Macacques, Jungle Boat Cruise and Snorkelling Bays

Malaysia independent travel

You'll see: Kota Kinabalu - Kinabalu National Park - Sepilok - Sukau - Mulu National Park - Cameron Highlands - Pulau Perhentian - Pulau Lang Tengah

A three-week itinerary filled with surprises and with a relaxing end. From the northern part of Borneo you'll travel from the lively capital to one of the nearby national parks. Here you'll be able to indulge in taking a rejuvenating mineral bath and you'll even get to go on an adventurous tree-top hike through the jungle on the Canopy Walkway. You'll also go for an exciting boat ride through the murky rivers of Sabah and you'll encounter adorable orang-utans. Discover mysterious caves and keep an eye on the skies to watch bats scurrying out of their cave to search for food in the evening. After you leave the jungle, modern-day Kuala Lumpur will bring you back to the present as you walk past towering skyscrapers; and will take you back to the past when you stroll through traditional markets. Find out how tea is produced in the refreshing cool air of the highlands and go for a walk through the rolling hills of the Boh Tea Estate. This itinerary ends with a visit to not one but two of the most beautiful islands in Malaysia. Settle down on the white powdery sands of tropical beaches and enjoy delicious cocktails while the palm trees sway around you; the perfect ending to the perfect holiday.

Duration:	20 days/ 19 nights Departure daily all year round	Accommodation:	Mid-class hotels, beach resorts and jungle lodges accommodation category 2, 3 and 4
Price:	from $3839 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes:	Hire car, other transport, accommodation with breakfast, guide, lunch and diner on Borneo, entrance fees for national parks on Borneo
Transport:	Hire car, mini bus, boat and domestic flight	Excludes:	Other meals

Day 1 - Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu

After a flight with a short layover in Kuala Lumpur you'll arrive in the modern city of Kota Kinabalu. Our friendly and helpful driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel as quickly as he can. You'll notice right away that Kota Kinabalu doesn't have a typical Asian appeal; especially while driving past modern buildings and other architecture. The city is has an exceptionally charming atmosphere in the evening and there's always plenty to do and see at the waterfront. We also recommend visiting the local market and its hawker stalls; this is the best place to score a wonderful local meal.

Day 2 - Kota Kinabalu

Hopefully you'll have been able to catch up on some sleep and won't feel the effects of jetlag too much. A delicious breakfast buffet will be waiting for you in the morning. Since Kota Kinabalu is city with quite a modern character, you won't come across many ancient cultural attractions here. However, there are several places that you should visit while here such as the Tao Tua Pek Kong Temple, the famous catholic cathedral and the government mosque. We also suggest visiting the famous government museum, especially if you would like to learn more about local customs and specifically about the various Sabah tribes. There are also several scenic view areas looking out over the beautiful coastline and the city. Another must while in this city is a visit to one of the colourful markets; however you may also just want to lie down and relax at one of the beaches or visit one of the tropical islands off the coast... anything is possible.

Day 3 - Kota Kinabalu - Kinabalu National Park - Poring Hot Springs

Today your guide will be up and waiting for you early in the morning. After breakfast you'll head towards Poring. Along the way you'll stop off at a local market where you can buy some fresh fruit and get a feel for the local atmosphere. Once you reach Poring you'll get to see the jungle from on top of the Canopy Walkway, which is suspended several metres from the ground. You'll see and hear a variety of colourful birds playing all around you and monkeys will be curious onlookers from their hiding places between the leafy trees. After this journey, you'll have time for a relaxing dip in the hot springs located in the centre of a very colourful garden area. Later in the afternoon you'll travel to Kinabalu National Park where you'll have the rest of the afternoon to spend as you wish. You'll spend the night in rustic wooden lodges in the national park.

Day 4 - Kinabalu National Park - Kota Kinabalu

After an early breakfast made up of local delicacies, your guide will take you towards Mount Kinabalu. A bus will take you up a part of the mountain. At an altitude of 1524m above sea level, you'll embark on your hike to the second shelter on the mountain. The view from the mountain is incredible and you'll see quite a number of animals during your climb. When you return to the national park you'll go on a fascinating hike through extraordinary gardens filled with the most exquisite flowers and plants. After lunch your guide will take you back to your hotel in Kota Kinabalu.

Day 5 - Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan - Sepilok - Sukau

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you'll catch a taxi cab to the airport where you'll board a 20-minute Malaysia Airlines fight to Sandakan. On your arrival, your guide will be waiting to welcome you to your new destination. You'll board a bus and within 45 minutes you'll reach the world famous Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Watch apes swinging around effortlessly from tree to tree before grabbing fruit from their caretakers hands. After taking as many adorable pictures as you can you'll head back for the bus and you'll drive on to Sandakan's harbour where you'll set sail for Sukau. Along the way you'll have lunch at a charming jungle lodge on the banks of the longest river in Sabah. After a while you'll continue on to the riverside lodge that will be your home for the next two nights. Your resort is surrounded by hiking trails; you'll truly feel as if you're deep in the jungle far away from civilisation and you'll see the most amazing animals and plants. As the sun sets and evening draws near, you'll go on an unforgettable jungle boat ride. As you sail along, you'll see quite a few monkeys who come to the river banks in the evening to get a bite to eat and something to drink before sleeping. The monkeys screech playfully as they jump around on the branches above the water. Eventually you'll return to the riverside lodge where you'll enjoy a delightful dinner buffet. As the day ends, you'll fall asleep in your wooden jungle lodge deep in the heart of the jungle.

