ITINERARY

DAY 1 - DEPART FROM LONDON

Depart from London.

DAY 2 - KUALA LUMPUR ARRIVAL (-/-/D)

Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, you will be met by our representative. Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to the hotel. Check-in at hotel & free at leisure.
At 18:30 PM, meet our driver guide for a Chinatown by Night. This tour will bring you to visit the bustling night markets in Chinatown. Take a stroll through the open-air market where you can test your bargaining skills for a wide variety of merchandises spread across the street. Visit the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple located in the heart of Chinatown. The smell of burning jasmine, incessant chanting of the Hindu priest, intricately carved deities and the mystical aura combines to give you a lasting impression of this religion. A delicious Malay dinner is served in a typical local restaurant while you enjoy traditional Malay cultural performances.
Overnight at Hotel Cosmo Kuala Lumpur, Deluxe Room

DAY 3 - KUALA LUMPUR (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, a must for first-time visitors to Kuala Lumpur, an interesting tour which unveils the beauty and charm of the old and new Kuala Lumpur – Garden City of Light. Highlights of the tour include: Petronas Twin Towers (photo stop), King’s Palace (photo stop), National Monument, National Museum (exclude entrance fee), National Mosque (photo stop), Sultan Abdul Samad Building and the Tudor styled Cricket Club.
Lunch at the local restaurant (on own).
After lunch, proceed for Batu Cave. This tour brings you to the outskirt of Kuala Lumpur city. Firstly, you will visit the well-known Royal Selangor Pewter factory, which is the largest in the world. Here, you will get a brief tour around the factory in which you will not only learn about its history, but you will also be given a demonstration of some of the many processes of a pewter product such as casting, filling, polishing and hammering. Thereafter, there will be a brief stop at the Batik Centre, where you will discover how the popular Malaysian fabric is designed and printed. The last part of the tour will be the most exciting, as you will then proceed to the Batu Caves. This world-famous limestone outcrop houses a Hindu temple and is visited by thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year. Before climbing up the 272 stairs in order to reach the main cave temple, you will have a chance to admire the impressive golden structure of the 140 feet tall statue of Hindu God Lord Murugan located at the entrance. Once reached the top you will not only be greeted by several cheeky monkeys, but you will also have a great view of the beautiful skyline of Kuala Lumpur.
Note: Tour not available for 3 days on Thaipusam Festival (Eve of the festival, festival day and one day after the festival).
Return to hotel after the tour.
Overnight at Hotel Cosmo Kuala Lumpur, Deluxe Room

DAY 4 - KUALA LUMPUR - KUCHING (B/-/-)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Kuching. Upon arrival at Kuching International Airport, you will be met by our representative. Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to The Waterfront Hotel. Check-in at hotel & free at leisure.
Overnight at The Waterfront Hotel, Deluxe Room.

DAY 5 - WALK THE WHITE RAJAH TRAIL & JALAN JALAN CARI MAKAN (B/LS/-)

Breakfast at hotel.
Kuching is a perfect city to enjoy on foot! Walk down the streets and alleys the three “white kings” already used to take during their reign of 100 years. Let the sights, sounds, and smells of old Asia fill your senses with awe and discover at the same time how the Rajahs left their trademark, building those beautiful colonial buildings, like the Astana or the old Court House. Walk to the Waterfront jetty and, like already Rajah James Brooke used to do, take a sampan (river taxi) across the Sarawak River to stroll through a small Malay village up the hill to Fort Margherita, where you can learn more about the White Rajahs at The Brooke Gallery. Explore the old streets of Carpenter, Gambier & India, old alleys, corridors and the oldest Indian mosque in Kuching, as well as the oldest Chinese temple in Sarawak.
Got curious? Well then: “Jalan-Jalan, cari makan!” Malaysia often referred to as a “cultural melting pot” combines Malay, Chinese, and Indian culture", a unique mixture which can hardly be found in any other country and which is reflected in the great variety of “Malaysian cuisine”. Follow your guide on this culinary tour through Kuching and let yourself be introduced to Sarawak’s signature dishes. Start this tour, sitting down in a typical coffee shop, tasting some typical local dishes of your choice: Indian, Malay or Chinese. During the tour, see how important food is in Malaysian daily life and find out more about the different cultures at the same time. Learn more about spices at Gambier street, see what “Kek Lapis” is made of and give “Teh Tarik” a try…
Overnight at The Waterfront Hotel, Deluxe Room.
Notes: Please prepare an overnight bag for the Jungle Excursion!!!!!

