The Natural Wonders of Borneo

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow
Your overnight flight to Malaysia takes off today.

Day 2 Arrive Kuching
When you land in Kuala Lumpur, you’ll take an internal flight to Kuching where you’ll transfer to the Grand Margherita Hotel for 2 nights.

Day 3 Kuching
On a morning tour, you’ll visit the White Rajah colonial buildings, open markets, temples and mosques.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 4 Kuching to Batang Ai
Your journey to Batang Ai starts early this morning, stopping en route at Serian to visit the open market. You’ll also stop at a pepper farm before continuing to Lachau village to browse the handicrafts and enjoy lunch. When you arrive at Batang Ai jetty, you’ll transfer by boat to the Hilton Batang Ai for a 2 night stay. This evening, join your fellow travellers for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 5 Batang Ai
This morning you’ll visit Batang Ai longhouse, an authentic dwelling of the local Iban tribe. You’ll find out about the lifestyle of these indigenous villagers, watch a traditional dance and a demonstration of a blowpipe; an ancient hunting weapon. After lunch, you’ll return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 6 Batang Ai to Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast, you’ll transfer back to Kuching and fly to Kota Kinabalu and spend 2 nights at the Sabah Oriental Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 7 Kota Kinabalu
Today you’re free to do as you please. You’ll have a choice of optional excursions including a visit to a marine park, a Garama river safari or a fishing trip.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 8 Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu
On a full day trip to Mount Kinabalu, you’ll drive past paddy fields and villages as the majestic mountain draws closer. You’ll then walk along the Mesilau Nepenthes Trail looking for carnivorous plants. After lunch in a local restaurant, you’ll descend to the park’s botanical garden, before checking into Mount Kinabalu Heritage Resort for 1 night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 9 Mount Kinabalu to Sandakan
After breakfast, you’ll head for Sandakan, visiting Poring Hot Spring on the way. You can then choose to visit the Kipungit waterfall or follow a nature trail to an exhilarating tree canopy walk. You’ll have lunch then continue to Sandakan and spend 1 night at Sepilok Nature Resort.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 10 Sandakan to Bilit
Today’s full day wildlife adventure starts with a visit to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre at Sepilok, where you’ll watch feeding time and stroll into the tropical lowland jungle. You’ll continue on to the outstanding new Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre, with its lush garden and canopy walkway. After lunch, you’ll cruise the Kinabatangan River, watching for proboscis monkeys, elephants, hornbills, gibbons and many beautiful birds. Spend 2 nights at the Bilit Rainforest Lodge (18th March 2014 date will be Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 11 Bilit
Early this morning you’ll cruise up to the Oxbow Lake to birdwatch and trek through the lush forest. After lunch at the lodge, you’re free to explore, or join an optional excursion to Gomantong, Borneo’s largest cave system, a famous source of swiftlets’ nests used for making Bird’s Nest Soup. Weather permitting, you’ll venture out on a night walk.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 12 Bilit to Kota Kinabalu
You’ll arrive in Sandakan late morning and enjoy a tour of the main sites before transferring to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu and a final night at the Sabah Oriental.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 13 Depart Kota Kinabalu
You’ll have today at leisure complete with late check out before your return flight to Kuala Lumpur. Here you’ll connect with your flight to Heathrow, or continue on to your extension destination.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 14 Arrive London Heathrow
Your flight arrives into Heathrow early this morning.

Tour includes:

All flights specified
Private transfers
Local expert guides in resort
Inspirational sightseeing programme
11 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners
2 night rainforest stay
Riverboat safari
Orangutans at Sepilok

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”