Indonesia and Papua New Guinea Country Combo
Tour Introduction
This epic itinerary provides a great way to experience the very best of South East Asian wildlife in Indonesia and the unique cultural diversity of Papua New Guinea. In Indonesia you’ll see the orang-utans and rainforests of Camp Leakey in Borneo; Sumatra’s Way Kambas National Park with its elephants, rhinos and much more; plus the scary Komodo dragons on their eponymous island. While you are in the area (so to speak) and assuming you have plenty of time to spare, it makes sense to combine Indonesia with Papua New Guinea, one of the last frontiers for travel and normally not an easy place to get to. A flight from Indonesia can get you to Papua New Guinea in a relatively short time, where you will get a real feel for the vibrant and distinct cultures of the different tribes. This is a long, varied itinerary full of unique experiences, mixing superb wildlife and colourful culture in an unbeatable combination. [Please Note: the direct flights from Bali are currently suspended and Ambua Lodge is temporarily closed. Please enquire for alternative options]
Full Itinerary
Arrive Jakarta. On arrival switch terminals and take flight to Pangakalan Bun, in Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). Transfer to Kumai jetty to board your houseboat, or klotok, a traditional wooden river boat about 6m by 2m with a roof forming the upper deck from where one can view the rainforest. Travel upstream into Tanjung Puting National Park spotting proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques and saltwater crocodiles along the way.
Staying at Rimba Ecolodge. Includes Dinner.
After breakfast, board your boat and travel to Pondok Tanggui to see the morning feeding of the rehabilitating orang-utans. Continue upstream (around two hours) to the famous Camp Leakey. Camp Leakey was set up in 1971 by Dr Louis Leakey, of Olduvai Gorge fame, to support research into orang-utans, and scientists here have studied and reintroduced hundreds of orang-utans back to the wild. You will have a little time to walk round the visitor centre before seeing the 3pm feeding of the orang-utans (agile gibbons and bearded pigs are also often seen). This is usually the busiest of the feeding stations (both in terms of tourists and orang-utans) and normally a large number of the great apes will be seen, including many young ones plus the occasional large male. Return to your boat for dinner, perhaps observing proboscis monkeys gathering in the boughs at dusk.
Staying at Klotok houseboat. Includes All Meals.
Wake up to the sounds of the forest and enjoy a cooked breakfast on the boat. Return to Camp Leaky and begin a trek through the rainforest with your private naturalist guide, hopefully to encounter some of the wild forest inhabitants. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the rainforest, then return to your boat. Head back downstream to your lodge for a well-earned hot shower and delicious Indonesian dinner.
Staying at Rimba Ecolodge. Includes All Meals.
Depart by boat before dawn and cruise downriver, watching the forest wake up around you and enjoying your breakfast served on board. Continue to Pangkalan Bun and take flight to Jakarta. Connect with onward flight to Lampung. Transfer to Way Kambas National Park. Located on the southern tip of the large island of Sumatra, Way Kambas National Park is one of the last strongholds of the Sumatran elephant, Sumatran tiger and Sumatran rhinoceros, the latter two being particularly rare and difficult to see. Evening walk in search of the Sunda slow loris and various owls and other nocturnal creatures.
Staying at Satwa Elephant Ecolodge. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Take an early bird walk in the forest with chances to see striking specialities such as the green broadbill, or take a walk through the village or cycle with one of the park rangers to hear the haunting calls of the Siamang gibbons at dawn. Return to the lodge for a well-earned breakfast, and then proceed to the Way Kambas Elephant Training Centre where you can take an exciting elephant-back safari through the forest - an unforgettable experience. You then return to the lodge, stopping at the Butterfly Bridge en route where up to 50 species of lepidoptera have been seen in an hour. After lunch and a siesta, you will be taken into the park to Way Kanan for a short river trip to see primates, birds, crocodiles and deer and, with luck, wild elephants, a Malayan tapir or sun bear.
Staying at Satwa Elephant Ecolodge. Includes All Meals.
