MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE & SOUTHERN
THAILAND
Although the Peninsula is divided politically into Southern Thailand, East
Malaysia and Singapore, geographically it covers the whole area south of
the narrow neck of land between the China Sea and the Indian Ocean called
the Isthmus of Kra where Burma and Thailand meet. We have itineraries to
cover the whole of this area as well as Malaysian Borneo.
The east coast of the Peninsula is the only part of the Archipelago that
is significantly affected by the monsoons of Indo-China, so which route is
appropriate depends on the time of year. We also take advantage of the rail
network from Singapore to Bangkok to provide tours based on rail journeys.
The proximity of Sumatra and Borneo means that combining a tour with these
is convenient and provides an excellent contrast. Altogether this means that
our itineraries can be very varied so we only provide a description of some
of the destinations here. Please ask for details.
SINGAPORE occupies the tip of the peninsula and although it is an
island it is connected by a causeway which allows us to start rail journeys
here. Since the time of Raffles it has been the trading centre of the entire
region. It is a highly developed modern city state totally unlike the rest
of the archipelago. It is dedicated to commerce in all its forms and is a
shoppers paradise.
MALACCA is Malaysia's most historic city because for centuries before the
British moved all trade to Singapore it was they key port controlling all
trade between the East and the West. it has a cosmopolitan character with
Chinese, Portuguese, Arab, Dutch, Indian, British and Malay influences. Because
its power was removed in the nineteenth century, the buildings and unique
mixed culture of its former glorious days have remained untouched.
KUALA LUMPUR is one of the few Asian cities that has managed to combine
impressive modern development with its British colonial charm and original
Malay, Chinese and Indian culture. It has some excellent bird parks, orchid
gardens, museums and street life.
TAMAN NEGARA (National Park) covers a large area of ancient rainforest in
the centre of the Peninsula. Wildlife, forest people, river safaris, trekking,
swimming and a general jungle experience.
KOTA BAHRU is a town on the north east coast where the original Malay culture,
arts and crafts are still strongest. We reach it either by the jungle train
through the central valleys or via the villages of the east coast. In the
dry season we extend the itinerary to the white sand beaches of the Perhentian
Islands.
PENANG is an island just off the north west coast and was the stepping off
point for much of the Chinese and British settlement of Malaya. It retains
may of these influences making it a fascinating places to visit.
SOUTHERN THAILAND is well known for its tropical paradise beaches.
We go to some of the less frequented beaches but there is also much to see
besides the sea. We go to out of the way lakes teeming with waterbirds among
the lilies, jungle National Parks and exotic Buddhist temples.
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BORNEO
MALAYSIAN BORNEO- SARAWAK & SABAH
The name of Borneo is better known than any of the other islands of the
archipelago, partly because it is synonymous with the image of headhunters
roaming wild tropical jungle and partly because of its extraordinary place
in recent British colonial history. It is the world's third largest island
and is now divided into the two Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, the
Indonesian state of Kalimantan and the tiny, oil rich Sultanate of Brunei.
The story of Sarawak is particularly colourful and resulted in the British
acquiring the territory after the war, at a time when they were trying to
give independence to their other colonies. Disputes over its future were
not settled until the mid sixties when it finally became part of independent
Malaysia. Right up until the Japanese invasion of the second world war it
remained the private domain of the "WhiteRajas". The concept of a private
country is difficult to imagine in the modem world but the Brooke family
managed to establish the trappings of a conventional state covering an area
the size of England and Scotland combined during their century of rule. James
Brooke was a British adventurer who in 1841 sailed up the Sarawak River at
a moment when there was a rebellion against the repressive regime of the
Sultan of Brunei's local representative. Brooke was offered land in exchange
for using his private gunboat to quell the rebels and from that moment on,
he and his heirs set about taking control of the whole of Borneo west of
the mountain range which is now the border with Indonesia.
They transformed Kuching from a few huts into an impressive capital, and
it still remains a very unusual Asian city. Commercial development has really
only started to spread to other parts of West Borneo within the last twenty
or thirty years. Two or three coastal towns have sprung up to serve the oil,
minerals and logging industries but Sarawak's single highway which connects
them is still far from Malaysia's modem standard. Transport elsewhere is
only by river or air. At the moment, vast tracts of the interior remain untouched
but the recent rampant expansion of logging is a well known cause for
international concern. The Malaysian federal government is very sensitive
about this issue and has imposed controls, but it is yet to be seen how effective
these will be in practice.
The designation of hundreds of thousands of hectares as National Parks does
mean that these areas at least should be saved. There is a growing "Green"
lobby in Malaysia which supports conservation but of course vested interest
often prove to be more powerful. The number of people who come to visit the
National Parks is one of the things that lends support to the conservation
lobby. The unexploited areas are normally inaccessible except by river or
the forest trails of the local tubes.
The National Parks provide facilities for access to the wilderness areas
and a comparatively secure haven for some of the nomadic hunter gatherers
who are the first to suffer from the destruction of the forest. The government's
point of view is that an Malaysian citizens should be encouraged to become
part of the mainstream economy, and therefore provides facilities and incentives
for the forest people to settle down and learn how to farm, an example of
which can be seen at Mulu. Some have resisted, but it seems unlikely that
the lifestyle based primarily on hunting, of either the nomadic or the settled
tribes, will be able to survive the pressures indefinitely.
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SARAWAK
Apart from visiting historical Kuching, we spend most of our time in the
National Parks which cover many different habitats, from coastal mangrove
swamps to alpine peaks. There is a magnificent range of flora and fauna that
can be found nowhere else. There are tens of thousands of species of plants
and thousands of species of animals, butterflies, birds and fish. Notable
examples that we are likely to see include; orangutans, proboscis monkeys,
hornbills, giant monitor lizards, giant turtles, pitcher plants, orchids,
giant Rafflesia flowers and Raja Brookes Birdwing Butterflies.
As well as wildlife and forest peoples, the National Parks encompass some
spectacular natural features such as coral islands, the extraordinary limestone
formations of Mulu Pinnacles, the longest cave system in the world and the
highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea.
