Borneo: The Rainforest Land!
The island of Borneo in South-East Asia is one of the most unique and bio-diverse places on the planet. It is the third-largest island in the world a
Highlights
The island of Borneo in South-East Asia is one of the most unique and bio-diverse places on the planet. It is the third-largest island in the world and the second-largest island in Asia. Borneo is home to one of the oldest rain forests in the world. Also the home to thousands of plant and animal species, the evolution of the island and it's inhabitants has provided the world with countless unique plants and animals that can be found no-where else in the world. From dense tropical rain forest, to salty mangroves and cave systems that span miles under the ground's surface the third largest island in the world is without doubt one of the most special places on Earth and is unsurprisingly one of the top destinations for conservationists and animal lovers from all around the world, along with travelers wanting to experience the sheer variety of beauty in all it's forms.Many of it's regions, although protected, are today under continued threat due to deforestation to make way for the ever-increasing palm oil industry, along with logging of the ancient trees for the global tropical timber industry and for the expansion of the growing human settlements throughout the island, meaning that this incredibly special place is becoming more threatened and species rarer on a daily basis.
Itinerary
On arrival at Kota Kinabalu airport,transfer to hotel for drop off. Take a rest before your evening tour starts. At 1800hrs, start your tour with a brief sunset tour covering Signal Hill overlooking the city centre, Atkinson Clock Tower and Gaya Island. Visit the night market to bargain for the wide array of local spices, souvenirs, fruits and vegetables. Enjoy a scrumptious dinner before we return to hotel. Stay overnight at Dreamtel hotel – Superior room. (D)
Check out your hotel transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for your flight to Sandakan. Upon arrival at Sandakan airport, meet up and proceed to Labuk Bay Proboscis Sanctuary. We will trek to witness the feeding of the elusive Proboscis Monkeys and silver leaf langurs at the sanctuary. Transfer to Four Points by Sheraton Hotel for overnight stay – Deluxe Sunrise View room. (B/L/D).
Meet up at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, transfer to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. We proceed to watch a video show about the plight of the Orang Utans and the rehabilitation efforts ongoing at the Centre. Walk ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orang utans at 1000hrs, and then we continue to the newly completed enclosed nursery area for young orang utans. Thereafter visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about conservation of the world’s smallest bear. After lunch, transfer to Sandakan jetty for 21⁄2 hours boat journey to the multi awards winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife. Take an afternoon river cruise in search of wildlife and birds using a boat with hybrid system of outboard and electric motor (depending on river current). Enjoy candle light dinner overlooking the riverbank followed by slide presentation and interpretation by naturalist guide. Stay overnight at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge– Villa room. (B/L/D).
Take a 0600hrs morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap oxbow lake to view more birds and wildlife. After breakfast, proceed for an educational tour along the lodge’s Hornbill Boardwalk with our in-house naturalist. After lunch, join our in house Orang Utan Talk activity. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. Stay overnight at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge – Villa room. (B/L/D)
Take an early Morning River cruise along the Menanggol River by silent electric motor in search of wildlife. In the late afternoon, proceed 27 km overland journey to the vicinity of Gomantong Cave. Traverse to the Gomantong Caves on a 15 minute boardwalk trail through the rainforest, and we might able to sight the “Man of the jungle”. Witness the exodus of over two million bats as well as raptors. Return to Sukau Rainforest Lodge for overnight stay – Villa room. (B/L/D)
After breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat journey. Visit Rainforest Discovery Centre. Take a bird view of the centre from the canopy walk and hanging bridge, explore the botanical garden, home to various species of flora. Proceed to Sandakan Memorial Park for a short visit before taking the flight to Kota Kinabalu and further flight t Mumbai. (B/L)