In the morning visit Bambangan, a ranger station and reforestation project. Learn about anti-poaching patrols of the rangers, travel downstream by boat and plant a tree at the reforestation centre. Take a guided walk through the forest in search of birds and other wildlife. Enjoy another afternoon boat trip on Way Kanan to look for wildlife. If lucky, you may be allowed to visit the Sumatran Rhino Breeding Centre to learn about their work and to see some of the resident rhinos. Please note that visits to the centre cannot be guaranteed due to the sensitive nature of the breeding programme (entrance fee/donation not included). In the evening take a night walk/drive in search of nocturnal birds and mammals.
Staying at Satwa Elephant Ecolodge. Includes All Meals.
After a leisurely breakfast, drive slowly through the park to the Way Kanan Ranger station. Take a boat to Kalibiru (around 60 minutes) for a fascinating walk either to a game-viewing platform or to Rawa Gajah, a swamp area where elephants are often seen, depending on water levels. Sambar deer, wild boar, binturong and the endangered white winged wood duck have been seen here. The trail often reveals the scats, pugmarks and tree scratching of tigers, making the trip really exciting. After a picnic lunch, you will walk slowly back to the boat and who knows what you may see on the river on return? Possibly some primates, different bird species, deer and elephants. Whatever, it is sure to be a great day’s wildlife experience.
Staying at Satwa Elephant Ecolodge. Includes All Meals.
This morning transfer back to Lampung airport and take flight to Jakarta. Connect with flight to Denpasar, Bali, on arrival connect with flight to Labuan Bajo, Flores. Met on arrival and transfer to lodge. Rest of the day at leisure to relax after your flights.
Staying at Puri Sari. Includes All Meals.
This morning transfer to the harbour to board your private local boat with naturalist guide and full crew and sail to Rinca Island. Disembark on Rinca Island and enjoy a morning trek with your guide and local ranger in search of Komodo dragons and other wildlife. Perhaps enjoy some snorkelling in the afternoon before sailing to Komodo Island. Drop anchor and watch the sun set over Komodo. Spend the night on board the boat (there are mattresses, mosquito nets, flushing toilet and a cold shower).
Staying at Local boat. Includes All Meals.
After breakfast, land on Komodo and take a walk on the island with your guide and a local ranger to see more Komodo dragons and other wildlife. Komodo is more heavily forested than Rinca and has more wildlife to see: expect Timor deer and wild boar plus a wide range of bird species including yellow-crested cockatoo and white-bellied sea eagle. In the afternoon, visit the Pink Beach for some wonderful snorkelling, then return to Labuan Bajo.
Staying at Puri Sari. Includes Breakfast.
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Labuan Bajo airport and take flight to Denpasar, Bali. Met on arrival and transfer to Udayana Kingfisher Ecolodge for day use of a room to relax, shower, walk in the gardens or a swim before lunch. Then a siesta, followed by a short visit to the Nusa Dua Settling Ponds where you can see over 20 species of water birds in around an hour’s viewing; early dinner and then transfer back to the airport. Take evening flight to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.
Staying at Air New Guinea Flight. Includes In-flight Meals.
Met on arrival at Port Moresby with airport assistance to connect with flight to Mount Hagen and transfer a short distance to the lodge for lunch. Free afternoon followed by a guided nature walk around the hotel grounds for your first experience of the wildlife of Papua New Guinea. Mount Hagen town is in the upper Wahgi Valley where there some of the oldest evidence of agriculture in the world.
Staying at Rondon Ridge Lodge. Includes Lunch and Dinner.
Early morning birdwatching in the lodge grounds followed by a full day shared tour, to explore the Wahgi Valley and visit local villages. The Mount Hagen area is home to the Melpa people, who retain a strong culture – in the face of modernity, the Melpa still largely live a traditional subsistence lifestyle. There will be another opportunity for some more birdwatching when you return to the lodge in the late afternoon.
Staying at Rondon Ridge Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Another day of shared tours to experience the nature and culture of the area. Some of the Melpa follow the famous mud men tradition which can be seen at the villages. Morning and afternoon birding will also be offered. Ten species of bird of paradise are present in the rainforest surrounding the lodge, although many are elusive and often seen at distance or high in the canopy.
