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January 26,2010

Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas has her own blog! Keep up with Dr. Birute Galdikas as she documents her day to day experiences in her unique and personal blog!
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OFI Seven-Day Borneo Tour


Journey into the Borneo Rainforest with Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas

July 2
July 10

You can also visit Irene Spencer's website at www.orangutan.travel



IMAGE: Dr Galdikas with orphan orangutanOrangutan Foundation International's began its formal tour program in 2004. It was a tremendous success due to Dr. Galdikas' participation and the planning done by our travel agent and travel company. This once-in-a-life-time adventure to Borneo will give you an opportunity to see orangutans in their natural environment with no barriers separating you and them. The orangutans will touch your heart, making this an experience you will never forget.



A Preview


Many of you have requested an opportunity to meet Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas while participating in an OFI trip. We are taking that one step further. We will have two special trips in July 2010 with Dr.Galdikas as your own personal naturalist. She will give her insights into the orangutan's natural history and behavior and share her adventures working with this incredible species for over 38 years.

Spaces for each trip are limited to 13 individuals and they will fill quickly. If you are interested in joining one of the tours please contact Irene Spencer via email at irene@orangutan.travel or in San Diego California at 619-574-1371. You can also visit Irene Spencer's website at www.orangutan.travel.

Price of trip is

  • USD3695.00 per person based on two people sharing a room together
  • USD650.00 single supplement
Price includes airfare from Jakarta (not international airfare)
Tax deductible donation to OFI included in price of trip.
Download Brochure




Tour Leader, Dr. Galdikas

    In 1971, Biruté Mary Galdikas arrived in one of the world's last wild places, Tanjung Puting Reserve in Borneo. There were no telephones, roads, electricity, television, or regular mail service. The reserve was being logged and the laws protecting wildlife were not enforced. The rhinoceros had already been hunted into extinction in the area. At this time, very little was known about orangutans in the wild.

    Despite these conditions and a number of people that said it could not be done, Dr. Galdikas developed the first comprehensive study of the wild orangutan. Through this work, Dr. Galidkas created Camp Leakey, the site of the longest continuous study on any primate. She has also protected one of last havens for orangutans in Borneo despite the tremendous pressures from illegal logging and mining interests.

    During this trip, you will visit the sites of Dr. Galdikas' work including her famous research site at Camp Leakey and the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine Facility, which houses over 340 orangutan orphans. Dr. Galdikas will share with you her expertise in the areas of primatology, anthropology, and conservation. As the world's leading expert in orangutan behavior, you will come away with insights into one of human's closest living relatives. You will also spend time along riverways and walking through the forest in search of some of the most amazing wildlife on the planet including proboscis monkeys, barking deer, rhinoceros hornbills, and Bornean wild pigs.



Example Trip Itinerary



    Day 1

    En route. Lose one day as you cross the International Date Line.



    Day 2

    Arrive Jakarta

    Upon landing in Indonesia, you will need to obtain your Indonesia Visa on Arrival ($25 USD paid direct). This evening will be free to relax and have dinner on your own.

    Overnight at the Sheraton Bandara Hotel - Airport Jakarta.



    Day3

    Meals Provided: B L D

    This morning we will take the hotel shuttle along with other OFI travelers to the airport in time for our connecting flights to Pangkalanbun, Kalimantan (Borneo).

    Upon arrival in Pangkalanbun, we will be met by your Orangutan Foundation International Tour Escort and will be taken to the Blue Kecubung for lunch. Dr. Galdikas will give an introductory presentation on the wildlife we will encounter during our first day on the river. We will then continue to Kumai Harbor, a thriving river harbor at the edge of the vast Borneo interior. Cruise by kelotok for 2-3 hours up a small tributary of the Kumai River. As we leave Kumai Harbor, we will have an opportunity to witness riverfront life in this busy port-town, including the incredible shipyards where traditional methods are still employed to build giant wooden schooners.

    As we travel upstream, the river narrows to the point where, in places, we are passing underneath the thick forest canopy. Our keen anticipation will be rewarded by fleeting glimpses of colorful birds and many species of primates. While for many, the river trips are highlights in themselves, certainly a highlight of these excursions is seeing the playful proboscis monkeys bounding through the trees. These large primates are found only in isolated areas of Borneo; their pendulous noses give them a comic appearance. We may also see majestic hornbills flying low over the jungle canopy, and a variety of other wildlife including leaf-eating macaques as well as the occasional wild orangutan. Arrive at our small, comfortable, stilted lodge at dusk for check-in.

    Overnight at the Rimba Lodge - Kalimantan.



    Day 4

    Meals Provided: B L D

    During our time at Tanjung Puting National Park, visit two sites that conduct supplemental feedings for orangutans, Pondok Tanggui and the well-known Camp Leakey. This morning we cruise upriver to Camp Leakey.

    Today begins a full day of exploration and encounters with Borneo's famous wildlife. The program is flexible to afford maximum opportunities for viewing wildlife and taking advantage of any special sightings or occurrences. On arrival at Camp Leakey's river pier, we are likely to be greeted by some of the resident orangutans. Enjoy a tour of the camp and a talk by Dr. Galdikas. We will stay to observe the afternoon feeding of the orangutans, followed by the dusk cruise back to the Rimba Lodge.

    Overnight at the Rimba Lodge - Kalimantan.



    Day 5

    Meals Provided: B L D

    Early this morning we will leave for Pondok Tanggui to make the morning feeding. In addition to seeing orangutans at the morning feeding, we should see large communities of the rare proboscis monkey. We will then continue on to Camp Leakey for a forest walk with Dr. Galdikas. While in the reserve you will have the opportunity to walk into the jungle and encounter firsthand some of the varied and thriving flora and fauna that make this one the most biologically diverse areas on earth. We will stay for the afternoon feeding and have a late afternoon tea with Dr. Galdikas.

    We will return to the Rimba Lodge at dusk.

    Overnight at the Rimba Lodge - Kalimantan.



    Day 6

    Meals Provided: B L D

    After breakfast we will stop at a local village on the river to shop for local crafts and perhaps visit the school. We will return to Pangkalanbun by speedboat to visit the Orangutan Care Center and Facility. Visiting the care center is a very unique opportunity that very few people experience. We will tour the medical and quarantine centers and have the opportunity to see orangutan orphans in the nursery forest learning the skills they will need to acquire to live in the wild. Dr. Galdikas will give us insights into the rehabilitation program and share her special orangutan stories. We'll enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel tonight.

    Overnight at the Blue Kechubung - Kalimantan.



    Day 7

    Meals Provided: B L

    Very early this morning, we'll return to the nursery for one last visit before transferring to the airport for our connecting flights to Jakarta.

    On arrival in Jakarta we will take the shuttle back to the Sheraton Hotel two miles from the airport. We will have the remainder of the day at our leisure.

    Overnight at the Sheraton Bandara Hotel - Airport Jakarta.



    Day 8

    Meals Provided: B

    This marks the end of your group trip. Take the shuttle bus back to the airport from the Sheraton to check in for your flight. You will be required to pay an international departure tax of 150,000 Rupiah per person when leaving Indonesia.


    Read about Donna Leder's trip to Borneo!
    Read about Donna Leder's trip to Borneo!



Contact Information

    Irene Spencer, Certified Travel Consultant
    Protravel International - A Virtuoso Agency
    +1 619-574-1371
    irene@orangutan.travel
    www.orangutan.travel




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