DAY 6 - SEMENGGOH NATURE RESERVE – BATANG AI (B/L/D)

After an early breakfast, check-out from your hotel. Depart to the Semenggoh Nature Reserve. The entire facility occupies an area of 740 acres and acts as a sanctuary for orangutans that have been rescued from captivity and young orphaned primates. These animals are trained or re-trained to survive in their natural habitat. They learn how to forage for natural food and build nests in the trees. Many have been returned to the surrounding area of the nature reserve. But there are few that will never relearn their natural skills due to the long association with and dependence on humans. There are daily scheduled feeding times. However, sightings of these primates during feeding times are not guaranteed due to the fact that they are roaming freely within the nature reserve.
From here we depart to Batang Ai. You will travel 290 km by air-conditioned vehicle, with a few stops along the way: the first one at Serian town, where we will stop for refreshments. You can also visit a fascinating native fruit and vegetable market. The other stops include a visit to the pepper farm and a stop at the roadside where you can see wild orchids and also pitcher plants (insect-eating plants). The last stop will be at "Lachau", a small upcountry Chinese village, where we will stop for lunch. Here you can still observe barter trading between the natives of Kalimantan, the Chinese shop owners and the natives of Sarawak. At Lachau you may wish to make some last minute shopping, for necessities such as insect repellent or for gifts for the Ibans.
After lunch, we proceed to the final stage of the journey and arrive at Batang Ai lake. Here you will board native longboats to travel across the lake and further up the river (approx. 40 to 50 minutes) to reach an Iban longhouse. Upon arrival at the longhouse, you will be taken for a tour of the longhouse, to meet the natives and their families. Activities for the evening include dining in one of the family rooms in the longhouse. After which the Ibans will then sound their gongs and perform their traditional war dance in full ceremonial regalia. One is often invited to join in.....don't be shy....it can be fun...even if you don't understand their language. Don't leave without tasting their rice wine "tuak".
Overnight at the longhouse (very simple accommodation).
Note: Basic accommodation in the communal hall of the longhouse with mosquito net, mattress, pillows, and blanket provided.

DAY 7 - BATANG AI (B/L/-)

The cockerels will sing loud and clear for you to wake up the next morning. Observe the special atmosphere in the early hours of the day when the first rays of sunlight wake the longhouse and the natives prepare for their daily chores in the rice fields and pepper farms. After a simple breakfast, you may try your skills with the blowpipe, the ancient hunting weapon of Borneo’s natives.
Depart the longhouse and venture on a nature walk (approximately 1 hour) through the farmland of the Ibans to arrive at a small stream. A typical native lunch, cooked in bamboo over an open fire, will be served by the stream (subject to weather condition; in case of rain the lunch will be served in the longhouse).
After lunch proceeds by longboat downriver to the Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat. Check-in at the resort. In the afternoon you can venture on another short nature walk including a canopy bridge (subject to weather conditions). The rest of the day is free at your own leisure to use the many facilities of the resort.
Overnight at Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat, Standard Room.

DAY 8 - BATANG AI – KUCHING (B/L/-)

After breakfast today, you depart the resort by boat/ferry and return to Kuching by air-conditioned vehicle with an en-route stop for lunch at a local cafe. Transfer to The Waterfront Hotel in Kuching.
Overnight at The Waterfront Hotel, Deluxe Room.

DAY 9 - BAKO NATIONAL PARK TOUR (B/L/-)

After breakfast, depart for a full-day tour of Bako National Park. This is the oldest national park in Sarawak and offers the perfect introduction to Sarawak’s forest and wildlife. It can be reached by 30 minutes’ drive by air-conditioned vehicle and another 30 minutes by boat. The park has an area of 27 km2 of primary forest with an abundance of botanical treasures made up of 25 types of vegetation. Amongst the huge variety of plant life, the carnivorous pitcher plant can be found here as well. Bako’s mangrove forest is home to the odd-nosed probosci's monkey, found only in Borneo. Other wildlife species found here are the long-tailed macaques, silver leaf monkeys, monitor lizards and bearded pigs.
There are a number of trails, which you could venture on to explore this fascinating park. A packed lunch will be served.
Return to Kuching in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight at The Waterfront Hotel, Deluxe Room.

