WILD INDONESIA!
Orangutans & Komodo Dragons
Experience Highlights
- Wild Orangutans – photograph endangered orangutans and other tropical wildlife in their natural environment.
- Land of Dragons - travel beyond-the-beaten-path to photograph the mythical Komodo dragon, the world’s largest reptile, in private photo sessions not available to regular tourists.
- Night Photo Safaris & Macro Photography – explore Indonesia’s amazing wildlife after dark while practicing macro photography.
- P Beaches & Reefs – enjoy the beautiful beaches, fantastic reefs and amazing snorkeling of Komodo National Park. We may encounter manta rays and other marine wildlife with a bit of luck.
At A Glance
Dates:
June 22 - July 1, 2026
$9,500 Double Occupancy,
Single Lodging Available (+$1,500)
$1,500 Deposit
Your Instructor:
Leighton Lum
Group Size: 7
Difficulty:
Easy
What's Included: Lodging, Meals Per Itinerary, Transportation (including internal flights), Guides & Photography Instruction
What's Not Included: International Airfare to/from Jakarta, Tourist Visa, Travel Insurance, Personal Expenses (laundry, alcohol, etc.) Gratuities. Anything not specifically listed as included.
Man of the Forest
We begin our photography adventure on the Indonesian island of Borneo, home of the mythical Man of the Forest, also known as the Red Ape or Borneo Orangutan. We’ll photograph orangutans in their natural habitat and explore rivers by boat in search of other wildlife such as birds and proboscis monkeys. If we are really lucky, we may encounter a clouded leopard.
Land of Dragons
Next, we set sail on our private charter boat, our base for exploring the islands and waters of Komodo National Park, home to the world’s largest lizard, the legendary Komodo dragon.
Night Photo Safaris and Macro Photography
The night life in Indonesia is stunning! This is a great opportunity to learn about macro photography and “herping.” For those not familiar with herping, our target will be to find beautiful snake species such as the Borneo and the Indonesian pit vipers. The blue variant of the Indonesian pit viper is endemic to Komodo Island and is considered a ‘holy grail’ species among herpetologists.
Spectacular Beaches & Reefs
Komodo National Park boasts some of the clearest waters and richest reefs on the planet! With beautiful pink sand beaches and crystal-clear blue waters, it's hard to resist diving in!
Ready to Join the Adventure?
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Hawaii native Leighton Lum’s jaw-dropping images simply speak for themselves. Led by his creative eye and passion for adventure, Leighton has traveled the globe to destinations like Africa, South America, Iceland, Indonesia, and Antarctica, leading photography workshops and making his own award-winning photographs. Leighton hopes his photography inspires others and raises awareness about conservation to ensure future generations can enjoy the natural world he cherishes. Read more about Leighton and see a selection of his images.
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We understand life happens and plans may change. If you need to cancel your reservation, the following policies apply to this workshop:
Deposits are NOT refundable but may be transferrable to another Art of Seeing workshop for up to 24 months from date of cancellation in accordance with the following schedule:
Regardless of when you cancel, if we fill your spot*, you will receive a refund of all fees paid less your deposit and $150 processing fee. If we cannot fill your spot, the amount of your refund is based upon the cancellation date:
Cancellation 120 days or more from workshop start date: 100% refund of fees paid less deposit and $150 processing fee. Deposit transferrable up to 24 mos.
Cancellation 90 – 120 days from workshop start date: 50% refund of fees paid less deposit and $150 processing fee. Deposit forfeit.
Cancellation less than 90 days from workshop start date: No refunds.
*canceled spots are filled after the workshop reaches full capacity
Click here to read our complete Terms & Conditions
We highly encourage participants to purchase travel insurance to recover expenses not covered by our Cancellations & Refunds policy in case you need to cancel your reservation.
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If you've traveled with us before, thank you! You're the reason we are blessed to make our passion our profession.
Select the number of Art of Seeing workshops you’ve previously attended when registering and your Alumni discount will automatically be applied. Click Here for details of our Alumni Rewards Program.
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Q: How is this workshop different than other Indonesia tours/workshops?
A:
1) 100% photography-focused – everything from our itinerary to lodging choices and daily schedule is designed to maximize opportunities for producing wall-worthy wildlife images.2) Individualized instruction – our small group size and the passion of our instructors for teaching ensures plenty of personal attention to help you raise your wildlife photography skills to the next level.
3) Top notch logistics & support – we partner with top notch lodges and guides to ensure a safe and glitch-free experience for our guests.
Q: How should I book my flights?A: Book your international flights to arrive and depart from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Airport code: CGK) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Additional information to help you book flights and prepare for your trip will be provided to guests after registration.
Q: Do I need a visa to visit Indonesia?A: Yes, U.S. passport holders need a visa which is easily obtained online. Cost is ~$30 USD. Visa application details will be provided to registered participants.
Q: What sort of photography equipment and other gear do I need for this trip?
