Into the Wilds of Borneo - Indonesia Cruise

Board Coral Geographer at 3:00pm at the Harbour Front Passenger Terminal and settle into your stateroom and get to know your fellow guests and crew at the Captain’s Welcome drinks.

Today we spend a relaxing day traversing the Karimata Strait which connects the South China Sea and the Java Sea. It was used as an invasion route by the British fleet in the 1811 Invasion of Java in the Dutch East Indies. Enjoy Christmas lunch onboard prepared by our team of chefs.

Today we arrive in Kuching, a major food destination and member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Our expedition team will guide you through this picturesque city that straddles the Sarawak River. Delve into the rich ethnic cultural history and learn about the customs and unique art and craft of these remarkable artisans. On our second day in Kuching, visit the lush jungle and mangrove forests of Bako National Park. Join nature walks to sight rare bird species, wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, which are found only on the island of Borneo, as well as macaque and silver leaf monkeys. The park is inhabited by many bird species such as kingfishers and the Rhinoceros Hornbill. There are a variety of trails available for different levels of fitness and mobility: Tanjung Sapi: 800m (30mins) – A short but steep climb through cliff vegetation. Excellent views of Telok Assam, the South China Sea and Santubong. Teluk Paku: 800m (1 hour) – This walk goes through a cliff forest to a small, secluded beach and is also the walking route where the Dutch monkeys are regularly seen. Telok Delima: 1km (45mins) – Another excellent trail for spotting proboscis monkeys. As the Lintang trail bears right and climbs a small hill you are in prime proboscis territory. Telok Pandan Besar: 1.9km (1 hour) – One of the most beautiful hikes in Bako National Park. The first part consists of stairs, but then it turns into a steep slope full of tree trunks. From here the footpath leads to the headquarters through the forest and over a sandy path. At the end of the hiking trail relax on a bench while enjoying the beautiful view of the bay below. Enjoy breakfast onboard before our final excursion in Kuching. Travel by private coach to the new Borneo Cultures Museum, a modern five-storey building with a distinctive architectural design that reflects Sarawak’s unique traditional crafts and rich cultural heritage. Next visit the Islamic Heritage Museum, uncover a clear picture of the rich historical heritage and special culture of the Muslim community in Sarawak and throughout the Malay-Indonesian archipelago. The displays trace the connections of the development of Islam here with the rest of the world. Return to Coral Geographer and enjoy lunch onboard as we sail onwards to Pontianak.

This afternoon we arrive at the riverside city of Pontianak, one of Indonesia’s most cultural cities. Spend the afternoon wandering through the eclectic, narrow wooden pathways of Kampung Beting, located at the confluence of the Kapuas and Landak Rivers. Awake this morning ready for another day exploring in Pontianak. Take a full day tour of the local sights of significance that traces through the history of Pontianak. Explore the Pasar Flamboyan and mingle with local stall holders in this traditional market bustling with activity each morning. Explore Rumah Radakng, a Dayak Longhouse 138 meters long and 7 meters high. The main room can accommodate 600 people and is often used for festivals and celebrations. Continue to the Jami’ Mosque of Sultan Abdurrahman Al-Qadri, a historical mosque built in 1771, and the Equator Monument, as the distinction of being the only city in the world that sits right on the Equator. Visit the Palace of Kadriyah Sultanate, built from 1771 until 1778 by Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadri, the first sultan and founder of the city of Pontianak and St Joseph’s Cathedral Church, which initially had the status of a station, then changed to become the main mission church in West Kalimantan due to its strategic location.

Today we visit the isolated Karimata Islands, located off West Kalimantan, situated in the Karimata Strait that divides the islands of Sumatra and Borneo and connects the South China Sea to the Java Sea. The two largest islands, Karimata and Serutu boast a handful of small, sleepy coastal villages nestled under swaying palms, home to the Melayu and Bugis people. The other smaller islands are mostly uninhabited. We will take time to explore these pristine islands, relax on the white-sand beaches and snorkel over coral reefs, soaking up the tranquility and peace of island life. This afternoon, celebrate the New Year with sunset drinks and canapes.

