|
|
Day 01 Kuching
Arrive in Kuching before noon and proceed for a 3 hrs city tour. Discover the charms of this riverine city established by Sir James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak. In the city center the buildings date back to the days of the White Rajahs. Old Chinese temples and colorful markets dot most every corner. Popular with locals as well as visitors is the mile long "waterfront" promenade. The shops along the Main Bazaar probably have the best collection of Borneon tribal carvings, handicrafts, antiques and souvenirs in the whole island of Borneo. A city of museums, the Sarawak museum completed in 1891, possibly is the best known. Overnight.
Choice of hotel in Kuching: 3* Harbour View | 4* Holiday Inn | 5* Crown Plaza Riverside.
Day 02 Batang Ai (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Depart by air-conditioned van for Batang Ai reservoir (4½ hours). Journey through rural Sarawak, passing pepper gardens, cocoa and rubber plantation. En-route, a few stops will be made. Visit the colorful native market in Serian town where a variety of jungle produce such as edible ferns, bamboo shoots and unusual tropical fruit are on display. Visit a pepper garden and stop by toview wild orchids and several species of pitcher plants. Lunch en route. Upon arrival at the Batang Ai reservoir, proceed by longboat (1-2 hours) upriver to Nanga Sumpa. Settle in at Lodge. After dinner proceed to the longhouse across the river. Relax on the Ruai (common verandah) and spend time with the Iban people. Interact with the community; learn about their culture and enjoy some local rice wine. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 03 Batang Ai (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Following breakfast, hike the jungle trails along the river and continue upriver by longboat. Our destination is the scenic Enseluai Waterfall. Time to relax, swim, explore the rainforest and have lunch or try fishing Iban-style. Return to the lodge. Dinner is served in the lodged with local delicacies to enhance the meal. After dinner, visit to the longhouse. Woven blankets and handicrafts are available for display upon request and may be purchased directly from the longhouse people. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 04 Batang Ai (Breakfast, Lunch)
Following breakfast, depart down river by longboat, then overland. Lunch is taken en route. Proceed to Kuching and drop off at hotel.
Choice of hotel in Kuching: 3* Harbour View | 4* Holiday Inn | 5* Crown Plaza Riverside.
Day 05 Bako National Park (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Breakfast at the hotl. Drive about 35 minutes to Bako village. From the village, take about 25-minute boat ride (depending on the tide) to the park situated in a peninsula. Bako is one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in a natural surrounding. The various types of animals that are commobly spotted at Bako includethe proboscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys, long tail macaques, wild boars, monitor lizards and numerous species of birds. Tropical rainforest ranges from mangrove to kerangas (heath forest), tropical swamp vegetation, clif vegetation and beach vegtation. There are several trails inside the park depending on level of fitness and interest. There is a possibility to swim in the warm waters of the South China Sea by one of the secluded baches. This is subjct to sea and weather condition. After dinner go for a night walk. Overnight at th park Chalet.
Day 06 Bako National Park (Breakfast, Lunch)
Following breakfast, depart for a final hike on one of the trails spotting rare migratory birds and searching for the rare and elusive proboscis monkey, a primate to be found only in Borneo. Return to Kuching mid-afternoon. Overnight.
Choice of hotel in Kuching: 3* Harbour View | 4* Holiday Inn | 5* Crown Plaza Riverside.
Day 07 Mulu Caves (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Early morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Mulu via Miri MH2802 0700hrs / 0800hrs connect to MH3630 0920hrs / 0950 hrs. Arrive at Mulu airport and proceed to Royal Mulu Resort. Check-in and free time at leisure. In the afternoon proceed by lonboat or by van to Park Headquarters. From the Park HQ, take a scenic 3km plankwalk through primary rainforest to the entrance of Deer Cave. Deer Cave has the world's largest cave entrance and is the largst single cave passage in the world - about 120-150 m in diameter, or it can fit St. Paul's Cathedral under its massive archway. The cave has a moon-like landscap and form one vantage point, a perfect profile of President Lincoln can be observed. Most evenings at sundown, a spectacular exodus of about 2 million of bats can be observed as they leave the cave in search of food. Next to Deer Cave is Lang's Cave. The stalactites and stalagmites inside this cave are representative of the very best limestone formations in the park. Trek back to th Park HQ by torchlight. Return to your accommodation. Overnight stay at Royal Mulu Resort.
