Best of Borneo

Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Kuching, meaning 'cat' in Malay, is the capital and most populous city in the state of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. It was home to the infamous White Rajah of Sarawak, whose mysterious rule in this remote corner of the world sparked the imagination of many people who dreamt of becoming royalty. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe check out the waterfront, home to local vegetable, spice and fish markets. After the meeting, maybe head out with your new travel companions to try some local dishes like Sarawak Laksa and Kolok mee.

Hop in a private van to the fishing village of Kampung Bako, then a local boat up the coast to Bako National Park. Bako is the oldest national park in Sarawak and features rainforest, abundant wildlife, jungle streams, waterfalls, diverse plant life, secluded beaches and trekking trails. Millions of years of erosion form a coastline of steep cliffs, rocky headlands and stretches of white, sandy bays. Waves have carved the cliffs into sea arches and sea-stacks, with coloured patterns formed by iron deposits. When you arrive, you’ll take a leader-led walk through one of the jungle trails, looking out for proboscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys and the elusive Bornean bearded pigs. Return to Kuching in the late afternoon and spend the evening in relaxing your hotel.

Head to the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary – a government-funded rehabilitation centre set in lush surrounds. The centre was set up to help reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been orphaned. Head into the jungle to a viewing platform where you can watch and photograph the orangutans as they swing into view, eating bananas and milk that’s laid out for them twice a day. Human contact must be kept to a minimum and it's essential you follow your leader's instructions. After, return to Kuching, where you can freshen up. Tonight, maybe mosey down to the riverbank and watch tambang ferries glide by, or head out to one of the many Chinese-influenced hawker markets for dinner and experience the range of local seafood.

Fly to Mulu today, sending your large bag on to Limbang and packing a day bag with the essentials for the next four days. When you arrive in Mulu, head into the heart of one of the most spectacular national parks in Asia – Gunong Mulu National Park. Transfer the short distance to Mulu HQ where you’ll stay for the next two nights. In your free time, you can take a self-guided trail around the park or head to the treetops on the world’s longest canopy walkway. Or maybe simply kick back with a book and enjoy the sounds of the nearby jungle. Later, there’s the chance to take an optional night walk to search for some weird and wonderful insects and reptiles.

Today, you have a free morning to explore or have a sleep in. Spend the afternoon strolling the walkways of this 180-million-year-old rainforest, and then catch the sunset flight of the bats at Deer Cave. This UNESCO World Heritage site has the world’s largest known system of caves, formed when surface water worked its way through the rock, carving gigantic passages through the bedrock. Deer Cave has one of the single largest cave passages, 2.2 km long and 220 m tall at its highest point. Before it was part of the park, the cave was a well-known hunting ground for deer, who were attracted to the pools of salty water. The millions of bats who call the cave home all emerge at dusk for their nightly feeding, which is a sight to behold.

Leave Park HQ behind and head into the jungle. Take a boat upriver to the Clearwater and Wind Caves, which contain Asia’s longest underwater river. The Clearwater Cave system runs for more than 200 km, over 100 of which have been explored. Wind Cave draws a cooling breeze through its lengths and features some of Gunong Mulu’s best cave formations, while Clearwater is covered in a species of bright green plant unique to the park. After exploring, take a longboat downriver before disembarking for a hike through undisturbed jungle to Camp 5, at the end of Melinau Gorge.

Today, you’ll tackle the infamous Headhunter’s Trail. Located in an isolated area of the Bornean jungle, the trail used to be the route used by warring parties between the Tutoh and Limbang Rivers. Cross streams by rope bridges, wooden walkways and logs, surrounded by the diverse flora, bird-filled trees and the sounds of the forest – a hornbill flying overhead, the cries of monkeys and the pulse of cicadas and crickets. Then, take a boat from Kuala Terikan to Kuala Mendalam. Depending on how much rainfall there’s been, you may be required to help push the boat over shallow parts of the river. Stop at a ranger station for lunch, then travel to Limbang by private vehicle, where you can freshen up and enjoy a good night's rest after two long days of trekking.

After breakfast this morning, take a short walk to the ferry terminal for a boat to Labuan Island. When you arrive, you’ll have a free afternoon and evening at a beach resort. Relax and recover after yesterday’s trek, chilling out with a cold drink and a good book. Maybe head to Layang Layang Beach for a swim and get together for a sunset cocktail by the end of the day.

Enjoy some more free time on the island before catching a ferry and express bus to Kota Kinabalu – the capital of Sabah and a modern metropolis that rebounded from multiple bombings during WWII. Tonight, maybe head out for a final meal with your group to celebrate your Borneo adventure – the night market is filled with fresh grilled seafood.

Poring Hot Springs is an ideal place to kick back for a day to recuperate after the mountain climb. These pools were developed by the Japanese during World War II, where warm sulphur water – believed to have healing properties for the skin – is piped into several man made open-air hot tubs. Depending on the time of year, it might be possible to see the Rafflesia flower nearby, the world’s largest flower! Today, there are a number of optional activities to choose from. Maybe take one of the graded paths leading through rich lowland forest to mountain rivers, waterfalls and bat caves, with birds and other wildlife often seen along the trail. You'll have a second welcome meeting tonight at 6 pm to meet your new travellers joining the second part of your adventure.

Today, travel by minivan to a Dusun village that sits within the gorgeous hills in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Our guides on Mt Kinabalu are local Dusun people, known for being wonderfully warm and friendly. While here, you'll have the opportunity to learn about their way of life and spend a night in the village. Depending on the weather, you might take a hike through the surrounding fruit and rubber plantations. Your leader can point you in the direction of the river to cool off afterwards. To ensure your share the business around the community, you’ll split up and stay in a couple of different family homes. All the homes are in waking distance from each other, and you’ll usually have other group members with you at each home. Enjoy a cultural performance in the village tonight after dinner.

