Wild Sarawak
Wild Sarawak
Wild Sarawak
10 Days Starting in Kuching and ending in Kota Kinabalu
Visiting: Kuching, Bako National Park - Kuching, Gunung Mulu National Park, Headhunters Trail - Limbang, Labuan Island, Kota Kinabalu
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TMSW
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Wild, tropical and remote – Borneo is South East Asia's answer to the Amazon. This 10-day trip is full of active adventure set in natural paradise. See orangutans swinging through the rainforest treetops at a sanctuary in Semenggoh and venture into the vast Mulu cave systems. Follow the headhunter’s Trail through dense jungle in Sarawak, wander along Kuching's riverside promenade and relax on golden-sand beaches on Labuan Island. This one’s for nature-lovers, wildlife-spotters and beach-goers!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Kuching
Location: Kuching
Accommodation: Hotel
Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Kuching, meaning 'cat' in Malay, is the capital and most populous city in the state of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. It was home to the infamous White Rajah of Sarawak, whose mysterious rule in this remote corner of the world sparked the imagination of many people who dreamt of becoming royalty. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe check out the waterfront, home to local vegetable, spice and fish markets. After the meeting, maybe head out with your new travel companions to try some local dishes like Sarawak Laksa and Kolok mee.
Day 2: Bako National Park - Kuching
Location: Bako National Park - Kuching
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Hop in a private van to the fishing village of Kampung Bako, then a local boat up the coast to Bako National Park. Bako is the oldest national park in Sarawak and features rainforest, abundant wildlife, jungle streams, waterfalls, diverse plant life, secluded beaches and trekking trails. Millions of years of erosion form a coastline of steep cliffs, rocky headlands and stretches of white, sandy bays. Waves have carved the cliffs into sea arches and sea-stacks, with coloured patterns formed by iron deposits. When you arrive, you’ll take a leader-led walk through one of the jungle trails, looking out for proboscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys and the elusive Bornean bearded pigs. Return to Kuching in the late afternoon and spend the evening in relaxing your hotel.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Kuching
Location: Kuching
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Head to the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary – a government-funded rehabilitation centre set in lush surrounds. The centre was set up to help reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been orphaned. Head into the jungle to a viewing platform where you can watch and photograph the orangutans as they swing into view, eating bananas and milk that’s laid out for them twice a day. Human contact must be kept to a minimum and it's essential you follow your leader's instructions. After, return to Kuching where you can freshen up. Tonight, maybe mosey down to the riverbank and watch tambang ferries glide by, or head out to one of the many Chinese-influenced hawker markets for dinner and experience the range of local seafood.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 4: Gunung Mulu National Park
Location: Gunung Mulu National Park
Accommodation: Cabin (multishare)
Meals Included: breaksfast
Fly to Mulu today. When you arrive in Mulu, head into the heart of one of the most spectacular national parks in Asia – Gunong Mulu National Park. Transfer the short distance to Mulu HQ where you’ll stay for the next two nights. In your free time, you can take a self-guided trail around the park or head to the treetops on the world’s longest canopy walkway. Or maybe simply kick back with a book and enjoy the sounds of the nearby jungle. Later, there’s the chance to take an optional night walk to search for some weird and wonderful insects and reptiles.
