Indonesia Adventure: Orangutans and jungle paths

You still can't believe that you're standing at the airport right now, making your biggest dream come true. Just thinking about the adventure ahead has you grinning like a Cheshire cat. Luckily, you're finally off! As your plane takes you closer to paradise, you sink into your seat and start dreaming of all the jungle vibes, orangutans, mighty volcanoes and picture-perfect beaches to come.

Indonesia's capital Jakarta is a big city in the truest sense of the term. It's loud, crowded and absolutely bustling, and you're right in the middle of it. You're surrounded by so much life – the allure of it all is magical and draws you right in! It's time to head off on your own and dive deeper into the city to get to know the real Jakarta. Let's go! Your first stop: the old town of Kota Tua. You hop on the light rail (optional, payable on site) and before you know it, you're standing in Taman Fatahillah Square, the square of pink bicycles, in total awe. Surrounded by beautiful historic buildings from the Dutch colonial era, such as the imposing, snow-white Stadthuis, the square is full of street stalls and buzzing with young people playing music. Suddenly, you find yourself right in the heart of the action, and before long, it's time to hit the hay.

It's unreal how excited you are about your jungle adventure. And that’s exactly why you're already at the airport, way ahead of time, ready to hop over to the island!

Once you make it to Borneo, you meet the friendly crew waiting for you on board a traditional wooden klotok boat. Your find your cosy bed in the middle of the deck, with only a wafer-thin net to separate you from the sounds of the jungle. Then your adventure along the Sekonyer River kicks into gear! If all goes to schedule, you should reach the Tanjung Harapan Rehabilitation Center just in time to catch an orangutan feeding and see the gentle giants being cared for and fed by the rangers just a few yards in front of you. Back on the klotok, proboscis monkeys and macaques swing from branch to branch high overhead and lizards and crocodiles skulk by in the river. But don't worry; the crew is there to look after you – and serve you delicious local cuisine! Before the boat docks on the riverbank for the night, you venture off on a jungle walk to check out the nocturnal creatures, such as snakes, tarantulas and tarsiers.

It's time to head upriver! Together with your group, you trudge through the thicket with your eyes peeled to spot wild orangutans. Meanwhile, your guides, some of whom were born and raised in the jungle, tell you facts about life in the rainforest and living in harmony with it. They teach you about things like how to search for animals and plants, how to find drinking water and what natural remedies the jungle provides. Then comes the next highlight: the Reforestation Center of the Friends of the National Park Foundation, where you plant your very own tree to help preserve the national park. And the best part is, they name the tree after you – a lasting reminder of your visit! Totally inspired, you climb back aboard and venture even deeper into the jungle. Your destination? Camp Leakey. This former orangutan research centre made it possible to rehabilitate over 200 animals and release them into the wild, and today, it's used to do research on animal behaviour and nutrition. Pretty impressive, huh?