Staying at Rondon Ridge Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Morning transfer to Mount Hagen and take flight to Tari in the Southern Highlands. Met on arrival and transfer to the lodge. Afternoon nature walk with guide along the trails surrounding the lodge, then head to the Tari Gap for the chance to observe up to 13 species of birds of paradise. Birds of paradise display in the late afternoon, so you may be lucky to see, Princess Stephanie’s astrapia, ribbontail astrapia, sicklebill and King of Saxony birds of paradise.
Staying at Ambua Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Full day (shared) guided tour of local villages to meet the Huli wigmen. The great Tari Basin and the surrounding slopes are the home of the Huli clans, one of the largest ethnic groups in the Southern Highlands and one of the most culturally intact in all Papua New Guinea.
The Huli were only discovered in 1935 and were one of the last groups to come under government control. The men take great pride in their appearance, collecting birds of paradise feathers to decorate their wigs. During the tour you will have the opportunity to meet these proud people and learn about their traditions and way of life, which is still governed by their belief in ancestral spirits and sorcery.
Staying at Ambua Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Early morning visit to Tari Gap for some birding (if desired). Another full day (shared) tour of the area to learn more about the Huli. Perhaps visit a wig school where men spend 18 months growing their ceremonial wigs.
Staying at Ambua Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Morning pick up from the lodge and transfer to the airport. Take flight back to Port Moresby. Connect with your international flight home.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
Overview
The solar powered Rimba Eco Lodge is truly in keeping with its unspoilt environment, surrounded by forest and only accessible by boat. Proboscis monkeys and a resident troop of long-tailed macaques are frequently sighted from the lodge.
Rimba Eco Lodge is the only land accommodation within Tanjung Puting National Park, Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) and makes a great base to visit the nearby orang-utan feeding stations and the famous Camp Leakey rehabilitation centre.
Accommodation is in wooden cabins (most having private bathrooms) with comfortable beds, mosquito nets, air-conditioning and fans. Electricity is on from 5pm to 10am and there is good mosquito proofing. A series of boardwalks connect the rooms to the large restaurant which serves delicious local cuisine.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
All rooms have hot water and mosquito nets, and some have air-conditioning and fans. There is also an excellent restaurant.
Local Wildlife
Proboscis monkeys, wild orang-utans, agile gibbons, silvered langurs, long-tailed macaques, estuarine crocodiles, Malayan false gharial crocodile, Storm’s stork, oriental pied hornbill, black and red broadbill and many fireflies. Clouded leopard and sun bear both occur in the park but are very rarely seen.
Optional Activities
Excursions by boat into the National Park and to visit the organ-utan feeding and rehabilitation centres including Camp Leakey. Other activities include treks through the forest, village visits and an excursion to the Pesalat Reforestation Centre or far up the Sekonyer River to see the devastating effects of gold mining on the forest ecosystem.
Overview
Satwa Elephant Ecolodge is a small, solar powered forest lodge conveniently located only five minutes’ drive from the entrance to Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra. Accommodation is in four attractive cottages spread around lush gardens, each with two separate en suite rooms. Each room can sleep four and has a mixture of double and twin beds with a private bathroom and shower. The rooms are well screened, spacious clean and comfortable with a small veranda outside.
The restaurant serves local and western food, and there is free Wi-Fi that sometimes stretches to the nearer rooms. The lodge has a small gift shop and a few resource books as well as a sightings board.
Way Kambas is one of the oldest protected forests in Indonesia. Thankfully the park has been able to retain populations of some of the most endangered mammals in South-East Asia, including Sumatran rhino, Sumatran elephant and Sumatran tiger. Way Kambas covers 1300 square km of costal lowland and dipterocarp forest in southern Sumatra to the east of Bandar Lampung.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
All rooms are en suite with western style hot water showers and toilet, ceiling fans, mosquito screens and have a veranda. There is Wi-Fi in the restaurant which extends to some of the rooms.
