Rainforests, Rivers & Remote Tribes

Itinerary

Itinerary:
Kuching - Batang Ai - Santubong - Semenggoh - Damai Peninsula - Gaya Island
Duration:
13 days / 12 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 1,699.- per person (excluding flights)

Head out into the wild as you explore the natural beauty and wildlife of Sarawak, before taking some time out on Borneo’s beautiful beaches. You’ll explore the emerald lakes and hidden waterfalls of the Batang Ai, head out on a wildlife cruise down the Santubong River, kayak through the rainforest and kick back on the beaches of Damai Peninsular and Gaya Island.

Days 1-3 – Culture and cuisine of Kuching

Kuching, known as ‘Cat City’, is a wonderful place to spend a day or two, the perfect starting point your Sarawak adventure. The city offers a wonderful mix of old and new as well as being a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. Take a stroll through the colonial streets and marvel at the Chinese Temples and Mosques at every turn, before heading to spot orangutans swinging through the trees. During your time here we will organise your transfer from both the airport and your accommodation, into the heart of the city, so you can explore at your own pace.

Early morning you’ll be picked up by your driver and guide, and you’ll head inland for around 4 hours. You’ll reach a reservoir where you’ll meet some members of the Iban tribe, who’ll transport you the rest of the way by longtail boat.

Visit the remote, emerald green reservoir of the Batang Ai, home for thousands of years to the indigenous Iban tribe. After travelling deep into the forest by longboat, you’ll be spending a couple of nights in a newly built jungle lodge by the river. The accommodation is simple but comfortable, and you’ll be welcomed into the community to learn about life in this part of Borneo.

During your time here, you’ll trek through the dense jungle in search of wild orangutans, swim in hidden waterfalls and enjoy a BBQ lunch. In the evening you can enjoy the local rice wine and traditional food at a nearby longhouse with the Iban tribe of Sumpa.

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the jetty, where you’ll make your way back to Kuching with your guide. You’ll stop en route for lunch, and arrive back to Kuching late afternoon. Over the next 3 days, you’ll meet Borneo’s iconic great apes, sleep in a treehouse and cruise along the river spotting wildlife. Your trip starts with a visit to see the country’s most famous resident at the Semenggoh Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, before checking into a treehouse lodge on the Damai Peninsular. Next up, you’ll take a wildlife cruise on the Santubong River where you’ll try and spot swinging monkeys, beady crocodile eyes and glowing fireflies. If you’re lucky you might also see an Irrawaddy dolphin!

You’ll then be collected and taken to your next hotel, only a short hop away on the same peninsula. Over the next few days, you can relax and take it easy with a stay on the golden beaches of the Damai Peninsular – sometimes called Santubong – just north of Sarawak’s capital Kuching. You can swim in the South China Sea or relax with a book by the pool and simply take it easy. During your stay, we’ve included a gentle downstream kayak with a guide on the river. You’ll be surrounded by views of limestone rock formations and lush green rainforest, and can even visit a local Bidayuh tribe.

It’s time for your Sarawak adventure to end, and you’ll be taken to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, you’ll take a 30 minute boat ride to Gaya Island, where you will spend the next three days relaxing. This island is the largest in the Tunku Abdul National Park and is covered by jungle and dotted with tropical beaches. During your stay here we’ll provide you with a gourmet picnic basket and you can find your own personal slice of paradise on which to sit and enjoy it. The following day you’ll head back to the mainland for your international flight home.