Borneo: Sarawak And Sabah

Borneo: Sarawak And Sabah
The third largest island on the planet, Borneo is a land rich in natural and cultural highlights. Home to one of
the oldest rainforests on earth, it can also boast spectacular biodiversity, UNESCO World Heritage landscapes
and the immense limestone caverns of the Mulu National Park.
Take a walk on the wild side, on this ‘Wild Culture’ journey into the heart of Borneo’s spectacular natural
landscapes. This 14-day journey will take you from the charming waterfront cafes of Kuching, its old colonial
capital, to the slopes of Mount Kinabalu, site of one of the world’s most important biological zones.
Along the way you will visit the rich landscapes of Bako National Park and the Iban tribes of Batang Ai, watch
orang-utans feeding in Sepilok and search for rare Irrawaddy dolphins along the Salak River. The journey also
takes you deep into the limestone caves of Mulu and the pristine mangrove forests of the Kinabatangan River
Delta, before delivering you to the remarkable setting of Kinabalu National Park, one of the oldest and most
important reserves in Malaysia.
Highlights
A chance to explore Kuching, one of the most attractive cities in SE Asia
Spend the night amongst the Borneo headhunters
Visit the stunning cave complexes of Mulu National Park
Explore the pristine landscapes of Kinabatangan on a wildlife safari
Discover the UNESCO World Heritage setting of Kinabalu National Park
Tour Includes:
4 internal flights
9 nights 4 and 5 star hotel accommodation, 2 nights lodge, 2 nights basic longhouse
13 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 5 dinners
Accompanied by an experienced English speaking local guide. Private basis
Private driver and vehicle
Speedboats and longboats
Sightseeing programme including all entrance fees
Private guided transfers to and from all airports
Please note the prices shown are per person and based on two persons sharing a twin or double room
Itinerary
Day 1: Kuching
Arrive in Kuching and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon is free to
enjoy something of Sarawak's charming capital. Established by Sir
James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak, this fascinating
riverside city is filled with temples and colourful landmarks that date back
to its colonial beginnings. You can stroll along the beautifully landscaped
waterfront and explore the bustling vitality of the handicraft shops of the
main bazaar.
Day 2: Kuching
Today you visit the rich ecosystems of Bako National Park, Sarawak's oldest and smallest protected reserve.
One of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in their natural setting, Bako is home to proboscis monkeys,
wild boars, monitor lizards and a rich collection of bird species. Accesible only by boat you will have chance to
trek along some of the jungle trails that snake through the park, before returning to Kuching. (B,L)
Day 3: Kuching - Batang Ai - Ulu Ai
Departing Kuching this morning you drive on to the Batang Ai reservoir. Travelling via Semenggoh you will
have a chance to watch the feeding of the orang-utans, before continuing to the colourful market town of
Serian. After lunch you continue to Batang Ai where, on arrival, you will board a longboat for a river cruise up
to Nanga Sumpa and your river lodge. After dinner you will visit an Iban longhouse for an evening of cultural
interaction and some local rice wine. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Ulu Ai
After breakfast you hike along the jungle trails and travel upriver by longboat to the scenic Enseluai Waterfall.
After a chance to relax, swim, explore and maybe even try your hand at fishing Iban style, you return to the
lodge. After a dinner sprinkled with delicious local delicacies, you have another opportunity to visit the
longhouse. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Ulu Ai - Kuching
Taking a longboat back to the jetty, you return to Kuching this morning. This afternoon is at leisure in Kuching.
(B,L)
Day 6: Kuching - Mulu
Flying to Mulu this morning you enter the landscapes of the Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World
Heritage site that encompasses some of Sarawak's most spectacular natural features. This afternoon you will
visit the breathtaking wonder of Deer Cave, the largest limestone cavern anywhere on earth. Filled with
incredible limestone formations, the cave is home to some 2 million bats, which exit the cave in search of food
at sunset most evenings. (B,D)
Day 7: Mulu
Mulu is home to one of the largest cave systems in the world and this morning you will visit both the Wind and
Clearwater Caves. These caves harbour unique species of flora, including rare orchids and pitcher plants, as
well as delicate lace-like formations of stalactites and stalagmites. (B,L)
Day 8: Mulu - Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan
Transfer to the airport for you flight to Sandkan in Sabah, via Kota Kinabalu. On arrival transfer to your hotel
located just outside Sandakan. (B)
Day 9: Sandakan - Sepilok - Kinabatangan
This morning visit the orang-utans at Sepilok Nature Reserve, where you
can observe them at their feeding stations and enjoy a short
presentation on the Orang-utan Rehabilitation Programme. Following the
visit you then travel by boat on to the Kinbatangan Sanctuary and the
pristine mangrove forests of the Kinabatangan River Delta. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Kinabatangan
An early morning boat ride takes you around the nearby Ox Bow Lake, for a chance to search out some of the
abundant bird and animal life in the area. Returning to the lodge for breakfast, you then pay a visit to the Abai
village, before returning to the river again to enjoy another waterborne safari in search of proboscis monkeys
and more endemic wildlife. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Kinabatangan - Sandakan - Kota Kinabalu
Early this morning spend some time on the boardwalk for some
birdwathcing. Drive to Sandakan airport and in the afternoon fly back to
Kota Kinabalu. (B,L)
Day 12: Kota Kinabalu
Kinabalu National Park is one of the oldest in Malaysia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the
world's most important biological zones and surrounds the towering summit of Mount Kinabalu (4095 m). This
morning you will visit the park and enjoy a guided walk with a park naturalist. Later you will explore the
sumptuous Botanical Gardens and learn a little more about the incredible diversity of the region's flora, before
returning to Kota Kinabalu. (B,L)
Day 13: Kota Kinabalu
Day at leisure to relax and enjoy the beach at the hotel. (B)
Day 14: Kota Kinabalu
After a free morning you will transfer to the airport where your tour will end. (B)
Accommodation
Kuching
Grand Margherita
Kota Kinabalu
Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort and
Spa
Sandakan
Sepilok Nature Resort
Kinabatangan
Abai Jungle Lodge
Ulu Ai
Nanga Sumpa Longhouse