DAY 10 - KUCHING DEPARTURE /KOTA KINABALU (B/-/-)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for flight to next destination. Upon arrival, our representative will meet and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
Overnight at Hotel Shangri-La, Deluxe Room.

DAY 11 - KOTA KINABALU (B/L/-)

Breakfast at hotel.
Depart for a two-hour drive to Kinabalu Park, nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery as you drive through the Crocker Range to the Park Head Quarters. We shall stop at local fruit and handicraft stalls en route. The Kinabalu Park is home to Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia which towers majestically at 4095 m (13431 feet). It is a botanist paradise - Home to over a thousand varieties of wild orchids, Rhododendrons, insect-eating plants and much more. At the park, join a trail walk in the unique mountain rainforest to get a first-hand impression of the Park and its unique flora before visiting the Mountain Garden with its collection of orchids and plants that are unique to Kinabalu. Lunch included.
Overnight at Hotel Shangri-La, Deluxe Room.

DAY 12 - KOTA KINABALU – SANDAKAN – SEPILOK/SUNBEAR/SUKAU (B/L/D)

Check-out and collect packed breakfast before transfer to airport for flight to Sandakan.
Meet upon arrival at Sandakan Airport. Transfer to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Walk ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orangutans at 1000hrs, and then proceed to watch a video show. Visit the adjacent Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
After lunch, OVERLAND transfer to Sukau and from there take a short boat ride (less than 5 minutes) to the multi awards winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with the opportunity to view birds and wildlife. Take a river cruise using the electric motor in search of wildlife and birds. Enjoy candlelight dinner overlooking the riverbank followed by the slideshow and interpretation by the naturalist guide.
Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Superior Room.

DAY 13 - SANDAKAN – OXBOW LAKE – RIVER CRUISE (B/L/D)

Take a 0600hrs morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Kelenap Ox-Bow lake to view more birds and wildlife. After breakfast, proceed for an educational tour along our Hornbill Boardwalk located behind the lodge with our in-house naturalist. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife.
Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Superior Room.

DAY 14 - SUKAU – SANDAKAN – KOTA KINABALU (B/L/-)

After breakfast, short boat transfer from the lodge to Sukau. OVERLAND transfer to Sandakan. After lunch, drop off to the airport for the flight to Kota Kinabalu.
Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel for check-in.
Accommodation at Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Deluxe Garden View Room.

DAY 15-17 - KOTA KINABALU (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free at leisure.
Accommodation at Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Deluxe Garden View Room.

DAY 18 - DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Check-out and transfer to airport for your flight to onwards journey.

TOUR PRICE: Prices are based on two sharing in Pound Sterling (£) From (Fr.) Per Person
Valid from 03 January to 31 October 2018.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Return International and Internal flights inclusive of taxes
• Accommodation in shared twin room with air-conditioning (AC) and private bathroom
• 1-night accommodation in the communal room of a longhouse with shared sanitary facilities
• Meals as stated in the programme: B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner, LS= Light snack
• Transfers and tours with local English-speaking driver guides in air-conditioned vehicles
• SIC boat transfer from Sukau to Sukau Rainforest Lodge (no private boat). (Private tour is not available in Sukau during peak season – July & August)
• Entrance fees and/or boat fees as stated in the programme
• Drinking water available on the vehicles
• Package includes GST 6% (Good and Service Tax)

TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Optional tours
• Surcharges for other language guides
• Surcharges for peak seasons such as Chrismas, New Year and school holidays
• Personal travel insurance
• Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc. • Meals and services other than mentioned in the programme
• Drinks with meals
• Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the programme
• Gifts for the longhouse
• Newly implementation of Malaysia Tourism Tax (TTx) @ MYR10.00 net per room per night and this will be collected by the respective hotels upon check out.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Backpack
• Loose-fitting summer clothing
• Swimwear
• Sun hat/ cap
• Sunblock
• Insect repellent
• Personal toiletries
• Flat walking shoes with good grip
• Raincoat