The Spirit of Kalimantan, Katingan River & Sebangau National Park Cruise

The Katingan River and Sebangau National Park represent Central Kalimantan’s wildest frontier. Here, over 6,000 wild orangutans inhabit one of the planet’s most pristine peat swamp ecosystems, a landscape of blackwater rivers, ancient forests, and extraordinary biodiversity. Unlike rehabilitation sites, these orangutans are completely wild, offering authentic encounters in their natural habitat. Trek through dense jungle to hidden blackwater lakes, explore WWF conservation projects, and experience the profound silence of forests untouched by mass tourism. This is Borneo as few ever see it.

Day 1
ORANGUTAN ISLAND – PAKAHI PORT
Your journey begins with a transfer at 8:00 am from your hotel or the airport in our air-conditioned car. From here we travel to Sei Gohong village and board a simple local canoe to see the beautiful orangutan island, home to rehabilitated orangutans before their release into the wild. The island is managed by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation or BOSF. We travel by road 3 hours to Pakahi to board the Spirit of Kalimantan for a welcome drink and lunch as the boat heads downstream to find a quiet mooring for the night near the Sebangau National Park entrance. (L/D)

Day 2
SEBANGAU NATIONAL PARK – KLARU
Early morning, the Spirit of Kalimantan cruises to the mouth of the Punggualas Canal, where canoes are waiting to make the transfer into the National Park. Make sure you wear your walking shoes and long sleeves, and bring mosquito repellent. We take a 40-minute canoe ride along the canal into the dense forest. Alighting, if conditions permit, we then make a short trek deeper into the forest with an experienced guide to spot some of the wildlife that makes this forest home. Observations of orangutans, various monkey species and proboscis are possible but cannot be guaranteed.

After the exertion of trekking through the Sebangau Forest, we make the short return canoe trip to the Spirit of Kalimantan for a cool drink. As a delicious lunch is served, the boat cruises downstream for 2 to 3 hours along the wide muddy river with forested riversides and passing tiny, subsistence villages, the village of Telaga. Here at the river mouth, we are joined by some local canoes to explore this beautiful black water lake system. We pass RMU’s Katingan Mentaya Project forest rehabilitation area, and learn more about their REDD+ project as we quietly cruise upstream to a site to watch birds, proboscis monkeys and a variety of other wildlife.

The boatman will check his fish traps. Learn how they survive with such a simple lifestyle and visit their busy fish market. Buy some of their giant river prawns for dinner (if there are any available). Return to the boat, which will find a quiet mooring place for the night. (B/L/D)

Day 3
KLARU – TAMPELAS VILLAGE
Early in the morning, the boat cruises downstream for 2 hours along the wide muddy river with densely forested riversides, passing tiny, subsistence villages, to our southernmost destination – Tampelas. On arrival, receive a warm welcome from the villagers. Walk around the village and meet the people. We then walk back to the jetty for a dance presentation from the village children. Late afternoon we joined the local canoes to Danau Burung Lake to enjoy the sunset. Return to the boat for the night. (B/L/D)

Day 4
TAMPELAS – SEBANGAU NATIONAL PARK
Early in the morning, we join canoes for a magical ride to the nearby Nusa River for a special bird-watching experience. Marvel at the reflections here, especially during the rainy season. Stop along the way to see how prawns are harvested from the river, and to see various other bird habitats.

On return to the boat for late breakfast, we walk to the school along the village boardwalks and then stop at the solar fish farming project. Back to the jetty, we share a delicious lunch ‘from the forest and river’ with the villagers, until it’s time to say farewell and return on board for dinner and, for the cruise upstream to the Pungualas River for another visit to the Sebangau National Park, but in the meantime, relax and enjoy lunch and the cruise. Late afternoon, get set to experience an amazing nighttime canoe expedition. Paddle upstream to spot the night denizens of the dense forest. Return to the boat for sleep. (B/L/D)

Day 5
SEBANGAU NATIONAL PARK – PALANGKA RAYA
Very early morning we have a bird watching experience in the Sebangau Park. We then cruise to the village of Jahanjang for a walk and to meet the people there. Return to the boat for your final lunch onboard. Return to the boat and enjoy your last lunch on board as we make the final short cruise. On arrival in Pakahi, transfer to Palangka Raya by car (3 hours) arriving at 5pm). (B/L)

Embark on a luxurious journey along the remote Katingan River aboard the Spirit of Kalimantan. This elegant 4-cabin cruiser combines Bornean tradition with modern indulgence, featuring a screened saloon, rooftop observation deck, and ensuite cabins with plush bedding. Departing from Palangka Raya every Tuesday, the Spirit of Kalimantan offers exclusive access to Sebangau National Park, black water lakes, and traditional Dayak villages along this hidden river.

