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Malaysia Borneo: The Rainforest experience

At a glance

Level: Moderate

Activity: Trekking, Kayaking, Caving, Explore on foot, Swimming (optional), nature/ bird watching

Duration: 13 days

Route: Kuching, Bako National Park, Korokong, Uli Ai, Batang Ai, Nanga Sumpa longhouse, Selong, Enseluai waterfalls, Semengoh, Bidayuh villages.

Dates: 28th June 2013/9th August 2013/11 October 2013/ 29 November 2013

For different dates and last minute reservations, please contact our office.

Overview

Our adventure lies in Sarawak, the heart of Borneo in Malaysia, Southern Asia, one of the last four remaining rainforest regions in the world. If you dreamed of trekking virgin rainforests, exploring diverse tribal culture and visiting the longhouses by the river, then Borneo is the answer.

The adventure begins with exploring the colonial atmospheric city of Kuching (the Cat City) by foot. You will then explore mangrove forests as well as inland jungles, both offer very different experiences. You will also Kayak through the overhanging jungle by travelling on the river to truly feel that you are one with the elements: the water, the wind, the sun, the rain and the jungle until you reach the hilly jungle around the Batang Ai river basin. This area is the territory of the Iban tribe people and at the same time one of the few remaining areas where wild Orang Utans can be found. Here you will experience the cultural encounter with the Ibans and trek through the dense and hilly rainforest in search for wildlife. You are without contact with the civilised world, no television or telephone, and we will enjoy a complete jungle experience. You will help your guides collecting jungle produce like bamboo shoots or edible ferns for the evening meal. You will also get the chance to have a dinner at a private home to get ‘behind the scene’ and see how people are living in Borneo as of today.

Kuching Caving is the unknown Borneo. Only recently a number of ancient cave systems have been opened to visitors and many surprises are waiting underground. To swim in an underground river surrounded by beautiful cave formations is truly a unique experience.

Facts

Rainforests are earth’s oldest living ecosystems. There are four rainforest regions in the world: Amazon in South America, Central Africa & Madagascar, Southern Asia, and Australasia. Although they cover only 6% of the Earth’s surface, they contain more than half of the world’s plant and animal species!

Sarawak is the most multi-racial state in Malaysia with over 28 distinct ethnic groups; the major groups are the Ibans, Chinese, Bidayuh, Malays, Melanau and the Orang Ulu. The current population of Sarawak is 2 million and covers an area of 125,000 sq. km.

The climate is typically tropical with temperature ranging from a cool 22°C (72°F) in the evenings to a sultry 34°C (93°F) in the daytime.

When is it a good time to visit?

Sarawak receives an abundance of rainfall (averaging 200-250 cm a year); the rainy season is normally during the ‘landas’, a local term for the monsoon rains that come between November to February each year. The monsoon period should not deter visitors to the region as it is not cold; in fact the rains during this time may be heavy but it is intermittent and they bring relief from the tropical heat. This is also the time of the year when the local tropical fruits unique to the region are in abundance.

What do people say about this trip?

“A journey into the unknown and a voyage of discovery at the same time! I’ve seen many places but nowhere quite like this. To stay in the rainforest is a magical experience in itself – to be looked after is an extra bonus. Enormous thanks to all the people here for a quite unforgettable time.”

Michael Palin, with the BBC

15th-18th January 1996

Detailed itinerary

Day 01:

Arrival in Kuching

Arrive in Kuching international airport in the morning. Meet and transfer to your hotel for check in and overnight.

Day 02:

Kuching City Tour by foot (B)

After breakfast, you will depart from your hotel to the waterfront along Sarawak River. Cross the river by sampan boat and visit the Malay village and pass by Fort Margherita before returning by sampan boat to waterfront again.You will walk past The Square Tower to the Wet Market (fish, vegetables etc.) and pass Brookes Dockyard on the way to the Old State Mosque. Continue via India Street to The Old Court House, The Round Tower and General Post Office before proceeding to Sarawak Museum. Return to your hotel by noon (or explore the town further on your own).

The rest of the day is free on your own to explore the old colonial city centre of Kuching, go shopping or just relax.

Overnight.

Day 03:

Kuching – Bako National Park (B,L,D)

From Kuching, drive about 35 minutes to Bako Village. From the village, the park is about another 25-minute boat ride. Bako takes its name from the mangrove forest that surround the coastal region of Sarawak. Bako is one of the best places in Sarawak to view wildlife in natural surroundings. Check in at the park chalets. There will be hiking through jungle trails, sunsets, and walking along the sea by secluded beaches. Overnight at the park chalets.

Day 04:

Bako National Park Kuching (B,L)

Following breakfast, depart for a final hike on one of the trails spotting rare migratory birds and searching for the rare and elusive proboscis monkey, a primate to be found only in Borneo. Return to Kuching mid-afternoon (schedule may depend on tide).

Drop off at the hotel for check in and overnight.

