Splendours of Borneo: Kuching to Kota Kinabalu

Arrive Kuching before 1200pm. 

At 0200pm join the Tour the City of Kuching viewing the Fort Margherita from the waterfront, (no public admission). Drive by many historical buildings, the South City Hall, the Square and Round Towers, the Colonial Courthouse and General Post Office. Visit Tua Pek Kong Temple– the oldest Chinese temple in Kuching. Enjoy the drive through Malay villages, explore the centre of the city passing through the colourful India Street and traditional shop-houses.  If time permits, take a walk on the Waterfront with its outdoor cafes and watch sampans plying the Sarawak River ferrying passengers from one side of the river to the other. (Kuching City Tour does not inclusive Borneo Cultural Museum)

Visit the Semenggok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre that houses orang utans rescued from captivity, where they are nurtured and rehabilitated into their natural surroundings. Witness the feeding of the Orang Utans though sighting of these wild primates is not guaranteed. Enjoy a 4½hrs journey to Batang Ai Dam passing rice fields, pepper plantations and local villages. Enjoy a boat journey for an Immersive overnight longhouse stay experience with the Ibans natives who were once fearsome headhunters of Borneo. Mingle and participate in their daily chores or go for a dip in the river. 

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After dinner, get to know the Headman of the longhouse over a glass of rice wine, and be entertained with their traditional dances, learn the Ngajat, a graceful Warrior’s Dance. 

• Facilities are very basic in the longhouse. Accommodation is in a simple common area without air conditioning. No hot water showers. You sleep on individual mattresses and mosquito nets are provided.

• It is not advisable to bring along your suitcase to the longhouse, instead carry a rucksack for the stay.

After breakfast, take a short walk through the village’s garden and learn about traditional use of the plants. Depart by longboat downriver and across the lake to the jetty.

At noon, return to Kuching with lunch stop enroute. Drop at your staying hotel in Kuching.

Morning flight to Mulu. Mulu National Park is home to the largest cave passage in the world, known to have 1500 species of flowering plants, 170 species of wild orchids and 67 species of animals (sighting of animals is not guaranteed). 

In the afternoon, enjoy the 3 km raised plank walk to explore the Deer and Lang Caves – the largest cave passage in the world. Walk through the peat swamp forest, and if the weather permits, be mesmerized by millions of bats which flying around the cave each evening.

Continue to explore Mulu caves with a boat ride to Clearwater Cave. Swim at a crystal-clear water pool. Visit the Wind Cave and thereafter proceed to Batu Bungan Penan Settlement, to observe the tribe’s lifestyle and their handicraft heritage. Return to Mulu and proceed to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu.

A full day excursion to Kinabalu National Park, the base of the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. Explore this botanist’s paradise with over a thousand species of orchids, numerous Rhododendrons, and pitcher plants as well as many species of birds. Enjoy a guided nature walk, the exhibition hall and a slide presentation. 

Enjoy a morning half day city tour of Kota Kinabalu. See places of interests in the city centre- photo stop at the Wisma Tun Mustapha (Sabah Foundation Building), Puh Toh Zhe Temple, State and City Mosque and the Sabah Art Gallery which offers a glimpse into the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Sabah.

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Transfer to Kota Kinabalu Airport for your onward departure flight or extend your stay at the beach resorts in Kota Kinabalu. ** Flight out Kota Kinabalu to be after 1500hrs.