KUCHING
The stamp of the White Rajas is everywhere in Kuching and this, combined
with the Malay, Chinese and Indian influences, make it a unique city. Looking
across the river from the town waterfront, you can still see a traditional
Malay village on the opposite bank which gives an idea of what Kuching looked
like before James Brooke arrived. Right next door to the Malay houses is
the Astana surrounded by rolling lawns, which was the White Raja's private
palace. During the reign they managed to clear the jungle and establish orderly
streets and parks dotted with picturesque civic buildings in order to give
the city a civilised air.
Sarawak Museum
One of the Brooke's most notable monuments is the Sarawak Museum which was
built in 1891. It has an international reputation particularly for its
ethnographic section which has now been supplemented by the Cultural Village.
Kuching means cat in Malay and there is a whole gallery dedicated to catobelia.
Semengoh Orangutan Sanctuary
Although a modern city is being developed separately to extend the town,
it is still surrounded by natural jungle. The Orangutan sanctuary is in the
rainforest only a short drive from the city, where rescued orangutans can
be reintroduced into the wild. We visit at feeding time when the ones which
have not yet become fully wild return to the sanctuary. There are well marked
walks through the forest and they also look after a number of other animals
such as gibbons, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, eagles and reptiles.
Damai Beach
Damai is the beach resort for Kuching and also the location of the Cultural
Village, where representatives of all the peoples of Sarawak have been gathered
together in one village made up of their respective traditional houses, as
a "living museum" (rather like Ironbridge). The production of crafts can
be seen and there are frequent culture performances.
Accommodation in Kuching
We use comfortable, middle range Hotels with all the usual facilities,
conveniently situated in the centre of town.
LONGHOUSES
Anah Rais
A visit to one of the many indigenous is a highlight of any trip to Sarawak,
especially if you can spend a night there. If you do not have time you can
visit the Bidayuh people (once known as Land Dayaks) in the village of Anah
Rais, 64km from Kuching. This is one of the largest longhouses still intact
in Sarawak. The drive to the village passes through rolling hills, pepper
farms, palm oil plantations and rice fields.
Ulu Ai
This lodge has won awards for its contribution to Culture Preservation. In
1987 the local community was approached as to whether or not they wanted
to attract tourists to their village. They said yes but asked that a separate
lodge be built for tourists rather than having visitors stay in their longhouse.
This was agreed and the Nanga Sumpa Lodge was built in Ulu Ai under the direction
of the village headman and his committee. It provides simple, clean lodging
with western-style toilets, mosquito nets and mattresses on mats. Activites
around the lodge include treks through the jungle, waterfalls, fishing-Dayak
style- and observing the daily routine of the Iban Dayaks. You may be lucky
enough to see orangutan in the wild. Meals feature jungle fresh vegetables
and other local delicacies.
Others
Visits to other longhouses include more time consuming journeys along the
rivers into the heartland. You can visit the longhouses at Bebangan, Gaat
Entawau and Singgut. You have to be prepared for long boat hourneys and very
simple accommodation on mats on the floors of these longhouses. Obviously
the harsh conditions are rewarded by visiting tribes that rarely see tourists.
BAKO NATIONAL PARK
A whole peninsula cut off from the mainland by dense forest was designated
as a National Park in 1957. Access is only by boat and is therefore dependent
on favourable tide and weather. The area was chosen for its beautiful terrain
of honeycombed sandstone cliffs, secluded beaches, mangrove swamps, dense
forest and open scrub. There are seven distinct categories of vegetation
in an area small enough to reach on foot from the Park Headquarters and a
correspondingly wide range of animals and birds including the proboscis monkey
which survives only in a few of Borneo's mangrove swamps
Wildlife
Apart from being a good place to relax on the untouched sandy beaches and
trek on the plateau, Bako shelters some unusual wildlife. Some of the highlights
are; the endangered proboscis monkeys with their extraordinary long noses,
2m long monitor lizards (these dragons of Bako are harmless to humans), bearded
wild boar, mud-skippers ( a prehistoric combination of a fish and a frog)
and fiddler crabs which chase each other around with their one enlarged claw.
There are many other types of wildlife such as deer, Flying lemurs, flying
lizards, other reptiles, and other monkeys.
Luminous Toadstools
The flora of Bako is particularly interesting because it is so varied in
such a compact area. One of the most remarkable organisms can only be appreciated
at night when luminous fungi can be seen glowing in the forest like truly
magic mushrooms. At times the sea here also glows when tiny phosphorescent
algae are disturbed by the waves or a boat.
Accommodation in Bako
The Resthouses at Bako are well equipped with all the facilities and there
is a shop and a restaurant and a serving simple meals.
MULU NATIONAL PARK
Mulu lies beyond Brunei, deep in the central mountains of Borneo. Its remoteness
has meant that apart from a few attempts on Mt Mulu which is the second highest
mountain in Sarawak, the area remained unexplored until recently. In the
late 1970's and early 80's Royal Geographical Society expeditions began to
discover the wildlife and the cave system that make Mulu unique. Every subsequent
scientific expedition has discovered new wildlife or new caves suggesting
that there is a great deal more to be found.
Access has now been made easy by the construction of an aerodrome served
by medium sized Cessna planes. However visitor's are limited and they are
not allowed to go anywhere beyond the headquarters without a permit and an
official guide. Permits are now only issued to groups through recognised
Agents. We work with Sarawak Agents who have their own simple lodge in the
Park, their own boats and staff.
Forest People
Most of our guides come from the various settled local tribes who have fanned,
fished and hunted them for as long as anyone knows. Their way of life has
allowed them to take advantage of the educational an employment opportunities
that Malaysian development has brought to compensate for the loss of the
traditional livelihood. The forests are also the home of the Penan people,
who are one of the last remaining nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes. In order
to survive they need to be able to roam vast areas of forest and the National
Parks are rapidly becoming their only refuge. From the point of view of the
Malaysian government these people live a primitive and deprived life with
a very short life expectancy and should be given the benefits of the 20th
century. At Mulu you can see a modern longhouse and a farm where government
experts try to encourage and teach the Penan how to farm.
