Travel from town to country on this sliver of a nation on the island of Borneo. Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, is Malaysia's largest state on the island, has a history as a southeast Asian maritime trading center. But this only hints at its modern development. With a diverse culture to match its diverse architecture, this capital city still has links to its past while maintaining a distinct southeast Asian tradition. Kuching is thought to mean 'cat' or 'harbor'. And it's easy to see why either word can apply. Sarawak's capital boasts the world's only museum completely dedicated to the feline simply called the Cat Museum. And water, water is everywhere the Sarawak River cuts the city in half and the South China Sea makes a gorgeous blue border. And it is to the water you'll go via the tropical countryside of Sarawak. Stop by some of the national parks where preservation of wildlife is of the utmost. From Bako to Batang Ai National Parks, make a journey through lush rainforest to see the rare proboscis monkey. Then, it's to the sea. Sipadan, is the place to be for some of the most amazing diving scapes in the world. Here, it's a glorious mixture of water and tropics, environmental conservation and under water exploration. Take it all in and when the time is right, come up for air.
DAY 1 | ARRIVAL IN KUCHING, SARAWAK
Arrive at Kuching airport for a meet and greet before the city tour. Kuching City, this riverside metropolis was established by Sir James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak. See buildings dating back to the age of the White Rajah--ancient Chinese temples and monuments, and colorful markets that give the city its bustle and trading tradition, dot the cityscape. Be sure to visit the Sarawak Museum. The museum holds a fabulous collection of Bornean ethnological and archaeological artifacts. Later, check into the Kuching Hilton Hotel.
DAY 2 | WILDLIFE IN BAKO NATIONAL PARK
Rise for an early departure to Bako National Park. Take a 35-minute drive to Bako Village then, a 25-minute boat ride to the park. Bako National Park, Sarawak’s oldest, is one of the best for wildlife viewing. Check in at the park chalets--simple accommodations with ensuite bathrooms…but no hot water. However, with fans and mosquito netting, your Bako park experience will be true to form. You’ll have the entire day to enjoy the lush, green surroundings. Take the jungle trails to the mangroves and swamps. Or, take a dip at sunset off one of the secluded beaches. Then, return to the park chalets in the evening. [B,L,D]
DAY 3 | MANGROVES THEN RETURN TO KUCHING
After breakfast, return to the forest. Hike to the mangrove forest for bird watching and to search for proboscis monkeys. Return to Kuching in the early afternoon. The schedule may depend on the tide. Return to a hot shower to cool you off and overnight at Kuching Hilton Hotel. [B,L,D]
DAY 4 | TRAVEL RURAL SARAWAK TO BATANG AI
Depart by bus or van for Batang Ai Reservoir. The five hour drive passes through rural Sarawak. The countryside is draped in pepper gardens, and cocoa and rubber plantations. En route, have lunch and make a few stops: the market in Serian with its colorful produce of edible ferns, bamboo shoots and unusual tropical fruit, a pepper garden and just plain-old stops to lap up the roadside wild orchids. At Batang Ai Reservoir, take a traditional longboat (it’s a long, skinny thing) for an hour’s cruise upriver to Nanga Sumpa. Then, unwind at Borneo Adventure Jungle Lodge with its traditional Malay longhouses. A longhouse is where several families--up to ten or more--live under one roof in separate rooms but with shared living and outdoor areas. The lodge has a similar layout with beds surrounded in mosquito netting. After dinner, head across the river to the longhouse to relax on the ruai--the common verandah. Spend time with the Iban people and learn about their culture and share in some local rice wine, as well. Return to the lodge for the night. [B,L,D]
DAY 5 | INTO THE JUNGLE AT BATANG AI
After breakfast, go deeper into the jungle along the river trails. Today’s destination--the scenic Enseluai Waterfall. There’s time to relax, swim the waterfall’s cool pool and explore the surrounding rainforest. Try your hand at fishing Iban-style--cast the weighted net wide and see what you get. Return to the lodge for a dinner of local delicacies like chicken cooked in bamboo with fresh herbs, jungle ferns and the catch of the day. Then, return to the lodge. After dinner, visit to the people of the longhouse. Ask to see the woven blankets and handicrafts. They may be purchased directly from the longhouse people. [B,L,D]
DAY 6 | TAKE THE LONGBOAT - BACK TO KUCHING
