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
SARAWAK was until about forty years ago the private domain of
the self styled "White Rajas". Kuching, their capital still
remains a unique and interesting city with the palace and public buildings
which they erected to create the trappings of a city in the middle of the
jungle. Nearby is Semmengoh Orangutan Sanctuary and Bako National Park
accessible only by boat. It has varied habitats from the deserted white
sand beaches, through the mangroves which are home to Proboscis Monkeys,
giant lizards, mud skippers and luminous fungi and up to the dry plateau.
Upriver in the interior there are Dayak villages where you can stay in the
Longhouses. Niah National Park has a giant cave which was inhabited by
prehistoric man and the archaeological dig where their remains were
discovered can be seen. Swift's nest for bird nest soup have been
collected from these caves for many centuries and traded with China. The
collectors work from precarious bamboo poles hundreds of feet up on the
roof of the cave. Mulu National Park is deep in the interior and has
varied habitats from jungle to high peaks. This gives it an amazing range
of flora and it also has impressive geological formations such as the
limestone Pinnacles and the worlds biggest cave system. some of the
beautiful stalactite formations are accessible and illuminated or the
adventurous can explore further with a guide. The evening exodus of clouds
of millions of bats is a spectacle to remember.
SABAH was formerly British North Borneo. Its main feature is Mt.
Kinabalu, at 4101m the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New
Guinea. Its range of habitats from alpine rock faces through every stage
down to the rainforest have given it an amazing diversity of species
including half the worlds families of flowering plants such as thousands
of types of orchid and pitcher plant. For the moderately fit the two day
walk to the top takes you through all these zones or alternatively you can
explore the lower jungle with a Park guide including a birds eye view from
the tree canopy walkway at Poring Hot Springs. The only railway in Borneo
is a picturesque mountain line to Tenom where thousands of swifts roost in
the main street. Nearby there is an Orchid Centre and a Rafflesia Reserve
(the world's biggest flower). Off the coast you can snorkel from the coral
islands of the T.A.R. Marine Park. From Sandakan you can visit Sepilok
Orangutan Station, Turtle Island Reserve where Giant Turtles come ashore
to lay their eggs, and Kinabatangan River, home of Proboscis Monkeys,
Hornbills and hundreds of other bird species.
TYPICAL BORNEO ITINERARY
This itinerary is merely a suggestion that covers 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- 14
days
Day 1 Arrive in Kuching. Meet and transfer to Holiday Inn Hotel.
Overnight Hotel.
Day 2 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 10 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 for overnight. (B,L).
Day 11 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 12 After breakfast, drive to the start of the walk by coach. The
walk to the rest house at Laban Rata (3,353 m) takes 4-7 hrs with packed
lunch. Check-in Laban Rata Guesthouse. Rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Dinner and overnight at the Guesthouse. (B,L,D)
Day 13 Wake up about 2am to have breakfast & walk to the summit by
torchlight in time for the beautiful sunrise at the summit at about 6am.
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 14 Transfer to the airport for your flight home or we can arrange
all sorts of other activities such as snorkelling, diving, a toy train
ride, white water rafting, trekking, or hunting for the giant rafflessia
flower.
*Ask us for a tailormade itinerary to suit your travel dates, interests
and budget!
KALIMANTAN
We also offer tours throughout Indonesian Borneo: Kalimantan.
Refer to our Borneo website on the Main Index. For a close up visit to the
orangutans, an Africa Queen style river journey or trekking in the
highlands Kalimantan is a great adventure destination.
