Best of Borneo

Today you'll drive to Kampung Bako (approx. 1hr) where you board a local boat to Bako NP. There you will enjoy walks through pristine jungle trails in the Bako National Park. Look to the trees to try and spot quirky probiscus monkeys. Guesthouse - 1 night 

This morning is an early start to get to Sarawak River for the express boat to Sarikie (Approx. 4h). You will continue by minibus to Iban Longhouse (approx. 1.5hr) where you will be welcomed by the Iban people. In the afternoon you will get a guided trek through the jungle to the beautiful waterfalls where you can even have a refreshing dip. In the evening, you will be learning about your hosts, the Ibans amazing history and culture and hear about their fascinating headhunting stories.

Reputed to be the most formidable headhunters on the island of Borneo, the Ibans of today are a generous, hospitable and placid people. Because of their history as pirates and fishermen, they were conventionally referred to as the "Sea Dayaks".

A traditional dinner and Iban warrior dance are also on the menu.

Longhouse - 1 night (D)

Fly to Miri and spend two full days exploring one of the most dramatic parks in Asia. Gunung Mulu National Park is one of Nature's most spectacular achievements and the 'jewel in the crown' of Sarawak's expanding network of national parks. Hidden underneath the forested slopes of these mountains is one of the largest limestone cave systems in the world.

You will climb to the summit of the Pinnacles Trail and visit Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave, which contains Asia's longest underground river (approx. 5hrs), and hike through the jungle to Camp 5.

Multi Share - 1 night, Open Air dorm - 2 nights (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2)

Today you will board a ferry and make tracks to the capital of Sabah via Labuan Island to the beach front resort near Kota Kinabalu (approx 5hrs). You'll then have the afternoon free and next day free to take in the local atmosphere of the beach, a perfect base from which to snorkel, swim, or simply relax. Guesthouse - 2 nights (B x1)

The next two days will be spent, after a short drive (approx. 45 min) to Kinabalu National Park to visit this Borneo's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, chosen for its 'outstanding universal values'. Kinabalu is the highest peak of Borneo (4,095m) and sacred to locals. They believe that spirits of their ancestors inhabit the top of the mountain.

Along the way you will see coconut extraction or rubber tapping and tree planting. The trek up Mt Kinabalu takes about 6 hours and is truly spectacular.

On the second night, after the trek, you will get to stay in a rest house at 3272m altitude with time to relax before the night ascend to the summit.

Basic hotel - 1 night (B), Rest House - 1 night (B,L,D). 

Today you will travel to Kinabatangan (approx. 5.5hrs). In the afternoon you will take a boat into the jungle to Oxbow lake and cruise down the river, ready for wildlife spotting. If you are lucky you might see some saltwater crocodiles and probocsis monkeys (cruise is approx. 1hr). In the evening you will enjoy a night jungle walk, looking for nocturnal active animals and sleeping birds. Jungle Camp - 1 night (D)

This morning you will board a speed boat and whizz over to Turtle Island Marine Park. (approx. 1hr ride). The marine park is separated from the Philippine border and the larger Philippine island of Bakkungan Besar by no more than a narrow stretch of water - the route of barter traders and pirates from ancient times.

In this tropical island you will get the opportunity to swim and snorkel and hopefully to see female turtles coming ashore to lay eggs or see researchers release new hatchlings in the evening. Be aware that this natural phenomenon is likely but never guaranteed to happen while you travel on the island. The turtles laying eggs in this area are the green turtles and the hawksbill turtles.  Guesthouse - 1 night (L,D)