Tanjung Puting is the largest and most diverse protected example of extensive coastal tropical heath and peat swamp forest which used to cover much of southern Borneo. Start your exploration of the remarkable Tanjung Puting National Park with an afternoon Xplorer cruise along the snaking Bulu Kecil River. Look out for some of the rare wildlife that takes haven in this tropical forest, including seven species of primates. The area is home to over 230 bird species such as hornbills, crimson sunbirds, and wetland species. Awake early on our second day in Kumai to join the Xplorer for a cruise along the inky-black waters of the Nipah waterway and the winding Sekonyer River to transfer into the local Klotok boats. Each Klotok will have a local guide who will point out the sights as we travel the Sekonyer River at a leisurely pace towards Camp Leaky. Enjoy a traditional lunch onboard before we arrive at our destination for the day, Camp Leaky. Named after the renowned paleo-anthropologist Louis Leakey, Camp Leakey serves as both a research center and a release site for older orangutans into the rainforest. Stroll along the boardwalk into the jungle, where we will witness the locally rehabilitated orangutans ambling towards the feeding platforms, where rangers provide fresh fruit and sugar cane daily.

We awake this morning for another early morning of exploration via Xplorer to meet the local Klotoks, this time venturing along the Sekonyer River to Pondok Tanggui. Traverse the wooden boardwalks through the jungle to a feeding platform where we will witness Orangutan feeding. Enjoy lunch onboard before spending the afternoon exploring Pangkalan Bun’s historical sites. Located on the Arut River, this ‘small’ busy town has a history stretching back centuries. Visit the 200-year-old Istana Kuning (Yellow Palace), the only Banjar royal structure left in Central Kalimantan which celebrates three architectural traditions of the sultans’ assorted wives: Chinese, Dayak and Malay. We will also visit the region’s oldest mosque, Kyai Gede, a 300-year-old piece of living history.

This morning we will anchor in Sangkapura Bay, Bawean Island. Measuring just 15km in diameter, the extinct volcanic island of Bawean can be circumnavigated by a single narrow ring road. Spend the day snorkelling, beach combing and swimming off the white sand beaches. Fun Fact: The mascot for the 2018 Asia Games – Bawean deer is endemic here.

Banjarmasin, located on a delta near the junction of Barito and Martapura Rivers, is known from ancient times and up to this day as an important harbour town on Kalimantan. It has an abundance of wide and mighty rivers, which have always played a significant role in the Banjarese’ (the indigenous ethnic group of Banjarmasin) way of life. To this very day, every morning there are floating markets where farmers and merchants ply their goods on boats to trade. Come alongside in the port of Banjarmasin, an eclectic and bustling hub that blends centuries of diverse cultural influences. Enjoy lunch onboard Coral Geographer before heading into the hub of Banjarmasin to get acquainted with the unique history and peoples of the region. Visit Museum Wasaka, once an old Banjarese traditional house in the style of Bubungan Tinggi, with approximately 400 artifacts on display. We will continue our afternoon with a visit to Kampung Sasirangan, the hub of home-weavers and textile galleries. Weavers in this village specialise in making pamintan cloth for local shamans and healers. The knowledge for weaving this mystical cloth has been passed down from generation to generation. Before returning to Coral Geogrpaher for pre-dinner drinks, stop for a visit at the Jingah River where 20 or so traditional houses of an old Banjar village remain. These houses are still privately owned by the descendants of wealthy people from that village. On our second morning in Banjarmasin, get close to the action at the famed Lok Baintan and Kuin floating markets. Join in as the locals meet at the river and transactions with the shop merchants are made from small boats selling fresh produce, small snacks and more. Tip: Carrying small local denominations is best to give to these sellers when buying goods.

This morning Coral Geographer arrives at the ancient port city of Makassar at 6:00am ready to disembark at 8:00am. Farewell your Master, crew, and fellow guests with disembarkation at 8:00am.

This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions, and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. Coral Expeditions suggests that you do not arrive on the day of embarkation or depart on the day of disembarkation due to any changes that may occur in scheduling.