Day 05:

Rainforest Kayak Adventure (B,L)

Pick up from your hotel at 08:00 for a 1-hour drive through rural Kuching to Krokong Village. Begin your kayaking adventure on a meandering river that flows through beautiful karst limestone formations, Bidayuh villages and local farms. A variety of water birds may also be spotted. Occasionally the placid waters will be punctuated with Class 1 and 2 rapids; feel free to glide or to paddle downriver. Wear a light short sleeve shirt with shorts (cotton is not recommended as it does not dry easily) or your swimwear. You may want to bring a spare change of clothes and a towel; we suggest a good sun block, hat and shoes that are not afraid to be wet; any equipment that you may bring should be placed in a watertight plastic bag. A bottle of mineral water is included. Return to Kuching by about 15:00. Overnight.

Day 06:

Kuching – Batang Ai (B,L,D)

Pick up from your hotel in the early morning. Depart by air-conditioned van for Batang Ai reservoir (41/2 -5 hours). Journey through rural Sarawak, passing pepper gardens, cocoa and rubber plantation. En route, a few stops will be made. Visit the colourful native market in Serian town where a variety of jungle produce including edible ferns, bamboo shoots and unusual tropical fruit. Visit a pepper garden and stop by to view wild orchids and several species of pitcher plants. Lunch en route. Upon arrival at the Batang Ai reservoir, proceed by longboat (1 1/2 hrs) upriver to Nanga Sumpa Longhouse. Settle in the jungle lodge. After dinner proceed to the longhouse across river. Relax on the ruai (common verandah) and spend time with the Iban people. Learn about their culture and enjoy some local rice wine. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 07:

Nanga Sumpa Longhouse Lodge – Jungle Camp. (B,L,D)

Following breakfast, hike the jungle trails along the river. Our destination is the scenic Enseluai Waterfall. Option to visit a second Iban longhouse at Nanga Jambu. Time to relax, swim, explore the rainforest and have lunch or try fishing Iban-style. Then, proceed to the jungle lodge. You can help the guides by gathering jungle produce like bamboo shoots or edible ferns for the evening meal. Orang Utans occasionally are seen (at dusk or at dawn) in this area. Overnight in the jungle camp.

Day 08:

Selong/Lubok Kasai Jungle Camp – Nanga Sumpa Longhouse Lodge. (B,L,D)

In the morning, hike the beautiful rainforest in search of wildlife. Wildlife found in the area could include Orang Utans, pig-tailed macaques, hornbills and other variety of birds. There will be opportunities for swimming and relaxing before returning down river to the lodge. Dinner is served in the lodge with local delicacies to enhance the meal. Visit the longhouse in the evening. Woven blankets and handicrafts are available for display upon request and may be purchased directly from the longhouse people. Overnight at the lodge.

Note: Leeches are found in this area. Insect repellent is effective against leeches.

Day 09:

(B, D)

Following breakfast, depart down river by longboat. Drop off at a Resort for check in. The reminder of the day is for relaxation or to make optional jungle walks etc. Dinner and overnight at the resort.

Day 10:

Semengoh Kuching.(B, L)

Depart the resort in the morning crossing the lake by boat, then overland. Lunch en route.

Stop over at Semengoh Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Observe the feeding of Orang Utans requiring rehabilitation. This tour to Semengoh Wildlife Centre is arranged to correspond with the feeding time of the orang-utans (afternoon 1500 / 1530).

Proceed to Kuching. Drop of at your hotel for check in and overnight.

Day 11:

Free day / Dinner at Private Home. (B,D)

A free day in Kuching to explore the old colonial city on your own during the day time. We pick you from your hotel at half past six, transfer you to a private home to have a meal with a local family. This will provide you an intimate interaction with your host family while taking in good Kuching food. What better way to experience firsthand genuine Kuching hospitality over local specialities. Discover the customs and ways of your hosts and be surprised by the particular and universal concerns and considerations of the average citizen in Sarawak.

Return to the hotel by ten o¹clock.

Overnight.

Day 12:

Kuching Caving big spaces, cool streams (full day). (B, L)

Depart Kuching at 09:00 and drive for about 1.5 hours to a Bidayuh village in a pretty farming valley. Once the equipment and safety briefings are complete there is a 10 minute walk across some of the area’s prettiest farmland to the staircase to the cave entrance. Once in the cave there will be a briefing on its history and pre-history as you look at the cave paintings that cover the walls. Then head deeper inside the cave. Ceilings in this cave can be as high as 300¹ and there are streams, waterfalls and enormous calcite structures to admire as well as a wide range of cave dwellers. The easy route visits two chambers before leaving through the main exit and going to a second cave for a swim. The intermediate route goes much further into the cave including passing through to the bird nest chamber before we retrace our steps. After cleaning up lunch is provided either in the Kampung or at a restaurant on the way back to Kuching. Return time is about 19:00. You will be dropped off at your hotel.

Overnight.

Note: Timings may vary. Helmet, lamps, trousers, boots and gloves are provided. A spare T-shirt is recommended. Easy and intermediate routes are available; No rope work required.

Day 13:

Depart. (B)

Transfer to Kuching airport for departure flight.

Cost

US $ 2,061 / person. This price is for a group of 2 people. Full payment should be made 15 days prior to departure date.

This includes: