Prices for this unique expedition that promises a very special traditional rice harvest festival and the chance to see wild orangutans and other endemic Borneo wildlife are now prepared. Subject to final group numbers it will cost from $US 1,300-1,800 per person inclusive of the following: All land transfers (2 x 4 x 4 ) to village and then forest camp, all meals and lodging (4 in the village, four in the forest), all guide and conservation fees and permits. Excludes hotel if required on start and end night in Berau. Here is a link to what to expect in the forest and village: www.integratedconservation.org/video/friends-of-wehea www.integratedconservation.org/video/wehea-dayak-women-singing-and-dancing www.integratedconservation.org/video/orangutans-of-wehea-born-to-be-wild www.integratedconservation.org/video/first-known-video-of-miller-s-grizzled-langur A unique opportunity to visit one of the most traditional Borneo Island rice festivals and explore the nearby wildlife rich community forests. In 2004 the Wehea Land Dayak community of East Kalimantan, Borneo declared 38,000 hectares of their forested land as protected under their traditional laws or adat. These forests are remarkably rich in all of Borneos flagship animal species and there are specific clouded leopard and orang-utan research programs in place that you will get first-hand experience of on this adventure. Geographically very remote and isolated, little has been really researched about these small communities but they are noted for their traditional forest governance methods and still strong and vibrant culture - one such example of this is their annual rice harvest festival the Lomplai. Every April on days set by the moon cycle elaborate costumes and masks are donned and offerings and sacrifices made in hope for a bountiful crop the following year. This 12 day adventure will allow plenty of time to enjoy both the festival and the forests that the community are trying to protect for their future generations. By visiting this fledgling community tourism and conservation initiative you will be directly financially supporting the project and communities. Flexibility of timing is a must with this trip as the exact date of the festival may be known sometimes only 2 weeks before. It is usually early April but has been known to be in March or even May. On occasion in the past when a death in the community has occurred it possible for the festival to be cancelled altogether. This is an unlikely occurrence but you will be asked to acknowledge this when joining this trip. Your guide Tom leads expeditions to New Guinea (an island shared between the independent Papua New Guinea and Indonesian administered West Papua) every year or so. He is the director for Adventure Alternative in Borneo and his recent scientific expeditions have had exciting results.
aaborneotom@gmail.com