Day 08 Mulu Caves (Breakfast, Lunch)
In the morning, proceed by longboat upriver to Wind Cave with its impressive "King's Chamber". Here, stalactites and stalagmites with delicate lace-like patterns are found. A short walk along a plank walk suspended to the limestone cliff leads to Clearwater Cave. Like most caves in Mulu, Clearwater Cave is the habitat of unique species of plants. One of them, the one-leafed plant can only be found at Mulu; rare species of orchids and pitcher plants can be seen in many locations and photo-sensitive algae grow on certain rocks and have produced needle-like formations that point towards th source of light. Clearwater Cave has a wonderful swimming area shaded by giant rainforest trees. Enjoy a simple picnic or packed lunch, swim, relax and explore the caves before returning to your accommodation. Check out and transfer to the airport for a flight to Miri MH3254 1540hrs / 1610hrs. Meet upon arrival at Miri airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Miri Marriot Hotel.
Day 09 Miri / Brunei (Breakfast)
In the morning transfer to Brunei. Upon arrival at Bandar Seri Begawan proceed a guided tour of Bandar Seri Begawan; Brunei's lifestyle is revealed to you in this tour. You will drive past the Lapau, Dewan majlis, Sir Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and visit the Royal Regalia Centre; the unique collection of Royal Bruneian artifacts was established to commemorate the 1992 Silver Jubilee of His Majesty's accession to the throne, the Brunei Museum; the collection includes Borneo Ethnography, Natural History displays and Islamic art documnting the origins of much of Brunei's culture. Take a short ride on our " Water Taxi" to visit the water village. You will also visit a house in the water village where local cakes and tea will be served. The new Mosque-Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, built to commmorate the 25th anniversary of His Majesty the Sultan's reign, yhis mosque is the largest and arguably the most magnificent in Brunei. Our tour will end after a visit to the world renowned Istana Nurul Iman. The largest residential palace in the world, it is the home of His Majesty Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah and the site of his Prime Ministerial offices. Continue to The Empire Hotel & Country Club, the most magnificent Hotel in South-East-Asia, originally built by the Sultan of Brunei. Nestled among exotic gardens, pools, tall coconut trees, and white sandy beaches just 20 minutes from Bandar Seri Begawan. Overnight stay at The Empire Hotel & Country Club.
Day 10 Ulu Temburong National Park (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Pick up from your Hotel in Bandar Seri Begawan. You will travel by local water taxi from Bandar through a network of rivers and channels around the back of Brunei Bay, passing by dense mangrove islands and possibly see wildlife searching for food or enjoying the afternoon sun. The journey will continue you from Bangar, the regional capital of Temburong, to Bukit Patoi Nature Reserve where you walk to the top of a walkaway to a majestic view of the surrounding countryside. Staying in comfortable accommodation with air-conditioned bunkrooms, at our Rainforest Lodge, situated outside the National Park allowing vistors to experience a taste of the jungle and the lifestyles of the local people that pass the Lodge.
Day 11 Ulu Temburong National Park (Breakfast / Lunch)
An early morning start allows you to travel by longboat upstream to the Ulu Temburong National Park. With the early morning mist still rising from the forest canopy, you may see some of the many different kinds of animals that maybe active early in the morning. Climb the canopy towers to the very top to get one of the most beautiful viws of the rainforest canopy. Travel further upstream to Sg Apan and explore the jungle streams to the waterfall. Return back to the National Park entrance by Longboat or Inflatable Raft for lunch of local specialties beside the river, swim and relax, before returning back downstream, to our Rainforest Lodge for afternoon tea and freshen up. Depart from our Terminal Building, to Bangar to catch water Taxi back to Bandar Seri Begawan airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu BI825 1655hrs / 1735hrs.
Choice of hotel in Kota Kinabalu: 3* Imperial | 4* Hyatt Regency | 5* Le Meridien.
Day 12 Mount Kinabalu (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Pick up early morning from your Kota Kinabalu city hotel for a two-hour overland drive to the beautiful Kinabalu national Park. Upon arrival at Mt. Kinabalu Park, you will check-in at the Park's office, and then the real adventure starts as you will continue to the Power Station by coach for the start of your 2-day climb of mighty Mount Kinabalu. Commence your climb of magnificent Mount Kinabalu, at 4100m the highest mountain in Malaysia. The beautiful climb takes approximately four hours to Laban Rata which is situated at an altitude of 3,353m. It will take you from tropical luxuriance through oak forest to the rocky sub-alpine summit plateau, with many unique trees and flowers to be seen on the way. Check into Pendant Hut and proceed for via ferrata familiarization. Relax and enjoy the spectacular mountain lanscape. Dinner and overnight at pendant Hut.
