Borneo – mountains, caves, beaches and rainforest.

Three week North Borneo Tour (BH3)     "The Best of Borneo"

This tour can take you from the dry sandy beaches of the South China Sea at Miri, into the interior at Mulu by light aircraft to see the caves and unspoilt primary jungle, further into the interior to the Kelabit Highlands to visit the original longhouses and then across  into Sabah (North Borneo) to Kota Kinabalu with its beautiful coral islands and towering 14,000 ft mountain, beckoning you from the clouds. Then  lastly a flight to Sandakan on the East Coast of Borneo to see the Turtles on Selingan Island and the Orang Utan Sanctuary at Sepilok before cruising down the Kinabatangan River where there is the greatest concentration of bird and wild life in Borneo.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

International flight into Borneo via Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Miri or Kota Kinabalu.

Day 2

Arrive in Miri and transfer to Hotel (L)/ Lodge (M or B). Afternoon visit to the beach and evening out at the hawker stalls for open-air dinner.

Day 3

Flight to Mulu and check in to your accommodation; afternoon visiting "show caves": you take your time to explore the deep rainforest and make your way slowly uphill to the caves in the mountain side. One of the caves is specially lit up by a generator to show the incredible stalagmites and –tites which have grown over millions of years, producing forms of castles, people, animals and other imaginary shapes. Nearby is Deer cave which is reputed to have the biggest single cave chamber in the world; you could literally park a fleet of Boeing 747s in there!

In the evening you can watch the sun go down and shortly afterwards witness the millions of bats take flight from the cave mouth.

Day 4

Visit Clearwater Cave by boat up the crystal clear Melinau River, picnic lunch and swim. 

Day 5   Return to Miri by air late afternoon.

Rihga Hotel/Luak Bay Lodge, Miri.

Day 6  Flight to Bario in the Kelabit Highlands. Afternoon tour of Bario Village and Longhouses.

Day 7  Walk to Pa Lungan village (about 4 hours) and visit the stone magalith at Batu Ritong. Overnight at Batu Ritong Lodge (basic, but comfortable!)

Day 8  Return to Bario after lunch.

Day 9  Free early morning until flight back to Miri. Overnight Rihga Hotel/Luak Bay Lodge, Miri.

Day 10

Flight to Kota Kinabalu (BKI).

Transfer to Seaside Inn or Syabas Beach Resort,  Kinarut.

Day 11

Boat to the Coral Islands opposite the Seaside Inn or take a taxi into town and visit Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (self-guided). Snorkeling, swimming and water sports.

Day 12

By private transport to Mt. Kinabalu National Park. Overnight in Cecelia’s Lodge (below) near the Park H.Q. in Kundasang.

Day 13

Climb the Mountain! Start 0730 a.m. and reach Laban Rata mountain refuge early afternoon (6 hr climb). Plenty of hot soup, noodles and drinks to set you up for the final assault on the summit next morning. Non-climbers explore the lower slopes at 6000 feet.

Day 14

Summit at dawn! Then slowly back to Park H.Q. and on to Poring Hot Springs in the afternoon to soothe those tired limbs. Return to Kinabalu early evening.

Day 15  

Seaside Inn/Syabas Resort, Kinarut, Kinabalu.

Day 16

Early start by air to Sandakan and transfer to Turtle Island by boat. Overnight Turtle Island.

Day 17  Visit Orang Utan Sanctuary at Sepilok.

 

Day 17-18

 Visit to Sukau on the Kinabatangan River basin for wild life cruises (morning and evening) and stay overnight in the specially built wooden cabins on the river. All inclusive of meals, guide and boat trips.

 

Day 19-20

Back at Kinabalu and a chance to visit the State Museum and its ethnic village houses; further visits to the coral islands for diving or snorkeling and a chance to do some white water rafting on the Padas or Kiulu Rivers.

Day 21

Tour ends at Kota Kinabalu

Highlights:

Local wooden Lodges run on ethnic lines, longhouses, spicy local food, some of the world’s largest and least discovered caves, rainforest walking, the highest mountain in S.E.Asia. Turtle hatching. Walk with the Orang Utans at Sepilok.

Accommodation:

Local  Lodges/Lodges, Park Hostels, Mountain and Riverside Cabins, Seaside Hotel/Resort. (L) = luxury     (M) = mixed    (B) = basic

Transport:

4-wheel drive, local boats and buses, minibuses, on foot.

Fitness:

Maximum trekking three hours, except Mt. Kinabalu climb (4000 meters/13,500 feet) which is a steep 6 hour walk, but can be completed by anyone under 50 of good fitness and health.

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