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From the tops of towering Menggaris trees to the depths of its vibrant coral reefs, the island of Borneo is a hotbed of bio-diversity exploding with a multitude of wildlife.
On this 9-day adventure, meet the hospitable Bornean Orangutans, sail alongside majestic pygmy elephants and immerse yourself within the enchanting forest that surrounds the dramatic spectacle of Borneo's highest mountain.
Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Sandakan Airport, via Kuala Lumpur.
On arrival you will be met and then transferred to the town's fascinating wartime history at the War Memorial Park - a moving tribute to prisoners of war - and discover the house of author Agnes Keith, now a quaint museum displaying remnants of the Japanese occupation, followed by high tea at the neighbouring English Tea House.
This morning meet Borneo's most famous residents at the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where these endangered creatures are rescued and returned to the ancient lowland forest. Wander wooden walkways to observe these cerebral primates glide between trees. Visit the Sun Bear Conservation Centre to meet the world's smallest bears, before reaching the Rainforest Discovery Centre; exhibiting native flora and fauna, its highlight is undoubtedly a spectacular 80ft canopy walkway allowing a unique perspective of Borneo's diverse avian inhabitants.
After breakfast you will visit Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. Labuk Bay mangrove forest covers about 400 acres and offers a safe haven for indigenous wildlife. After visiting the sanctuary begin your journey to Sukau. After lunch you will embark upon a relaxing late afternoon motorboat cruise to witness the drooped nose proboscis monkeys you enjoy leaping from great heights into the Main River with an amusing belly flop. After dinner you will take a join a night cruise to see the nocturnal wildlife of the river.
Awake to the atmospheric melody of the surrounding jungle for a motorboat journey along Malaysia's second longest river and centrepiece for Bornean wildlife, the Kinabatangan. Spot prehistoric monitor lizards, wandering pygmy elephants and leopard-like civet cats before reaching the tranquil Kelenanap river bend to spot Rhinoceros Hornbill, extraordinary birds famed for their peculiar beaks. Explore the jungle by foot in search of enchanting wildlife under the watch of macaque colonies. Spend the afternoon at leisure within the sleepy village of Sukau before heading back out onto the river for another chance to observe Borneo's biodiversity.
Travel back to Sandakan and visit the spectacular Puu Jih Shih Temple, a Buddhist place of worship with a striking Oriental design. Situated within the town's mountainous surroundings, it boasts stunning panoramic views of Sandakan bay; illuminated by an explosion of red and gold, the temple's magnificent collection of opulent Buddha statues are surrounded by towering pillars and ornate Chinese dragons. After lunch fly to Kota Kinabalu, a bustling city whose Chinese, Kadazan and Malaysian influences are displayed through its architecture and tasted in its night markets.
Journey to Kinabalu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia's highest mountain. Enjoy a guided nature trek of Borneo's dynamic bio-diversity including the unusual Nepenthes rajah, a carnivorous plant that attracts birds and small mammals into its deadly urn shaped trap. Continue to the nearby Poring Hot Springs to relax in the warm baths before traversing a 134ft Menggaris tree canopy walkway, which provides a breathtaking view across one of the oldest rainforests in the world.
This morning, discover the home of five tribes at the Mari Mari Cultural Village to gain a fascinating insight into Borneo's indigenous people. Witness the sculpting of blowpipes, learn traditional bamboo cooking, sample the curiously shaped Jala 'net' cake and encounter the Murut people who were the last tribe to renounce headhunting. Following lunch explore Kota Kinabalu at leisure; study the captivating exhibits of Sabah Museum, wander aromatic night markets to enjoy delicious street eats or head to the grand Imago Mall for a unique South East Asian shopping experience. Travel back to Kota Kinabalu for your final evening in Borneo.
Transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for your indirect flight back to the UK.
A visa is not required for your trip to Borneo. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of €300pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Your flight to Sandakan Airport is with Malaysia Airlines MH, Via Kuala Lumpur, departing from London Heathrow, Terminal 2. Each passenger is entitled to 30kg of hold luggage plus 1 item of hand luggage not exceeding 7kg. Weight restrictions will be finalized on E-ticket receipt. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. Please note that all flight times are subject to change.
IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves moderate days of walking and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 24. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning the you will have the services of an English speaking guide throughout ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
The currency in Borneo is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM). We recommend that you exchange you currency before you leave the UK, however cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency. Tipping is at your discretion. Tips are accepted in the local currency, however it is asked that if you do not tip in the local currency that you only pay with notes, as coins cannot be exchanged.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any meals where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£300 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour.
| Depart UK | Arrive UK | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Dates | |||
| 21 Feb 2024 | 29 Feb 2024 | €2687.00 | |
| 06 Mar 2024 | 14 Mar 2024 | €2687.00 | |
| 10 Apr 2024 | 18 Apr 2024 | €2911.00 | |
| 24 Apr 2024 | 02 May 2024 | €2911.00 | |
| 15 May 2024 | 23 May 2024 | €2351.00 | |
| 05 Jun 2024 | 13 Jun 2024 | €2463.00 | |
| 03 Jul 2024 | 11 Jul 2024 | €2911.00 | |
| 28 Aug 2024 | 05 Sep 2024 | €2911.00 | |
| 04 Sep 2024 | 12 Sep 2024 | €2575.00 | |
| 11 Sep 2024 | 19 Sep 2024 | €2687.00 | |
| 25 Sep 2024 | 03 Oct 2024 | €2687.00 | |
| 02 Oct 2024 | 10 Oct 2024 | €2687.00 | |
| 16 Oct 2024 | 24 Oct 2024 | €2687.00 | |
| 06 Nov 2024 | 14 Nov 2024 | €2687.00 | |
The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times or sailing conditions. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however order of events and sightseeing may vary according to the local conditions.
29 °C / 33 °C
Please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.
No comments
The Borneo Lodge was basic but acceptable apart from the cleanliness of the bathroom.
The tour guide Vincent very knowledgeable, polite, informative and good fun.
Thoroughly enjoyable thank you.
Jamie at Sandacan best guide ever, Walter at Kota Kinabalu not so good.
Sandakan lodge was great, the Horizon hotel was bad as i was on the 6th floor and walls were being knocked down the noise was unreal, the pool was also closed.
No comments
Jamie our guide was wonderful. His knowledge was fantastic and he was always happy to help. It would have been great to have has him for the whole holiday. Walter is not in the same league at all.
The last day of our holiday was a wasted day. I did not go on for the extra 3 day beach break. I was in the hotel but unable to use their facilities as we had to book out by 12 noon. I would have preferred an earlier flight and therefore got home earlier.
All hotels good standard
Our guide James was excellent, he was very knowledgeable, interesting and kept us informed of our daily activities. Although we booked through a travel agent communication with Mercury could have been better.
Our tour guide James was excellent throughout, his experience and knowledge had shined through and made this holiday more special.
No comments
No comments
James your rep was marvelous, very informative/ knowledgeable about plants, wildlife and local culture. The tour has exceeded my expectations.
The lodge was brilliant and the staff superb.
Good tour and the tour guide James was very knowledgeable he was excellent.
Very good guide very friendly and excellent knowledge a great tour.
Thank you.
The guide based in Sandakan was exceptional.
Douglas our guide in Sandakan was excellent. The whole experience was great from start to finish.
Our guide for the first part of the trip (Sandakan and river)was excellent and very knowledgeable, he made our trip very special.
Our second guide at Kota Kinabalu was not as informative.
No comments
The Mari Mari tour and Kinabalu National Park were both very interesting. The botanical gardens were lovely and very interesting. Both were incredibly well organised.
Great value for money.
We enjoyed the holiday very much.
We had a good holiday and the trip was good value for money.
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