Detailed Itinerary

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

Seafood restaurant KuchingMeet your personal guide at the airport of Kuching. Transfer to city hotel and check-in. Take a stroll along the waterfront in the evening. Your guide will take you to the "Top Spot Seafood Centre". The bustling open air food court offers countless local dishes. Start your journey with culinary specialties like fern sprouts, water spinach, or grilled fish. Return to your hotel afterwards. Overnight in Kuching.

Day 2: Kuching (B/D)

Mangrove SunsetBreakfast at the hotel. Today's program begins with a private sightseeing tour of Kuching. The charming city is the capital in the State of Sarawak. During the tour your guide will show you the Tua Pek Kong temple. The sanctuary dates back to the 19th century and is the oldest temple in Sarawak. The Waterfront at the Sungai Sarawak was transformed into a sweeping esplanade. Other sights near the Waterfront are the colonial Courthouse Complex, the clock tower, Charles Brooke Memorial, and the Indian Mosque. Across the stream you can see the Malay kampoong (village) and The Astana. The palace of the White Rajahs was built in 1870. Charles Brooke, the third White Rajah of Sarawak, gave it to his wife Margaret Alice Lili de Windt as a wedding gift. She was also the inspiration to Fort Margherita, which he built right next to the palace in 1879. Today The Astana is the official gubernatorial residence and is not open for public. Take a boat to the northern bank and visit the Brooke Gallery. The Gallery tells the story of the "White Rajas" with artifacts from the Brooke Family’s collection. Return to your hotel around lunchtime. You will be picked up again at 16:00 hrs. Your guide will take you to the beach in Damai, where you will take a boat ride along the shore. Your destination is a nearby river delta, fringed with mangrove trees. The narrow canals are home to crocodiles and the endemic proboscis monkeys live in the trees. They are partial to the young leaves of the mangrove trees. You can also see coastal bird species. The proboscis monkeys are easy to find as they live in large groups. The vocal animals are mainly recognized for their large, red noses. The local people call them “Orang Belanda” which means “Dutch”. These endangered monkeys are only found on Borneo island. Shortly before sunset you leave the treeline and return to the bay. See the last sun rays atop the South China Sea before you return to the delta for a second exploration (depending on weather condition). Hear the sounds of the Sarawak wildlife in the dark. Your guide will turn on some lights to search for crocodiles. Pay attention to the water surface to spot the luminous eyes. Later all lights will be turned off so you can see the fireflies in the mangrove trees. Sometimes there are so many beetles they look like Christmas Lights. Return to Damai Beach for a rustic dinner at a seaside restaurant. Later transfer to Kuching. Overnight in Kuching.

Day 3: Kuching - Semenggoh - Batang Ai (B/L)

Batang AiBreakfast at the hotel. Afterwards check-out and drive to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. Arrival at the main entrance will be approximately 30 minutes later. The Semenggoh Wildlife Centre was founded in 1975 to give endangered species like the orangutan, sun bears, and hornbills a sanctuary. Most animals living on the premises were rescued from captivity. They have to learn how to live from the forest and trainers help them to regain the knowledge. The orangutans can roam free on the 700ha area and come only to the feeding platform if they want. If they choose to visit the platform you can hear them coming from far away. The weight of male orangutans can reach 90kg. You can hear the leafs rustle and some of the smaller branches will break when an adult orangutan moves through the forest. After the feeding drive along the Pan Borneo Highway, passing by the beautiful scenery with rural villages, plantations and rice fields. Travel 275km by road with a few stops along the way. Have refreshments in Serian and do some last minute shopping for insect repellent, snacks, and gifts for the Iban families at the Longhouse. The market also offers local fruits and vegetables. Next stop on the road is a plantations where pepper, orchids, and pitcher plants are grown. Lunch en-route in Lachau, a Chinese settlement in the countryside. After lunch proceed to Batang Ai jetty and cross the lake by ferry to the resort. The afternoon is free at your leisure. Overnight at Batang Ai.

Day 4: Batang Ai (B/L)

Orang Ulu Hunter with Blow PipeBreakfast at the resort. Take a traditional longboat to cross the lake until you reach the Iban community. Your guide will teach you more about the Iban culture and day to day life. Meet the clan chief and present your gifts. Drink some tuak rice wine with them – as is custom. The Iban will show you their traditional war dance and garb. The performance is accompanied by Chinese gongs. The big metal gongs came with Chinese merchants to the remote longhouses in the jungle. Your are invited to join the dancers, if you want. Dance is a language understood without words. Feel welcome and talk with your hosts about family and life in rural Borneo. After lunch try to master the blow pipe. The ancient weapon is still used to hunt birds and small animals. A hunter has to be very skilled to hit his mark. Return to the resort in the afternoon. Overnight at Batang Ai Resort.

