DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
DAY 01: BALIKPAPAN – BERAU – MERABU CONSERVATION VILLAGE (B,L,D)
Transfer to airport for flight to Berau. Upon your arrival in Berau Airport (Kalimarau Airport), pick up service by our guide team then we will drive to Tanjung Redep to visit traditional market as well as to get more food supply such as fruits and vegetables beside the stuff you may need during our trip. Then we will have lunch at the local restaurant before proceed to Kampung Merabu (Merabu Village) for driving about more or less 4 – 5 hours or more or less 135 km away depend on the condition of the road as we will pass some bumpy road especially when we enter the gate of the village. FYI, with their struggle and hard effort supported by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in December 2013, the village of Merabu, a close-knit community of 235 people of mainly Dayak Lebo descent, was granted hutan desa (village forest). Forest Village gives the village the right to manage the forest in their area through an arrangement between the community and the governments. This arrangement was made binding through a decree that was sanctioned Forestry Ministerial Decree. The Village Forest of Merabu is a new landmark in the history of communities in the district as Merabu was able to get access of management of 8,425 hectares. The decision gives more long-term certainty of forest management and legal certainty to the community to maintain the ecosystems in one village boundary. The community has a very high dependency on forest resources, Karst (limestone caves) and river ecosystems. Through the granting of Hutan Desa (Village Forest), Merabu Village became one of the primary village models and a centre of economic empowerment for other village in Indonesia. The scheme also provides the community the right to manage the forests under strict sustainable forest management mostly for non-timber forest products (NTFP). The Nature Conservancy was actively involved in engaging and following up with Ministry of Forestry high ranking officials in Jakarta, including Director General of Watershed Management & Social Forestry, to ensure timely issuance of the Hutan Desa decree from the Minister. With the support of the district government of Berau, The Nature Conservancy, and other stakeholders, this collaborative effort was crucial in securing the communities’ land rights, ensuring long-term security and improving the livelihoods and well-being of the villagers on Merabu. Merabu Village is very special conservationist village that still keep their jungle to be preserve among the large scale of palm oil plantation. On the way we may stop at the Dayak Village such as Long Beliu/Long Gi or other village if the time permit. Upon arrival in Merabu Village then we will meet with the local village team for briefing the next day program . Dinner provided by our local team and stay overnight at simple guest house.
DAY 02: MERABU VILLAGE – BLOYOT ANCIENT CAVE MAN PANTINGS CAVE – NYADENG CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER LAKE (B,L,D)
After breakfast then accompany by our local team from the village Merabu located at the foot of one of the world largest and untouched limestone forest into the Karst Mountains to the Beloyot limestone crop, which have several caves, with a historic human manuscripts about 4,000 year old, beside unknown fossils, human sculpts, and lakes can be found in the several caves of Beloyot Limestone crop, Bloyot Cave that take about 2 – 3 hours trek. On our way we will pass some huge trees that can be adopted. You can participate for conservation program of Merabu Village to preserve the jungle by adopting trees. For the time being the fee for adoption tree to support the conservation program is IDR 1,500,00,-/tree for 2 years and can be extend depend on your request. This cost spend for the wood paging board written your name, the name of the tree you adopted and others for using maintaining to guard the trees as well as the jungle. The trek mostly flast and some passing small stream with a bridge and grass and muddy. Upon arrival in the cave camp, resting for a while then we continue trek to Bloyot Cave that takes about more or less 30 minutes. It will be little bit challenge walking on the Karst and small cave and some need crawling but assisted by wooden ladder. Inside the cave you may find bird nest, cave spider, bat and of course some ancient cave man paintings like handprint, animals and many others. After enjoying the printing then we went down to the cave basement where the people can also possible to overnight for lunch prepared by our guide team. After lunch we will continue our journey for about 30 minutes passing another jungle and small wooden single bridge to Lungun , the place where the local dayak leader coffin saved in the cave like Torajan in South Sulawesi. Then we trek down back to Merabu Village that takes about 2 – 3 hours back. Upon arrival in Merabu Village take a rest and another preparation for overnight at Nyadeng crystal clear blue green water lake . It’s such a beautiful lake. From Merabu we take long motorized canoe that can carry about 3 - 4 passengers plus our boatman and our team. It takes about more or less 390 minutes boating until you reach the wooden hut . On the way you may see some water birds, monitor lizard, monkeys and pristine lush tropical rain forest of Borneo. Upon arrival in Nyadeng hut then we trek about 30 minutes to Nyadeng Lake. On our way we will pass Chocó plantation, hude tree that you can adopted if you would like to participate to help this village to preserve their nature and jungle like mention on the way at the Bloyot Cave. Upon arrival in Nyadeng Lake we will set up your tent for camping and relax. You have time to enjoy the crystal clear water green blue lake as well as some fish living here. Dinner provided by our local team and stay overnight at the tent
DAY 03: NYADENG LAKE – KETEPU PEAK – NYADENG LAKE – MERABU VILLAGE (B,L,D)
Early morning wake up we will then have light breakfast before starting trekking about 1 hour to Ketepu Peak. It will be little bit steep and slippery and we can trek slowing down until more or less 1 hour to reach the Peak with the elevation about more or less 400 meter ASL . Nyadeng Lek located about 200 M ASL. You will enjoy the spectacular panorama of the Karst Forest surrounding with cloud and we feel like being in the country above the sky. We can not see the sunrise as it was blocking by the hill in our backside. However beside the spectacular panorama you may hear the sounds of Hornbill, Gibbon, and other wildlife. You will refresh your mind, spirits and souls in this hidden paradise. After enjoying this beautiful atmosphere then we will trek down back to Nyadeng crystal clear blue green lake that takes more or less 1 hour back. Then relax time so you will enjoy swimming or just dipping in the cold crystal clear water blue gree Nyadeng Lake. Our team would be so please to prepare for lunch. In the late afternoon then we will trek back to Nyadeng Hut and boating back to Merabu Village. Another opportunity to see the exotic wildlife as well tropical rain forest on Borneo along the way in the cristal clear Lesan River. Upon arrival in Merabu Village then relax and dinner provided by our guide team. FYI, in this village also there is a wifi !!! You can pay for faster one or free slower one. Electricity also provided in this remote village start from 06:00 pm till 11:00 pm but within the end of this year will be 24 hours supported by Solar Cell Panel System. Stay overnight at small home stay.
DAY 04: MERABU VILLAGE – BERAU (B,D)
After breakfast packing our stuffs, then we drive another 4 – 5 hours back to Tanjung Redeb the capital city of Berau Regency around 135 km away from Merabu Village. Overnight in Berau. Dinner at Hotel
DAY 05: BERAU – DERAWAN DIVE LODGE or NOAH MARATUA RESORT (B,D)
Transfer to Harbor for boat to Derawan Dive Lodge (provided by resort from Derawan / Maratua)
DAY 06: DERAWAN DIVE LODGE or NOAH MARATUA RESORT (B,L,D)
Free at leisure
DAY 07: DERAWAN DIVE LODGE or NOAH MARATUA RESORT (B,L,D)
Free at leisure
DAY 08: DERAWAN DIVE LODGE or NOAH MARATUA RESORT (B,L,D)
Free at leisure
DAY 09: DERAWAN / MARATUA – BERAU – DEPARTURE (B)
Transfer back to Berau airport for flight to next destination
