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Tanjung Puting National Park - Kalimantan, National Park in Kalimantan, Tanjung Puting National Park
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Resorts Accommodation » Tanjung Puting National Park - Kalimantan
National Park in Kalimantan
Tanjung Puting was declared a national park, one of the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. The whole area is now a protected habitat for large populations of birds, deer, crocodiles, monkeys, snakes, sunbears, wild boar and its most famous residents — orang-utans, the red-haired apes found only on the Asian islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
Into the mind of God
Orang-utan, in the Malay language. means "man of the forest". Tribal folklore often contains an element of truth, and it’s obvious that, long before academics began studying the origins of mankind, people who knee the orang utans’existence recognized a very distinct similarity to human beings. According to one old Malay belief, orang-utans were once human, but were divested of speech because of blasphemy, and then exile the forest. The Dayaks have a similar perception of these mysterious creatures: believe orang-utans can talk but will not do so for fear of being put to work. As the rainforests are destroyed, species like the orang-utan are displaced from their natural habitat and stand little chance of survival.
Practicalities
When to go
The best time to visit the park is between May and September, which is the "dry season" in Kalimantan. Even so, expect some rain.
Visas
An Indonesian visa, which is valid for three months, is available upon arrival in Jakarta.
Getting to Kalimantan
From Java: there are four flights a week on Merpati Airlines from Halim Airport in Jakarta to Pangkalan Bun in the Kalimantan province of Central Borneo. This is the closest airport to the park. Merpati also flights to Pangkalan Bun from the Japanese cities of Bandung nd Semarang. JAS. Deraya and Bouraq Airlines offer Pubs to Pangkalan Bun on smaller aircraft between the Kalimantan cities of Pdan-karaya, Pontianak, Sampit, Ketapang. Ld Banjarmasin. Seats are limited, especially during the dry months. It is advisable to book flights ahead through an Indonesian agent. It is important that you reconfirm your departure flight upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport
Getting to Tanjung Puting
From Pangkalan Bun airport you can take a SS $5 taxi ride the 15km to the town of where boats are available for hire the trip up the Sekonyer River to the park. The drivers will stop at the police on in Pangkalan Bun, where you can apply for a "walking" permit. Bring several photocopies of your passport. There is no charge for this permit but you can expect a short wait. The taxi will then take you to the park headquarters in Kumai, where you must present this permit and pay a day use fee for the park of about US$1. A minimal insurance charge is also levied. Your taxi driver will also see that you are introduced to a boatman who is willing to take you upriver.
The only way to Tanjung Puting is by boat from Kumai. Tour operators such as Bayu Angkasa, located in the Blue Kecubung Hotel in Pangkalan Bun, offer a two-hour speedboat service to the Rimba Lodge, which is the only accommodation near the park. To fully appreciate the beauty of the river, you can charter a traditional longboat or kelotok for about US$30 a day. The boat carries foam mattresses, mosquito nets, oil lamps and a supply of boiled water, although you can purchase bottled water if you wish at the Kumai market. The boatman and his helper will help you choose the food supplies for the basic meals which they will prepare. It is expected that you will pay for your crew’s meals. The boats sleep three to four comfortably with an enclosed toilet area at the back. "The trip to Camp Leakey from Kumai by kelotok takes 4-4.5hrs. Overnights are allowed at Tanjung Harapan but not at Camp Leakey or Natai Lengkuas, another research station within the park. Your boatman knows the best places to moor for the night beside the river. The Rimba Lodge is located across the river from Tanjung Harapan. There are three classes of rooms ranging from US$20-60 per night. Boats, tours and guides are available through the hotel.
Other Travel Tips
Ensure that your vaccinations are up to date before travel. Visitors might want to consider prophylactic medication against malaria as a chloroquine-resistant strain is present in Kalimantan. Bring a sweater for the cooler evenings and good walking shoes or boots. Information on trails and orangutan feeding times is available at the Tanjung Harapan and Camp Leakey stations. Allow yourself four days to a week traveling time to complete and enjoy your trip to Tanjung Puting.
Into the mind of God
Orang-utan, in the Malay language. means "man of the forest". Tribal folklore often contains an element of truth, and it’s obvious that, long before academics began studying the origins of mankind, people who knee the orang utans’existence recognized a very distinct similarity to human beings. According to one old Malay belief, orang-utans were once human, but were divested of speech because of blasphemy, and then exile the forest. The Dayaks have a similar perception of these mysterious creatures: believe orang-utans can talk but will not do so for fear of being put to work. As the rainforests are destroyed, species like the orang-utan are displaced from their natural habitat and stand little chance of survival.
Practicalities
When to go
The best time to visit the park is between May and September, which is the "dry season" in Kalimantan. Even so, expect some rain.
Visas
An Indonesian visa, which is valid for three months, is available upon arrival in Jakarta.
Getting to Kalimantan
From Java: there are four flights a week on Merpati Airlines from Halim Airport in Jakarta to Pangkalan Bun in the Kalimantan province of Central Borneo. This is the closest airport to the park. Merpati also flights to Pangkalan Bun from the Japanese cities of Bandung nd Semarang. JAS. Deraya and Bouraq Airlines offer Pubs to Pangkalan Bun on smaller aircraft between the Kalimantan cities of Pdan-karaya, Pontianak, Sampit, Ketapang. Ld Banjarmasin. Seats are limited, especially during the dry months. It is advisable to book flights ahead through an Indonesian agent. It is important that you reconfirm your departure flight upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport
Getting to Tanjung Puting
From Pangkalan Bun airport you can take a SS $5 taxi ride the 15km to the town of where boats are available for hire the trip up the Sekonyer River to the park. The drivers will stop at the police on in Pangkalan Bun, where you can apply for a "walking" permit. Bring several photocopies of your passport. There is no charge for this permit but you can expect a short wait. The taxi will then take you to the park headquarters in Kumai, where you must present this permit and pay a day use fee for the park of about US$1. A minimal insurance charge is also levied. Your taxi driver will also see that you are introduced to a boatman who is willing to take you upriver.
The only way to Tanjung Puting is by boat from Kumai. Tour operators such as Bayu Angkasa, located in the Blue Kecubung Hotel in Pangkalan Bun, offer a two-hour speedboat service to the Rimba Lodge, which is the only accommodation near the park. To fully appreciate the beauty of the river, you can charter a traditional longboat or kelotok for about US$30 a day. The boat carries foam mattresses, mosquito nets, oil lamps and a supply of boiled water, although you can purchase bottled water if you wish at the Kumai market. The boatman and his helper will help you choose the food supplies for the basic meals which they will prepare. It is expected that you will pay for your crew’s meals. The boats sleep three to four comfortably with an enclosed toilet area at the back. "The trip to Camp Leakey from Kumai by kelotok takes 4-4.5hrs. Overnights are allowed at Tanjung Harapan but not at Camp Leakey or Natai Lengkuas, another research station within the park. Your boatman knows the best places to moor for the night beside the river. The Rimba Lodge is located across the river from Tanjung Harapan. There are three classes of rooms ranging from US$20-60 per night. Boats, tours and guides are available through the hotel.
Other Travel Tips
Ensure that your vaccinations are up to date before travel. Visitors might want to consider prophylactic medication against malaria as a chloroquine-resistant strain is present in Kalimantan. Bring a sweater for the cooler evenings and good walking shoes or boots. Information on trails and orangutan feeding times is available at the Tanjung Harapan and Camp Leakey stations. Allow yourself four days to a week traveling time to complete and enjoy your trip to Tanjung Puting.