Day 5: Gunung Mulu National Park
Location: Gunung Mulu National Park
Accommodation: Cabin (multishare)
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today, you have a free morning to explore or have a sleep in. Spend the afternoon strolling the walkways of this 180-million-year-old rainforest, and then catch the sunset flight of the bats at Deer Cave. This UNESCO World Heritage site has the world’s largest known system of caves, formed when surface water worked its way through the rock, carving gigantic passages through the bedrock. Deer Cave has one of the single largest cave passages, 2.2 km long and 220 m tall at its highest point. Before it was part of the park, the cave was a well-known hunting ground for deer, who were attracted to the pools of salty water. The millions of bats who call the cave home all emerge at dusk for their nightly feeding, which is a sight to behold.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Gunung Mulu National Park
Location: Gunung Mulu National Park
Accommodation: Dormitory
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Leave Park HQ behind and head into the jungle. Take a boat upriver to the Clearwater and Wind Caves, which contain Asia’s longest underwater river. The Clearwater Cave system runs for more than 200 km, over 100 of which have been explored. Wind Cave draws a cooling breeze through its lengths and features some of Gunong Mulu’s best cave formations, while Clearwater is covered in a species of bright green plant unique to the park. After exploring, take a longboat downriver before disembarking for a hike through undisturbed jungle to Camp 5, at the end of Melinau Gorge.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Headhunters Trail - Limbang
Location: Headhunters Trail - Limbang
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Today, you’ll tackle the infamous Headhunter’s Trail. Located in an isolated area of the Bornean jungle, the trail used to be the route used by warring parties between the Tutoh and Limbang Rivers. Cross streams by rope bridges, wooden walkways and logs, surrounded by the diverse flora, bird-filled trees and the sounds of the forest – a hornbill flying overhead, the cries of monkeys and the pulse of cicadas and crickets. Then, take a boat from Kuala Terikan to Kuala Mendalam. Depending on how much rainfall there’s been, you may be required to help push the boat over shallow parts of the river. Stop at a ranger station for lunch, then travel to Limbang by private vehicle, where you can freshen up and enjoy a good night's rest after two long days of trekking.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Labuan Island
Location: Labuan Island
Accommodation: Resort
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast this morning, take a short walk to the ferry terminal for a boat to Labuan Island. When you arrive, you’ll have a free afternoon and evening at a beach resort. Relax and recover after yesterday’s trek, chilling out with a cold drink and a good book. Maybe head to Layang Layang Beach for a swim and get together for a sunset cocktail by the end of the day.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Kota Kinabalu
Location: Kota Kinabalu
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Enjoy some more free time on the island before catching a ferry and express bus to Kota Kinabalu – the capital of Sabah and a modern metropolis that rebounded from multiple bombings during WWII. Tonight, maybe head out for a final meal with your group to celebrate your Borneo adventure – the night market is filled with fresh grilled seafood.
Optional Activities:
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Day 10: Kota Kinabalu
Location: Kota Kinabalu
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, there are no activities planned and your trip comes to an end. You can depart the accommodation at any time after check-out. If you’d like to spend more time in Kota Kinabalu, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
Optional Activities:
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What's Included
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Accommodation
Cabin (multishare) (2 nights), Dormitory (1 night), Hotel (5 nights), Resort (1 night) -
Bako National Park - Wildlife Trail Trek
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Kuching - Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary
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Mulu National Park - Deer & Lang Caves
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Mulu National Park - Wind & Clearwater Caves
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Mulu National Park - Picnic Lunch
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Mulu National Park - Local Dinner
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Mulu National Park - Guided trek along Headhunters' Trails
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Mulu National Park - Longboat ride along the Melinau & Terikan Rivers
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Labuan Island - Sunset cocktail drink
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Meals
9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinners
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Included Activities
- Bako National Park
- Kuching - Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary
- Mulu National Park
- Mulu National Park - Deer & Lang Caves
- Mulu National Park - Wind & Clearwater Caves
- Mulu National Park - Guided trek along Headhunters' Trails
- Mulu National Park - Longboat ride along the Melinau & Terikan Rivers
- Labuan Island - Labuan Historical Tour
Transport
- 4x4 , Ferry , Longtail boat , Plane , Taxi , Mini van
Accommodation
- Cabin (multishare) (2 nights), Dormitory (1 night), Hotel (5 nights), Resort (1 night)
Important Information
- 1. Please provide passport details at time of booking, as these are essential for booking services on this trip.
- 2. Strict luggage limits apply. See the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
- 3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 4, 5 & 6 (Mulu National Park) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Mode of Transport
- 4x4 , Ferry , Longtail boat , Plane , Taxi , Mini van
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
When staying in the National Park, accommodation is multishare and can be basic. The unqiue atmosphere and wonderful location more than make up for this though.
This trip includes a number of wonderful long walks through forest and jungle, especially the 12 km Headhunter’s Trail, so a good level of fitness is required.
This trip is part of a longer itinerary. You might be joining travellers who have already spent some time together. If you have more time to explore, you might like to check out Best of Borneo. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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