Special Borneo Journey
Featuring Red Ape Encounters!

13 Days / 9 Nights

In the northeast corner of the Island of Borneo, lies the Malaysian state of Sabah, also known as “The Land Below the Wind.”  Borneo, a rarely-visited destination offers a surprising array of wildlife, nature & cultures.  We visit Mount Kinabalu, the Sepilok Rehabilitation Center, Sukau, and the Kinabatangan River area.  A highlight of this Journey is a visit to the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, where we are allowed special access to the Orang-utan Study Site, hosted by Red Ape Encounters.  On this tour, we are likely to experience an unusual array of flora and wildlife, including birds, orangutans and other monkeys, elephants, bats; and much more!  The program ends with a relaxing visit to Lankayan Island.

Sample Group Itinerary 

Day 1  -  Depart USA
Today we depart the USA bound for Asia.

Day 2  -  (In Flight)

Day 3  -  Arrive Kota Kinabalu (Borneo)
Arrival today in Kota Kinabalu, on the island of Borneo, and the capital city of the Malaysian state of Sabah.  On arrival we are met and transferred to our beach resort, located just 10 minutes from the airport, and an equal distance from Kota Kinabalu.  The Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa features a private beach, seven restaurants and bars, and a wealth of enjoyable recreational opportunities.  The afternoon is at leisure to rest up after the lengthy trip.  This evening we’ll enjoy a special Welcome Dinner and a cultural performance.   Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.  (D)

Day 4  - Kota Kinabalu  -  Mount Kinabalu  -  Sepilok
After breakfast we depart on a 2-hour overland journey through rice paddies and across the scenic Crocker Range, to reach Kinabalu Park, located at the base of Mt. Kinabalu.  We stop at the Visitor Center and Mountain Garden, home to 24 species of flowering rhododendrons, 10 species of carnivorous pitcher plants, some 1,400 species of orchids, over 600 species of ferns, more than 40 species of oak trees, and over 300 species of birds.  We’ll have lunch before continuing another 4-5 hours, through rustic countryside and oil palm plantations, to reach the Sepilok Nature Resort.  We’ll have dinner, and then enjoy a night jungle walk.   Sepilok Nature Resort.  (B,L,D)

Day 5  -  Sepilok  -  Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre  -  Kinabatangan River Area
This morning we proceed to the nearby Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehab Center, in time for the morning feeding.  We’ll also have a presentation about the efforts the Sabah Wildlife Department is taking to rehabilitate Orang-utans for life in the wild.  After lunch, we’ll return for the afternoon feeding.  Then we drive two hours to reach the village of Sukau, where we board a boat for our lodge.  Kinabatangan Bukit Melapi Lodge, or similar.  (B,L,D)

 
Day 6  -  Kinabatangan River Area (Orang-utan Study Site & Night River Trip)
Early this morning we travel by boat to reach the Orang-utan Study Site, which is located in the Lower Kinabatangan Conservation Area.  By special arrangement with Red Ape Encounters, we are allowed a 4-hour access to the Study Site, which is normally restricted to scientists and researchers.  We’ll learn about the conservation efforts being made to save the Orang-utan, and meet with the local researchers.  Return to the lodge for lunch.  The afternoon is free to rest and relax.  After dinner we’ll go on a night cruise, searching for nocturnal creatures along the banks of the Kinabatangan River.  Kinabatangan Bukit Melapi Lodge, or similar.  (B,L,D)

Day 7  -  Kinabatangan River Area (Oxbow Lake, Sukau Village, Gomantong Cave)
At 6 AM, we depart by boat to visit an oxbow lake, a popular spot for birds and other wildlife, possibly including a wild orang-utan.  On our return to the lodge, we’ll have a guided jungle walk.  After lunch we’ll go by boat to the village of Sukau.  After visiting the town, we’ll proceed by land to Gomantong Cave, known for its colonies of swiftlets and bats.  Weather permitting, we’ll get to witness the daily flight of the bats as they exit the cave in search of bugs, before returning by land and river to our lodge.  Kinabatangan Bukit Melapi Lodge, or similar.  (B,L,D)

Day 8  -  Kinabatangan River Area
On this last day in the Kinabatangan River area, we’ll have breakfast, and then embark on a morning boat cruise along the Kinabatangan River, searching for proboscis monkeys, wild orang-utans, and other wildlife.  Return to the lodge for lunch.  In the late afternoon, we’ll go on a boat trip until sunset, to enjoy a last search for animal life.  Kinabatangan Bukit Melapi Lodge, or similar.   (BLD)

Day 9  -  Kinabatangan River Area – Lankayan Island
After an early breakfast, we depart to the town of Sandakan, where we’ll board a ferry destined for Lankayan Island.   A jewel-like, tiny island in the Sulu Sea, Lankayan has been declared part of an immense Marine Protected Area to adopt the eco-tourism concept.  Unpopulated and covered by thick tropical island vegetation on its topside, this peaceful, untouched little bit of paradise is ringed by an endless white sandy beach, offering simply elegant and exquisite accommodation in all 23 wooden, roomy and perfectly appointed seafront chalets.  Arrive in time for lunch.  The afternoon is free to begin exploring the island.   Lankayan Island Resort.  (B,L,D)

 

Day 10  -  Lankayan Island
The entire day is free to search for sea turtles on the beach, swim, or take advantage of some of the many opportunities to snorkel or scuba dive.  Lankayan Island Resort.  (B,L,D)

 
Day 11  - Lankayan Island – Sandakan – Kota Kinabalu
We bid farewell to Lankayan, as we take the 7 AM ferry back to Sandakan.  On arrival, we have a brief tour of the town of Sandakan, as well as lunch.  We proceed to the airport for a flight back to Kota Kinabalu.  On arrival in Kota Kinabalu, we are transferred back to the Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.  This evening we’ll enjoy a special Farewell Dinner.  Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.  (B,L,D)
 
Day 12  -  Kota Kinabalu  -  USA
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flights back to the U.S.  After an overnight trip, we arrive back in the U.S. the same evening.  After clearing U.S. Immigration and Customs formalities, we board our overnight flight back home.  (B and in-flight meals).

Day 13  -  Arrive Home.   
We arrive back at our hometown airport this morning, full of memories of the fauna, flora, and people of Borneo.

Included Meal Codes:
B  -  Breakfast
L  -  Lunch
D  -  Dinner.

Tour Price Will Include:
  -  Round-Trip Airfare from USA to Malaysia     
  -  All Transfers Airports/Hotels/Airports
  -  9 Nights Accommodation as described (or similar) with private facilities, based on double occupancy
  -  All meals as indicated 
  -  Services of a professional English speaking escort throughout from arrival to departure while in Malaysia 
  -  Tours, sightseeing and nature excursions as described in the itinerary, inclusive of applicable entrance fees 
  -  Applicable local and government taxes on accommodation and transportation.

Tour Price Will Not Include:
  -  Taxes, Fuel Surcharges, and other fees applicable to the airfare
  -  Tips to guides, drivers, and tour director
  -  Excess baggage fees
  -  Items of a personal nature, such as telephone calls, internet access fees, laundry, etc.
  -  Travel Insurance.

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