7D Birds & Bats, Loagan Bunut & Mulu National Parks, Sarawak, Borneo

This is a short adventure trip which allows one to commune with nature in 2 diversely varied surroundings.Tucked away on the upper reaches of Sungei Bunut in the Miri Division is the Loagan (Lake) Bunut, which was gazetted as a National Park in 1991. Named by the local Berawan (one of the ethnic tribes of Sarawak) fishermen, Loagan Bunut houses Sarawak’s largest natural lake covering an area of 6,500 hectares of the 10,736 hectares of the National Park.

The traditional method of the Selambau fishing is still practiced by the Berawans today, a technique developed by the fishermen to harvest the migrating fish during the fluctuating water levels. A rich variety of flora and fauna composed mainly of peat swamp forest supports a large and varied birdlife (egrets, darter, herons, eagles, hornbills, kingfisher, etc) in this area. In the months of May through to August and during dry spells, the lake’s water level drops drastically and it is exceptionally spectacular to witness the employment of Selambau fishing. During this time, the whole lake becomes a vast expanse of dry cracked mud. Highlights of the first part of this trip are bird watching and fishing.

A little further afield, near to the Sabahan border stands the world famous Mulu Caves – a supernatural wonderland created by the forces of rock, water and wind.The tours to the 4 show caves in Mulu are designed to cater to travelers from all walks of life and age groups.Easy wooden boardwalks, lighted steps with handrails take you around the main caves and traveling to them is done in comfortable native-style longboats. With luxurious hotel facilities to pamper you at night, you don’t have to rough it out unless you want to.

Day 01 / Arrive Miri 

Arrive Miri, meet/greet by our guide and transfer to Dynasty Hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Day 02 / Miri – Loagan Bunut 

After breakfast, we drive to 3 hours to Loagan Bunut National Park HQ. The drive will take us through rich forests and pass rice fields, pepper plantations, beautiful gardens and swidden farms. From the National Park HQ , we take a short boat ride to Loagan Lodge (or we can walk on mud flats during the dry season).After lunch we attend a briefing covering the safety, ecology and cultural aspects of the Park.Late afternoon go on a lake and river cruise to observe birds and other wildlife, flora, some cultural sites or just enjoy the environment. Observe the unique selambau fishing technique (when in season). Sunset viewing followed by dinner. Rest of evening at leisure. Overnight at Loagan Lodge. (B/L/D)

Day 03 / Loagan Bunut 

Early morning cruise up the Bunen River and specific sites along the lake.
Breakfast at the lodge. Rest of morning is at your own leisure and activities. Guided trekking and canoeing are among the available optional activities.
Lunch at noon. Rest of the afternoon is at your own leisure. Continue with optional activities. Dinner. Rest of evening at leisure. Overnight at the lodge.

 

Optional activities available include

• Tinggang Jungle Trek
• Canoeing
• Night Jungle Trek
• Night Wildlife Spotting Cruise
• Extension Teru Longhouse Visi

Day 04 / Loagan Bunut – Miri
 

Breakfast and own leisure time. Transfer by boat to Loagan Bunut National Park for return journey to Miri. (B/L/-)

Day 05 / Miri – Mulu
 

After breakfast we transfer to airport for flight to Mulu. Upon arrival, we transfer to Royal Mulu Resort. (B/-/-)

 

Day 06 / Mulu – Deer & Lang’s Caves
After breakfast, we proceed by longboat or by van to Park Headquarters. From the Park HQ, take a scenic 3km plank walk through primary rainforests 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 120 – 150m in diameter, (image that it can fit St. Paul’s 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. Next to Deer Cave is Lang’s Cave. The stalactites and stalagmites inside this cave are representative of the very best limestone formations in the Park. Return to our hotel by torchlight. Stay at the Royal Mulu Resort. (B/-/-)

Day 07 / Wind & Clearwater Caves – Miri
After breakfast, proceed by longboat upriver to Wind Cave with its impressive ‘King’s Chamber’. Here, stalactites and stalagmites with delicate lace-like patterns are found. A short walk along a plank walk suspended to the limestone cliff leads to Clearwater Cave. 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 grow on certain rocks and have produced needle-like formations that point towards the source of light. Clearwater Cave has a wonderful swimming area shaded by giant rainforest trees. Enjoy a simple picnic or packed lunch, swim, relax and explore the caves before returning to your hotel. Transfer to Mulu airport for departure flight to Kuching via Miri. (B/L)

Tour Cost

·        MYR 3420.00/PAX

·        MYR 2839.00/PAX

Tour Cost Includes

• Domestic flights Miri – Mulu – Miri
• All land/boat transfers
• Twin-share hotel stay (except at the lodge) with daily breakfast
• Other meals as indicated
• All tours as indicated
• Local English-speaking guide

Tour Cost Excludes

• International and connecting flights into Miri
• All airport taxes
• Insurance
• Table drinks including mineral water & alcoholic beverages
• Optional activities & tours
• Other incidentals
• Tips & gratuities for guide & drivers, etc.
• Emergency transfers

 

5D/4N Sarawak Cultural Package

Kuching is a perfect destination for a traveller to start exploring Sarawak in Borneo, especially if you travel with children and are aware of responsible travel.Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, which stretches across a strip along the north and east coasts of Borneo, Kuching means "cat" in Malay and the city bills itself “the Cat City.” Kuching’s identity, superficially anyway, is tied up in a cat obsession. There are a number of large cat sculptures in the city center, and there’s even a museum dedicated entirely to the common house cat.

