Japan and the wildlife of Borneo

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Tokyo

Day 1 - Arrive in Tokyo

Welcome to Japan! Upon your arrival at the airport, meet our friendly representative who will welcome you. Enjoy a convenient, hassle-free transfer to your accommodation.

The Gate Ginza combines an excellent location with four-star level luxury. It is located a five-minute walk from the imperial palace gardens in the heart of the upscale Ginza district. Guests staying in the Luxe rooms have access to the exclusive ruse rooftop terrace the bar, and the restaurant, with its views of the surrounding cityscape. Enjoying exploring the wonderful city of Tokyo to begin your Japan holiday. 

Day 2 - Tokyo Metropolis Photography Private Morning Tour

This morning head out for a wonderful way to explore the city, on a photography tour. Begin your  adventure just before sunset to take advantage of the best light conditions.  Away from the usual touristy tracks, shoot the first half of the adventure in Shimbashi.  Take a short train ride to the next station and change scenery completely. Capture life in the untidy and colourful eateries and other entertainment districts.  Finally, the adventure concludes on an observation deck in front of newly renovated Tokyo Station.

Surrounded by woodland, this upscale hot spring hotel has beautiful views of Mount Hakone. Amenities consist of 2 restaurants, a bar, and a spa in a garden setting, offering indoor baths and an infinity pool with hot spring water. Guests will be staying at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu for 1 night.

Day 3 - Day at Leisure in Hakone

​Today you will go to explore Hakone National Park at your leisure, using the mountain railway, cable cars, ropeways, ships across Lake Ashi and local buses. 

Relax in the Hakone hot spring baths  at your ryokan inn. Followed by a hearty Japanese breakfast, you’ll be well set up for a day of sightseeing around the national park. First, make your way to the outstanding Hakone Open Air Museum surrounded by mountains and you may even be able to see the Pacific Ocean in the distance on a clear day.

Next, head to Sounzan and then get the Hakone Ropeway (cable car) up to the volcanic terrain of Owakudani, a fantastic spot on a clear day for views of Mount Fuji. Take the cable car down the other side to Togendai, from where you can pick up the pirate ship across magnificent Lake Ashi. Explore the volcanic terrain of Owakudani, a fantastic spot on a clear day for views of Mount Fuji. Follow in the footsteps of samurai along the old Tokaido Road to the quaint thatched Amazakechaya Teahouse.  From here, you'll be taking succession of trains from Hakone to Yudanaka, where your journey around Japan continues. You will spend 2 nights at the Issa No Komichi Biyu No Yado where tonight you will have a delicious dinner arranged at the hotel this evening.

Day 4 - Trip to Yudanaka Monkey Park: A Photographer's Paradise

 On this remarkable day trip to Yudanaka Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture, you'll immerse yourself in the serene beauty of nature while capturing stunning photographs of Japan's famous snow monkeys. Your journey begins early in the morning, ensuring you have ample time to experience the magic of this unique destination.

As you wander through the park, you'll also have the chance to photograph other elements of the stunning landscape, including the dense forests, flowing streams, and picturesque snow-capped peaks.

Day 5 - Transfer to Tokyo

The Gate Ginza combines an excellent location with four-star level luxury. It is located a five-minute walk from the imperial palace gardens in the heart of the upscale Ginza district.

Day 6 - Transfer to Palangkaraya

Day 6 - Transfer to Palangkaraya

This morning, explore two distinct museums that offer poignant reflections on the nation's past. Begin by taking a short train ride to Koganei Park, home to the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. Meet our representative at the lobby of your accommodation, you will be flying to Jakarta to continue your adventure where you will be met on arrival by a friendly travel representative and then an internal flight to Palangkaraya where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for the night, the Swiss-Belhotel Danum Palangkaraya.

Days 7 - 11: River Cruise

Day 7 - Begin your Borneo adventure

We'll meet you in the hotel lobby around 8 AM and take a 40-minute drive to the small village of Sei Gohong. From there, we'll board local canoes to visit the forested island of Pulau Kaja, where you can observe orangutans in their natural habitat. The island is managed by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS). After our time with the orangutans, we'll return to Palangka Raya harbor and board the Rahai’i Pangun to begin our cruise. While enjoying lunch on board, we'll take a short cruise through the town before heading upstream. You'll venture off the boat and drive 30 minutes to the historic towns of Bukit Rawi and Sigi to admire the beautifully painted sandungs, receive a traditional Dayak welcome, and learn about the area's history. Afterward, we'll return to the boat and cruise downstream, mooring overnight in a peaceful location.

Day 8 - Lake Bangantung

In the early morning, we'll take motorised canoes to explore the expansive blackwater Lake Bagantung, a unique peatland swamp ecosystem where we'll have the chance to spot birds, other wildlife, and observe villagers engaged in fishing activities. Afterward, we'll return to the village of Pusaka, where you can learn and try the local self-defence or shadow boxing exercise. Once back on the boat, we'll continue cruising downstream to Tumbang Nusa village, where a walking tour will introduce us to the village's traditional livelihoods. As the boat continues downstream, we'll pass the large forested Selat and Badak Islands, where there might be opportunities to spot orangutans. Finally, we'll find a quiet spot to moor overnight.

