Sarawak and Singapore holiday
A real flavour of Sarawak – wildlife, caves, a longhouse stay and an orangutan sanctuary, plus a beach break and the big city charms of Kuching and Singapore
Kuching Batang Ai Reservoir longhouse stay with an Iban family Semenggoh Wildlife Centre Sarawak River Cruise Bako National Park Mulu Deer, Lang’s, Wind and Clearwater Caves Damai Beach Singapore
Price
£1720 excluding flights
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More info
Price based on two people sharing a double/twin and varies according to season.
Ask us for details of international flights.
Meals and tours as specified in itinerary.
Airport transfers included.
Ask us for details of international flights.
Meals and tours as specified in itinerary.
Airport transfers included.
Description of Sarawak and Singapore holiday
Set on Borneo’s northwest coast, Sarawak is home to jungle landscapes, enormous caves and awe-inspiring wildlife. This 14-night trip takes you from the cultural city of Kuching to the coves and beaches of Bako National Park to the rainforests of Mulu. Along the way you’ll stay with a native Iban family in their traditional longhouse, spot monkeys, wild boar and birds, and visit the Semenggoh Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
In Mulu you’ll have plenty of time to explore Deer, Lang's, Clearwater and Wind Caves and see the incredible exodus of 2 million bats taking to the skies as they leave for their night time feeding. Back in Kuching you’ll have three days to unwind in a top-end resort on a stretch of private beach before heading on to Singapore, your final stop. You can explore the city on your own or take one of several optional tours.
The trip includes all meals as stated in the itinerary as well as all tours and transfers.
Itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London Heathrow on an overnight flight to Singapore. |
| Day 2: | On arrival in Kuching you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the epicentre of Kuching’s tourist, dining and entertainment hub. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the city. |
| Day 3: | Spend the day exploring Kuching (B) |
| Day 4: | Drive to Batang Ai reservoir, stopping for a stroll around the small native market at Lachau Bazaar. Take a longboat across the reservoir to visit the Menyan Tais Longhouse where you will meet your Iban hosts. Spend the evening relaxing on the ruai (veranda) with the Iban people and enjoy a night in a traditional longhouse. (B, L, D) |
| Day 5: | After breakfast with the Iban family, enjoy a short jungle walk before having lunch at the longhouse. Return to your longboat and head downriver, returning to Kuching late afternoon. (B, L) |
| Day 6: | Visit Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, a rehabilitation centre which helps train orphaned and rescued orangutans how to survive in the wild. Over 20 Orangutans live within the forest nature reserve and return to the centre at feeding times. Enjoy a briefing about the work of the centre before watching the feeding session. In the evening enjoy a sunset river cruise down the Sarawak River observing Kuching from the water and a scenic sunset. (B) |
| Day 7: | Take a 25 minute boat ride to Bako Natonal Park, perched on the edge of a peninsula and one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in a natural setting. Keep your eyes peled for proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, wild boar, lizards and wonderful bird species. Spend the day exploring the park and its trails, coves and beaches. (B, L) |
| Day 8: | Take a short flight to Mulu and check into your stilted resort, built on the banks on the Melinau River. In the afternoon enjoy a 3km plank walk through the rainforest to Deer Cave – the world’s largest cave passage – over 150m wide and 120m high. Next visit the impressive stalagmites and stalactites in Langs Cave. Finally watch the incredible exodus of over 2 million bats as they leave the caves in search of food from the Bat Observatory. (B) |
| Day 9: | Board a longboat for a journey upriver to Wind Cave, where impressive stalactites and stalagmites with delicate lace-like patterns can be seen. Take a short plank walk and climb to Clearwater Cave – a unique habitiat for plants and a wonderful swimming area shaded by giant trees. Enjoy a picnic, swim and relax for the afternoon. (B, L) |
| Day 10: | Take a short flight back to Kuching and check into your luxurious resort and spa on Damai Beach for the next 3 nights. You’ll find superb restaurants, swimming pools, a state of the art fitness centre, tennis courts and a private stretch of beach. (B) |
| Day 11-12: | Enjoy two days to relax on the beach and enjoy the hotel. The resort offers plenty of water sports activities, land excursions, jungle trekking, and a wonderfully indulgent spa. (B) |
| Day 13: | Transfer to the airport for your flight to Singapore. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. The afternoon is at your leisure and there are plenty of optional tours we can organise for you including a city tour and night safari. (B) |
| Day 14: | Spend the day exploring Singapore. |
| Day 15: | You will be transferred to the airport this morning for your return flight home. |
Price information
£1720 excluding flights
Convert currency:
Price based on two people sharing a double/twin and varies according to season.
Ask us for details of international flights.
Meals and tours as specified in itinerary.
Airport transfers included.
Ask us for details of international flights.
Meals and tours as specified in itinerary.
Airport transfers included.
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
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Holiday information
Dietary requirements:
We can cater for vegetarian and vegan diets.
Reviews
1 Reviews of Sarawak and Singapore holiday
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 01 Jul 2017 by David Fear
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing orang-utans in the wild at Kinabatangan, and in the semi-wild at Sepilok, and seeing a herd of elephants cross the river at Kinabatangan seeing Deer Cave and Clearwater Cave at Mulu.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I don't really think the beach resort at the end was necessary to unwind. Don't worry about the clothes you bring.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
yes, we were made very welcome at longhouses
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
excellent, better even than I expected
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
During your visit to Sarawak you will have a chance to spend some time at the Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre. Set up in 1975 to provide care for orphaned, injured and illegally captured Orangutans, the centre is the best place to see semi-wild orangutans in Sarawak. During your visit you will be given a briefing about the work and studies carried out at the centre before trekking to the feeding area. Guests are asked to remain quiet and calm so as not to disturb the orangutans or have too much human presence felt. The centre and the forest reserve in which the orangutans live is a protected area and it is vital that none of the animals are handled, touched or fed to protect them from over domestication and diseases. By following the parks rules, visitors are able to witness the incredible majesty of these creatures while contributing to their survival and release into the wild.Your trip also includes a visit to Bako National Park – the oldest and smallest national park in Borneo. Well-regarded for its wealth of plant, wildlife and beautiful scenery, it is also home to just under 300 rare proboscis monkeys. Your park fees help Sarawak Forestry protect and maintain this precious area and we ask that visitors are respectful and careful while exploring along the trails and beaches.
Throughout your trip you will stay in a variety of accommodation - from a traditional style Longhouse to a high-end resort. Each of the places you stay has a firm commitment to protecting its local environment and sustaining the communities that live and work nearby. For example, during your stay in Mulu your hotel has its own water treatment plant which supplies all guest rooms with clean and safe water, an efficient system which helps to prevent waste. In Kuching, your boutique guest house supports the local school with regular donations of essential supplies including work books, story books and dictionaries.
People
This trip includes a stay with the Iban tribe in their Longhouse home. You will have the opportunity to interact with the tribe, enjoy an evening meal and learn more about their life and customs. The cost involved helps to fund medical supplies, schooling and bring wealth to the area in order to ensure that their way of life is sustainable. You will be escorted to the longhouse by local guides and boatmen and staff at the longhouse and lodges are all from the surrounding villages.You will visit the Lachau Bazaar market on your way to Batang Ai Reservoir. This market is frequented by locals and the Iban tribes come here to barter and exchange their wares for goods. It is a wonderfuk place to pick up authentic souvenirs and money helps to fund locals living and working in the area.
Our ground agents only employ local guides to accompany you on your trip. this gives you an insiders view to the country but also helps to support the local communities and villages where the guides are from.
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