From the Brooke dynasty (failed trader and adventurer James Brooke and his descendents ruled the state as white Rajahs from the 1840s until 1946), the tribal populations, and the historically recent influx of Chinese immigrants, the state of Sarawak actually has a pretty rich and bizarre history.

Kuching is a nice town offering a wide range of good museums – maybe among the best in Malaysia - start with the Sarawak State Museum. It’s housed in a nice 19th-century colonial building and has a good selection of cultural artifacts from the Melanau and Dayak tribes, and some good natural history displays. Across the road, the Islamic Art Museum is a little musty, but the former madrasa (school) that contains it is interesting and there are some beautiful pieces. Further afield, the Sarawak Cultural Village in Damai (about 45 minutes from downtown Kuching) is a kind of living tribal museum. You can walk through actual re-sited long and tall houses and see how various Melanau and Dayak crafts and foodstuffs were made.

An exploratory walk through Kuching’s old downtown won’t furnish you with facts, but it’s a nice way to get a feel for life among the city’s large Chinese population. A good route takes you west across the nicely landscaped waterfront, down to diminutive Fort Margherita. Past the fort, where the esplanade ends, there is a strikingly decrepit old wet market with rows of tiled counters stretching toward corners covered over in vines and roots that have grown up through the floor. Just a bit further on is what appears to be a vacant storehouse with a fully grown tree bursting through a hole in its roof. Across the street is a stretch of wonderfully old Chinese shop houses that used to comprise downtown Kuching. Circling back toward the new city center through the streets behind the waterfront road, you’ll find more charming architecture and a pleasant neighborhood atmosphere. Closer to the new downtown is the historic Hong San Si temple, which was built in 1848 but has seen substantial renovations since.

Nature and wilderness – proboscis monkeys, orang-utans, turtles,birds, big spiders..- are easily accessible at less than one hour, as well as nice and quiet beaches.

 Itinerary

  

Day 1

ARRIVE KUCHING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
You will be met on arrival by our representative at Kuching International Airport.Go on a city sightseeing tour. Visit Sarawak Museum & Garden, Heroes Memorial Monument, Kuching Waterfront, Esplanade to view Astana & Fort Margherita, Prosperity Cat Statue, City South Council, Civic Centre Tower, and pass by China town, Pavilion, Square Tower, General Post Office, Padang Merdeka, Old Court House and Old State Mosque before being transferred to your hotel. After check in, free at own leisure for the rest of the day.

  

Day 2

KUCHING – SEMENGGOH & SARAWAK CULTURAL VILLAGE (B)
After breakfast, proceed to Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, home to a sizeable group of Orang Utans - primates found only in Sumatra and Borneo. In the sanctuary, young orang utans which are either orphaned or rescued from captivity are trained to survive in the wild wilderness. Witness these magnificent creatures - Orang Utans - up close especially during their feeding time.Next stop at a pottery factory outlet before returning to hotel.

In the afternoon, proceed to the Sarawak Cultural Village - situated at the foot of Mount Santubong - which is a living museum showcasing the lifestyle, traditions and cultures of different tribes of Sarawak such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau, Malay, Chinese and Penan community. A visit to the Village will give you a truly unique perspective of the local culture. Watch the beautiful cultural dance performance at the Village Theater.After returning from the village, free at own leisure for the rest of the day.

Feeding time: Morning 9am & Afternoon 3pm

Day 3

KUCHING - LEMANAK LONGHOUSE (B,L,D)
After breakfast check out from hotel before proceeding to Serian Town. Shop for local produce in the native fruits and vegetable market.Next visit a pepper farm and view wild orchids and pitcher plants (insect eating plants) along the way.After lunch at Lachau (a small chinese village), we will take a boat ride to Iban Longhouse by longboat via Lemanak Jetty.Take a tour around the longhouse and meet and interact with the natives and their families upon arrival.Dinner at the guesthouse. After dinner, proceed to the longhouse to witness the traditional war dance in full ceremonial regalia performance.Overnight at the guesthouse with toilet and shower facilities.

  

Day 4

LEMANAK LONGHOUSE - KUCHING (B,L)
After breakfast, watch a blowpipe demonstration by the Iban people and followed by a longboat down river and a short trek through the rainforest up to a pepper plantation and the old Iban cemetery.

A native lunch will be served at the riverbank.

Return to Kuching. En route, stopover in Lachau for refreshments at your own expense.Check in to hotel and free at own leisure for the rest of the day.