The Caves
The Mulu cave system is the biggest in the world, rivalling others both in
the size of the largest chambers and the length of the system. Access and
illumination has been provided in some of the most spectacular chambers so
that it is possible to appreciate the limestone formations of stalactites
and stalagmites. For those who want to explore a little further into some
of the dark inner reaches, "Adventure Caving" with a trained Park Ranger
can be arranged (we can also arrange full caving expeditions through our
local agents). Deer Cave is the largest cave passage in the world and you
can walk right through it to a hidden valley beyond. It has a 140ft cascade
falling from the ceiling and is the home of millions of free-tailed bats.
The sight of these pouring out above the forest in a thick black cloud which
can continue to issue from the cave for an hour or more is the sort of thing
only normally seen on wildlife documentaries.
Even though scientific study of the area is only in its early days, the inventory
given in the official guide is already very impressive: 67 species of mammal,
262 species of bird (including all 8 types of hornbill), 74 species of frog,
47 species of fish, 281 species of butterflies (Bomeo's forests contain more
species of butterflies than all the rest of the world's habitats put together),
1,500 species of flowering plant including 170 species of orchid and 10 species
of pitcher plant.
The Pinnacles
On the slopes of Gunung Api about 3 days trek from the Park Headquarters,
is an area of extraordinary limestone needles rising 40 or 50 metres above
the forest. It is a tough climb to reach them so they am only included on
our trekking itineraries.
Transport
There are no roads in the park so the only form of transport is chartered
longboat which are provided by our agents. When the rivers are low the boats
have to be dragged across the shallows so you have to be prepared to get
as wet during the dry season as during the wet! To get to the show caves
from the river only requires a little moderate walking. On our normal Arc
Journeys it is also possible to take moderate day treks with Park Rangers
who will point out the wildlife.
Mulu is included in our Sarawak treks which penetrate deeper into the jungles
and peaks. Our normal tours take the scheduled jet service to Miri from Kuching
or Kota Kinabalu, then the Cessna flight direct to the Park but our Treks
come up river from Limbang and trek in from the north to reach the Pinnacles
before continuing to the caves.
Accommodation in Mulu
Our Agent's Lodge near the Park Headquarters which we use for our normal
Arc Journeys is simple but clean and provided with all the necessary facilities.
The local family that runs it supply ample quantities of good food and
occasionally luxuries such as beer and chocolate are brought in by boat.
Treks stay out in the jungle of course, using the shelters provided in the
Park, camping or staying in longhouses as appropriate.
TREKS
In Sarawak we can arrange treks from full day trips to 5 days, climbing to
Mt Murud, the highest peak in Sarawak. Generally you will trek for 4-5 hours
through rural terrain, passed rice fields, plantations, beside rivers etc.
Camps will be set up along the way or you will stay in village longhouse.
* We can also arrange Mountain Biking trips along the paths around Kuching
or further afield with complete back-up transport.
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SABAH
KOTA KINABALU
This is essentially a modern town and its main interest apart from having
a very convenient airport is the places it gives access to. Just a short
boat ride from the town lie the coral islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine
park which offer marvellous beaches, snorkelling and walking. Nearby villages
have colourful "Tamu" -markets where the peoples of the coast and the forest
exchange their wares.
MT. KINABALU NATIONAL PARK
Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea
(4,101m/13,455ft) but because it is almost on the equator it is not snow
capped and can be conquered by anyone who is reasonably fit. The trek to
the summit takes two days from the Park Headquarters, stopping the night
at the well equipped Resthouse on the mountain. Apart from the joy of seeing
dawn rise across Borneo, casting the shadow of the mountain far out across
the sea, this trek takes you through a spectacular range of habitats from
rainforest up to the alpine rock formations of the summit. Guides are compulsory
and porters can be hired.
Botanical Paradise
Kinabalu is world famous for its range of flora. More than half of the world's
families of flowering plants are represented here, including some unique
to Kinabalu. Flowers range from the Rafflesia which is the world's largest
to the smallest orchid podochilus. There are in fact over 1,200 species of
orchid in the Park and many of the largest types of pitcher plant. To see
the alpine and montane vegetation particularly noted for the rhododendrons,
it necessary to do some steep walking but if you do not want to climb there
are extensive lowland trails in the rainforest that can be taken with a Park
Ranger who will explain the flora. At the Headquarters there is a botanical
garden for research and to help you identify the plants you see. There is
also an information centre with regular presentations.
Accommodation at Kinabalu
The Headquarters has comfortable chalets with ensuite facilities and there
is a good restaurant. The Resthouse on the mountain has dormitories and a
small canteen.
PADAS GORGE RAILWAY
The only railway in Borneo is a tiny mountain track that winds its way up
the Padas Gorge from Beaufort on the coast to Tenom beyond the Crocker Range.
As well as the interesting journey, we offer white water rafting on the Padas
River as a special option.
TENOM
This is a small agricultural town in the region of the Murut people. Apart
from being the end of the railway line, its main attraction is the Agricultural
Research Station with its Orchid Centre where many varieties can be seen
in the gardens. As well as the Muruts, thousands of swifts have taken up
residence in Tenom. At dusk they descend in droves to roost on the telephone
lines in the main street, creating an unexpected spectacle.
Accommodation in Tenom
There is a large resort hotel on the hill overlooking the Tenom valley but
it appears to receive very few guests except at weekends. We are fortunate
to be able to take advantage of this combination of remoteness and comfort
in a backwater which would otherwise normally have only very basic accommodation
because it sees very few tourists.
THE CROCKER RANGE NATIONAL PARK
This is a vast Park covering the whole of the Crocker Range from Tenom to
Kinabalu. Despite its size it is seldom visited because access is as yet
undeveloped. The Arc Journeys pass through it to visit the Rafflesia Centre
but we also organise Treks that explore deeper on foot.
SANDAKAN
This town was founded in the nineteenth century by merchant adventurers as
an outpost of the British North Borneo Company. It is now the furthest Malaysian
city from the capital, less than 30km from the islands of the Philippines.
