Borneo Orangutan Tours with Local Guides
Do you want to see wild orangutans in Borneo’s untamed wilderness? We take you to Tanjung Puting National Park by wooden houseboat (“Klotok”). Join us in our mission to support local businesses and protect the rainforest.
Recommended Tanjung Puting Tours
Tanjung Harapan – Camp Leaky – Pondok Tanggui – Proboscis Monkeys
Note: You find detailed itineraries for all tours on the tab “Itineraries” on the top. The itineraries are flexible and can be adjusted to your wishes and flight schedule.
3D2N Orangutan Tour See all the highlights!
We cruise with a wooden klotok houseboat in Tanjung Puting, visit all three feeding stations and Camp Leaky, have traditional meals aboard, and see fireflies at night if weather conditions allow.
4D3N Orangutan Tour More time in the jungle!
Additionally, we do small jungle treks, a night trek, and we visit the reforestation site or the local Sekonyer village.
5D4N Orangutan Tour Off-the-beaten path experience!
Additionally, we do an all-day trek off-the-beaten-path with local rangers. We return with a canoe through a small jungle river. Prepare for getting a little bit dirty in this untouched part of the jungle.
Dayak Tribe. Combination of an orangutan tour with a one or two night stay at the Dayak village (5 hour drive from Pangkalan Bun). Overnight in a traditional longhouse or in a tent in the jungle near a waterfall.
We’re experienced Tanjung Puting Guides… And fun:-)
We are born and raised around Tanjung Puting National Park. We know the orangutans by name and the jungle trails by heart, and provide eco-friendly experiences.
We are experienced, listen carefully to your wishes, and are excited to show our backyard. Whether you want to see orangutans, learn about local situation, or are outdoors, a family or a photographer: You’ll find yourself in great company with us.
 Kris |  Nur |  Aan |
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Wooden Houseboats (“Klotok”) with Western Facilities
As the boat is half the fun, all our houseboats are comfortable wooden Klotoks: They all have simple Western showers (no Mandi) with fresh water tank (no river water), and simple Western toilets (no squat toilet).
You will be sleeping on mattresses in mosquito nets. The boats have a simple lounge area in the front and a dining table in the back for the traditional meals that we are praised for.
You will have access to bottled mineral water throughout the day. Plastic pollution is a big issue in Indonesia; on a regular Borneo orangutan tour with 2 people a total of 25 plastic bottles are consumed. We use mineral water barrels to reduce the plastic consumption. Tip: Bring your own water bottle.
Why you shouldn’t use A/C Boats if you want more luxury. Not only is an A/C not needed in Tanjung Puting because of the constant fresh breeze on the cruise and the comfortable temperatures at nights. A/C boats have an unnecessarily big environmental footprint and they make a lot of noise, create bigger waves (disturbing the wildlife in the river), and lock you behind windows, which all have an adverse impact on your jungle cruise experience. Also, they’re very expensive…
For a luxury experience you should instead take a regular boat and stay overnight at the Rimba Ecolodge. The Rimba ecolodge is located on the edge of the national park and is only accessible by boat. The rooms have AC, WiFi, and hot water. This is a much more luxury and eco-friendly alternative than AC boats. Moreover, it’s cheaper… We can book the eco-lodge for you against local tariffs, and transfer you to/from the lodge every day during the tour for free.
How to Prepare for your Tanjung Puting Tour?
Go through the FAQ below, read the Ultimate Guide to Tanjung Puting Orangutans, or just drop us an email with your question.
Makassar is the gateway to Tana Toraja, and Rantepao is the base from which to explore Tana Toraja.
Fly to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar. From here you can reach Rantepao both via land and by air.
By Air. Take the morning flight from Makassar to Palopo Bua Airport (±1 hour), located ±2 hour drive from Rantepao. We can pick you up here. Use SkyScanner to search for international and domestic flights.
Warning: While Rantepao also has a small airport "Pongtiku", we advice against flying there, as occasionally flights are either delayed or canceled.
Taxi. Take a private transfer from the airport to Rantepao (±7/8 hours). You could make stops at interesting sites on route (Bugis village, Erotic mountains), make a ±2 hour detour to visit Rammang Rammang, or break the journey with an overnight at Sengkang.
Bus. The cheapest option is to take the bus (±9/10 hours). There are many bus companies with different prices and each bus has several seat classes. Always take the "VIP" seats as these are the most comfortable. Bus companies include Litha & Co, Manggala Trans and Primadona. Usually you need to buy the bus tickets locally, but Primadona has a (primitive) online booking system and an email address ([email protected]).
There are many bus companies with different prices and each bus has several seat classes. Always take the "VIP" seats as these are the most comfortable. Bus companies include Litha & Co, Manggala Trans and Primadona. Usually you need to buy the bus tickets locally, but Primadona has a (primitive) online booking system and an email address ([email protected]).
