Highlights: Travel to Borneo and explore the nature of Sabah. Visit Signal Hill for a bird's eye view of the city, take a boat ride to Gaya Island, explore one of the jungle trails, visit Manukan Island, proceed to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu to arrive at the Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage site. Also visit Selingan Island, the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, and the Sukau Rainforest along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan.

ITINERARY:
Tour Code: 6N BOR BET15
Ref. No.: BB14

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

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu
On arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, transfer to your hotel for check-in. At sunset, meet and 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. (D)

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: Gaya - Manukan Island
After breakfast, transfer to jetty for a half hour boat ride to Gaya Island. Put on your walking shoes and explore one of the jungle trails (45 minutes) among lowland rainforest, mangrove swamp and identify some unique floras and faunas. Transfer five minutes to Manukan Island for picnic lunch. Free at leisure to swim, snorkel or scuba dive before we transfer back to mainland and hotel. (B, Packed Lunch). *Camera Fee in not included. Snorkeling gear available for hire at a surcharge.

Day 3: Kinabalu Park World Heritage Site - Poring
Drive 2 hours overland (88 km) through paddy-fields and Dusun villages over the ridges of the Crocker Range to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 5,000ft, to arrive at the park headquarters at Kundasang. Short stop at roadside stall to savour the taste of local fruits. Visit the Visitor Centre and Mountain Garden, home to various species of the flowering rhododendrons, carnivorous pitcher plants, orchids, ferns, oak trees and birds. Temperature at the park is around 14 - 25° C. 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 (excludes camera/video fee) before returning to sea-level and hotel. (BL)

Day 4: Sandakan - Selingan Island
Transfer to airport for morning flight (45 minutes) to Sandakan. On arrival at Sandakan Airport, transfer to jetty for approximately 1 hour boat ride by speedboat to Selingan Island (40km).  Check into chalet.  Free at leisure to explore island, swim and snorkel.  After dinner, wait for signal from the Park Ranger before we proceed in small groups to watch Green Turtle lay eggs on the beach, transplanting of eggs to hatchery and release of baby turtles to the sea.  This island is a park conservation area since 1977 and turtles have been nesting here every night throughout the year. Overnight in twin share room. (BLD). Photographing turtles are strictly prohibited between 6pm - 6am.

Orang Utan at the Sepilok rehabilitation centre

Day 5: Selingan - Sepilok - Sukau
Return to Sandakan by boat.  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. (BLD) 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 6: Sukau
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. (BLD)

Day 7: Departure
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. (BL).

Please bring along swim wear, towel, binocular, sun block lotion, personal toiletries, insect repellent, torchlight, hat, leech sock, walking shoes & raincoat. 

Tour Cost: RM 3280 per person. Minimum 2 persons.
Single Supplement @ RM 820 per person
Valid till 31st March 2011
2-8 pax will be on joining basis. 9pax plus will be a private group.
Single traveller is charged at a minimum of 2 person.
Private tour for 2-8 person could be arranged at 100% surcharge.
A surcharge of 100% will be imposed for airport/hotel transfer between 2300hrs - 0600hrs

Cost Includes:
- Tours and transfers,
- 6 nights accommodations,
- meals as stated,
- entrance fees 
- English speaking guide.

Cost Excludes:
- Excludes airfare and Visas
- Items not mentioned.

Government Service Tax 2.575% extra

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