I am Alex Afdhal. Based in Borneo’s western port city of Pontianak I specialize in organizing and leading guided tours throughout the wilds of the island.Indonesian Borneo, or Kalimantan, offers visitors first hand access to both pristine jungle wilderness and numerous indigenous villages. Lacking a large tourist infrastructure, Kalimantan gives visitors the rare opportunity to experience both nature and local communities at their own pace, with their own schedule and on their own budget.
For those seeking wildlife, Kalimantan’s raw wilderness offers numerous possibilities. With protected orangutan sanctuaries and large swaths of virgin rainforests teaming with life, Indonesian Borneo is a nature enthusiast’s paradise.For those interested in cultural matters, Kalimantan affords the opportunity to visit traditional communities rarely visited by the outside world. This alone separates Kalimantan from other travel destinations, including even the Malaysian side of the same island! Treks into the heartland allow visitors to experience the culture of local life and customs of its inhabitants in a manner not found anywhere else on earth.With an island wide network of local connections I am able to custom tailor tours for my travel companions. These tours can range from simple overnight visits to a traditional Dayak Longhouse, to multi day treks through virgin rainforest all the way up to full, month long, coast to coast adventures across Borneo. Do you need to comprehend better about me?
Consult also; “Lonely planet Indonesia the 7th edition 2003, p. 673, the 8th edition 2006, p. 610, and the Lonely- Borneo edition 2007, p. 230.”
Best regards,