Interesting sites on route from Makassar to Rantepao in Tana Toraja are:
- 1. The Bugis Makassar village
- 2. The "Erotic mountain" in Bambapuang
- 3. The famous stone grave "Lemo"
- 4. The Torajan traditional village " Sasa"
If you leave early in the morning, you could also consider visiting Rammang Rammang and make a guided boat trip and trek.
Notice that the drive to Tana Toraja easily takes 8 hours and could even be longer depending on traffic. So don't be too ambitious with your wishlist and manage your expectations that some sites may have to be skipped depending on the traffic.
Yes. Our private airport transport can be at any time you wish.
In case you have an early flight to catch in Makassar, we could either drop you off the night before in Makassar so that you rest in a nearby hotel, or we could transport you at night and drop you off at the airport in the morning. As you wish.
From a climate point of view, Tana Toraja can be visited all year long. While the temperature is fairly constant throughout the year, chances for the best weather are in the dry season from mid April to early October. However, the rain season in Tana Toraja is not as wet as in other places in Indonesia; typically there is short rain shower in the late afternoon, if it rains at all. In the worst case it could rain half a day.
The best period to visit Tana Toraja to attend a funeral ceremony is July – August. In these months you will be able to attend a ceremony with near certainty if you stay in Tana Toraja for 3 days or more. At the same time this is the busiest period with crowds or visitors.
The best period to visit Tana Toraja for the scenic treks are the high season and shoulder months (April - October), although the best picture conditions (green rice fields) are in the rain season period October-March.
Yes. Feel free to get to Tana Toraja on your own. We will reduce the tour price (3 million IDR for a return private transfer Makassar - Rantepao) and tour itinerary accordingly.
Tipping is common in Indonesia, and the staff will be extremely happy and flattered if you decide to do so, but it is entirely voluntary and not expected.
There is no rule for how much to tip, as it really depends on how satisfied you are with the service and on your budget. Some clients really insist to get an indication, so we will give the rule of thumb that for every day you may consider tipping your guide 100.000 IDR and 50.000 IDR to your driver.
Please consider this as very indicative. If you are on a low budget just consider less, and if you are on a high budget you could consider more. But any amount is really appreciated!
If there will be a funeral ceremony during your visit then we will attend the funeral if you wish, and we adjust the tour itinerary accordingly.
But we can usually not guarantee that there will be funeral ceremonies during your visit because the funeral schedules are usually not fixed and sometimes only announced a few days in advance.
But if you stay in Tana Toraja for a few days in July and August it is likely that there will be a funeral ceremony during your stay.
The default treks with the 4D3N Tana Toraja Tour and 5D4N Sulawesi Tour are short (±1 hour) and very accessible even for less fit people.
The default treks with the 5D4N Tana Toraja Tour and 6D5N Sulawesi Tour are also easy but there is an all-day trek that could be tiring for the inexperienced hiker. In that case, we also offer an alternative hike that only takes ±3 hour and includes the highlights.
However, nothing is set in stone, so just contact us about your preferences and we'll tailor the itineraries to your interests.
The included accommodation in Rantepao is an ensuite room at a local guesthouse with great value for money: Rosalina Guesthouse or alike.
You will sleep like the local villagers, in basic but clean rooms. Notice that conform local customs, the shower is usually outside of the house. While we cannot guarantee it, we always try to arrange a traditional Tongkonan.
Rantepao does not have any luxury accommodations, and in our opinion the more expensive accommodations are not good value for money. However, in case you prefer to stay at the more expensive accommodations instead of the included guesthouse, you can book your own accommodation and get a discount for your Toraja tour. Popular hotels in the top category are:
Please notice that you can book your own accommodation only for the part of the tour with overnights in Rantepao as accommodations in the mountain villages with the Toraja Tour & Village Stay tours cannot be booked by visitors themselves. Just let us know if you wish to visit other villages than in our default program and we change the itinerary and accommodation accordingly.
According to Torajan beliefs, the ghost of the deceased lingers around his village until the funeral ceremony is completed, after which it will start the journey to the Land of Souls ("Puya").
Buffaloes are considered to be a transportation vehicle for this journey, and during the funeral ceremony as many buffaloes are sacrificed as possible so that the journey to the land of souls can be done as fast as possible.
Lemo. Perhaps the best known and most crowded burial site in Toraja. The sheer rock face has a series of balconies with tau tau, wooden statues of the dead persons inside the graves.
Kambira Baby Graves. The most famous baby grave site in Tana Toraja. Torajans from Kambira would carve a hole into the trunk of a Jackfruit tree and place the baby in it. Over time the living tree would grow around the hole sealing the baby into the trunk. Unfortunately, the trees have died by now. This somewhat dark site holds around 20 deceased infants.
Kete Kesu'. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is perhaps the best known traditional Torajan village with Tongkanan houses. Visit the rice barns, hanging graves, or start a scenic trek from here.
Suaya. Seven royal families from Sangalla are buried at this famous and relatively quite burial site. The wooden effigies tau tau are in balconies that are cut in the large rock face.
Tampang Allo. Perhaps the least known of the fabulous must-sees in the Southern area: A beautiful, natural cave that has been used in the past as burial site, and where you find tau tau and some human bones.
