Sarawak Sabah Tour (14D13N)

Kuching, Batang Ai, Bako-, Mulu Nationalpark, Kinabatangan River and Tabin Wildlife Conservation

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Itinerary: Magnificent Sarawak
Duration: 14Days / 13Nights

Day 1; Arrival in Kuching (A)

Upon arrival at Kuching International Airport, your tour guide will escort you to your hotel in Kuching and assist you with the check-in.

In the evening, together with your tour guide, you will take a short walk to the "Top Spot Seafood Center", which is just a 5-minute walk from the Pullman Hotel. On a spacious terrace, several shops offer Asian delicacies ranging from Malaysian to Western cuisine. A special specialty is the variety of local seafood. Enjoy your first night in Sarawak with an al fresco dinner and the delights that this wonderful land has to offer

After dinner, return to your hotel.

Overnight in your hotel in Kuching.

Day 2; Kuching – Semenggoh Orang Utan Rehabilitationszentrum - Batang Ai (B/L)

After a hearty breakfast, start the day with a drive to the Semenggok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center.

Located 30 km south of Kuching, the rehabilitation center offers one of the rare opportunities to observe the "Wild Man of Borneo" up close in its natural habitat. This rehabilitation center was set up to help orangutans freed from captivity, or found injured in the rainforest, to re-establish a life in the wild. The animals can move freely in the forest on a site of 700 hectares, admiring these mighty primates as they walk from tree to tree with admirable ease. With a maximum body weight of up to 90 kg male representatives of this species, you will be able to spot the approach of the orangutans early on due to the highly sagging trees. During the feeding season you have the unique opportunity to observe this endangered species up close.

Before the feeding time begins, a short walk through the pristine rainforest will give you a first glimpse of the stunning nature of Sarawak.

After visiting the rehabilitation center, continue your drive along the Pan Borneo Highway through picturesque landscapes to the Batang Ai dam located approximately 270km east of Kuching. Stopover in the city of Serian to visit the daily fresh produce market. Here locals sell vegetables, fruits and if you are lucky also a special type of worm, which is considered a delicacy and can also be eaten raw. After a pause of about 30 minutes, continue your journey and visit a pepper farm along the way to learn more about planting and harvesting this export to Sarawak. Another stop on the Pan Borneo Highway will take you to a roadside location where you can see the famous pitcher plants, an exotic plant that feeds on insects, and wild orchids. You will have your lunch near the border to the Indonesian part of Borneo in a small Chinese settlement called "Lachau", about 140km from Kuching, in a simple restaurant. There is also the possibility to buy gifts for the Iban families. Please keep in mind that the gifts should be divisible among the families, there are also images from the European homeland, which usually causes a discussion about this, for the Iban, foreign world.

After lunch, continue your drive to Batang Ai Dam. This final part of the journey will take you along rubber and palm oil farms to the jetty at the dam, from where you will board a ferry which will take you across the reservoir to the Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat in about 30 minutes. This resort was built in 1995 in the style of Iban longhouses amidst the unique nature of this pristine rainforest.

Upon arrival, your travel companion will assist you with the check-in and the rest of the day is at your leisure to take advantage of the resort's diverse offerings.

Overnight at the resort.

Day 3: Longhouse Visit Batang Ai (B/L)

Breakfasts at the resort.

In the early morning, together with your travel companion, you will board a traditional Iban longboat, which is operated with an outboard motor. A fascinating drive over the reservoir with its picturesque landscape will lead you to one of the Iban longhouses.

Upon your arrival, your traveling companion will guide you through the nave and give you more information about the Iban lifestyle and culture. The Ibans will give you a taste of the traditional war dance in the war clothes of that time. Iban musicians accompany this event on old Chinese gongs, which are still from the trading time with Chinese traders. Now it is time to hand over the gifts brought to the chief of the longhouse and to drink their home-brewed rice wine with the Iban. Take this opportunity to talk with your travel companion and the Iban and enjoy the hospitality of this dreaded people. After lunch at the Longhouse, you will learn how to handle the traditional and dreaded weapon of the Iban, the blowgun, and then return by long-boat to the Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat.

