Day 1 Arrive in Seoul

Arrive in Seoul / Incheon, South Korea and transfer to our hotel. Seoul is a city of contrasts. In this rapidly evolving metropolis, the traditional exists with the modern in a state of harmony. For over 500 years the seat of Joseon Dynasty kings, Seoul is now the beating heart of modern Korea, the centre to which all else in the country is drawn. Overnight in Seoul. Dinner if required.

Day 2 Seoul: City Tour

Today you will have a city tour of Seoul, including the Blue House (Presidential Residence, photo stop outside), the National Folk Museum, and Gyeongbokgung Palace. Of all the tourist attractions in Seoul, the Joseon Dynasty Palaces and, particularly Kyongbuk Palace, are the most tangible link between modern Korea and its not-too-distant monarchical past. Not merely inert relics, they are symbols of a deep history and rich culture. Although substantially reduced in number, the remaining palace buildings provide a glimpse of traditional architecture and the overall organization of a palace grounds. General Yi Seong-gye (King T'aejo) ordered the construction of Gyeongbokgung-gung ("Palace of Shining Happiness") in 1934, two years after founding the Joseon Dynasty. In its original form, it is said to have had about 500 buildings. For the next 200 years, Gyeongbokgung-gung was the seat of government and the royal residence of Joseon Dynasty kings. This afternoon we visit the Korean Folk Village where the old traditional style houses and life style of 18th-19th century are being practiced by people living in the village. Overnight in Seoul. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 3 Seoul - Mt Seorak

We continue to Mt Seorak through the picturesque countryside to the vicinity of Seoraksan National Park, with its towering craggy peaks, waterfalls, forests, hiking trails, mysterious temples, and remote hermitages. Upon arrival in Mt Seorak you will have the afternoon to relax with outdoor and indoor hot spring pools and sauna. Overnight Mt Seorak. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 4 Mt Seorak Area

We depart for Mt Seorak National Park where we take a cable car to one of the peaks for panoramic views of Mountain Seorak. Seoraksan's aerial tramway runs 1100 metres (3,608 feet) from the valley floor to the ridge above. The 5-minute ride offers a bird's-eye view of the Outer Seorak area. About 100 metres below the upper cable car terminus is the tiny hermitage of Allak-am. This religious site sits precariously on the edge of a precipice. On the sides of its main hall, colourful paintings depict scenes from Buddha's life and other familiar topics. We later proceed to Sinheungsa Temple. A short, easy stroll from the park plaza brings you to Sinheungsa ("Divine Undertaking Temple"), the principal temple of Seoraksan. At the junction of two major valleys below high peaks, this small compound has one of the most spectacular settings of any temple in Korea. It was established in 653 as Hyangseongsa Temple by the monk, Chajang. This afternoon we proceed to Goseong Unification Observatory located on the borderline with North Korea. Overnight in Mt Seorak. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 5 Mt Seorak - Haeinsa

Our tour continues to Haeinsa Temple, one of the most important Buddhist treasures in Korea. Haeinsa Temple features the famous Korean cultural treasure, Tripikata Koreana, built during the Goryeo Dynasty to protect the country from the invasion of Mongolian troops. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tripitakana Koreana consists of over 80,000 pieces of inscribed wooden plates carved during the Goryeo Dynasty. It took more than 15 years to complete this incredible work. Overnight in Haeinsa. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 6 Haeinsa - Gyeongju

Today we take a very scenic drive down to Gyeongju passing tiny fishing villages. Gyeongju is Korea's ancient cultural city, the capital of the once great Silla Kingdom. It is to Korea what Kyoto is to Japan. During its 1979 meeting in Thailand, UNESCO selected Gyeongju as one of the world's most important ancient cultural cities, both for its position in the historical and cultural development of East Asia and for its role in the formation of the Korean nation. Around Gyeongju there are hundreds of royal tombs, temples, palace sites, fortress ruins, pagodas and rock sculptures. Finely crafted gold and silver ornaments, skillfully shaped clay figures and pottery, metal utensils and weapons and an astonishing number of other objects discovered here are now displayed in the Kyongju museum which we visit. We also observe scraps of Silla Literature and the legends that are preserved in ancient books and annals. Overnight in Gyeongju. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 7 Gyeongju: Area Tour

