BEST OF BORNEO
AGENT FAM 2018
11Days / 10 Nights
Day 1: Arrive – Kuching / Day 7: Kota Kinabalu – KundasangDay 2: Kuching – Bako NP / Day 8: Kundasang - Sandakan
Day 3: Kuching
Day 4: Kuching – Mulu NP
Day 5: Mulu National Park
Day 6: Mulu National Park – Kota Kinabalu / Day 9: Sandakan - Kinabatangan
Day 10: Kinabatangan
Day 11: Kinabatangan – Sandakan – KK
Intro
US$550 per person based on 10 nights in TWIN/shared room. International and domestic flights are not included. Trip limited to 12 pax.
Take a nature breather on an 11-day discovery of Borneo’s best National Parks and Nature Reserves. Explore lush tropical rainforests and get a chance to spot some of the unique wildlife inhabitants.
Day 1: (02 June 18)(13 Oct 19)Arrive – Kuching (-/-/D)
Upon arrival at the airport in Kuching, meet with the guide and driver and receive a private transfer to the hotel for check-in.
After taking some time to freshen up and relax, meet with the guide in the afternoon and head out for a Kuching city tour. Known locally as the ‘Cat City’, it won’t take long to notice why this charming name has been bestowed upon the city -there are statues and tributes to cats at nearly every street corner. While taking a look around, visit the old White Rajah buildings, open markets, temples and mosques.
Dinner at Fusion Restaurant
Overnight Kuching accommodation
Hotel Inspections:
Hilton Hotel
The Renee
Distances and journey time:
Kuching Airport to Hotel Transfer (22km): 30 mins
Day 2: (03 June 18)(14 Oct 18) Kuching – Bako National Park (B/L/D)
Bako National Park, is just a 35-minute road transfer and 25-minute boat ride from Kuching.
Meet the local guide in the hotel foyer after an early breakfast for the 35- minute drive to Kampung Bako. Upon arrival at Bako village, walk to the pier and take a 25-minute boat ride to Bako National Park, the oldest national park in Malaysia.
There are 16 diverse walking trails within this unique biome, containing all of the plant species found in Borneo. Discuss their preferences with the guide, who will tailor the selected walking trail to their needs. They can also opt to laze on the deserted beaches or wander the boardwalks of the park HQ.
Proboscis monkeys gather by the beach in the mid-afternoon, catching crabs as the tide changes. This is a great location to watch these animals in the wild.
As Bako National Park is only accessible on the high and moderate tides, some changes to this program may be necessary – the guide will advise.
1500 Sarawak Cultural Village
1830 Dinner at local restaurant
Overnight in Kuching Accommodation
Hotel Inspections:
Batik Boutique
Limetree
Day 3: (04 June 18)(15 Oct 18)Kuching (B/L/D)
0730 Start-off early with a transfer to visit Semenggoh Nature Reserve, a large enclosed area of rainforest which is home to endangered orangutans rescued from captivity and kept for rehabilitation. During the scheduled feeding time, some orangutans may descend from the rainforest to the lower branches of trees near the feeding platform. Those who are in luck will be offered a wealth of facial expressions by mankind’s closest relative.
1000 After the feeding time, it’s time to start riding. Using winding rural back road, pedal through a series of kampongs dotted with small scale pepper farms, rice fields and plantations. Arrive at a large and old Bidayuh Tribe’s longhouse that houses over 80 families and boasts a history of 500 years in existence. Join one of the host family in the longhouse to enjoy freshly cooked bamboo chicken and wild jungle vegetable on tanju (patio) of the longhouse.
(Cycle up to 20km at leisure – easy, flat terrain)
After lunch, explore this peaceful Bidayuh longhouse and learn about the culture of the Land Dayaks who were once headhunters.
1500 Transfer 1.5 hours back to Kuching for a 3 hour late after cooking class from 1630 – 1930. Cook with fresh organic ingredients from the rainforest. Prepare this crunchy delicacy, along with a main dish and a dessert that’s served in a self-made pandan-leaf basket.
Overnight in Kuching Accommodation
Day 4:(05 June 18)(16 Oct 18) Kuching – Mulu National Park (B/L/D)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before being transferred to the airport for a flight to the tropical paradise of Mulu. Upon arrival, be met by the guide and driver and transferred to the resort for check in.
