Highlights: Experience the Wildlife and nature of Sabah. Enjoy boat rides, jungle trails, and Snorkel in crystal clear water. Visit the scenic Padas gorge, the Agricultural Park, the Rafflesia Centre (1200m above sea level), Kinabalu Park which is listed as a World Heritage Site, the Treetop Canopy Walkway, and also the Sepilok Nature Resort.

Physical rating: Medium - suitable for people with very good condition and some experiences in walking / hiking (walks partly on moderately difficult terrain ; in parts over loose or rugged surfaces ; 5 - 6 hours walking time

ITINERARY:
Tour Code: 8N BOR BET15
Ref No.: BB16

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu - Night Market (D)
On arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, transfer to your hotel for check-in. At sunset, drive up to Signal Hill for a bird's eye view of the city. Visit the colourful local night market before we go for a dinner.

Note: Due to access limitation, the visit to Signal Hill is only accessible by 8 seater van and not feasible for a group of 8 persons and above.

Day 2: Manukan Island (B, Packed lunch)
Transfer 20 minutes by boat from the jetty to Manukan Island for a day of relaxation and explore jungle trails on your own. Snorkel in crystal clear water among coral reefs and rainbow-coloured fishes before returning at 1500 hours. (Snorkeling gear available for hire at a surcharge).

Day 3: Beaufort - Tenom Agriculture Park - Keningau (BLD)
Drive about 2 hours overland to Beaufort. Board a train for the two hour journey to Tenom via the scenic Padas gorge past tropical lowland rainforest, rubber plantations and native villages. Lunch at Tenom before visiting Agricultural Park (closed on Monday) showcasing gardens, tropical fruits, beverages and spices at Lagud Sebrang. Continue 46km to Keningau before we check in to hotel.

Day 4: Tambunan Rafflesia Centre - Kundasang (BLD)
After breakfast, continue to Tambunan over the Crocker Range. Visit the Rafflesia Centre (1,200m above sea level). Lunch en route before we proceed to Kundasang. Overnight in twin share room. 

Day 5: Kinabalu Park World Heritage Site (BLD)
Depart for Kinabalu Park Headquarters at Kundasang. Visit the Visitor Centre and Mountain Garden; home to some of the various species of flowering rhododendrons, carnivorous pitcher plants, orchids, ferns, oak trees and birds. Temperature at the park is around 14 - 25° C. Take a guided walk on one of the trails in the cool surrounding to observe the montane forest. Overnight in twin share room at Kundasang. 

Day 6: Poring - Sandakan (BLD)
Continue 40 km journey to Poring. Explore tropical rainforest among the jungle trail leading to the treetop canopy walkways suspended 41 meters above the forest floor. Drive for about 4 hours to Sandakan on the east coast. Overnight at Sepilok Nature Resort.

Day 7: Sepilok - Sukau (BLD)
Proceed to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre for video show. Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden plank walks to witness the feeding of the orang utans at 1000hrs. Continue to Sandakan jetty for boat journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. Late afternoon take a river cruise using electric motor in search of some of the 10 primate species including Proboscis monkeys as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River. Return for solar heated hot shower, candle light dinner and slide show conducted by naturalist guide. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge
The 20 rooms lodge was built in 1995 in traditional Malaysian architecture using several Borneo hardwood species. It is built on stilts with a lounge, gift shop, education centre, Hornbill Boardwalk with two elephant passes, three open deck for wildlife viewing, an enclosed garden, a riverside Melapi restaurant, open sun-deck, river jetty. Electricity is supplied by acoustic 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 and four stoke outboard engines. Birdlife is especially rich here including eight 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.

Day 8: Sukau (BLD)
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. A 0600hrs morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to view more birds and wildlife. Proceed to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk (if weather permits). Experience the wilderness of Borneo. You have the option to visit our 64 acres Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Regeneration Program (KWICORP) site to learn about reforestation of degraded riverine reserve. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. After dinner an optional (at a surcharge) night safari cruise spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

Note: Since 2000 Sukau Rainforest Lodge (SRL) has been contributing RM4.00 towards its community and environment projects for every international guest who stays at the lodge. From 2007 our Borneo associates will contribute RM8.00 to Pertubuhan Teknologi & Penyelesaian Ekopelancongan Borneo for every tourist traveling by speed boat to SRL as part of its carbon trading program.

Day 9: Departure (BL)
After breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat journey. Have lunch before we proceed for a short tour of Sandakan town including the Australian War Memorial. Transfer to airport for late afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Tour Cost:

USD 1560/-per person on double

USD 1160/-per child

USD 1520/-per triple

USD 380/-Single Supplement

Valid till 31st March 2011

2-8 pax will travel on group joining basis. 9pax and above will  have a private tour. Single traveller is charged at a minimum of 2 persons. Private tour for 2-8 persons could be arranged at 100% surcharge.
A surcharge of 100% will be imposed for airport/hotel transfer between 2300hrs - 0600hrs.

Includes:
Tours and transfers, accommodation and meals as specified, entrance fees and English speaking guide.

Excluded:
Domestic airfare, camera fee and items not mentioned,Visas

Hyatt Regency Hotel: Additional USD101 / room / night
16 Jul – 31 Aug, 01 – 07 Oct, 20 Dec 20 – 04 Jan 2011, 01 – 07 Feb 2011

Sukau Rainforest Lodge : Additional USD88 / person
July - August

Introduction     Top Attractions     Other Attractions     Borneo

Itineraries:

5 Days River and Rainforest Experience

7 Days Sabah Wildlife Safari

8 Days Explore Sabah

9 Days Botanical and Wildlife Tour

12 Days Borneo Ultimate Experience

12 Days Borneo Magic