Lampio. Lampio is a traditional weaving village in Toraja. It is the authentic equivalent to the touristic and commercial Sa'dan village.
Bebo and Karuaya. Traditional villages, where the villagers still have a traditional, animistic belief. The walk from Bebo to Karuaya takes around 45 minutes, during which you see both traditional Torajan houses and beautiful nature.The general pack list:
- Comfortable shoes
- Insect repellent (DEET 40%)
- Small backpack for the day trips
- Camera
Pack also the following for the Tana Toraja treks:
- Towel
- Pocket light
- Mobile charger for your electronic devices (or a spare battery)
When you visit a ceremony, you should bring a small ceremony gift (such as sugar, chocolate, cigarettes), or just ask your guide to make a stop at a local store on the way to the ceremony.
HELP DENA GET TO COLLEGE
Our current donation program is for Dena, who has just finished secondary school and dreams of continuing his education and become a police officer.
Deda lives in North Sumatra in the small village Bukit Lawang. Because of the modest local salaries, his family is not able to pay the significant college enrollment fee of ± € 8000.
Would you like to help Dena? In the booking form below, you have the option to make a donation with your booking. Your entire donation will be spent on the cause.
Orangutan Tours – Itineraries
DAY 1: Pangkalan Bun - Kumai - Tanjung Harapan (L D)
Included: pick-up by car, police registration, entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
Transfer service from Pangkalan Bun Airport (or at your hotel) to Kumai, where you'll board the Klotok boat and meet your staff.
We use traditional Klotok wooden river boats of which the size depends on your group size. We only make use of boats with a Western toilet (not a squat toilet) and a Western shower (not a mandi).
There is a bottom deck for the crew and a top deck exclusively for you. The boats are open on the sides for the view, but in case of rain they can be closed. All your meals, snacks and drinks will be served in the boat. At nights your mattresses and mosquito nets are prepared.
It takes about an hour to get from the harbor in Kumai to the entrance of Tanjung Puting National Park. The first stop is at Tanjung Harapan where the orangutan feeding takes place at 15h.
We continue the cruise as the jungle is at its noisiest. We hear Proboscis monkeys, Macaques, Silver Langurs and colorful birds. Finally, it is time for a candle light dinner, and an exciting night in the jungle.
DAY 2: Pondok Tanggui – Camp Leakey – Nipa Area (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, we cruise through the habitat of the Proboscis monkeys and the crocodiles as we go to Pondok Tanggui.
We visit the orangutan feeding here at 9 am. Then, we continue the cruise, turn in a junction of the river where the water color changes and gives a surreal dark reflection of the jungle.
We arrive at Camp Leakey, a research- and rehabilitation center for orangutans. The feeding takes place at 2 pm. If you are lucky you will meet here the "King of Camp Leaky": a male orangutan named Big Tom.
After Camp Leakey, we cruise down slowly to the Nipa Palm Area, where we may see fire flies in the evening depending on the weather. We will have candle light diner and spend the night in this area.
DAY 3: Nipa Area – Kumai – Pangkalan Bun (Airport) (B)
Included: drop-off by car, entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
After breakfast we cruise through the lush jungle back to Kumai. You say goodbye to your staff and will be dropped off by car at Pangkalan Bun airport or at your hotel (around 10-11 am).
DAY 1: Pangkalan Bun - Kumai - Tanjung Harapan (L D)
Included: pick-up by car, police registration, entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
Transfer service from Pangkalan Bun Airport (or at your hotel) to Kumai, where you'll board the Klotok boat and meet your staff.
We use traditional Klotok wooden river boats of which the size depends on your group size. We only make use of boats with a Western toilet (not a squat toilet) and a Western shower (not a mandi).
There is a bottom deck for the crew and a top deck exclusively for you. The boats are open on the sides for the view, but in case of rain they can be closed. All your meals, snacks and drinks will be served in the boat. At nights your mattresses and mosquito nets are prepared.
It takes about an hour to get from the harbor in Kumai to the entrance of Tanjung Puting National Park. The first stop is at Tanjung Harapan where the orangutan feeding takes place at 15h.
We continue the cruise as the jungle is at its noisiest. We hear Proboscis monkeys, Macaques, Silver Langurs and colorful birds. Finally, it is time for a candle light dinner, and an exciting night in the jungle.
Day 2: Camp Leakey – Pondok Ambung (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, day trek, night trek, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, the boat cruise continues as we enjoy the sunrise and go through the habitat of the proboscis monkey and the estuarine crocodile.
At some point we'll make a turn in a junction of the river where the water color changes from bright orange to dark black. The river narrows and the reflection of the dense jungle in the water gives a surreal feeling.
We arrive at Camp Leakey, a research- and rehabilitation center for orangutans . If you are lucky you will meet here the "King of Camp Leaky": a male orangutan named Big Tom. Here, we take an exciting, short jungle trek. We return at 2 pm to witness the orangutan feeding.