Day 5

DEPART KUCHING (B)
After breakfast, free at leisure until your transfer to the airport.

Your hotel options with ground arrangement

Hotel	Room Type	Single	Twin	Child + bed	Child no bed
Harbour View(3*)	Standard	1290	1040	620	580
Santubong Resort (3*)	Deluxe	1350	1100	700	610
Grand Continental (4*)	Run on the  House	1350	1070	690	610
Grand Margherita (4*)	Standard	1500	1140	730	600
Riverside Majestic (5*)	Superior	1530	1160	750	610
Damai Beach Resort (5*)	Standard	1620	1230	780	660
Hilton Kuching Hotel (5*)	Standard	1640	1220	800	610
Damai Puri (5*)	Deluxe	1740	1300	830	670
Pullman Hotel (5*)	Superior	1860	1330	880	620

RM 1,040/  1 Person

5D/4N Kuching Explorer

Day 1 

ARRIVE KUCHINGUpon arrival, you will be met by our representative at Kuching International Airport.After that, we will proceed to a city sightseeing tour. Visit places such as Sarawak Museum & Garden, Heroes Memorial Monument, Kuching Waterfront, Esplanade to view Astana & Fort Margherita, Prosperity Cat Statue, City South Council, Civic Centre Tower, and pass by China town, Pavilion, Square Tower, General Post Office, Merdeka Padang, Old Court House and Kuching Mosque before being transferred to your hotel.Free at own leisure for the rest of the day after check in.

Day 2

KUCHING – SEMENGGOH & FAIRY CAVE (B,L) After breakfast, we proceed to Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilation Center where Orang Utan, can be found. You will have the opportunity to witness these magnificent Orang Utan up close especially during their feeding time.Next on the list is Fairy Cave in Bukit Kapor, Bau which was formed 100 to 150 million years ago. You will be able to witness the wonderful formation of limestone stalagmites and stalactites which are shaped like statues of fairies. Free at own leisure for the rest of the day after returning from the trip. Feeding time: Morning 9am & Afternoon 3pm

Day 3

KUCHING – BAKO NATIONAL PARK (B,L)
After breakfast, we proceed to Kampung Bako, a picturesque fishing village some 45 minutes by road from Kuching, for a half hour boat ride to Bako National Park. Upon arrival, register yourself at the park headquarters. Bako National Park is the oldest national parks in Sarawak, yet one of the most interesting, with seven distinct eco-systems: beach vegetation, cliff vegetation, kerangas or heath forest, mangroves, dipterocarps (tropical rainforest), grasslands and peat swamps. Considered the best nature park in Malaysia for self-guided treks, these eco-systems can be explored via the 17 jungle trails (some criss-crossing one another) running more than 30 kilometres within Bako.One of the great pluses of Bako is the near certainty that you will see wildlife out on the trails. A short walk to Paku beach would enable you to see the long-nosed Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus). There are estimated to be only about 150 of them in Bako. There is also opportunity to see a kerangas forest whose trees housed many anthills on their branches as well as the many pitcher plants found along the trail. Although relatively small, Bako is spectacular in its own way; its steep rocky cliffs, punctuated by deep bays and lovely sandy beaches. The park offers a number of well-marked trails for you to enjoy the secluded beautiful beaches. Lunch will be provided at the park canteen. Free at own leisure for the rest of the day after returning from the trip.

Day 4

KUCHING – SARAWAK CULTURAL VILLAGE & IRRAWADDY DOLPHIN (B,L)
Proceed to Sarawak Cultural Village which is situated at the foot of Mount Santubong after breakfast. A Museum showcasing the lifestyle, traditions and cultures of different tribes can be found. You will be able to witness the beautiful cultural dance performance at the Village Theater. This tour will leave you with a wonderful memory of Kuching.We cruise across the mouth of Santubong River in search of the rare Irrawaddy Dolphin after lunch. Occasionally the dolphins are often seen swimming and diving around small fishing boats in the estuary. You will need a keen eye to spot the dolphins at first, but after a short wait they can often be seen surfacing all around the boat. Free at own leisure for the rest of the day after returning from the trip.

*Dolphins are wild creatures, therefore sightings cannot be guaranteed.

 

Day 5
DEPART KUCHING (B)
After breakfast, free at own leisure until your transfer to the airport.

Your hotel options with ground arrangement

Hotel	Room Type	Single	Double
Damai Beach Hotel (5*)	Superior	2060	1450
	Sea view	2270	1550
	Chalet	2140	1490
Damai Puri Resort (5*)	Sea view	2580	1680
	Rainforest	2360	1570
Grand Margherita (5*)	Standard	1810	1300
	Deluxe	1900	1350
Hilton Kuching Hotel (5*)	Standrad	2100	1460
Merdeka Palace Hotel (5*)	Superior	1650	1240
	Deluxe	1780	1270
Riverside Majestic Hotel (5*)	Superior	1900	1350
	Deluxe	2000	1400

RM 1,240/ 1 Person