Following breakfast, depart by longboat downriver on a small river system to an open lake. The journey is a wash of colors: the blue-green water contrasts with the hovering tan branches of the Bakau tree, all framed by flora and fauna great and small. Proceed back to Kuching with lunch along the way. Check into the Kuching Hilton Hotel for your overnight stay. [B,L,D]
DAY 7 | TO KOTA KINABALU, GAYA ISLAND
In the morning, fly to Kota Kinabalu. A guide will greet you at the airport. Then, it’s off to Gaya Island, one of the outlying isles of Kota Kinabalu and a part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Marine Park. Tunku Park is made up of five islands: Mamukan, Mamutik, Sulug, Sapi and Gaya. With coral reefs galore and moody blue waters everywhere, swimming and diving will make your days here. Stay in the park at Gayana Island Eco-Resort, an eco-friendly place and the only resort on Gaya island. In private accommodations, take the nearby trails for an evening walk through the rainforest. [B,L,D]
DAY 8 | ON GAYA, GO UNDER--UNDER WATER, THAT IS
Today, chat with marine biologists at the research center developed by Gayana Island Eco-Resort. The center focuses on the restoration of the coral reef and the giant clam species in Sabah, Malaysia. The center takes great care to educate visitors on the environmental mission to restore the area’s underwater gems. Next, take a jungle nature walk. Then, take lunch on one of the adjacent islands. Go snorkeling to scout out the aquatic life just seen at the marine center. Dry off on the beautiful, sandy beaches of this island park then return to the resort in the evening. [B,L,D]
DAY 9 | SEPILOK ORANGUTAN SANCTUARY
Take the first morning flight to Sandakan. Then, head to the Sepilok Orangutan Santuary. There will be a video presentation on the rehabilitation of these creatures, sometimes called “the man of the forest.” Take lunch at the Sepilok Nature Resort. Next, head to Sukau--a two-hour journey through an oil palm plantation and local villages. Cruise up the Kinabatangan River to the Menanggul River in search of the proboscis monkey, birds and other tropical wildlife. Stay overnight at the Kinabatangan Rainforest Lodge, near the river bank. These are simple accommodations with mosquito netting on the windows, ceiling fans to keep you cool and attached bathrooms. [B,L,D]
DAY 10 | OX BOW LAKE, SANDAKAN CITY, KOTA KINABALU
In the wee hours of the morning, visit the Ox Bow Lake, teeming with bird life ready to start their day like you. After breakfast, leave Sukau for the drive to Sandakan. Take lunch and a city tour there. Transfer to the airport in the afternoon for the flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Check in at the Magellan Sutera Resort. Named after Ferdinand Magellan, the explorer of the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe, the hotel harks on nautical life. Its lobby is designed like a traditional longhouse and the restaurants offer local and international cuisine to suit any taste. [B,L,D]
DAY 11 | SIPADAN: DIVING, DIVING AND MORE DIVING
Considered one of the hottest dive destinations in the world, Sipadan attracts divers from far and wide. It’s richly populated reef and limestone wall rises almost 2,000 feet from the sea floor making this beautiful tropical setting a must for all dedicated divers. Then, leave Kota Kinabalu for the airport and the flight to Tawau. In Tawau, it’s a two hour drive to Semporna then a boat ride to Sipadan Island. Check in at the bungalows. Next, there’s an orientation dive with a dive master and the first dive of the day--if time allows. Stay overnight in the bungalow. There is a very strict limit imposed on overnight accommodation on the island because of the impact it has on the environment. Take your meals here and refresh yourself with the unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. [B,L,D]
DAY 12 | DAY OF AQUATIC SUBMERSION
Spend the entire day being a water baby. It’s fun in the sun under the deep, blue seas of the islands. Relax and take in everything--from the sun to the shore. Return to the bungalow in the evening. [B,L,D]
DAY 13 | RETURN TO THE MAINLAND
Take your leave of Sipadan and return to Semporna by boat. Next, there’s a drive to Tawau. From Tawai, fly to Kota Kinabalu and check in at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria beachside resort for a little “R & R.” Return from Sipadan to Semporna by boat. Travel overland to Tawau. From Tawai, fly to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, transfer to the Shangri-La Rasa Ria beachside resort. The Rasa Ria is of international resort standard, offering high quality accommodations, numerous amenities, restaurants and bars. [B,L,D]
DAY 14 | DEPART BORNEO
Transfer to the airport, only a ten minute drive away for the flight home. [B]
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