wishes of the group, perhaps head ashore to explore an island or harbour village or arrange an excursion with the crew. Each voyage has a dedicated guest host who knows the area well and will be on-hand to make local connections.
Enjoy lunch on-board or take a picnic, make use of the boats water activities or relax on the sun-deck with a book. The choice is truly yours. Evening meals are prepared on the boat and night-time beach bonfires, dancing and local music are a great way to end the day!
Eat
The generous galley sits in the stern of the ship where the dedicated on-board chef conjures up freshly-prepared meals showcasing the very best of Indonesian cuisine and hospitality. Explore the colourful Indonesian markets in the local villages as the chef picks the freshest produce and local delicacies. The Indonesian Ocean is a vast resource for local fishing too so whether your picking up the catch of the day from the local fishing boats or running your own line from the stern, fresh seafood is certainly top of the menu!
Sleeping and Relaxation
The top deck is a raised sun-lounging area sitting on the roof of the saloon and bar, giving guests secluded relaxation and stunning views. On the main deck, Ombak Putih is rigged traditionally to make best use of the wind as the weather permits. A generous and comfortable saloon and bar sit on the deck of the boat while a large dining area sits under a canopy at the bows, perfect for alfresco dining under the stars.
Below decks, her interior refit has been to a high standard with spacious cabins and campion-ways. Hand-crafted beds using local timber and locally made soft furnishings give the boat an authentic Indonesian feel. There are 12 private ensuite cabins for guests in a combination of double beds, twin bunks and three berth cabins (a double and a single bunk). Each cabin offers plenty of natural light with individually controlled air-conditioning, ample storage space, and plenty of electrical and USB outlets.
Ombak Putih
Guest berths: 24 Rig: Gaff Ketch
From the Orangutans in Borneo to the dragons of Komodo to the whale sharks and coral reefs throughout the islands, sailing in Indonesia is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From adventurous couples to family groups and even solo travellers, Ombak Putih’s voyages are suitable for all ages and abilities.
Built by local Indonesian craftsmen using traditional hand tools and Indonesian hardwoods, Ombak Putih is full of cultural knowledge passed down from father to son over centuries. Working alongside her sister ship Katharina (smaller but equally as beautiful!), they are both fine examples of some of the few original boats that still sail these waters.
Now led by Captain Jurfi, Ombak Putih takes guests on skippered sailing holidays to explore the cultural heritage, natural wonders and wildlife of the Indonesian islands.
Above decks, Ombak Putih has over 400 sqm of communal space across her two main deck areas. A large saloon sits mid-ship at deck level with 360-degree views, with a large-covered canopy area to the bows for alfresco dining and daytime relaxation. A top deck sits above the saloon, giving guests a secluded relaxation and sun-bathing area, as well as stunning views across the archipelago.
The galley sits to the stern and is really where this boat comes to life. With 14 crew on hand, you won’t have to lift a finger with freshly-prepared meals showcasing the very best of Indonesian cuisine and hospitality.
Below decks, her interior refit has been carried out to a high standard, with spacious cabins and companionways. Hand-crafted beds using local timber and locally made soft furnishings give the boat an authentic Indonesian feel. There are 12 private ensuite cabins for guests, with a combination of double beds, twin bunks, and three-berth cabins.
Deck plan
More about Ombak Putih
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Inspiration for your voyage
Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below. Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below.
JOURNAL