Day 6 - Sukau

You might be awakened by screeching gibbon monkeys and the typical sounds made by hornbills. Early in the morning you'll sail towards nearby lakes where the animals on the shores will slowly come to life. You'll see otters, large lizards, crocodiles and of course very many monkeys. Later on in the morning you'll sail back to your lodge for breakfast. In the afternoon you can for instance go for a walk in the area or maybe sit back and relax with a book on the porch. Late afternoon you'll sail off in search of wild animals. Once the sun begins to set you'll sail back to the lodge for dinner and you'll spend your last night in the jungle lodge.

Day 7 - Sukau - Sandakan - Kota Kinabalu

After a relaxing start of your day and breakfast, you'll sail for about 2.5 hours until you reach Sandakan. If you look up high and the trees, you'll see the monkeys looking down on you as they scurry about. Once you arrive in Sandakan you'll visit a traditional village of houses built on poles where the Kadazan tribe lives. You'll then continue on to the lively Sandakan market where practically every single thing you could ever want is sold. After lunch in a local restaurant you may want to look around before driving on to the elevated Chinese Puu Jih Syh temple. The temple offers an incredible view of Sandakan Bay. Late in the afternoon you'll be taken to the airport or your hotel.

Day 8 - Kota Kinabalu - Mulu National Park

This morning you'll catch a domestic flight to Mulu National Park. Before long, you'll trade in the busy, modern city of Kota Kinabalu for the green, dense vegetation of mountainous jungle at Mulu National Park. Your guide will be waiting for you upon your arrival and he will take you to your resort's headquarters. You'll check in at the resort and have your own jungle lodge for the next two nights. After check-in you'll head into the park for a 3km hike straight into the jungle across a wooden walkway. The first cave you'll reach is 'Lang Cave', an enormous cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites. Bring along a raincoat, quite a bit of water drops down from the cracks in the limestone. The cave is lit up by large lamps and it is easily accessible by walking across the walkways. The next cave, 'Deer Cave' is nearby and home to millions of bats. Don't forget to bring along a flashlight, the cave is dark and can be slippery. As the sun goes down, you'll head towards the cave entrance (the largest cave entrance in the world) and out of nowhere you'll hear an immense noise, peeping and fluttering. When you look around you'll see the mass exodus of thousands of heading out into the nocturnal jungle in search of insects. Being a part of this is truly quite an extraordinary experience. At around 7pm or 8pm you'll be back at the lodge and you'll be able to sit down to a delightful meal at the restaurant. In the evening you'll dose away in your spacious, comfortable room.

Day 9 - Mulu National Park

At around 8:30am, after a hearty breakfast, you'll set out in a long, wooden jungle boat. Along the way you'll pass Penan tribe villages. The first cave you'll come across is the 'Wind Cave', an enormous cave with bizarre natural pillars. Your boat ride will then continue on towards 'Clearwater Cave', which was created by an enormous network of underground rivers. A long staircase will take you through this fascinating cave network. It can get quite warm in the caves, so it's best to wear cool clothing. After visiting the caves, you can go for a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters of the pools to cool off. While enjoying a picnic lunch, you may see dozens or perhaps even hundreds of 'Rajah Brooke' butterflies happily fluttering above the water. The butterflies make it feel as if you're part of a fairytale. Eventually your boat will take you back to your lodge. You'll arrive in the late afternoon and will be able to sit back and relax until dinner. At the end of the day you'll fall asleep in your lodge to the sounds of the jungle.

Day 10 and 11- Mulu National Park - Miri - Kuala Lumpur

Undoubtedly, this morning you'll be awakened by jungle sounds.... as you would be every morning spent here. A chorus of birds singing and leaves crackling will be the background music during your breakfast. After breakfast, your guide will take you to Mulu airport where you'll catch a flight to Miri and then on to Kuala Lumpur.

On your arrival one of our representatives will be waiting for you. A car or mini van will take you to your hotel in Kuala Lumpur where a travel information package will be waiting for you with all necessary information and vouchers for your journey through West Malaysia. Today and tomorrow you'll have all the time you need to explore the vivacious city of Kuala Lumpur. The ever popular 'Petaling Street' is close to your hotel and is excellent for seemingly endless walks through small side streets and alleyways. A few top attractions you don't want to miss during your stay are the world's highest towers, the Petronas Towers, the neo-colonial Anglo-Moor style train station and the hyper modern Masjid Negara-mosque. Kuala Lumpur also has a lot to offer travellers who are more 'West' oriented; from fast food restaurants to large air conditioned shopping malls suitable for seemingly endless shopping sprees.