Our Beginning Born from a deep love for Kalimantan’s rivers, wildlife, and people – WOW Borneo has been connecting travellers with Central Kalimantan’s extraordinary river landscapes since it was established in 2008.

How It Began WOW Borneo was born on the rivers of Central Kalimantan, where the forest meets the water and ancient traditions meet modern conservation. Our founders fell in love with this extraordinary region – its wild orangutans and forest canopy, its blackwater rivers reflecting endless sky, its Dayak communities preserving centuries-old wisdom.

They saw something remarkable: a place where wildlife thrives, where culture remains vibrant, and where sustainable tourism could make a genuine difference to the widespread industrial plantation industry. They also saw a gap – travellers seeking authentic experiences struggled to access these remote rivers safely and respectfully. Local communities had extraordinary stories to share but lacked connections to responsible tourism.

WOW Borneo bridged that gap.

Building Relationships, Not Just Routes From the start, we knew success meant more than beautiful itineraries. It meant deep partnerships with local communities, conservation organisations, and the people who call these rivers home. We spent years building trust, learning proper protocols, understanding what villages needed, and how tourism could support rather than disrupt.

Today, our guides aren’t just employees – many grew up along these rivers, learning forest skills from their elders. Our village partnerships ensure tourism benefits local families directly. Our conservation collaborations with BOS Foundation and BNF help protect the orangutans and forests our guests come to experience.

Every klotok journey employs local staff, purchases local supplies, and contributes to community development. When you cruise with WOW Borneo, you’re supporting this network of relationships that makes authentic, responsible tourism possible.

The Rivers That Shaped Us The Kahayan River taught us about cultural depth. In villages along its banks, we witnessed Dayak traditions alive in daily life – not performed for tourists, but genuinely practiced. We learned about sacred sandungs, traditional crafts, and the spiritual beliefs shaping this landscape. These communities welcomed us, shared their knowledge, and trusted us to bring respectful visitors into their world.

The Katingan River and Sebangau National Park showed us true wilderness. Here, over 6,000 wild orangutans roam in vast peat swamp forests – completely wild, unhabituated, authentic. Working originally with WWF conservation teams, we learned how sustainable tourism could fund protection for these critical ecosystems while creating opportunities for local communities.

Tanjung Puting National Park connected us to conservation history. Walking the trails where Dr. Biruté Galdikas pioneered orangutan research, visiting feeding stations where rehabilitation succeeds, we understood our responsibility. These aren’t just tourist sites – they’re living conservation projects where every visitor can contribute to long-term protection.

Our Boats, Our Home Our traditional klotoks are more than transportation – they’re floating homes where experiences unfold naturally. We’ve carefully renovated these wooden river boats to balance authentic character with modern comfort. Air-conditioned ensuite cabins, comfortable bedding, spacious decks for wildlife watching – all while maintaining the soul of traditional Kalimantan river craft.

Meals are prepared fresh daily by skilled onboard chefs. Our boats are designed for small groups, ensuring personal attention. Flexibility to adapt when wildlife appears or village ceremonies happen. This is how we believe river cruising should be – intimate, responsive, authentic.

Conservation at Our Core From the beginning, conservation has been central to everything we do. We follow strict ethical wildlife-viewing protocols: no feeding, no touching, and always maintaining respectful distances. We limit group sizes to minimise environmental impact. We support reforestation projects, orangutan rehabilitation, and community-based conservation initiatives.

Our partnerships with BOS Foundation and BNF aren’t just logos on a website – they’re active collaborations ensuring tourism supports rather than undermines conservation goals. A portion of every cruise directly funds these efforts.

We’re proud that responsible tourism can help protect these irreplaceable ecosystems while providing sustainable livelihoods for communities who’ve protected these forests for generations.

Looking Forward Today, WOW Borneo continues evolving. We’re expanding partnerships with more villages, supporting additional conservation projects, and constantly improving how we minimise impact while maximising authentic experiences.

But our core mission remains unchanged: connecting travellers with the extraordinary wilderness and culture in ways that are authentic, respectful, and beneficial to all. Every cruise should leave guests transformed by what they’ve experienced – and leave communities and ecosystems better off than before.

The rivers that shaped us continue teaching us. The orangutans we’re honoured to observe remind us what’s at stake. The communities we partner with inspire us with their wisdom and resilience.

This is WOW Borneo – born from love for these rivers, sustained by partnerships with remarkable people, dedicated to conservation and authentic connection.

Ready to Be Part of Our Story? Every guest who cruises with WOW Borneo becomes part of this ongoing story – supporting conservation, connecting with communities, and experiencing Borneo at its most authentic.