After taking some time to relax at the resort for a bit, depart for Mulu National Park Headquarters. From here, take a 3km elevated plank-walk to Lang Cave and the adjoining Deer Cave. At 2161 metres wide, it’s considered to be the largest cave passage in the world. After checking out the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites of Lang Cave, head to Deer Cave for a look at “Lincoln’s Profile”, an attraction inhabited by thousands of free-tailed bats found in the cave. As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, witness an incredible spectacle of nature as many thousands of these bats emerge from the cave for a night of foraging in the jungle. While trekking back to the park headquarters, experience an entirely different side of the rainforest as its nocturnal inhabitants come to life.
Hotel Inspections:
Mulu NP Accommodation
Overnight at Mulu Marriot
Distances and journey time:
Kuching Hotel to Kuching Airport Transfer (22km):30mins
Mulu Airport to Mulu NP Transfer (1km): 5 mins
Day 5: (06 June 18)(17 Oct 18) Mulu National Park (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the Resort.
After breakfast at the resort, take a boat ride to Wind Cave and Explore the ‘King’s Room’ before proceeding along plank walkways built on the sides of limestone cliffs leading to Clearwater Cave. Then, climb up the steep steps that were cut into the side of the hill to reach the entrance of Clearwater Cave. After entering the cave, spend some time to observe the incredible physical features and formations that can be found on its limestone walls.
In the afternoon, return to the resort for lunch and some free time before meeting back up with the guide for an unforgettable canopy walk. High above the forest floor, walk on an elevated platform for a look at the jungle’s unusual inhabitants who occupy areas little-seen by us ground-dwellers.
Afterwards, return to the resort and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight at Mulu Marriot.
Day 6: (07 June 18)(18 Oct 18) Mulu National Park – Kota Kinabalu (B/L/D)
Flight Schedule Recommendation: MH3254 MZV BKI14:40 16:30
A relaxing morning to walk the trails of the national park before an early lunch and transfer to the airport.
Transfer to the city hotel for a quick check in before an evening discovery of Kota Kinabalu. Take a short walk to the Filipino Market and fresh fish market where and witness the city coming alive. Stop for dinner at Kota Kinabalu’s famous fish market before the rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight Kota Kinabalu Accommodation
Distances and journey time:
Mulu NP to Mulu Airport Transfer (1km): 5 mins
Kota Kinabalu Airport to Kota Kinabalu Hotel (9KM): 20 mins
Day 7: (08 June 18)(19 Oct 18) KOTA KINABALU – KUNDASANG (B/L/-)
0730 Depart Kota Kinabalu
0830 Shangri La Rasa Ria Hotel Inspection
1000 Today head out to the cooler climates of Kinabalu Park, home to between 5000-6000 species of plants and 430 different birds and mammals.
1130 Arrival into Kinabalu Park. Photo opportunities of Mount Kinabalu followed by inspection of SSL properties.
1300 Lunch in the park
1400 - This afternoon depart Kinabalu Park for Sabah Tea. On route a short visit at Kundasang War Memorial, one of the first memorials to commemorate the Australian and British Prisoners of War who died in Sandakan POW camp during the death marches to Renau. Continue to Poring Hot Springs (45km – approx. 1hr) and stroll along a canopy walkway for a bird’s eye view of the tropical rainforest. The Canopy Walkway is suspended between trees at a height of 40m and offers an excellent opportunity to observe wildlife which shelter from predators on the ground. If time permits, a short inspection of SSL properties in Poring NP.
A short transfer to Sabah Tea for Overnight.
Hotel Inspections:
Shangri La Rasa Ria
SSL Properties Kinabalu Park and Poring NP
Overnight Sabah Tea
Distances and journey time:
Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Kinabalu Park (90km): 2.5 hours
Kinabalu Park to Poring (38km): 1hour
Day 9: (09 June 18)(20 Oct 18) KUNDASANG- SANDAKAN (B/L/D)
0800 – After breakfast, take a fascinating guided tour of the tea factory and learn how raw tea leaves are processed and packed for export. (Please note the Tea Factory is closed on Sundays, Mondays & Public Holidays).
1000 - Depart for a 3.5-hour drive to Sandakan to arrive early afternoon at the colonial style English Teahouse, a concept inspired by the famous Agnes Keith house. After lunch, take a quick visit to the central market in search of spices before continuing on to Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple at the south of the city. It is located on the hilltop, with a breath-taking panoramic view of Sandakan Bay.
