Day 01: Arrive Kuching

After arriving in Kuching, we are transferred from the airport to our hotel for check in (after 3 PM). Today, dive into Kuching’s rich heritage with a walking tour of the city. We visit the fascinating Tua Pek Kong Chinese Temple, dating from 1830, before strolling through Carpenter street, past quaint shops and houses leading up to the city’s General Post Office (dating from 1932). We continue on to India Street, where we learn about its transformation from a busy road to a pedestrian walkway, and Gambier street, still home to traditional traders. We pass by the Borneo Culture Museum and the splendid Moroccan-inspired State Mosque. Our final stop will be a walk past the Sarawak Independence Field, with a glimpse of St. Thomas’ Cathedral.

Overnight: Pullman Hotel, Kuching (1 night)

Day 02: Kuching/Nanga Sumpa (Drive/Boat)

After breakfast at our hotel, we journey on to Batang Ai, home of some of the oldest settlements of the Iban indigenous people found in Malaysia. We first pass through scenic countryside with quaint towns, paddy fields and oil palm plantations flanked by rugged, jungle-clad mountains. Before reaching Batang Ai, we stop at Lachau Bazaar to browse the locally-run shops and small market. We then reach Batang Ai Hydro Lake, where we board a traditional longboat and travel upriver to Nanga Sumpa (approximately 2 hours depending on river conditions), passing through typical Borneo countryside with an ancient longhouse tucked behind almost every bend in the river. Upon arrival, we check in to our jungle lodge, with the remainder of the day at leisure. A delicious dinner is enjoyed at our lodge.

Overnight: Nanga Sumpa Lodge, Batang Ai (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 03: Nanga Sumpa

Today, set sail for the scenic Enseluai Waterfall for a refreshing dip in its pools. After breakfast, we hike along the jungle trails towards the river and then board a longboat to travel upriver. On the way, river conditions dependent, our boatmen demonstrate traditional local fishing methods using a jala (throw net).

Upon arrival at Enseluai Waterfall, we have time to relax, swim or soak up the surrounding rainforest, as well as enjoy a barbecue lunch. Afterwards, we return to the lodge and have free time to spend at our leisure. After dinner, we visit the Nanga Sumpa Longhouse to interact with and learn more about the locals who reside here as an “entire village under one roof”. (B, L, D)

Day 04: Nanga Sumpa/Kuching (Drive)

After breakfast, travel down river by longboat to Batang Ai Jetty, then transfer overland to Kuching. Stop for lunch will be at a delicious local restaurant.
Overnight: Pullman Hotel, Kuching (1 night) (B, L)

Day 05: Kuching/Mulu (Flight)

After breakfast, we head to the airport for our flight to Mulu. Upon arrival at Mulu Airport, we are welcomed by our guide and transferred to Mulu National Park.

In the afternoon, we start our adventure with the Deer and Lang Cave tour. We are required to arrive at least 10 minutes ahead of the daily tours departing from the Park headquarters at 2pm or 2:30pm, before trekking to Lang Cave. Despite being the smallest out of the four other show caves in the park, Lang Cave has a spectacular array of stalactites, stalagmites and rim stone pools. In contrast, overwhelming Deer Cave is the biggest show cave at Mulu and one of the largest cave passages in the world. A powerful underground river once flowed through this area dissolving and eroding the limestone to form the cave we see today. Our tour is timed so that we can view the exit of millions of bats flying out of Deer Cave on their nightly feeding foray.

Overnight: Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa, Mulu (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 06: Mulu

After breakfast, we cruise up the Melinau River in a longboat and visit the Penan Longhouse Market on the way (closed on Sundays). We eventually reach our destination, Wind Cave. This cave is famed for its impressive caverns and unusual limestone formations such as the King’s Room, filled with stalagmites and stalactites that look like polished chandeliers and candlesticks. We then proceed to Clearwater Cave, where a subterranean river has carved an impressive 118-kilometer-long cave system.  Swimming is not permitted in the cave. However, we can enjoy a dip in the crystal clear waters outside the cave where the river emerges from the cliff face. We enjoy a packed lunch at Clearwater rest hut. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Mulu/Kota Kinabalu (Flight)

After breakfast at the hotel, we have free time to spend at our leisure until we depart for Mulu Airport for our departure flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, enjoy a half-day city tour of Kota Kinabalu. We’ll see places of interest like Wisma Tun Mustapha (the Sabah Foundation Building), the State Mosque, and the Sabah Museum, which vcovers the unique history and culture of the indigenous people.

