Introduction
This itinerary will take you
first to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (North Borneo) with its beautiful coral islands and towering
14,000 ft mountain, beckoning you from the clouds. Here you have a choice of either
climbing the mountain or visiting the East Coast of Borneo and seeing the wildlife there
plus the Orang Utan Sanctuary at Sepilok. Then on into the jungles of Sarawak, travelling
from the dry sandy beaches of the South China Sea at Miri to the mountains and caves of
Mulu National Park, amongst unspoilt rainforest deep in the interior of Borneo.
Highlights
SABAH; SARAWAK; Local wooden
Guest Houses run on ethnic lines, longhouses, spicy local food, some of the world’s
largest and least discovered caves, rainforest walking, the highest mountain in S.E.Asia.
Walk with the Orang Utans at Sepilok.
Itinerary
Day 1
International
flight in to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, East Malaysia.
Day 2
- 4
After arrival
formalities, meet your Seaside Travellers Inn representative and transfer there for a
pleasant sunset meal and drink at the Beach House; rooms are all modernised, even at the
original wooden Beach House. The new block has I.D.D. telephones, T.V and air-conditioning
in all the rooms, as well as an electric hot shower and private balcony.
Based at the Seaside Inn you can make your own choice of day trips (self-guided) to:
Kinabalu National Park (self-drive hire car or long distance bus)
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (the "coral islands") from the Jetty downtown
Monsopiad Cultural Village by taxi.
State Museum, open 9 - 5
Take the normal train to Tenom through the Padas Gorge or the steam train with Tiffin
Lunch served on board (Wednesdays and Saturdays, cost RM 180 or about £35)
White water rafting trip, also RM 180 approximately.
Visit Tambunan Village in the mountains.
Favourite is the boat trip to the Coral Islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
(self-guided). Easy, excellent snorkeling amongst many different types of coral and water
sports such as parascending, banana boat, jet-ski, kayaks and wind surfing available (at a
price!).
Day 5
- 7
Early start at
7 am by air to Sandakan; in time to visit the Orang Utan Sanctuary at Sepilok for first
feeding time (always the best!). Lunch at the nearby Park Canteen included.
Continue by minibus to Sukau for early evening river cruise on Kinabatangan River basin
for wild life cruise and stay overnight in wooden cabins on the riverbank. River cruise to
Oxbow lakes next morning and further tour of the river in the evening.
Next day return via Gomantong caves and short city tour of Sandakan before 5 o'clock
flight back to Kota Kinabalu.
OR
By private 4-wheel drive to Mt. Kinabalu National Park. Overnight in Cecelia’s Lodge
near the Park H.Q. in Kundasang.
Second Day: Climb the Mountain! Start 0730 a.m. and reach Laban Rata mountain refuge early
afternoon (6 hr climb). Plenty of hot soup, noodles and drinks to set you up for the final
assault on the summit next morning.
Third Day: Summit at dawn! Then slowly back to Park H.Q. and return to Kinabalu in the
late afternoon.
Non-climbers have the chance to explore the nature trails with a guide at Mesilau Resort
nearby, which start at six thousand feet and go up the very picturesque southern slopes of
Mt. Kinabalu, amongst the unique Pitcher Plants and along the cool clear mountain streams.
Day 8
Start of the
second half of your Borneo trip in Miri, Sarawak, based at the TreeTops Lodge. Afternoon
visit to the beach and evening out at the hawker stalls for open-air dinner. Night life
starts at 10 p.m. if you’re still game!
Day 9
Late morning departure by 4-wheel drive going inland via an Iban longhouse and across the
Lambir foothills, passing through the Agricultural College and its beautifully kept lawns,
trees and shrubs to the National Park.
Twenty minute walk through primary jungle beside a small stream to the main waterfall and
rock pool at Lambir. Cool fresh water pool to bathe in and then a barbecue and picnic on
the sandy spit. Further walks to the many minor waterfalls, the tree house or even the
summit peaks (self-guided).Return in time for sundown.
Go jungle trekking along the forest trails in this species rich forest and immerse
yourself in nature’s ways. With the rich variety of species around, you’re bound
to discover something new and exciting along the way. For the uninitiated, a suspension
bridge adds to the fun and adventure.
At the end of it all awaits a rocky pool of such enchanting green that you simply cannot
resist. So take a dip in the cool, emerald green depths and come out totally refreshed.
Day 10 & 11
Mulu visit - flight by light aircraft (Twin Otter) of Malaysian Airlines on their Rural
Air Service to Mulu airfield, about 30 minutes flying time. Flights depart late morning
and early afternoon and are weather dependent, which is why we put this trip in the middle
and not at the end! In the mornings the airfield at Mulu is often covered in mist and fog
and by early evening the daily thunderstorm is usually in progress around the mountain!
Return flight is included plus overnight accommodation at the Park Headquarters in
twin-share "cabin" with its own bathroom, or, as an extra option, you can stay
at the "posh" Royal Mulu Resort, whose package includes boat trips, guides,
meals and airport transfers. (extra cost for this option is approximately £90 per person
and must be booked in advance).
Day 12
Flight to Kota Kinabalu (BKI).
Transfer to Seaside Inn, Kinarut.
Day 13
Seaside Inn, Kinarut.
Day 14
Tour ends at Kota Kinabalu. International flight to onward destination or home.
Accommodation
Local wooden Guest Houses,
Park Hostels, Mountain Cabins, Seaside Hotel.
Transport
4-wheel drive, local
boats and buses, minibuses, on foot.
Fitness
Maximum walking in the Parks
is three hours.
The mountain however is a steep 6 hour walk and should only be attempted by those of
perfect health and fitness. You will feel your leg muscles ache for several days, even so!
Note
Tours can also be
operated based on the reverse itinerary above.
All tours are offered with or without flights.
Above
itinerary not necessarily in the order, as some arrangements are dependent on flight
schedules which vary, especially at weekends, and availability.
Tour
Itinerary, Sequence and Final Rate subject to availability of spaces, accommodations, and
specified tour sites
