For Every Booking Received, Adventurous Women ® ™ will donate $50 to The Weekend To End Women's Cancer
Your trip begins today with your arrival in Kota Kinabalu, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel; Or if you have chosen to take part in the Mt Kinabalu extension prior, you will meet the rest of the group at the hotel after lunch.
There are no activities planned for today, so you are free to settle in and do your own exploration of Sabah's capital city. Kota Kinabalu is located on the edge of the South China Sea and overlooks a beautiful cluster of coral-fringed islands. Its location is quite striking, set against a backdrop of the Crocker Range with the granite peaks of Mt Kinabalu in the distance. The population is a unique blend of European, Malay and Chinese cultures, with a recent influx of Filipino. There are many optional things you can do in your free time such as visiting the Sabah Museum, with its collection of tribal and historical artefacts, and the State Mosque, an outstanding example of contemporary Islamic architecture. Alternatively you could escape the hustle and bustle of Kota Kinabalu and take a walk up Signal Hill, which offers stunning views over the city. Make sure you are back at the hotel for your pre-departure briefing this evening.
Overnight: Shangri La Hotel
This morning we fly to Sandakan, a town situated at the mouth of a picturesque bay. The Sandakan Memorial Park was the site of a former Japanese POW camp and a visit there showcases the grim episodes of World War II - something that has become known as the Sandakan 'Death Marches'. We continue to the nearby Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre. One of only four orang-utan sanctuaries in the world, it was established in 1964 and today covers an incredible 4,000 hectares. The orang-utan is the only species of great ape found outside Africa. A mature male has an impressive arm span of 2.4 metres and weighs up to 100 kilograms! Injured and orphaned orang-utans and those previously illegally-kept as pets are brought to the sanctuary, which aims to rehabilitate them so that they can return to their habitat in the wild. We get to view these rare apes swinging freely in the trees, especially around feeding time. We spend a night at a lodge in Sepilok.
Overnight: Sepilok Jungle Resort
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
We return to Kota Kinabalu and upon arrival are transferred to our accommodation located right on the edge of Kinarut seashore. These two days are at your leisure to laze by the pool or, for the more energetic, perhaps hire out a canoe for a paddle on the pristine waters off the South China Sea. The choice is yours!
Overnight: Seaside Traveller's Inn
Meals included: Breakfast
We board an express boat and make our way to the island of Labuan, where we change to another boat bound for Limbang. Labuan was a place of much activity during World War II, but today it is a place full of modern shops. The boat schedules can vary - sometimes we have a bit of time to walk around, but other times there is only enough time to transfer from one boat to another. Each journey takes between one-and-a-half and two hours. Limbang is in Sarawak, sandwiched between the two parts of Brunei, and is where we spend our last night in a town before heading into the forested Mulu region. We travel overland to Medamit, where we continue our journey by longtail boat to our overnight accommodation in a traditional longhouse. Here, we spend a night as guests of our Iban hosts. Please don't expect any comforts and be prepared for the fact that the living conditions in the longhouse are extremely basic - this night is designed to give you a first-hand taste of how the Iban people live and also provide an insight into their unique customs. We will be sleeping on the ground, on simple mats and it is highly recommended that you bring your own sleeping sheet. The Iban are generally very reserved people.
Overnight: Purnama Hotel/Iban Longhouse
Meals included: 2 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning we farewell our Iban friends and continue our journey on foot. Our trek takes us through a section of lowland forest, known as the Headhunters Trail. This trail was originally used by Kayan warriors, who made their way through the jungle to invade the people of the Limbang region. Although the path is well used by locals, few tourists get the opportunity to experience it. Following this route, we make our way to the Melinau Gorge and to Camp 5, where we stay overnight on the floor in very basic jungle hut accommodation. It is possible to hire simple mats to sleep on.
Overnight: Camp 5
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We head off on foot to Long Lutut, Long Lutut, where we catch the longboat down the Melinau River to Mulu. Here we explore some of the biggest and most impressive caves in the world. Wind Cave is the starting point for some of the longest tunnels in the world, while Clearwater Cave is an impressive sight, with a river winding through its centre. The enormous chambers of Deer Cave are home to over 32 million bats! At dusk we witness the amazing spectacle of these creatures emerging from the gaping mouth of the cave, as they head out into the forest in search of food.
Overnight: Park Chalet
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we fly to Miri, and then transfer to another flight for Kuching, one of the most attractive cities in South East Asia. We have ample time to explore this picturesque city and there is much to see. Fort Margherita was built by Charles Brooke in 1879 and sits on a hill opposite the waterfront - the perfect location to guard Kuching against pirates! The Istana is a shingle roofed white palace built by Charles Brook in 1870. Used during the Japanese occupation to house prisoners, it is today the residence of the Governor of Sarawak. You may also wish to visit the famous Sarawak Museum, one of the best in South East Asia, as well as take a relaxing stroll along the waterfront.