Alex Afdhal





21 DAYS CROSSING BORNEO
21 days crossing Borneo stars in Pontianak, West ends in Balikpapan the East Coast offers full adventure; driving, river boating, and jungle trekking where the journey presents ultimate scenery of the most rugged Island in the globe. It is special interest program for active and energetic travelers organized by experienced people. This program occupies strength of rally on hard road, challenging rapids of Kapuas Rivers and Mahakam Rives, and high level of fitness, adventurous spirit and strong sense of determination. Do you want to join? Learn the following experience of the real adventure.
Jungle trekking starts from Tanjung Lokang goes trough nowhere in 6-7 days with the Dayak Guide leads us to end the tour in a small village Muara Ubung. The tour starts about 8 AM and ends at bout 5 PM.
Crossing Borneo Experiences
(1). Day 1 Pontianak You can arrive in our joining hotel, as today there are no planned activities visiting Grand Mosque Jami’, Qadariah Palace, Equator monument, and eldest Buddhist temple in right on the bank of the Kapuas river.
(2). Day 2 Pontianak – Sintang Departing Pontianak we travel over the equator area through rubber, palm olive plantation. Stopover for lunch is Sanggau, before continued to Sintang
(3). Day 3 Sintang-Mountain Kelam-Baning Park Taking public transport journey is continued to Bukit Kelam (Bukit means hill, and Kelam means dark), it just a giant stone situated ± 15km northeast of Sintang. It is a place to measure your strength to cross Borneo. If you fit enough and not give up here, let us continue crossing.
(4). Day 4 Sintang - Putusibau overland. It is a full day trip from Sintang to Putusibau by bus. The route goes through plantation area and sometimes off road.
(5). Day 5 Putusibau. It is the right moment to organized entry permit and completing requirement in the authority of the National Park Betung Karihun. To release your tired some Putusibau is a place for a city sightseeing before continuing our journey tomorrow morning.
(6). Day 6 Putusibau-Nanga Bungan (BLD) Motorized boat from Putusibau to Nanga Bungan is unpredictable, depends on the strength of current, feeling of adventure and sometimes pumping up adrenalin for it getting stronger, if the boat cannot reach the Bungan village, Mata Luna Village is the alternative place to overnight. It takes 1-2 hours Mata Luna to Bungan Village. We stay overnight in Nanga Bungan, the worst is camping in Batu Tiga.
(7). Day 7 Nanga Bungan-Tanjung Lokang (BLD) Nerve–still and knowledgeable boatmen are required for the rapids are completely wild, take off and full the boat where is not sailable but, stunned by beauty of the nature sometimes makes you feel go through a dreaming land, (real jungle boating).
(8). Day 8 Tanjung Lokang (BLD) Jungle boating is now finish. It is now the right time to relaxing.
(9). Day 9 -16 Jungle Trekking (BLD) Jungle trekking starts from Tanjung Lokang goes to the east trough nowhere in 6-7 days guided by Punan Dayak Guide to end the journey in a small village, Muara Ubung. The latest trip was July 2008.
(BLD) 8:30 AM on 13/7/08 from Tanjung Lokang ends at 5:00 PM in Data Opet, “START” is a wonders moment of “STOP”. Exhausted was healed by arriving in the Diang Kaong Cave (echoing hole). After 1 hour exploring, we went down to “Data Tuak” a valley, where we had lunch, arrived at 5:10PM at Data Opet, was a home to uncivilized human, Punan and Set up camping.
(BLD) 8: 15AM on 14/7/08 we went through more beautiful rainforest from Brakang River ended at 5:00PM, in Pu’un Puson. We set up camping. “Everything mixes up together”, dream, wonder, tired and so forth.
(BLD) 8:30 AM,15/7/08, we left the camp Pu’un Puson crossed from right to and left river banks, up and down the hills, into more dense, more beautiful sceneries and set up late at 5:15PM in Buah Quiy River, a nice place.
(BLD) 16/7/08 journey started 8:00 AM from Buah Quiy River up the river stream for sure, no worry, porters and local guide were ready to lend a hand and sounds of hornbill, gibbon, proboscis, and ‘cringing’ sound of insect was the melody biodiversity and relaxed our mind, at 4:30 the journey was ended in the feet of Muller Range, an Germany 110 years ago went through this area.
(BLD) 8:00AM, 17/7/08 stepped up the Muller Range was a special day. Punan People believe that this point is eerie place; therefore, none was allowed to make any noise instead of being disturbed by the frightening spirit. At 9:45AM we arrived at a small monument/pole marks the border between the West and East Borneo. The magic enchanted and powerful, when you have to leave one of your clothes here. We left this point at 11:11AM after inauguration and photo taking continued the trip steeply down to the east, set up camping in Aringi River at :15PM.
(BLD) 18/7/08 left Aringi River 08:10AM heading dog-tired went up and down the hills to Muara Ubung, the adventurer was toppled at 4:00PM, finally, we took Ces, motorized boat went down the Mahakam River to Tiong Ohang.
(10).Day 17 Tiong Ohang – Long Bangun, speedboat riding from Tiong Bu’u to Long Bagun on 26-seat capacity, was extremely nice, through District Long Pangai, Long Tuyuk, and Data Suling passed Riam Panjang (long rapid) where the current was so strong and the rapid was so extreme, of Mahakam River, Long Bagun. 1:00PM, we took on waterbus overnight on it to prevent for comfortable.
(11).Day 18 -19 Long Bagun - Tenggarong That day, the tour proceeded down the Mahakam River on the houseboat. The boat left Long Bagun District at 7:30 AM down through; Long Merah/ Rukun Damai, Data Bilang, Mellak at 11:30PM, overnight in the houseboat. The next day 6:30AM Kota Bangun, down to Tenggarong capital city of Kutai Kertanegara Regency. Tenggarong overnight in Kumala Island in Kumala resort.
(12).Day 20 Tenggarong – Samarinda overland visit the site of the oldest “Kingdom of Hindu ever in Indonesia”
(13).Day 21 Samarinda – Balikpapan from Samarinda went down to Balikpapan overland by bus, and our tour Program is now finished. Sayonara
The Fact: What is it like? It is a full adventure. Very high level of fitness, adventurous spirit and strong sense of determination are required to walk 6 to 8 hours in the wet, muddy and hilly. Nevertheless, the rewards to effort is experience the remotest place on the globe. It is well worth to your effort, isn’t?
The grade: Very challenging
Transports: minibus, speedboat, houseboat.
Accommodation: budget hotels in Pontianak ,Sintang, Putusibau, Tiong Ohang, Tenggarong, Samarinda, and Balikpapan, guesthouse, and camping is the most basic one.
Departure: guaranteed
Trip dossier: available upon request
Included: Meals 10 breakfast 10 lunches 10 dinner, and allow US$ 150 for extra meals.
Excluded: Meals are not listed in (BLD), insurance, personal expense, and air ticket, international and domestic.
Note: requirements such as mosquito net anti insect jelly are required.
Group size: 8 paxs maximum
Price: US$ 2250/pax
5 DAYS GUNUNG PALONG NATIONAL PARK
This tour offers one day shorter with the experience as the 6 days program. The different is shorter of the boat riding. The 5 day Gunung Palung National Park tour offers visitors both boating and jungle trekking adventures in one of Borneo’s most complete and diverse ecosystems. This park features one of the island’s most exhaustive collections of flora and fauna showcasing nearly every type of vegetation found anywhere on the island. In addition, Gunung Palung’s large diversity of endangered wildlife, including the elusive wild orangutan, is second to none.
In addition to giving visitor’s an immersive jungle trekking experience, this tour is designed to help locals understand the importance of preserving the rainforest as well as educate them on the benefits of encouraging sustainable eco-tourism. Offering environmentally focused, eco-tourism based jobs to locals necessitates forest preservation and eliminates the economic need for deforestation. In doing so, visitors are rewarded with a pristine and wild jungle experience. A win/win situation for all.
The 6 day itinerary is as follows:
Day 1 Pontianak - Rasau Jaya – Teluk Batang (LD)
7:30am departure from Pontianak by car to Rasau Jaya and is continued by boat to Telok Melano. On the boat you will enjoy the scenery of the Kubu Lake before sunset. From Telok Melano, the trip proceeds 21km by bus to Sukadana. Travel times are approximate and dependent on road conditions. After arriving, you can visit the splendor of Pulau Datok Beach, sunset and travel around the scenic countryside of Sukadana. It is your time to interact with locals. Your interaction with the community is continued that evening by gathering and socializing with locals in the village closest to the National Park. You have opportunity to spend some times introduces locals to the benefits of eco-tourism and helps them comprehend the ill effects of deforestation.
Day 2 Sukadana – Camp Petai (BLD).
After breakfast, entry permit is organized our local guide. And at the same time we have opportunity to spend some time with student. Your visit helps motivate the students to the environmental concerns, to learn and practice their English. Our trekking begins around 11 am and arrives at 2PM at cap site. Now your best time is to explore the wilderness surrounding our camp with extended jungle trekking, it ends before sunset.
Day 3 Camp Petai – Camp Lubuk Baji. (BLD)
Day 3 is a full day of trekking through dense, hilly jungle. It is your time to see the heritage of the ultimate rain forest, and is more possible to see gibbon, hornbill and proboscis monkeys.
Day 4 Lubuk Baji Camp-Ketapang (BLD)
The day 4 is a half day of trekking down through dense and crossing waterfall of Lubuk Baji before proceeding to Ketapang in the afternoon by public bus.
Day 5 Leaving Ketapang – P. Bun by plane?- Pontianak? Or…..
Optional program can be chose, if you would like to exit from Indonesia to Sarawak, Malaysia or to combine your tour with Cultural Tour you could Fly Back to Pontianak then visit Longhouse in Saham Village.
If you could not see wild Orang Utan in the Gunung Palong National Park you could fly to Kumai in Central Borneo to see the rehabilitated Orang Utan.
FAQ
What is the difficulty level? Moderate difficulty. 3 days of six hour jungle trekking with plenty of breaks. The environment is mostly wet with occasional small hills.
What kind of transportation? Speedboat, minibus, truck, and some walking.
What are the accommodations? Budget hotels very basic camps made by our guides. The camps are simple but very dry and comfortable.
Departure? Guaranteed
Trip dossier? Available on request
Any special considerations? Personal items such as mosquito net, insect repellent and sleeping bag are required.
Group size? 8 persons maximum
Price? US$ 450/person
Alex Ibnu Afdhal;
4 DAYS FEEDING ORANGUTAN IN AND RIVER BOATING
IN TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK
1. Day 1 Pontianak - Pangkalanbun (LD)
The tour leaves Pontianak at 6:45 am by domestic flight. Transit is from Ketapang and it will arrive in Pangkalanbun at about 10.15 am. A transfer service will take us from the Airport to the Kelotok boat station. Here you will enjoy the atmosphere of a multi-ethnic society living in harmony. At 3:00pm, the boat will leave for the National Park to see the monkeys (proboscis) with plenty of photo taking opportunities along the way. You may rest comfortably and sleep under the stars as the boat journey continues from Tanjung Harapan to Pondok Tanggui Camp.