Then, we cruise down to Pondok Ambung. We get a candle light dinner, and then take a brave night trek through the jungles in search of glowing mushroom, tarantulas, deers, and tarsier (unique to the region).
Day 3: Pondok Tanggui – Pesalat – Local Village – Tanjung Harapan (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
After breakfast we cruise down towards Pondok Tanggui; a ranger camp home to pre-wild and adolescent orangutans, as well as deer, boar and many bird species. We'll visit the orangutan feeding at 9h am.
Back at the boat, we get lunch and we proceed to the reforestration site Camp Pesalat, where you learn about the importance of their conservation initiatives, and can donate through planting your own tree.
Then, we visit the Sekonyer village, meet locals and view hand made souvenirs. In case there is any time left, we visit for the second time the feeding at Tanjung Harapang.
We cruise down to the Nipa area, where we may see fireflies depending on the weather. Here, we'll have a candle light diner, and spend the rest of the night.
DAY 4: Nipa Area – Kumai – Pangkalan Bun (Airport) (B)
Included: drop-off by car, entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
After breakfast we cruise through the lush jungle back to Kumai. You say goodbye to your staff and will be dropped off by car at Pangkalan Bun airport or at your hotel (around 10-11 am).
DAY 1: Pangkalan Bun - Kumai - Tanjung Harapan (L D)
Included: pick-up by car, police registration, entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
Transfer service from Pangkalan Bun Airport (or at your hotel) to Kumai, where you'll board the Klotok boat and meet your staff.
We use traditional Klotok wooden river boats of which the size depends on your group size. We only make use of boats with a Western toilet (not a squat toilet) and a Western shower (not a mandi).
There is a bottom deck for the crew and a top deck exclusively for you. The boats are open on the sides for the view, but in case of rain they can be closed. All your meals, snacks and drinks will be served in the boat. At nights your mattresses and mosquito nets are prepared.
It takes about an hour to get from the harbor in Kumai to the entrance of Tanjung Puting National Park. The first stop is at Tanjung Harapan where the orangutan feeding takes place at 15h.
We continue the cruise as the jungle is at its noisiest. We hear Proboscis monkeys, Macaques, Silver Langurs and colorful birds. Finally, it is time for a candle light dinner, and an exciting night in the jungle.
Day 2: Camp Leakey – Pondok Ambung (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, day trek, night trek, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, the boat cruise continues as we enjoy the sunrise and go through the habitat of the proboscis monkey and the estuarine crocodile.
At some point we'll make a turn in a junction of the river where the water color changes from bright orange to dark black. The river narrows and the reflection of the dense jungle in the water gives a surreal feeling.
We arrive at Camp Leakey, a research- and rehabilitation center for orangutans . If you are lucky you will meet here the "King of Camp Leaky": a male orangutan named Big Tom. Here, we take an exciting, short jungle trek. We return at 2 pm to witness the orangutan feeding.
Then, we cruise down to Pondok Ambung. We get a candle light dinner, and then take a brave night trek through the jungles in search of glowing mushroom, tarantulas, deers, and tarsier (unique to the region).
Day 3: Pondok Tanggui – Pesalat – Local Village
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
After breakfast we cruise down towards Pondok Tanggui; a ranger camp home to pre-wild and adolescent orangutans, as well as deer, boar and many bird species. We'll visit the orangutan feeding at 9h am.
Back at the boat, we get lunch and we proceed to the reforestration site Camp Pesalat, where you learn about the importance of their conservation initiatives, and can donate through planting your own tree.
Then, we visit the Sekonyer village, meet locals and view hand made souvenirs. In case there is time and the possibility, we visit a nearby palm oil field. Then, we return to the boat for a candle light diner.
Day 4: Tanjung Harapan – Nipa Area (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, long trek with ranger and canoe, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, we prepare for an exciting jungle trek of 3-4 hours! Rangers accompany us. This special activity gets us away from the crowd and into the untouched jungle!
At the end, we get into a canoe and take a exciting cruise in the small river back to our boat in the Sekonyer river. We have a well-deserved lunch, and then visit the feeding at Tanjung Harapan for the 2nd time.
We relax as we cruise through the noisy jungle, and try to spot animals from the lounge area. We end the day with a candle light dinner around the Nipa Area, where we may see fireflies.
DAY 5: Nipa Area – Kumai – Pangkalan Bun (Airport) (B)
Included: drop-off by car, entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
After breakfast we cruise through the lush jungle back to Kumai. You say goodbye to your staff and will be dropped off by car at Pangkalan Bun airport or at your hotel (around 10-11 am).
Orangutan & Dayak Tours – Itineraries
DAY 1: Pangkalan Bun - Kumai - Tanjung Harapan (L D)
Included: pick-up by car, police registration, entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
Transfer service from Pangkalan Bun Airport (or at your hotel) to Kumai, where you'll board the Klotok boat and meet your staff.
We use traditional Klotok wooden river boats of which the size depends on your group size. We only make use of boats with a Western toilet (not a squat toilet) and a Western shower (not a mandi).