We will spend a whole day sightseeing in Gyeongju with visits to Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Tumuli Park-Royal Tombs. While many important sites are scattered in the vicinity, Gyeongju, as the heart of the former Silla Kingdom, still has the largest concentration of remains. Mounded tombs, the most obvious remnant of the city's past, dominate your view as you approach this historic city. Many of the early tombs were constructed near the Banwolseong Palace site-- then undoubtedly the city centre but now at the edge of downtown. Later others were constructed outside the city, in the midst of flat farming fields and at the foot of the low hills that rim this valley. Over the centuries these mounds have, by and large, been left un-plundered. Some informal excavation was done in the early 1900's, but the first government-sponsored excavations were authorized by the Japanese during the occupation. Overnight in Gyeongju. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 8 Gyeongju - Busan

Our journey continues to Korea's second largest city, Busan (formerly Pusan). The city's name derives from two place names: Suwon, which means "water source" -- the land depression that the city occupies was for centuries known for its clear-water wells. High above the city rises P'aldal-san, a tall hill at its height of beauty in the spring, with its slopes awash with the colour of pink cherry blossoms. In the late 1600's the military established a garrison here as one of the five principal fortifications set up to protect the approaches to Seoul. Intending to move the official capital from Seoul to Suwon, King Chongjo the 22nd Joseon Dynasty King, had the fortress wall constructed in 1794. Battlements and palace buildings were erected, but the king died before he could initiate the move. Although there were great plans for this city, they never had the opportunity to mature, as the decision was made to keep the capital at Seoul. Our tour continues with a visit to Kukje Market and Jagalchi Fish Market. Overnight in Busan. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 9 Busan, South Korea - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Today we fly to Kuala Lumpur (probably via Seoul / Incheon). Overnight in Kuala Lumpur. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 10 Kuala Lumpur: City Tour

Despite rapid development, Kuala Lumpur has managed to retain her charm, with a skyline that blends the Old World with the New. We start the day with a visit to the Menara Kuala Lumpur that offers a birds-eye view of the entire city and its surrounds. We will see the contrast of the distinctive Indo-Moorish architecture and the ultra modern edifices, the Petronas Twin Towers -- tallest in the world. Later we drive past the elegant Jamek Mosque, which occupies the symbolic birthplace of Kuala Lumpur and the bustling Chinatown at Petaling Street before a photo stop at the majestic Royal Palace. After lunch we visit the National Museum where historical Malaysian artifacts and replicas among others are on display. Time permitting we will take a stroll at the beautiful Lake Gardens located within the vicinity of National Monument and Merdeka Square. Overnight in Kuala Lumpur. Breakfast and dinner

Day 11 Kuala Lumpur - Malacca - Kuala Lumpur

We depart after breakfast for a visit to the historic town of Malacca, founded by a fleeing prince from Sumatra in 14th century. Later it developed into a major trading port for ships from India and China. From its early days as a traders meeting point to the successive colonial occupation by the Portuguese, Dutch, English and Japanese, each culture left behind its mark or monument creating a historical showcase. Today you will find many remnants of the mixed history of this city dating back more than 500 years. The oldest established town in Malaysia, Malacca is particularly famous for its Town Square and surrounding monuments. Our tour visits the red coloured Stadhuys, Cheng Hoon Teng, the oldest Chinese temple on the Malay peninsula, the Portuguese fortress Porta de Santiago built in 1511 and St Paul's Church where St Francis Xavier was buried. Malacca is well-known for its eclectic food. Most notable of all is the Nyonya-Baba cuisine which is a mixture of Chinese (mostly southern Hokkien or Fujian influence), Portuguese, Dutch, Indian, British and Malay cooking with most dishes being spicy in nature. Overnight in Kuala Lumpur. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 12 Kuala Lumpur - Kuching

