Classic Borneo

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu

Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you have any free time beforehand, why not get out and explore this intriguing city that was born between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Modern-day 'KK' is a vibrant modern metropolis, having recovered from World War II bombings – the Sabah State Museum is a great place to immerse yourself in its backstory. Accommodation Hotel (1 night) Included Activities Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer* Optional Activities Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Museum entrance fee - MYR15 Meals Included There are no meals included on this day. *The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through us

Day 2: Dusun Village - Mt Kinabalu National Park - Kundasang

Leaving Kota Kinabalu behind, you'll head for the hills and travel towards the unspoiled wilderness of the World Heritage-listed Mt Kinabalu National Park (approximately 3 hours). You will stop off en route at a local home in a Dusun Village. Sample the local foods with a home cooked lunch to get some insight into what it’s like to live in a rural village. Later you can stretch your legs and soak up the mountain scenery with a stroll through Mt Kinabalu National Park. There are many walking trails from which you can bird watch. The Mt Kinabalu Botanical Garden is an excellent showcase of the diverse plant life on the mountain, as flora from all over the park has been replanted here. Spend the night in a mountain lodge close by to the park in Kundasang. Accommodation Resort (1 night) Included Activities Mt Kinabalu National Park - Lower trails guided walk Mt Kinabalu National Park - Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden Dusun Village - Home-cooked lunch Meals Included Breakfast Lunch

Day 3: Kinabatangan River

After breakfast, head to Kinabatangan River in a private minivan – a trip of approximately 5 hours. Your jungle lodge, located beside the river, is ideal for taking in the lush surrounds. At 560 kilometres, the Kinabatangan River is the second longest in Malaysia. It's also a protected forest reserve, containing some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo. Later in the afternoon you will take a river cruise, hopefully spotting some of the more exotic local creatures. Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves, but crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutan, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and kingfishers are more easily seen. After this short adventure, head back to your lodge and enjoy dinner with the group. Accommodation Lodge (1 night) Included Activities Kinabatangan River - Wildlife spotting cruise Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 4: Kinabatangan River

You might wake to the call of a Bornean gibbon, or perhaps a hornbill. Enjoy an early morning cruise down the river, searching for more birds and wildlife. Keep an eye out for Long Tail Macaques and Pig Tail Macaques – your expert leader can tell you the difference. Later that morning, take a walk to Bilit Village, home to the local Orang Sungei community. The Orang Sungei, which translates to ‘River People’, are one of Sabah’s many indigenous communities and are very hospitable with a diverse cultural heritage. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon before another river cruise to see wildlife along the riverbank. This final river cruise will be your last chance to photograph or simply marvel at your surrounds. Spend one more night in your lovely accommodation right in the heart of the jungle. Accommodation Lodge (1 night) Included Activities Kinabatangan River - Wildlife spotting cruise Kinabatangan River - Orang Sungei guided village walk Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 5: Sandakan

Travelling by private minivan, you will stop to visit the intricate Gomantong Caves. Renowned for their edible swiftlet nets, they are harvested for bird's nest soup. Bird's nest collection is an ancient tradition, though nowadays licences are required for it. Travelling to Sandakan, a journey of 3 hours, you will stop in at the Sandakan War Memorial. Here you will learn about the city's past as you stand on the same ground of the former 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. Arrive in Sandakan, which was once the capital of British North Borneo and traditionally has strong trading ties with Hong Kong. The Cantonese influence is obvious in the lively harbour-side market, the many Chinese temples and the local cuisine. Accommodation Hotel (1 night) Included Activities Sandakan - War Memorial Sukau - Gomantong Caves Meals Included Breakfast

Day 6: Sepilok - Labuk Bay - Sandakan

This morning, take a private transfer to the Sepliok Orangutan Sanctuary (approximately 1 hour). 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 bananas and milk 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 to not disturb the animals. To see more of Borneo’s creatures, there’s the option to visit the newly opened 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. You will also visit the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you can watch up close the amazing bachelor proboscis lazing and feeding – an experience that can only be found in Borneo. Accommodation Hotel (1 night) Included Activities Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Sepilok - Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary Optional Activities Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre - MYR15 Sepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Centre - MYR32 Meals Included Breakfast

Day 7: Manukan Island

Transfer to Sandakan Airport today for a flight to Kota Kinabalu*. A short boat ride (around 20 minutes) takes you to Manukan Island, just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. This is one of the larger islands found in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park. The first of two days on this island will be free for you to explore the island at your leisure – perhaps swimming or local activities. The 1.5-kilometre beach is lovely to stroll along at low tide. Accommodation Resort (1 night) Meals Included Breakfast Special Information *The baggage allowance for this flight is only 15 kg of checked in luggage and one cabin bag of 7 kg; any excess baggage will incur a further charge paid direct to the airline.

Day 8: Manukan Island

Enjoy a snorkelling trip today, where an array of coral and brightly coloured marine life reveals itself, conditions depending. An optional scuba dive trip from Manukan Island is also on offer for those interested in a more immersive experience. If you are interested, let your leader know and it can be arranged. After snorkelling, the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Soak up the turquoise vistas for another few hours as you stroll or swim about in this stunning slice of paradise. Accommodation Resort (1 night) Included Activities Tunku Abdul National Marine Park - Boat trip & snorkelling Optional Activities Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul Marine Park Scuba diving 3 dives - MYR390 Meals Included Breakfast Lunch

Day 9: Kota Kinabalu

Head back to Kota Kinabalu today by boat and minivan. This will take around 40 minutes. Optional activities include a visit to the intriguing Mari Mari Cultural Village, nestled deep in the countryside, where you will see how indigenous ethnic groups of Borneo used to live. Alternatively, you may visit the Sabah Museum to learn about Sabah’s past or do some last-minute souvenir shopping at the Filipino market. Tonight, perhaps head out for a meal with your group to celebrate your Borneo adventure. Accommodation Hotel (1 night) Optional Activities Kota Kinabalu - Mari Mari Cultural Village - MYR180 Meals Included Breakfast

Day 10: Kota Kinabalu

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. Meals Included Breakfast