Day 5: Batang Ai - Kuching (B/L)

Daytrip at Batang AiBreakfast at the resort. Return to Kuching today. You will depart with the ferry from the resort and follow the Pan Borneo Highway back to the capital of Sarawak. Lunch break at Ranchang Pool Waterfall near Serian. Arrive in Kuching during the afternoon.

Day 6: Kuching - Bako Nationalpark - Kuching (B/L)

Rock pillar 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 Kuching.

Day 7: Kuching - Mulu Park (B/L/D)

Lang's CaveBreakfast at hotel and check-out in the morning. Transfer to Kuching airport. Upon arrival at Mulu airport, meet your local guide. Proceed to national park lodging and check-in at the registration desk. Leave the lodging again in the afternoon and follow the 3km walkway leading to the Show Caves. It will take approximately 1hrs to reach Lang\'s Cave. The small cave was discovered during an expedition in 1978 and named after the guide who found it. Beautiful stalactites and stalagmites can be seen in the small cave. A real highlight are the helictites, which look like slender corals. The cave trail is quite short. Afterwards, explore the neighboring Deer Cave. The entrance of Deer Cave is 175m wide and 120m high and possibly the biggest cave entrance of the world. The main chamber is 2,2km long and up to 220m high. The penetrating daylight allows you to see the enormous dimensions of the cave. Interesting stone formations can be seen. The cave is also home to millions of bats. The intense guano odor will follow you around while exploring the cave along the walkways. Part of the walls collapsed a long time ago and now allows for a view of the surrounding jungle. This part is known as Garden Eden. After exiting the cave, take a seat at the viewpoint and watch the bats leaving the cave at dusk. The animals leave the colony in large numbers to hunt for insects. They are so numerous they look like black clouds. You will remember the sight and the whooshing sound of their wings for a long time. Walk back to the Headquarters and return to the lodging. Overnight in Mulu.

Day 8: Mulu Park (B/L)

Dragonfly in MuluBreakfast at the lodgings. Take a longboat upstream to visit Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave. Both caves are linked by the same system. The Clearwater System is a tributary of the Melinau River. 75km of total 107km are explored. A walkway leads from the jetty to the first cave. See some interesting limestone formations along the way. While standing in the cave entrance, you will feel a strong draft that gave the cave its name. Then follow the curved trail to the King's Room. The stalactites and stalagmites in the big chamber are so numerous and beautiful, they are worthy of a king. Next up is the Clearwater Cave. The entrance is 30m high up in the cliff. You have to climb a steep staircase until you reach the entrance. The limestone walls are dotted with one-leaved plants (Monophyllaea). Walk down a winding trail until you reach the chamber of Clearwater River. A bridge even crosses the river. Beside the beautiful helictites you can also see photokarsts. These small needle like formations will point in the direction of the light due to alga growth. Return to the picnic tables for lunch. You can swim in the pool underneath if you want. The pool is feed by the Clearwater River and very cold. Take the longboat back to the lodgings. The afternoon is free at leisure. Overnight in Mulu.

Day 9: Mulu Park - Kota Kinabalu (B)

Melinau River in MuluBreakfast at the lodgings. The morning is free at leisure until the airport transfer. Fly to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. Meet your local guide upon arrival and transfer to your city hotel. Check-in and overnight in Kota Kinabalu.

Day 10: Kota Kinabalu - Kinabalu Nationalpark (B/L/D)

Mount Kinabalu in SabahHave breakfast at the hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Meet your guide in the lobby and proceed on a 88km long drive to Kinabalu National Park. During the 2hrs transfer you will cross the Crocker Range and pass by rural villages and rice paddies. Stop at a fruit stand to taste some local fruits before you arrive at the hot springs in Poring. Poring was discovered by Japanese soldiers during WWII. There is a jungle trail you can follow to learn more about the giant trees of a tropical rainforest. Take a swim in the hot sulphuric spring or opt for the canopy walk. Afterwards drive to Kinabalu Nationalpark. The Park was made an UNESCO World Nature Heritage site in 2000 - the first of it's kind in Malaysia. Right at the foot of Mount Kinabalu (4.102m) the park includes different vegetation zones and is home to many animals. Check-in at the lodge. The evening is free at your leisure.

Day 11: Kinabalu Nationalpark - Kota Kinabalu (B/L)

RafflesiaBreakfast at cafeteria. Visit the Exhibit Centre and Mountain Garden to learn more about the local plants. You will see rhododendrons, alpine meadow plants, ferns in different forms and sizes, and the famous pitcher plants. Afterwards you can explore the are while following some of the marked trails. Lunch at the cafeteria. Resturn to Kota KInabalu in the afternoon. Overnight in Kota Kinabalu.

Day 12: Kota Kinabalu - End of Tour Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) (B)

Breakfast at hotel. The day is free at your leisure until airport transfer.