Highlights of Borneo

Kuching is Sarawak’s beautiful capital city. Like most other Malaysian cities, it is a delightful mix of the traditional, the colonial and the modern. Visit the city’s Chinatown with its quaint shops, iconic temples and mosques. The golden-domed City Mosque is definitely worth a visit. Drink in the sights and smells of Old Kuching at its bustling bazaars with their exotic spices and colorful merchandise. The origins of this riverfront city may be better understood at the famous Sarawak Museum. The city is also home to the country’s colonial heritage buildings from the era of the ‘White Rajahs’. One can catch a glimpse of the Astana, the former residence of the colonial White Rajahs, from Kuching’s pretty waterfront. This city is also a convergence point from where you can take trips to a number of ecological destinations.

Uncover the secrets of Kuching, the historic capital of Sarawak. Begin your tour amid the bustling lanes of Kuching’s Chinatown, observe the famous Cat Statue (Kuching means “Cat” in Malay), and amble over to the colorful TuaPek Kong Chinese Temple. Move on to Civic Centre Viewing Platform and the world-renowned Sarawak Museum. Walk past the gold-domed City Mosque as you pass through Old Kuching, known for its spice dealers and textile shops. The heritage buildings of the White Rajah era, including the Pavilion, Charles Brooke Monument, and the Post Office, bear testimony to the city’s rich colonial history. On your way back, you’ll see the Astana, an erstwhile residence of the White Rajahs, on the other side of the Kuching Waterfront. (Private Activity & Transfer; Duration: 3 hrs; Fitness level: Easy)

Gunung Mulu National Park is a World Heritage site loaded with diverse and exquisite natural wonders. This enchanting park boasts a great variety of animals and plants, native to the tropical rainforests of Malaysia. The true beauty of Mulu lies in the magnificent mammoth caves ready for you to explore. With high mountain peaks, clear blue rivers, bottomless valleys and immense limestone pinnacles that stretch towards the sky, Mulu is truly a marvel of earth’s terrain.

Venture out and explore the caves and karst formations in the UNESCO-listed Gunung Mulu National Park while staying at a hotel in Mulu. Begin with a trek to Lang Cave, which has beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. You’ll also see some gravity-defining helictites, and delicate and translucent cave worms. Then, head to the Deer Cave that boasts the world’s largest cave passage. Stroll through the Sarawak Chamber, which contains gigantic stalagmites and wind your way to the Garden of Eden with its lush vegetation. Witness the phenomenon of millions of bats and swiftlets emerging from the depths of darkness to perform a ballet in the twilight sky, before heading back to your hotel. The next morning, ride a longboat on the Melinau River and see locals going about their daily chores. Stop at the Penan Longhouse Market where woven baskets, blowpipes and trinkets are sold. Continue to the Wind Cave, so called for the cool breeze you experience in its narrower parts. Admire the numerous rock formations before visiting the King’s Chamber. You’ll find an incredible array of stalactites and stalagmites with intricate patterns. Finally, ascend 200 steps to the massive Clearwater Cave. Amble along the well-lit network of walkways and bridges and view the subterranean river that runs through its center. The next day, after breakfast at your hotel, enjoy some free time before heading to the airport. (Duration: 3 days / 2 nights; shared activity & transfers; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Best time to travel: Oct-Apr; Please bring walking shoes; Penan Longhouse Market is closed on Sun)

Kota Kinabalu, or KK as it is more popularly known, is the state capital of Sabah. Expect a heady cocktail of cultures, cuisines, and lifestyles. The old way of life still survives alongside the modern city eager to move ahead - which is an important secret that much of Southeast Asia has managed to master! With local residents, expatriates and enchanting guests, the city throbs with life. Whether you shop for handmade artifacts (look out for Sabah’s famous pearls) or seek an authentic taste of this old Malay survivor of World War Two, Kota Kinabalu will not disappoint. From Malay to Cantonese and Continental to Japanese cuisine, KK will offer you delicacies from its street-side food stalls as well as at its fine dining eateries. There is much to admire too, especially the City Mosque in the center of a manmade lagoon, the Sabah Foundation building, and the Sabah Museum. Signal Hill, the highest point of Kota Kinabalu, offers splendid panoramic views.

