+44 (0)20 8741 7390 The third largest island on the planet, Borneo is a land rich in natural and cultural highlights. Home to one of the oldest rainforests on earth, it can also boast spectacular biodiversity, UNESCO World Heritage landscapes and the immense limestone caverns of the Mulu National Park. Take a walk on the wild side, on this Wild Culture journey into the heart of Borneo s spectacular natural landscapes. This 14- day journey will take you from the charming waterfront cafes of Kuching, its old colonial capital, to the slopes of Mount Kinabalu, site of one of the world s most important biological zones. Along the way you will visit the rich landscapes of Bako National Park and the Iban tribes of Batang Ai, watch orang-utans feeding in Sepilok and search for rare Irrawaddy dolphins along the Salak River. The journey also takes you deep into the limestone caves of Mulu and the pristine mangrove forests of the Kinabatangan River Delta, before delivering you to the remarkable setting of Kinabalu National Park, one of the oldest and most important reserves in Malaysia. HIGHLIGHTS: A chance to explore Kuching, one of the most attractive cities in SE Asia Spend the night amongst the Borneo headhunters Visit the stunning cave complexes of Mulu National Park Explore the pristine landscapes of Kinabatangan on a wildlife safari Discover the UNESCO World Heritage setting of Kinabalu National Park TOUR INCLUDES: 4 internal flights 9 nights 4 and 5 star hotel accommodation, 2 nights lodge, 2 nights basic longhouse 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 5 dinners Accompanied by an experienced English speaking local guide. Private basis Private driver and vehicle 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: KUCHING Arrive in Kuching and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon is free to enjoy something of Sarawak's charming 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. You can stroll along the beautifully landscaped waterfront and explore the bustling vitality of the handicraft shops of the main bazaar. DAY 2: KUCHING Today you visit the rich ecosystems of Bako National Park, Sarawak's oldest and smallest protected reserve. 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. Accesible only by boat you will have chance to trek along some of the jungle trails that snake through the park, before returning to Kuching. (B,L) DAY 3: KUCHING - BATANG AI - ULU AI Departing Kuching this morning you drive on to the Batang Ai reservoir. Travelling via Semenggoh you will have a chance to watch the feeding of the orang-utans, before continuing to the colourful market town of Serian. After lunch you continue to Batang Ai where, on arrival, you will board a longboat for a river cruise up to Nanga Sumpa and your river lodge. After dinner you will visit an Iban longhouse for an evening of cultural interaction and some local rice wine. (B,L,D) DAY 4: ULU AI After breakfast you hike along the jungle trails and travel upriver by longboat to the scenic Enseluai Waterfall. After a chance to relax, swim, explore and maybe even try your hand at fishing Iban style, you return to the lodge. After a dinner sprinkled with delicious local delicacies, you have another opportunity to visit the longhouse. (B,L,D) DAY 5: ULU AI - KUCHING Taking a longboat back to the jetty, you return to Kuching this morning. This afternoon is at leisure in Kuching. (B,L)
DAY 6: KUCHING - MULU Flying to Mulu this morning you enter the landscapes of the Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that encompasses some of Sarawak's most spectacular natural features. This afternoon you will visit the breathtaking wonder of Deer Cave, the largest limestone cavern anywhere on earth. Filled with incredible limestone formations, the cave is home to some 2 million bats, which exit the cave in search of food at sunset most evenings. (B,D) DAY 7: MULU Mulu is home to one of the largest cave systems in the world and this morning you will visit both the Wind and Clearwater Caves. These caves harbour unique species of flora, including rare orchids and pitcher plants, as well as delicate lacelike formations of stalactites and stalagmites. (B,L) DAY 8: MULU - KOTA KINABALU - SANDAKAN Transfer to the airport for you flight to Sandakan in Sabah, via Kota Kinabalu. On arrival transfer to your hotel located just outside Sandakan. (B) DAY 9: SANDAKAN - SEPILOK - KINABATANGAN (ABAI) This morning 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 Kinbatangan Sanctuary and the pristine mangrove forests of the Kinabatangan River Delta. Upon arrival at the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort,enjoy lunch before setting off for an afternoon river expedition in search of wildlife. In an open-topped river boat, you might get the opportunity to photograph wild Orangutans, Pygmy elephants, Proboscis monkeys and other wildlife. After a few hours you will head back to the resort, if weather is good, we should be able to see and photograph fireflies at a very challenging low-light condition. After dinner, we shall take a night stroll along the boardwalks on a lookout for nocturnal animals and interesting insects. (B,L,D) DAY 10: KINABATANGAN (ABAI) An early morning boat ride 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 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 11: KINABATANGAN (ABAI) - SANDAKAN - KOTA KINABALU Early this morning spend some time on the boardwalk for some birdwatching. Drive to Sandakan airport and in the afternoon fly back to Kota Kinabalu. (B,L) DAY 12: KOTA KINABALU Kinabalu National Park is one of the oldest in Malaysia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the world's most important biological zones and surrounds the towering summit of Mount Kinabalu (4095 m). This morning you will visit the park and enjoy a guided walk with a park naturalist. Later you will explore the sumptuous Botanical Gardens and learn a little more about the incredible diversity of the region's flora, before returning to Kota Kinabalu. (B,L) DAY 13: KOTA KINABALU Day at leisure to relax and enjoy the beach at the hotel. (B) DAY 14: KOTA KINABALU After a free morning you will transfer to the airport where your tour will end. (B)
ACCOMMODATION KINABATANGAN 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 RASA RIA RESORT AND SPA With its own Nature Reserve and ecologically friendly championship golf course, the 5 star Shangri La Rasa Resort sits amongst 400 acres of tropical vegetation beside the white sands of Pantai Dalit Beach. Its 420 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites are spread over two wings offering landscape and sea views, private balconies and even access to a private swimming pool in the Ocean Wing. The resort also features a spa and health club, a pool and a range of recreational activities. KUCHING GRAND MARGHERITA On the banks of the Sarawak River with views of the colourful Malay Village the Grand Margherita Hotel is a five star hotel with modern amenities. Being in the heart of the city's business, entertainment and shopping districts and not far from Kuchings main tourist attractions it is in a brilliant location. The rooms are modern with state of the art facilities and the amenities in the hotel include high speed internet access, an outdoor pool and fitness centre. The Chinese restaurant found within the complex is popular with both locals and guests alike. SANDAKAN SEPILOK NATURE RESORT Within walking distance from the world-famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, deep in a forest of tropical orchids and towering trees, this charming resort combines modern comforts with traditional style. Its twin bedded chalets provide en suite bathrooms, air conditioning and lake or jungle views, whilst the surrounding gardens boast over 150 species of Asian orchid. The lovely wooden resort restaurant provides a fusion of local and western cuisines overlooking the rainforest canopies. ULU AI
NANGA SUMPA LONGHOUSE Set on the banks of the river next to the native longhouse, Nanga Sumpa Longhouse is a basic traditional wooden lodge that provides simple, clean lodgings, with mats, mosquito nets and mattresses. The 17 rooms can sleep two or four people, and the shared bathrooms include western style toilets. There is no hot water, so only cold showers are avialable. Also, there is no regular electricity, so lighting is provided by oil lamps. Local meals of fresh jungle vegetables prepared by the lodge kitchen are eaten in a communal dining area. This is a living example of an Iban Community, who have successfully embraced a form of respectful, low-volume tourism where they are able to blend their traditional way of life with the benefits of contemporary living that comes with this form of sustainable eco-tourism. It has proved to be economically beneficial to all of the local community as the income is split equally between the twenty-three families. Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd Tel +44 (0)20 8741 7390 Fax +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website wildfrontierstravel.com