16 Day Best of Borneo: Sabah & Sarawak

MEALS: None

OVERNIGHT: The Meritin Hotel, Kuching

One of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in a natural setting. Commonly spotted at Bako are the Borneo endemic proboscis monkeys, silvered langurs (monkeys), long-tailed macaques, wild boar, monitor lizards and numerous species of birds. The park has an impressive range of forest types from mangrove to kerangas (heath forest), tropical swamp vegetation, cliff vegetation and beach vegetation. A trail network provides access to different parts of the national park depending on level of fitness and areas of interest. The park’s spectacular coastline is dotted with small bays, coves and beaches.

Pick up from hotel, 35 minutes drive to Bako village, proceed by boat for approximately 30 minutes to the park headquarters. En route there is a chance to see crocodiles, sea eagles and other shore birds. Arrive at the park HQ and begin exploring the trails and searching for wildlife. Return to Kuching mid-afternoon.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

OVERNIGHT: The Meritin Hotel, Kuching

Breakfast in the hotel. Pick up and depart for Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, located 24 kilometres from the centre of Kuching. This orangutan rehabilitation centre retrains orphaned or rescued orang-utans on how to survive in the wild. Over 20 orang-utans live in the forest within the nature reserve and often return to the centre at feeding times. Upon arrival, head to the briefing area. After a brief talk from the rangers, take a short walk along a trail to the feeding area to watch the orang-utans come down from the trees for a free meal. Return back to the city and have the remainder of the day at your own leisure.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: The Meritin Hotel, Kuching

Depart from Kuching to Sibu by flight, Transfer to the Countryside. You’ll get to savour the local delicacies for lunch at local open air restaurants or coffee shops. View the hilly scenery on the way with some peppers vineyards, rubber trees, rice paddy’s and longhouses just by the roadside.

Upon arrival longhouse, a warm welcoming by your host and brief you some longhouse information and culture. Go for a village walk in the evening, see the friendly local community. Come back in time before sunset. Prepare local meals for dinner such as the Pansuh (chicken meat cooked in bamboo) and taste the Tuak (rice wine) together with your host. After dinner, relaxing and sharing stories & legends with the host in the Ruai (Veranda).

Retreat for the night. Please bear in mind, the Longhouse is a traditional homestay which is meant to be a rustic experience.

MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner

OVERNIGHT: Iban Longhouse Homestay (shared bathroom)

Wake up early this morning and join the villagers to experience the local rubber tapping activity. Learn about the tough job of extracting natural rubber latex and also process the rubber sheet.

Back to the longhouse for breakfast & a rest. Embark on your journey through the still green and undisturbed forest, with sightings of flora and fauna all the way. Here, you can understand how the local people say “Rainforest is the biggest supermarket for free”. View up close and personal some of the plants and herbs that the locals normally use for food or medical purpose and even for making ink as the base for Pua Kumbu. Enjoy a quick swim at the simple yet naturally beautiful water stream. Prepare and enjoy lunch in the middle of the rainforest while the sound of nature and gushing waterfall echoes in the background. Return back to longhouse and get yourself cleaned up and refreshed before journeying onto Sibu.

Upon arrival in Sibu, check-in to the hotel for a rest. Join us on a tour to the mind boggling Sibu Night Market, which is open every night except during heavy rain. Be amazed by the food, gadgets, textiles, utensils & all things interesting in this amazing place.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

OVERNIGHT: Kingwood Hotel, Sibu

After Breakfast, take a leisurely stroll on a beautiful esplanade alongside Malaysia’s longest river – The Mighty Rajang River. See how the people use River Taxis (Express Boats, Speed boats, Sampans etc) of all sorts and forms to move along the river. Watch how the locals stock up their “Floating Grocery Stores” that serve riverine folks. Walk on to a beautifully crafted Chinese Temple, climb up the Seven Storey Pagoda and take a panoramic view of Sibu’s waterfront life.

Then cut across the winding streets of Old Sibu Town and soak in the sights and smells of pastries baking in earthen ovens, alleyways full of small businesses that provide priceless photo opportunities. After this journey back into time, walk to the biggest Central Market in Malaysia – home to more than 1,200 stalls serving up a bedazzling variety of commodities. Seek out the live chicken stalls and find out how they are bundled with newspapers. You will get a real feel of how the people of Sibu live and get to see seasonal fruits, catches that are unique to Sibu.

We then take a transfer to the airport for a short domestic flight to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Baggage allowance 25kg checked, 7kg carry on). Upon arrival you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel for check in. The evening is free at your own leisure.

If arrival time permits, you will have the option to take a sunset dinner cruise with North Borneo Cruises. Enjoy an all you can eat buffet as you cruise around the islands at sunset. This may also be an option for the evening of DAY 7.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: Grandis Hotel, Kota Kinabalu

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:

• Sunset Dinner Cruise with North Borneo Cruises

Spend the whole day at your leisure exploring this modern city. Take a stroll along the waterfront stopping in the numerous bars and restaurants. Wonder through the local markets for souvenirs or the evening fish market and try some local seafood.

