Borneo Jungle Adventure


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A unique trip inspired by an elemental desire many people have for extreme living. We trek through dense lowland jungle, explore Borneo's deep cave systems and float down muddy rivers by raft. Our sleeping quarters are jungle camps, as well as an Iban longhouse.

CAVING AT MULU
We begin in the forests and caves of Gunung Mulu National Park. We visit Lang Cave with its crystal-like stalagmites and stalactites and observe two million or so free-tailed bats in Deer Cave. After a day in Racer Caves learning some simple caving techniques with qualified local guides, there is the opportunity to do some adventure-caving through the long tunnels of Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave where the warren of pathways open out into vast caverns.

JUNGLE TREKKING & RAFTING
We journey on foot through dense jungle terrain and ascend Mount Api to a viewpoint to see the 'Pinnacles' - a vast sea of razor-sharp limestone teeth that protrude high above the forest canopy. Next we join the ancient Headhunter's Trail to Mentawai from where we board rafts to float down the Terikan River.

TRADITIONAL LONGHOUSE
We are privileged to stay in a traditional Iban longhouse; 300 metres long, it is literally a village under one roof. Transferring to the offshore island of Manukan, we stay in a chalet-style hotel right on the beach - perfect for rest and relaxation.

Details

Price Includes

(HK-4254-P)

International connections from London

12 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 9 dinners

Accommodation

Explore Tour Leader, trekking and rafting guides and specialist caving instructor

Price Excludes

There is no Local Payment for this tour.

Suitability / Level

Demanding

Theme

Small Group Travel (Click to Search All)

Max Group Size

Itinerary & Highlights

Among the many highlights featured on this trek, we particularly mention:

MULU
Adventure caving through one of the National Park’s most impressive
cave systems.

THE PINNACLES
Trek to the jagged limestone Pinnacles deep in the rainforest.

RIVER RAFTING
Travel down the Terikan river to Mentawai.

MEDALAM
Stay in traditional Iban Longhouse.

MANUKAN ISLAND
Relax on the beach.

DAY 1. SUNDAY. JOIN TOUR MIRI

Arrive Miri and check into our hotel.

DAY 2. FLY TO MULU NATIONAL PARK

Today we catch our flight across the jungle to Mulu, famous for its wealth of botanical interest, having both hill and swamp forest. Our luggage is transferred to Limbang and we next have access to it on day 11. There are many species of wildlife here, including over 200 species of birds and glorious butterflies.

In the afternoon, we have time to take an introductory plank walk through the rainforest to explore a couple of the limestone caves of Mulu such as Deer cave, (one of the biggest in southern Asia) and Lang cave. There is a good chance of seeing thousands of bats flying out of Deer cave as the sun starts to set in the late afternoon.

DAY 3 & 4. IN MULU NATIONAL PARK

The national park contains some of the most extensive underground cave systems in the world. We aim not only to visit some of the better known caves with their stunning stalagmites, stalactites and underground rivers, but to explore some of the more inaccessible corridors and underground caverns. Qualified guides will train us on the fundamentals of adventure caving and our first day will involve a short foray into the ‘Racer Caves’.

For those that are ready for the challenge, there will be the opportunity on the second day to do a full day of caving through the system that links the beautiful Wind and Clearwater Caves, (optional but at no extra charge). The park rangers assess all participants on day 3 and their decision is final on who can participate on the second day. Although mostly non-technical, there are sections which involve the use of ropes. This is closely supervised by our guides and should not present a problem for anyone of reasonable fitness with a sense of adventure. You will be provided with helmets, headlamps and overalls.

For those that do not wish to take part in the adventure caving there are plenty of other excursions that can be taken in the national park, which are easy to organise through the tour leader on arrival.

DAY 5. TREK TO MOUNT API BASE CAMP

We travel by longboat this morning to Long Lutut. Depending on the river level this may require pushing the boat several times. From here we trek into the jungle, carrying all our personal belongings we need for the next 7 days. The trek today is relatively easy through lowland jungle and our destination is the base camp (known as Camp 5) at the bottom of Mount Api. On one of our evenings during the trek we aim to make a guided night trek into the jungle. Total 2-3 hrs walking.

DAY 6 & 7. TREK TO THE PINNACLES; IN MT. API

After breakfast we start the climb through dense vegetation towards the Pinnacles. Needle-like outcrops of limestone rock forge vertically through the jungle, sometimes 40 to 50 metres high, towering above the canopy of the jungle. We offer a challenging hike to a view point on the flanks of Mount Api, involving steep climbs and negotiating ladders built into the rocks. We are rewarded witth amazing views over this geological phenomena, sculptured over millions of years.

After a well earned rest we descend back into the dense jungle. Mountain squirrels are commonly seen as are a variety of tropical birds, including hornbills. Total 7-8hr walking. On day 7 there will be plenty of nature walks available or you may choose to relax around the camp to recover from the arduos trek to the pinnacles.

DAY 8. TREK AND BOAT TO MENTAWAI

We wake to the sound of the jungle dawn chorus and we trek the ancient Headhunters Trail to Luburg Cina (11kms) where we board our long tail boats to Mentawi. This afternoon you can swim in the river and relax in the tranquil surroundings.

DAY 9. IN MENTAWAI

The adventure continues today as we take bamboo rafts for the journey through the rapids of the Terikan River to Mentawai. We punt and raft back down to Mentawai camp.

DAY 10. LONGBOAT TO MEDALAM

We take to the river again this morning and head north by longboat to the Iban village of Medalam, where we will be guests of the headman and stay overnight in a traditional Iban longhouse. A longhouse is literally a village under one roof. Built on stilts, with a long verandah and equally long communal area, each family has its own rooms. We leave the afternoon free to explore the village and to relax in this fascinating environment.

DAY 11. BOAT AND DRIVE TO LIMBANG

Leaving the longhouse, we continue by boat to Medamit, then drive to the small, prosperous town of Limbang, our first taste of civilisation for 10 days. Having checked into our hotel and met up with our main baggage, we have the afternoon free to explore the town and reflect on our experiences in the jungle.

DAY 12. FERRY TO KOTA KINABALU; BOAT TO MANUKAN ISLAND

We catch a ferry from the wharf in Limbang to the wealthy offshore island of Labuan. Here we change boats and travel east along the coast to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. We then take another smaller boat to lovely Manukan Island, the second largest of the beautiful islands making up the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. On arrival we walk across the sandy beach to our
hotel.

DAY 13. ON MANUKAN ISLAND; RETURN KOTA KINABALU

Today is free to relax on the beach, or perhaps take a boat excursion to some of the other islands making up the national park, such as Gaya or Sapi. We take a boat back to Kota Kinabalu in the late afternoon.

DAY 14. SATURDAY. TOUR ENDS KOTA KINABALU AFTER BREAKFAST.

Accommodation & Centre Details

4 nights hotel
3 nights chalet
3 nights jungle hut
1 night longhouse
2 nights hostel

Holidays Extras

We have provided a little section of extra travel needs that you may need and to make life easier for our customers. We aim to provide all the extras you would need; flights, hotels, insurance, car hire and airport parking.