Today we fly to Kuching ("cat" in the Malay language), the capital city of Sarawak, the biggest state in Malaysia and the largest city on Borneo. Borneo. Upon arrival we will transfer to our hotel. This afternoon we travel to the foothills of legendary Mount Santubong, 35 km / 22 mi away from Kuching by road, passing pepper gardens, cocoa and rubber plantations, to the location of Sarawak's fascinating cultural showcase, the award winning "Sarawak Cultural Village". This living museum depicts the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak and conveniently portrays the respective lifestyle amidst 14 acres of equatorial vegetation. Here it is possible to see Sarawak's ethnic diversity at a glance. We end the day at the Kuching waterfront. The river is important as a transport link in the past, is still a central feature of the city with a beautifully landscaped waterfront promenade providing a superb and relaxing venue for strolls any time of the day. Overnight in Kuching. Breakfast and dinner

Day 13 Kuching: City Tour - Miri

This morning we embark on a tour of Kuching. Arguably one of the most attractive cities in Southeast Asia, Kuching has adapted modern amenities without losing its old trading centre charm. Once the home of the Rajahs Brooke, their legacy is evident in the old buildings still in use today. Included on our tour: the Cat Monument, Sarawak's oldest Tua Pek Kong Taoist Temple, the Civic Center, the award winning Catholic Cathedral, and the the multi-purpose market where tin smiths, rattan workers, coffin makers, Chinese herbalists and gold smiths ply their specialised trades in a setting little changed from the 19th century. A highlight of the day is a visit to the renowned Sarawak Museum, one of the finest in Asia, with its wonderful collection of Borneo artifacts. This afternoon, we fly to Miri located in Northern Sarawak of Borneo island. Miri City is the gateway to Borneo and is also adjacent to the neighboring country of Brunei. Upon arrival we will drive up to Canada Hill overlooking the town to visit the 'Grand Old Lady', the first oil well dug in Malaysia. Built in the year 1910 by Anglo-Saxon Petroleum (now the Royal Dutch Shell Group of Companies), this oil well worked faithfully for SHELL for 62 years and outlived many of the other 624 wells in the Miri area known as the Miri Land Field. Altogether the Grand Old Lady produced some 660,000 barrels of oil. It has now been protected as a National Historical Monument. Overnight in Miri. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 14 Miri - Niah National Park and the Grand Cave - Miri

This morning we drive 110 km to the world famous Niah National Park. Although one of Sarawak's smallest national parks, it is one of the most important and unusual with its main claim to fame being known as the birthplace of human civilization in the region. The oldest modern human remains in Southeast Asia along with many other relics of prehistoric man dating from 40,000 years ago were discovered here in 1958 making the park one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. After registration at the park headquarters, and a brief look at the information centre we take a short boat to cross the river to visit Niah Museum. After our museum visit we walk 3 km along a level boardwalk to the main cave entrance. The walk to the Grand Cave takes about 45 minutes and is fascinating in its own right as you pass close to giant Tapang trees (Koompassia excelsa) with their enormous buttressed roots, pandanus plants twice the size of a person and colourful orchids and tree fungi. In the Painted Cave you see the prehistoric wall drawing as well as the preserved remains of stone age people dating back 40,000 years. The Great Cave as the name suggests, is an enormous cavern surrounded by dense primary rainforest. The Great cave is not only important archaeological site, where it was inhabited by man for 40,000 years, but the cave is also full bats and birds, especially the Black-nest Swiftlets. Return to Miri. Overnight in Miri. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 15 Miri, Malaysia - Brunei Darussalam

