Orangutans & Longhouses

Day 1- Depart London Heathrow for Kuala Lumpur.

Depart London Heathrow in the morning by Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur (12 hours 20 minutes).

Day 2- Connect with flight to Kuching. Rest of day at leisure.

In Kuala Lumpur connect with the onward flight to Kuching (1 hour 45 minutes), capital of the state of Sarawak. Arrive in the morning and transfer to the Hilton Kuching (standard room). The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 3- Tour of Kuching.

Morning tour of Kuching. Discover the charms of this riverside 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 colourful 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 artefacts and is reputed to be the best in South East Asia. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 4- Travel to Batang Ai National Park.

Travel into the interior for a two night stay in the rainforest at the Batang Ai Longhouse Resort by Hilton in Batang Ai National Park (275km/4-5 hours approximately). En route a few stops will be made including the colourful native market in Serian town where a variety of jungle produce such as edible ferns, bamboo shoots and unusual tropical fruits are on display. Visit a pepper garden and stop to view wild orchids and several species of pitcher plants. Lunch will be taken en route. Arrive at Batang Ai National Park (standard room) in the afternoon where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 5- Visit to an Iban longhouse.

The highlight of your visit to Sarawak is a full day visit to an Iban longhouse, reached by boat on a memorable river journey through the rainforest. The Iban tribes have lived in the rainforest for thousands of years and their forest lore, religion and superstitions are deeply entrenched in daily life, little changed by the passing centuries. Depart Batang Ai Resort by longboat early morning and ride across Batang Ai Lake (approximately 1 hour) into the Ai River. Before long you will be shooting up choppy rapids towards Batang Ai National Park Headquarters where you will meet your park ranger. Spend 2 to 3 hours on one of the National Park trails in search of wildlife. A picnic lunch will be taken on the way. The park is home of the Orang-utans & gibbons, hornbills and other great birds some of which you will hopefully spot. Retrace your journey back to the Batang Ai Resort.

Day 6- Return to Kuching.

Return to Kuching by road (275km/4-5 hours approximately). Lunch is taken en route. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at the Hilton Kuching (standard room).

Day 7- Fly to Mulu National Park. Visit Deer and Lang’s Cave.

Transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Miri (1 hour) and connect to the flight to Mulu (30 minutes), Sarawak's largest national park containing a wealth of flowering plants, fungi, mosses and ferns. From the Park HQ, take a scenic 3km plank walk through primary rainforest to the entrance of Deer Cave. Deer Cave has the world's largest cave entrance and is the largest single cave passage in the world - about 120 - 150 m in diameter - it can fit St. Paul’s' Cathedral under its massive archway! The cave has a moon-like landscape and from one vantage point, a perfect profile of President Lincoln can be observed. Most evenings at sundown, a spectacular exodus of about 2 million bats can be observed as they leave the cave in search of food. Next to Deer Cave is Lang’s Cave. The stalactites and stalagmites inside this cave are representative of the very best limestone formations in the park. Return to your hotel by torchlight. Two nights at the Royal Mulu Resort (deluxe room).

Day 8- River trip to Wind and Clearwater Cave.

In the morning, proceed by longboat upriver 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 grow on certain rocks and have produced needle-like formations that point towards the source of light. Clearwater Cave has a wonderful swimming area shaded by giant rainforest trees. Enjoy a simple picnic or packed lunch, swim, relax and explore the caves before returning to your lodge or hotel. Please note that entry in and out of the caves involves climbing a number of steps.

Day 9- Enjoy the Mulu Canopy Skywalk. Fly to Kota Kinabalu.

After breakfast depart to the Mulu National Park for a canopy walk. The Mulu Canopy Skywalk measure 480m long and is the longest tree-based walkway in the world. As you walk among the ferns and vines 15-20m above the forest floor and river you will enjoy this unique opportunity to get closer to the rainforest “web of life” and observe it from a new perspective (not suitable for anyone scared of heights!). Discover and observe a small part of the 8,000 species of flowering plants, 200 species of mammals, over 100 types of butterflies and at least 450 species of birds that reside in the park. Please note the canopy walk is only offered on a shared basis with a national park guide. Return to the hotel for lunch and later transfer to the airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu (2 hours) this afternoon. Stay at the Hyatt Regency (standard room) for 1 night.

Day 10- Fly to Sandakan and visit the nearby Sepilok orang-utan sanctuary.

Early flight to Sandakan (40 minutes), where you will visit the nearby Sepilok orang-utan sanctuary, one of the only places in the world where you can see these rare apes in their natural surroundings. After a 2 – 3 hour visit at the sanctuary during feeding time (please note that there is no guarantee the orang-utans will attend the feeding bays!) transfer to a jetty to take a boat excursion (1½ hours) in search of proboscis monkeys, birds and reptiles. Lunch is taken at a jungle restaurant before boarding your boat (approximately 1 hour) for the journey through mangroves to Sukau, where you stay at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge for two nights (standard room). Later this afternoon take a further excursion by boat up the Kinabatangan River to Menanggul River in search of proboscis monkeys, birds and wildlife.