Overnight at the resort

Day 4; Batang Ai – Kuching (B/L)

After breakfast, you will board the ferry and return to the dam's jetty and air-conditioned van to Kuching.

We will make a short stop on the way back to "Lachau" to refresh us. You will have your lunch at a local restaurant located at a beautiful small waterfall. This place is known as the "Ranchang Pool" and on weekends a popular destination for the Malaysian people. Take a walk along the paths around the waterfall while your lunch is being prepared. Continue to the Pullman Hotel after lunch. Your travel companion will assist you at check-in.

Overnight in your hotel

Day 5; trip Bako Nationalpark (B/L)

Breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast, continue your program with a visit to the famous Bako National Park.

The Bako National Park was established in 1957 as the first Sarawak National Park. At the same time Kuching the nearest national park, Bako opens an excellent insight into the different types of vegetation in Borneo. The diverse wildlife of Bakos offers good chances to observe proboscis monkeys, the famous bearded pigs, Silberhueb languren and Makkaken. The different types of vegetation provide habitat for fascinating carnivorous plants to wild orchids. By setting up overnight accommodations in simple cabins, it is also possible to make multi-day visits.

Together with your travel companion you will start your full-day visit to the Bako National Park in the early morning. The air-conditioned van will take you from Kuching to the picturesque fishing village of Bako and board a speedboat at the boat dock. The boat ride will take approximately 30 minutes and will take you along the river to the sea and Bako National Park. After the visitor registration you start your hike through this beautiful national park with its many scenic attractions. Keep quiet and keep an eye out for animals such as the proboscis, silver hoods, langurs, macque, bearded pigs, monitor lizards and the many different species of birds. They walk through various types of vegetation such as mangrove forest, Dipterocarp trees, beach and cliff vegetation. Along the paths of Bako you will find various exotic plants such as the famous carnivorous pitcher plants and wild orchids.

A simple lunch consisting of rice and simple local dishes is served in the park canteen.

After lunch, you and your guide will explore another of the many trails in the National Park, or relax in the vicinity of the canteen and look for more wild animals on your own.

The trip ends with another boat trip from the boat dock of the National Park back to the fishing village of Bako and from there by van back to Kuching

Overnight in your hotel in Kuching.

The Batang Ai and Bako National Park Package includes:

Transfers and tours as stated in the travel program

• Meals as stated in the travel program
• 3 nights in Pullman Hotel (Deluxe)
• 2 nights at Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat (Standard)
• English speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees to national parks
• Tourist Tax

Day 6; Kuching – Mulu/ Deer & Lang’s Caves (B)

After Breakfast, your guide will meet you in the Hotel lobby for the transfer to the international Airport in Kuching. Recommended flights MH3823 ETD: 11:20h ETA: 12:55h (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday) or MH3752 ETD:12:50h ETA: 14:25h (Tuesday, Friday & Sunday)

Upon arrival at Mulu National Park airstrip, you will be met by your travel companion and drive to the Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa, located in the middle of the densely wooded area of the National Park.

At 14:00, you will leave the resort and proceed to the registration office of the National Park. After registration, you will walk along a 3km plank path through the typical Dipterocarp forest and swamp forest of Borneo to the "Lang's Cave". This cave was named after a guide who discovered it in 1979. Cave curtains and the wonderful stalactite formations characterize the beauty of this small and unique cave. The path through the cave is 25m short and you will after exploring the cave to the "Deer Cave" push forward. The "Deer Cave" has a width of 150m and a height of 120m over the largest cave entrance in the world. As you enter the cave, you will notice a scent that is typical of the cave, originating in millions of bats that live in the cave and leave the cave in the evening to look for food. The path through the cave is about 1km long until you come to the southern entrance, which is also known under the name "The Garden of Eden". After leaving this huge cave you will observe the bats leaving the cave at an established observation point. This is an event that will be remembered for a long time, admiring millions of bats coming out of the cave in swarms and hunting in the surrounding rainforest.

