Kuching – Kubah National Park                                                                                 [L, D]

An early morning pick-up by your English-speaking guide from your Kuching hotel starts with heading out of the city limits for approximately 40 minutes towards the Matang Mountain Ranges. It is here where we start our 2-day cycling adventure. Matang is the gateway to the mountain ranges bearing the same name and is seen as an ecological tourism destination on its own, widely known for its natural beauty. The town itself, labelled as a region within greater Kuching displays local Borneo allure with thriving markets and a more laid-back lifestyle.

We start the ride from the century-old town of Tondong; experience the riding through the countryside line with paddy fields and pristine jungle. Try out sections of jungle off-road biking and river crossings before reaching Matang Wildlife Centre in the early afternoon for lunch fills the morning with verdant-green surroundings and plenty of fresh air. The cycling paths take guests through rice paddy field, along local villages and around Mount Singai. A former Dutch outpost, Singai is also the birthplace of Christianity among the Bidayuh community largely thanks to the Roman Catholic missionaries that arrived from Holland in 1800s. We end our morning ride at the Matang Wildlife Centre.

This dedicated centre to endangered species rehabilitates orang-utans and teaches vital survival skills for their release back into the wild. Matang Wildlife Centre’s main attraction are rescued orangutans that have been confiscated from the public who have kept them as pets but also includes other animals including sun bears, sambar deer, civet cats and bird species. Visitors get an insight into the Centre’s conservation efforts including research programmes and observe these orphaned and rescued primates during their feeding time. Matang Wildlife Centre is set in the lush Kubah National Park home to rare orchids, vibrant birds and waterfalls.

Lunch is included at the Matang Wildlife Centre.

After lunch, head out into this protected area for a visit to the orangutans as well as other endemic Borneo wildlife such as the sun bears, sambar deer and hornbills. After a quick ride to Kubah National Park, we have an early BBQ-style dinner at the park’s BBQ pit to experience the unique tribal bamboo chicken.

This mixed dipterocarp forest is home to the biggest selection of orchids and palms in Borneo. Spanning 22 sq-km, it has several shaded walking trails to explore but many of its mammals such as the bearded pig, black hornbill, and mouse deer reside in the Park’s interior making spotting hard. Explorers hiking through the park often soak up the sublime rainforest scenery and dip in its refreshing waterfalls. Gunung Serapi stretching 911 metres in height dominates Kubah National Park.

In the evening, we venture out into the jungle to experience the darkness of the rainforest and explore its unique frog creatures at night.

Overnight at Kubah National Park or Matang Wildlife Centre (depends on availability)

Kubah National Park – Kuching                                                                                 [B, L]

An early wake-up call is followed by a nutritious, locally made breakfast with another half day filled with the wonders of the surroundings, and finding a renewed balance during your travels.

Our early morning ride brings you along the beautiful mangrove coastal way taking in great views of Mount Santubong, our final destination today. Along the way, visit the Malay fishing kampong of Buntal as we stop for a seafood lunch. This is a great opportunity to spot many migratory birds along the spectacular coastline.

The Santubong area has a mixture of mangrove forests, rivers and mudflats that are framed by Gunung Santubong. The Irrawaddy or snubfin dolphin inhabit its rivers, estuaries and shallow coastal areas and remains one of the best places in Sarawak to view this unusual looking marine mammal who often frolic near local fishing boats that are hauling in their catch. Other spots include reptilians to crustaceans and fishes, crocodiles, water monitor lizards, otters, mudskippers, mangrove crabs, prawns, edible jellyfish and shellfish who reside in this heavily silted mangrove swamp which also sustains many different tree species.

Lunch is included at a local restaurant

After lunch, our ride continues towards Damai Beach, the venue of renowned Rainforest World Music Festival (often abbreviated as RWMF). On the way, stop by another pristine Malay kampong of stilts wooden houses along wind sweep beach fronts. The jungle-clad slopes of Gunung Santubong dominate Damai. Situated in the protected Santubong National Park, it is possible to reach its peak whilst hiking the park’s trails. The Damai area was once a trade hub that has been home to small fishing communities for centuries and its beach is Sarawak’s main beach destination. Other nearby attractions Satang Island that is home to green turtles, Sarawak Cultural Village (which is included during this last day on the saddle), and the stilted seafood restaurants of Buntal Village.

The 2nd day comes to an end as your cycling guide and dedicated driver brings you back to Kuching and your overnight address.