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: 17-23 March 2024
(other yoga retreats available on following dates:
24-30 March 2024, 24-30 August 2024)
• 7 days/6 nights
• All organic meals included (vegan and vegetarian 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.
Yoga in Borneo
Our specially chosen and skilled yoga teacher from UK will take you through a Vinyasa inspired morning yoga class to start your day off just right, while in the evening, Anna will be teaching a blend of more relaxing and playful practices, combining acroyoga, partner work, therapeutics and inversion focused classes.
Most yoga offered will be considered intermediate, with both modifications for beginners and challenges for more experienced practitioners provided.
About Anna Karides
Anna Karides is a leading Yoga & AcroYoga teacher in the UK, teaching for over a decade at London’s best studios.
She has international teaching and training experience and has been featured in leading publications from Vogue to The Guardian. Classes range from dynamic vinyasa flows to therapeutic flying. Combining her passion for teaching, adventure and travel, Anna is regularly leading retreats all around the world. Being very passionate about the welfare of animals, she’s part of the PETA action team, taking part in demonstrations and campaigns and teaching for animal charities.
Your activities in a nutshell
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.
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!
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
Asian otter
Water monitor
Hornbill
I loved walking through the forest, thevariety of plants, flowers, trees and animals. There was so much to discover. It was so peaceful and quiet – and still you could always hear different animal noises.
Thanks to the organizers of the program! What you and BOS achieve in general is unimaginable and to see it upclose is wonderful. I would also like to commend the staff at Samboja Lodge. Everyone is very friendly, motivated and seems very happy.
Extended activities
If you prefer to arrive earlier or leave later, we are happy to arrange it for you!
Optional independent trip extensions are available. Please enquire.
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.
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.
Get Booking
only £1999
Further info
Covid-19
We are closely following the advice of the UK Government in relation to Coronavirus. If the BOS retreat falls at a time when Indonesia has decided to close its borders / has isolation measures in place and the UK Government advises against travel to Indonesia, then the retreat will not go ahead.
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.