1700 Late afternoon arrival at the hotel for dinner and evening relaxation
Hotel Inspections:
Sepilok Nature Resort
Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan
Overnight Sandakan/Sepilok Accommodation
Distances and journey time:
Poring Hot Springs to Sabah Tea Factory(20km) 35 mins
Sabah Tea to Sepilok/Sandakan (188km) 3 hours
Day 10: (10 June 18)(21 Oct 18) SANDAKAN - KINABATANGAN (B/L/D)
0830 – Have the luggage ready for the vehicle and depart for the Sun Bear Conservation Centre nearby. This centre aims to increase awareness of this endearing, but little-known bear species – named after the crescent shaped patch of fur on their chests that resembles the rising sun. From here walk to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in time for the morning feeding session at 1000.
1100 - Depart for Sandakan Jetty. From here take a boat 2 hours or slightly longer depending on wildlife spotting to Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort. This two-hour journey passes by local villages and lush rainforest. Arrive at the lodge, check in and enjoy lunch. 1630 - Late in the afternoon, hop on a riverboat for a cruise up the Kinabatangan River to search for wildlife -most notably, the proboscis monkeys which is endemic to Borneo. Other fauna likely to be spotted in the Lower Kinabatangan Reserve includes elephants, hornbills, gibbons, and many birds. Late in the afternoon return to the lodge for dinner.
2030 - take an evening stroll along the boardwalks on a lookout for nocturnal animals and interesting insects.
Overnight at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Distances and journey time:
Sepilok to Sandakan Jetty (26km): 30mins
Sandakan Jetty to Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort by boat: 2hrs
Day 11: (11 June 18)(22 Oct 18) KINABATANGAN (B/L/D)
0630 - Rise early in the morning along with the birds and other animals of the river for a cruise to Kelenanap Oxbow Lake, a crescent shaped lake that formed when the river’s meander became so wide that it cut itself off. The stillness of the lake and relative protection provides a haven for animals and plants making for an ecosystem that’s completely distinct from that of the river.
0900 Return to the resort for breakfast before transferring 1.5 hours to Sukau for an inspection of Sukau Rainforest Lodge and lunch.
1230 Continue up river 1.5 hours to Bilit Nature Lodge in time for the afternoon and evening cruises.
Overnight at Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Distances and journey time
Cruise times: AM – 06:30, EVE – 20:00
Cruise duration will depend on wildlife spotting: approx. 2 hours
Day 12: (12 June 18)(23 Oct 18) KINBATANGAN – SANDAKAN DEPART (B/L/D)
After breakfast, explore the nature board walk around the lodge area.
1000 - Check-out and Return to Sandakan by road for the onward international flight.
Recommended Flights to depart after 1430
***END OF SERVICES***
RATES & CONDITIONS
ACCOMMODATION:
City / Hotel / Hotel Category / Room TypeKuching / Batik Boutique / Superior / City Facing Suite
Batang Ai / Aiman Longhouse Resort / Superior / Standard
Mulu National Park / Mulu Marriot Resort or similar / Superior / Standard
Kota Kinabalu / Grandis Hotel or similar / Superior / Superior
Kundasang / Sutera Sanctuary Lodge / First Class / Kelicap Twin
Sepilok / Sepilok Nature Resort / First Class / Chalet
Kinabatangan River / Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort / First Class / Deluxe Chalet
Kinabatangan / Bilit Rainforest Lodge / First Class / Standard Chalet
PRICING from: in US DOLLAR (USD) per person for shared twin/double
Trip limited to 12 pax.
Rates per person / Per person / SGL Supp11D10N Package / 550 / On request
Notes: Seasonal Surcharges and blackout dates may apply
●Airport Transfers between 22:00-07:00hrs will incur a 50% Supplement
Our services include:
●Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room
●Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
●English speaking Guide (for other languages supplements apply)
●Transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned Vehicle
Our services do not include:
●Other meals than mentioned
●Other services than mentioned
●International and Domestic Flights
●Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature
●Tips, Travel insurance (must include helicopter evacuation for Malaysia)
●Visa for Malaysia
●All international and domestic air tickets
●Camera/video entrance fees
●Tourism tax
- IMPORTANT NOTES:
●We strongly recommend the purchase of a travel insurance (covering emergency medical evacuation) for trips to Malaysia.
- CONFIRMATIONS:
●Please note that all the above services & package tours have not been booked yet, they are proposed for your information only. We will not launch any reservation before we receive your confirmation.
●If one or some proposed service(s) is (are) not available at the moment of booking, we will try to find out other possibility/options or other similar service(s) in order to avoid as many important changes as possible.
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