Explore the Wild Heart of Borneo

Itinerary

Itinerary:
Kuching - Semenggoh Orangutan Centre - Bako National Park - Kuching - Batang Ai - Kuching
Duration:
8 days / 7 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 1,069.- per person (excluding flights)

Alluring city-scapes, tropical rainforests, endearing orangutans and Borneo hospitality – these are only a few highlights of this Borneo adventure. Discover the jungles of Borneo and trek through Bako National Park where you’ll spot the rare proboscis monkeys. These monkeys and their funny wobbling noses are a unique inhabitant of Borneo. During this itinerary you’ll also stay with the native headhunter tribe deep in the rainforest and learn all about their way of life – a real highlight of this holiday in Borneo.

Days 1-3 – Culture and cuisine of Kuching

Upon your arrival at Kuching airport, you’ll find our driver waiting for you. He’ll take you to your hotel just a short walk away from the city’s popular riverfront. Stroll along the boulevard along with the locals in the evenings and enjoy the city’s illuminated night skyline – Kuching is a fascinating city with a great many historic buildings and colonial influences.

On the second day of your stay you will visit the Semenggoh orangutan sanctuary. The intimate Semenggoh park is just an hour away from Kuching where the orangutans are trained in all the survival skills for them to venture out into the wild and fend for themselves. This tour to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre can be arranged either in the morning or in the afternoon, to correspond with the feeding time of the orangutans.

Days 3-5 – Proboscis monkeys in Bako National Park

Today you’ll have your introduction to the jungles of Borneo. You’ll see winding rivers running through twisted rock formations, treetops that seem to shoot up into the heavens and curious monkeys jumping from branch to branch. Your guide will collect you from your hotel in Kuching and take you on the 30 minute trip to the town of Kampung Bako. Here you’ll board a boat to Bako National Park.

After you’ve checked into your National Park accommodation you can explore your surroundings with your group and guide and hopefully spot some of the jungle’s wildlife. The following morning you’ll explore the jungle under your own steam to discover Bako’s hidden gems: from venus flytraps and mangrove forests to the unmistakeable Proboscis monkey swinging high up in the tree-tops and a tropical beach for a refreshing dip before your return journey back to Kuching.

After spending an extra night in Kuching you’ll be picked up for your next adventure to meet the headhunter tribe deep in the jungle, in Batang Ai. To get to the village you’ll travel by mini bus and longtail boat. All in all it takes around 4-5 hours and you’ll make stops along the way for lunch and to explore colourful local markets. During the next few days you’ll stay with the local Iban tribe in the deepest jungles of Sarawak, where you’ll experience first-hand what life is like in the tribe. You can help them harvest food, prepare a meal and learn about their traditions and ceremonies. You’ll spend the next two nights in the longhouse – sleeping very simply with a mattress and mosquito net (although we do have a slightly posher version of this trip if you’d prefer!).

Trekking and departure

On your second day you’ll explore the area surrounding the longhouse where wild orangutans are occasionally spotted. Depending on the water levels, some of your day may be spent travelling by longtail boat. After a couple of hours of moderate trekking, your guide will cook you a tasty lunch at a small jungle camp using bamboo leaves. On the third day of this trip you’ll say your goodbyes and travel to Kuching by longboat and bus.