National park · Indonesia
Gunung Palung National ParkTaman Nasional Gunung Palung
Visit Gunung Palung: buy a permit (Rp 30 000‑50 000) and hike the Lubuk Baji loop (≈2 h) in the dry season (July‑Oct); for orangutan spotting join a guided trek (full day) in the early morning.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
900 km² (347 sq mi)347 sq mi (900 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Jul–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 900 km² (347 sq mi)347 sq mi (900 km²)
- Park size after 1981 expansion (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Jul–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Pontianak
Gunung Palung National Park protects lowland rainforest on Borneo’s west coast, hosting orangutans, gibbons and hornbills. Visitors need a permit (Rp 30 000‑50 000) and can choose a short Lubuk Baji loop or a full‑day guided orangutan trek; the dry season (July‑Oct) offers the best trail conditions.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
900 km² (347 sq mi)347 sq mi (900 km²) · national park since 1990
Park size after 1981 expansion (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Pontianak.
Why go
- See wild orangutans and other Bornean primates in their forest habitat.
- Hike marked jungle loops with waterfall views and panoramic mountain scenery.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy but trails remain passable; fewer visitors.
- FebRainy season continues; wildlife active.
- MarRainy; expect muddy paths.
- AprTransition to drier weather; occasional showers.
- MayIncreasing rain; trails can be slippery.
- JunStart of wet season; higher humidity.
- JulDry season begins; clearer trails.
- AugDry, lower humidity; ideal for trekking.
- SepDry, good wildlife visibility.
- OctDry season ends; still good conditions.
- NovRain returns; trails get wet.
- DecRainy season; higher river levels.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OrangutanAll year · Best seen with guide in early morning. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Gibbons, red monkeys, hornbillsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wild boar, snakes, lizardsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Pontianak
Boat to Melano (≈2 h), then hire an ojek to Sukadana (≈30 min).
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
From Ketapang
Direct road to Sukadana (≈1 h) or boat to Melano then ojek.
1–2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Melano office | Permit sales, information desk. | Open daily. |
| Ketapang office | Permit sales, transport hub. | Open daily. |
| Sukadana office | Closest entry point, trailhead to Lubuk Baji. | Open daily. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park permit | IDR 30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2–4) | person | Buy at Melano, Ketapang or Sukadana office. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the Lubuk Baji loop.
- Camping
- Allowed only at Nasalis sites (Lubuk Baji, Batu Barat, Riam Berasap).
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves at camps.
- Wildlife feeding
- Strictly forbidden; may result in fines.
Where to stay
In the park
Lubuk Baji hut
Basic forest hut with river water; basic bedding provided.
In the park
Batu Barat camp
Similar facilities, slightly farther from main trails.
In the park
Riam Berasap camp
Forest camp with shared kitchen area.
Near the park
Pontianak town
Wide range of hotels and guesthouses, 2 h by boat.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Getting lost high
Rainy season floods medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Park access points reachable by boat and motorbike; trails are foot‑only and steep in places.
Visiting lightly
- Use guides to minimise disturbance to wildlife.
- Carry out all rubbish; do not leave food waste.
- Support Nasalis‑run camps that follow park conservation rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gunung Palung National Park?
A park permit costs between Rp 30 000 and Rp 50 000 per person; buy it at any park office before heading to the trails.
What are the best hikes in Gunung Palung National Park?
The Lubuk Baji loop (2‑3 h, moderate) is good for a short visit; for orangutan spotting join a full‑day guided trek from Sukadana.
When is the best time to visit Gunung Palung National Park?
The dry season (July‑October) offers the clearest trails and best wildlife visibility.
Do I need a guide for all hikes?
Guides are mandatory for any trek beyond the Lubuk Baji loop and for orangutan treks.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
Camping is only allowed at the three Nasalis‑run camps; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Gunung Palung National Park
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