24 – 30 August 2025
27 March – 2 April 2026
A once in a lifetime experience in the heart of an orangutan sanctuary
Immerse yourself into an unforgettable trip and return home with memories that will last a lifetime!
From walks in the rainforest to watching orangutans roaming free on the sanctuary islands, a week on one of these retreats is for anyone looking for a transformative experience. Prepare yourself for something entirely different—a place where you can absorb the natural world and reinvigorate the human soul.
What to know:
• Location: East Kalimantan
• Arrival/departure airport: Balikpapan
• Availability: 24-30 August 2025, 27 March – 2 April 2026
• 7 days/6 nights
• All organic meals included (vegan/vegetarian/gluten free options available)
• Up to 10 people
Connect with nature, rejuvenate your body and soul, expand on yoga practice and above all, watch rescued orangutans roam freely on specially designed sanctuary islands.
Retreat activities
Orangutan Sanctuary
A highlight and extreme privilege of our retreat is touring Samboja Lestari Orangutan Sanctuary. Samboja Lestari (translated as ” Samboja Forever”) is currently a home to over 200 orangutans that have been released into 6 islands around the lodge. Our detailed tour, will get you one-of-a-lifetime opportunity to deepen your orangutan knowledge but also observe the behaviour of rehabilitated individuals living within the complex.
Yoga in Borneo
The retreats are designed so that yoga complements the rainforest experience. Each morning you’ll gather to flow through an hour class to awaken mind and body, in preparation for a fulfilled day ahead. The second class of the day starts just as the sunset begins to settle, affording incredible canopy views. A week on our Rainforest Retreat is for anyone looking for a transformative experience, to absorb the natural world and reinvigorate mind, body and soul.
As seen in
Sun bear enrichment
Here you will discover how the smallest bear in the world plays an important role in the environment as you observe and learn about them, directly with us at one of the world’s largest sun bear sanctuaries.
Activities you could be doing
Full Day Rainforest Trek
Less than one hour drive from Samboja Lestari lies a protected forest area for orangutans, sun bears, proboscis monkeys, 242 species of birds (9 species of hornbills!) and more! While trekking, see the rainforest from a different perspective by walking along the Canopy Bridge, 30 meters above the forest floor. A must-do activity!
Tree planting
There are more than 100,000 young trees of many varieties in our nearby plantation. Make your contribution to regenerating the forest for years to come by planting trees with our local staff.
Sungai Hitam Boat Cruise
Following a 30 minute drive from Samboja Lestari, you will take a leisurely boat ride along the Sungai Hitam river to see highly endangered proboscis monkeys and a river side village of houses built on stilts.
Canopy Bridge
See the rainforest from a different perspective by walking along the Canopy Bridge, 30 meters above the forest floor. A must-do activity!
View the Retreat gallery
Accommodation
We have chosen a special place for our yoga retreat.
Located in the Borneo Orangutan Survival’s beautifully appointed eco-lodge where aesthetics and artisanal handicraft blend seamlessly into its breath-taking surroundings. You don’t have to even move from your bedroom with its panoramic views to enjoy the abundant wildlife all around.
Each twin room has its own en suite and exceptional views of the rainforest. For an extra fee, you can book a double bed kings room on the top floor of the lodge with an 180 degree view over the forest canopy, or a double bed queens room below that features an intimate 180 view of the forest understory. An unforgettable experience.
Wildlife that you may see
Orangutan
Pig-tailed macaque
Sun bear
Probiscis monkey
Broadbill
Water monitor
Hornbill
Asian otter
The sunbears were so cute, being surrounded by the rainforest as we’re so close is amazing, you can hear the orangutans which is really special. We’ll be back for sure, and we’re bringing the family.
I could not fault a single thing. The yoga was wonderful and to be starting my day with those views across the rainforest, the sound of the rain coming down and Rebeca’s calming but challenging yoga was the perfect start to each adventure.
Extended activities
Here are some incredible recommended activities to extend your trip with. To accommodate, we are happy to arrange extended stays at our lodge (subject to availability).
Mahakam River Adventure Tour
5 days / 4 nights
The Kalimantan Mahakam River is one of the greatest adventure tours of Indonesia, where the poison darts of the blow pipes still move their way through the rainforest!
The houseboat provides lodging and full-board meals for several days during your trip, giving you a unique experience of living on a river. Several highlights of the tour include traditional villages, dance performance, wildlife, jungle trekking, museum and a Royal Palace.
© Sam Rios | No Beaten Track
Trekking in Kutai National Park
3 days / 2 nights
Kutai National Park in East Kalimantan has been established to protect a wild population of around 2000 wild orangutans and other species, as well as traditional Bugis Dayak villages.
We will go deep into the Bornean rainforest in search of endangered fauna and flora, staying overnight in the Camp Kakap. Perhaps one of the most exciting experiences is a night rainforest trek when the cacophony of sound is quite overwhelming!
Derawan Archipelago
Welcome to paradise! The classic tropical islands of the Derawan Archipelago are where you go to trade jungle trekking and orangutans for white unspoiled beaches, palm trees and warm blue sea. Snorkel or take an optional scuba excursion to see schools of barracuda, whale sharks, green sea turtles, manta rays and more near Derawan’s coast.
Komodo and Rinca
Visit the Komodo dragon feeding grounds, swim in a beautiful coral garden, or simply relax by the ocean, and prepare to have your breath taken away by such unforgettable locations as Batu Cermin cave, the Rinca & Komodo Islands, and the famous Pink beach! During your time you will have the chance of witnissing animals include the water buffalo, monkeys and, of course, the famous Komodo dragon.
24-30 August 2025
Secure your place for only £2,499
Further info
Deposit
Your deposit will need to be paid as soon as possible to secure your space on the Retreat. This can be done via the form above. Deposits are non-refundable. You can choose to pay the full amount today which is additional to the deposit amount or you can pay for the remainder at a later date. If you have any questions before paying your deposit then get in contact with us at events@bos-uk.org.
Allergies & dietary requirements
Weather
What's included
Full board accommodation, transportation in Borneo and all day and half-day activities mentioned in the program.
What’s excluded
Airfare.
The airport shuttle is only included on the day the retreat begins and ends. An extra fee will be added if you arrive or depart on alternative days.