Tour in the wild heart of Malaysia

Selamat datang! Benvenuti in Malesia. Kuching, che significa "gatto" in malese, è senza dubbio la città più piacevole del Borneo malese. Era la dimora del famigerato White Raja del Sarawak, il cui misterioso dominio in questo remoto angolo del mondo ha acceso l'immaginazione di molte persone che sognavano di diventare reali. La nostra avventura inizia con un incontro di benvenuto alle 18:00, di cui puoi trovare i dettagli alla reception dell'hotel. In qualsiasi momento libero prima dell'incontro, dai un'occhiata a questa città cosmopolita ricca di architettura, dove il lungomare ospita numerosi negozi curiosi e mercati locali di verdure, spezie e pesce. Questa città di grattacieli situata vicino a una lussureggiante giungla verde è facilmente percorribile, quindi assapora l'atmosfera dolce ed esci con i tuoi nuovi compagni di viaggio per provare alcuni piatti locali come Sarawak Laksa e Kolok mee.

We travel on a private van to the fishing village of Kampung Bako (about 1 hour), then we take a local boat along the coast to Bako National Park (about 20 minutes). Bako is the oldest national park in Sarawak and features rainforests, rich wildlife, jungle streams, waterfalls, interesting plants, secluded beaches, and trekking trails. Millions of years of erosion have shaped a coastline of steep cliffs, rocky headlands, and stretches of white sandy bays. The waves have carved the cliffs into sea arches and stacks of fantastic shapes, with colorful patterns formed by iron deposits. Weather permitting, we will take a guided walk to the beautiful beach of Teluk Pandan Kecil (5 kilometers, about 3 hours). The trail climbs through the forest before emerging onto an open plateau covered with scrub, from where sometimes curious carnivorous plants can be seen. It can be a hot hike, but always rewarding. Return to Kuching in the late afternoon and evening at the hotel.

We are heading to the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary, a government-funded rehabilitation center located in a lush environment. The center was established to help reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or being orphaned. We make our way through the jungle via a boardwalk, where from a viewing platform we can watch and photograph the orangutans as they come into view and eat the supplementary diet of bananas and milk prepared for them twice a day. Let's take the time to savor the special moments in the company of these animals. Human contact must be kept to a minimum and it is essential that you follow the instructions of our tour leader. Afterwards, we return to Kuching and to the hotel, where we can cool off from the heat.

Our tour continues with a flight to Mulu. Send your large bag to Limbang and prepare a day bag with essentials for the next four days. When we arrive at Mulu, we enter the heart of one of Asia's most spectacular national parks: the Gunung Mulu National Park. Our tour leader will review some of the options for our free time here. You can take some of the self-guided trails around the park or reach the treetops on the world's longest tree-based canopy walkway. Or perhaps simply relax with a book and enjoy the sounds of the nearby jungle. Later there's the chance for an optional night walk in search of strange and wonderful insects and reptiles. Tonight you will stay at the park headquarters, which has its own restaurant and information center.

Today you have a free morning to explore or sleep in. Spend the afternoon walking through the walkways of this 180-million-year-old rainforest, and then watch the bats' flight at sunset at Deer Cave. The park, a World Heritage Site, has absolutely spectacular karst geology, with huge caves, vast cave networks, rock pinnacles, cliffs, and gorges. In fact, its cave system is the largest known in the world, formed when surface water made its way through the rock, carving gigantic passages through the bedrock. Deer Cave has one of the world's largest cave passages, measuring 2.2 kilometers long and 220 meters high at its highest point. Before it became part of the park, the cave was a well-known hunting ground for deer, attracted by the saltwater pools that sprung from piles of guano. The guano comes from the millions of bats that inhabit the cave, and at sunset, there is a mass exodus as they emerge for their nocturnal feeding, like an apparently endless black plume of smoke twisting into the sky. In the nearby Lang Cave, you can appreciate the work that water does on limestone, sculpting waves on the ceiling, drawing stalagmites, columns, and stalactites.

Our tour of Malaysia continues in the jungle! We take boats for about 30 minutes along the river to the incredible Clearwater and Wind caves, which contain Asia's longest underground river. The Clearwater cave system stretches for 107 kilometers, 75 of which have been explored. The system is named after the bright jungle pool at the base of the steps leading to the cave entrance. Wind Cave attracts a refreshing breeze throughout its length and features some of the finest cave formations of Gunung Mulu, while Clearwater is covered with a species of bright green plant that is unique to the park and offers a real chance to see water at work on the rock. Next, we take a longboat along the river before disembarking for a hike through the undisturbed jungle to Camp 5, nestled at the end of the Melinau Gorge (about 8.5 kilometers). During the dry season, boats might have to be pushed over some stretches of the river, so it's advisable to wear strap sandals or shoes that can get wet. At Camp 5 we will sleep in these wonderful surroundings, on mats on raised platforms outdoors in a mixed dormitory, with shared bathrooms and cold-water showers. Bedding is not provided, so bring your own sheet and a warm layer for cool nights. Mosquito nets are available for rent at a small charge. Please note that at certain times of the year there may be many bees around Camp 5.

Today we will tackle the notorious Headhunters Trail. Located in a secluded area of the Borneo jungle, this 11.2-kilometer trail (about 5 hours) is named after its historical role as a warpath between the Tutoh and Limbang rivers. The trek goes through dense jungle along a well-defined track, mostly flat, although the path can be muddy during the rainy season. You will be surrounded by an extraordinarily diverse flora, huge trees full of birds, and the magical sounds of the forest: the flapping of hornbills, the cries of monkeys, and the chirping of cicadas and crickets. Then you will take a boat from Kuala Terikan to Kuala Mendalam, a journey of about 4 hours. Depending on how much rain there has been, you might need to help push the boat over shallow parts of the river, and there will be a stop at a ranger station for lunch along the way. It's a long, challenging, and rewarding day. Continuing to Limbang by private vehicle (about 1.5 - 2 hours), where you can freshen up and enjoy a good night's rest after two long days of trekking.

After this morning's breakfast, let's take a short walk to the ferry terminal for an 8:00 AM ferry to Labuan Island (about 2-2.5 hours). Upon arrival, you will have a free afternoon and evening at a beach resort. Relax and recover from yesterday's trek.

During World War II, Labuan was occupied by Japanese forces. This morning, we'll have the opportunity to visit the Labuan War Memorial, the final resting place for British, Australian, New Zealand, Indian, Malaysian, and local soldiers. We'll embark on a historical tour of Labuan, delving into its coal mining past with a visit to the Coal Museum and Chimney. We'll then drive along the western coast to the Peace Park, a tribute to all those who lost their lives during the war. Next, we'll head to Surrender Point, where the Japanese surrendered to Allied forces on September 10, 1945. Our journey continues to the War Memorial and History Square. At the Labuan Museum, we'll learn more about the island's history. Then, we'll take a ferry and an express bus to Kota Kinabalu (about 3-4 hours), the capital of Sabah. This modern metropolis has recovered from numerous bombings during World War II. Tonight, perhaps join us for a final meal with your group to celebrate your Borneo adventure: the night market is brimming with freshly grilled fish.

Our journey in Malaysia ends here. Until the next tour!