This is a customisable itinerary to provide you with a start point and suggestions for your travel plans. We’ll work closely with you and our travel partner to design your ideal trip, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our partner’s specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook.
Day 1 International flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Kuching.
Day 2 Kuching
Arriving into Kuching you'll meet an Audley representative before being taken to your hotel by private transfer, with the rest of the today at leisure. You might like to head to Jalan Ban Hock, known locally as "new town", which has a hub of vibrant local restaurants and street stalls.
Day 3 Kuching
Explore Kuching on a private guided walking tour of this quaint riverside city. Your guide can show you the temple and churches as well as Fort Margherita and the stately Istana Palace. The Sarawak Museum is particularly fascinating, with an extensive collection of tribal artefacts and a recreated longhouse. The rest of the day is free to explore, or simply relax. You might like to visit Chinatown, with plenty of bright temples, markets and restaurants.
Day 4 Kuching
Today you will journey by land and boat to Bako National Park enjoying some light trekking before having a home hosted lunch in Bako Village.
Day 5 Lemanak River
Drive to the Lemanak River today, stopping at Semenggok Orangutan Sanctuary for feeding time, a traditional market in Serian, a pepper farm and a local restaurant on the way. Accompanied by a private guide, it's a great way to explore the local area. The final 40 minutes of your journey are on the river, by longboat. This journey takes most of the day, arriving at the longhouse between 4.00pm and 5.00pm. On arrival at the Iban longhouse you'll be welcomed with a traditional meal. The family are keen to teach you their local customs, performing dances and music before bed.
Day 6 Kuching
After breakfast your private guide takes you on a nature trail 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 for a swim. You will then retrace your steps back to Kuching with your guide, with a final night to enjoy the ambience and great food.
Day 7 Sandakan
This morning drive to the airport by private transfer to catch your short flight to Sandakan, with a short connection in Kota Kinabalu. On arrival in Sandakan you'll be met by an Audley representative and driven by private transfer to Sepilok Nature Resort in time for dinner.
Day 8 Kinabatangan River
Enter Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre this morning to see the 10.00am orangutan feeding as part of a small group tour. After this, head into the jungle with a journey up the Kinabatangan River and on to your riverside lodge. The boat journey takes about an hour, accompanied by a guide and other lodge guests. Once you are checked in, head out onto the river for an afternoon cruise with a small group of fellow guests. Your guide will help you to spot some of the wildlife that is so prevalent in the area — you may see proboscis monkey, orangutan and pygmy elephants. Your excursions whilst at the lodge are part of a small group of fellow guests, but if you would prefer private excursions instead, we can arrange this for you. All meals are included during your stay.
Day 9 Kinabatangan River
Rise early for a second trip on the river and the chance to visit the nearby ox-bow lake. The early morning is one of the best times of the day to spot wildlife. Breakfast is served back at the lodge. You have free time back at the lodge to catch up on some sleep or for the more energetic, take the jungle boardwalk trails around the lodge. Lunch is served at the lodge. Enjoy a final trip on the river this afternoon and try to tick some more animals off your list before a final dinner at your lodge.
Day 10 Gaya Island
After breakfast travel back to Sandakan by boat to transfer to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu with a small group of hotel guests. On arrival in Kota Kinabalu, you'll be met and transferred to the dock to catch your 25 minute shared speedboat to the tropical Gaya Island.
Day 11 Gaya Island
Today you are free to relax or explore the island. You might like to take a guided nature walk through the dipterocarp forest which surrounds the hotel with the resort's resident naturalist, with the opportunity to spot flying squirrels, proboscis monkey and other wildlife.
Day 12 Gaya Island
Today is free to relax. Located in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Gaya Island Resort is surrounded by a vibrant array of marine life. On your free day today, you might like to visit the hotel's Marine Centre which focuses on turtle rescue and coral conservation. You can hire snorkelling equipment from the hotel's reception to explore the coral yourself, or book a guided snorkelling excursion with an experienced guide.
Day 13 Gaya Island
A final day on Gaya Island today. A variety of excursions are available to book through the hotel including a guided kayak through the surrounding mangrove forests, or a private deep sea fishing lesson.
Day 14 International return flight
This morning catch a shared speedboat transfer back to Kota Kinabalu where you're met and driven to the airport for your onward flights.
Day 15 International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey
