Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Begin of Tour Kuching (Sarawak) - Kuching (D)

Ikan BakarArrival at the Kuching International Airport. Meet your English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free at your leisure. You will leave the hotel in the evening and take a short walk to the "Top Spot Seafood Center". Get to know your guide during a friendly dinner. The food stalls on the roof terrace offer local dishes. Overnight in Kuching.

Day 2: Kuching (B/L)

Orang Utan in SemenggohLeave for Semenggoh Nature Reserve in the morning. Located 22km from Kuching city center, Semenggoh provides an excellent opportunity to view semi-wild orang-utans in a natural setting. This orang-utan rehabilitation center gives a temporary home to orphaned or rescued orang-utans and trains them to survive in the wild. Over 20 orang-utans live in the forested areal, and they often return to the center to receive supplemental feeding. The feeding area is set in a natural amphitheater, where it is possible to observe the orang-utans coming down from the surrounding forest for the food provided. The rangers provide a briefing on the purpose of the center and the conservation objectives. Return for lunch to a local restaurant in Kuching. Afterward, a short sightseeing tour to the cultural highlights of Kuching. The capital of the Malay state of Sarawak is situated at the Sarawak river. Visit the Tua Pek King temple, the oldest temple in Sarawak, dating back to the 19th century. The tour also includes the Kuching Waterfront with a good view of many historical buildings (e.g. St. Joseph's Cathedral, the Syariah (Muslim) Court, traditional Malay kampong with houses built on stilts and the mosque built along the riverbank). Visit the Natural History Museum, with an interesting collection of the local fauna. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Kuching.

Day 3: Kuching - Damai Beach (B/D)

DragonflyBreakfast at the hotel. Afterwards check-out and transfer to Damai Beach for a visit of the Sarawak Cultural Museum. This "living museum" offers an opportunity to learn more about the diverse cultures of Sarawak. Several reconstructions of typical houses are shown on the museum grounds. The tour concludes with a fascinating dance performance. Dinner and overnight in Damai Beach.

Day 4: Damai Beach (B/L/D)

Mount SantubongAfter breakfast, go down to the beach at the resort and board a speedboat to the river mouth. The ride will take approximate 45 minutes. Search for the Irrawaddy (or Snubfin) Dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris). This species has a large melon and a blunt, rounded head. Its beak is indistinct. The dorsal fin is short, blunt and triangular. It is located about two-thirds of the way along the back. The flippers are long and broad. It is lightly colored all over - slightly whiter on the underside than the back. It appears whiter than it actually is when set against the background of a muddy river. Length is about 100cm at birth and 230cm at full maturity. Birth weight is about 10kg. Adult weight exceeds 130kg. Lifespan is about 30 years. The Irrawaddy Dolphin is a slow swimmer. It surfaces in a rolling fashion and lifts its tail fluke clear of the water for a deep dive only. Irrawaddy Dolphins spit streams of water from their mouths whilst spy hopping. Observe the dolphins while they swim around the boats of the local fishermen in search for food. After this fascinating experience, we will try to find wild Crocodiles along the Riverbanks of the Mangrove Forest. Afterward, we will proceed by boat for another 45 minutes to the Satang Islands located off the coast of Santubong. Together with the Talang-Talang Islands that are located off the coast of Sematan, these two locations are the only major marine turtle nesting sites in Sarawak. During the turtle season from May to September, Green Turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs and rest in the surrounding waters before and in between landings. Packed lunch is provided on the island. Enjoy the beautiful view from the island, relax at the beach or go for a swim or snorkel in the clear water. On the return boat ride to Permai we will pass by Bird's Rock. We will slowly pass by the rock for a better impression of this rocky islet, which is an important rookery for Black-napped and Bridled terns. The afternoon is free at your leisure. Dinner and overnight in Damai Beach.

Day 5: Damai Beach (B/L/D)

Drosera, Bako National ParkStart your day trip to the Bako National Park after breakfast. The sanctuary was founded in 1957. With an expanse of less than 30qkm Bako is the smallest National Park in Sarawak but offers a diverse landscape and vibrant wildlife. First drive 37km to Bako fishing village. The park is located on the Muara Tebas peninsula without any direct connections by road. Wait at the registration office until you can board a small boat to the park headquarter. The short trip will take 30 minutes. Upon arrival in the park start a trekking tour along some of the marked trails. Interesting plants and trees are labeled. Maybe you see some of the park's more animalistic inhabitants. Proboscis monkeys, monitor lizards, bearded pigs, silver leaf monkeys, and many tropical birds live here. While you follow the trails you will see different forms of tropical vegetation. The coasts are secured by the roots of mangrove trees. Their leaves feed the local monkey population. The mangroves transform into heath forest. High up on the plateau you will find many endemic pitcher plants and orchids. Keep your eyes open for the tiny sundews. Have a short break at a secluded beach before you return to the headquarter and the cafeteria. Return to Kuching in the afternoon. Overnight in Damai Beach.

Day 6: Damai Beach - End of Tour Kuching (Sarawak) (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide after checking out of the hotel. Transfer to Kuching International Airport for your next flight.