Sarawak Explorer. Borneo tour

KUCHING (-/-/-)
Arrival at Kota Kinabalu Airport and transfer to hotel. 14.00 hrs: The perfect introduction to Sarawak's historic capital, this tour includes Kuching's Chinatown, the Cat Statue (Kuching means “Cat” in Malay), the colourful Tua Pek Kong Chinese Temple, the Civic Centre Viewing Platform and the world famous Sarawak Museum. Across river, visit either the unique Cat Museum or Fort Margherita, passing the magnificent State Mosque and the Astana, the former residence of the White Rajahs. Return via the golden-domed City Mosque and proceed on foot through Old Kuching, visiting the colourful Central Markets and squeezing through narrow alleyways crammed with spice dealers and textile shops. Pass by the heritage buildings of the White Rajah era, the Pavilion, the Square Tower, the Court House, the Charles Brooke Monument and the Post Office. 17.00 hrs: Transfer back to hotel. Accommodation at hotel

SEMONGGOK WILDLIFE CENTRE AND LEMANAK LONGHOUSE (Breakfast/Lunch/Diner)
09.00 hrs: The best place in Sarawak to view semi-wild orang utans, who have been rescued from captivity and trained to survive in the surrounding forest reserve. The rehabilitated animals roam freely in the rain forest, and often return to the centre at feeding time. Thanks to the successful breeding programme at Semonggok there is a good possibility of experiencing one of the most heart-warming sights in Borneo – an orang utan mother with a young baby. The centre is 30 mins drive from Kuching and another 20 mins on foot. Along the way visitors pass by the ethno-botanical gardens, with their unique collection of rain-forest plants. Semengok also has a number of short collection of rain-forest plants. Semengok also has a number of short jungle trails and optional forest walks can be incorporated into the tour. 12.00 hrs: A 225 km car/coach journey takes you through lush green countryside dotted with padi fields, pepper gardens and rubber plantations, and flanked by rugged jungle-clad mountains. Along the way, stop off at the Serian farmer's market, visit a pepper garden and view carnivorous pitcher plants. Stop for lunch at a roadside bazaar deep in Iban country. Arrive at Lemanak jetty mid-afternoon for a longboat ride up the Lemanak River, passing through typical Borneo countryside with an ancient longhouse tucked behind almost every bend in the river. Arrive at either Serubah or Nanga Kesit Longhouse and visit the “entire village under one roof.” Tour the longhouse and enjoy a demonstration of blowpipe shooting. Accommodation at Longhouse.

LEMANAK - KUCHING (Breakfast/Lunch/-)
08.00 hrs: Breakfast at the resort, followed by a short nature walk with the resort’s residence naturalist. Depart for Kuching via the same route. Lunch is served en route. Accommodation at hotel in Kuching

BAKO NATIONAL PARK (Breakfast/Lunch/-)
09.00 hrs: This small peninsula, 1 1/2 hours from Kuching by car and longboat, is home to seven distinct rainforest ecosystems, giving it a remarkable diversity of animal and plant life. Bako’s most famous residents are the bizarre proboscis monkeys, and it is also home to silvered langurs (leaf monkeys), long-tailed macaque monkeys, wild boar, flying squirrels and monitor lizards as well as hundreds of different bird species. Fascinating plant life includes mangroves, strangling figs, carnivorous pitcher plants and symbiotic ant plants. Unique geological features mark the coastline, including the famous Sea Stack, whilst well-marked trails lead to rugged jungle-covered hilltops and secluded beaches. 12.00 hrs: Lunch at a local restaurant in the park. 16.00 hrs: Transfer back to hotel in Kuching. Accommodation at hotel.

DEPART KUCHING (Breakfast/-/-)
Breakfast at hotel. Free and easy at hotel until pick-up transfer to airport.

Travel Agent
Licence
n°11/2885

Association of
Thai Travel Agent
n°02214