Local Wildlife
The park has an exceptional diversity of mammals including Sumatran tiger, Sumatran rhino and clouded leopard – but they are seldom seen. Siamang gibbon, various macaques, silvered and mitred langurs, Sunda slow loris, wild boar, muntjack and sambar deer, lesser and greater mouse deer, Malayan and palm civets and giant squirrels are all frequently seen. With more luck Sumatran elephant, sun bear, Malaysian tapir, binturong, marbled and leopard cats, banded civets and colugo (known as flying lemur but not a true lemur) can be seen. The birdlife is equally impressive with several species of frogmouth and owl, white winged duck, green broadbills, woodpeckers and nightjars.
Optional Activities
Game drives, walking and boat trips along the Way Kanan River.
Overview
Located south of the main town of Labuan Bajo, this small hotel offers 21 rooms situated in pleasant tropical gardens and benefits from a pleasant swimming pool and 350 meters of beach (not safe for swimming). All guest rooms have a private balcony and are equipped with air-conditioning, Western toilet and shower with hot water.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private balcony, air-conditioning, Western toilet and shower with hot water.
Overview
Rondon Ridge is a modern lodge situated at 7100 feet on Kum Mountain, near Mt Hagen, enjoying magnificent views of the Hagen Range, Mount Giluwe, the Sepik Divide, the Baiyer Gap and Wahgi Valley. The climate is one of pleasant, spring-like weather. Guests are accommodated in spacious, simply decorated rooms, each featuring 180-degree views, modern bathroom, electric blankets and duvets for the cool highland evenings. The main building houses the lounge, bar, dining room, conference centre and is warmed by a cosy fireplace. There is 24-hour electricity supplied by its own hydroelectric power plant.
Rondon Ridge is a 40-minute drive from Mount Hagen and close to pristine rainforest,. There are abundant orchids and amphibians. This is the land of the Melpa tribe and visitors can observe their traditional customs and lifestyles.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, lounge, 24-hour electricity, conference centre, electric blankets, seating area and TV and a fireplace.
Local Wildlife
180 bird species including Macgregors’s bowerbird and brown sicklebill, and 10 species of bird of paradise including Stephanie’s astrapia, the superb bird of paradise and King of Saxony. Amphibians and orchids are abundant. Mammals are present but are extremely difficult to see.
Optional Activities
Bird and wildlife watching excursions in the local rainforest and cultural activities such as visits to Melpa villages.
Overview
Set in the Southern Highlands at 7000ft with stunning views of the Tari Valley below, long-established Ambua Lodge is an inspired example of environmentally sensitive building. The lodge offers two styles of accommodation: individual thatched bungalows built in traditional highlands style, and a main block with modern hotel rooms. A small hydroelectric unit supplies the electricity. Ambua is a perfect base from which to explore neighbouring Huli villages, and nature walks taken around the lodge and at the nearby Tari Gap offer excellent opportunities for bird of paradise sightings and encounters.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, lounge, bar, electric blankets, private bathrooms, 24-hour electricity.
Local Wildlife
The Tari Valley and forest around Ambua is a birder’s paradise. Although many species can be seen, it is particularly famous for birds of paradise, of which 13 species can be regularly spotted (some actually in the lodge grounds). Those include the spectacular blue bird of paradise and the bizarre black sicklebill with its energetic courtship display. Other montane species include lesser melampitta, Stephanie’s astrapia, yellow-browed melidectes and the notorious skulking Forbes’s forest rail.
Optional Activities
Birdwatching excursions in the Tari valley and visits to local Huli wigmen villages.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
Yes
Flight Info:
Domestic flights plus international flight from Indonesia to PNG included in price.
Best Visited:
March to October
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
Extend your time in Papua New Guinea with some snorkelling and diving at a lodge such as Tufi or Walindi
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
It was an epic and stunning holiday which we will remember for a very long time. A highlight was seeing the Hornbills, Tarsiers, Bear Cuscus and The Sulawesi Crested Macaque in Tangkoko National Park. As usual your organisation of this trip was excellent.