Borneo, Java & Bali Adventure

Kalimantan

Orangutan Feeding at Camp Leakey Research Centre

Indonesian Borneo, or Kalimantan, to take its proper name, has the highest number and greatest density of orangutans in the world. Camp Leakey, found in the rainforests to the west of Pangkalan Bun in Central Kalimantan, is one of the best places to see for yourself the attempts to preserve this population and protect the forest against the ever-more aggressive loggers.

Established in 1971 by Dr. Biruté Galdikas and her then-husband Rod Brindamour, Camp Leakey is a world-renowned research facility predominantly focused on orangutans. However, it also has far-reaching projects on other endangered primates, such as the proboscis monkey, and studies on the rainforest ecosystem as a whole.

Home to a population of ‘ex-captive’ orangutans and their offspring, Camp Leakey offers guests the opportunity to get close to these wonderful animals and experience their behavioural techniques firsthand. The park’s eco credentials are fantastic, and its history of reintroducing orangutans into the wild is impressive.

After an early breakfast at your lodge, a 2.5-hour cruise up the Leakey River will take you towards Camp Leakey – an orangutan research and breeding centre. You will be led by a local Ranger and your guide on a trek through the jungle to the feeding platform, where you will be able to see and help with the feeding of the orangutans. You will also have time to explore the centre’s little museum, where you will start to get a feel for and understanding of the tragic destruction that is going on all around this beautiful wilderness.

Borobudur, Java, Indonesia

Explore the Mysteries of Borobudur Temple

Borobudur, a vast 9th-century Buddhist temple set an hour north of Yogyakarta, is one of Southeast Asia’s most remarkable ancient sites. Built from over two million carved stones, it rises in terraces with intricate reliefs and 72 stupas housing statues of Buddha. Lost for centuries and later restored, it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The best time to see it is at sunrise — we know a secret hilltop spot for an unforgettable view of the temple complex, framed by mist-laden jungle and volcanoes.

Borobudur, Java, Indonesia

Explore UNESCO Heritage at Prambanan Temple

Prambanan is a huge Hindu temple complex erected in the middle of the ninth century, some 50 years after the nearby and more illustrious Buddhist temple of Borobudur. However, while it does not have quite the same level of fame as Borobudur and is still not fully restored to its former glory, it is undoubtedly a magnificent piece of architecture and the sculptures and reliefs on the main Shiva temple are among the best examples of Hindu art to be found. Like Borobudur, Prambanan is blessed with the natural beauty provided by a lush green plateau surrounded by volcanic peaks.

Very little is known about the early history of the temple but it is thought that it was built by Rakai Pikatan to celebrate his marriage to the Buddhist Sailendra Princess Pramodhavardhani. This united the Sailendras to the south with the Hindu Sanjayas to the north and meant the return of a Hindu dynasty to sole power in Java. The main temple complex consisted of 8 main and 8 minor temples on a central courtyard, surrounded by 244 small temples in the outer compound. Unlike many temple complexes, Prambanan was not constructed in a symmetrical manner. The largest of the temples, dedicated to Shiva, rises majestically to 47m and is lavishly carved. At the time of writing, you could not get particularly close, but you could still admire the huge range of sculptures and reliefs that tell the story of Lord Rama’s wife, Sita. It is possible to climb and enter the remaining temples and admire their intricate artwork or simply sit and enjoy the setting.

As was the case with Borobudur, the temple was destroyed by a combination of the Hindu-Buddhist exodus east and a number of eruptions and earthquakes. It was not until 1937 that reconstruction started in earnest. As it stands, the central 16 temples have been reconstructed but only two of the 244 outer structures have been rebuilt – although the remains of these are piled in position. The temple also suffered from an earthquake in 2006 and while the temples remained standing, hundreds of stones collapsed or were cracked, which has put the effort to fully restore the entire complex back even further.

The best time to visit the temple is at sunset, when you can climb one of the eastern temples and watch as the sun sets in between the three largest temples to the west. On a clear day, the temple will appear as a silhouette against the backdrop of a sky of bright reds, pale blues and wisps of white clouds. On certain evenings, there is a performance of the famous Ramayana Ballet – Java’s most spectacular dance-drama – in a theatre just to the west of the temple. In the dry season, this is performed in the outdoor theatre with the illuminated temple in the background, and it is a great accompaniment to the temple visit. Speak to your consultant to see if you can fit it into your holiday dates.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Countryside Walk with a Balinese Priest

Ever wondered what daily life in ‘The Island of the Gods’ really feels like? This private walking tour through the Balinese countryside is a wonderful way to find out.

You’ll spend the day wandering through rice paddies and little villages, away from the main tourist trail. But the real magic? It’s in the stories and the unique, local insights you’ll hear along the way…

Bali, Indonesia

Biking in Bali

With its kaleidoscopic landscape, there is so much more to see in Bali than the beaches. A e-bike tour is a great way to get away from the crowds and see the island in a new and unique light. From the striking volcanic mountains and hills to the lush tropical forests and paddy fields and on to the dramatic coastline and river valleys, Bali has some truly breathtaking scenery to cycle through.

We can arrange various tours throughout the island and can design them to meet every ability, from a gentle downhill cycle or challenging climb. You’ll be picked up by your local guide and provided with excellent quality bikes and safety equipment. A support vehicle can be arranged throughout and the guide will proceed at a pace that suits all.

Some of our favourite tours on the island are around Ubud including the one-way adventures from Wanigiri to Ubud and from Ubud to Sideman. Both are wonderful alternatives to a road transfer. You’ll take small paths, only accessible on bikes with verdant views of rice terraces and forests, mountains and valleys and, depending on the season, you’ll also see farmers planting or harvesting their crops.

Another great cycle ride starts with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Ubud. You’ll be driven to a beautiful spot overlooking Mount Batur for breakfast before a downhill ride through lush tropical paddy fields, coffee plantations and a tour of a village temple. After a traditional lunch in a local village that provides a wonderful insight into the local Balinese way of life, you will be picked up and dropped back in Ubud.

Please speak to one of our consultants about arranging a cycle tour and how it can fit into your wider holiday in Bali.