There is a bottom deck for the crew and a top deck exclusively for you. The boats are open on the sides for the view, but in case of rain they can be closed. All your meals, snacks and drinks will be served in the boat. At nights your mattresses and mosquito nets are prepared.
It takes about an hour to get from the harbor in Kumai to the entrance of Tanjung Puting National Park. The first stop is at Tanjung Harapan where the orangutan feeding takes place at 15h.
We continue the cruise as the jungle is at its noisiest. We hear Proboscis monkeys, Macaques, Silver Langurs and colorful birds. Finally, it is time for a candle light dinner, and an exciting night in the jungle.
DAY 2: Pondok Tanggui – Camp Leakey – Nipa Area (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, we cruise through the habitat of the Proboscis monkeys and the crocodiles as we go to Pondok Tanggui.
We visit the orangutan feeding here at 9 am. Then, we continue the cruise, turn in a junction of the river where the water color changes and gives a surreal dark reflection of the jungle.
We arrive at Camp Leakey, a reserach- and rehabilitation center for orangutans. The feeding takes place at 2 pm. If you are lucky you will meet here the "King of Camp Leakey": a male orangutan named Big Tom.
After Camp Leakey, we cruise down slowly to the Nipa Palm Area, where we may see fire flies in the evening depending on the weather. We will have candle light diner and spend the night in this area.
DAY 3: Nipa Area – Kumai – Kudangan Dayak Village (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, car transfer, welcome ceremony, accommodation in village, meals as mentioned
After an early breakfast, we cruise down to Kumai where you say goodby to the boat staff, and then get a ride of ~4 hours by car to Kudangan Dayak village. We meet the locals, and explore the village.
![Dance Ceremony Kudangan Dayak Village](/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/TanjungPuting_Ceremony-Kudangan-Dayak-Village_540x300px.jpg")
In the evening, you get a warm welcome dancing ceremony from the villagers. You end this evening a diner and traditional drinks with villagers. Overnight in a Dayak house.
Day 4: Jungle Trekking - Waterfall (B L D)
Included: guide, trek, accommodation in jungle or village, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, we start with our jungle trek, usually to one of the waterfalls. Along the way, we may spot animals, and the Dayak villagers may teach us some basic hunting and survival techniques.
Upon arrival, we can swim in the waterfall, and enjoy the serenity of the jungle and river landscape. We spend the night in a tent in the jungle (alternatively, you can also spend the night back in the village).
Day 5: Kudangan Dayak Village - Pangkalan Bun Hotel (B L)
Included: car transfer, meals as mentioned
Excluded: accommodation in Pangkalan Bun
After breakfast in the jungle, we return to the village. In case you wish, we could do another jungle trek before the drive back to Pangkalan Bun to your hotel (excluded). Enjoy the well-deserved warm shower!
Day 6: Pangkalan Bun Hotel - Airport
Included: airport transfer service
Excluded: meals
Pick-up at your hotel at your desired time, and drop off at Pangkalan Bun airport.
DAY 1: Pangkalan Bun - Kumai - Tanjung Harapan (L D)
Included: pick-up by car, police registration, entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
Transfer service from Pangkalan Bun Airport (or at your hotel) to Kumai, where you'll board the Klotok boat and meet your staff.
We use traditional Klotok wooden river boats of which the size depends on your group size. We only make use of boats with a Western toilet (not a squat toilet) and a Western shower (not a mandi).
There is a bottom deck for the crew and a top deck exclusively for you. The boats are open on the sides for the view, but in case of rain they can be closed. All your meals, snacks and drinks will be served in the boat. At nights your mattresses and mosquito nets are prepared.
It takes about an hour to get from the harbor in Kumai to the entrance of Tanjung Puting National Park. The first stop is at Tanjung Harapan where the orangutan feeding takes place at 15h.
We continue the cruise as the jungle is at its noisiest. We hear Proboscis monkeys, Macaques, Silver Langurs and colorful birds. Finally, it is time for a candle light dinner, and an exciting night in the jungle.
Day 2: Camp Leakey – Pondok Ambung (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, day trek, night trek, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, the boat cruise continues as we enjoy the sunrise and go through the habitat of the proboscis monkey and the estuarine crocodile.
At some point we'll make a turn in a junction of the river where the water color changes from bright orange to dark black. The river narrows and the reflection of the dense jungle in the water gives a surreal feeling.
We arrive at Camp Leakey, a reserach- and rehabilitation center for orangutans . If you are lucky you will meet here the "King of Camp Leakey": a male orangutan named Big Tom. Here, we take an exciting, short jungle trek. We return at 2 pm to witness the orangutan feeding.
Then, we cruise down to Pondok Ambung. We get a candle light dinner, and then take a brave night trek through the jungles in search of glowing mushroom, tarantulas, deers, and tarsier (unique to the region).
Day 3: Pondok Tanggui – Pesalat – Local Village – Tanjung Harapan (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
After breakfast we cruise down towards Pondok Tanggui; a ranger camp home to pre-wild and adolescent orangutans, as well as deer, boar and many bird species. We'll visit the orangutan feeding at 9h am.
Back at the boat, we get lunch and we proceed to the reforestration site Camp Pesalat, where you learn about the importance of their conservation initiatives, and can donate through planting your own tree.
Then, we visit the Sekonyer village, meet locals and view hand made souvenirs. In case there is any time left, we visit for the second time the feeding at Tanjung Harapang.
We cruise down to the Nipa area, where we may see fireflies depending on the weather. Here, we'll have a candle light diner, and spend the rest of the night.
DAY 4: Nipa Area – Kumai – Kudangan Dayak Village (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, car transfer, welcome ceremony, accommodation in village, meals as mentioned
After an early breakfast, we cruise down to Kumai where you say goodby to the boat staff, and then get a ride of ~4 hours by car to Kudangan Dayak village. We meet the locals, and explore the village.
In the evening, you get a warm welcome dancing ceremony from the villagers. You end this evening a diner and traditional drinks with villagers. Overnight in a Dayak house.
Day 5: Jungle Trekking - Waterfall (B L D)
Included: guide, trek, accommodation in jungle or village, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, we start with our jungle trek, usually to one of the waterfalls. Along the way, we may spot animals, and the Dayak villagers may teach us some basic hunting and survival techniques.
Upon arrival, we can swim in the waterfall, and enjoy the serenity of the jungle and river landscape. We spend the night in a tent in the jungle (alternatively, you can also spend the night back in the village).
Day 6: Kudangan Dayak Village - Pangkalan Bun Hotel (B L)
Included: car transfer, meals as mentioned
Excluded: accommodation in Pangkalan Bun
After breakfast in the jungle, we return to the village. In case you wish, we could do another jungle trek before the drive back to Pangkalan Bun to your hotel (excluded). Enjoy the well-deserved warm shower!
Day 6: Pangkalan Bun Hotel - Airport
Included: airport transfer service
Excluded: meals
Pick-up at your hotel at your desired time, and drop off at Pangkalan Bun airport.
DAY 1: Pangkalan Bun - Kumai - Tanjung Harapan (L D)
Included: pick-up by car, police registration, entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
Transfer service from Pangkalan Bun Airport (or at your hotel) to Kumai, where you'll board the Klotok boat and meet your staff.
We use traditional Klotok wooden river boats of which the size depends on your group size. We only make use of boats with a Western toilet (not a squat toilet) and a Western shower (not a mandi).
There is a bottom deck for the crew and a top deck exclusively for you. The boats are open on the sides for the view, but in case of rain they can be closed. All your meals, snacks and drinks will be served in the boat. At nights your mattresses and mosquito nets are prepared.
It takes about an hour to get from the harbor in Kumai to the entrance of Tanjung Puting National Park. The first stop is at Tanjung Harapan where the orangutan feeding takes place at 15h.
We continue the cruise as the jungle is at its noisiest. We hear Proboscis monkeys, Macaques, Silver Langurs and colorful birds. Finally, it is time for a candle light dinner, and an exciting night in the jungle.
Day 2: Camp Leakey – Pondok Ambung (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, day trek, night trek, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, the boat cruise continues as we enjoy the sunrise and go through the habitat of the proboscis monkey and the estuarine crocodile.
At some point we'll make a turn in a junction of the river where the water color changes from bright orange to dark black. The river narrows and the reflection of the dense jungle in the water gives a surreal feeling.
We arrive at Camp Leakey, a reserach- and rehabilitation center for orangutans . If you are lucky you will meet here the "King of Camp Leakey": a male orangutan named Big Tom. Here, we take an exciting, short jungle trek. We return at 2 pm to witness the orangutan feeding.
Then, we cruise down to Pondok Ambung. We get a candle light dinner, and then take a brave night trek through the jungles in search of glowing mushroom, tarantulas, deers, and tarsier (unique to the region).
Day 3: Pondok Tanggui – Pesalat – Local Village
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, meals as mentioned
After breakfast we cruise down towards Pondok Tanggui; a ranger camp home to pre-wild and adolescent orangutans, as well as deer, boar and many bird species. We'll visit the orangutan feeding at 9h am.
Back at the boat, we get lunch and we proceed to the reforestration site Camp Pesalat, where you learn about the importance of their conservation initiatives, and can donate through planting your own tree.
Then, we visit the Sekonyer village, meet locals and view hand made souvenirs. In case there is time and the possibility, we visit a nearby palm oil field. Then, we return to the boat for a candlelight diner.
Day 4: Tanjung Harapan – Nipa Area (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, long trek with ranger and canoe, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, we prepare for an exciting jungle trek of 3-4 hours! Rangers accompany us. This special activity gets us away from the crowd and into the untouched jungle!
At the end, we get into a canoe and take a exciting cruise in the small river back to our boat in the Sekonyer river. We have a well-deserved lunch, and then visit the feeding at Tanjung Harapan for the 2nd time.