Day 12 - Kuala Lumpur - Cameron Highlands

Your hire car will be dropped off at your hotel in the morning. The representative will explain the in's and out's of the car and give you a map. If you're not sure how to find your way out of the mad traffic of Kuala Lumpur you can ask him to drive with you some of the way. From Kuala Lumpur it's a 180 miles drive north Tanah Rata, which takes about 3 to 4 hours. On the way to the Cameron Highlands you’ll notice the temperature gradually begins to drop the higher you get. You’ll be staying on the edge of Tanah Rata, one of the three larger towns in the area and with a lot more local charm than nearby Brinchang.

Once you’ve checked in it’s a 20-minute walk to the town centre where you can wander round the little souvenir shops or grab a bite to eat in the evening. Make sure you try the ‘steamboat’ a kind of Cantonese fondue in the Restaurant Mayflower, or head next door for a great Indian curry.

Day 13 - Cameron Highlands

After breakfast in the wonderfully kitsch dining room you’ll be picked up at the hotel by our local guide, usually the jolly Subramaniam or Maniam, and otherwise one of their colleagues. Depending on the weather you’ll drive to the tea plantations where Maniam will tell you all about the history of the plantations and the surrounding area.

After touring the tea plantations Maniam will take you to a viewpoint where you can admire the views across the green, rolling hills – if the weather’s clear that is. On the way back you’ll go on a short walk through the jungle of Mossi Forest. The path can be slippery in places so make sure you wear sturdy shoes or boots. By this time you’ll probably fancy a cuppa, so following a winding road downhill you’ll head back to the tea plantations and the most famous tea factory in the area, the Boh Tea Estate (closed Mondays). Maniam will give you a tour of the estate and show you how the tea leaves, freshly picked from the fields, are processed into the more familiar brown brew. In the afternoon you'll visit a butterfly farm where you can see the most exotic, colourful butterflies fluttering around. Later that evening, head back into town for another lovely dinner in one of the many restaurants in Tanah Rata.

Day 14 - Cameron Highlands - Kuala Besut - Pulau Perhentian

After breakfast in the light and inviting dining room, you'll hop into your car and set course for Kuala Besut on Malaysia's east coast. You'll go on a beautiful drive past small villages and local tribes that live in this area. As you pass through the mountainous area, shrouds of clouds will linger mysteriously. As you start to descend to lower altitudes, you'll notice that the temperature will start to climb once again and before long you'll need to turn the air conditioner back on. The entire drive should take around 6 hours, so be sure you take enough time to get to your destination. Once you arrive in Kuala Besut a representative will be waiting to take back your hire car.

Once you've arrived, be sure to check in at the harbour office. The boat to Pulau Perhentian will depart until 4pm; there are no set times for its departure. Once there are sufficient people on board, the boat will take off for the island of paradise. The beaches on the island are as white as pearls and the water is so blue it looks like someone poured blue dye into it. After you've checked into your wooden resort, you can go for a refreshing plunge into the sea or simply sit back on the beach with a delicious cocktail. Time for some R&R...

Day 15 and 16 - Pulau Perhentian

In the morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then wander over to the white beach in front of the resort to find a spot in the soft white sand. The palm trees softly rustling in the wind, the soothing sound of the waves lapping on the beach and the warm sun tickling your skin...life couldn’t be more perfect. You could just lie here for the rest of the day, but if you want a little more activity, take an afternoon snorkelling trip. If you book a half-day trip you can pick up your snorkel, mask and flippers in the morning and snorkel around the reef in front of the resort to spot the most exotic brightly coloured fish swimming among the coral. At the resort reception you can also book a jungle tour, hire a canoe or a sea-fishing excursion.

Day 17 and 18 - Pulau Perhentian - Pulau Lang Tengah

After breakfast it's time to take the boat to your next tropical paradise. As you approach the island you’ll understand why it’s called the island for nature lovers; white sands, crystal clear blue sea and tall, waving palm trees. It’s almost too cheesy to be true, but probably exactly how you’d pictured your perfect tropical island getaway. You’ll be staying in a one of a row of four bungalows in the tasteful well-maintained resort. The Malaysian dishes, particularly the fresh fish are amazing which is just as well as there aren’t really any other restaurants on the island.

Malaysia independent travel - tropical beaches

Day 19 and 20 - Pulau Lang Tengah - Kuala Lumpur - Australia

After all of the tropical pampering, it's time to say goodbye to Malaysia. You'll catch the afternoon boat from Lang Tengah to Merang and from here you'll catch a taxi to the Kuala Terengganu airport. If you decide to fly with Air Asia you'll change planes in Kuala Lumpur where you'll board your international flight. If you decide to fly with KLM or Malaysia Airlines then you'll have a short layover in Kuala Lumpur before flying back to Australia. As you lay back into your chair in the air plane you'll be able to pass one more glance on an illuminated Kuala Lumpur.

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