Day 1
Depart UK on Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur to Kuching
Day 2
Arrive Kuching International Airport, you will be met and transferred to hotel.
14:00hrs You will be pick up for Half Day Kuching City Tour. The perfect introduction to Sarawak's historic capital, this tour includes Kuching's Chinatown, the Cat Statue (Kuching means "Cat" in Malay), the colourful Tua Pek Kong Chinese Temple, the Civic Centre Viewing Platform and the world famous Sarawak Museum. Return via the golden-domed City Mosque and proceed on foot through Old Kuching, visiting the colourful Central Markets and squeezing through narrow alleyways crammed with spice dealers and textile shops. Pass by the heritage buildings of the White Rajah era, the Pavilion, the Square Tower, the Court House, the Charles Brooke Monument and the Post Office. We will view the Astana, the former residence of the White Rajahs from across the river at the Kuching Waterfront.
Overnight in Kuching
Day 3
Kuching - Bako National Park (Breakfast/Lunch) (PRIVATE)
This small peninsula, 1 ½ hours from Kuching by car and longboat, is home to seven distinct rainforest ecosystems, giving it a remarkable diversity of animal and plant life. Bako's most famous residents are the bizarre proboscis monkeys, and it is also home to silvered langurs (leaf monkeys), long-tailed macaque monkeys, wild boar, flying squirrels and monitor lizards as well as hundreds of different bird species. Fascinating plant life includes mangroves, strangling figs, carnivorous pitcher plants and symbiotic ant plants. Unique geological features mark the coastline, including the famous Sea Stack, whilst well-marked trails lead to rugged jungle-covered hilltops and secluded beaches. Return in the afternoon to Kuching.
Overnight in Kuching
Day 4
Kuching - Batang Ai (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) (PRIVATE)
This exciting day starts with a pleasant drive to Semenggoh Orangutan Centre. The best place in Sarawak to view semi-wild Orang Utans, who have been rescued from captivity and trained to survive in the surrounding forest reserve. The rehabilitated animals roam freely in the rain forest, and often return to the centre at feeding time. Thanks to the successful breeding programme at Semonggok there is a good possibility of experiencing one of the most heart-warming sights in Borneo - an orang utan mother with a young baby. The centre is 30 mins drive from Kuching and another 20 mins on foot. Along the way visitors pass by the ethno-botanical gardens, with their unique collection of rain-forest plants.. Continue to drive for 4 hours through lush green countryside dotted with padi fields, pepper gardens and rubber plantations, and flanked by rugged jungle-clad mountains. Along the way, stop off at the Serian farmer's market, visit a pepper garden and view carnivorous pitcher plants. Stop for lunch at a roadside bazaar deep in Iban country. Arrive at Lemanak jetty mid-afternoon for a longboat ride up the Lemanak River,passing through typical Borneo countryside with a longhouse tucked behind almost every bend in the river. Arrive at Serubah Longhouse and visit the "entire village under one roof." Dinner, featuring delicious fresh jungle produce, is served in the simple guest-house. After dinner, return to the longhouse for an evening's entertainment, including traditional dancing, music, games and a glass or two of tuak (rice wine) with the longhouse chief. The Iban are a fun-loving people, and visitors are expected to join in! Overnight in the guest house with basic amenities (No Air-condition and No private room for individuals) as the accommodation is built by the Longhouse people to help supplement their income for their livelihood and children education.
Day 5
Batang Ai Resort (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) (PRIVATE)
After breakfast, enjoy a blowpipe demonstration and try shooting one yourself. Then take a short walk through the forest accompanied by Iban trackers, and learn about the traditional uses of rainforest plants in Iban culture. The walk ends at the river bank, where you embark in a longboat for a journey upriver to a tree-lined jungle pool. Lunch is cooked at the riverside in traditional Iban style - all ingredients are steamed in freshly-cut bamboo tubes over an open fire. After lunch , bathe in the pool or relax at the waterside. The return journey is done in traditional style to the sounds of the rainforest - boats are propelled with poles instead of outboard motor. Return downriver for transfer to Batang Ai jetty . After a 30 minute boat river across the 24 sq km Batang Ai Hydro Lake, arrive at the luxurious Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort. Dinner and accommodation at the Resort.
