Journey to Borneo

Fly to Kuala Lumpur.

On arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel, with time to relax or explore as you wish.

At leisure. Sights include the soaring Petronas Twin Towers, the Jamek mosque, Sultan Abdul Samad building and the railway station.

Morning flight to Kuching in Sarawak, East Malaysia. An afternoon city tour includes the museum with its interesting insights into history and wildlife, the Astana residence (the former home of the white Rajahs), the state mosque, the waterfront and a kampong fishing village.

After breakfast, travel light as you drive through a scenery of typical villages and paddy fields plus rubber and pepper plantations (approx 3 hours). This afternoon enjoy a guided stroll of Sri Aman town, visit Fort Alice (closed Monday) and the century-old Tze Yin Khor Chinese Temple on the banks of Lupar River.

Travel by road and then onwards by boat along the Lemanak River to an Iban settlement and traditional style longhouse built on stilts deep in one of the world's oldest rainforests. Meet the natives and their families then watch a traditional war dance in full ceremonial regalia. Enjoy lunch with your hosts before you return down river and then continue by road back to your hotel.

Depart after breakfast and travel to Damai, stopping en route for lunch at a local restaurant (approx 3½ hours).

At leisure at Sarawak's main beach resort where pristine sandy beaches by the South China Sea are framed by the lush tropical forest of majestic Mount Santubong. You may choose to simply relax; however, for the more active there are jungle trails to explore, excellent golf as well as numerous watersports and land based activities. Perhaps visit the nearby Sarawak Cultural Village (at extra cost), a fascinating living museum to see the ethnic diversity at a glance and be tempted by an array of handicrafts.

Travel to Kuching for an onward flight to Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah.

Visit Mount Kinabalu National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site dominated by Borneo's highest mountain. Take a guided walk with the park naturalist to learn of the astonishing flora and fauna including the smallest orchid and the tallest moss in the world. After lunch at the Park's restaurant, return to the resort and the remainder of the day is at leisure.

At leisure. You may opt to visit one of the five offshore islands; with their superb white sands they offer an ideal place to relax. The most popular day out is the optional tour to Sandakan and the highly recommended Sepilok Orang-Utan Sanctuary, where you can experience a close encounter with the "Wild Men of Borneo" at the world's largest and oldest orang-utan rehabilitation centre (at extra expense).

Return flight to KL for your onward journey.