Borneo with Teenagers
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Kota Kinabalu
Upon arrival in Borneo, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Kota Kinabalu. This bustling coastal city at the foot of the immense Mount Kinabalu is the starting point for your Borneo adventure. You’ll be staying in a centrally located hotel which is walking distance to the waterfront. At night the Kota Kinabalu waterfront is transformed into a bustling night market, with food stalls selling everything from BBQ fish and fried rice, to sweet doughnuts and banana fritters.
Day 2 – Whitewater rafting
Today you’ll take a drive through the countryside to the Kiulu River. This river has a gentle flow and a number of small rapids, making it perfect for the novice rafter. Once you’re kitted out with life jackets and helmets, there will be a safety briefing before you hit the water, accompanied by an expert local guide. You’ll paddle through scenic countryside, passing forest, small villages and farms. Enjoy lunch at the riverbank, before returning to your hotel in Kota Kinabalu.
If you’d prefer to stay on dry land we can arrange a guided mountain bike tour. You’ll pedal past local villages and farms, and even tackle some fun jungle trails and hanging bridges. Ask your Travel Specialist for more information.
Day 3 – Fly to Kuching
Today you’ll take a flight to Kuching. You’ll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in the centre of the city. This compact, welcoming city is a mix of old and new, a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. It’s also known as ‘Cat City’, and your family will love spotting the cat statues dotted around the city. There’s even a museum dedicated to them! Take a walk along the lively riverfront, relax in one of the many cafes or try a famous Sarawak Laksa for an authentic experience.
Day 4 – Rainforest kayaking & Orangutans at Semenggoh
This morning you’ll transfer to Bengoh for a guided kayak trip along a calm jungle river. Paddle through rainforest and limestone cliffs, tackle a few gentle rapids, and cool off with a swim. Along the way, you’ll visit a Bidayuh village and stop for a picnic lunch by the riverbank.
Back on dry land, continue to the Semenggoh Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre. This centre is a temporary home for orangutans who have been orphaned or rescued, and here they teach them all the survival skills needed for life back out in the wild. We’ll make sure to get you here for their feeding time.
If you have time why not add another night in Kuching to your trip?
There’s so much to see and do in Kuching so you can easily fill your time if you decide to extend you stay. We can arrange a cycling tour that pedals past the city highlights stopping en-route to sample local street food. Or if you’re a foodie family we can organise a cooking class where you’ll learn how to cook traditional dishes. We would also recommend a day exploring nearby Bako National Park – one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in a natural setting including proboscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys, long tail macaques and monitor lizards. Ask your Travel Specialist for more information
Day 5 – Batang Ai: meet the Iban
The Batang Ai National Park is home to one of the oldest Iban settlements in Sarawak and this tribe have called this area home for years. Today you’ll bring your tribe to meet their tribe for a taste of culture and to learn about a totally different way of life to yours. The Iban tribe were once feared due to their practice of ‘headhunting’. These days they are peaceful people who live off the land but their other traditions are still carried out today. They live in longhouses built on poles high above the banks of the river. Entire communities of up to 30 families live in these houses in separate quarters.
Early this morning your driver will collect you from your hotel. After a couple of hours travelling, you’ll reach the reservoir where your guide from the Iban Tribe will meet you, and you’ll board a longboat to your lodge. You’ll be staying in a newly built lodge by the Batang Ai Reservoir
Day 6 – Jungle trekking & dining with the Iban
Wake up to the sounds of the jungle! After breakfast put on your walking shoes, as you’ll be heading into the jungle and exploring the surrounding area. As you walk through the forest your guide will point out the native trees, plants and if you’re extremely lucky, even wild orangutans. When you’re getting all sweaty from walking, you’ll find yourself at a large, hidden waterfall – the perfect place for a refreshing dip to cool yourselves down!
Once you’re back at your lodge, you have time to freshen up before heading for a shorter afternoon walk. Having built up an appetite it’s time to join the local Iban at a nearby longhouse for an evening of cultural exchanges, drinking rice wine and eating food cooked over the fire dinner. It’s an eye-opening and totally unique experience for all ages.
Day 7 – Sleep in a treehouse
After breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to your Iban hosts and transfer to the Santubong Peninsula and your home for the next couple of nights, a real-life tree-house! You’ll be staying in a jungle resort located in the heart of the rainforest, and right next to the beach. This eco-resort is a great place to unwind with the family, you can rent paddle-boards, kayaks and head out on nature-watching tours. There’s also an on-site restaurant.
Day 8 – Wildlife spotting boat cruise
Your morning is free to relax and explore. In the afternoon we’ve arranged a boat trip on the mangrove-lined Santubong River. Keep your eyes peeled for all the wildlife hiding along these shores. There’s Proboscis monkeys, Irrawaddy dolphins, fireflies and you might look down into the water and spot some crocodile eyes looking right back at you. As dusk settles you’ll be able to see the fireflies twinkling in the evening sky, and afterwards, you’ll head back to your treehouse for the night.
Days 9 & 10 – Beach time
It’s a short journey today to the final stop on your Borneo adventure: the golden sands of Damai Beach. Time to relax, swim in the ocean, and reflect on your amazing experiences.
Day 11 – Depart Kuching
Today you’ll be transferred from the beach to Kuching airport (approx 45 minutes drive) in time for your flight home. If two nights on the beach is not enough, let your Travel Specialist know and we can extend your stay.
Accommodation