Day 13 Mount Kinabalu (Breakfast)
Wake up early at 2am and commence your ascent by torchlight towards the summit. The climb takes about three hours but is well rewarded with a beautiful sunrise at approximately 6am (weather permitting). Descend down and begin Via Ferrata Walk the Torq (duration 2-3 hrs, lenght of via ferrata is 430m). 1000hrs return to Pendant Hut, check out and descend to the Power Station from where you transfer to the Park's headquarters to collect your climb certificate. Transfer back to your hotel in Kota Kinabalu.
Choice of hotel in Kota Kinabalu: 3* Imperial | 4* Hyatt Regency | 5* Le Meridien.
Day 14 Sepilok Orang Utan / Kinabatangan River (Lunch / Dinner)
Early morning, fly from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan MH2042 ETA 0810hrs. On arrival drive approximately 30 minutes to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center. Proceed to the free roaming area feeding olatform. 1000 hrs feeding of Orang Utans. At this center, observe man's closest relative "the Orang Utan" being rehabilitated to become wild in their natural habitat and experience a walk in the Tropical Lowland Dipterocarp Forest of Borneo. 1100-1115 hrs depart Sepilok and transfer to jetty in Sandakan. 1145 hrs take an hour boat cruise up to the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary where you will take your lunch at Abai Jungle Restaurant. This is a wonderful journey of discovery which starts from the waters of Sulu Sea of Sandakan Town through a magnificent scenery of the Mangrove Forest. After Lunch, free and relax at our nature board walk before taking another cruise along the river in search of more wildlife. After dinner, a night cruise leads you to witness the nature of fire flies lighting up as Christmas tree. Overnight at Abai Jungle Lodge.
Day 15 Kinabatangan River (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Wake up by the calls of nature. Early morning take a river trip to Pitas lake and observe wildlife and experience the unique of Pitas Oxbow Lake. After breakfast, an option to join our tree planting project with the locals and luch with them at Abai Village. This project is especially to help the locals and the environment. After lunch, cruise up river to Sukau Village in search of primates especially the Endemic Proboscis Monkeys, birds and other wildlife. Arrive Sukau, check in at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. Late afternoon, an option to take another river cruise with lectric motor to Menanggul River, a small tributary of the Kinabatangan. Return lodge for dinner and overnight at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge.
Day 16 Danum valley (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
After early breakfast, depart for 2hrs drive to Lahad Datu. On arrival transfer to the Borneo Rainforest Office for registration, then continue for another 83 kilometres through secondary forest before arriving at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, located beside Danum River on the edge of 438 square kilometres of untouched lowland rainforest. The Danum Valley Conservation Area is blessed with a startling diversity of tropical flora and fauna. This vast Eden-like basin is home to extremely rare Sumatran Rhinoceros, orang utans, gibbons, mousedeer and the beautiful clouded leopard. In the afternoon, an introduction to the forest through Nature Trails and proceed to the Canopy Walkaway. In the evening, if weather permits, experience a Night Drive in an open-air truck in search of nocturnal animals. Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
Day 17 Danum Valley (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Enjoy a whole day in the beautiful Danum Valley with morning guided jungle activities. Trekking to the View Point for bird's eye view of the Valley and the misty lowland rainforest, then descend to the "Jacuzzi" pool for a refreshing dip. Free at leisure in the afternoon. After dinner, if weather permits, enjoys a Night Walk around the lodge in search of nocturnal animals.
Day 18 Danum Valley (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
After breakfast, continue your journey overland to Semporna and proceed by boat to Kapalai / Mabul Island (for divers) or Mataking / Pom Pom Island (for non-divers).
Day 19 Kapalai / Mabul OR Mataking / Pom Pom (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Diving or Snorkeling. Overnight at Resort.
Day 20 Kapalai / Mabul OR Mataking / Pom Pom (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Diving or Snorkeling. Overnight at Resort.
Day 21 Kapalai / Mabul OR Mataking / Pom Pom and Onward (Breakfast)
Boat to Semporna and transfer to Tawau airport for your flight back / next destination.
|
