Sarawak entdecken

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1: Kuching
On arrival into Kuching, check into our joining hotel. Other members of the group will be arriving at different times of the day and at 6pm the tour leader will hold a Pre Departure briefing in the hotel reception. After the meeting you are free to explore Kuching.

Day 2: Kuching – Semengoh Wildlife Centre – Bako National Park
From our hotel we depart for the Semengoh Wildlife Centre located a short drive from the centre of Kuching. The wildlife centre is a temporary home for various endangered wildlife of Sarawak which have either been found injured in the forest, or have been kept as illegal pets. The centre houses a number of different species including rescued hornbills, honey bears, gibbons and porcupines, and of course Orang Utans. After initial care, they are again taught to fend for themselves and when the wardens feel that the animal is fully rehabilitated, it is caught and then returned to the wild - usually deep in the forest or to one of Sarawak's National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries.

After visiting the centre, we then take a 35-minute drive to Bako Village, and from the village, take a 25-minute boat ride to the National park. Bako National Park is Sarawak’s oldest National Park and one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in a natural surrounding. The park contains an amazing variety of plant and animal life, and almost every type of vegetation found in Borneo.

After check in at the park chalets, you have free time to do some hiking through jungle trails, swimming in the sea by secluded beaches, and enjoying the beautiful sunset. The park chalets all have mosquito screens and fans. Bathrooms are shared.

Lunch and dinner are included.

Day 3: Bako N.P - Kuching
Following an early breakfast, we take a short walk to the mangrove forest for bird watching and to search for the local wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, long tailed macaque monkeys, silvered leaf monkeys, monitor lizards and squirrels.

We then depart Bako by boat and continue overland to Kuching. In Kuching we will do a city tour and discover the charms of this riverine city established by Sir James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak. Kuching has all the modern amenities without losing its old world charm. Multi-storey buildings blend with structures from colonial days, ancient Chinese temples and colourful markets displaying the produce that first brought traders to Borneo. A visit to Kuching will not be complete without making a stop at the Sarawak Museum. Completed in 1891, the museum has an excellent collection of Bornean ethnological and archaeological artefacts and is reputed to be the best in South East Asia.

Following the city tour, you have the remainder of the day at your leisure, we overnight in Kuching.

Packed lunch and dinner are included.

Day 4: Mulu N.P - Mulu Deer and Lang Caves
After an early breakfast we depart for the airport and our flight to Mulu. Upon arrival, we meet and then transfer to Park Headquarters of Mulu National Park for check-in to our Cabins.

Mulu National Park is Sarawak’s largest national park, and is a world heritage site that encompasses incredible caves and karst formations in a mountainous equatorial rainforest setting. The park is famous for its caves and the expeditions that have been mounted to explore them and their surrounding rainforest. We take a scenic 3 km plank walk through primary rainforest to the entrance of Deer Cave. Deer Cave has the world's largest cave entrance and is the largest single cave passage in the world - about 120m to 150m in diameter or it can fit St. Pauls’ Cathedral under its massive archway. The cave has a moon-like landscape and from one vantage point a perfect profile of President Lincoln can be observed. Most evenings at sundown, a spectacular exodus of about 2 million of bats can be observed as they leave the cave in search of food.

A short walk from Deer Cave is Lang’s Cave. The stalactites and stalagmites inside this cave are representative of the very best limestone formations in the park.

After exploring these amazing caves, we return to Park Headquarters by torchlight for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Clearwater and Wind Caves - Trekking to Camp 5 The next day we continue our exploration of the park. After breakfast, we depart upriver to Wind Cave with its impressive Kings Chamber. Here stalactites and stalagmites with delicate lace like patterns are found. The cave was named for the cool breezes, which can be felt at the narrow parts of the cave. A short walk along a plank walk suspended to the limestone cliff leads to Clearwater Cave.

Clearwater Cave, with its subterranean river, is Southeast Asia's longest cave passage at 107 km. Like most caves in Mulu, Clearwater Cave is the habitat of unique species of plants. One of them, the one-leafed plant can only be found at Mulu. Rare species of orchids and pitcher plants can be seen in many locations and photo-sensitive algae grows on certain rocks and have produced needle-like formations that point towards the source of light. Clearwater Cave also has a wonderful swimming area shaded by giant rainforest trees.

After lunch, we continue upriver for 1 hour to Long Litut. At this point we begin trekking through a mixed dipterocarp and riparian forest to our overnight campsite, known as Camp 5. The accommodation at Camp 5 is a jungle shelter with basic facilities, including flush toilet. There is a raised platform 2-3 feet above the ground and guests sleep on this platform. Sleeping mattresses and blankets are provided. Washing, bathing and swimming is in a mountain stream.

All meals included.

Please Note: Excess luggage not needed for the Headhunter Trail and Pinnacles Trek may be sent directly to Limbang or Kota Kinabalu. Please ensure that you have a day pack for use on the Pinnacles Trek.

Day 6: Pinnacles – Camp 5
Following Breakfast, we embark on a full day trip to the Pinnacles. The Pinnacles are reached from Camp 5 and although the trail is only 2.4 kilometres, it is a trip that requires reasonable levels of fitness, as it rises in height over 1,200 metres. The climb usually takes 3-4 hours one way. The climb is well worthwhile though as it culminates in spectacular views of the pinnacle formations, some of which tower up to 40 metres high. The trail itself passes through some intriguing limestone forest and as you reach the higher altitudes includes some spectacular pitcher plants and sightings of rare orchids.

The pinnacle formations are spectacular examples of karst formations. The Pinnacles have been formed in tensional joints in the limestone bed at Mulu, which often occur at the edges of plateaux or valleys as pressure is released, as the rock above is eroded and the weight decreases. The reason for the spectacular nature of the formations at Mulu lies in the consistent nature of its limestone beds and the even joints that were formed as a result, and the high levels of rainfall that the area has experienced in geological time. Today the pinnacles tower above the surrounding landscape, some reaching heights of 40 to 50 metres. As water has continued to erode and dissolve the rock, the formations have taken on their razor-like appearance.

Although physically challenging, most trekkers with reasonable levels of fitness are able to accomplish the climb to the Pinnacles and all find it a hugely rewarding experience. It is advisable that climbers take sufficient food and water (usually about three litres per person), as the conditions are generally hot and humid. Although it is unusual for it to rain in the mornings, if it is raining, the tours that day will be cancelled for safety reasons. Your local guide will also give you more specific instructions regarding the trek prior to beginning.

After this fantastic day, we descend back to Camp 5 for our overnight stay.

Packed lunch and dinner included.

Day 7: Iban Longhouse
After breakfast, we trek to Kuala Terikan – a trek of about 5 hours. We then proceed downriver by boat to Rumah Penghulu Sigah or Rumah Bala Lasong, an Iban Longhouse. Here you have time to meet the Iban people and learn about their culture. The Iban Longhouse consists of about 14 families, but you will find that many of the villagers may be travelling or working somewhere else. The longhouse is located along the Mendalam River.

Bedding and mosquito nets are provided as well as all meals.

Day 8: Iban Longhouse - Limbang Town
We depart by boat to Nanga Medamit, the boat ride taking about 1 to 2 hours. We then proceed overland to Limbang Town. We check in to our hotel and the rest of the day is free at leisure.

Limbang Town is at the northeastern tip of Sarawak, located between the two parts of Brunei Darussalam, and only a 45 minute speed boat ride from Brunei City. The town has a population of less than 10,000.

Day 9: Limbang - Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast the following day, we transfer to the jetty and depart by Express Boat across the South China Sea to the island of Labuan. This takes about 1.5 hours.

The Federal Territory of Labuan acts as a duty free centre for day tripping Bruneians and Malaysians. We do not stop for long here, but continue by another Express Boat to Kota Kinabalu.

The tour ends back in Kota Kinabalu. The estimated arrival time is approximately 3pm. Accommodation is not included in Kota Kinabalu.

Please Note - On occasion, if the Express Boat to Labuan is not available, it may be necessary to take an alternative route back to Kota Kinabalu via Lawas. In bad weather the Express Boat from Labuan to Kota Kinabalu may berth at Sipatang Jetty, and from there we will continue by road to Kota Kinabalu.