14 days/13 nights - Gateway: Miri
Standard Tour from: £1065pp
Prices valid to 31 Dec 08
If you are after a challenge and a real adventure then this tour is for you. In Mulu National Park we not only visit the stunning limestone caves but aim to explore one of the extensive underground systems linking two of the best known ones – adventure caving at its best! We then trek through the jungle; stay in jungle
shelters for the night and raft down rapids on bamboo rafts, as well as staying as guests in a traditional Iban Longhouse. Please note: as we travel by river boat on several occasions, an ability to swim is essential. From time to time heavy rainfall can affect the exact caving and trekking itinerary. The tour leaders decision regarding the safety of any activity is final.
We spend the morning in Miri, a relatively prosperous town which relies very much on the offshore oil fields. It also attracts many expat oil workers from nearby Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei who travel across the border for the nightlife! As it continues to develop, the town is aiming to be designated as a ‘Resort City’ by the year 2005. After lunch we catch our flight across the jungle to Mulu, famous for its wealth of botanical interest, having both hill and swamp forest. There are many species of wildlife here, including over 200 species of birds and glorious butterflies. Arriving early 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.
3 nights chalet H
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). 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 (our main luggage is transferred to Limbang and we next have access to it on day 11). 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.
3 nights mountain hut L
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.
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.
Overnight hotel H+
Day 1: Join tour Miri
Arrive Miri and check into our hotel.
Overnight hotel H+
Day 2: Fly to Mulu National ParkArrive Miri and check into our hotel.
Overnight hotel H+
We spend the morning in Miri, a relatively prosperous town which relies very much on the offshore oil fields. It also attracts many expat oil workers from nearby Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei who travel across the border for the nightlife! As it continues to develop, the town is aiming to be designated as a ‘Resort City’ by the year 2005. After lunch we catch our flight across the jungle to Mulu, famous for its wealth of botanical interest, having both hill and swamp forest. There are many species of wildlife here, including over 200 species of birds and glorious butterflies. Arriving early 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.
3 nights chalet H
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). 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 (our main luggage is transferred to Limbang and we next have access to it on day 11). 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.
3 nights mountain hut L
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 where we board our long tail boats to Mentawi. This afternoon you can swim in the river and relax in the tranquil surroundings.
2 nights hostel L+
2 nights hostel L+
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. In the afternoon we’ll do some ‘tubing’ (floating downstream on rubber inner tubes!). This is very gentle paced and gives an excellent and very different view if the stunning natural surroundings (life jackets provided).
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. In the afternoon we’ll do some ‘tubing’ (floating downstream on rubber inner tubes!). This is very gentle paced and gives an excellent and very different view if the stunning natural surroundings (life jackets provided).
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 it’s own rooms. We leave the afternoon free to explore the village and to relax in this facsinating environment.
Overnight longhouse L
Day 11: Boat and drive to LimbangWe 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 it’s own rooms. We leave the afternoon free to explore the village and to relax in this facsinating environment.
Overnight longhouse L
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.
Overnight hotel H+
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.
Overnight hotel H+
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.
Overnight hotel H+
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.
Overnight hotel H+
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.
Overnight hotel H+
Day 14: Tour ends Kota Kinabalu
after breakfast
after breakfast
Sumber : www.dialaflight.com
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