Discovering the indigenous cultures of Sarawak

13 days
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Private Guided
Rich equatorial rainforest, wild orangutan and the Kinabatangan River... On a tailor-made vacation to Borneo with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Borneo specialists know the country inside out and can lead you t...
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Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Learn how to cook traditional meals in bamboo in a Bidayuh village.
    • Spend the night in a native Iban longhouse.
    • Try some of the delicious street food on offer in Kuching.
    • Cycle through local kampongs and take a sampan across the Sarawak River.
    • Explore the wonderful Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park from Gaya Island.

What's this trip about?

    Rich equatorial rainforest, wild orangutan and the Kinabatangan River... On a tailor-made vacation to Borneo with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Borneo specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook. Savor sunrise atop Mount Kinabalu, the island’s highest peak. Be a guest of the Iban tribe with a night in a traditional longhouse. Trek beneath some of the world’s tallest trees, while a symphony of insects click and hum in the background. Leave a positive impact on the island by seeking out its rare leopards and proboscis monkeys responsibly. Snorkel around offshore islands and relax on a stretch of powder-soft sand. The great bat exodus at Gunung Mulu National Park, freshly cooked street food, a rhinoceros hornbill in flight… What excites you? Travel at your own pace, in your own style, with the confidence that we’ll show you the best options, wherever you go.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizePrivate - your group only
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityKuching
End CityKota Kinabalu

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Trekking & Expeditions

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • Nature
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Short Cruise
  • Swimming
  • Trekking

Trip includes

    • In-destination transfers
    • Activities and excursions as detailed
    • All accommodations

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 Santubong

 Kuching ,  Santubong

On arrival into Kuching, you will be transferred around 45 minutes out of the city, to your hotel on the Damai Peninsula. Relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery this evening.

Day 2 Santubong

 Santubong

Explore Sarawak's oldest national park today. Bako is only accessible by boat, and boasts a diverse wildlife population including the endemic proboscis monkey. Spend your day exploring the park's many trails with your private guide before returning to your hotel this evening.

Day 3 Santubong

 Santubong

Take the short journey with your private guide this morning to the nearby Sarawak Cultural Village. This is a fantastic introduction to the varied tribal cultures of Sarawak, including the Bidayuh and the Iban. Local tribespeople demonstrate arts and...

Day 4 Lemanak River

 Santubong ,  Lemanak River

Iban hunters at waterfall, Lemanak River, Malaysian Borneo

Early this morning you will drive from the Damai Peninsula to the Iban longhouse on the Lemanak river. This is a journey of around 300km and along the way you will pay...

Day 5 Kuching

 Lemanak River ,  Kuching

After breakfast head out on a nature walk with your guide in the area surrounding the longhouse. See a blowpipe demonstration, which you are welcome to try for yourself. Lunch is served on the riverbank where you also have the chance f...

Day 6 Kuching

 Kuching

Kuching has an interesting history, having been ruled in the past by three 'White Rajahs' with plenty of colonial touches still to be seen. This riverside town has a fascinating mixture of Malay, Chinese and Indian influences, as well as the indigenous...

Day 7 Kampong Nyegol

 Kuching ,  Kampong Nyegol

Visit the Semenggok orangutan sanctuary this morning, which does fantastic conservation work for this endangered species. Continue on your journey around 90 minutes out of Kuching with your guide, arriving on the banks of the Bengoh L...

Day 8 Kuching

 Kampong Nyegol ,  Kuching

Rise early this morning and enjoy the mist rising from the surrounding mountains. After breakfast, take a 20 minute boat ride across the lake to Kampong Sting, with stunning views out over the lake and the surrounding countryside. Aft...

Day 9 Kuching

 Kuching

Head out of Kuching this morning with your guide and enjoy a cycle through the suburbs, with a chance to try some of Sarawak's traditional layer cake, or kek lapis. Take a traditional sampan ride across the river - these traditional boats provide valua...

Day 10 Gaya Island

 Kuching ,  Kota Kinabalu ,  Gaya Island

Transfer around 20 minutes to the airport this morning with your guide, in time for your short domestic flight across to Sabah's capital - Kota Kinabalu. From here, you will be met by your driver and transferred to Jesselton jetty, in time for your boat journey across to Gaya Island. Enjoy your evening at leisure here.

Day 11 Gaya Island

 Gaya Island

Enjoy your time at leisure on Gaya Island - the resorts here are doing fantastic work with marine conservation, so it is worth visiting the centre attached to your hotel here to learn more about the challenges they face.

Day 12 Gaya Island

 Gaya Island

For your final day on Gaya Island, perhaps take a snorkelling trip in the beautiful Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.

Day 13 Return home

 Gaya Island ,  Kota Kinabalu

Return to the airport in Kota Kinabalu this morning, in time for your onwards flight

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,995
Price per day$307
Last Updated: 10/27/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Audley Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
audley-SarAud

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