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Upon arrival at Kinabalu Park, go on a guided trail walk to see some of the unique plants and flowers of this World Heritage site. Explore the Mountain Garden with its collection of orchids, pitcher plants and ferns, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. In the afternoon, do a trail walk to see more of the unique vegetation and bird life of Mt. Kinabalu.
KINABALU PARK – SANDAKAN (B/L/-)
DAY 3 Early breakfast. It is easy to see various species of birds just after sunrise as they forage for insects and moths around the street lamps. After breakfast, board an air-conditioned express coach for the overland trip to Sandakan, bypassing mountains, valleys, rivers, native villages and oil palm plantations. The express coach is public transport and you will be traveling with mostly local people on board. The journey takes around five hours, including a lunch stop at Ranau (boxed lunch). Throughout the coach ride, the latest movies will be screened. Upon arrival at Sandakan, meet up with your guide and transfer to a 3-star Hotel Sandakan or similar). The rest of the day is free at your leisure to explore the town.
SANDAKAN – GOMANTONG CAVES – SUKAU RIVER (B/L/D)
DAY 4 Depart your hotel after breakfast for Sukau. Visit the Gomantong Caves, which are home to millions of bats and swiftlets. The caves are world famous for the edible bird's nests that are used in making the Chinese delicacy "Bird's Nest soup."
Continue on to Sukau and check into your riverside cabins. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Kinabatangan River.
In the late afternoon, we will take small boats up tributaries of the river to see the famed Proboscis monkeys that are found only on Borneo Island. Silver languor, long and pig tailed macaques, and sometimes even wild orang utans and elephants can be seen along the riverbanks. Look out for birds such as the Oriental darter, storm’s stork, egret and kingfisher. With luck, you might even see all seven of the Borneon species of Hornbill. Overnight in comfortable twin-bedded cabins with private attached showers and toilets.
SUKAU RIVER – SANDAKAN – KOTA KINABALU (B/L/-)
DAY 5 Depart the lodge after breakfast for Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary the largest rehabilitation center for orphaned orangutans in the world (note: bright colored clothes are not advisable during the visit). Observe the feeding of these orangutans and watch a slide show about the rehabilitation program. If time permits, take a short jungle trail to see fine examples of Lowland Tropical forests with hardwood trees towering over 50 meters to the sky.
Depart the center for lunch in town, followed by a visit of Sandakan town to see its attractions. Transfer to Sandakan airport for your flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, transfer by car and boat to a resort on an island. Check into twin-bed chalets. Free time at leisure and overnight at island resort.
KOTA KINABALU ISLAND RESORT (B/-/-)
DAY 6 Day free at leisure. Overnight at the resort.
KOTA KINABALU (B/-/-)
DAY 7 Morning free at leisure. Transfer out from the resort to the city and then to the airport for your departure flight.
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ITINERARY