Take an optional day tour including a City Tour of Kota Kinabalu and Mari Mari Cultural Village. The city tour includes the following sights: Kota Kinabalu City, Atkinson Clock Tower, Observatory Tower (Signal Hill), Tun Mustapha Building, bypass City Mosque, Sabah State Museum, Handicraft Market.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: Grandis Hotel (Superior Room), Kota Kinabalu

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:

• Mari Mari Cultural Village & City Tour (Full Day)
• Sunset Dinner Cruise with North Borneo Cruises

NOTE: Cannot do both optional tours in one day

Today you will enjoy a full day trip to the stunning islands of TAR National Park. Embark on an exciting 20 minute boat ride across the bay to Pulau Sapi to lounge on the soft sands and swim in the pristine blue ocean. Next continue on to Manukan Island for more beach time, soaking up the sun or enjoying a spot of snorkelling. Return to Kota Kinabalu in the afternoon and enjoy your evening free at leisure.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

OVERNIGHT: Grandis Hotel (Superior Room), Kota Kinabalu

In the morning at 0830 we will depart overland towards Kinabalu National Park. En route we stop at Nabalu Native Market for a spot of souvenir shopping, before continuing on to Kundasang War Memorial. The Kundasang War Memorial is a memorial dedicated to the British and Australian soldiers who died in the Sandakan POW camp during their death marches to Ranau. Besides that, it also recognises the suffering and sacrifice of the native population of Sabah. Afterwards, continue on to Kinabalu National Park and in the late afternoon we check in to mount Kinabalu Perkasa.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

OVERNIGHT: Mount Kinabalu Perkasa Hotel (Superior Room), Kundasang

This morning after breakfast and checkout we continue overland to Sabah Tea Garden for a tour around the Tea Factory and tea plantation with a tea plucking activity. After a local lunch we continue towards Sepilok, stopping en route to enjoy a tantalising fish foot massage in the river at Kumpung Lunanti. Arriving at Sepilok in the late afternoon, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. You will spend the next 3 nights at Sepilok Jungle resort.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

OVERNIGHT: Sepilok Jungle Resort (Superior Room), Sepilok

This morning we visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in time for the morning feeding and learn about the conservation and rehabilitation efforts of Sepilok. Witness the majestic Orangutan swing through the forest towards the feeding platform and watch as these beautiful creatures enjoy their breakfast. Afterwards we make a visit to see the World’s smallest bear in their natural habitat at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Enjoy lunch back at the resort and spend the afternoon at leisure, relaxing in the resorts pool and tropical surroundings.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

OVERNIGHT: Sepilok Jungle Resort (Superior Room), Sepilok

Spend the morning visiting the fascinating long nose Proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay Sanctuary. Only found in Borneo, the Proboscis monkey is weird yet wonderful; the males have super long noses and the bigger they are, the more attractive they are to the ladies! Spend the afternoon at your own leisure. We suggest you visit the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre (2km) learn about local flora and fauna and enjoy a canopy walkway among the treetops, giving you a birds-eye view of the park [entrance fee approx. $10). Alternatively, return to visit the Orangutans one last time for their afternoon feeding [At your own expense]

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

OVERNIGHT: Sepilok Jungle Resort (Superior Room), Sepilok

After breakfast we travel overland to our wildlife lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. On arrival into Bilit we have a spot of lunch before jumping on our first wildlife boat cruise down the river. Keep your eyes peeled for wild Orangutans, Proboscis Monkeys, Pygmy Elephants and lots of exotic birdlife! Evening free at leisure or take an optional guided night jungle walk to spot the nocturnal wildlife.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

OVERNIGHT: Bilit Adventure Lodge (Superior Room), Sepilok

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:

• Wildlife night jungle walk RM10 (approx $5)
• Tree Planting RM10 (approx $5)

NOTE: Pay on arrival

Early morning start as we cruise along the Kinabatangan River at 6:00am in search for more wild and wonderful wildlife, then back to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast you will have two choices; for trekkers: a guided jungle walk through the riverine forest. For non-trekkers; we participate in the batik painting. Relax for the afternoon and then just before dusk we embark on another river cruise in search for more wildlife. Spend the evening at leisure enjoying a cold beer and sharing your photos from the day with fellow travellers.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

OVERNIGHT: Bilit Adventure Lodge (Superior Room), Sepilok

Morning departure from Bilit at 0830 back to Sandakan. En route we stop at the Sandakan War Memorial Park. The site is dedicated as a memory for all prisoners in the camp who died during the Sandakan Death Marches, and to those died during a march to Ranau. Then, we go for lunch and in the afternoon continue with a city tour of Sandakan. We visit Puu Jih Buddhist Temple, St Michael’s Church and Australian War Memorial. After the tour we check in to Sabah Hotel. Tonight the group will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

OVERNIGHT: Sabah Hotel, Sandakan (Deluxe Room)

Today you will be transferred to Sandakan airport for your onward journey. Alternatively, your can extend your trip with our Turtle Island Extension (3D/2N).

MEALS: Breakfast

After breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred Sabah Park Jetty in Sandakan where you will take a 1-hour boat ride to Selingan Turtle Island. Located only 40 kilometres from North Sandakan, you will have the opportunity to see the main nesting areas of the Green Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles.

Upon arrival, lunch will be served.

Check in to your basic but clean accommodation. The rest of the day you are free to stretch out by the beach or jump right into the sea for a snorkel round the nearby reefs. Dinner will be served on the Island. After dinner, a Park Ranger will inform you on the right time to encounter turtle laying their eggs along the beach. Get the chance to witness the collecting of eggs from the nestling site and into a safe hatchery and watch baby turtles scrambling out into the open sea upon their release on shore. An adorable sight not to be missed!

It’s time to hit the hay and rest up with an overnight stay at your Selingan Turtle Island Chalet.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

OVERNIGHT: Selingan Island Chalet

After breakfast and check out say goodbye to the little turtles and head back to Sabah Parks Jetty via boat. Upon arrival transfer to the Sabah hotel for your final afternoon and night in Sandakan.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: Sabah Hotel, Sandakan

Today you will be transferred to Sandakan airport for your onward journey.

MEALS: Breakfast