It stands at the mouth of the Kinabatangan River system which forms an extensive
swampy forest area, rich in wildlife. This is the home of the greatest
concentrations of Bomeo's proboscis monkeys and hundreds of species of birds
such as hornbills, egrets, kingfishers and eagles. A boat trip up the
Kinabatangan is an excellent alternative if weather prevents access to the
Turtle Islands. If conditions are right it might also be possible to arrange
an evening boat trip to a backwater which is frequently lined with fireflies
and filled with luminous algae which lights up like a fluorescent tube when
disturbed by the boat.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
This is probably the most famous of the four main Orangutan Stations. (Arc
visits the others at Bukit Lawang in Sumatra, Tanjung Puting in Kalimantan
and Semengoh in Sarawak.) Many orangutans have been retrained to live in
the wild here since it was founded in 1964, and it is not uncommon for a
dozen or more of the semi retrained orangutans to appear out of the forest
when we visit the platform in the jungle at feeding time. Sepilok receives
far more visitors than any of the other Stations and has more facilities
such as information centre. The platform closest to the headquarters is easily
accessible but the one for the wilder orangutans is up some slippery tracks
and the number of visitors is restricted. The trails take you through the
rainforest of the reserve which ranges from mangrove to primary rainforest.
It is sometimes possible to see other endangered animals such as rhinoceros
and elephant which are also cared for here and there is an orchid nursery
near the entrance to the reserve.
Turtle Islands National Park (Selingan Island)
Three small islands off the cast coast near Sandakan are the chosen nesting
grounds of the giant Green Turtle and Hawksbill Turtle. Turtles struggle
up the beach every night of the year to lay their eggs in the sand and since
1971 these islands have been protected to preserve the eggs from commercial
collectors and natural predators.
One of the islands has park chalets to accommodate up to 30 visitors so that
you can stay overnight and see the turtles coming ashore, accompanied by
a Park Ranger. Access is of course by boat and is only Permitted when the
sea is considered sufficiently calm.
Transport We reach Sandakan by regular scheduled flight from Kota Kinabalu
SUKAU
The Kinabantangan River is Sabah's longest river and the upper reaches and
oxbow lakes of this river are among the best places in the region for wildlife
viewing. Proboscis monkeys and wild boar can be seen. Birdlife is especially
rich here including six species of hornbills, kingfishers, egrets, darters,
owls, kites, eagles, broadbills, doves,storm storks, herons, hawks, ospreys,
falcon, pheasants, parakeets, bee eaters, woodpeckers, pittas, bulbuls,
forktails, babblers, warblers, flycatchers, orioles, flowerpeckers,
spiderhunters, among others. A river cruise on the lower Kinabatangan can
also be done as a day trip from Sandakan. The evening cruise offers a good
chance to see the proboscis monkeys and a variety of coastal wildlife including
egrets, hornbills, macaques and others.
In this area you can also visit the Gomantong Caves famous for their swiflets
and their edible nests..
Accommodation
Sukau Rainforest Lodge has 20 rooms and was completed in 1995 and built in
traditional Malaysian. It is built on stilts with a separate lounge, restaurant,
open sun-deck, river jetty, an enclosed garden and two tree platforms.
Electricity is supplied by solar panels/generator, and hot water by solar
heaters. All rooms are twin bedded, with ceiling fan, mosquito netting, attached
bathroom, hot shower and toilets. River tours are conducted by boats powered
by electric motors.
DANUM VALLEY
The Danum Valley has become famous in wildlife circles due to the abundance
of wildlife to be found in this area as well as being primary rainforest.
Species such as orangutan, Bornean gibbon, leaf monkeys and even rhinos have
given this valley a reputation for being one of the places in which wildlife
can be seen. In the valley you can visit the Danum Valley Field Centre, do
a guided boardwalk circuit or longer day treks. We can also arrange for you
to spend a night in a jungle camp. There are experienced naturalist guides
as well as Park Rangers to guide you. To get to the Danum Valley one has
to fly to Lahad Datu and then travel by road to the lodge.
Accommodation The Sabah government, in response to the demand for infrastructure,
has built the Borneo Rainforest Lodge which currently accommodates up to
20 people. The limited accommodation ensures that this is not a mass-market
product and is designed for those who wish to experience the rainforest.
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TYPICAL BORNEO ITINERARY
These itineraries are merely suggestions that cover some of the places
mentioned in the previous pages. For those who want to dive we can arrange
a few days at Sipadan, for those who prefer a more leisurely pace we can
extend the number of nights. We can also combine this with a tour of mainland
Malaysia or Kalimantan. We can also modify the accommodation to suit your
tastes. In fact we specialise in arranging unique holidays to suit your interests
and travel dates.
SARAWAK & SABAH- Kuching, Mulu Caves, Danum Valley, Turtle
Island, Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Mt Kinabalu trek- 13 days
Day 1 ARRIVE KUCHING
Arrive in Kuching. Meet and transfer to Holiday Inn Hotel. Overnight Hotel.
Day 2 MULU
Transfer to airport for flight to Mulu. Meet and proceed by longboat to Park
Headquarters. From the Park HQ, take a scenic 3 km plankwalk through primary
rainforest to the entrance of Deer Cave. Deer Cave has the world's largest
cave entrance and it can fit St. Pauls' Cathedral under its massive archway.
The cave has a moon-like landscape and from one vantage point a perfect profile
of President Lincoln can be observed. Most evenings at sundown, a spectacular
exodus of 13 million bats can be observed as they leave the cave in search
of food. Next to Deer Cave is Lang's Cave. The stalactites and stalagmites
inside this cave are representative of the very best limestone formations
in the park. Return to HQ by torchlight. Overnight lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 3 MULU CAVES/KUCHING
In the morning , proceed by longboat upriver to Wind Cave with its impressive
'King's Chamber'. Here, stalactites and stalagmites with delicate lace-like
patterns are found. A short walk along a plank-walk suspended to the limestone
cliff leads to Clearwater Cave. Like most caves in Mulu Clearwater Cave is
the habitat of unique species of plants. One of them, the one-leafed plant
can only be found at Mulu; rare species of orchids and pitcher plants can
be seen in many locations and photo-sensitive algae grows on certain rocks
and have produced needle-like formations that point towards the source of
light. Clearwater Cave has a wonderful swimming area shaded by giant rainforest
trees. Enjoy a picnic lunch, swim, relax and explore the caves before transfer
to airport for flight out to Miri connecting flight to Kota Kinabalu. Upon
arrival, meet and transfer to Karamunsing Hotel for overnight. (B,L)
Day 4 KUCHING/DANUM VALLEY
Transfer to airport for flight to Lahad Datu airport. Meet and continue journey
(2 hrs) overland to Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Brief orientation and lunch.
