Summary
An action packed mountain trekking expedition, summiting some of the
highest and most rewarding mountains in Borneo. This challenging
expedition is aimed at those with previous experience in mountain
expeditions, and that want to conquer some of Southeast Asia’s most
stunning and highest peaks. We will trek through pristine equatorial
rainforests of Mulu National Park to the peak of Mount Mulu at 2,376m,
climb Malaysia’s second highest mountain Trus Madi at 2,642m and finish
with Southeast Asia’s highest mountain, Mount Kinabalu at 4,095m. |
Departures and Pricing
excl flights |
2009 |
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Double |
Single |
Child |
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£1650 |
£1850 |
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Itinerary |
Day 1 - Kuching
Arrive today in Kuching. A perfect introduction to Borneo, Kuching is a city of great culture
and history. Have a stroll along the river or take a boat ride along it, and be sure to visit the
fascinating sites of the old White Raja.
Document collection: Passport photocopies (x2), Travel Insurance Certificate copies (x2),
health and diet questionnaire, emergency contacts.
Accommodation is included in a clean and spacious hostel with access to good quality western
shower and toilet facilities. |
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Day 2 – Kuching and the Orang-utan Sanctuary
Morning:
Introduction, aims and objectives of the expedition and how it will be run. Health interviews, Kit checking and new kit distribution
Medical, health and hygiene briefing
Safety briefing, incl. use of smoke alarms.
Risk assessments and how to do them ‘dynamically’
Emergency procedures – incl. Satellite phone use. Expedition preparation
Accommodation is included in the same clean and spacious hostel with access to good quality western-style shower and toilet facilities.
Afternoon:
We will visit the orang-utans at feeding time in their jungle sanctuary, a chance to see these
incredible 'men of the jungle' close up. |
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Day 3 – Bako National Park
Travel the relatively short journey by road and boat to Bako National Park, where we will
stay overnight in rustic accommodation and experience Bako's phenomenal wildlife. There are
plenty of walking opportunities to take advantage of here as acclimatization for the rest of
our expedition. |
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Day 4 – Bako National Park
Your second and last day at Bako, perhaps wake up early and stroll along the board walks with
animals all around, do the walks you didn't have a chance to do the day before, or just relax
in the outdoor 'jungle' cafe. We return to Kuching in the afternoon. |
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Day 5 - Miri
We travel to Miri for our preparations for the challenging four day summit of Mount Mulu. |
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Day 6 – Gunung Mulu National Park |
We take the short flight over the luxuriant tropical rainforest to Gunung Mulu National Park.
After checking into our accommodation we head through the forest to Deer Cave, the
largest cave passage in the world is home to millions of bats and swifts that live side by side
in the roof of the cave. The park is also home to the longest cave passage in South East
Asia, the largest natural chamber in the world, the Sarawak Chamber, and the curious
'Pinnacles'. |
Within the park the Penan tribe, a small population of nomadic forest dwellers live as huntergatherers.
Although you are unlikely to meet these elusive people, you occasionally see their
shelters or areas in the forest where they have recently visited. The park has some
incredible statistics. It has over 3,500 plant species, 8,000 different types of fungi and 170
species of orchid. There are 262 species of bird, almost 300 species butterflies and many
reptiles and mammals.
In the evening we will meet our guides for our summit trek, beginning the next day. |
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Day 7 – Day 10 - Gunung Mulu National Park; The Summit Trail
The mountains leap out of the surrounding plains rising vertically in places with sheer cliffs
and exposed rock faces. Upon seeing the park from the air, visitors are awed by its
inaccessible steep mountain sides, plunging gorges and collapsed caves, all covered by a sea of
rainforest. Most imposing of all is Gunung Mulu itself, which dominates the landscape. This
is 4 day/3 nights, 24 kilometre trek. The climb begins at Park HQ which is around 40m
above sea level rising to the Summit at 2,377m; undoubtedly the most difficult and
rewarding challenge Mulu has to offer.