2. Day 2 feeding orangutan (BLD)
After an early morning breakfast our boat continues on to Pondok Tanggui Camp arriving at approximately 9:00 am. Be sure to prepare yourself with plenty of sun block and moisturizer. Burns can happen surprisingly quickly on the equator. We will depart the boat for a short trek (approx.10 to 15 minutes) to reach the orangutans. Feeding the Orangutan in Pondok Tanggoi takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours depending on your interest and desires.

After the feeding our tour proceeds to the famous Camp Leaky. On the way to the camp you will enjoy the biodiversity of a low elevation wetland. Often, wild boar or crocodile will be seen on our journey making a perfect focus for unique and exciting photo opportunities.

Next on our schedule we will witness a seperate orangutan feeding. The guides and staff of the National Park Tanjung will sometimes give instructions regarding what is allowed and what is prohibited within the park as well answer your questions and provide very knowledgable information about jungle life and specifically orangutans. Most often, hornbill will be seen and heard flying above the canopy of the tropical rain forest.
We will then sleep amidst the relaxing sounds of the jungle for one more night on the Boat in Camp Leaky.
The Day 3 Leaving Jungle for Pangkalanbun (BL)
After breakfast, an optional 2-4 hour jungle trek is available. Your guide will take you on a jungle hike where you may bid a final farewell to the rusty red inhabitant of the “Tanjung Putting National Park”. The tour ends in your hotel in Pangkalanbun at approximately 4:00 pm. You will enjoy the evening in the small town of Pangkalanbun and have a chance to meet the friendly local people in their small, organized and very clean town.

Day 4 Leaving Pangkalanbun ….
After breakfast, continue your trip to your next exciting destination.

Trip: is easily suitable for all ages.
included: air ticket Pontianak – P. Bun- Pontianak; transfer service; hotel- airport-Kelotok Port-hotel-airport-hotel, and kelotok boat meals.
Departure: Guaranteed
Price: US$ 466/pax.
Group Size: maximum 4 people
Schedule: Available anytime
excludes: Personal expenses, ensurance, and over baggage
Alex Afdhal: See Lonely Planet Indonesia 7th 2003, p. 673; in the 8th 2006, p. 610; and Lonely Planet Borneo edition 2007, p. 230.
Contact at +62-561-7004449 or, +62-812-5768066 (mobile)
Email at: or alexafdhal@yahoo.com

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