+44 (0)20 8741 7390 An In-Style journey with a difference, this incredible adventure takes you deep into the heart of Borneo s wild country. Staying at some of the finest hotels, lodges and resorts that Sabah and Sarawak have to offer, you ll journey from the historic streets of Kuching to the golden sands of Lankayan Island, on an adventure that encapsulates the remarkable diversity of this stunning destination. The bustling streets and colonial facades of Kuching provide the perfect base from which to search for river dolphins, monitor lizards and proboscis monkeys amongst the rich ecosystems of the Kuching Wetlands and Bako National Parks. From here you head into some of Malaysia s most spectacular rainforest, to visit the heartland of the Iban people, before a flight onto Kota Kinabalu and the pristine sands of Pantai Dalit Beach. After visiting the orang-utans of Sepilok, you head next into the mangrove forests of the Kinabatangan Sanctuary, travelling by boat into one of the world s most bio-diverse landscapes. The end of this fantastic journey then sees you enjoying the marine treasures of the Sulu Sea, one of the world s top dive destinations and a regular haunt for gigantic whale sharks. HIGHLIGHTS: Enjoy the hospitality of some of Borneo s finest properties Explore colonial Kuching and search for rare river dolphins and orang-utans Visit the rainforests of Batang Ai and the heartland of the Iban people Discover the rich mangrove forests of the Kinabatangan Sanctuary Relax amongst the idyllic charms of Lankayan Island TOUR INCLUDES: 3 internal flights 7 nights 5 star hotel accommodation, 2 nights superior lodge, 3 nights Islands Resort 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 7 dinners Accompanied by an experienced English speaking local guides. Private basis Private driver and vehicle, normally a saloon car or mini bus Speedboats and longboats Sightseeing programme including all entrance fees Private guided transfers to and from all airports
*Please note the prices shown are per person and based on two persons sharing a twin or double room
ITINERARY DAY 1: KUALA LUMPUR - KUCHING Transferring to the airport this morning you will take a short flight across to Kuching, Sarawak's bustling capital. Established by Sir James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak, this fascinating riverside city is filled with temples and colourful landmarks that date back to its colonial beginnings. Transferring to your centrally based hotel you will have a chance to freshen up and enjoy the views of the city and the river, before an afternoon trip down to the mouth of the Santubong and Salak Rivers. This offers a chance to perhaps catch a glimpse of rare Irrawaddy River dolphins and, as you enter the lush mangrove forests of the Kuching Wetlands National Park, keep a look out for kingfishers, proboscis monkeys, fireflies and even crocodiles. The cruise ends at the charming stilted fishing village of Kampong Salak, from where you transfer back to the city by road. DAY 2: KUCHING This morning you will visit the rich ecosystems of Bako National Park, Sarawak's oldest and smallest protected reserve. Driving first to Baku village, you will then take a short 25 minute boat ride to the park, set on the tip of the Muara Tebas Peninsula at the mouth of the Bako and Kuching Rivers. One of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in their natural setting, Bako is home to proboscis monkeys, wild boars, monitor lizards and a rich collection of bird species. The rich diversity of landscapes around here range from rainforest and mangroves, to tropical swamps and beaches and a number of jungle walking trails offer a chance to explore more of this fascinating area, before returning to Kuching later this afternoon. (B,L) DAY 3: KUCHING - BATANG AI Departing Kuching this morning you will drive on to the Batang Ai reservoir, the traditional homeland of the Iban people. Travelling via the Semenggoh Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, you will first have a remarkable opportunity to watch the feeding of the orangutans, before continuing on to the colourful market town of Serian. A dazzling collection of native produce is always on display, including edible ferns and tropical fruits, providing visitors with some priceless photo opportunities. Continuing through rural Sarawak, you then visit a pepper garden and stop to view some wild orchids and pitcher plants en route, before stopping for lunch. Arriving at the Batang Ai Reservoir later this afternoon you will board a traditional longboat for the 1-2 hour journey up river to Nanga Sumpa and your stunning lakeside resort. Surrounded by some of Malaysia's most spectacular rainforest, the Batang Ai Longhouse Resort is a wonderful fusion of tradition and luxury on the shores of the fresh water lake. After a chance to settle in and enjoy an excellent dinner, you will then cross the river to visit a traditional Iban longhouse, for an evening of cultural interaction and some local rice wine. (B,L,D)
