Borneo - Into the Heart of the Rainforest

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Day 1: Arrive in Kuching

Arrival in Kuching, where you are met at the airport and transferred to our comfortable hotel on the waterfront. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore Kuching.

In the evening you are invited to a welcome dinner and an orientation meeting. Accommodations in Kuching are at our comfortable, centrally located hotel.

Day 2: Sarawak Cultural Village

After breakfast, we take a morning tour of the Sarawak Cultural Village. Here, we learn about and experience the seven major cultures of Sarawak.

After lunch, we return to our hotel in Kuching. The remainder of the afternoon is free to rest and to get ready for tomorrow's Lemanak River safari.

Day 3: Lemanak River Safari

A morning departure for a 3 day/2 night river safari to the Lemanak River, deep in the interior of Sarawak. We begin by road and continue our journey up-river by native longboat. Along the river, people of the Iban tribe live in traditional longhouses.

These people were once notorious pirates and headhunters, but times have changed and today they live peacefully - farming, fishing and hunting in the wilderness. An entire village (anywhere from 20 to 100 families) live under one roof in a longhouse. Each family has its own rooms and all families share an adjoining common area.

We spend the next two nights at the Ngemah longhouse - a fascinating experience in communal living. We sleep in the ruai (common room). Very basic sleeping and restroom facilities. Foam sleeping mats and mosquito nets are provided.

Day 4: Journey to Iban Culture

This morning we take a guided hike to learn about tribal life: how they hunt, fish, practice agriculture, pray and educate themselves. Spend a wonderful afternoon and evening with the families of Ngemah longhouse. Witness and participate in their daily chores. This is an excellent opportunity to experience the Iban culture.

Day 5: River Safari

Following breakfast, bid goodbye to your Iban hosts and begin the journey to Kuching. Travel downstream by longboat to the river jetty, where we change our mode of transportation and continue by vehicle to the city. Arrive back in Kuching for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Explore Colonial Kuching

A full day of exploring Kuching, one of East Malaysia's most beautiful and interesting cities. Located on the banks of the Sarawak River, Kuching was the center of the White Rajah dynasty which ruled Sarawak until 1945 when the state became a British Crown Colony.

The city has beautiful parks, colorful markets, churches, mosques, temples, historical buildings and an interesting waterfront with Fort Margherita on its banks. We visit one of Asia's best museums, the Sarawak Museum. Overnight in Kuching.

Day 7: To Mulu National Park

We depart Kuching for Mulu by air via Miri. We then transfer to our lodge, located at the edge of the renowned Mulu National Park.

The remainder of the day is free to relax. We enjoy dinner and spend the following three nights in this beautiful setting.

Day 8: Mulu National Park - Lang and Deer Caves

We travel by foot to Lang Cave and Deer Cave - home to the world's largest cave passages. There are two huge entrances at either side of the mountain leaving most of the one-mile passage illuminated by daylight.

Following a rainstorm, it is possible to see a 70-foot waterfall inside the cave. At dusk, an exciting natural spectacle takes place: millions of bats leave the cave in a twisting cloud that spreads into a dramatic black ribbon across the sky. Overnight at our lodge in Mulu.

Day 9: Mulu National Park - Moonmilk and Clearwater Caves

After breakfast, we begin an hour trip by longboat to Wind Cave, Moonmilk Cave and the spectacular Clearwater Cave, with over 60 miles of passageways.

This site was discovered by the Mulu Expedition, organized by the Royal Geographical Society of London in the mid 1970s, but has only recently been opened for tourism. After lunch we visit a Penan settlement before returning to our lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 10: To Kota Kinabalu

A morning departure from our lodge takes us to Mulu airport to connect with our flight to Kota Kinabalu, in the province of Sabah. We arrive in the late afternoon and settle into our hotel for the next two nights.

Day 11: Islands of Gaya and Manukan

We spend the day exploring the tropical island parks of Gaya and Manukan located just off the coast. We explore the jungle trails and learn about the unique medicinal plants, tropical hardwood trees, coastal vegetation and the ecology of the mangrove forest.

We have the opportunity to go for a gentle coastal walk and to swim and snorkel in the warm, turquoise waters. We have a barbecue on the islands and relax or hike for the remainder of our time here. Overnight in Kota Kinabalu.

Day 12: Kinabalu National Park

Leave Kota Kinabalu and drive to our hotel, located near Kinabalu National Park. The focal point of this park is Mount Kinabalu, the highest point in Southeast Asia, rising over 13,000 feet.

Here, we explore trails with some of the richest flora in the world - including many species of Pitcher plants and the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower.

Day 13: Rainforest Canopy Boardwalk - Poring Hot Springs

This morning, we visit the Poring Hot Springs and the 100 feet high Canopy Boardwalk for a unique view of bird and animal life. After lunch, we enjoy a dip in the sulphur baths and return to our hotel in Kota Kinabalu.

Day 14: Selingan

After an early breakfast fly to Sandakan where we transfer to a boat for the trip to Selingan Island, also known as Turtle Island.

After dinner, we witness a fascinating natural spectacle - giant green sea turtles (weighing up to 200 lbs.) come to the beach every night to lay their eggs. Viewing is supervised by a local expert dedicated to the turtles' welfare. We stay overnight on the island in a comfortable lodge.

Day 15: Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary

This morning we will transfer back to Sandakan where we will transfer by minibus to Sepilok, the largest orangutan sanctuary in the world. Here, we can see adolescents, adults and babies in their natural habitat: the tropical rainforest. During the morning feeding, we witness orangutans converging on the platform for a meal of bananas and milk.

We continue to Sukau, to our tranquil lodge on the Kinabatangan River. We enjoy a late afternoon journey on the waterway and search for rare proboscis monkeys (long-nosed primates, unique to Borneo). Return for a hot shower, candle-lit dinner and slide show conducted by naturalists. Overnight at Kinabatangan River Lodge.

Day 16: Kinabatangan River

We spend the day exploring an ox-bow lake and the tremendous rainforest that surrounds it. In this area, there are Macaque monkeys and many species of birds, including the White-bellied sea eagle and the Rhinoceros hornbill. A herd of elephants also roam here, seen numerous times by our groups. Overnight at Kinabatangan River Lodge.

Day 17: Sandakan

After breakfast we return to Sandakan by boat. We have a tour of Sandakan town including the market, Agnes Keith Museum and Australian War Memorial. Transfer to the hotel for our farewell dinner.