After lunch, depart for a guided walk on a nature trail (400 m boardwalk
circuit) and canopy walkway. In the evening, dinner at lodge. If weather
permits, go for a night drive to spot wild animals after dinner. Overnight
Borneo Rainforest Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 5 DANUM VALLEY
Following breakfast, depart for Danum Valley Field Centre to look at forest
nursery and planting areas. Tour the area before heading to the cafeteria
for lunch. In the afternoon, a walk on the nature trail, suspension bridge
and observation platform. A wrap-up briefing will be given by a project manager
or senior scientist. Return to Borneo Rainforest Lodge. After dinner, depart
for another night drive/walk. (B,L,D)
Day 6 DANUM VALLEY
After breakfast depart for a guided walk on the "Coffin Trail" that leads
to an ancient burial site (a 3km return trip, involving a 40 minute climb
to a magnificent look-out point and returning via the jacuzzi pool). Walk
down to Borneo Rainforest Lodge for lunch. Early afternoon, depart for Lahad
Datu and transfer to airport for flight to Kota Kinabalu. Meet and transfer
to Karamunsing Hotel for overnight. (B,L)
Day 7 SANDAKAN/TURTLE ISLAND
Morning, transfer to airport for flight to Sandakan. Meet and transfer to
the jetty for an hour trip by speed boat to Selingan Turtle island. Check
in at one of the chalets on the island and lunch at the restaurant. The afternoon
is free to relax, birdwatch or go snorkelling. In the evening, a Park Ranger
will escort you to watch one of the green turtles that have come ashore to
lay their eggs. Overnight Park Chalets. (B,L,D)
Day 8 SUKAU
Depart Selingan for Sandakan. Continue journey overland to Gomantong Caves,
famous for their swiflets and their edible nests. Spend the morning exploring
the caves. Proceed to Sukau for lunch. In the afternoon, go on a river cruise
down the Menanggul River in search of proboscis monkey, birds and other wildlife.
Return at dusk for dinner. Overnight Sukau lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 9 SEPILOK/KOTA KINABALU
Depart Sukau and transfer overland to the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary in
time for the feeding of the orangutans. Return to Sandakan for lunch before
embarking on a sightseeing tour of Sandakan. Transfer to airport for flight
to Kota Kinabalu. Meet and transfer to Karamunsing Hotel overnight. (B,L).
Day 10 KINABALU NATIONAL PARK
Pick up early morning & transfer to Kinabalu Park. Proceed for a guided
nature walk with the Park's naturalist and your nature tour guide (1 hr).
Lunch at the Park's Restaurant. View a slide presentation at the Park's
Exhibition Hall, then proceed to the mountain garden. Check into cabin (or
equivalent) at about 1430 hrs. Afternoon free at leisure. Take a leisurely
stroll or exploring park surroundings. Dinner at the Park's Restaurant. Overnight
Park Cabin (or equivalent). (B,L,D)
Day 11 TREK
After breakfast, proceed to the Power Station (45 mins) by coach. Commence
climb (5-7 hrs) to Laban Rata (3,353 m) with packed lunch. The climb will
take approximately 4 hours. Check-in Laban Rata Guesthouse. Rest of the afternoon
at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the Guesthouse. (B,L,D)
Day 12 TREK /KOTA KINABALU
A very early start to have breakfast & walk to the summit by torchlight.
Witness the beautiful sunrise at the summit at 0600 hours. Descend to Laban
Rata for lunch. Transfer to Park HQ. Proceed to Poring Hot Springs in the
afternoon. Return to Kota Kinabalu. Overnight Karamunsing Hotel. (B,L)
Day 13 DEPART
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
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SABAH ITINERARY -14 days
Includes Mt Kinabalu climb, the Turtle Island, orangutans of Sepilok and
the exciting jungle of the Danum Valley.
Day 1 ARRIVE KOTA KINABALU
Arrive at Kota Kinabalu Airport, meet and transfer to the Karamunsing Hotel
for check in and overnight.
Day 2 KINABALU NP
Following breakfast transfer to Kinabalu Park. Proceed for a guided nature
walk with the Park's naturalist and your nature tour guide (1 hr). Lunch
at the Park's Restaurant. View a
slide presentation at the Park's Exhibition Hall, then proceed to the mountain
garden. Check into cabin (or equivalent) at about 1430 hrs. Afternoon free
at leisure. Ideal for leisurely stroll or exploring park surroundings. Dinner
at the Park's Restaurant. Overnight park cabins (or equivalent). (B,L,D)
Day 3 TREK
Proceed to the Power Station (45 mins) by coach. Commence climb to Laban
Rata with packed lunch. The climb will take approximately 4 hours. Check-in
Laban Rata Resthouse. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner
& overnight at the guesthouse. (B,L,D)
Day 4 TREK/ KOTA KINABALU
Wake up about 2.00 am to have breakfast and climb to the summit with torchlight.
The climb will take about 3 hours . Witness the beautiful sunrise at the
summit at 0600 hours. Descend to Laban Rata Guesthouse then to the Power
Station. Transfer to Park HQ. Lunch at Park's Restaurant. Collect climbing
certificate before returning to Kota Kinabalu. Check in and overnight at
Karamunsing Hotel. (B,L)
Day 5 GAYA ISLAND
After breakfast, pick up at hotel and transfer to jetty for a 1/2 hr boat
ride from Kota Kinabalu to Gaya Island. The island is covered with undisturbed
lowland dipterocarp rainforest with pockets of mangrove forest and beach
flora along the coast. There is a variety of wildlife ranging from small
mammals like squirrels, macaques, bearded pigs and pangolins to birds like
the Pied Hornbill and the rare megapode locally known as the
Burung Tambun. A 90 minute walk on one of the trails lead through coastal
vegetation. Mudskippers can be seen from the boardwalk that runs through
the mangrove forest. Lunch at Sapi Island, an island lying adjacent to the
south-western tip of Gaya Island. The afternoon is free for swimming or
snorkelling in the crystal clear waters before returning to Kota Kinabalu
.
Overnight at Karamunsing Hotel. (B,L)
Day 6 DANUM VALLEY
Transfer to airport for flight to Lahad Datu. Meet at Lahad Datu Airport.
Journey (2 hrs) overland to Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Brief orientation and
lunch depart for a guided walk on a nature trail (400 m boardwalk circuit)
and canopy walkway (1.1 km from the lodge). In the evening, dinner at lodge.
If weather permits go for a night drive to spot wild animals after dinner.
Overnight Borneo Rainforest Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 7 DANUM VALLEY
After breakfast, depart for a guided walk on the Coffin Trail" that leads
to an ancient burial site (a 3 km return trip, involving a 40 minute climb
to a magnificent look-out point and returning via the "jacuzzi" pool. Walk
down to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, hike the Segama Trail and
East Trail (riverside route circuit). Dinner. In the evening, depart for
another night drive/walk in search of wildlife. (B,L,D)
Day 8 JUNGLE TREK
Following breakfast, trek through primary forest from Danum River to Langom
River. (Easy trek, 3-4 hrs). Settle at the camp, a raised wooden platform
covered by a roof, built in a clearing. The camp has basic toilets facilities,
mattresses & bedding are provided. Packed lunch at the camp. In the
afternoon, follow the Langom River upstream. The river is the natural habitat
of otters & turtles. Spot them swimming in the pristine waters. Overnight
at the camp. (B,L,D)
Day 9 DANUM VALLEY
Retrace your trek to Borneo Rainforest lodge. In the afternoon take a walk
on the canopy walkway and watch the birds, high in the tree tops. After dinner,
depart for another night drive/walk. Overnight Borneo Rainforest Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 10 SUKAU
Breakfast and morning activities before check out. Transfer to Lahad Datu
and then on to Sukau. Arrive Sukau, check in to the comfortable Sukau Lodge
and relax. (B,L,D)
Day 11 SUKAU / GOMOTANG CAVES
Continue journey overland to Gomantong Caves famous for their swiflets and
their edible nests. Spend the morning exploring the caves and surroundings.
Proceed to Sukau for lunch and a short briefing on the Kinabatangan Wildlife
Sanctuary. In the afternoon, go on a river cruise down the Menanggul River
in search of proboscis monkey, birds and other wildlife. Return at dusk for
dinner. Overnight Sukau lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 12 SUKAU
After breakfast, take a second boat trip for birdwatching and viewing wildlife
at the Ox-bow lake nearby. Trek the lush riverine forest from Ox-bow lake
to lodge. In the afternoon, another river cruise down the Menanggul River
and along the Kinabatangan River. Return to lodge at dusk. Evening at leisure.
Overnight Sukau lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 13 SEPILOK
After an early breakfast, return to Sandakan. Visit the Sepilok Orang Utan
Sanctuary to watch the feeding of orang utans. Depart for Sandakan for a
sightseeing tour of the city until time for flight to Kota Kinabalu..
Day 14 DEPART
Transfer to airport for flight out to Kota Kinabalu. (B,L)
* Continue to Sarawak or Mainland Malaysia.
SARAWAK ITINERARY- 14 days
Historical Kuching, Bako NP, Mulu Caves and a Longhouse experience.
Day 1 KUCHING
Arrive Kuching. Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel. For moderate
budget tours we good local hotels such as the Borneo Hotel rather than the
international standard Hilton type hotels. They are clean, well located,
have reasonable facilities such as restaurants and the rooms all have ensuite
facilities with western toilets. In cities in Malaysia the rooms would be
air conditioned but outside cities we do not recommend a/c even if it is
available because apart from being ecologically unsound it makes acclimatisation
more difficult.
Day 2 KUCHING
City orientation tour in the morning including Sarawak Museum.
Free day to acclimatise and explore this interesting town ( see the description
of Kuching attached - note Sarawak Museum is closed on Fridays) . Overnight
Kuching
Day 3 BAKO NATIONAL PARK
Early departure for Bako National Park to catch the tide. After a 35 minute
drive to Bako Village, take a 25 minute boat ride to the park. Bako is one
of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in natural surroundings (see
the description of Bako attached). The various types of animals spotted at
Bako include proboscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys, long tail macaques,
wild boars, giant monitor lizards, and numerous species of birds. Overnight
in the comfortable chalets at the park. Activities include hiking through
jungle trails, swimming in the sea off secluded beaches and admiring the
sunsets. You might see a luminous sea or luminous fungi if you are lucky.
Overnight park chalet. (L,D)
Day 4 BAKO NP
Following breakfast, walk through the park with a guide to observe proboscis
monkeys and generally familiarise yourself with the surroundings. Lunch at
Tajor Waterfall with bird watching and wildlife viewing on your return in
the afternoon. Dinner and overnight park chalets (B, L, D)
Day 5 BAKO NP
Free to explore the park on your own. You might like to take a dawn walk
to look for proboscis monkeys since this (and dusk) is the best time to see
them. After breakfast, spend the morning bird watching or lazing on the
beach then hike to the Kerangas plateau. Pitcher plants, orchids, antplants
and a variety of forest habitats. Lunch at a secluded beach and birdwatching
and wildlife viewing on your return in the afternoon. Overnight park chalets.
(B,L,D)
Day 6 BAKO/KUCHING
Spend the morning watching the mudskippers, fiddler crabs, proboscis monkeys,
and birds of the coastal mangrove forest or lazing on the beach before the
boat returns to Kuching in the early afternoon. Overnight Kuching (B,
L)
Day 7 ULU AI LONGHOUSE
Depart 8.30 by minibus for Ulu Ai lodge (4 1/2 -5 hours). Travel through
rural Sarawak, passing pepper gardens, cocoa and rubber plantations stopping
along the way whenever you wish. Visit the colourful local market in Serian
town where a variety of jungle produce is traded including edible ferns,
bamboo shoots and unusual tropical fruit. Visit a pepper garden and perhaps
see wild orchids and several species of pitcher plants.