This morning, say goodbye to your new friends from the village and travel into the unspoiled wilderness of the World Heritage-Listed Kinabalu National Park. Take some time to enjoy the surroundings and prepare for the climb ahead. There are nature trails through the lowland tropical forest and a Botanic Garden to explore. Or, you can just relax and enjoy the cooler climate. Your leader will provide a safety briefing for tomorrow and assist with any last minute questions. Stay overnight at Kinabalu Park in a lodge with shared bathrooms. Nestled among the lowland forests, this is the perfect place to chill-out before the climb.

Rise early and take a quick drive to Timpohon Gate to begin the climb up Mt Kinabalu. It's not an easy trek as it is uphill all the way, and you’ll need to be prepared to tackle a trail made of steep steps that vary considerably in size. You may get quite hot but remember that the top of the mountain can be deceptively cold. There's no rush, so take your time and enjoy the scenic environment – this is an area that boasts a remarkable variety of plant life, including about 1000 species of orchid and the carnivorous pitcher plant. You’ll cover 6 km on the first day (approximately 4 to 6 hours) and stop at a rest house near Laban Rata (3272 m high) for the night. Tonight will be an early night, so you're ready for the final ascent early in the morning.

Rise around 2 am this morning to catch the sunrise at the summit of Mt Kinabalu (4095 m). It's difficult walking, but you'll feel a huge sense of achievement when you make it. The view from the summit is incredible – the jungles of Borneo in one direction, the South China Sea in the other, making every inch of the climb worthwhile. The temperature can change very quickly up on the mountain, so bring clothes for all weather conditions. The climb from Laban Rata to the summit takes 2 to 4 hours and due to the altitude, can be hard going even for the very fit. The first section from Laban Rata is along man-made steps through vegetation. When you’re clear of the tree line, you’ll be walking up a series of wooden steps all the way to the final check point at Sayat Sayat. After witnessing the sunrise, return to Laban Rata for a well-earned breakfast, then descend the mountain (approximately 3 to 6 hours) for lunch at the bottom. Once everyone is down from the mountain, you’ll continue on to Poring Hot Springs by bus. Tonight, you’ll stay at a hostel located right inside the springs complex, with a light and airy lounge room for you to relax.

Poring Hot Springs is an ideal place to kick back for a day to recuperate after the mountain climb. These pools were developed by the Japanese during World War II, where warm sulphur water – believed to have healing properties for the skin – is piped into several man made open-air hot tubs. During school and public holidays it gets very busy here with local visitors. Depending on the time of year it might be possible to see the Rafflesia flower nearby. Rafflesia’s are the world’s largest flower and can grow up to a metre in size! Today, there are also a number of optional activities to choose from. There are graded paths leading through rich lowland forest to mountain rivers, waterfalls and bat caves, with birds and other wildlife often seen along the trail. A walkway in the tree canopy provides magnificent views or there's also a visit the enchanting butterfly farm. 

Today, you’ll journey by private bus into the steamy rainforest to Bilit – a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. Take a short boat ride to the comfortable jungle lodge where you’ll spend the night. The lodge is located right on the riverbanks and is a good place to spot wildlife. In the early evening as the sun sets, head out on a motorised boat in search of macaques, orangutan, proboscis monkeys and, if you’re lucky, maybe even pygmy elephants! In the evening, take a night walk in search of nocturnal wildlife, like civets, owls and the rare slow loris. Rubber boots and leech socks are available to hire.

This morning, take another early boat safari in search of wildlife – different species come out at different times of the day, so keep your eyes peeled! After breakfast, say goodbye to your jungle lodge and hit the road in a private minivan to the coastal city of Sandakan. Visit Sandakan War Memorial and gain an insight into the Sandakan's past at its War Memorial, built on the site of a Japanese Prisoners of War camp. This site also marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, on which 2400 POWs were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo. By the end of the march, only six Australians survived, and that was because they had managed to escape.

This morning, leave your large bags at the hotel and walk 15 minutes to a nearby jetty. Travel by speedboat, past small fishing villages and bamboo fish traps, to Turtle Island Marine Park. Here, green turtles come ashore to lay their eggs every night of the year! In the afternoon, there will be some time for swimming, snorkelling or lazing about on the beach. Snorkelling gear is available for hire. In the evening, you’ll join a select group of visitors and an expert local ranger to see the giant green turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs under the moonlight. Watch the rangers as they release protected hatchlings and guide them in their frantic dash to the ocean. This is a moving experience that could inspire you to join the turtle nest adoption program, with a certificate of adoption and updates on the development of your nest. Beware that this is a very delicate environment, and you must follow instructions from your leader and the local rangers to ensure minimal impact on the turtles.

After breakfast, return to the mainland, collect your bags and continue by minibus to a guesthouse located near the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The centre was set up to help reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been orphaned. From the viewing platform, you can watch and photograph these charming creatures as they swing into view and eat the supplementary diet of fruit that is laid out for them twice a day. Human contact must be kept to a minimum and it's essential that you follow the instructions of the park, as directed by your leader. Also included is a new nursery where you can view young orangutans as they learn how to climb on a specially constructed jungle gym. The viewing area is behind one-way glass, so as not to disturb the animals. To see more of Borneo’s creatures, there’s the option to visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Here, rescued sun bears that have spent many years mistreated and locked away in cages are cared for, with hopes of rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild. A 30-minute walk from your guesthouse is the Rainforest Discovery Centre, which also has a 620 m long, 28 m high canopy walkway with spectacular views of rainforest giants.

There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. Flights depart most days from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur.