Splendors of Borneo

Arrival in Kota Kinabalu and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour. Visit the highest point for a panoramic view of Kota Kinabalu – The Signal Hill, Likas Bay, and the exterior of Sabah Foundation building, Buddhist Temple, State Museum and the State Mosque.

Depart for a full day excursion to Kinabalu National Park, the base of the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. Kinabalu Park is a botanist’s paradise with over a thousand species of orchids, numerous Rhododendrons and pitcher plants as well as many species of birds. A park guide will take you on a nature walk where you will also visit the exhibition hall.

Explore Mulu National Park, home to the largest cave passage in the world, a paradise for naturalists. Mulu Park is known to have 1500 species of flowering plants, 170 species of wild orchids and 67 species of animals (sighting of animals is not guaranteed). In the afternoon, enjoy the 3 km raised plank walk to explore the Deer and Lang Caves, the largest cave passage in the world. Walk through the peat swamp forest, and if weather permits, be mesmerized by millions of bats flying around the cave each evening.

Continue to explore Mulu caves with a boat ride to Clearwater Cave. Swim at a crystal-clear water pool. Visit the Wind Cave and thereafter proceed to Batu Bungan Penan Settlement, to observe the tribe lifestyle and their handicraft heritage. Return to Mulu and proceed to the airport for your flight to Kuching. Arrive and transfer to your hotel .

Today, a city tour of Kuching will start with a viewing of Fort Margherita from the waterfront, (no public admission). Drive by many historical buildings, the South City Hall, the Square and Round Towers, the Colonial Courthouse and General Post Office. Visit Tua Pek Kong Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in Kuching and visit an exhibition “Urang Sarawak”, located in the Art Museum wing of the Sarawak Museum complex. Enjoy the drive through Malay villages, explore the centre of the city passing through colourful India Street and traditional shop-houses. If time permits, take a walk on the waterfront with its outdoor cafes and watch sampans plying the Sarawak River ferrying passengers from one side of the river to the other. In the afternoon explore on your own this quaint city.

Depart early morning to visit the Semenggok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre that houses the Orang Utan and sometimes other protected species of wildlife rescued from captivity. They are carefully cared for, nurtured and rehabilitated into their natural surroundings. Witness the feeding of the Orang Utans (subject to the animals approaching the feeding platform). Enjoy a 4 ½ hour journey to Batang Ai Dam passing rice fields, pepper plantations and local villages before stopping for lunch at the tiny town of Lachau. Ferry crossing to the resort.

Board a native longboat for your immersive experience with the Ibans natives who were once the head-hunters of Borneo. Mingle and participate in their daily chores or go for a dip in the river at the longhouse. The highlight of the visit is the traditional welcome with maidens in ceremonial regalia and the Ngajat dance, a graceful Warrior’s Dance. Enjoy your lunch at the longhouse while tuak, the local rice wine is served all around. Try your hand at handling the blowpipe and witness a cock-fighting demonstration. Depart for Kuching airport, departure flight time should be after 2000 hours.