Day 3
Join your tour manager this morning for an included visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre, where you’ll be met by a sea of scents and colours. Enjoy a guided walk along raised platforms on the rainforest floor, past fragrant orchids and colourful tropical flora, then head up slowly into the canopy where you will have a bird’s eye view of this wonderful environment. With luck, you may catch a glimpse of the rhinoceros hornbill or perhaps even a swinging orangutan looking for some wild fruit!
After lunch at a local restaurant, the tour continues to the Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you’ll have the chance to observe the unique proboscis monkey. Look out for the distinctive males, who have pot bellies and large dangling noses. You’ll see some young monkeys feeding and playing, before returning to your hotel.
This evening you may wish to join the optional night walk back at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in search of nocturnal wildlife.
Day 4
Today an undoubted highlight awaits as you visit the world-renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, dedicated to the protection of the species that is closest to our own. Watch the feeding of the primates and stroll through the forest on the marked trails, before visiting the equally fascinating Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where the smallest of the world’s ursine species live in protected open-air enclosures.
You’ll then head further into the jungle for a two-night stay on the bank of the languid Kinabatangan River, at the Borneo Natural Bilit Resort, with its hardwood walkways and its riverside cabins. Enjoy lunch at the lodge, then rest and relax. Perhaps wander the boardwalks through the canopy and spot wildlife from the viewing platforms.
Day 5
Awaken early to the sounds of the jungle, and spend another day discovering its wonders. Cruise to Pitas Oxbow Lake to watch monkeys and pygmy elephants at play, and enjoy a second exciting sunset cruise. The best chances to spot the Pygmy elephants are from March to October in the dry season.
Day 6
Transfer to the Sabah Tea Resort, in Ranau, for a two-night stay amongst pristine nature, surrounded by unspoiled forest and a working tea plantation.
Day 7
You’ll have the morning to explore the tea plantation and learn about the product of rainforest tea before journeying to the famous Poring Hot Springs. Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant, before spending an afternoon at the springs, where in addition to the chance to take a dip in the therapeutic waters you can explore the jungle trail of walkways through the rainforest canopy.
Day 8
Journey deep into the UNESCO-listed Kinabalu National Park this morning, a forested paradise home to several unique species of orchid, 5,000 species of plants, over 300 types of resident and migratory birds, as well as 100 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Here you’ll enjoy a scenic hike through moderate elevation, of about 3kms, before pausing at the park’s headquarters, with its beautiful Mountain Garden Collection, then continue to the Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at the resort, perhaps spent lazing by the pools or on the beach, indulging in a spa treatment or two, enjoying the selection of water sports or perhaps a round on the championship golf-course (activities payable locally).
Day 9
Enjoy a sumptuous day at leisure at the resort, or join the optional Mari Mari Cultural Village excursion. Those who join the optional excursion will get a fascinating glimpse into Sabah’s past and the indigenous cultures that have shaped this fascinating place. Five ethnic tribes call this village home, and live, for the most part, as they did hundreds of years ago. Lunch is included on the optional excursion.
Day 10
Spend another relaxing day at leisure, with a selection of dining options and the attractions of Kota Kinabalu.
Day 11
Enjoy a final day at leisure, no doubt reflecting on a wonderful adventure.
Day 12
Transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for your flight to Kuala Lumpur, where you’ll catch your connecting overnight flight to the UK.
Day 13
Early morning arrival in the UK.