15 Nights - Highlights of Borneo, Gaya Island & Kuala Lumpur

Day 1 | Arrival to Kuching
Upon arrival at Sandakan Airport, meet your driver and transfer to hotel.
Arrival in Kuching International Airport. Transfer to hotel and check in. Free at leisure.
Overnight at Pullman Kuching. 

Day 2 | Kuching
Breakfast. 0900 hrs, depart for Half Day Sarawak River Cruise (2 hrs)
See historic Kuching from the Sarawak River and get a stupendous view of the city – a panorama
denied to people on dry land. The Sarawak River is the main artery around which the city has grown
and from the comfort of a purpose-built pontoon boat, we can enjoy unobstructed views of every
aspect of traditional life on the river. This morning two-hour cruise takes us past a host of fascinating sights to get a view of traditional life on and around this waterway. The boat glides past colourful Malay villages, the elegant city Mosque, the Astana, Fort Margherita and Kuching Waterfront and we passed brightly painted tambangs ferrying passengers, fishing boats and wooden cargo vessels plying the river. Return to hotel after the tour. 1600 hrs, depart for Half Day Sunset Kampung Walk with Hawker food (4 hrs). Experience first-hand how the local people live by visiting a traditional Malay kampong. This is traditionally a small community, under the leadership of a penghulu (village chief), who has the power to hear civil matters in his village. A kampong usually contains a masjid (mosque) or surau, paddy fields or orchards and traditional Malay houses on stilts. The villagers practice the culture of helping one another as a community, which is better known as the ‘joint bearing of burdens.’ They are family-oriented, especially the concept of respecting one’s family, particularly the parents and elders. While in the community, we will meet playful children after school, watch the younger people play sepak takraw and take in other village scenes. We then take a sampan ride back to the other side of the river and absorb the great sunset view of the Astana, the Dun Building and the mosque. Back on land, get ready for a classic hawker street dinner, including favourites such as Nasi Lemak, served on the waterfront. Return to hotel. Overnight at Pullman Kuching.

Day 3 | Kuching
Breakfast. 0900 hrs, depart for Full Day Bako National Park tour (8 hrs) Discover Bako National Park’s rich biodiversity which is a botanical treasure with a remarkable animal and plant life diversity. This small peninsula, 90 minutes from Kuching by car and longboat, is home to seven distinct rainforest ecosystems and its most famous residents are the bizarre proboscis monkey. It is also home to silvered langurs (leaf monkeys), long-tailed macaque monkeys, wild boar, flying squirrels and monitor lizards, as well as hundreds of different bird species. Fascinating plant life includes mangroves, strangling figs, carnivorous pitcher plants and symbiotic ant plants. Unique geological features mark the coastline while well-marked trails lead to rugged jungle-covered hilltops and secluded beaches, making this an adventurer’s paradise. A packed lunch is included. Return to hotel.
Overnight at Pullman Kuching.

Day 4 | Kuching - Mulu
Breakfast. Check out and transfer to airport for your flight to Mulu. Meet upon arrival at Mulu by the hotel representative and transfer to Mulu Marriott Resort on sharing basis. In the afternoon we will be transferred to Mulu Park HQ on join basis and take the 3 km plank walk to explore Lang's and Deer Caves on join basis. Watch the bats flights if weather permit and return to the Park HQ and transfer to your accommodation. Dinner at Hotel.
Overnight at Mulu Marriott Resort.

Day 5 | Mulu
Breakfast at the resort. This morning, you will journey by longboat to Wind Cave on join basis – famed for its impressive caverns and unusual limestone formations. Explore the “King’s Room” to see stalagmites and stalactites that look like polished chandeliers and candlesticks, before proceeding to Clearwater Cave – the longest cave passage in Southeast Asia and the tenth longest in the world. Enjoy a picnic lunch and swim in the clear waters of the pool which have been purified as it passes through hundreds of feet of limestone. After lunch, transfer back to resort after the tour. Free at leisure. Dinner at hotel. Overnight at Mulu Marriott Resort.

Day 6 | Mulu - Kota Kinabalu
Breakfast. Transfer to airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, transfer to your hotel. Check in and free at leisure. Overnight at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru

Day 7 | Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Tea
Breakfast. 0730 hrs, proceed to Kinabalu Park The journey is often part of the adventure and our two-hour scenic drive to Kinabalu Park passes villages and paddy fields along mountainous roads that wind along the Crocker Range. Briefly we stop at Nabalu Market where locals gather to sell local produce, fruits, home grown vegetables and handicraft souvenirs. Upon arrival at Kinabalu Park, we enjoy the refreshing and cooling air on a walk along the nature trails in the Botanical Garden and on a clear day we may be able to spot Mount Kinabalu. Continue journey to Sabah Tea Resort. Check in and overnight at Sabah Tea Resort Cottage.

Day 8 | Sabah Tea - Sepilok
Breakfast. Proceed with guided tea plantation and factory visit Depart to Sepilok with lunch enroute. Upon arrival check in and free at leisure. Dinner at resort. Overnight Sepilok Nature Lodge.

Day 9 | Sepilok - Sukau
Breakfast. Check out and transfer to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to observe man’s closest relative, the orangutan, being rehabilitated into its natural habitat. Here at 10 am, we feed the orangutans and take a walk in Borneo’s tropical lowland dipterocarp forest. We continue to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre which aims to release rescued sun bears into the enclosed

forest. After lunch, 2 hours overland journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Right after checking-in, go on board for a late afternoon cruise in search of Borneo’s wildlife and birds. Return to the lodge to savor a scrumptious dinner, followed by a slide presentation and interpretation by a naturalist guide. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

Note:
• Recommended personal gear: Insect repellent, torch light, raincoat (umbrella not recommended), hat, binoculars and sunscreen (sweat proof), good walking shoe, camera, drinking water bottle, personal toiletries.

• For comfort & convenience, it is recommended to travel light by preparing an overnight bag. Acomplimentary storage is provided for any extra luggage for guest departing & returning to Sandakanonly.

Day10| Sukau
Rise and shine for the morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap oxbow lake to view more birds and wildlife. After breakfast, join in the nature walk along the lodge’s Hornbill Boardwalk with the in-house naturalist. After lunch, it will be free at leisure. In the afternoon, proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. Dinner at the lodge. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

Day11| Sukau - Kota Kinabalu
Breakfast. Return to Sandakan by overland. After lunch, we will proceed to Sandakan Airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival, meet and greet by our representative and transfer to Jesselton Jetty for your ferry to Gaya Island Resort. Check in and free at leisure. Overnight at Gaya Island Resort.
For those taking the evening flight, we will have a chance to visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre(RDC). The Centre is the gateway to getting to know the uniqueness and importance of Borneo’s rainforests. Take a bird view of the centre from the canopy walk and hanging bridge, explore the botanical garden, home to various species of flora. Proceed to Sandakan Memorial Park for a shortvisit before taking the flight.

Note: Any flight departing earlier than 1330 hours will require an unscheduled private transfer with surcharge imposed. Such arrangement depends on your onwards destination.

Day12| Kota Kinabalu
Breakfast. The rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Gaya Island Resort.

Day13| Kota Kinabalu
Breakfast. The rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Gaya Island Resort.

Day14| Kota Kinabalu (Departure)
Breakfast. Board on schedule boat to mainland where you will meet your driver for transfer to the airport.