BRU - 01 | BORNEO HERITAGE

Day 1
Arrive at Brunei International airport, meet and transfer to hotel for overnight.

 

Day 2
Full day heritage tour of Brunei which will include the open markets, a busy place where locals buy their daily products, some 'ready to eat' food, handicrafts, local herbs and medicinal plants, Malay Technology Museum which has galleries on the Malays, ethnic tribes and their lifestyles, Brunei Museum: comprising of 6 galleries, 1) Unique and priceless collection of Islamic arts, 2) Malay lifestyle and wedding ceremony, 3) Oil and Gas, 4) natural history museum, 5) royal lineage, 6) shipwreck treasure discovery. Lunch will be at a local restaurant in town. In the afternoon, we continue our heritage tour to the Jame Asr’ Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. This is one of the most magnificent mosques in Asia with 29 golden domes. Then it is on to the Royal Regalia Building, which was completed in 1992 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. It is filled with pictures of the Crown Prince, the full Royal regalia used during the Coronation, the Crown, the replica of the throne room, and numerous gifts from the state dignitaries. Proceed to a boat ride and visit a house, where you can see the lifestyle of the locals. You will also have the opportunity to get souvenirs, as we will stop by Yayasan Shopping Complex. Lastly, Istana Nurul Iman (The Royal Palace). This is the largest residential palace in the world, and it is situated on top of a hill overlooking the capital and the Brunei River. This is a great photo opportunity. (BL)

NB: For Mosque visits, visitors are requested to dress appropriately, and i.e. Non-revealing clothing's or shorts above the knees. For Royal Regalia, it is recommended to wear socks as you have to take off your shoes and the marbled floors are very cold. Mosques are closed on Thursday, Friday due to preparation for the Muslim holy prayers and certain public holidays.

 

Day 3
Transfer from hotel to Brunei International airport. Arrive at Kota Kinabalu International airport, meet and transfer to hotel for overnight. (B)

 

Day 4
Depart hotel to Kota Kinabalu airport for early morning transfer. On arrival at Sandakan Airport, transfer to Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre for video show. Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden plankwalks to witness the feeding of the orang utans at 1000hrs. Continue to Sandakan jetty for boat journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. Late afternoon take a river cruise using electric motor in search of some of the 10 primate species including Proboscis monkeys as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River. Return for solar heated hot shower, candle light dinner and slide show conducted by naturalist guide. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 5
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. A 0600hrs morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to view more birds and wildlife. Proceed to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk (if weather permits). Experience the wilderness of Borneo. You have the option to visit our 64 acres Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Regeneration Program (KWICORP) site to learn about reforestation of degraded riverine reserve. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. After dinner an optional (at a surcharge) night safari cruise spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)

 

* Try the lodge's rejuvenating Foot Spa Treatment (with a service fee)

 

Day 6
Proceed 27 km overland to Gomantong Caves. Trek 20 minutes through the rainforest to the cave entrance. Your guide will brief you on the cave faunas including bats, swiftlets and crabs among others and their contribution to maintaining a balanced ecology and significance to the local economy. When in season, witness the collecting of birds' nests by the local people using bamboo ladders and poles.

Proceed 2 hours overland to Lahad Datu for lunch. Drive 83km through selectively logged forest, cocoa and soft-wood plantations before arriving at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge beside Danum River on the edge of 438 sq. km of undisturbed lowland rainforest. The Lodge is home to the full range of Sabah's lowland fauna, including the rare Sumatran Rhinoceros, Elephants, Clouded Leopards, and Orang Utans. So far some 275 species of birds have been recorded in the area. Explore nature trail and nearby river. In the evening a slide show and if weather permits one can go spotlighting to view some of the nocturnal animals. Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 7
Early morning birdwalk before breakfast. Spend the whole day exploring the forest for birds and mammals, leading up to an escarpment with ancient burial coffins. Trek to waterfall and dip in refreshing rock pools. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, jungle walk through trails leading to canopy walkway. Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)

 

Day 8
Morning Trek in search of mammals and birds. Return to the Centre before departing for Lahad Datu. Take the late afternoon flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Arrive at Kota Kinabalu International airport, meet and transfer to hotel for overnight. (BL)

 

Day 9
Transfer from hotel to Kota Kinabalu airport. (B)