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BORNEO

SARAWAK AND SABAH TOUR

This tour includes the mountains, caves and rainforest of the northern and southern parts of Borneo.
The landscapes are extremely varied and there are chances to see most of Borneo's remarkable wildlife.

Day 1: Kuching
Upon arrival, meet and transfer to Holiday Inn Kuching for overnight.

Day 2: Kuching City Tour (3 hours)
0900hrs. 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 Bornean 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. Kuching is clean and green.
Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight at Holiday Inn Kuching. (B)

Day 3: Nanga Jelia Jungle Camp & Nanga Sumpa Longhouse (4 days / 3 nights)
0830hrs. Depart overland to Batang Ai reservoir (41/2 hours). Journey through rural Sarawak, passing pepper gardens, cocoa and rubber plantation. En-route, a few stops will be made. Visit the colourful 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 to view wild orchids and several species of pitcher plants. Lunch is taken en route. Upon arrival at the Batang Ai reservoir, transfer onto a longboat for a 1-hour boat ride to Nanga Jelia, your trekking starting point. Hike about 20 minutes to the jungle camp. Following your arrival there will be time for relaxing and swimming. After dinner, join your guide for a jungle night walk. Wildlife that may be spotted include the shy civet cat as well as the more common large toads, frogs and tortoises found in the nearby stream. Overnight at the jungle camp. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Nanga Jelia - Nanga Sumpa
Following breakfast, hike on one of the rainforest trails in the area to look for orang utan and other wildlife such as the pig tailed macaque, hornbills and other variety of birds. While the orang utans are occassionally seen, their nests and feeding areas can be easily observed. A picnic lunch will be served on the trail before returning to camp. You may learn from your guide and porters on how to survive in the jungle learning skills such as identifying the edible ferns, fruits and vegetation available in the jungle. Upon arrival at the camp, pack your belongings and hike to the boat jetty then proceed by longboat to Nanga Sumpa. Settle in at Borneo Adventure's jungle lodge. After dinner proceed to the longhouse across the river. Relax on the Ruai (common veranda) and spend time with the Iban people. Learn about their culture and enjoy some local rice wine. Overnight lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Enseluai Waterfall
Following breakfast, hike the jungle trails along the river and continue by boat. 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 lodge with local delicacies to enhance the meal. After dinner, visit the longhouse. Woven blankets and handicrafts are available for display upon request and may be purchased directly from the longhouse people. Overnight lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Nanga Sumpa - Kuching
Following breakfast, depart down river by longboat, then overland to Kuching. Lunch en route. Overnight at Holiday Inn Kuching. (B, L)

Day 7: Kuching - Mulu
1100hrs. Meet and transfer to Kuching airport for direct flight to Mulu by MH 2454 ETD 1250hrs ETA 1425hrs. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to Royal Mulu Resort. Free at leisure and overnight. (B)

Day 8: Mulu Wind & Clearwater - Deer & Lang Caves
After breakfast, depart upriver to Clearwater Cave and Wind Cave with its impressive 'King's Chamber'. Here, stalactites and stalagmites with delicate lace-like patterns are found. A short walk along a plankwalk 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 grows on certain rocks and have produced needle-like formations that point towards the source of light. Clearwater Cave has a wonderful swimming area shaded by giant rainforest trees. After lunch, proceed to Park Headquarters, take a scenic 3 km plankwalk through primary rainforest to the entrance of Deer Cave. Deer Cave has the world's largest cave entrance and is the largest single cave passage in the world - about 120m - 150m in diameter or it can fit St. Pauls' Cathedral under its massive archway. The cave has a moon-like landscape and from 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. Return to Park Headquarters by torchlight. Return to Royal Mulu Resort for overnight. (B, L)

Day 9: Mulu - Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast, transfer to Mulu airport for departure to Kota Kinabalu by MH2474 1220hrs1310hrs. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to Beverly Hotel for overnight. (B)

*Note: Direct flight only available Mon, Tue, Thu & Sat.

