Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
stay. The company is a for-profit enterprise run by park administrators; outside guides are charged the tourist rate.
The prices of these packages further include a transfer from Ketapang. Travellers who enter from Sukadana,
which is much closer, report that a second price list appears when this important distinction is raised. Note
Sukadana is vastly preferable to Ketapang as a gateway to the park. The latter adds to transport costs, has no tour-
ism value of its own, and cuts out the wonderful longboat trip from Pontianak.
The easiest and least expensive package is a two-day, one-night return trip to Lubuk Baji. The posted price
from Ketapang - 1,910,000Rp for two people, including a guide, meals and accommodation in a basic jungle
lodge - drops to 1,350,000Rp from Sukadana. The trip entails a fairly gentle two-hour hike in and out. Once they
get past park management, travellers enjoy this experience. Other options include homestays, canoeing and visit-
ing the small
Cabang Panti
(
http://people.bu.edu/orang
)
orangutan research station. For more information visit
the
park office
(Jl Tangjungpura 41, 8am-4pm Mon-Fri)
in Sukadana or consult the Nasalis website; there is
no separate park website, as there is no separate park...
Juanta Island
There are several islands near Sukadana to explore, some with attractive beaches, of
which Juanta is the most popular. A round trip costs around 350,000Rp for a slow boat,
600,000Rp for a speedboat; enquire at Sukadana Harbour.
ISLAND
ASRI TO THE RESCUE
Admirable
ASRI
(Alam Sehat Lestari; 0813 5246 6704;
www.alamsehatlestari.org
; Jl Sungai Mengkuang)
,
an NGO based in Sukadana, is applying a unique lever against the logging in Gunung Palung: those communities
who opt to conserve the forest are given access to affordable health and dental care. Patients are offered long-term
payment options and allowed to use compost, handicrafts and organic vegetables to barter. Interested in participat-
ing? Six-week volunteer opportunities are available for medical and dental professionals, conservationists, engin-
eers and other skilled tradespeople.
Sleeping & Eating
Sukadana has one very interesting hotel and several budget digs of the concrete-box vari-
ety. For meals, the Mahkota and Anugrah (Jl Bhayangkara) hotels have decent restaurants,
but
Satay
(Jl. Sungai Mengkuang)
, across from the ASRI clinic, is the local favourite.
HOTEL
Mahkota Kayong Hotel $$
