Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
Tour Name: BUDGET SAFARI
Duration: 12 Days 11 Nights
Tour Code: EN SB 2C
Day 1
Arrive Kota Kinabalu International Airport, meet and transfer to Borneo Backpackers.
Rest of day at own leisure to explore city centre. Overnight at Borneo Backpackers.
Day 2
Free at own leisure or take a 20 minutes boat ride to nearby island for sunbathing and snorkeling.
Overnight at Borneo Backpackers. (B)
Day 3
Travel 1¼ hours North across the Crocker Range to the land of the Bajaus at Kota Belud. Visit the colourful local market and buffalo market (Sunday only). Continue north to the very ‘Tip of Borneo’. Walk down to the outcrop where the South China Sea and Sulu Sea collide. Then proceed to a local beach for a relaxing swim in crystal clear water before check in at a longhouse.
Witness life inside the longhouse and mingle with ladies in traditional sarongs and foot-long bracelets. Observe how they adapt to the change of time. Dinner followed by a Rungus cultural dance. Overnight in twin bed room in a longhouse. Mattress and mosquito net are provided. (BD)
Day 4
Wake up to the calls of roosters and tranquility of the village. After breakfast, visit a local village and observe the making of traditional gongs. Also visit a traditional longhouse village before we continue our drive to Kinabalu Park Headquater at Kundasang. Visit the Visitor Centre and Mountain Garden; home to some of the 24 species of flowering rhododendrons, 10 species of carnivorous pitcher plants, estimated 1,400 species of orchids, over 600 species of ferns, more than 40 species of oak trees and over 300 species of birds. Take a guided walk on one of the trails in the cool surrounding of the montane forest. Overnight at dormitory hostel. (B)
Day 5
Proceed to Poring (45km), 450m, above sea level, east of Kinabalu Park HQ. Vegetation here is tropical lowland rainforest. Explore the jungle trail leading up to the treetop canopy walkways, 41m above the forest floor. Visit Kipungit Waterfall and soak in hot sulphur pools. Overnight at dormitory hostel.
Day 6
Transfer to nearby bus station. Board a public bus for approximately 5 hours journey to Sepilok. Overnight at Sepilok Jungle Resort.
Day 7
Proceed to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden plank walks to witness the feeding of the orang utans at 10am and video show. Continue to Sandakan jetty for an estimated 2 hours boat journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlifes in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. Late afternoon take a two hours river cruise using electric motor in search of some of the 10 primate species including Proboscis monkeys as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River. Return for solar heated hot shower, candle light dinner and slide show conducted by naturalist guide. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)
Day 8
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. A 6.00 am morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to view more birds and wildlifes. Proceed to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk (if weather permits). Experience the wilderness of Borneo. You have the option to participate in our conservation project by planting trees at our 64 acres adopted land. After breakfast, transfer by boat to Sukau Village for a short tour including a tea break. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. After dinner an optional (at a surcharge) night safari cruise spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)
Day 9
After breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat journey. Lunch at Sandakan before proceed for a short tour of Sandakan town including water village, The Agnes Keith House (closed on Friday) and The Australian War Memorial. Transfer to airport for departure flight MH2065 etd 5.20pm. On arrival, transfer to Borneo Backpackers for overnight. (BL)
Day 10
Leave Kota Kinabalu for 1.5 hours journey to Beaufort and another 1.5 hours by train to Pangi. After suiting up and safety instructions by the guide, embark on a 2 hours exhilarating adventure shooting through rapids (Headhunter, Padas Cyclone, Cobra Rock, Roller Coaster, Jacuzzi Pool). In moments of respite, body raft down the river and soak in the tranquility of the virgin rainforest followed by a sumptuous lunch before we return. Overnight at Borneo Backpackers. (BL)
Bring along swim-suits, shoes with rubber soles, extra dry clothes and no valuables. Life jackets and helmets are provided. All participants are required to sign liability release.