Poring & Kinabalu Summit (3 days / 2 nights)

Day 10: Poring & Kinabalu Park
0800hrs Depart in the early morning for a 3 hr drive to Poring Hot Spring (126 km from Kota Kinabalu). En route, make a stop at Nabalu village to savour local fruits and to bargain prices for the handicrafts. Explore the many jungle trails and observe wildlife on the canopy walkway 100 feet above the forest floor. After lunch, take a dip in one of the soothing, steaming hot mineral springs set in beautifully landscaped gardens. Proceed to the World Heritage site of Kinabalu National Park (39km from Poring). The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure. Overnight stay will be at the twin-bedded cabins at Kinabalu Park (or equivalent). (B, L, D)

Day 11: Laban Rata
Following breakfast, proceed on the journey to the Power Station (15 minutes) by coach. Commence climb to Laban Rata with packed lunch. The climb will take approximately 4 hours. Check-in at the Laban Rata Guesthouse and the rest of the afternoon is free at leisure. Have dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Kinabalu Summit
Wake up as early as 0200 hours to have breakfast and commence to the summit by torchlight. The climb will take about 3 hours. Witness the beautiful sunrise at the summit at 0600 hours. Descend to Laban Rata Guesthouse, then to the Power Station. Transfer to Park HQ. Have lunch at the Park's Restaurant. Explore the mountain garden (open from 3 pm till 4 pm). Collect your climbing certificate before returning to Kota Kinabalu. Overnight at Beverly Hotel. (B, L)

Day 13: Kota Kinabalu - Selingan Turtle Island
0600hrs Meet and transfer to airport for MH2042 ETD 0700hrs ETA 0740hrs in the morning. Upon arrival in Sandakan, meet and transfer to the jetty for an hour's trip by speedboat to Selingan Turtle Island. Check in at one of the chalets on the island and have lunch at the restaurant. The afternoon is free for relaxing, bird watching or for snorkelling. In the evening, a Park Ranger will escort you to watch one of the green turtles that have come ashore to lay their eggs. Overnight at the Park Chalets. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Sepilok - Gomatong - Sukau
Depart Selingan for Sandakan. Visit the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary to watch the feeding of orang utans and see a video presentation of their rehabilitation programme. Lunch at Sepilok. Proceed overland to Gomantong Caves, the largest birds nests cave in Sabah, famous for its swiftlets and their edible nests. Followed by a short briefing on the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. In the late afternoon, go on a river cruise down the Menanggul River in search of proboscis monkeys, birds and other wildlife. Return at dusk for dinner. Overnight at the Kinabatangan Riverside lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 15: Sukau - Lahad Datu - Danum Valley (3 Days / 2 nights)
After early breakfast, 0630hrs depart (2 hrs) Sukau to Lahad Datu. Upon arrival, register at Borneo Rainforest Lodge office. At 0930hrs Journey (2 hrs) travel overland to Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Lunch at lodge. Brief orientation and depart for a guided walk on a nature trail (400m boardwalk circuit) and canopy walkway. In the evening, have dinner at the lodge. If weather permits, go for a night drive to spot wild animals after dinner. Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 16: Danum Valley
Following breakfast, depart for a guided walk on the "Coffin Trail" that leads to an ancient burial site (a 3 km return trip, involving a 40-minute climb to a magnificent lookout point and returning via the jacuzzi pool). Lunch at lodge. In the afternoon, hike the Segama Trail and East Trail (riverside route circuit). Return to Borneo Rainforest Lodge. After dinner, depart for another night drive/walk. (B, L, D)

Day 17: Danum Valley - Lahad Datu - Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast, go birdwatching on the canopy walkway. Walk down to Borneo Rainforest Lodge for lunch. Early afternoon, depart at 1330hrs for Lahad Datu airport and depart to Kota Kinabalu by MH2097 ETD 1735hrs ETA 1830hrs. Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, meet and transfer to Beverly Hotel for overnight. (B, L)

Day 18: Departure
Free at leisure until transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for departure flight. (B)

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