Undiscovered Borneo
Suggested Itinerary
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Overview
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 journey into the heart of Borneo’s spectacular natural landscapes visiting some of it’s less-visited areas in addition. This 14-day journey will take you ...
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 journey into the heart of Borneo’s spectacular natural landscapes visiting some of it’s less-visited areas in addition. 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 orangutans 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.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Wander the backstreets of colourful Kuching and learn about the city’s origins
- Discover the fascinating region of Batang Ai and spend the night amongst the Borneo headhunters
- Visit the stunning UNESCO site of Gunung Mulu National Park, home to one of the largest cave systems in the world
- Explore the pristine landscapes of Kinabatangan and Kinabalu National Park on wildlife safaris
- Learn about the great work being done at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
- Meet with rural communities and sample delicious home-cooked food and local rice wine
Suggested Itinerary
This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.
DAY 1: KUCHING
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: BAKO NATIONAL PARK
DAY 2: KUCHING: BAKO NATIONAL PARK
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. Accessible only by boat you will have a chance to trek along some of the jungle trails that snake through the park, before returning to Kuching.
DAY 3: KUCHING - BATANG AI
DAY 3: KUCHING - BATANG 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 orangutans, 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 Mengkak Longhouse. After dinner you will visit an Iban longhouse for an evening of cultural interaction and some local rice wine.
DAY 4: BATANG AI
DAY 4: BATANG AI
After breakfast you hike along the jungle trails and travel upriver by longboat to the for your picnic lunch (if weather permit). After a chance to relax, swim, explore and maybe even try your hand at fishing Iban style, you return to the longhouse. After a dinner sprinkled with delicious local delicacies, you have another opportunity to visit the longhouse.
DAY 5: BATANG AI - KUCHING
DAY 5: BATANG AI - KUCHING
Taking a longboat back to the jetty, you return to Kuching this morning. This afternoon is free to relax or explore at leisure in Kuching.
DAY 6: KUCHING - GUNUNG MULU NATIONAL PARK
DAY 6: KUCHING - GUNUNG MULU NATIONAL PARK
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 breath-taking 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.
DAY 7: GUNUNG MULU NATIONAL PARK
DAY 7: GUNUNG MULU NATIONAL PARK
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.
DAY 8: GUNUNG MULU NATIONAL PARK - KOTA KINABALU - SEPILOK
DAY 8: GUNUNG MULU NATIONAL PARK - KOTA KINABALU - SEPILOK
Transfer to the airport for you flight to Sandakan in Sabah, via Kota Kinabalu. On arrival transfer to your hotel located just outside Sandakan.
DAY 9: SEPILOK - KINABATANGAN (ABAI)
DAY 9: SEPILOK - KINABATANGAN (ABAI)
This morning, visit the orangutans at Sepilok Nature Reserve, where you can observe them at their feeding stations and enjoy a short presentation on the Orangutan 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. Upon arrival at the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, enjoy lunch before setting off for an afternoon river expedition in search of wildlife in an open-topped river boat. You might get the opportunity to photograph wild Orangutans, Pygmy elephants, Proboscis monkeys and other wildlife. After a few hours you will head back to the resort, if weather is good, we should be able to see and photograph fireflies at a very challenging low-light condition. After dinner, we shall take a night stroll along the boardwalks on a lookout for nocturnal animals and interesting insects.
DAY 10: KINABATANGAN (ABAI)
DAY 10: KINABATANGAN (ABAI)
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.
DAY 11: KINABATANGAN (ABAI) - SANDAKAN - KOTA KINABALU
DAY 11: KINABATANGAN (ABAI) - SANDAKAN - KOTA KINABALU
Early this morning, spend some time on the boardwalk for some birdwatching. Transfer by boat to Sandakan airport and in the afternoon fly back to Kota Kinabalu.
DAY 12: KOTA KINABALU
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.
DAY 13: KOTA KINABALU
DAY 13: KOTA KINABALU
Day at leisure to relax and enjoy the beach at the hotel.
DAY 14: KOTA KINABALU
DAY 14: KOTA KINABALU
After a free morning you will transfer to the airport in time to catch your onward flight.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort and Spa, Kota Kinabalu
With its own Nature Reserve and ecologically friendly championship golf course, the 5 star Shangri La Rasa Resort sits amongst 400 acres of tropical vegetation beside the white sands of Pantai Dalit Beach. Its 420 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites are spread over two wings offering landscape and sea views from private balconies. The resort also features a spa and health club, a pool and a range of recreational activities.
Hilton Kuching, Kuching
The Hilton Kuching is a higher end hotel situated at the centre of Kuching overlooking the Saeawak river. The location is near many of the sites and activities that Kuching has to offer. Facilities in the hotel include a fitness centre, poolside tennis courts, outdoor pool and 36 hole golf course. The 315 rooms are spacious with internet access and good views of the cityscape and river. There is a waterfront and traditional restaurant as well as various bars and cafes within the complex.
Mulu Marriott Resort And Spa, Gunung Mulu
Just recently upgraded to a five star, the Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa is built in ethnic style and rests on wooden stilts overlooking the Melauni river, at the edge of Mulu National Park, a World Heritage site. The resort comprises of 188 rooms with their own verandas looking out onto the lush surroundings. The restaurant offers a mix of local, Chinese and Western cuisine.
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, Kinabatangan (Abai)
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is a gem located in Abai, a quieter area of the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain, about an hour’s boat ride from Sandakan harbour. If you are looking for something exclusive and away from the main tourist hotspots of Sukau and Bilit, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is the place to go. The resort is surrounded by secondary forest reserves, and is located within beautiful nipah and mangrove vegetation. Apart from the river cruises, you can spend time relaxing and observing nature from your chalet, a myriad of birds and monkeys, such as silver leaf langurs, maroon langurs, hose langurs, and wild orangutan are regularly spotted within the area. Raised boardwalks are available for night walks and morning strolls. NB, Please be careful on the boardwalks as they can be slippery after rain.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
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This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
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