A great variety of habitats, montane forest with pitcher plants, conifers, orchids and
colorful rhododendrons through to the stunted Summit plants and magnificent views are
more than enough reward for this four day climb. The leeches are just a bonus!
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Day 8 - Travelling to the east coast of Sabah
In the morning we head down to the east coast of Sabah, a 4-hour (approx) bus journey, where we will stay in a 'floating hotel', in the small town of Semporna. This bay town, with the sea lapping its shores and stilt villages offers some of the finest islands and reefs in Southeast Asia. Today you'll have plenty of time to plan which islands you'd like to visit, to sample the seafood restaurants and to have stroll around town.
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Day 9 - Semporna and the islands off the east coast of Sabah
There's an excellent choice of islands to visit by boat, where you can just relax, snorkel or even do some diving...enjoy! If you'd like to try diving then one of the highlights is the near-vertical 'wall' off the east coast of Sipadan island, where colourful tropical fish swim near the surface and huge groupers and wrasse nose about in the murky depths below. There is a limit to the number of people that can go to Sipadan island each day because of its conservation status (and is more expensive) so do let us know soon if you intend on visiting this island. Of course there are many other islands with excellent reef and it should be noted that snorkelling is very good off many of the islands too with clear waters and coral abound. Tonight you can stay a second night in the floating hotel, or you may want to have a change and stay in another local homestay, the choice is yours.
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Day 10 - Semporna and the islands off the east coast of Sabah
Your second day enjoying life in the tropics with beaches, coral reef, tiny tropical islands and more marine life you could imagine!
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Day 11- Kota Kinabalu
In the morning we make our way to Kota Kinabalu (which is an hours bus ride to the airport and then a apprimately an hours flight) for our last day and where we have the chance to enjoy the cuisine and even nightlife of this so called 'rainforest city'. This is Sabah's largest city, clearly new and 'up-and-coming' and is a great place to do some shopping, or just hang-out in cafes overlooking the sea and islands.
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Day 11 – Kota Kinabalu
In the morning we take two flights and arrive in Kota Kinabalu in the afternoon. There we
have a well earned rest! |
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Day 12 – Kota Kinabalu
A free day. There are many things to do in
Kota Kinabalu from visiting cultural villages
to having a day of sand and sun on the
nearby tropical islands |
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Day 13 – Tambunan
We transfer to the starting point of the second highest mountain in Borneo. |
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Day 14 – Day 15 – Mount Trus Madi
We transfer by 4-wheel drive to the foot of the valley where we begin our two day summit
of this incredible mountain. There is no tourism infrastructure here, which is part of its
lure. The keen observer will encounter some of Borneo’s rarest birds and distinguish unique
plants, some of which grow nowhere else in the world. The terrain is difficult and in places it
is a scramble over a combination of rock and knarled roots. The climb starts at 1800 m, with
the first night in a well protected section under the peak of the mountain. The following
morning we leave early looking to arrive on the summit in typical early morning clear, crisp
conditions – the panorama is simply breathtaking! |
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Day 16 – Ranau
We transfer to Ranau, the small, tranquil market town situated high up in the Crocker Range,
adjacent to Mount Kinabalu National Park. The people are well known for their hospitality,
and the surroundings are wonderful with plenty of activities to do here. |
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Day 17 – Mount Kinabalu National Park
We make the short journey to the Mount Kinabalu Headquarters where we prepare for our
two day summit of Mount Kinabalu. |
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Day 18 – Mount Kinabalu
Our first day ascending Mount Kinabalu, we will stay in good quality mountain hut
accommodation on the side of the mountain and next to an excellent mountain restaurant. |
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Day 19 – Mount Kinabalu and Kota Kinabalu
for sunrise, and then descend back to Headquarters, with a hearty all-you-can-eat breakfast
half way! |
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Day 20 – Kota Kinabalu
Finished... well done! |
Includes
All accommodation
Food costs
All in-country transport
Essential camping equipment
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Excludes
Optional extras such as Optional extras such snorkeling, diving, extra river cruises and extra food costs.
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