A 2 hour long drive this morning takes us to Brunei is a small oil rich country just 443 km (277 miles) north of the equator in the northwest corner of Borneo, bounded on all landward sides by Sarawak (Malaysia) which splits Brunei into two parts. The landscape is mainly equatorial jungle cut by rivers. It is a heavily forested state and most human activity is restricted either to coastal areas or estuaries. Today our sightseeing tour will include the magnificent golden-domed Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. The mosque with its domes, mosaic patterns, surrounding gardens and imposing minarets plated with 24 carat gold, was built to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the King's reign. In the afternoon we will take a cruise to visit the Kampung Ayer water village, said to be the largest water village in the world. This village has been in continuous habitation since 1521. Here we will witness a traditional way of life, with stilt houses built over the Brunei River (though today most of the inhabitants enjoy modern facilities). Our tour of the city today will also include a view of the spectacular Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and a visit to one of the local markets. Overnight in Brunei. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 16 Brunei Darussalam - Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

We have most of the day in Brunei to continue with our sightseeing tour. Today we visit to the Royal Regalia Building, with its amazing array of chariots, weapons, crowns, thrones and other paraphernalia. We will also see the unique and priceless collections contained within the Brunei Museum. There will be a chance for a photo opportunity of the magnificent Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan's Royal Palace for his first wife, and also the largest residential palace in the world. We fly to Kota Kinabalu, the main city in the Malaysian state of Sabah later this afternoon. Time permitting, upon arrival we will drive to Signal Hill for a bird's eye view of the city and the nearby five offshore islands. Overnight in Kota Kinabalu. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 17 Kota Kinabalu - Mt Kinabalu - Poring - Kota Kinabalu

Today we drive through paddy-fields and Dusun villages, over the ridges of the Crocker Range to the foothills of the 1500 m / 5,000 foot high Mt. Kinabalu. We arrive at the park headquarters at the Kundasang Visitor Centre and Mountain Garden, home to some of the 24 species of flowering rhododendrons, 10 species of carnivorous pitcher plants, an estimated 1,400 species of orchids, over 600 species of ferns, and more than 40 species of oak trees and over 300 species of birds. We continue 40 km / 25 mi journey to Poring where we explore tropical rainforest on a treetop canopy walkway suspended 41 m / 135 ft above the forest floor. After our visit we return to Kota Kinabalu. Overnight in Kota Kinabalu. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 18 Kota Kinabalu Area

We have a brief city sightseeing drive tour in the morning including a visit to the excellent State Museum followed by an easy day by the sea to relax under the coconut palms and savour the ocean breezes coming off the deep blue South China sea. A perfect way to wind down after hectic days of travelling. Overnight in Kota Kinabalu. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 19 Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan - Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary - Sukau

A short flight takes us to Sandakan from where we transfer to Sepilok, the largest orangutan sanctuary in the world. Here you can see adolescents, adults, and babies in their natural habitat: the tropical rainforest. During the morning feeding, we witness orangutans converge on the platform for a meal of bananas and sugarcane. Continue to Sandakan jetty for a boat journey along Sabah's longest river, the Kinabatangan, to Sukau Rainforest Lodge. This is an opportunity to see birds and wildlife in the mangrove forest, wetland and rainforest habitats. In the late afternoon, we take a river cruise using electric motor in search of wild proboscis monkeys as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 20 Oxbow Lakes & Sukau

Today we wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. Early this morning we have a river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to view more birds and wildlife. We proceed to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk along the lake while searching for more wildlife. In the afternoon we embark on another river cruise hoping to see more wildlife. After dinner there is an optional night cruise for spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 21 Sukau - Gomantong Caves - Sandakan - Kuala Lumpur

This morning we transfer to Sukau by boat and travel overland to Gomantong Caves. We will trek 20 minutes through the forest to the caves where our guide will brief you on the cave fauna and their contribution to maintaining a balanced ecology and significant to local economy. We continue to Sandakan for lunch (included today) and transfer to airport for our flight back to Kuala Lumpur. Overnight in Kuala Lumpur. Breakfast and lunch.

Day 22 Departure

Today we transfer to KL International Airport to connect with your flight home. Breakfast. SELAMAT JALAN! 

9/09