9 Days / 8 Nights Borneo Explorer (Kuching & Kota Kinabalu)
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival Kuching
Arrive at Kuching International Airport and transfer to your hotel.
Meals : No meals
Day 2 : Kuching City / Museum Tour
Morning, pick up from your hotel and depart for Kuching City Tour. This is a comprehensive tour where you can see all the places of attraction around this historical city. The tour begins with a drive to see the gigantic Cat Status (mascot of the city) at Padungan before cruising through Chinatown and a stop at the Tua Pek Kong temple (1876) - the oldest in Sarawak. From the temple, you can get a good view of the imposing Fort Margherita (1879) and the Waterfront Esplanade. Proceed to the modern Civic Center Building where one can get an excellent panoramic view of the city from its tower block. The route passes through the superbly-designed St. Joseph Cathedral, the Syariah (Muslim) Court, Satok Market and traditional Malay houses built on stilts. Make a stop at the magnificent-looking Mosque built along the river bank. Winding through the heart of the city, look out for the old Colonial Law Court House - complete with a Clock Tower and a granite obelisk built in memory of Rajah Charles Brooke. Across the river, is a good view of the majestic Astana (1870) – former palace of White Rajahs and the imposing State Assemble Building. Take a short walk at the Waterfront or Main Bazaar for shopping and drop-in at the Chinese Museum. The tour will end at the Sarawak Museum, which is acknowledged as one of the finest in the world. It is a treasure house of artifacts and exhibits which possess great archaeological and cultural significance. After tour, return to your hotel. Afternoon, free at Leisure.
Meals : Breakfast/Lunch
Day 3 : To Bidayuh Longhouse / Sarawak Cultural Village
Morning, depart Kuching for 1 hour drive to reach Annah Rais, a Bidayuh Longhouse with about 120 families, located about 75km from the city. It is straddled in an isolated valley guarded by four mountains - a strategic position which has helped the villages here ward off headhunting attacks in the past. The journey passes through scenic countryside of rice fields, rubber, cocoa and pepper plantations which intermingles with luxuriant tropical forest, rivers and mountain ranges.
Tour the longhouse with your guide and observe the leisure-paced lifestyle of the natives. Among the interesting relics here are the “Cannon of Peace” and several human skulls which are about 100 years old which are kept at the headhouse “Baruk”, proceed to a nearby stream to cool off and return to Kuching.
After lunch, drive 34km to the award winning Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV). This refreshing and unique “living museum” sitsg on a sprawling 17 - acre site at the foothills of the legendary Mount Santubong. It has 7 representative ethnic houses - Bidayuh Longhouse, Iban Longhouse the Penan Hut, the Orang Ulu Longhouse, the Melanau House, the Malay House and Chinese Farm House.
These houses are built according to authentic styles and replete with real, traditional artifacts. SCV is known as a “living museum” because natives live in its houses and make handicrafts. A trip here will enable you to gain a comprehensive insight into the colourful traditional and cultures of the various races in Sarawak. Watch how the womenfolk make intricate bead-necklaces and baskets, observe their traditional cooking methods, admire the refined skills of their male counterpart in handling the deadly blowpipe, making the Parang ilang (ceremonial sword) or casting their fishing nets into the man-made lake. There will be opportunity to watch tribal dance performances in its air-conditioned theatre. After tour return to Kuching.
Meals : Breakfast/Lunch
Day 4 : Kuching Q Kota Kinabalu
Morning transfer to Kuching International Airport for flight to Kota Kinabalu. Afternoon City tour with cultural dinner.
Meals : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 5 : Kota Kinabalu / Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre/Sukau Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Q
Early morning, pick up from your hotel and transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for flight to Sandakan. Drive to the famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Founded in 1964, the Centre helps to teach once captive, injured or abandoned Orang Utans to learn and fend for themselves again, with the hope that one day they may be returned to the forest.
Continue to Sukau village located by the Kinabatangan River. Afternoon boat trip to watch the Borneo endemic proboscis monkeys gather by the river bank. The distinctive nose of the proboscis monkey has endeared this monkey to many nature lovers. You may spot numerous other wildlife and birdlife. After dinner, overnight at lodge.
Meals : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 6 : Ox Bow Lakes/ Afternoon River Cruise
Morning, boat trip to the Ox-bow lakes in to see various species of bird. Nature trail before returning to the lodge. After lunch, another river cruise in search of more wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight
Meals : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 7 : Sukau /Sandakan/Kota Kinabalu Q
After breakfast, transfer to Sandakan. Sandakan city tour before transfer to Sandakan Airport for flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival meet and transfer to hotel.
Meals : Breakfast /Lunch
Day 8 : Mamutik/ Manukan Tropical Islands
Morning, transfer to jetty to take a boat ride to Mamutik Island, a peaceful and tranquil island with sandy beaches. Snorkel, swim or relax on the white sandy beach. After lunch, transfer to Manukan Island for more relaxation and fun in the tropical sun.
Meals : Breakfast/Lunch
Day 9 : Departure
Transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for departure flight
Meals : Breakfast
END.
Tour inclusion : All tours and transfers as stated, accommodation and meals as stated, English Speaking Guide, all relevant entrance and conservation fees.
Excludes : All airfare (international or domestic), camera fee, beverages, personal expenses, hotel, peak season surcharges.
**Remarks**
- Tour is based on private vehicle and private guide (all boat transfers and boat excursions is based on sharing basis).
- Enquire for other type of accommodation