DAY 4: BATANG AI After breakfast depart by longboat and travel upriver to a local longhouse to learn about the Iban culture and enjoy a traditional lunch. This afternoon is free to relax and swim. Later in the afternoon you can take a guided walk through the rainforest. (B,L,D) DAY 5: BATANG AI - KUCHING - KOTA KINABALU After breakfast you will take the boat journey back to the jetty and return by road to Kuching. The trip back by road will take some 4-5 hours and you will stop en route for lunch, before continuing to the airport for the afternoon flight on to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival in the Sabah capital you will be transferred on to the five star Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort, lying beside the pristine white sands of Pantai Dalit Beach. (B,L) DAY 6: KOTA KINABALU Today you have an opportunity to relax and enjoy the facilities at the Shangri La Resort. Set within the lush landscapes of some 400 acres of tropical vegetation, it boasts its own nature reserve and an enviable array of leisure activities - both in and out of the water. With a health club and spa on site and its own secluded beach, the resort provides a tantalising choice of recreational pursuits besides the transparent waters of Borneo's northern coast. (B) DAY 7: KOTA KINABALU - SEPILOK - KINABATANGAN This morning you fly out to Sandakan and visit the orang-utans at Sepilok Nature Reserve, where you can observe them at their feeding stations and enjoy a short presentation on the Orangutan Rehabilitation Programme. Following the visit you then travel by boat on to the Kinabatangan Sanctuary and the pristine mangrove forests of the Kinabatangan River Delta. You will be staying at the Abai Jungle Lodge, some 47 kilometres from the mouth of the Kinabatangan River. A beautifully located eco-tourism lodge, set about an hour's boat journey from Sandakan, it overlooks the rich waters of the second longest river in Malaysia.(B,L,D)
DAY 8: KINABATANGAN Running from its source in the mountains of the south-west, to the Sulu Sea east of Sandakan, the Kinabatangan River is blessed with one of the world's richest ecosystems. Home to the largest forest covered flood-plain in Malaysia, the river supports everything from limestone forests to saline swamps, providing a haven for some of Borneo's richest concentrations of wildlife. An early morning boat ride today takes you around the nearby Ox Bow Lake, for a chance to search out some of the abundant bird and animal life in the area. Returning to the lodge for breakfast, you then pay a visit to the nearby Abai village, before returning to the river again to enjoy another waterborne safari in search of proboscis monkeys and more endemic wildlife. (B,L,D) DAY 9: KINABATANGAN - LANKAYAN ISLAND Retracing your journey to Sandakan this morning, you then board a speedboat on to Lankayan Island, a 90 minute journey that will bring you to one of Sabah's premier diving spots. Virtually uninhabited and lying amongst the remote turquoise waters of the Sulu Sea, Lankayan Island is part of the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area, an important nesting area for both green and hawksbill turtles. You will be staying at the island's only resort, in spacious sea-front chalets that look out onto lush tropical jungle and an endless white sandy beach. (B,L,D) DAY 10: LANKAYAN ISLAND The next two days have been left free to enjoy this tropical haven at your leisure. The island is an idyllic spot to simply relax and soak up the beauty of the setting from the beach or the open-air terrace. For those that wish to try some diving, the waters that fringe the island offer a matchless choice of dive sites that boast everything from wrecks and sharks to rays and giant clams. Between March and May these waters are also renowned for regular sightings of the huge and elusive whale sharks, the largest living species of fish left on the planet. (B, L D) DAY 11: LANKAYAN ISLAND Day at leisure on Lankayan Island. (B,L D)
