Soak up historical Kuching’s collection of heritage sights from the Sarawak River. Upon arrival in Kuching, we check-in to the hotel before we start our exploration of Sarawak’s famed riverside capital. The best way to enjoy the city’s sights is from the Sarawak River, the main artery around which the city has developed. We board our purpose-built pontoon boat in the late afternoon and set off on a one-hour30 minutes sunset cruise along the iconic waterway. We can enjoy views of the city and its surroundings that are impossible to experience from dry land.

Along the way, we get a glimpse into local life being lived out on the riverbank as the sun sinks into the horizon. As our cruise comes to an end, we can admire the colourful lights that spring to life along the lively Kuching Waterfront as we approach the jetty.

Please note: Boat Cruise in sharing basis. Tour is not available during Sarawak Regatta Event or Dragon Boat Festival (dates to be advised).

Overnight at LimeTree Hotel.

Delve into Kuching’s rich heritage with a walkabout tour of this fascinating city. After breakfast, we head out on the Kuching Heritage Trail, starting at Kuching Waterfront with a visit to Tua Pek Kong Chinese temple and the Chinese Historical Museum, where historical Fort Margherita can be viewed across the Sarawak River. From the temple, we will stroll alongside Carpenter Street’s traditional shop houses. This area is also home to a collection of historical buildings and monuments built during the Brooke dynasty. These include the Round Tower, the Pavilion, the Brooke Memorial Monument and the Old Court House.

We then continue to India Street, a pedestrianised trading hub with colourful textile shops, followed by Masjid India, a 19th century mosque. Our next stop is Brooke Dockyard and Dockyard Lane, passing the Old Fire Brigade Station, which now serves as a lively market, plus a short visit to St Thomas Cathedral. Our last stop is the interesting Sarawak Museum, followed by the return to the hotel.

Please note:

• Museum close during Major Public Holidays and No Entrance Fee for Museum included.Sarawak Museum-Ethnology Museum (Old Building), Sarawak Art Museum and Chinese
• History Museum are still closed due to maintenance works until further notice. Alternative visits to Sarawak Islamic Heritage Museum and MBKS Pictorial Gallery.
• The Natural History Museum is open daily as per operation hours.

Overnight at LimeTree Hotel.

Dig deeper into Sarawak culture and live like a local as we spend the night in a traditional home. After breakfast, we hit the road for Batang Ai, passing through picturesque countryside dotted with quaint villages, verdant rice fields and pepper and oil palm plantations, interspersed with jungle as the road starts to wind deeper into the rainforest’s interior. We stop at Serian town and then Lachau for lunch.

Upon arrival at Batang Ai Hydro Lake, we board a boat and cross the water to meander down Engkari River to reach Ukom Longhouse, nestled on a hill beside the river. In our home for the night, we take a tour of the 30-door longhouse. After dinner, we join the residents for a glass of tuak (rice wine) and a cultural performance. The Iban are fun-loving people and visitors are invited to join in the activities at the longhouse.

Overnight at Ukom Longhouse.

Please note: The accommodation does not have air-conditioning and there are no private rooms. Bathrooms are shared.

Experience more of the Iban people’s rich heritage today with a morning blowpipe demonstration before we hit the road for Kuching. After breakfast, we experience some of Borneo’s rich cultural practices with a blowpipe demonstration close to the longhouse. Traditionally, the longhouse blowpipe was used as a weapon, with the skilled craftsmen who made them holding a special status within communities. The blowpipe itself is usually about two metres long with a metal spear tied with rattan at one end. The dart is inserted at the other end and a spear is used to point at the target. We then get a go at shooting a blowpipe ourselves, ahead of taking a short stroll around the area to learn about the Iban people’s traditional uses of rainforest plants in their everyday lives.

We then bid a fond farewell to our hosts and cruise down the river and then take to the road for our return journey to Kuching. Lunch will be served en route.

Overnight at LimeTree Hotel.

Today sees us head to Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah state. After breakfast, we head to the airport for our flight to the city. Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, we check-in to our hotel, with the rest of the day free at our leisure. Kota Kinabalu is a coastal city partly surrounded by dense rainforest and it is known for its bustling markets, beaches and as a gateway to Kinabalu National Park, the home of 4,095 metres-high Mount Kinabalu. Leading attractions include Sabah Museum, a fascinating complex that showcases science and technology, local heritage and indigenous cultures and the Mari Cultural Village, which shares the knowledge, history, culture and traditions of the state. A further highlight lies offshore in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. This marine area consists of five tropical islands with superlative water sports and idyllic beaches.

Overnight at Mercure Kota Kinabalu City Centre.

We get back to nature with a trek through pristine rainforest that sits in the shadows of 4,095 metres high Mount Kinabalu. After breakfast, we take a scenic two-hour drive to Kinabalu Park along mountain roads that pass quaint villages and lush rice paddies. We make a brief stop at lively Nabalu Market before arriving at Kinabalu Park. Here, we will enjoy the cooler climes with a stroll along the Botanical Gardens’ nature trails. Nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is a natural wonder that boasts about 4,500 plant species, including 1,500 species of orchids. It is also home to 289 species of birds and 290 types of butterflies.

After the walk, depart for lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Kota Kinabalu for an approximately 3 hours’ journey and drop off at your respective hotel.

NOTE: Please note that the Canopy Walkway is currently suspended until further notice due to major maintenance works.

Overnight at Mercure Kota Kinabalu City Centre.

Immerse yourself further into the traditional way of life in Sabah with an overnight stay with the Rungus people in a community longhouse. In the morning, we set off on a three-hour scenic drive to the North of Kudat, passing paddy fields, villages, oil palm plantations, and small stalls selling handicrafts and snacks. En route, we stop to visit Sumangkap village. This location is famed for its gong making artisans and Gombizau Honey Bee Farm where we can see how a bee farm is managed and also taste raw honey straight from the honeycomb.

We then continue to Bavanggazo village to check-in at a longhouse. Built entirely using local materials, this is home to the Rungus people, a sub-tribe of the indigenous Kadazandusun. Lunch is at the longhouse, before we have the afternoon free to explore our surroundings. After dinner, we will be treated to a traditional cultural performance accompanied by tapai (rice wine) with our hosts. Overnight is in a twin bed local-style room at the longhouse.

Overnight at Rungus Longhouse.

Stand in awe of the stunning scenes that are unique to the Northern Tip of Borneo. After breakfast, we set off on a drive to the Northern tip of Borneo. Known locally as Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, this is also the meeting point of the South China and Sulu seas. Here, we can collect shells on the pristine stretches of white beach; enjoy the refreshing breeze; and stand in awe of the picturesque scenery made famous by appearing on the cover of the popular 2003 book, Kudat. After exploring the area, we hit the road for our return drive to Kota Kinabalu, stopping along the way to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This ends our culturally immersive eight-day adventure in Borneo.