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Day 1: Join tour Kota Kinabalu
Arrive Kota Kinabalu, check in to hotel. Known locally as KK, Kota Kinabalu is a burgeoning city with a blend of Malays, Europeans and Chinese: the result is a unique mixture of architecture, culture, high technology and ancient traditions.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Day 2: Fly to Sandakan; drive to Sepilok and visit the Orang Utan sanctuary.
Today we drive to the airport and fly to Sandakan. From here we make the short drive to Sepilok and the Orang Utan sanctuary before continuing onto our jungle resort. Sepilok is home to the largest of the three Orang Utan rehabilitation centres in the world. Covering over 4000 hectares of forest, the centre was established in 1964 to rehabilitate captured, injured or abandoned apes. So far about 100 'wild men of the forest' have been brought to the centre, andthere has been a remarkable success with up to 75% having returned to the jungle. The animals are taught how to make nests and how to survive in their natural habitat. About twenty regularly come to feed though not always at the same time. We plan to visit the centre in time for feeding when, along with the permanent members, pregnant mothers who otherwise live in the jungle, often come to supplement their diet and return after the birth of their young. (Please note you will be charged 10R to bring your camera into the sanctuary area).
Overnight Lodge (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Visit to Rainforest Discovery Centre or Orang utan feeding; then drive to Sukau
This morning you can choose to either re-visit the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre for a second feeding time or alternatively enjoy a visit to the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre, where you can gain a fascinating insight to the conservation of the rainforest and the myriad of animals and plants that rely on this incredible habitat. From the canopy walkway you'll be able to see the beautiful rain forest of Sepilok from up to 28 m above the forest floor! You might even catch a glimpse of the Bornean bristlehead bird, one of the rarest birds in Sabah! Apart from that, there are another 250 species of birds to lookout for, including hornbills, pittas, kingfishers and broadbills Later we'll continue our journey to Sukau. The freshwater swamp forest around Sukau is home to myriad wildlife such as tree snake and birds such as frogmouth, bulbul and hornbill. Optional boat rides at night for Nature watching maybe available.
Overnight Bungalow/Chalet (H+) Included meals: Dinner
Day 4: In Sukau; visit ox-bow lake
Unlike other areas in Sabah, the Kinabatangan river has remained relatively unaffected by the rapacious logging unfortunately so prevalent elsewhere, mainly because the land is permanently waterlogged and there are few commercially valuable trees there. The river meanders through a flood plain and creates many ox-bow lakes making an ideal environment for wildlife viewing. On our cruise this morning, we may see crocodiles warming themselves in the morning sun and some of the other birdlife such as egret, storm's stork, oriental darter and oriole. Later in the afternoon as the sun starts to go down on our second boat cruise, we hope to spot the long nosed proboscis monkeys which converge on tree tops by the river banks to settle for the night.
Overnight Bungalow/Chalet (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Drive to Kinabalu National Park via Poring hot springs
Today we head to Kinabalu N.P stopping off at the famous Poring Hot Springs. This is a popular spot with locals who enjoy the hot springs found here. At 450m we are in tropical lowland forest, dense with vegetation and thick bamboo, with a humid misty atmosphere. You can cross a tree top walkway 60m above the forest floor or perhaps you prefer to take a relaxing soak in a hot spring bath, looking out for hornbills, mynah birds and monkeys. The rafflesia grows in the forest – the largest flower in the world, it produces a red bloom over one metre wide which lasts for just one week. Nearby is a butterfly and orchid farm.
Overnight Bungalow/Chalet (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6: In Kinabalu National Park; walk to Laban Rata (base camp)
This morning we make an early start. We hope to get a good view of Mt Kinabalu which towers over the jungle below before driving to the park entrance and the starting point of the trail at about 1900m. From now on, leaving our main baggage behind at the hotel but carrying our daypacks, we walk or trek, climbing upwards for 5-6 hours to reach a mountain hostel situated at around 3272m, surrounded by magnificent scenery. The lower part of the trek is through dense tropical vegetation and mist shrouded rainforest with giant ferns and luxuriant mosses, a botanist's paradise. Rare orchids and pitcher plants abound. Brightly coloured butterflies are everywhere. The hostel at base camp has common facilities, and there is a canteen where you can buy a simple meal. It is possible to opt out of the trek to Laban Rata base camp. Those opting out will be charged an extra night's accommodation (please ask your tour leader for details at the start of the tour).
Overnight Hostel (H) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Summit of Mount Kinabalu; return to Park HQ and drive to Beringgis Beach
The trip to the summit is a hard trek and should only be attempted by those people who are very confident about their level of fitness. We rise at 03.00 and trek to the summit for sunrise (about 05.45). We have to walk in the dark and it is necessary to wear warm clothes and gloves and to carry a torch. The view from the top of Mt Kinabalu (4095m) is exceptionally fine as we watch the sun rising over the misty jungle lowlands. For those who do not make the summit ascent, the views from around base-camp will keep you and your camera occupied until we make the descent on foot and then by truck back to the Park Headquarters. We then drive from the park to Beringgis Beach our base for the following few days.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Included trip to Manukan island
Manukan Island is the second largest of the beautiful islands making up the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. This paradise island is the ideal place to relax for the day although there is also plenty on offer for the more active traveller. The snorkelling and diving opportunities are excellent. Or perhaps take a boat excursion to some of the other islands in the National Park, such as Gaya or Sapi.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Free day in Beringgis Beach with optional excursions
Today is left free for personal exploration. Many optional trips are possible including white water rafting at Kiulu, visits to Kudat at the tip of Borneo including the Rungus tribal village and of course last minute shopping in the nearby Kota Kinabalu.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Tour ends Beringgis Beach.
Included meals: Breakfast