Day 6
Batang Ai / Kuching (Breakfast/Lunch) (PRIVATE)
Today, check-out resort and transfer by boat to jetty and by road journey to Kuching.
Overnight in Damai Beach
Day 7
Damai Beach (Breakfast)
Day at leisure
Overnight in Damai Beach
Day 8
Kuching / Kota Kinabalu (Breakfast) (PRIVATE)
Transfer to Kuching Airport for flight to Kota Kinabalu
Arrive Kota Kinabalu, meet and transfer to hotel
Overnight in Kota Kinabalu
Day 9
Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (Breakfast/Lunch) (PRIVATE)
Just 20 minutes away by boat from Kota Kinabalu city, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park beckons with its idyllic setting of sun, sand and sea. You can picnic, snorkel, and scuba dive or just relax. The day is yours to enjoy at leisure and it may be as lazy or as fun-filled as you wish it to be. Sumptuous barbecue is offered.
Overnight at Kota Kinabalu
Day 10
Kota Kinabalu - Kinabalu Park (Breakfast, Lunch) (PRIVATE)
This tour brings you across mountainous Crocker Range with panoramic view of the countryside and soaring hills. Whilst en route to Kinabalu Park, you can catch the magnificent sight of Mount Kinabalu, South East Asia highest peak. The Park is a World Heritage Site with incredible mega bio-diversity of flora and fauna, a heaven for nature enthusiasts. On arrival, enjoy a guided nature trek along one of the many trails in the park before proceeding to Poring Hot Springs which offers visitors the opportunity for an invigorating dip into its hot sulphur springs. For a closer look at nature, take the 41m high canopy walk which offers a spectacular view of the Borneo Rainforest flora and fauna (If closed, the visit to the park will be replaced with a visit to the Tropical Garden).
Overnight at Kota Kinabalu
Day 11
Kota Kinabalu/ Sandakan / Sukau (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) (SIC BASIS)
Morning, transfer to airport for flight to Sandakan.
Meet upon arrival at Sandakan Airport (MH 2042 ETA 08:10) drive for approximately 30 minutes to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center. Proceed to the free roaming area feeding platform. 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 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, cruise UP river to Sukau village in search of primates especially the Endemic Proboscis Monkeys,birds and other wildlife. Arrive Sukau, check in Lodge.Late afternoon, an option to take another river cruise to Menanggul River, a small tributary of the Kinabatangan. Return lodge for dinner.
Overnight at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge.
Day 12
Sukau (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) (SIC BASIS)
Wake up by the calls of gibbons and hornbills. Early morning, take a river trip to the Ox-Bow Lake to observe wildlife and experience the early morning river ambience of the longest river of Sabah. Return lodge for breakfast. Free at own leisure. After lunch, proceed overland to Gomantong Birdnest Caves. Upon arrival, 15 minutes walk on the plank walk to the cave. Explore the largest bird's nest cave in Sabah, home to millions of Bats and swiflets. The nest of the swiflets are collected for the famous Chinese edible bird. Return back to the Lodge for late afternoon river cruise to search for more wildlife.
Overnight at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
Day 13
Sukau/ Sandakan/ Kota Kinabalu (Breakfast / Lunch)
(SIC BASIS)
After breakfast, river cruise down by boat back to Sandakan. Another chance for wildlife sightings with this approximately 2.5hours journey. Upon arrival at the jetty,drive up hill to the Puh Jih Syh Chinese Buddhist Temple,which offers a panoramic view of the Sandakan Bay. After lunch, proceed to Airport for your flight back to Kota Kinabalu on MH2709 (ETD14:15hrs).
Upon arrival BKI airport, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Free at own leisure for the rest
Day 14
Kota Kinabalu
Day at leisure
Overnight in Kota Kinabalu
Day 15
Transfer to airport for return flight back to the UK via Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines
