WEDNESDAY

ARRIVAL IN KOTA KINABALU, SABAH, MALAYSIA

Welcome to the Malaysian state of Sabah!

Sabah is located on the northeast part of the island of Borneo, and while not having as many cultural and historic sites as its neighbour, Sarawak, the highlights of Sabah are natural - from caves, reefs, forests and mountains to tribal peoples.

Sabah’s capital, Kota Kinabalu, sits on the edge of the South China Sea overlooking a cluster of coral-fringed islands.  With the towering Crocker Range as a backdrop and the cloud-shrouded peaks of mighty Mount Kinabalu in the far distance, the modern suburbs of ‘KK’ as everyone calls it, sprawl many kilometres along the coast.

Over the next seven days you’ll travel within Sabah to witness its natural beauty and its flora and fauna and you’ll also take some time to explore the surroundings of Kota Kinabalu itself.

But first you'll spend a day relaxing. This downtime is purposely built in to the itinerary and is designed to revitalize you so you are more able to participate in the rest of the journey with renewed energy and interest.

The journey from Canada is long and you'll travel half-way around the world through a dozen time zones. Your sleep patterns will be upset and you'll require time to rest and adjust to the new time zone in your own way. To facilitate this process, you purposely start this journey at a sea-side resort and limit planned activities for the first few days.

Your home for the next two nights, the Magellan Sutera Resort, provides an exceptionally high standard of accommodation. All rooms are meticulously furnished and offer views of either the South China Sea speckled with the islands of the nearby marine park or the undulating greens of the adjacent golf course or the manicured gardens surrounding the resort. The rooms are equipped with lavish amenities, stylish finishes and oversized, plush beds which all contribute to a relaxing and reinvigorating start to this wonderful journey.

You’ll be met at the airport by your representatives and transferred to the resort where you’ll check in for a two-night stay.

Overnight at Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort

THURSDAY

KOTA KINABALU (B,L,D)

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the resort.

Welcome to your first full day in Borneo. There is nothing you need to do today, so sleep in late if you wish, have breakfast at your leisure and take time to rejuvenate. Enjoy the resort in whatever way you wish – try out the pool, visit the spa or head out to some of the offshore islands for some snorkelling, swimming or sunbathing.

Dinner at the resort.

Overnight at Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort

FRIDAY

KOTA KINABALU – LAHAD DATU -  DANUM VALLEY (B,L,D)

Early breakfast at the resort.

Today you begin your journey by boarding your flight from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu in eastern Borneo - MH3010 departs at 7:00 and arrives at 7:55. From here you transfer by road to the Danum Valley where you check in for a two-night stay. Since the roads are not that good, you will take about two hours to drive the distance.

The Danum Valley, a primary rainforest jungle, is far removed from human habitation and is renowned for its rich variety of both plants and wildlife. Borneo's mammals include such extremely rare and endangered species as the Sumatran Rhino, Benteng Elephant, Clouded Leopard, Bornean Gibbon and Leaf Monkey as well as the Orang Utan and Proboscis Monkey, both of which as found only in Borneo. Bird life is equally varied with over 275 individual species having been recorded, giving Danum Valley a reputation for being one of the best places for viewing Borneo's wildlife.

Your accommodation is a basic and rustic international-standard lodge built beside the Danum River. Lodge activities throughout today and tomorrow will include jungle walks, bird watching with resident nature guides - some from canopy walkways high above the jungle floor - and night safaris with sights and sounds emanating from deep within the rainforest.

After dinner you'll enjoy a night jungle walk to spot some of the larger mammals and other wildlife of Borneo. A small flashlight will come in handy.

Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

SATURDAY

DANUM VALLEY (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the lodge.

A full day of nature activities in the surrounding rainforest.

In the morning you'll concentrate on bird watching. If possible, please ensure you have a pair of binoculars with you.

You'll follow with further exploration of the trails in the rainforest then return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon you'll head out to the waterfalls and burial sites.

Dinner and then more jungle night walks.

Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

SUNDAY

DANUM VALLEY TO SUKAU (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the lodge. Free time in the morning to enjoy more bird watching or nature trails.

Today you'll leave the Danum Valley and move on to the heart of Borneo’s Wildlife Conservation Area near Sukau. Here, along the banks of the Kinabatangan River and its tributaries, you’ll discover myriad animals, insects, birds and other flora and fauna. Enroute you'll visit the Gomantong Caves, home to millions of bats and swiftlets.

The forest area near Sukau is home to the Proboscis monkeys, who live in groups and come down to the river edges to sleep for the night. Also seen here are Long Tail and Pig Tail Macaques, Hornbills and if luck is with you, wild Orangutans. The Silver & Maroon languor and the Borneo Pigmy Elephant might also show themselves.

Your home is a comfortable, native-styled lodge designed to blend in with the surroundings of the tropical rainforest.

Dinner and overnight at Melapi Lodge.

MONDAY

SUKAU – OXBOW LAKE – SUKAU  (B,L,D)

Today you rise early and follow the ranger out to Oxbow Lake where you'll trek up to the lake to view the early-morning rare birds and wildlife. Return to the lodge around 9:30 for a hearty breakfast.

Rest of the morning is free. Lunch at the lodge.

After lunch, you'll take a boat cruise on the Kinabatangan or Menanggul River tributaries for more wildlife exploration.

Dinner and overnight at Melapi Lodge.

TUESDAY

SUKAU - SANDAKAN – SEPILOK ORANGUTAN SANCTUARY - KOTA KINABALU (B,D)

Early breakfast and check out from the lodge.

This morning you head to the east-coast city of Sandakan and arrive just in time to view the orangutans at the Sepilok Sanctuary, the world's largest rehabilitation centre. You'll stop at a place for lunch in Sandakan.

Then you head for the airport to board your flight back to Kota Kinabalu - MH2709 departs at  14:00 and arrives at 14:45. Upon arrival you check in to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort.

WEDNESDAY

KOTA KINABALU - KUCHING (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the resort.

Morning free. Late morning check out.

After lunch you'll take a closer look at some parts of the city of Kota Kinabalu. You'll visit the Sabah Museum and its fine collection of ceramics, native handicraft, costumes and musical instruments. You'll also visit a local heritage village, a simple but interesting living display of Borneo's diverse races and cultures, St. Michael's church and the War Memorial.

Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Kuching, the capital city of the Malaysian state of Sarawak and the fourth-largest city in Malaysia with about 500,000 inhabitants. MH385 departs at 19:45 and arrives at 21:05. Dinner on board.

Upon arrival you check in to your hotel, situated near the river in the centre of town.

Overnight at the Hilton Kuching.

THURSDAY

KUCHING (B,L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today, take a closer look at the city. You’ll spend some time in the Sarawak Museum, which was originally the residence of James Brooke, the first white Raja. The first floor houses a display of local animals and birds as well as an interesting overview of the oil industry in this part of the world. The second floor has a walk-through longhouse model and extensive displays of tribal artefacts including a small case documenting the penis-piercing jewellery worn by Iban men.

You’ll also visit the Civic Centre tower which offers the best all-round views of Kuching and then spend some time walking through the heart of the old city where you’ll find superb examples of Chinese shophouse buildings, many of which have been occupied by the same family for generations. Many of these families still pursue traditional occupations such as tinsmithing, carpentry and petty trading. Kuching’s highest concentration of antique and handicraft shops are to be found here and photographers will find plenty of interesting subjects.

The rest of the afternoon is free for exploring on your own, relaxing at the hotel or catching up on your notes and photos.

Free for dinner.

Overnight at the Hilton Kuching.

FRIDAY

KUCHING – BATANG AI (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning you leave Kuching and drive southeast into the Sarawak rainforests near the Indonesian border. Along the way you make a few short stops; one to examine and photograph wild pitcher plants growing near the road and another at a pepper farm to examine pepper plants, ginger, cocoa, jackfruit and pomello. You’ll also stop for lunch at either Serian town or Lachau, an upcountry Chinese village.

Once you reach the shores of Batang Ai reservoir, you’ll board a boat to take us across the water to the Batang Ai Longhouse resort, a magical property situated on the shore of the lake at the edge of the rainforest. This is your home for the next two nights. The hotel is constructed entirely of local wood and is designed in the manner of traditional longhouses with comfortable rooms overlooking the forest.

Evening dinner in the lodge restaurant. 

Overnight at Batang Ai Long House resort.

SATURDAY

BATANG AI (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning you board native longboats for a trip across the lake to reach a native Iban longhouse. Here you’ll enjoy a traditional and cultural exchange with the Iban and their families and witness the simple communal lifestyle they share in the longhouse.

The Iban will welcome you in their own way by performing a traditional war dance. You’ll have an opportunity to learn about blow pipes and sample their traditional rice wine. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the rainforest and there will be an opportunity for a jungle walk to examine traditional plants and their uses.

In the afternoon you return to the lodge.

Dinner and overnight at Batang Ai Long House resort.

SUNDAY

BATANG AI – KUCHING – KUALA LUMPUR (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the resort.

This morning you depart by boat and road to Kuching airport (about 4.5 hours) and board your flight to the vibrant Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. MH2565 departs at 16:05 and arrives at 17:45.

Kuala Lumpur, which everyone refers to as ‘KL’, is a blend of the old and the new. Colonial-style buildings exist alongside modern high-rise structures including the famous Petronas Twin Towers, among the tallest buildings in the world.

KL has grown from a small sleepy village to a bustling metropolis (7 million) in just 50 years. With the world's cheapest five-star hotels, great shopping and even better food, increasing numbers of travellers are discovering this gem of a city.

Upon arrival you transfer to your hotel, located in the centre of town.

Dinner and overnight at the Westin KL. 

MONDAY

KUALA LUMPUR (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning you head out of the hotel on a walking tour known as the Forgotten Trails of KL City. Starting from a typical Malay village "Kampung Baru", you’ll stroll down the streets where Malaysian style food stalls sprout like mushrooms. Photographers will marvel at the contrasting picture of traditional small Malay houses fronting this busy street against the backdrop of the famous twin towers. You’ll stop at one of the food stalls and try some local Malay sweets or cakes then venture through the Chow Kit market, where housewives and hawkers haggle over prices. Chinese, Malays and Indian traders set up their poultry, beef, flowers, seafood and fruit stalls to catch a part of the action. You’ll walk through Little India, past the jewellery and sari shops, you’ll visit the beautiful Masjid Jamek mosque and then move on to China Town, where you’ll visit a Chinese Temple and an Indian Temple and end up with a trip to the National Museum.

Your tour ends with a visit to a traditional Chinese Tea House in China Town, after which you’ll stop at the Old China Cafe, where you can have an excellent lunch on your own. After lunch, you can either walk back to the hotel or take a cab or stay and wander some more on your own.

Free for dinner.

Overnight at the Westin KL.

TUESDAY

KUALA LUMPUR (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Full day free to walk, shop and explore on your own.

If you are interested, you'll have the opportunity to visit the factory of Royal Selangor Pewter, one of the most famous pewter producers in the world.

Overnight at Westin KL.

WEDNESDAY

KUALA LUMPUR – CAMERON HIGHLANDS (B.D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check out around 8:30 and depart for the countryside making a short stop at the Batu Caves, a huge limestone outcrop that houses some ornate Hindu temples. These caves are popular places of worship for Hindus. Each year during the auspicious celebration of Thaipusam, thousands of Hindu devotees throng the temple in prayers and offerings.

While the Hindu deities at the base of the long staircase leading up to the caves provide excellent photographic opportunities, if you have enough energy, we encourage you to climb the 272 steps to the cave itself.

Afterwards you will depart on your road journey to Cameron Highlands. Enroute you'll stop at the Lata Iskandar Waterfall. The last part of the journey takes you uphill through dense jungle along twisting and winding roads.

Lunch is provided en route.

The Cameron Highlands are the largest and most genteel of the hill resorts in Malaysia. Located at altitudes up to 1,800 meters (about 6000 feet), the area is a popular hill resort for those who prefer a tranquil and cool holiday.

The Highlands were named after William Cameron, a British colonial government surveyor who discovered the plateau during a mapping expedition in 1885. The fame of Cameron Highlands then grew during the colonial era when British planters realized the potential of its fertile mountain slopes for growing tea, then a prized commodity. The Cameron Highlands are still home to many tea plantations, being Malaysia's largest tea-producing region. The area is also known as a major supplier of vegetables to both Malaysia and Singapore.

British families who were stationed in Malaysia during colonial times took to the hills in a respite from the hot, humid tin mines and rubber plantations. Much of the British character of the Cameron Highlands has remained unchanged.

Nature lovers will enjoy the lush profusion of flora and fauna found in the surrounding jungles.

Upon arrival, you’ll check in to your hotel. Rest of afternoon free to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Western set dinner in the hotel.

Overnight at the Lake House

THURSDAY

CAMERON HIGHLANDS (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Activities today are unstructured. You'll be able to choose from several types of walks or hikes in the surrounding forests, visits to nearby towns including Tanah Rata, Ringlet or Brinchang, or a visit to a tea plantation or strawberry farm.

Alternately, you may choose to simply relax at the hotel or wander on your own.

Free for dinner.

Overnight at the Lake House.

FRIDAY

CAMERON HIGHLANDS - KUALA LUMPUR - MALACCA (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

You check out this morning by about 8:30 and depart on your drive to Kuala Lumpur. Upon reaching the city you stop for lunch and then continue on to the coastal town of Malacca.

The site where the town of Malacca stands today was the capital of the Malaccan Sultanate and was the centre of the Malay world in the 15th and the 16th century after the Malays moved over from Sumatra and it was the most developed part of the Malay Peninsula before it fell to the Portuguese in 1511. Centuries of colonization by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British as well as development of Straits Chinese culture have greatly influenced the architecture of the town.

Malacca is a enjoyable, small, walkable, tourist-friendly town with much to offer photographers and historians alike. Consequently, we do not include any formal activities during your stay here. You are free to wander the town on your own and enjoy the atmosphere of this wonderful place.

Upon arrival, you check in to your historic colonial-style hotel, located in the centre of town near the old part of the city.

Free for dinner.

Overnight at Majestic Hotel.

SATURDAY

MALACCA (B)

Breakfast at hotel.

Full day free to explore the narrow streets of the old city including Jonker Street, Chinatown, the Stadthuys, Christchurch, A’Famosa and many other sites, all within walking distance of the hotel.

We recommend you also take some time to enjoy the spa at the hotel.

Overnight at Majestic Hotel.

SUNDAY

MALACCA – SINGAPORE (B)

Breakfast at hotel.

This morning you drive southward to Johor Bahru and leave Malaysia. After customs and immigration formalities on both sides of the border, you enter the city-state of Singapore.

Upon arrival this afternoon, you check in to your hotel for a three-night stay.

Free for dinner.

Overnight at the Intercontinental Singapore.

MONDAY

SINGAPORE (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning you can take an optional city tour if you wish to see the highlights of the city. The rest of the day will be free to explore on your own.

Overnight at the Intercontinental Singapore.

TUESDAY

SINGAPORE (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Full day free for final sightseeing, shopping or getting organized for the trip home.

Overnight at the Intercontinental Singapore.

WEDNESDAY

SINGAPORE DEPARTURE (B)

Breakfast at hotel.

Transfer to the airport in time to board your flight back to Canada.