A: Most modern dSLR or mirrorless camera bodies are suitable options . The Animal Eye Tracking feature available in some mirrorless cameras is particularly helpful for photographing wildlife. and other gear Your medium and long telephoto lenses will be the workhorses of this trip. A complete list of recommended photo equipment, clothing and other items will be provided to registered guests.
We’re happy to make specific recommendations if you’re considering purchasing equipment for this trip. Just contact us.
Q: Do I need to be an advanced/expert photographer?A: No, we welcome photographers of all abilities and experience levels.
Q: How physically strenuous is this trip?A: This trip is rated as Easy. There are a couple of hikes of up to ~1mi but these are optional.
Q: What will the weather be like?
A:Expect hot weather and medium to high humidity. Typical daytime temperature are in the high 80’s F with roughly 80 percent humidity. Borneo (orangutans) can be especially humid. Borneo is also a rain forest so expect some rain, which can be heavy at times but usually short lived in duration. The seas around Komodo island are typically calm with beautiful weather, warm but a nice breeze.
Q: What if I want to arrive early or stay after the workshop dates?
A: No problem, just let us know your arrival and departure details, and we will book additional hotel nights as required for you (additional cost).
Q: Can my non-photographer friend/partner attend?A: Absolutely! Travel partners who may not share your passion for photography are very welcome to join. Just make sure they’re comfortable being part of a group that focuses primarily on photography, including meals, rest, and discussions about photography. However, due to limited space, we are unable to offer a discount for non-photographer partners.
Q: Can I bring a drone?
A: Yes, but a drone permit is required ($125).
Anything we missed?
| Day | Date | Itinerary | Overnight | Meals Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 22 | Jakarta – Upon arrival at CGK airport in Jakarta, board a free shuttle to our nearby hotel where you can relax after your long flight. At 4pm we’ll gather for a Workshop Overview meeting followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Jakarta hotel. | Jakarta Hotel | D |
| 2 | June 23 | Jakarta – Borneo - After an early breakfast, we’ll catch our flight to Pangkalan Bun Iskandar Airport (PKN) on the island of Borneo. Our guides will be waiting to transport us to our home in the jungle for the next 3 nights. After getting settled, we’ll head out by boat/ trek a few trails in search for Orangutans. Overnight at Rimba Ecolodge. | Rimba Ecolodge | B, L, D |
| 3-4 | June 24-25 | Borneo – After an early breakfast, we’ll begin the day with a morning photo shoot featuring orangutans. We’ll then board our day boat to explore Tanjung Puting National Park, navigating its waterways in search of wild orangutans and other iconic wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, gibbons, and long-tailed macaques. We may stay on the boat for lunch and/or take a mid-day break. We’ll head out again for an afternoon shoot at a different location known to be frequented by orangutans. Following dinner, there may be an opportunity to venture back into the forest for a glimpse of Borneo’s nocturnal activity. Overnight at Rimba Ecolodge. | Rimba Ecolodge | B, L, D |
| 5 | June 26 | Borneo – Jakarta - Another early start, but this time we travel back for the airport after breakfast to catch our morning flight back to Jakarta. Remainder of the day at your leisure. Optional editing session and photography presentations at our hotel. | Jakarta Hotel | B |
| 6 | June 27 | Jakarta – Labuan Bajo - Morning flight to Labuan Bajo, the gateway to Komodo National Park. Our guides will transport us to our private charter boat, our home for the next 4 days. Once aboard, we’ll set sail for Padar Island and our first photoshoot in the national park. After dinner we will go back out to check out the night life and do some macro photography. An excellent opportunity to photograph pit vipers, and other nocturnal wildlife. | Komodo Private Charter Boat | B, L, D |
| 7 | June 28 | Padar Island – Komodo Island (Private Charter boat) - Optional sunrise shoot on Padar Island. This is an amazing place for drone photography. Back to our boat for breakfast and then we sail onward to Komodo Island. If time permits, we will do some snorkeling around the famous Pink Sand Beach. We conclude the day with a sunset shoot with the Komodo dragons. | Komodo Private Charter Boat | B, L, D |
| 8 | June 29 | Komodo Island (Private Charter boat) - We will start with a morning shoot with the Komodos. During the day we may go out and see some of Komodo National Parks famous beaches and reefs. The afternoon we will head back to Komodo search for more dragons. | Komodo Private Charter Boat | B, L, D |
| 9 | June 30 | Komodo Island – Jakarta - The boat will set sail early in the morning to make our way back to Labuan Bajo. We’ll stop by Manta Point on the way to see if the manta rays are in the area. After some snorkeling we make our way back to port for our flight back to Jakarta. | Jakarta Hotel | B, L |
| 10 | July 1 | Jakarta – Home – Catch the free shuttle to the airport at your convenience to begin your homeward journey. End of Service. | – | B |
Note: this itinerary describes our general plan but is subject to change without notice due to weather, logistical considerations or other reasons.
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