Day 1 – Arrival in Kuala Lumpur:
Get ready for an adventure-packed holiday when you land in Kuala Lumpur. You will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to the Traders Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Once you have checked-in, you will have the rest of the day free to spend at your own leisure. Be sure to head out and explore this exciting city, which is punctuated by Mogul-style domes, skyscrapers, food stall-lined streets and endless banyan trees.
Day 2 - Kuala Lumpur:(B,L)
Start the day with a hearty breakfast to prepare for a busy day of sightseeing. Today’s tour will introduce you to the beauty of old and modern Kuala Lumpur. First, you will be driven to the outskirts of the city to cruise along the ‘Ambassador Row’, Istana Sharif Ali and Malay villages. You will stop at the Royal Selangor Pewter, which is the largest and most modern pewter factory in the world. It is renowned for high quality products and exceptional craftsmanship. During the tour of the factory, you will get a chance to learn about different processes, such as casting, filing, polishing, soldering, hammering and engraving pewter products. Next, you will stop at a Batik Factory to see how batik is designed and printed. Your last stop this morning will be at the limestone hills of Batu Caves. A flight of 272 steps will lead you up to the sacred Hindu temple cave where the shrine of Hindu deity, Lord Murugah lies. As this is a religious place of worship, remember to dress appropriately. You will also have the chance to explore another cave, called the museum cave, which is filled with images of deities and murals depicting scenes from the Hindu scriptures. After lunch on your own expense, you will return to Kuala Lumpur for a sightseeing tour around the city. You will have a chance to take a selfie outside the famous Petronas Twin Towers, which stand majestically in the city center. Next, you will explore the breathtakingly beautiful Royal King Palace, which also provides excellent photographic opportunities. Your next stop will be at the National Monument, which was erected in 1966 in memory of fallen soldiers who fought in the guerilla’s war against communism in defense of the country. Next, you will drive pass the National Mosque and the Railway Administrative building before coming to the Independence Square where the country’s first national flag was hoisted to mark its independence from Britain in 1957. You will also be able to photograph the scenic Sultan Abdul Samad building, which is nearby and boasts intricate Moorish architecture.
After a busy day, you will return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your own leisure.
Day 3 - Kuala Lumpur at night:(B,D)
Start the day with a delicious breakfast, before spending the rest of the day at leisure. Feel free to unwind inside the hotel or explore this exciting city by yourself. The real fun will start this evening, when you embark on a night tour of Kuala Lumpur. This tour takes you to the open air bazaar of Chinatown. Take a stroll through this boisterous market where watches, cheap textile and bags are sold. Next, you will visit a colourful Hindu temple, the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, which is the oldest temple in the city. The smell of burning incense, incessant chants of Hindu priests, intricate carved deities and the religious aura combined, will give you a lasting impression of this mystical and unique religion. The evening will be capped off with a sumptuous Malay dinner accompanied with a cultural show full of energetic performances and dances.
Day 4 - Kuala Lumpur & Sandakan:(B)
You will enjoy the morning at leisure, before setting off to the airport for your flight to Sandakan. Once you land, you will embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. You will first visit the Puh Jih Shih Buddhist Temple, which sits majestically on a hilltop overlooking the view of Sandakan Bay. Next, you will explore the Sandakan Central Market, which consolidates all kind of stalls selling fresh produce to an amazing variety of handicrafts, and pearls. You will also see the Sim Sim Water Village, which is where houses are all built on stilts and linked together. Take a moment to watch local fishermen and their families carrying on with their daily activities.
Finally, you will be transferred to your hotel for check in. Then feel free to make the most of the hotel’s facilities and unwind before enjoying an overnight stay.
Day 5 - Sandakan :(B,L)
Today will be etched in your mind forever as you will come face-to-face with friendly orangutans. This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to Sepilok’s Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. Here you will help feed and observe man’s closest relative- the orangutans. You will adore exploring the centre, which helps rehabilitate animals to become wild in their natural habitat. The facility provides medical care for orphaned and confiscated orangutans as well as other wildlife species including sun bears, gibbons, Sumatran rhinos and elephants. Next, you will visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which has managed to improve the living condition of the rescued sun bear inside its enclosed forest. If you can tear your eyes away from these fantastic animals then be sure to pull out a selfie stick and snap a photo. After so much fun, you are bound to have worked up an appetite, which is handy as you will next stop for lunch. After your feast, you will head to Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, which is located in the centre of Semawang’s mangrove forest. Prepare to be wowed as you get close to Borneo’s indigenous proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat. You will be able to see them play and eat before returning to your hotel.
Day 6 - Sandakan & Kota Kinabalu:(B)
Be sure to wear comfortable clothing today as you set off on a day of travel. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. Once you land, you will then be taken to your hotel for check-in. Once you have freshened up, you can relax inside the hotel, or venture out and explore the local nightlife by yourself.
Day 7 - Kota Kinabalu:(B,L,D)
Culture vultures will be in for a treat today, as you visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village. As you explore the village, you will find demonstration huts where you can experience activities such as making blowpipe, starting a fire , tattoo making, bamboo cooking, and much more. After such an exciting morning, you will pause to enjoy lunch before proceeding into Kota Kinabalu for a sightseeing tour around the city. You will start at the Sabah Foundation Building, before moving onto Po Toh Tze Buddhist Temple, State Museum, and the State Mosque. There will also be a quick photo stop to view the water village. After such as busy day, you will start to unwind when you head to the Sutera Marina Jetty and venture off on a sunset dinner cruise on a luxury catamaran. This is the perfect way to finish the day, as you will dine on an international buffet, which will be perfectly paired with charming scenery. The 2-hour scenic cruise will take you passed the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and down the central coast gliding along the city’s famous Waterfront all in the warm glow of the golden hour.
Day 8 - Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu National Park and Poring Hotsprings:(B,L)
Today you will take a walk on the wild side with a trip to Kinabalu National Park, which is 1600 metres above sea level and boasts a soothing temperature. It is home to Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. Today, you will be driven along the mountainous countryside and witness the breath-taking sight of this majestic mountain of the east. It is botanist’s paradise, as it is home to over a 1500 species of orchids, 330 species of birds, 26 species of rhododendrons, fern, and pitcher plants. Once you reach the park, a guide will take you on a trail to visit the Mountain Garden where you can see stunning orchids and medicinal plants. You will stop for lunch, before proceeding to the Poring Hot spring. Here you will enjoy nature trails including the famous Canopy Plank Walk, which boasts stunning views of the rainforest. If you are lucky, you might even catch sight of small mammals, reptiles and insects. There will also be an opportunity to take a therapeutic dip in the opened-air-style-Bathtubs with running sulphured water flowing naturally from the Earth’s crust. After this magical day, you will be transferred back to Kota Kinabalu for a well-earned rest.
Days 9 to 12 - Kota Kinabalu:(B)
Wake up to the glorious sunshine beaming on your face, before enjoying a delicious breakfast each day. You will spend the next few days at leisure where you can do whatever your heart desires. You can enjoy mixing with friendly locals, experiencing the blossoming arts and music scene, and tasting the rich culinary spectrum, which spans from street food to posh restaurants. Take time to stroll the streets, where you will see swanky new malls, expensive condos, and charming markets stocked to the gills with sea creatures, pearls, and busy fishermen shuttling about the waterfront. Then at the end of the day you can stroll along the beach and enjoy Kota Kinabalu’s famous fiery sunsets.
Day 13 – Departure:(B)
Relish in the final breakfast of your holiday, as you reflect on the wonderful adventures you have encountered. Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