Overnight: Telang Usan Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Today we take a day trip to Bako National Park, the oldest in Sarawak. This is a truly beautiful spot with a scenic coastline fringed by mangroves and clean beaches. Bako is renowned for its secluded beauty and we spend the day exploring and observing local flora and wildlife. In Bako National Park it is sometimes possible to see the rare proboscis monkey, as well as four species of pitcher plants. Monitor lizards are also frequently seen.
Overnight: Telang Usan Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Free day at your leisure in Kuching ...what a fabulous place to explore, eat (and shop!!!). Maybe take a stroll down Chinatown, visit the markets along the waterfront or visit one of the many museums (kitch Cat Museum) or mosque's. We spend our final evening in Kuching celebrating our adventure...allow Sue to take you to Top Spot Restaurant for a great feed ...yummm!!
Overnight: Telang Usan Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Our journey comes to an end this morning after breakfast. We then transfer to the airport to catch our flight home.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Cost of Tour based on Twin Share:
General Public - $3400
Adventurous Women ® ™ Financial Club Member - $3250
Single Supplement on request - (this only applies to Sabah and for only 3 nights in Sarawak (Limbang and Kuching accommodation.)
Your Adventurous Women ® ™ 'Private Group' Tour Price includes:
Local English speaking tour leader throughout the tour
Local guides at some sights
Sue Hile, Director of Adventurous Women ® ™ will be your Tour Host, sharing her local knowledge
No Single Supplement (We take the fuss out of rooming and make it a 'fun' experience)
Adventurous Women ® ™ Travel T Shirt or Peak Cap (T Shirts are subject to availability at time of booking)
All transport, sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary (including internal domestic flights)
Accommodation (1 night longhouse, 1 night jungle shelter, 2 nights jungle rainforest lodge, 7 nights hotel, 1 night guesthouse)
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Return airport transfers
Tour Price does not include:
International Flights
Visas
Items of a personal nature
Airport and airline taxes
Tips & Gratuitie
Please note the following information:
Please note that travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips, we recommend you take out travel insurance immediately at time of booking. We recommend Travel Insurance Direct
MOUNTAIN DESIGNS DISCOUNT CARD - Please note that for all our Adventurous Women ® ™ clients we are pleased to advise from our friends at Mountain Designs that you will receive a 20% discount on all Mountain Designs branded gear and 15% discount on all other gear. CARD TO BE PROVIDED AFTER BOOKING.
* AUSTRALIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS DO NOT REQUIRE A VISA FOR MALAYSIA.
Healthwise, you should visit your family doctor or the Traveller's Medical Centre for the latest medical information concerning the areas you will be visiting.
NO PRINCESS POLICY: This tour by it's very nature is not designed for the 5 Star Traveller. It is for the girl who has an 'adventurous spirit' and is looking for a unique and rewarding 'experience' (Once in a Lifetime)! You need to be prepared to sleep on longhouse floors, lodges and in 3 star accommodation. You also need to be comfortable with jumping on a few internal flights and spending one long day on board boats (you'll be amazed at how much you will see while floating along on the water.) You also require a good level of fitness to complete the jungle trekking section of this tour (you will be walking on jungle paths, keeping in mind that Asia is humid)
ARE YOU FIT & UP FOR THAT EXTRA CHALLENGE PRIOR TO THIS ADVENTURE - THEN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PRIVATE MT KINABALU CLIMB EXTENSION HERE!
MAKE YOUR BOOKING BY CLICKING THE BOOK NOW BUTTON BELOW!
This tour by it's very nature is not designed for the 5 Star Traveller. It is for the girl who has an 'adventurous spirit' and is looking for a unique and rewarding experience (Once in a Lifetime)! You should be able to adopt a "Go With The Flow" attitude, after-all we are in a foreign country and things don't always go to plan...this will help you chill out and therefore get the best out of your holiday. You will also need to be mobile without assistance - some of the sights require you to be on your feet, navigating steps and uneven surfaces at times. We also have a couple of walks as part of this tour - these walks can be achieved by anyone with a general level of fitness, but again mobility is the key, as with all of our tours. Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions:
Each of our Tour Operators/Service Providers have their own booking conditions & cancellation policy over and above those of Adventurous Women's booking conditions, please ensure you request them and read them carefully.
Adventurous Women's Cancellation Policy can be viewed at the bottom of this website under the heading 'Cancellation Policy'. Please ensure you read it carefully, as by paying your deposit, you acknowledge that you accept this cancellation policy, over and above that of our Service Providers.
No refund is available after departure of a tour has commenced.