We relax as we cruise through the noisy jungle, and try to spot animals from the lounge area. We end the day with a candle light dinner around the Nipa Area, where we may see fireflies.
DAY 5: Nipa Area – Kumai – Kudangan Dayak Village (B L D)
Included: entrance fee, boat, guide & boat staff, car transfer, welcome ceremony, accommodation in village, meals as mentioned
After an early breakfast, we cruise down to Kumai where you say goodby to the boat staff, and then get a ride of ~4 hours by car to Kudangan Dayak village. We meet the locals, and explore the village.
In the evening, you get a warm welcome dancing ceremony from the villagers. You end this evening a diner and traditional drinks with villagers. Overnight in a Dayak house.
Day 6: Jungle Trekking - Waterfall (B L D)
Included: guide, trek, accommodation in jungle or village, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, we start with our jungle trek, usually to one of the waterfalls. Along the way, we may spot animals, and the Dayak villagers may teach us some basic hunting and survival techniques.
Upon arrival, we can swim in the waterfall, and enjoy the serenity of the jungle and river landscape. We spend the night in a tent in the jungle (alternatively, you can also spend the night back in the village).
Day 7: Kudangan Dayak Village - Pangkalan Bun Hotel (B L)
Included: car transfer, meals as mentioned
Excluded: accommodation in Pangkalan Bun
After breakfast in the jungle, we return to the village. In case you wish, we could do another jungle trek before the drive back to Pangkalan Bun to your hotel (excluded). Enjoy the well-deserved warm shower!
Day 8: Pangkalan Bun Hotel - Airport
Included: airport transfer service
Excluded: meals
Pick-up at your hotel at your desired time, and drop off at Pangkalan Bun airport.
What’s included?
Included: See itineraries below for a detailed description
Excluded: Travel insurance, flights, taxi transfers outside of the tour dates, accommodation in Pangkalan Bun, voluntary tipping
What to bring?
Comfortable shoes, insect repellent, light trousers and shirts with long sleeves, flashlight, small backpack, towel, mobile charger, malaria pills (according to your doctor’s advice).
Recommended Accommodations
Accommodation in Pangkalan Bun is excluded. The best hotel is the Grand Kecubung Hotel .
How to Prepare for your Tanjung Puting Tour?
Go through our frequently asked questions below and read the Ultimate Guide to Tanjung Puting Orangutans. If you have any questions, just drop us an email.
Makassar is the gateway to Tana Toraja, and Rantepao is the base from which to explore Tana Toraja.
Fly to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar. From here you can reach Rantepao both via land and by air.
By Air. Take the morning flight from Makassar to Palopo Bua Airport (±1 hour), located ±2 hour drive from Rantepao. We can pick you up here. Use SkyScanner to search for international and domestic flights.
Warning: While Rantepao also has a small airport "Pongtiku", we advice against flying there, as occasionally flights are either delayed or canceled.
Taxi. Take a private transfer from the airport to Rantepao (±7/8 hours). You could make stops at interesting sites on route (Bugis village, Erotic mountains), make a ±2 hour detour to visit Rammang Rammang, or break the journey with an overnight at Sengkang.
Bus. The cheapest option is to take the bus (±9/10 hours). There are many bus companies with different prices and each bus has several seat classes. Always take the "VIP" seats as these are the most comfortable. Bus companies include Litha & Co, Manggala Trans and Primadona. Usually you need to buy the bus tickets locally, but Primadona has a (primitive) online booking system and an email address ([email protected]).
There are many bus companies with different prices and each bus has several seat classes. Always take the "VIP" seats as these are the most comfortable. Bus companies include Litha & Co, Manggala Trans and Primadona. Usually you need to buy the bus tickets locally, but Primadona has a (primitive) online booking system and an email address ([email protected]).
Interesting sites on route from Makassar to Rantepao in Tana Toraja are:
- 1. The Bugis Makassar village
- 2. The "Erotic mountain" in Bambapuang
- 3. The famous stone grave "Lemo"
- 4. The Torajan traditional village " Sasa"
If you leave early in the morning, you could also consider visiting Rammang Rammang and make a guided boat trip and trek.
Notice that the drive to Tana Toraja easily takes 8 hours and could even be longer depending on traffic. So don't be too ambitious with your wishlist and manage your expectations that some sites may have to be skipped depending on the traffic.
Yes. Our private airport transport can be at any time you wish.
In case you have an early flight to catch in Makassar, we could either drop you off the night before in Makassar so that you rest in a nearby hotel, or we could transport you at night and drop you off at the airport in the morning. As you wish.
From a climate point of view, Tana Toraja can be visited all year long. While the temperature is fairly constant throughout the year, chances for the best weather are in the dry season from mid April to early October. However, the rain season in Tana Toraja is not as wet as in other places in Indonesia; typically there is short rain shower in the late afternoon, if it rains at all. In the worst case it could rain half a day.