DAY 12: LANKAYAN ISLAND - SANDAKAN Taking the speedboat back to the mainland this morning, you will transfer to the airport where your tour will end. (B)
ACCOMMODATION BATANG AI AIMAN BATANG AI RESORT The Hiltons only jungle property, the four star Batang Ai Longhouse Resort is set on the edge of the Malaysian rainforest and is only accessible by boat. With traditional and spacious Longhouse-style rooms offering modern facilities and garden views guest can relax in comfort before exploring the jungle on their doorstep. The resort also provides sporting and leisure facilities including a pool and tennis courts. The Nanga Mepi Restaurant serves local and international cuisine including jungle barbeques and in the evening the Wong Irup Lounge bar has longhouse cocktails which can be enjoyed whilst overlooking the lake. Most of the staff are from local villages. KINABATANGAN ABAI JUNGLE LODGE Located 47 kilometres from the mouth of the Kinabatangan River, this lodge is one hour's boat ride from either Sandakan or the village of Sukau. Strongly involved in local eco-tourism, the lodge has 18 rooms: six chalets with 3 twin rooms each. Every room has a private bathroom, ceiling fan and a water purification system, and the restaurant serves locally sourced delicacies overlooking the river. The riverside lodge can also organise wildlife river safaris, cultural visits and night cruises to see the fire flies. KINABATANGAN WETLANDS RESORT Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is a new gem located in Abai, a quieter area of the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain, about an hour s boat ride from Sandakan harbor. If you are looking for something exclusive and away from the main tourist hotspots of Sukau and Bilit, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is the place to go. The resort is surrounded by secondary forest reserves, and is located within beautiful nipah and mangrove vegetation. Apart from the river cruises, you can spend time relaxing and observing nature from your chalet, a myriad of birds and monkeys, such as silver leaf langurs, maroon langurs, hose langurs, and wild orangutan are regularly spotted within the area. Raised boardwalks are available for night walks and morning strolls. KOTA KINABALU SHANGRI-LA TANJUNG ARU RESORT AND SPA The five star Shangri-La Tanjung Resort and Spa is located on the sparkling shores of the South China Sea in spacious and extensive grounds. Its 492 luxurious rooms have views overlooking Mount Kinabalu and the ocean and offer contemporary luxury. The various sporting and leisure facilities include a private beach and spa with a variety of treatments. There is a selection of restaurants and bars many of which are highly regarded in the rest of Malaysia and serve international and local cuisine. Close to down town Kinabalu and not far from the Kinabalu National park the hotel is aimed at leisure travellers looking for a relaxing stay. KUCHING
PULLMAN KUCHING The five star Pullman Kutching is located on top of the Jalan Mathies hill with panoramic views over the city and the Sarawak river. Being within easy reach of the city centre and next to the "Hills shopping mall" the hotels location has a lot to recommend it. The hotel was built at the end of 2009 in a contempory modern style hotel. The hotel offers high tech facilities in all its rooms as well as en-suite bathrooms. There is a spa and treatment room as well as a fitness centre and a Jacuzzi. With two restaurants, a juice bar and coffee shop there are also plenty of places in which to relax. LANKAYAN ISLAND LANKAYAN ISLAND DIVE RESORT Lankayan Island is a remote tropical getaway half an hour by boat from Sandakan in the clear, sparkling Sulu Sea. Ideal for divers and those in search of peaceful island living, the Lankayan Island Resort consists of tastefully decorated wooden chalets opening onto the white sand beach, offering hot running water, coffee and tea making facilities, a mini refrigerator and fresh drinking water. Meals are served on the central open-air wooden terrace and the diving is among the best in the world. Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd Tel +44 (0)20 8741 7390 Fax +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website wildfrontierstravel.com