Itinerary

Day 1:  Depart USA
Board your international flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Day 2:  En route

Day 3: Arrive Kuala Lumpur / Kuching, Malaysia
Upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur, connect to your onward flight to Kuching on the edge of adventure. Your local representative welcomes you and escorts you to your hotel, located in the heart of the city overlooking Sarawalk River. Balance of the day is at leisure. Hilton Kuching
 
Day 4:  Kuching 
Discover this former colonial city on a guided tour. Kuching is capital of Sarawalk, Malaysia’s largest state. Sarawak Museum is a treasure of artifacts relating to the island’s cultural and archaeological past. Stroll India Street. Its busy shops and businesses attest to the arrival Indian and other traders who came in the 19th century in search of spices.  Along the waterfront, you spot the majestic Astana, former palace of the White Rajah (Englishman James Brooke), now residence of Sarawalk’s governor. You can opt for a cruise along the river in one of the traditional sampans. Return to the hotel in late afternoon. Hilton Kuching ( B )

Day 5:  Kuching / Batang Ai 
This morning, you are driven to Batang Ai traveling through Serian, a bustling agricultural trading town. Enjoy lunch at Lachau after which you go to Hilton Batang Ai jetty.  Travel by ferry to Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, on Batang Ai lake with architecture similar to a longhouse. This afternoon  enjoy the resort facilities. Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse  (B,L)

Day 6:  Batang Ai / Kuching
Venture to Iban Longhouse, then take a boat into the interior of Batang Ai National Park to meet the once infamous headhunters of Borneo – Ibans, who settled along the major rivers. View an exhibit of their unique culture and  traditions. Iban men have intricate body tattoos. The park also has the largest concentration of wild orangutans.  Witness a cultural performance by longhouse maidens. Return to Kuching and check in to your hotel. Hilton Kuching (B,L)

Day 7: Kuching / Mulu National Park
Fly to Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 128,000 acres of primary forest is dominated by three mountains and towering limestone pinnacles. Here, too, are record-setting caves. Thousands of caves are home to an amazing variety of fauna and flora. Upon arrival, guide greets you and takes you to park headquarters, where you venture out on a two-mile walk through magical primeval lowland forest to two caves, Lang and Deer.  Lang Cave has wonderful natural formations while Deer Cave is home to millions of bats. Return to headquarters and transfer to your hotel. Royal Mulu Resort (B)

Day 8: Mulu National Park / Kota Kinabalu
Today, set out to explore more caves via boat along the Melinau River. Wind Cave contains the “King’s Chamber,” with tall, slender stalagmites and stalactites. Clearwater Cave has the longest underground water system in Southeast Asia, 106 km. After lunch and a refreshing swim, continue down river to Mulu airport to catch your flight to Kota Kinabalu. The representative escorts you to your hotel. Shangri-La Tanjung Aru (B,L)

Day 9:  Kota Kinabalu, Sabah 
Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah. This morning, you tour the museum, busy Filipino Market, State Mosque and a temple. The afternoon is free to enjoy the beach right in front of your lovely hotel. Shangri-La Tanjung Aru (B)

Day 10:  Mt. Kinabalu
Following breakfast, explore Mt. Kinabalu National Park, another World Heritage Site, home to an impressive collection of wild orchids and insect-eating pitcher plants. After lunch, walk among native birds along canopy the boardwalk 120 feet above ground. Visit Poring Hot Spring, a delightful natural spa. Shangri-La Tanjung Aru (B,L)

Day 11:  Kota Kinabalu / Sukau 
After breakfast, you are taken to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for your flight to Sandakan, the center of wildlife for Sabah. Here, you encounter orangutans at Sepilok Orang Utan Centre. Watch morning feeding time and perhaps a close encounter with the largest of primates. After lunch, you travel to Sukau, on Upper Kinabatangan River where you check-in to your lodge, a nature wildlife resort. In late afternoon, a boat cruise on Kinabatangan and Menanggul rivers searches for wildlife including wild boar, macaques, Proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and maybe  a rare glimpse of elephants in their natural habitat. Proboscis Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 12: Sukau
Today’s boat safari takes you to Ox-Bow Lake in search of wildlife including an abundance of bird life . Return to our lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will depart on a second route in your boat excursion in search of primates. Return to your lodge late evening. Probiscis Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 13:  Sandakan / Kuala Lumpur 
Following breakfast, return to Sandakan and transfer to the airport for your flight to Kuala Lumpur. On arrival, representative greets you and escorts you to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. The Westin (B)
 
Day 14:  Kuala Lumpur / USA 
Complete your amazing adventure as you board your flight for home.  (B)

12/08