Introduction
This tour will take you from
the dry sandy beaches of the South China Sea at Miri, into the interior at Mulu by light
aircraft to see the caves and unspoilt primary jungle, and then across into Sabah (North
Borneo) to Kota Kinabalu with its beautiful coral islands and towering 14,000 ft mountain,
beckoning you from the clouds. Then on to Poring Hot Springs where you can soothe your
aching limbs and lastly a flight to Sandakan on the East Coast of Borneo to see the Orang
Utan Sanctuary at Sepilok and cruise down the Kinabatangan River where there is the
greatest concentration of bird and wild life in 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
Arrive in Miri,
meet your hosts and transfer to
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 3
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 or 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.
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 4
Trip to Niah;
visit caves and longhouse (self-guided). Overnight in Park H.Q. chalets.
Day 5
Return from
Niah midday. City Tour of Miri; shopping and handicraft markets.
Day 6
Flight to Mulu
and check in to your accommodation; afternoon visiting "show caves": you take
your time to explore the deep rainforest and make your way slowly uphill to the caves in
the mountain side. One of the caves is specially lit up by a generator to show the
incredible stalagmites and -tites which have grown over millions of years, producing forms
of castles, people, animals and other imaginary shapes. Nearby is Deer cave which is
reputed to have the biggest single cave chamber in the world; you could literally park
several Boeing 747s in there!
In the evening you can watch the sun go down and shortly afterwards witness the millions
of bats take flight from the cave mouth!
Day 7
Visit Clearwater Cave by boat up the crystal clear Melinau River, picnic lunch and swim.
Return to Miri by air late afternoon.
Day 8
& 9
Miri.
Day 10
Flight to Kota Kinabalu (BKI).
Transfer to Seaside Inn, Kinarut.
Day 11
Boat to the Coral Islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (self-guided). Snorkeling,
swimming and water sports.
Day 12
By private transport to Mt. Kinabalu National Park. Overnight in Cecelia’s Lodge
(below) near the Park H.Q. in Kundasang.
Day 13
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.
Day 14
Summit at dawn! Then slowly back to Park H.Q. and on to Poring Hot Springs in the
afternoon to soothe those tired limbs. Return to Kota Kinabalu early evening.
Day 15
Kota Kinabalu.
Day 16
Early start by air to Sandakan; visit Orang Utan Sanctuary at Sepilok.
Day 16
- 18
3-day visit to Sukau on the Kinabatangan River basin for wild life cruises (morning and
evening) and stay overnight in the specially built wooden cabins on the river. All
inclusive of meals, guide and boat trips.
Day 19
- 20
Back at Kota Kinabalu and a chance to visit the State Museum and its ethnic village
houses; further visits to the coral islands for diving or snorkeling and a chance to do
some white water rafting on the Padas or Kiulu Rivers.
Day 21
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 trekking three hours,
except Mt. Kinabalu (4000 meters/13,500 feet) which is a steep 6 hour walk, but can be
completed by anyone under 50 of good fitness and health.
Note
Tours will also operate
the reverse itinerary above if necessary.
All tours are offered with or without flights.
To include all accommodation in Sarawak and Sabah (Miri, Mulu, Niah, Sandakan & Kota
Kinabalu) and return flights to Sandakan and Mulu. Some flexibility is planned into this
itinerary to allow for individual preferences.
Not included are taxis, tips, meals, drinks and incidental expenses.
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