At nightfall, you will walk along the plank path on the way back to the resort.

Overnight at the resort

Day 7; Mulu Nationalpark/ Wind & Clearwater Caves (B/L)

Breakfast at the resort.

After breakfast, you will board a longboat and travel upriver from the Melinau River to Wind Cave. This spectacular cave is famous for its tall, slender stalactites and stalagmites. The "King's Chamber" offers a view of carrot-like formations of these stalactites. After visiting the "Wind Cave", which got its name from a wind that comes from the cave and is felt at the entrance, you will visit the "Clearwater Cave". Together with your travel companion you will explore this cave, which has the longest underground water system (106km) in Southeast Asia. Enjoy the clear water in the natural pool that has formed outside the cave. After a picnic, return to the resort.

Overnight at the resort.

Day 8; Mulu National Park – Kota Kinabalu (B)

After breakfast, meet your tour guide and will be responsible for flight MH3254 ETD: 14:40 ETA: 16:30 (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays) or MH3252 ETD: 14:45 ETA: 15:35 (Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays) to the airport of Mulu. Overnight in a hotel in Kota Kinabalu.

Mulu National Park Package includes:

• Transfers and Tours as stated
• Meals as stated
• 2 nights at Mulu Marriott Resort (Deluxe)
• 1 night in a Hotel in Kot Kinabalu
• English speaking Guide
• Entry fees

Mulu National Park Package NOT included:

• Any airfares and -taxes

Day 9; Kinabatangan Wetland Resort (L/D)

At 6.00am you leave the hotel to catch the flight at 8.00am. At the airport in Sandakan you will be welcomed and driven to the Sandakan jetty for boat transfer to Abai, which is situated at the lower Kinabatangan River. The 1.5hours cruise shall bypass Berhala Island, the prominent sandstone cliff, which is a historical site during the World War II. The journey also offers likelihood to observe wildlife along the way. This is where the mangrove forest of the coast merges into the more familiar riverine forest of the Kinabatangan River. It is also here where the intrepid American couple, Martin and Osa Johnson, first documented the wildlife and people of the river in the 1920s. Abai borders one of the most important wildlife refuges, the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.

2:30pm Check-in at the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, a newly established resort nestled in the pristine mangrove and fresh water forest, secluded at the edge of the RAMSAR (Wetlands of International Importance) site. Have Lunch while you are briefed about the lodge and the activities.

4.pm – Set off for the afternoon river cruise in search of the mangrove specials, river sceneries, village landscapes and more wildlife. On good weather, we may even get to see firefly colonies, which are found at certain parts of the river. Cruise back to KWR for dinner.

8.30pm – After dinner, take a walk along the boardwalks with your headlamps or torch and look for nocturnal wildlife. Overnight at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort

Some highlights of bird species in Abai :

Scarlet Minivet, Lesser and Greater Leafbird, Storm Stork, Oriental Darter, Mangrove Blue- flycatcher, Stork Billed and Blue Eared Kingfisher. Buffy Fish-owl, Night Heron, Yellow Bittern, Ruddy Kingfisher, Helmeted hornbill, Pied hornbill, Rhinoceros hornbill, among others.

Day 10; Kinabatangan Wetland Resort (B/L/D)

6.30am - Early morning river cruise to observe more wildlife and birdlife. The cruise will lead to the nearby ox-bow lake, Danau Pitas, to explore the area. Enjoy your packed breakfast while admiring the natural surroundings.

9.00am - Proceed to the local fishing village, Kampung Abai. Interact with the local Orang Sungai (River People) and observe the daily activities in this tiny fishing village. Return to the lodge for rest and lunch.

2.00pm - Explore the surroundings of the resort on your own for in search of plants, insects and birds. Otherwise you can take this time to relax in the tranquility of the lovely resort.

4.30pm - Set off for another adventure as we cruise in search for more wildlife along small tributaries.

