Best of Borneo

This morning drive to Batang Ai. En-route visit the Semenggoh Orangutan Reserve a 740 hectare reserve that rehabilitates these amazing great apes. The orangutans are semi-wild and roam over a very large habitat but are often viewable during feeding times. Next visit a traditional open market in Serian City and a Pepper Farm. Continue to Lachau Village home of the Iban tribe and browse local handicrafts. Later transfer to Batan Ai jetty and onto the resort by boat.Your accommodation in Batang Ai has been reserved at Aiman Batang Ai Resort for 2 nights in a Standard room.

Situated at the edge of a lush rainforest in Sarawak Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat offers accommodation with several leisure amenities including a tennis court walking and jogging track business centre and BBQ. Rooms and suites feature traditional native Borneo design and are fitted with ample work space a balcony overlooking the lush greenery and en-suite bathrooms.

This morning depart by traditional longboat to visit the Batang Ai Longhouse an authentic dwelling of the local Iban tribe. These people once feared head-hunters have mostly converted to Christianity now but have maintained much of the friendlier parts of their culture including many ritual dances. Their hospitality is now famed. Have lunch at the Longhouse and discover the history lifestyle and traditions of these friendly people.

Travel by boat & overland back to Kuching. Evening at leisure in Kuching.

Your accommodation in Kuching has been reserved at Hilton Hotel for 1 night in a Standard room.
Located on the banks of Sarawak River Hilton Kuching Hotel is located close to Kuching’s old and new districts. The contemporary spacious rooms are furnished in soothing tones and the hotel also provides a host of facilities such as a beautiful outdoor pool and modern fitness centre.

Morning airport transfer and flight to Mulu. This afternoon start your exploration of Mulu National Park home to eight species of hornbill and some amazing geological formations. Begin with a walk to Lang Cave the largest cave passage in the world to see the impressive stalactites and stalagmites then continue to the adjacent Deer Cave to view “Lincoln Profile.” Evening trek through the jungle returning back to the resort. Your accommodation in Mulu has been reserved at Mulu Marriot Resort & Spa Hotel for 2 nights in a Deluxe room.

Nestled amongst the natural and lush greenery of the rainforests near the border between Malaysia and Brunei Mulu Marriott Resort is located on Melinau Paku River in Miri. The resort boasts a large fitness centre pool and a sauna. It is just a 5-minute drive from Gunung Mulu National Park. Mulu Marriott Resort is less than one hour walk from the Deer and Lang Cave and a 30-minute ride to the Wind and Clearwater Caves by boat. With well-designed rooms and suites the resort offers guests beautiful views of the tropical rainforest and river from their accommodation.

This morning take a boat ride to reach Wind Cave & Clearwater Cave. Explore the “King’s Room” and the various limestone formations inside the caves. This afternoon take a walk on the Mulu Canopy Skywalk – the longest in the world! Keep your eyes open for the various species of fauna who have made their home in the park including various species of deer tarsier macaque and the illusive Malaysian sun bear.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel and remainder of the day at leisure.

Your accommodation in Kota Kinabalu has been reserved at Grandis Hotel for 3 nights in a Superior Bay View room. Situated beside the Suria Sabah Shopping Mall in Kota Kinabalu Grandis Hotels and Resorts houses a rooftop bar with swimming pool a fitness centre and 24-hour room service. Complimentary in-room Wi-Fi access is provided. The property is 4 km from the City Bird Sanctuary and 5 km from Sabah State Museum and Heritage Village. Air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen satellite TV a DVD player a personal safe and a minibar.

After breakfast depart from your hotel to Mt Kinabalu. Drive past vistas of paddy fields and native villages with the sight of the majestic Mt Kinabalu. As you hike one of the trails you may come across the famous Rafflessia plant. This plant commonly known as the “Corpse Lilly” produces the largest single flower in the world and emits a strong unpleasant odour to attract flies for pollination. Also visible will be the majestic Mount Kinabalu – towering 4095 metres above lush tropical jungles. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon descend from the mountain to visit the Park Botanical Garden before checking in at your resort.

After breakfast depart to Poring Hot Spring. Visit the Kipungit waterfall or trek on a nature trail about 500m above sea level that leads to unique canopy walk for an exhilarating experience of walking among trees. At 157.8m long 41 meters above the forest floor this canopy walk offers a great glimpse of life in amongst the treetops. Thereafter proceed overland to Sandakan with lunch en route.

Stop by at Labuk Bay Sanctuary. Arrive at Labuk Bay for the late afternoon feeding session. The proboscis monkey is unique to Borneo with the males sporting huge floppy noses. This is a fantastic chance to get up close with these unique animals. There is a variety of other animals located in the sanctuary such as hornbill birds and grey leaf monkeys which guests might be lucky enough to view. After the visit drop off at your hotel for check-in.

This morning depart from your resort. The tour begins with a visit of the outstanding brand new Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre where you have the opportunity to observe these stunning animals rescued from poachers where they were kept in cages.

Next visit the World’s Largest Orangutan Rehabilitation Center Sepilok. At the center witness the Orangutan feeding by the rangers. In the Malay language “Orang” means person and “Utan” means forest so the translated full name literally means “person of the forest” and you can glimpse this humanity when up close to these amazing creatures. Walk along the plank wood in the realms of the tropical lowland jungle. Continue overland to one of the world’s richest ecosystems on the Lower Kinabatangan River Sukau. Arrive at Kampung Bilit hop on a boat and cruise down the river heading to Bilit Rainforest Lodge where lunch will be served.

After settling in the real adventure starts. A river cruise awaits you where you can spot endemic Proboscis Monkeys wild Orangutans leaf monkeys gibbons and macaque even sometimes if you are lucky the rare Borneo Pygmy Elephant. After dinner you can go for a complimentary night safari cruise where you can spot nocturnal animals crocodiles and birds.

Early this morning drive to Ox Bow Lake to observe wildlife and soak up the peaceful sunrise river atmosphere. After breakfast at the lodge overland back to Sandakan and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

• Accommodation with private facilities as per itinerary or similar
• Domestic flights
• Arrival & departure transfers
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Meals & sightseeing as per itinerary
• Professional English speaking driver-guide
• Borneo Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Local Tourism Dirham tax (for Dubai only)
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above