Overnight: Grandis Hotel, Kota Kinabalu (1 night) (B)

Day 08: Kota Kinabalu/Sandakan (Flight)

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Kota Kinabalu Airport for our flight to Sandakan.  At the Sandakan airport, we are met by our guide and drive to our nature resort, with free time to explore the lush tropical forest that surrounds the resort after check in. At 6 pm, we head to the flying squirrel platform to watch these graceful animals glide through the treetops. We will then return to the resort for dinner.

Overnight: MY Nature Resort, Sandakan (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Sandakan

Today’s tour will bring you to explore the various landmarks of Sandakan like Central Market, offering the most amazing variety of fresh seafood and agricultural products, Observation Platform, to enjoy a stunning panoramic view, and Puu Jih Shih Temple, stunning in its exgravagant reds and golds and also offering a beautiful hilltop view of Sandakan. Lastly, we explore one of the oldest buildings in the area, St. Michael’s Church, which is one of the few stone buildings that still remains in Sabah. (B, D)

Day 10: Sandakan/Abai (Boat)

This morning, a truly unique experience as we head to the world’s largest orangutan rehabilitation sanctuary in Sepilok.  Here at 10 am, we can watch the incredible creatures being fed. We then continue to a sun bear conservation centre to learn about the pioneering work being done to safeguard these creatures.

Afterwards, board a scheduled boat which departs at 12 pm from Sandakan town and cruise through mangrove forests to Abai Jungle Lodge, which is nestled on the idyllic Kinabatangan River.

After lunch, we embark on a river cruise in search of the elusive long-nose proboscis monkey and other creatures. As the sun sets, we can watch the waterway flicker to life with magical fireflies, a unique natural phenomenon in this area.

After dinner on the resort’s jetty, we continue our adventure and explore the jungle at night with a nature boardwalk trail in search of nocturnal wildlife, including birds, snakes and insects.

Overnight: Abai Jungle Lodge, Sukau (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 11: Abai/Sukau (Boat)

Our early wakeup time is rewarded with the sights and sounds of nature springing to life at dawn. We then embark on an early-morning river cruise to Pitas Lake to spot the plethora of wildlife that call the picturesque body of water home. Next, continue to Abai Jungle Platform for breakfast, surrounded by nature. We then hit the water again for a scenic boat cruise to Sukau Village at 10 am.

Upon arrival, lunch and check-in at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge at about 12 pm, before setting off on a cruise at 4:30 pm along Menanggul River, a small tributary of the Kinabatangan in search of wild orangutans, rare proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. At 7:30 pm, we return to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight: Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge, Sukau (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 12: Sukau/Sandakan (Drive)

Today sees us delve deeper into Borneo’s rugged wild landscape as we head to Sandakan by scheduled boat at 7:30 am.

Upon arrival to Sandakan Jetty, proceed with the early lunch before head up to Sandakan Airport to catch our onward flight. (B, L)

Optional Add-on 3-day Pinnacles Experience

This add-on is a unique way to maximize your positive impact on local communities and minimize your impact on the environment. Hiking gets you up close and personal with nature, while meals are cooked by local communities using delicious, locally sourced ingredients.

This add-on can be added in starting on Day 6, after lunch in Clearwater hut.

Day 01: Mulu

After lunch at Clearwater hut, we continue our journey to Long LItut. We embark on our trek (approximately 3 hours) through the forest to reach Camp 5, where we enjoy dinner and overnight. Please note that facilities at Camp 5 are basic.

Overnight: Camp 5 (Dormitory), Mulu (2 nights) (L, D)

Day 02: Mulu

Our exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site continues as we trek through Mulu National Park to the Pinnacles that tower over the surrounding vegetation. Leaving after breakfast, we ascend to Gunung Api, taking about three hours. During the climb, we see many different species of plants and insects within this virgin jungle of Borneo before arriving at the observatory point. The Pinnacles are sharp limestone points about 45 metres in height that span the slopes of Gunung Api. We enjoy a packed lunch here while observing this unique spectacle. Afterwards, we continue our descent to Camp 5. Dinner and overnight is at Camp 5.

Overnight: Camp 5 (Dormitory), Mulu (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 03: Mulu

After breakfast at Camp 5, we continue on our jungle trek to Long Litut. We stop at the Clearwater summer hut for a picnic lunch and enjoy swimming in the clear water spring. After lunch, we transfer to Mulu Airport for our flight to our next destination. (B, L)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 08 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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