The best period to visit Tana Toraja to attend a funeral ceremony is July – August. In these months you will be able to attend a ceremony with near certainty if you stay in Tana Toraja for 3 days or more. At the same time this is the busiest period with crowds or visitors.
The best period to visit Tana Toraja for the scenic treks are the high season and shoulder months (April - October), although the best picture conditions (green rice fields) are in the rain season period October-March.
Yes. Feel free to get to Tana Toraja on your own. We will reduce the tour price (3 million IDR for a return private transfer Makassar - Rantepao) and tour itinerary accordingly.
Tipping is common in Indonesia, and the staff will be extremely happy and flattered if you decide to do so, but it is entirely voluntary and not expected.
There is no rule for how much to tip, as it really depends on how satisfied you are with the service and on your budget. Some clients really insist to get an indication, so we will give the rule of thumb that for every day you may consider tipping your guide 100.000 IDR and 50.000 IDR to your driver.
Please consider this as very indicative. If you are on a low budget just consider less, and if you are on a high budget you could consider more. But any amount is really appreciated!
If there will be a funeral ceremony during your visit then we will attend the funeral if you wish, and we adjust the tour itinerary accordingly.
But we can usually not guarantee that there will be funeral ceremonies during your visit because the funeral schedules are usually not fixed and sometimes only announced a few days in advance.
But if you stay in Tana Toraja for a few days in July and August it is likely that there will be a funeral ceremony during your stay.
The default treks with the 4D3N Tana Toraja Tour and 5D4N Sulawesi Tour are short (±1 hour) and very accessible even for less fit people.
The default treks with the 5D4N Tana Toraja Tour and 6D5N Sulawesi Tour are also easy but there is an all-day trek that could be tiring for the inexperienced hiker. In that case, we also offer an alternative hike that only takes ±3 hour and includes the highlights.
However, nothing is set in stone, so just contact us about your preferences and we'll tailor the itineraries to your interests.
The included accommodation in Rantepao is an ensuite room at a local guesthouse with great value for money: Rosalina Guesthouse or alike.
You will sleep like the local villagers, in basic but clean rooms. Notice that conform local customs, the shower is usually outside of the house. While we cannot guarantee it, we always try to arrange a traditional Tongkonan.
Rantepao does not have any luxury accommodations, and in our opinion the more expensive accommodations are not good value for money. However, in case you prefer to stay at the more expensive accommodations instead of the included guesthouse, you can book your own accommodation and get a discount for your Toraja tour. Popular hotels in the top category are:
Please notice that you can book your own accommodation only for the part of the tour with overnights in Rantepao as accommodations in the mountain villages with the Toraja Tour & Village Stay tours cannot be booked by visitors themselves. Just let us know if you wish to visit other villages than in our default program and we change the itinerary and accommodation accordingly.
According to Torajan beliefs, the ghost of the deceased lingers around his village until the funeral ceremony is completed, after which it will start the journey to the Land of Souls ("Puya").
Buffaloes are considered to be a transportation vehicle for this journey, and during the funeral ceremony as many buffaloes are sacrificed as possible so that the journey to the land of souls can be done as fast as possible.
Lemo. Perhaps the best known and most crowded burial site in Toraja. The sheer rock face has a series of balconies with tau tau, wooden statues of the dead persons inside the graves.Kambira Baby Graves. The most famous baby grave site in Tana Toraja. Torajans from Kambira would carve a hole into the trunk of a Jackfruit tree and place the baby in it. Over time the living tree would grow around the hole sealing the baby into the trunk. Unfortunately, the trees have died by now. This somewhat dark site holds around 20 deceased infants.Kete Kesu'. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is perhaps the best known traditional Torajan village with Tongkanan houses. Visit the rice barns, hanging graves, or start a scenic trek from here.Suaya. Seven royal families from Sangalla are buried at this famous and relatively quite burial site. The wooden effigies tau tau are in balconies that are cut in the large rock face.Tampang Allo. Perhaps the least known of the fabulous must-sees in the Southern area: A beautiful, natural cave that has been used in the past as burial site, and where you find tau tau and some human bones.Lampio. Lampio is a traditional weaving village in Toraja. It is the authentic equivalent to the touristic and commercial Sa'dan village.Bebo and Karuaya. Traditional villages, where the villagers still have a traditional, animistic belief. The walk from Bebo to Karuaya takes around 45 minutes, during which you see both traditional Torajan houses and beautiful nature.The general pack list:
- Comfortable shoes
- Insect repellent (DEET 40%)
- Small backpack for the day trips
- Camera
Pack also the following for the Tana Toraja treks:
- Towel
- Pocket light
- Mobile charger for your electronic devices (or a spare battery)
When you visit a ceremony, you should bring a small ceremony gift (such as sugar, chocolate, cigarettes), or just ask your guide to make a stop at a local store on the way to the ceremony.
Instant Booking Form
Look up the rates and availabilities of any Tanjung Puting tour, and instantly confirm your booking request. The required deposit for the confirmation process is in EUR to keep costs low. The outstanding balance is only to be paid upon arrival in IDR.