Day 11
Free at own leisure. Overnight at Borneo Backpackers. (B)
Day 12
Departure transfer to airport for extension stay. (B)
Please bring along sun block lotion, personal toiletries, torch light, insect repellent, walking shoes, binoculars, hat & raincoat.
Tour Name: Borneo Escapade
Duration: 9 Days 8 Nights
Tour Code: EN SB 3B
Day 01
Arrive Kota Kinabalu, meet and transfer to hotel. Free at own leisure. Overnight at Hotel Shangri-la. (3 star category)
Day 02
Spend the day of sun, sea and sand on an offshore coral island. Transfer 20 minutes by boat from the jetty to Sapi Island for a day of relaxation and explore jungle trails on your own. Snorkel in crystal clear water among coral reefs and rainbow-coloured fishes before returning at 3pm. Overnight at Hotel Shangri-la.
(B/pack lunch)
Day 03
Drive 2 hours overland (88 km) through padi-fields and Dusun villages over the ridges of the Crocker Range to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 5,000 ft, to arrive at the park headquarters at Kundasang. Visit the Visitor Centre and Mountain Garden; home to some of the 24 species of flowering rhododendrons, 10 species of carnivorous pitcher plants, estimated 1,400 species of orchids, over 600 species of ferns, more than 40 species of oak trees and over 300 species of birds. Take a guided walk on one of the trails in the cool surrounding of the montane forest. Overnight at twin bedded room. (BLD)
Please bring along raincoat, good walking shoes, socks, towel, windbreaker, torchlight & waterproof gloves. English speaking company guide and porter available only on request at additional charge.
Day 04
Transfer to Timpohon Gate at 1,800m to start 4-6 hours trek with mountain guide to the overnight accommodation (dormitory style) with heater, common bathroom, hot water and restaurant at Laban Rata at 3,353m. Do not forget to look around for some of the flowers and pitcher plants along the trail. (BLD)
Day 05
Start ascent at 3 am to reach the summit at 4,095.2m for the sunrise at 6 am. After photography, return to Park HQ for lunch and transfer back to Kota Kinabalu. Overnight at Hotel Shangri-la. (BL)
Day 06
Transfer to airport for flight to Sandakan. On arrival at 0740hrs, proceed to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden plank walks to witness the feeding of the orang utans at 10am and video show. Continue to Sandakan jetty for an estimated 2 hours boat journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlifes in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. Late afternoon take a two hours river cruise using electric motor in search of some of the 10 primate species including Proboscis monkeys as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River. Return for solar heated hot shower, candle light dinner and slide show conducted by naturalist guide. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)
Sukau Rainforest Lodge (SRL)
Winners of British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow award 1997, Green Globe achievement awards 1996,98,2000, IH&RA Environment Award, Conde Nest Traveler Ecotourism award 1999, Sukau Rainforest Lodge, 20 rooms.
It was completed in 1995 and built in traditional Malaysian architecture using several Borneo hardwood species. It is built on stilts with a separate lounge, restaurant, open sun-deck, river jetty, an enclosed garden and two tree platforms. Electricity is supplied by solar panels/generator, and hot water by solar heaters. All rooms are twin bedded, with ceiling fan, mosquito netting, attached bathroom, hot shower and toilets. River tours are conducted by boats powered by electric motors.
Day 07
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. A 6.00 am morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to view more birds and wildlifes. Proceed to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk (if weather permits). Experience the wilderness of Borneo. You have the option to participate in our conservation project by planting trees at our 64 acres adopted land. After breakfast, transfer by boat to Sukau Village for a short tour including a tea break. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. After dinner an optional (at a surcharge) night safari cruise spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)
Day 08
After breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat journey. Lunch at Sandakan before proceed for a short tour of Sandakan town including water village, The Agnes Keith House and The Australian War Memorial. Transfer to airport for departure or check-in hotel. Overnight at Hotel Shangri-la. (4-star). (BL)
Day 09 Departure transfer to airport. (B)