Day 9 - Explore the local villages

The boat continues downstream to the village of Pilang, where we'll take a short walk in the nearby forest to observe the process of rubber tapping (Mamantat) and rattan harvesting (Manetes). Our village guide will also point out some local medicinal plants growing in the forest. Following this, we'll enjoy a walking tour of the village to see some of their traditional livelihoods, including watching the local women as they weave rattan and meeting the villagers. Over a special tea and coffee, accompanied by traditional Dayak cakes, we will be treated to a performance on the Kacapi, a two-stringed instrument. As the midday sun intensifies, we'll return to the boat for lunch before continuing our cruise downstream, eventually finding a quiet spot to moor for the night.

Day 10 - Sebangau National Park

We start the day with a relaxed breakfast before embarking on a special visit to Sebangau National Park. After packing our bags, we’ll transfer by car to Kereng Bangkirai village, a 40-minute journey. From there, we’ll board a canoe for a half-hour ride across the stunning reflections of Lake Sebangau to reach the tiny Koran River.
Upon arrival, we'll explore the boardwalks and forests along the eastern boundary of the park. We'll visit the information centre and take a stroll along the boardwalks, which offer visitors an easier way to explore the area and spot birds, and perhaps even wild orangutans.
Afterward, we'll return to the village of Kereng Bangkirai for a refreshing drink before transferring back to the vehicle and heading to the airport. Upon arrival in Bali, you will be escorted to your hotel for the night.
If you are on a 14-day journey, you will spend two nights in Bali, with an extra day at your leisure.

Days 11 - 19: SeaTrek

Days 11 & 12 - Witness Komodo Dragons

For the next part of your adventure, guests will be greeted by your Tour Leader either at the airport or at your hotel if you’ve arrived before embarkation day. Once you’ve settled into your new surroundings, we’ll head out for our first snorkelling session of the trip.
Afterward, we’ll go ashore in search of the fearsome Komodo dragons, which are found only in Komodo National Park. These are the world’s largest lizards, growing up to three meters in length and weighing up to approximately 70 kilograms.
We’ll then enjoy some spectacular snorkelling on some of Komodo Park’s best reefs. One of the highlights will be snorkelling at a popular spot for sea turtles, where you’ll have the opportunity to swim with these gentle creatures as they glide through the shallow waters of the reef.

Days 13 & 14 - Explore volcanic islands

Wake up off the coast of a stunning uninhabited island with a beach of pure white sand, accented by specks of powdered red coral, creating the enchanting effect of a “pink beach.” We’ll spend the morning here swimming, paddleboarding, and snorkelling on the beautiful coral reef that runs parallel to the shore.
Next, we'll cruise to a nearby active volcanic island for a unique snorkelling experience. Here, volcanic gases escape from the sea floor in the form of bubbles among the corals, and the metallic black volcanic sand below is home to a fascinating array of invertebrates.
Later, we'll visit a mysterious volcanic island with a sunken crater lake at its centre, filled with saltwater after the catastrophic eruption of Mt Tambora in 1815. We’ll spend the day swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding on this extraordinary lake.

Day 15 & 16 - Swimming with Whale Sharks

Prepare for an exhilarating opportunity to swim with whale sharks, the majestic gentle giants of the sea. These massive but harmless creatures have long congregated in the bay, and now, thanks to travellers like you, we have formed a mutually beneficial alliance with local fishermen. Their traditional small floating fishing platforms attract the sharks, creating a unique experience for us. While we can't guarantee sightings, we’re hopeful that we will encounter these magnificent animals.
After our time with the whale sharks, we’ll visit the beautiful village on Moyo Island for an unforgettable experience. We'll take a walk to a stunning waterfall where you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool water.

Days 17 & 18 - Visiting Komodo National Park

For the next couple of days, you will be visiting  a nearby active volcanic island where we’ll encounter a large wooden pinisi boat, sharing the same pedigree and history as SeaTrek’s own vessels, being built on the beach. As we stroll through this small village, you’ll get a sense of their simple way of life, chat with the locals, and perhaps purchase some handmade textiles as a souvenir.
Afterwards, we’ll re-enter Komodo National Park for some snorkelling and beachcombing. You’ll have the chance to participate in a coral restoration program, witnessing how the corals and fish populations have flourished since they were first transplanted in 2015.
To cap off the day, enjoy one of our famous SeaTrek beach BBQs under a night sky filled with millions of stars. Indulge in fantastic local delicacies prepared by our chef, all accompanied by live musical entertainment from our talented crew.

Day 19 - Departure

After breakfast on our final day, we’ll embark on a scenic drive to Melo Village, where you’ll witness a traditional Caci dance performance. Local strongmen engage in a ritual whip fight between two rivals, each armed with a rattan shield and a whip. They will attempt to hit each other while dancing to the rhythm of traditional acoustic instruments.
Following lunch on the boat, we’ll bid farewell to the crew and your fellow shipmates as you disembark and continue on to your next destination.

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