On this tour you will discover the treasures of the world’s third largest island.
Begin your journey in Kota Kinabalu, a bustling city popular for its stunning sunsets and the scenic beauty of Kinabalu National Park. Travel to Selingan Turtle Island to witness these beautiful creatures and the conservation work at the Turtle Hatchery. Visit Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Mulu National Park, where you can discover the abundant flora and fauna unique to the island. In Kuching, also known as the gateway to the jungle and sea, you can explore the history of Borneo’s ethnic groups and relax as you stroll along the riverfront esplanade.
Immerse yourself in culture when you visit Batang Ai Reservoir; interact with the locals in their private quarters and enjoy traditional Iban hospitality. Not only will you be rewarded with the sights and sounds of wildlife, but also the history of the Sultans and the traditional ethnic groups. You will be amazed by the cultural diversity of this magical island.
DAYS 1-2: AUSTRALIA TO KOTA KINABALU
Fly overnight with Singapore Airlines to Kota Kinabalu for an overnight stay.
DAY 3: KOTA KINABALU TO SELINGAN TURTLE ISLAND
This morning you will fly to Sandakan. Take a boat ride to Selingan Turtle Island. Tonight you may be fortunate enough to witness the turtles laying their eggs on the beach, which may occur at any time throughout the night. These eggs will be moved to the hatchery, which you will also visit.
DAY 4: SELINGAN TURTLE ISLAND TO SEPILOK AND SUKAU
Cruise back to the mainland this morning and drive to the Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Later, transfer to the jetty in Sandakan to cruise up to the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary. Continue cruising upstream to Sukau Village in search of primates such as the endemic Proboscis Monkeys, birds, crocodiles, elephants and other wildlife.
DAY 5: SUKAU TO KOTA KINABALU
This morning cruise downstream to Sandakan. Drive to the Puu Jih Syh Chinese Buddhist Temple and visit the Australian War Memorial before you transfer to the airport for your flight back to Kota Kinabalu.
DAY 6: KOTA KINABALU
Visit the Phu Thou Se Chinese Temple, Signal Hill, the Sabah State Mosque and the Yayasan Sabah. Drive to the village of the Kadazandusun, Sabah’s largest ethnic group. Meet with the descendants of ‘Monsopiad’, the great head-hunter warrior, at the Monsopiad Cultural Village.
DAY 7: KOTA KINABALU
Depart early this morning for the UNESCO World Heritage listed Kinabalu National Park. Take a nature walk with a naturalist before exploring the botanical garden, which boasts rich biodiversity. After lunch return to Kota Kinabalu.
DAY 8: KOTA KINABALU TO MULU
Fly to Mulu (via Miri) this morning. Later you will travel to the national park headquarters and commence a scenic plank walk through the rainforest to Deer Cave. You will also visit Lang Cave before returning to your hotel by torchlight.
DAY 9: MULU
Cruise upstream by longboat to the village of Batu Bungan. You will continue to Wind Cave and take a short walk along a suspended plank to Clearwater Cave. After exploring the caves, enjoy a picnic lunch. Later you can relax, swim or further explore the caves before returning to your hotel.
DAY 10: MULU TO KUCHING
Fly to Kuching (via Miri) where the remainder of the day is free at your leisure.
DAY 11: KUCHING
Discover the charms of this riverina city. Visit Sarawak Museum, which houses an excellent collection of ethnological and archaeological artefacts. This afternoon there is the option to visit the Sarawak Cultural Village (at an additional cost).
DAY 12: KUCHING TO BATANG AI RESERVOIR
This morning drive to Batang Ai Reservoir. Over the next 41/2 hours you will journey through rural Sarawak, passing pepper farms, cocoa and rubber plantations. En route you will stop at the colourful native market in the town of Serian. Upon arrival at the Batang Ai Reservoir you will travel by boat to your hotel.
DAY 13: BATANG AI RESERVOIR
After a boat ride take a walk to the longhouse where you experience traditional Iban hospitality with one of the families in their homes; sample a glass of ‘tuak’ and some Iban cuisine.
DAY 14: BATANG AI RESERVOIR TO KUCHING
Return to Kuching this morning, stopping at a pottery factory en route. You will also have another opportunity to spot orang-utans at Semenggoh Orang-Utan Park.
DAY 15: DEPART KUCHING
This morning is free at your leisure before you are transferred to Kuching airport to board your overnight flight to Australia.
DAY 16: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA
Arrive home this morning.
Wendy Wu Tours Review:
"My wife and I have just returned home from the "Borneo Discovery" tour which we are happy to say exceeded our expectations. This tour is not only about discovering Borneo but soon becomes an adventure, from watching turtles come ashore to lay their eggs to seeing the little hatchlings released into the sea. But that's not all, we travel up rivers to see monkeys swinging in the trees while crocodiles lie in wait for their next meal, we walk through jungle to explore magnificent caves and watch tens of thousands of bats leave the caves to forage for food. While experiencing all of this we still have time to go snorkelling and enjoy a cold beer with our travelling companions around the pool.
We visit the Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre where we are lucky enough to watch Orang-Utans being called in to feed by the rangers who care for them. We also travel by boat and walk to a traditional longhouse where we meet the local villagers and enjoy a glass [or two] of their rice wine. We also visit a local pepper farm, a colourful local market and a pottery factory where we are given the opportunity to buy local products and bargain if we can.
Perhaps the most serious part of the tour occurs early when we travel to Sandakan to see the Australian War Memorial where 1700 brave Australians began what is now known as the Death March. Everyone is left wondering how they were ever expected to walk through jungle in the heat and humidity they would have had to experience.
The food was excellent, mostly buffet or banquet style with enough variety to please most people. We were surprised at the amount of beef and lamb dishes until we were told that these products are imported from Australia and New Zealand. We found the accommodation again exceeded our expectations in most of the locations, anybody expecting to view turtles from the balcony of a five star hotel should not be on this tour. The local guides also deserve a mention, they were as excited about showing us their part of Borneo as we were to see it. To them it seemed more then a job it was a part of their life and a part they were there to preserve.
Thankyou to everyone involved in making this a tour to remember, this is a tour we will recommend to our friends and family."
Jim and Sandra Allen, New South Wales - May 2011
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