Days One to Three - Kuching

Arrive at any time in Kuching on day one, where your arrival transfer is included. This bustling city is the capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak and boasts an eclectic mixture of old colonial buildings and modern towers. The Sarawak River waterfront is lined with food vendors and shophouses selling handicrafts, while the esplanade offers views of the city's 19th-century landmarks, the Astana, once the palace of the White Rajahs, and Fort Margherita which was built as a defence to thwart pirates. You have the rest of the day at leisure to do as you please, as your adventure kick starts on day two with a full-day excursion to the Bidayuh tribal village. During your excursion, you'll have the opportunity to gain an insight into this thriving rural community which is home to one of the few remaining traditional Bidayuh longhouses in Sarawak. Sometimes call the Land Dayak, the Bidayuh people are the second largest indigenous tribe in Sarawak, and you'll learn about their culture, history and daily life as you explore the old longhouse and village, walk through the farmlands, interact with locals, and enjoy a traditional lunch with your local guide. In the evening you'll return to Kuching. Day three begins with a cruise down the Santubong River, taking in the mangrove scenery and keeping your eyes peeled for rare Irrawaddy dolphins, followed by a leisurely afternoon where you're free to relax or explore at your own pace. In the evening you'll head into Kubah National Park with an amphibian expert for an evening nature walk. The jungle comes alive at nightfall, so listen out for the beautiful sounds and search for a wide variety of frog species which inhabit the jungle, including the newly discovered Kubah narrow-mouthed frog, one of the smallest in the world!

Included meals: Two breakfasts (on days two and three) and one lunch (on day two)

Days Four to Six - Gunung Mulu National Park

Leaving Kuching today, you'll transfer to the airport to catch your flight and transfer to your hotel near the UNESCO-listed Mulu National Park, an area renowned for its lush rainforest and impressive cave systems. Tonight your local guide will help you search for nocturnal wildlife during a night walk, particularly keeping watch for blinking fireflies and luminescent fungi. On day five, you'll board a longboat to travel along the Melinau River to visit a Penan Village, before continuing down to the Wind Cave, which is notable for its rock calcite formations and the cool breeze of the Kings Chamber. After the Wind Cave, you'll climb up the steps to discover the stunning underground river in Clearwater Cave, taking a dip in the cool waters, and enjoying a picnic lunch in the rainforest at Clearwater Springs. In the afternoon, you'll walk through the rainforest on your way to visiting the Lang and Deer Caves, marvelling at the stunning stalagmites and stalactites of the former, whilst Deer Cave, the largest cave passage in the world, is believed to be home to some 2 to 3 million bats! You'll have a leisurely morning to spend as you please on day six before catching an afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu, the capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah on the northern part of the island. You'll have some free time to explore the city, its bustling markets, beaches, and its waterfront, in the evening.

Included meals: Three breakfasts and one lunch (on day five)

Day Seven - Sandakan and Sungai Kinabatangan

From Kota Kinabalu, you'll take an early morning flight to Sandakan, home to the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where you'll have the opportunity to witness orangutans in their natural habitat. The Centre has been rehabilitating orphaned or injured orangutans since 1963, and is one of Borneo's highlights. From there, you'll continue to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre for a talk on the bears (the smallest in the world and an endangered species) and the conservation efforts to protect them. Afterwards you'll transfer by private vehicle to your lodge, and enjoy a wildlife cruise and night walk.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Eight - Kampung Bilit

Joining local guides and naturalists, you'll head back into the jungle today with wildlife excursions on foot and by boat, cruising the Kinabatangan River, keeping your eyes open for sightings of any of Borneo's seven primate species - including the proboscis monkey and orangutan - as well as pygmy elephants and different species of birds, and enjoy a hike to an oxbow lake.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Days Nine and Ten - Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Today you'll drive to Tabin Wildlife Reserve, where you'll check into your rainforest lodge for a two night stay. Once you're checked in, you'll head out for a hike along an elephant trail to the active Lipad mud volcano, a mineral salt like for wildlife. In the evening you'll head out on a night safari to look for nocturnal wildlife. You'll spend more time exploring the Wildlife Reserve with local guides on day ten, starting with an early morning bird walk, trying to spot as many of the 300 species of bird in the area as possible. You'll then return for breakfast before driving to the main wildlife-spotting area, then trek through the lush green rainforest, which is renowned for its rich diversity of plants and animal species, to the Lipad Waterfall, where you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural pool. There's still more wildlife to come with a wildlife drive in the late afternoon, where - if you're lucky - you might catch a glimpse of the Borneo Pygmy Elephant or the Tembadau, the two largest mammals found in Sabah. Tabin Wildlife Reserve is also home to nine species of primate and three species of cat, all of which are on the protected wildlife list, and in the evening you'll take a night walk in search of sleeping birds, frogs, and insects.

Included meals: Two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners

Days Eleven and Twelve - Kota Kinabalu

Spend a leisurely morning before flying back to Kota Kinabalu for a final night on tour, enjoying some free time to explore. On day twelve, the tour concludes, and you can depart at your convenience.

Included meals: Two breakfasts, and one lunch (on day eleven)

Various Dates Available

Flights and any pre- or post- tour accommodation can be arranged by our travel specialists

Contact one of our dedicated travel specialists today to enquire about this holiday

01234 326 778

Or pop in to our Bedford store to talk to us about this holiday face-to-face

*No single supplement - based on sharing accommodation with a member of the same sex. However if you require or prefer a room of your own, please note that a small surcharge will apply

**Itinerary is subject to change, as on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations.