Borneo and Northern Sumatra Discovery

Borneo and Northern Sumatra Discovery, Orang-utans and Elephants - From £3,280 per person sharing

Day 1
Met upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu airport and transferred to the Rasa Ria 5 star. This luxury hotel set on Pantai Dalit beach and surrounded by 400 acres of lush tropical vegetation boasts its own nature reserve and small orang-utan sanctuary where rescued orang-utans are looked after before they can be released back into the wild.
Overnight: Rasa Ria

Day 2
In search of Orang-utans in and around Rasa Ria under your own steam. Imagine a private paradise cradled between forested hills and a long sweep of a 3 km long, untouched, pristine beach, washed by the South China Sea. Find your very own Shangri-La here at the Rasa Ria Resort, set on Pantai Dalit beach and surrounded by 400 acres of lush tropical vegetation including a unique nature reserve. Here you will meet Sabah's icon, the orang-utan, amidst a remarkable array of indigenous flora and fauna. Surprising encounters with hornbills gliding right overhead, peacocks displaying during breakfast, a bear cat greeting you from a tree or the occasional iguana crossing your path are all part of the magic of this remarkable resort.
Overnight: Rasa Ria (B)

Day 3
Overland transfer to Sepilok Nature Resort. Upon arrival here have a rest and then depending on how energetic you're feeling either go on a cultural visit to the Water Village & Chinese Temple or trek 10 minutes on wooden plank walks to witness the feeding of the Orang-utans in the sanctuary. This is a great experience as previously captive Orang-utans (through deforestation, poaching, etc) are being re-habituated to their natural surroundings for release when they are once again capable of supporting themselves. 
Overnight: Sepilok Nature Resort (B, L, D)

Day 4
Land transfer to BILIT at Ulu Kinabatangan. BILIT offers you one of the best opportunities to see Orang-utans in the wild! Similar to Sukau but not quite as developed BILIT rests on the banks of the Kinabatangan river and has the second highest density of wild Orang-utans in Borneo. Today and tomorrow are spent exploring this area of mangrove and rainforest either on foot or by boat. The river safari visits a variety of fauna and flora along the banks of the Kinabatangan River including orang-utans and proboscis monkeys! Guide, accommodation and meals are all included.
Overnight: Bilit Adventure Lodge - rustic but comfortable accommodation with en-suite bathrooms (B, L, D)

Day 5
Today you can opt for the river safari which visits a variety of fauna and flora along the banks of the Kinabatangan River including orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, tree snakes, crocodiles, civets, monitor lizards macaques and much much more! Sumatran Rhinos have been spotted here (although fairly rare) and herds of wild elephant often pass through the park...
Overnight: Bilit Adventure Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 6
An early departure stopping off at the Gomantong Caves on your way to Danum Valley. This is an eye opening drive as you see the effects of the palm oil industry on the local environment and populations. On arrival at your rainforest lodge you will have time to sit back and relax and enjoy the surroundings. Danum Valley is one of the best remaining examples of how Borneo's forests used to be, with a thick tropical canopy and a variety of wildlife.
Overnight: Borneo Rainforest Lodge - locally crafted bungalows connected by a walkway and perched along the bank of the river with views into the rainforest (B, L, D)

Day 7
Set up to protect the area from logging, Danum Valley encompasses 43 kilometres squared of pristine rainforest. Aside from this the conservation area has a variety of wildlife including, orang-utans, a variety of birdlife, clouded leopard, elephant and if one is very lucky the Sumatran rhino. With both a canopy walkway and a viewpoint which looks out over the jungle canopy and the dramatic mountains this conservation area is definitely worth dropping in on. 
Overnight: Borneo Rainforest Lodge - locally crafted bungalows connected by a walkway and perched along the bank of the river with views into the rainforest (B, L, D)

Day 8
Today you transfer by an internal flight back to Kota Kinabalu. A chance to relax at your hotel before starting on the next leg of your journey…
Overnight: Magellan Sea Facing Room – a comfortable 5 star hotel

Day 9
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight (not included) via Kuala Lumpur to Medan. Met upon arrival in Sumatra and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight: Medan (B)

Day 10
Today you transfer directly to Bukit Lawang – an interesting drive passing through palm oil estates and also Bohorok a small local market town. The village of Bukit Lawang is the main access point for the rainforests of the Gunung Leuser National Park. Visitors come here to see Orang-utans at the nearby rehabilitation centre and for jungle treks. Bukit Lawang is situated 86 km by road to the north-west of Medan and nestles on the banks of the Bohorok River.
Overnight: Pan Eco Eco-lodge/Bukit Lawang Cottages – Simple but cosy and spacious en-suite accommodation located on the banks of the Bohorok River (B/L/D)

Day 11
Today is visiting the Orang-utans at the Rehabilitation Centre of Gunung Leuser Park. It is a day of gentle trekking in some of the most pristine forest of Northern Sumatra. The park’s extensive range of wildlife includes Orang-utans, gibbons, tapirs, elephants, tigers, and rhinos. The park contains over 380 species of birds, notably the hornbills, the largest flower in the world, the rafflesia, and the tallest flower in the world. The Orang-utan rehabilitation centre is where young orang-utans are taught to live in the wild; twice daily at 0800hrs and 1500hrs they are fed a ration of bananas and milk whilst they adapt to their forest environment; at these times you are permitted to come and visit them.
Overnight: Pan Eco Eco-lodge/Bukit Lawang Cottages (B)

Day 12
Today you have a 3hr drive through the rainforest, local villages and oil palm plantations to Tangkahan.  Upon arrival you have the rare opportunity to ride elephants bareback on a choice of treks through the jungle; steep slopes and dense vegetation bring you the excitement of the jungle.  At the end of the trek you can bathe with the elephants as they spray water to cool off! Alternatively have a very nice swim in the unspoiled jungle river, sit on a small beach full off butterflies and take a shower under a jungle waterfall…
Overnight: Tangkahan in simple but clean accommodation - basic rooms with divide off area for shower (cold and warm water only. Long drop loo with wash basin outside the shower (B, L, D)

Day 13
A day to enjoy your surroundings as you are one of the few that has had the privilege of visiting this pristine area. Why not make the most of it and do some gentle tubing down the river. This is one of the best ways to enjoy your surroundings, drifting silently down the river brings you into close contact with the varied local fauna and flora.
Overnight: Tangkahan (B, L, D)

Day 14
Today you transfer from Tangkahan to Medan in time for your international flight home (B)