| country: | Malaysia, Borneo |
| location: | Sabah & Sarawak |
| trip type: | Moderate walking holidays |
| departures: | 2008: 21 Oct, 28 Oct, 11 Nov, 25 Nov, 2 Dec, 16 Dec, 30 Dec 2009: 6 Jan, 20 Jan, 3 Feb, 10 Feb, 24 Feb, 10 Mar, 17 Mar, 31 Mar, 14 Apr, 21 Apr, 5 May, 19 May, 26 May |
| price: | From £690 (19 days) excluding flights. Local payment £123. We can arrange flights from the UK. All departure dates are guaranteed |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Go wild in the jungles of Borneo where you will learn about orangutan rehabilitation at Sepilok. Why not challenge yourself to climbing Mt Kinabalu and snorkel the spectacular Tunku Abdul Marine Park. You can also follow the Headhunters' Trail at Gunung Mulu National Park, experience an Iban village homestay and explore Malaysia's quirkiest museum. Or take some time out and simply relax by the beach in Kinarut.
Sultry, spiritual and seductive, Sabah and Sarawak embody the ultimate tropical paradise. This trip takes you to the best that each state has to offer, from remote caves and tribal villages to mountain peaks and ancient jungles. En route, meet orangutans, sleep beneath the stars and discover long-lost traditions - any thirst for adventure will surely be sated!
Sultry, spiritual and seductive, Sabah and Sarawak embody the ultimate tropical paradise. This trip takes you to the best that each state has to offer, from remote caves and tribal villages to mountain peaks and ancient jungles. En route, meet orangutans, sleep beneath the stars and discover long-lost traditions - any thirst for adventure will surely be sated!
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Kota Kinabalu. Visit the Monsopiad Cultural Village, named after a legendary Kadazan warrior and a living example of ancient traditions, or indulge in the local specialty of fish-head curry at the market. |
| Day 2-3: | Kinabatangan Jungle Camp/ Homestay. Spend a night in the wild heart of Borneo, home of Asian elephants, crocodiles and monkeys. A village homestay gives first-hand experience of traditional Malay culture. |
| Day 4: | Sepilok Orangutan Reserve. Learn how injured and orphaned orangutans are rehabilitated before being released back into the wild. |
| Day 5-7: | Mt. Kinabalu. It's hard work climbing South-East Asia's highest peak, but you'll be rewarded by the diverse collection of plants and flowers, gorgeous views over Borneo's jungles and a great sense of achievement. |
| Day 8-9: | Kota Kinabalu. Swim or simply relax on a seaside escape in Kota Kinabalu. We also head out to the beautiful Tunku Abdul Marine Park for a day of snorkelling. |
| Day 10: | Miri. Watch the locals haggle at the fish market or simply kick back with a beer in this boomtown. |
| Day 11-14: | Mulu National Park. Follow the old Headhunters' Trail on a walking safari through unspoilt wilderness and limestone peaks. Wander into Clearwater Cave, home to Asia's longest underground river, as well as the enormous Deer Cave, which leads to a lush patch of jungle known as the Garden of Eden. |
| Day 15: | Kuching. Get an urban fix in this graceful city, once ruled by the infamous White Raja of Sarawak. |
| Day 16-17: | Iban Longhouse. Cruise river rapids to our village homestay where Iban hosts teach us about their headhunting history and culture. |
| Day 18-19: | Kuching. There's time to explore the waterfront or discover the origins of the city's name at the Cat Museum. |
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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During our trip, our group leader and local guides take active steps to ensure our groups behave in an environmentally responsible manner, such as sticking to established trails, not leaving anything behind and not removing any plants in rural areas. They are also always eager to share information about their country and culture, and help you break down barriers in your interactions with local people.
On the Bario Loop you will be welcomed into the lives and homes of local villagers for the night and stay in a traditional longhouse. The families will prepare an amazing dinner and you will have the chance to get a better insight into life in Borneo. During our journey through Borneo, there are numerous opportunities for local interaction as we use all means of public transport. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn from a friendly local who strikes up a conversation during your journey. We sponsor the placement of an English teacher in Kiau as well as supporting several other projects in the region. Travellers are encouraged to donate to any of these and at the end of our journey, any unwanted clothing, medicines and bandages will be collected for distribution to local villages. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |












