Day 1 - Jakarta
On arrival in Jakarta please contact the FM7 Resort Hotel, which is a short distance from the airport, and where we will be spending the night. They will send a bus transfer to collect you. The hotel is modern with AC, indoor swimming pool and restaurant. As tour members may be arriving at different times, we will plan to have dinner together, followed by an informal briefing. We will also be joined by Mara McCaffery from Orangutan Aid, who will be working at the Orangutan Care Centre near Pangkalanbun. We will gain some insight into the behaviour of the orangutans, so that we can photograph more astutely.
Day 2 - Pangkalan Bun, Indonesian Borneo
FM7 - B Blue Kece - L & D
Morning flight to Pangkalan Bun.Transfer to Blue Kecebung Hotel. Afternoon session at local Market, working on the “Art of seeing”, and portraiture.
Days 3 -Tanjung Puting National Park
Blue Kece - B Klotok - L & D
From the hotel, we transfer to Kumai and take a local boat - a ‘klotok’ - on a journey along the Sekonyer River to Camp Leakey. This is the site of the initial camp set up by famous primatologist and orangutan expert, Dr Birute Galdikas in the early 1970’s. We will stay overnight on the Klotok, in order to experience the ‘sounds’ of the jungle. (basic accomodation, on deck with mattresses and mosquito nets)
Days 4 - 5 - Tanjung Puting National Park
Rimba B, L & D
Our days will start early in order to make the most of the morning light, and each day will include short forest walks. After the morning feeding station. We will make our way to Rimba lodge and make this our base for 2 nights, we will still have the klotok at our disposal to explore the waterways, giving us the chance to see wildlife along the forest edge. We visit various feeding stations whilst in the Park.
Workshops on various topics will be run throughout our stay. Each member of the group will be given personal time, and at the end of each day we will critique what we have been doing.
Day 6 - Pangkalan Bun
Rimba Lodge - B & L Pang. Bun - D
We will return to our hotel in Pangkalan Bun mid afternoon. We will be taken to one of the local markets to buy fruit and treats for the Orangutans, in anticipation of a visit to the Orangutan Care Centre and Quarantine Facilitiy run by the Orangutan Foundation International, the following day.
Day 7 - Pangkalan Bun
Blue Kece - B Care Cente - L
Today we hope to visit the Care Centre - where Mara will explain the work that is done to rehabilitate and care for the over 330 orphaned orangutans at the Centre. As the centre is not open to the public, this opportunity is only confirmed at the time and not guaranteed. Orangutan Aid actively supports the nursery where there are currently over 60 young Orangutans requiring 24 hour care. We are not allowed to take photos here.
Blue Kece - B
This morning is at your leisure, with a back up trip to the market available for anyone wanting a last photo opportunity. A midday transfer to the airport for your flight back to Jakarta. Flight included in package. Your guide will leave you at this point. Own arrangements for continuing travel. (there is an option of early morning flight if want to meet connecting flights that same day - but please state this at the start.)
Cameras - The baggage allowance on domestic flights is 20kgs and excess baggage charges apply. Please bear this in mind when packing camera equipment. It is also important to remember that the heat and humidity can drain batteries very quickly and we therefore recommend you take spares. Further information re photography equipment, clothing suggestions, what to bring etc, will be provided upon booking.