Day 11- Boat ride to view native wildlife and bird watching.

Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary contains the highest concentration of proboscis monkeys in Malaysia. Other wildlife includes the long-tailed macaque, gibbon, Asian elephant and crocodile, and there is an amazing variety of birdlife. Early in the morning take a further boat for bird watching and viewing wildlife at the Ox Bow Lake. Take a short trek to the lush riverine forest along the lake before returning to your lodge for breakfast. Later proceed on foot to the Gomantong Caves, the largest bird nests cave in Sabah and famous for swift lets and their edible nests. In the afternoon venture on another river cruise along the Kinabatangan River before returning to the lodge at dusk. Please note that entry to the Gomantong Cave is subject to weather conditions and park authorities may close at their own discretion.

Day 12- Return by boat to Sandakan and fly to Kota Kinabalu.

Return by boat to Sandakan (approximately 2½ hours) in time for a brief city tour including the Sandakan Central Market. After lunch fly to Kota Kinabalu (45 minutes) where accommodation is at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort (standard room) for two nights

Day 13- Excursion to Kinabalu National Park.

A full day excursion to Kinabalu National Park, a paradise for naturalists and birdwatchers. Drive out of Kota Kinabulu in the early morning and make a stop at Nabulu village to savour local fruits and the opportunity to purchase some local handicraft if you wish. Continue by road to Poring Hot Springs where you will have the opportunity to observe wildlife on a canopy walkway 100 feet above the forest floor and take a dip in one of the soothing, steaming hot mineral springs set in beautifully landscaped gardens. Proceed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinabalu National Park. Your guide will show you the many species of orchids, pitcher plants, birds, insects and butterflies within the gardens. Return to Kota Kinabalu in the late afternoon.

Day 14- Return flight via Kuala Lumpur.

The day is at leisure. In the evening depart by Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur (2 hours 25 minutes) to Heathrow (13 hours 30 minutes). Please note on some dates the flight connections mean an early morning flight out of Kota Kinabalu via Kuala Lumpur to arrive in the UK the same evening of Day 14.

Day 15- Arrive in London Heathrow.

Arrive Heathrow in the morning.

The Kuching Hilton

Positioned along Kuching's spectacular riverfront promenade with panoramic views of the Sarawak River and Fort Margherita is the Kuching Hilton. This 315-room hotel is completely air-conditioned and offers good local cuisine and a selection of facilities including a swimming pool and tennis court. (www.hilton.com)

Batang Ai Longhouse Resort

The Batang Ai Longhouse Resort by Hilton is located on the shores of a spectacular fresh water lake, surrounded by mountains and the unspoiled rainforests of Sarawak. The resort has 100 rooms, the Nanga Mepi Restaurant, Wong Irup Bar, an outdoor terrace, a swimming pool and a boat jetty for arriving guests.

Royal Mulu Resort

Royal Mulu Resort is set in the heart of the Sarawak jungle. The resort is situated on the Melinau River, adjacent to the Mulu National Park, home to the world famous Mulu Caves and the range of mountains forms a spectacular backdrop to the resort. Designed in the style of ethnic longhouses rooms are linked by a series of wooden walkways which are perfect for a pleasant stroll in the evening, also it is constructed on stilts three metres off the ground with the Melinau River and its' tributary passing by. Guestrooms have parquet floors and are complete with a private bath and shower, minibar, colour television with in-house movies, operator assisted telephone, individually controlled air-conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities. Hot and cold running water which has been filtered in the resort's own water treatment plant. Every room enjoys a spacious verandah. (www.rihgamulu.com)

Hyatt Regency Hotel

Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kyoto is the newest luxury hotel in Kyoto, and positioned just minutes from JR Kyoto Station, in the Higashiyama Shichijo district regarded as the traditional and cultural heart of Kyoto. There are 188 rooms & suites and all are equipped with all modern amenities and have fantastic views from the large windows. The hotel has a choice of three restaurants which will introduce you to the elaborate local dishes along with the Chinese and continental preparations. The hotel also has spa and fitness facilities.

Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge

Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is located on the edge of the Kinabatangan River. Although a simple property, all rooms are en-suite. There are fans in the rooms, but no air-conditioning. Rooms are built around the gardens and there is a restaurant and bar serving local dishes. The location is superb for watching the sunset over the jungle, whilst sitting on the lodge’s wooden veranda. Complimentary tea and coffee are available together with mineral water in the main reception area.

Shangri-la Rasa Ria

Danum Valley Extension - 2 nights

Extra Days:0Cost:from £ 700

A haven for naturalists, Lahad Datu is the gateway to Danum Valley Conservation Area, Tabin Wildlife Reserve and the Madai Caves. Danum Valley is by far the most important area in Borneo for wildlife and conservation. Set in primary rainforest jungle it is far removed from human habitation. Renowned for its rich variety of both plants and wildlife , Borneo's mammals include such rare and endangered species as the Sumatran Rhino, Benteng Elephant, Clouded Leopard, Bornean Gibbon and Leaf Monkey.

Malaysian Airlines - Business Class

Cost: from £ 2890

Malaysian Airlines - Business Class