Mari Mari Cultural Village, situated 12 miles from the city of Kota Kinabalu, is a living museum that preserves Borneo’s ethnic culture, history and traditions. This half-day private tour recreates the living conditions of five ethnic tribes of Borneo as they were in the past. After a warm welcome, your guide leads you through five replicas of tribal huts of Kadzan-Dusan - rice farmers, Rungus - longhouse dwellers, Lundayeh - hunters and fishermen, Bajau - herdsmen and sea nomads and Murut - head-hunters. Inside each hut you learn about the tribe’s unique traditions, daily life and methods of conserving natural resources. Each tribe also demonstrates their unique skills, such as lighting a fire with flints and sticks, weaving clothes from bark, making rice wine, extracting honey and carving blowpipes. You can try various food items and even have a go at blowpipe shooting. Finally, enjoy an impressive traditional dance performance and a buffet lunch. (Duration: Half Day; Time: Departs at 0900 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Meal Included: Lunch)

Abai is a quaint little village on the edge of Malaysia’s second longest river, the Kinabatangan. Take an hour long picturesque boat ride from Sandakan and dock in the lap of Sabah’s thriving biodiversity. Stay in the heart of the wilderness and experience the sights and sounds of the forest right at your doorstep. The village has no roadways - the jungle trails provide a much more exciting route through the area, especially while spotting wild langurs and orangutans. The highlight of your trip will be fireflies, charmingly lighting up your path at night.

Sukau is a tiny fishing village and a rare pearl situated off the usual tourist track. Tucked along the Kinabatangan River, Sukau offers glimpses of Borneo’s rainforests and swampy marshland. Wildlife enthusiasts and bird lovers alike will have much to admire in these jungles of Sabah. If you are lucky, you will see herds of Pygmy elephants as they bathe and play along with the river, catch orangutans in their natural habitat, and a host of other primates native to the jungles as they swing by the thick canopy of trees. Discover Borneo’s native proboscis monkeys, and flocks of exotic and colorful birds. Don’t forget to feast on the region’s fresh river catch and luscious jungle fruits!

Day 1: Enjoy delicious lunch at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge in Sukau. Later in the evening cruise along the Menanggul River. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars to spot wild orangutans, pygmy elephants and exotic tropical birdlife. Back to the lodge followed by dinner. The following morning, rise with the sun for a refreshing cruise ride to Oxbow Lake, nestled amid scenic mangroves and dense jungle. The sun begins to set as you coast along the river admiring natural wonders. Feast on a delicious dinner and video show at the lodge. After a good night’s sleep, it’s time to return to civilization. (Full Day,Group activity and transfer, Fitness Level: Easy, Please bring comfortable shoes, binoculars, torchlight and insect repellent)

Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Malaysia promises a plethora of exciting experiences owed to the magnificent bio-diversity it houses. Located in eastern Sabah, on Borneo island, this park is a treat for all nature lovers and explorers. Your visit is sure to be filled with wildlife spotting and strolls through the dense and rich tropical rainforests. You may chance upon Tabin’s three largest mammals including the majestic Borneo elephant, the Sumatran Rhinoceros and Tembadaus, Southeast Asia’s very own wild cattle. The skies are dotted with vibrant colors thanks to many of the 300 species of birds often found soaring in the air. You could spend all day at the bubbling mud volcano as animals stroll by to lick the mineral deposits. The jungle is your playground at Tabin Wildlife Reserve - go, spot it all.

Day 1: Immerse yourself in the serenity of Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Journey for one hour on a gravel path from the seaside town of Lahad Datu to the reserve. Your day involves a 20-minute trek up to Lipad volcano. The elevated mount is lined with animal footprints from deer to boars and even the elusive Pygmy elephant. You could spot the animals and birds, busy licking for mineral deposits around the bubbling volcano. After a delicious dinner, set out on a hunt for the nocturnal variety of wildlife. Day 2: The following morning, venture into the deep interiors of Tabin. Pass through through the lush greenery of the rainforest, encountering wildlife and birds along the way. The refreshing Lipad waterfall is a stop you don’t want to miss. Trek back to the resort and embark on a bird watching expedition at dusk. Look out for Borneo’s horn bills, doves and babbler. Take advantage of the sunset for another nocturnal wildlife adventure. Day 3: After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely stroll to the riverside or rock pool nearby. Spend some time relaxing in your surroundings or swimming. Afterwards, it is time to say goodbye to this charming park. (Full Day; Shared Activity & Transfer; Fitness Level: Easy, Please bring walking shoes, swimwear, binoculars, towels, sunblock, insect repellent, leech socks, personal toiletries, torchlight and raincoat.)

Kota Kinabalu, or KK as it is more popularly known, is the state capital of Sabah. Expect a heady cocktail of cultures, cuisines, and lifestyles. The old way of life still survives alongside the modern city eager to move ahead - which is an important secret that much of Southeast Asia has managed to master! With local residents, expatriates and enchanting guests, the city throbs with life. Whether you shop for handmade artifacts (look out for Sabah’s famous pearls) or seek an authentic taste of this old Malay survivor of World War Two, Kota Kinabalu will not disappoint. From Malay to Cantonese and Continental to Japanese cuisine, KK will offer you delicacies from its street-side food stalls as well as at its fine dining eateries. There is much to admire too, especially the City Mosque in the center of a manmade lagoon, the Sabah Foundation building, and the Sabah Museum. Signal Hill, the highest point of Kota Kinabalu, offers splendid panoramic views.