Lunch en route. Upon arrival at the Batang Ai reservoir, transfer to a longboat
(1 1/2 hrs) upriver to Nanga Sumpa. Settle in at the jungle lodge. After
dinner proceed to the longhouse across the river. Relax on the ruai (common
verandah) and spend time with the Iban people. Learn about their culture
and enjoy some rice wine. Overnight lodge. (L,D)
Day 8 LONGHOUSE
Following breakfast, walk the jungle trails along the river. There are many
different trails to explore, so the programme of the day can be discussed
and arranged on the spot with the guide. Time to relax, swim, explore the
rainforest and have lunch or try fishing Iban-style. Return to the lodge.
Dinner is served in the lodge with local delicacies and fruits to enhance
the meal. After dinner visit the longhouse again. Woven blankets and handicrafts
are available for display upon request and may be purchased directly from
the longhouse people. (B,L,D)
Day 9 KUCHING
Following breakfast, depart down river by longboat, then by coach back to
Kuching.
Lunch enroute. Night Kuching. (B,L)
Day 10 SEMENGOH ORANGUTANS
Free day to visit to Semengoh Wildlife Centre which is a short drive from
the centre of Kuching. If you are adventurous you can go by bus or you can
go by taxi. Follow the plankwalk surrounded by primary forest to observe
the feeding of orphaned baby orangutans. Semengoh also provides a unique
opportunity for visitors to observe sun bears, hornbills, gibbon monkeys
and other animals rescued from the local forests. Overnight Kuching
Day 11 MULU NATIONAL PARK
Transfer to airport. Fly to Miri and transfer to small plane for flight to
Mulu National Park (see introductory description). Transfer to the park lodge.
Visit Lang's cave and Deer cave and be there in time for the extraordinary
spectacle of the mass exodus of millions of bats from the mouth of one of
the worlds largest cave chambers. Overnight in the park lodge OR private
lodge. (BLD)
Day 12 MULU NP
Travel by longboat along the rivers of the park to visit Clearwater and Wind
caves. Normal visitors keep to the illuminated part of the cave but is also
possible to explore a small part of the vast cave system guided by a Park
Ranger. Overnight in the park lodge or private lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 13 KUCHING
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Kuching. OR
Continue into Sabah.
Day 14 DEPART
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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KALIMANTAN- INDONESIAN BORNEO
ORANGUTANS OF CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
One of the best places in the world to see orangutans is in Tanjung Putting
National Park in Central Kalimantan. For these tours we use naturalists who
were members of The Indonesian Orangutan Foundation and have been involved
in the rehabilitation of orangutans back into the wild after they have been
rescued from captivity. They are known personally by the orangutans and those
still being retrained and living around the camp will come to greet them,
and you. The rehabilitated adults are encouraged to stay in the jungle and
fend for themselves but orangutans seem to like human company and the ones
still in the retraining process are called for supplementary feeding and
observation every day when they interact with the Park Rangers who care for
them. The young orphans who cannot yet care for themselves have to be taught
how to climb trees and eat leaves. They are particularly friendly at this
stage and quite happy to be held. Because Tanjung Puting Reserve is so remote
it receives very few visitors so a visit here in the company of experts from
the Indonesian Orangutan Foundation is a very personal experience. A remarkable
and touching phenomenon in this Reserve is that wild mothers will come to
the Camp (where the young rehabilitants roam free) to live with them for
a while until they adopt an orphan by mutual agreement. The guides speak
English and they also know all about the rainforest and the other animals
that inhabit it such as proboscis monkeys (you can also visit the Proboscis
Monkey Research Project), gibbons, gharvials and hundreds of birds such as
hornbills, herons and kites.
We will arrange tailor-made tours at any time to suit you which can also
be combined with any of our other tours. These normally run for between 4
and 10 days which include staying on the Sekonyer river in a private African
Queen style river boat with you own boatman, cook and naturalist guide, visiting
several Orangutan Stations and the Proboscis Monkey Research Station. Natural
tannins darken the pure river water and provide beautiful reflections. You
can either spend the nights on the boat surrounded only by the magical jungle
sounds or in the comfortable lodge or a combination of the two. You can also
include time upriver staying in Dayak houses where they will welcome you
with Hornbill dances and show you their way of life. For the adventurous,
tours to other parts of Kalimantan can be arranged but transport is difficult
and facilities can be basic.
We can also arrange exciting tours in the highlands of Central Kalimantan
(see below) or East Kalimantan on the Mahakam River and South Kalimantan
around Banjarmarsin.
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TYPICAL KALIMANTAN ITINERARIES
Insight to the Orangutans- 5 days
We can incorporate a visit to Tanjung Puting into any itinerary in Indonesia,
Singapore or Malaysia. The first is a typical 5 day itinerary which combines
well with a stay in Bali, Central Java or Sulawesi. Or you may prefer to
delve deeper into the centre of Borneo.
DAY 1
Fly from Semarang to Pangkalanbun. Pick up at the airport and drive about
20 minutes to Kumai to board the Klotok (a 6 x 2 m wide "African Queen" style
wooden boat). The river is the best vantage point to see wildlife in the
jungle such as king fishers, cormorants, kites, hornbills, gharvials and
especially the proboscis monkeys which roost beside the river every evening.
Arrive Tanjung Harapan, a rehabilitation centre for young orangutan or trekking
in the surrounding area. Then by Klotok up the beautiful river Sekonyer for
2-3 hours to Pondok Tanguy, a new established rehabilitation centre for
orangutans. Afternoon paddling a dug-out canoe back to Rimba Lodge to watch
the Proboscis monkeys settling for the night beside the river. Night Rimba
Lodge (B, L)
DAY 2
Paddle by dugout canoe up to Pondok Tanguy with your guide ( the Klotok will
follow). Walk to the feeding platform to see the recently released orangutans
come in for supplementary feeding. Walk in the forest in search of wild
orangutans or spend the afternoon paddling on the river..Overnight Rimba
Lodge. (B, L, D)
DAY 3
Cruise up the mirror calm waters of the Sekonyer river and then up the narrow
Simpang Kanan River to Camp Leakey, the main orangutan station. The water
is stained tea colour by natural tannins giving excellent reflections. Trek
through the secondary tropical forest to see orangutans, other wildlife and
to appreciate the exotic flora. Back to the boat at the pier of Camp Leakey
for lunch and swimming in the river. Afternoon visit the feeding station
where the released orangutans living in the wild are given additional food.
