This popular 14-day tailor made holiday gives you a brief taster of the wonders of Sarawak, Borneo. You do require a certain level of fitness for this trip as there are some walking trails to explore which can be quite strenuous …..but its well worth the effort.

 

Day 1: Departure

Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Kuala Lumpur.

Day 2: Arrive Borneo

Transfer onto a flight to Kuching. On arrival at Kuching airport, you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 3: Bako National Park

Depart your Kuching hotel at around 0830am in the morning for Bako National Park. Take a 25-minute boat ride into the park.

Bako is one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in natural surroundings. Tropical rainforest ranges from mangrove to kerangas, tropical swamp vegetation, cliff vegetation and beach vegetation. There will be hiking through jungle trails, and swimming in the sea by secluded beaches. Return to your Kuching hotel in the mid-afternoon.

Day 4: Nanga Sumpa Lodge

Depart by air-conditioned van for Batang Ai reservoir (4 1/2 hours). Journey through rural Sarawak, passing pepper gardens, cocoa and rubber plantation.

En route, a few stops will be made. Visit the colourful native market in Serian town where a variety of jungle produce such as edible ferns, bamboo shoots and unusual tropical fruit are on display. Visit a pepper garden and stop by to view wild orchids and several species of pitcher plants. Lunch en route.

Upon arrival at the Batang Ai reservoir, proceed by longboat (about 2 hours) 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 local rice wine.

Day 5: Nanga Sumpa Lodge - Hilton’s Batang Ai Resort

Following breakfast, hike the jungle trails along the river. There are many different trails to explore, thus the programme of the day can be discussed and arranged on the spot with your guide. Time to relax, swim, explore the rainforest and have lunch or try fishing Iban-style. Return to the lodge.

Late afternoon, depart down river by longboat to Hilton’s Batang Ai Resort for check in and overnight.

Day 6: Hilton’s Batang Ai Resort – Kuching

Following breakfast, cross over the lake boat from the resort, then by van overland to Kuching via Semengoh Orang Utan Sanctuary. Lunch en route. Before heading off to see the orang-utans, a ranger will brief visitors on the orang-utans, a short note on what to do and what not to do and then it's off to the feeding area. Transfer back to Kuching and check in to the Hilton hotel.

Evening at leisure.

Day 7: Mulu Deer and Lang Cave

This morning you will be brought to the aiport for your flight to Mulu, via Miri. Upon arrival in Mulu airport you will be privately transferred to Royal Mulu Resort for check in.

In the afternoon, proceed by longboat or van to Park Headquarters to take a scenic 3 km plank-walk through primary rainforest to the entrance of Deer Cave.

Deer Cave has the world's largest cave entrance and is the largest single cave passage in the world - about 120 - 150 m in diameter or 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 about 2 million of 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 Royal Mulu Resort by torchlight.

Overnight Royal Mulu Resort.

Day 8: Wind and Clearwater Caves

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 plankwalk 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 returning to Royal Mulu Resort.

Overnight Royal Mulu Resort.

Day 9: Damai Beach Resort

Return to the airport for your onward journey back to Kuching.

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your beach hotel for your final 5 nights relaxing.

Days 10 – 13: At leisure

Days at leisure to relax on the beach.

Day 14: Departure

Today you will be transferred back to Kuching airport for your return flight to London, via Kuala Lumpur. *Price includes international flights and taxes, some meals and touring.