Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer and welcome dinner are included. The group meeting is normally set for 6pm on the day of arrival. Please check reception for a note from your CEO.
Travel to the old port town of Melaka where we take a cyclo tour through the the streets and absorb the atmosphere and heritage of this historically important maritime town. We explore the historic sites, local handicraft market and visit the Maritime Museum with the option to visit a spa. Explore the old port town of Melaka where we can wander the streets and absorb the atmosphere and heritage of this historically important maritime town. With the beginning of trade with China in the early 15th century, Melaka rapidly became the most important trading port in South East Asia. Chinese traders were followed by those from India. With them came Islam and soon the Melaka sultans ruled the largest empire in Malaysia's history. Successively the Portugese, Dutch and British arrived in search of trading wealth. While the effects of recent economic growth is apparent, Melaka remains one of Malaysia's premier destinations. There are temples, churches and mosques, museums and forts to explore. We will also experience a taste of old Asia with a trishaw ride around the streets of old Melaka.
Cross the boarder by bus into Singapore where we take a walking tour through the colonial section of the city.
This morning we take a walk through Singapore's famed Chinatown before catching our flight to the tropical island of Borneo. We explore Borneo for the next six days with an expert local guide. Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is an intriguing city that was born between the wild jungles and the South China Sea. Having survived World War II bombings, KK now has a charm that can only be found in a frontier town. In your free time you can immerse yourself in history at the Sabah State Museum, visit the Monsopiad Cultural Village, home to a notorious head hunter, or explore the islands off-shore of Kota Kinabalu, excellent for swimming or snorkelling.
Today we visit a local market and travel to Mt Kinabalu where we enjoy lunch in the park and a visit to the Poring hot springs for a soak. Option to hike trails or traverse the canopy walkway through the lowland rainforest. Overnight at a hillside resort with views of Mount Kinabalu. Mt Kinabalu is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Hopefully you'll catch a glimpse of the summit, which in the afternoon is often shrouded in cloud. We stay at the foot of the mountain, so there's the opportunity to stretch your legs by exploring the trails around the park, check out the visitor centre or if you wish, or do an optional trip to Ranau. There are some beautiful nature walks around the headquarters and at Poring Hot Springs, through lowland tropical forest on well marked trails.
Travel to Sandakan and visit the WWII POW War Memorial and visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Option to visit the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Centre. The historical city of Sandakan is located on the east coast of Borneo and it had served as the capital of the British North Borneo during the British colonial time. The city was the notorious site of a World War II Japanese airfield, built by the forced labour of Javanese civilians and Allied prisoners of war. In 1945, the remaining prisoners were sent on the "Sandakan Death Marches". These were a series of forced marches in Borneo from Sandakan to Ranau resulting in the deaths of more than 3,000 Indonesian civilian slave labourers and 2,400 Allied prisoners of war who had been interred at prison camps in Borneo. In the end, only 6 Australians survived, all whom had escaped. It is considered one of the worst atrocities suffered by Australian servicemen during World War 11. On the more positive side, Sepilok is where you get to meet the adorable 'wild men of Borneo'. Orangutans and their human like features are a truly unforgettable experience. The centre is an excellent example of active conservation, re-introducing domesticated, injured and orphaned orangutans back into the wild. You'll visit one of the feeding platforms & there's a visitor centre where you can learn more about these amazing animals. There are walking trails where you can see not only orangutans, but several species of macaque & a host of other birds & wildlife roaming freely. (Please note there is an additional camera fee at the centre) It must be remembered the reserve is primarily set up to help re-introduce orangutans back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been orphaned. As we walk into the reserve to see the semi-wild orangutans it is essential that we follow the parks instructions. We are not permitted to interfere or touch the orangutans as human contact must be kept to a minimum.
This morning we visit Gomantong Cave, home to swiftlets and bats before travelling by boat up the Kinabatangan River to our rustic jungle lodge. This afternoon, we take a wildlife cruise in search of monkeys, exotic birds and Borneo pygmy elephants. Optional nighttime jungle walk. Dating back to the 13th century, Chinese traders have come to climb 100 metres up on the ceilings of the Gomantong Caves in search of birds' nests, a prized delicacy in making soup. Harvesters put their lives at risk, climbing shaky rattan ladders and ropes to get to the prized nests. The risky nature of the collecting has helped make the commodity a pricey one. There are two cave complexes - Simud Hitam (Black Cave) soaring 90 metres high and the more accessible of the two, and Simud Putih (White Cave), where the more valuable nests are found. A well-maintained boardwalk gives you easy access to do some exploring or watch the skilled harvesters at work. The resident creatures of the caves include swiftlets (from which the nests are collected), bats and other birds such as serpent eagles, bat hawks and kingfishers . You might even spot an orangutan or two.
Continue by boat and bus to our rainforest lodge in the Danum Valley Forest Reserve. Activities over the next two days include a walk to the Kadazandusun burial site, lectures on local wildlife and ecology, a nighttime wildlife drive in an open jeep, a canopy walk and an evening jungle walk. Option to go river tubing or trekking. On Day 9 you will be transfer by boat for 30min & continue to drive 3.5 hours to Borneo Rainforest Lodge at Danum Valley Forest Reserved. At 1230hrs, lunch will be served then introduction to the forest will follow. After the short introduction, trek to the Kadazandusun burial site, known as ‘Coffin Cliff’ then proceed trekking to the ‘View Point’ for a bird’s eye view of the area. Descend back to the ‘Jacuzzi Pool’ for a refreshing dip. A briefing and slide presentation at the conference room will follow just after the dinner. This evening, you will have the opportunity to do the ‘Night Drive’ in an open-air jeep in search for the nocturnal animals. Early the next morning after breakfast, experience the guided jungle walk to the ‘Canopy Walkway’ enjoying the sounds of the birds and return through the ‘Nature Trail’. After lunch enjoy optional activities; water tubing for an hour in the Danum river or trekking along the Segama River. Have dinner and proceed for the Night Walk in search of nocturnal animals.
Flight back to the mainland where we embark on a guided tour of the city's sights, giving you great insight into the capital. We also visit the Batu caves. Option to visit the Petronas Towers or the night market. The evening is best spent at the night market sampling different cuisine and bargain hunting among the stalls. Don't forget a visit to the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world.
Depart at any time.