Overnight on the Klotok surrounded only by the sounds of the jungle. (Mattresses,
pillows, mosquito net provided) Meals, mineral water, soft drinks, snacks
are provided by the guides, cook and boat crew. The Klotok has a simple toilet
a covered deck and a roof viewing platform (B, L, D)
DAY 4
After breakfast, cruise down river to Natai Lengkuas, a research centre for
the Proboscis monkey, run by an American scientist. Boating down river Sekonyer
to Pondok Tanguy. From here you can paddle back to Rimba Lodge by dugout
canoe if you wish, while enjoy the birds and monkeys playing along the riverside.
Night Rimba Lodge (B, L)
DAY 5
Return to Kumai and then transfer to the airport. Fly Pangkalan Bun to Semarang.
Transfer by road to Solo. Overnight Solo Inn (or equivalent 3 star standard)
or fly to Denpasar, Bali..
HEART OF KALIMANTAN EXPEDITION - Tanjung Puting Orangutan Rehabilitation
Centres, river cruises, visit remote villages, stay in a longhouse and experience
life in the jungle- 10 days
All tours to Central Kalimantan are tailor made to suit your requirements.
This itinerary is just a suggestion to indicate the possibilities. Standard
four and seven day itineraries and "semi-research" tours are also available.
DAY 1 PANGKALUN BUN - KUMAI - RIMBA LODGE
Meeting service at airport and direct transfer by road to the boat at Kumai.
The boat is a traditional Klotok wooden river boat about 6 metres by 2 metres
with a roof which forms the upper deck where you can view the rainforest
as it glides by. The crew includes a boatman, cook and naturalist guide.
Lunch is served on the way to the Lodge where comfortable accommodation
is provided in a remote location in the forest on the banks of the Sekonyer
river. A dug-out canoe is provided for you to explore the quiet river
independently. In the afternoon take the Klotok to visit the Tanjung Harapan
Rehabilitation centre for orphaned orangutan. Here the playful and friendly
baby orangutans are taught the first stages in fending for themselves in
the jungle. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
DAY 2 LODGE - CAMP LEAKEY
After breakfast board the Klotok to travel up river and then up a side creek
to Camp Leakey where the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rainforest.
Those orangutans which have not yet fully taken to the forest and mothers
with young often return to the feeding platform where food is provided at
specific times. Wild orangutans also come to the area in search of a mate.
You will have the opportunity to trek in the rainforest with your naturalist
guide to appreciate the flora as well as perhaps sighting wild orangutans,
gibbons, macaques and birds. Cool off with a dip in the tea coloured water
which is pure but stained with natural tannins. Overnight on the boat, mattress,
pillow and mosquito net provided.
DAY 3 CAMP LEAKEY - NATAI LENGKUAS - GOLD MINE - KUMAI - PANGKALUN BUN
While staying on the river you will have the opportunity of seeing proboscis
monkeys at dusk or dawn at their night-time resting place in the trees
overhanging the river. After breakfast travel up river to the Natai Lengkuas
Proboscis Monkey Research Station. Continue up river (if the water level
is high enough for navigation) to see traditional gold panning. Return down
river through Tanjung Putting National Park observing the birds, gharvials,
monkeys and other wildlife along the river bank. Arrive in Kumai in the late
afternoon and transfer to your hotel in Pangkalun Bun.
DAY 4 PANGKALUN BUN - BAYAT
Pangkalun Bun is on another river system which gives access deeper into the
interior of Central Kalimantan. Bayat is five hours up river by speed boat
and is one of the Dayak Tuman's (the people of this region) biggest villages.
You will have the afternoon to wander the locality and observe village life
before staying the night in the traditional Dayak Tumon Longhouse where the
villagers will welcome you with a Dayak Hornbill dance. (B, L, D).
DAY 5 BAYAT - KAHINGAI
Continue up the Belantikan river by motorised longboat to Kahingai. The journey
takes about six hours including passing through rapids and stopping along
the way for lunch and refreshment or for watching wildlife such as proboscis
monkeys, macaques, wild boar and birds. Overnight at the village longhouse.
DAY 6 KAHINGAI -NOMADIC DAYAK REGION
Walk for about an hour through unspoilt rainforest and across creeks to the
area where nomadic Dayak Tumon live in small groups practising ancient slash
and burn farming techniques as well as hunting and gathering in the forest.
You can live with this very traditional tribe and take part in the daily
activities such as rattan collecting, hunting, setting animal traps etc.
and learn their forest knowledge such as which plants are edible and which
are poisonous. Overnight in a simple local hut. Hammock and mosquito net
are provided and food is brought in and prepared by your cook.
DAY 7 EXPLORING THE WILDERNESS
Spend the day walking through the dense rainforest with your naturalist guide.
The flora of the inland forest is different from the coastal forest of Tanjung
Puting. You will probably see hornbills and you will certainly hear their
distinctive call amongst the jungle chorus. Return to the village for the
night where the Dayaks will probably prepare a barbecue party sponsored by
your presence (there are very few visitors to this region).
DAY 8 KAHINGAI - KAYA
Return to Kahingai on the river and travel a short distance up the Belantikan
to Kaya Village which is the limit of navigation even for shallow longboats.
This remote village retains relics of the not so distant head hunting days.
Return to Kahingai for the night where your presence will be an excuse for
a party and more Hornbill Dancing.
DAY 9 KAHINGAI - PANGKALUN BUN
The journey down stream is much faster than up through the rapids but takes
most of the day including lunch in Bayat. Overnight at Pangkalun Bun hotel.
DAY 10
Breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to the airport for your flight to
the next destination.
Full board throughout from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10 including
snacks, fruits, soft drinks, mineral water, tea and coffee. Naturalist
guides/cooks/boatmen/drivers and sleeping equipment provided as necessary.
All transport including private boats and land transfers (excluding flights
to the joining point) and accommodation as listed from pick-up to drop at
airport. Permits, entrance fees/donations included.