6.30pm - return to the lodge, dinner.

8.30pm - After dinner, we set off for a night river cruise along small tributary rivers in search of nocturnal wildlife.

Day 11; Bike and Torus B&B (B/D)

After breakfast, checkout from KWR and board the boat for a 2 hours cruise upper stream to Sukau village. Land Transfer from Sukau Village to Bike and Tours B&B Lahad Datu

3:00pm - Arrive in Lahad Datu and Check In to Bike Bike and Tours B&B Lahad Datu.

Kinabatangan Wetland Resort includes:

• 2 nights at 1 Deluxe Chalet at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, Abai Kinabatangan (Double or twin sharing)
• Meals and Activities as stated in itinerary
• 1 Guided Night Walk at Nature Boardwalk
• 4 River cruises in Abai, Kinabatangan
• Land and boat transfers as stated in itinerary
• Nature Tour Guide (not private guide, sharing with other guests)
• Tourist Tax

Bike and Tours Bed and Breakfast includes:

• 1 night accommodation in a double room for 2 pax
• Dinner
• Breakfast the day after

Day 12; Tabin Wildlife Resort (B/L/D)

7:00am - Breakfast at Bike and Tours B&B

7:45am - You will be picked up at the Bike and Tours B&B in the east coast town of Lahad Datu and transferred by road to Tabin (2:00 hrs). Check into an attractive timber lodge at Tabin Wildlife Resort, which comes complete with private balcony, air conditioner, ceiling fan and hot water shower, a welcome luxury in the forest. Nestled within the rainforest beside the Lipad river, this lovely setting is home to a surprising variety of birds, insects and small mammals, even right beside the buildings of the resort. Discover the rich variety of jungle herbs, some endemic, used for generations by local folks for the treatment of various ailments.

Visit to Trogon Hall gallery for information about the conservation of Tabin Wildlife Reserve and briefing on birds, insects and animals that is found in this area.

12:30 – Lunch, Free and Easy

In the afternoon, visit the active Lipad mud volcano which provides a mineral salt lick for wildlife. After trekking through the rainforest for 20 minutes, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano which is frequented by wildlife and birds. Climb the observation tower and admire the contrasting landscape of the bare mud volcano and its surrounding thick forest, where birds are commonly sighted. Try to identify the multitude of animal footprints here. The adventurous can try the effects of the volcanic mud, said to be responsible for a fine complexion. Trek back to the resort along elephant trail.

After dinner, enjoy a CD/Slide presentation on Tabin’s natural wonders, followed by a night safari to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds. Remember to look up at the clear, dark sky of Tabin, identify the constellations above you and make a wish or two.

Day 13; Tabin Wildlife Resort (B/L/D)

6:00 - Join the early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of almost 300 bird species. After breakfast, a drive to the core area for animal’s spotting and for photo session before trekking through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a natural and refreshing shower under the waterfall. Alternatively explore the surrounding vegetation or just relax.

In the afternoon, try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of herbs, to relax tired muscles after long jungle treks.

In the evening, a dusk drive to look out for more nocturnal wildlife & birds coming out to look for food during this time of the day.

After dinner, go for a night walk along the trail nearby the resort in search of sleeping birds, frog and nocturnal wildlife.)

Day 14; Bike and Tours B&B (B/L/D)

OPTIONAL: You may opt to take up a dawn drive at 5:30am or jungle walk to look out for wildlife that is active at this time of the day (at additional cost)

8:30am - Breakfast, free and easy until check out at 1330hours

12:30pm - Lunch

1:30pm - Transfer to Lahad Datu

3:00pm - Check in at Bike and Tours B&B. Overnight at Bike and Tours B&B.

Tabin Wildlife Resort Package included:

• 2 nights accommodation at twin sharing room for 2 pax
• Meals as stated in itinerary
• Activities as stated in itinerary
• Transfers as stated in itinerary
• Nature Tour Guide (not private guide, sharing with other guests)
• Tourism tax

Not included:

• Dawn drive

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