Sabah And Sarawak Run A Round (13 days/12 nights)

Arrive at Kota Kinabalu Airport, transfer to the hotel for check in. Free at leisure.

Start to visit Mengkabong Village - a village built on water, is 45 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu. You can see the thatched roof houses built on stilts and connected by narrow, wooden planks, rising out of the river are a remarkable sight to be hold. Set amidst mangrove forests, this Bajau Village gives visitors a very good insight into the lifestyle of a fishing village. Have morning coffee with a Bajau family and explore the village. Stay overnight at hotel.

Depart early morning for a 3 hours drive to Poring Hot Spring, calling in at villages where native crafts can be purchased. Explore the many jungle trails and observe wildlife from the canopy walkway 100 feet above the forest floor. Proceed to Kinabalu Park after lunch. There, you will view a slide presentation and visit the mountain garden to explore the unique and endemic plant life found in Kinabalu Park. Return to hotel in the late afternoon.

After breakfast, we will transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport and fly out to Sandakan. Upon arrival in Sandakan, we will proceed overland to Gomantong Caves (1/2 hours). Then, spend the morning exploring the caves before continuing to Sukau (1 hr) for lunch. In the afternoon, go on a river cruise in search of proboscis monkeys, birds and other wildlife.

Depart from Sukau and transfer overland to the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary in time for the feeding of the Orang Utans and see a video presentation on the Orang Utan's rehabilitation programm. Return to Sandakan for lunch and a city tour.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Kota Kinabalu (suggested flight: MH2043 etd 0820/0905hrs) then, connect to Miri (on MH2865 etd 1050/1145hrs) and on to Mulu in the afternoon. A short flight from Miri takes one deep into the heart of Gunung Mulu National Park. About 5 million years ago, the uplifting and folding of the ancient sea floor created impressive limestone mountains. The erosive forces of nature have created an eerie array of pinnacles rising above the forest floor and an extensive system of caverns. Wildlife viewing is fascinating with eight species of hornbills, hundreds species of butterflies and the wonderful early evening spectacle of a twisting black cloud of bats leaving the cave entrance. The vegetation is as impressive as the caves and wildlife. The flora includes over 1,500 species of flowering plants, including 170 species of orchids and ten species of pitcher plants. Upon arrival in Mulu, transfer to Royal Mulu Resort for checking in.

Following breakfast, proceed upriver by longboat to Wind Cave with its impressive "King's Chamber". Here, stalactites and stalagmites with delicate lace-like patterns are found. A short walk along a plank walk suspended to the limestone cliff leads to Clearwater Cave. Like most caves in Mulu, Clearwater Cave is the habitat of unique species of plants. One of them, the one-leafed plant can only be found at Mulu, rare species of orchids and pitcher plants can be seen in many locations and photo-sensitive algae grows on certain rocks and have produced needle like formations that point towards the source of lights. Clearwater Cave has a wonderful swimming area shaded by giant rainforest trees. Have a picnic lunch around the clear pool of water emanating from the so named Clearwater Cave.

Have breakfast at the resort. Then, transfer to the airport for the flight to Kuching via Miri. Upon arrival in Kuching, transfer to hotel for checking in.

Take a 35 minutes drive to Bako Village. From the village, take a 25 minutes boat ride to the park. Have the time in the park, touch to nature. Return to Kuching in the late afternoon.

After breakfast, board coaches for Semenggoh. Located a short drive from the centre of Kuching, Semenggoh provides a unique opportunity for visitors to observe Orang Utans, sun bears, hornbills, gibbon monkeys, the elusive pangolin and other animals from the local forests. The baby orang utans roam wild and return each morning and afternoon to specially designed feeding stations. Serian, about 45 minutes from Semenggoh, typical of many rural Sarawak towns is picturesque and compact. Along the high street are the Chinese variety shops and the upriver agents with agricultural produce of local pepper and cocoa. Along the journey, there will be intermittent stops to visit a pepper garden and to view spectacular flora - rare orchids and 4 species of the carnivorous pitcher plant in an area of 10 square metres. Lunch will be served at a local coffee shop en route. Upon arrival at the Batang Ai reservoir, proceed by boat to a Resort. The evening is at your leisure.

Breakfast at the resort. Then, we proceed upriver to one of the culturally active Iban longhouses in the region. The half hour journey is done on long boats with an Iban boatmen. These river-worthy boats handcrafted by the Ibans are ideal vehicles for taking us into an Iban village where life has changed little in the last hundred years. Spend some time to discover the terrain with your guide and lunch will be provided. Return to the Resort in the late afternoon. This evening is at your leisure.

After breakfast, depart for the jetty to cross the lake by boat (1/2 hour). Overland to Kuching, discover the charms of this riverine city established by Sir James Brooke- the first White Rajah of Sarawak. See buildings dating back to the days of the White Rajahs, ancient Chinese temples and colorful markets displaying the produce that first brought traders to Borneo. A visit to Kuching will not be complete without making a stop at the Sarawak Museum. Completed in 1891, the museum has an excellent collection of Bornean ethnological and archaeological artifacts and is reputed to be the best in South East Asia. Have lunch at a local restaurant.

Let's discover the charm of Kuching, shop for Bornean artifacts in one of the shops, wander the old streets of Kuching. Free at leisure till departure transfer.