Discover Kota Kinabalu & Wild Sandakan

( 5 Star )

Visit: Kota Kinabalu-Sandakan-Selingan Island-Sukau-Sandakan

Itinerary
Inclusion / Exclusion
Dates Pricing

Upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (please advise flight details). You will be met by our local representative at the arrival hall, transfer to hotel for check-in, rest & relax. Overnight at your choice of hotel accommodation

Breakfast at hotel. 0915 hrs, depart from your hotel to Mari Mari Cultural Village - The village is located about 25 minutes away from the city. Greet by the Chief of Village and go through a custom Welcome Ceremony Walk through the suspension bridge to Mari Mari Cultural Village Visit 5 different house in the village watch the traditional performance by the various indigenous tribes. Enjoy authentic set lunch in the Cultural Village. Transfer back to hotel arrive and rest. Overnight at your choice of hotel accommodation.

Breakfast at hotel. Take a 2-hour drive to the foothills of Mt.Kinabalu in the UNESCO World Heritage Kinabalu Park, one of the world’s most important biological sites with more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna. Stop en route by Pekan Nabalu Market to enjoy the various seasonal tropical fruits. On arrival at the foothills, get ready to stand astounded by the astounding view of Mt.Kinabalu, the highest mountain in the Malay archipelago (4,095m). Later, head to Kinabalu Natural History Gallery and Mountain Garden. If weather permits, go on a guided tour to explore the verdant forest laced with cool montane air. Continue to Poring Treetop Canopy Walk where suspension bridges constructed with ropes, steel cables and a series of aluminium ladders bolted together at 41m high offer a different view of the jungle. Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight at your choice of hotel accommodation

Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for departure flight to Sandakan (suggesting flight: MH4708 1000/1040 hrs). Meet & greet upon arrival at Sandakan, proceed for Sandakan City Tour and explore the various landmarks of Sandakan which may include Central Market, the most amazing variety of fresh seafood and agricultural products, Sim-Sim Water Village where houses are all built close to the water surface while observing the fascinating view of the sea, visit Puh Jih Syh Buddhist Temple which offers a panoramic view of Sandakan Bay situated on the hilltop of Tanah Merah. Included is also a visit to Sandakan Memorial Park - a memorial site built in the former grounds of the former Sandakan camp in the Malaysian state of Sabah, site is dedicated as a memory for all prisoners in the camp who died during the Sandakan Death Marches, and to those died during a march to Ranau. Overnight at Sabah Hotel Sandakan (Deluxe Room)

Breakfast at hotel. 0930 hrs, pick up from hotel and transfer to jetty for scheduled boat departure to Turtle Island. It takes about an hour to reach Selingan Island which lies 40 km north of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea off Sabah's east coast. Selingan Island is the main nesting area for the green turtles. A day of relaxation for you to swim or snorkel at the island. After dinner, prepare to wait for the Park Ranger to inform us of the sighting of a turtle laying eggs. Learn about the conservation of these turtles; witness the collecting of eggs from the nesting site, planting them in the hatchery and see baby turtles scrambling to the open sea upon released on the shore. Note: Please bring overnight clothing only as there is no porter service on the Selingan Turtle Island. Overnight at Turtle Island Resthouse (Standard Room with attached bathroom).

0630 hrs check out, have breakfast and embark for another boat ride back to the mainland Sandakan. Proceed to drive for about half an hour to Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre where orphaned and injured Orang-Utan brought to Sepilok to be rehabilitated to return and fend for themselves back to the wild. Sepilok is a primary lowland forest; a fine showcase of Borneo’s remaining rainforest. Witness the feeding of Orang-Utan from a platform in the forest and later watch the 25 minutes scheduled video documentary show. Drive for about 2.5hrs drive through rustic countryside studded with villages. Take a short boat transfer to Borneo Nature Lodge. Time for orientation, have lunch and check in. Relax by the river before embarking by boat up-river at 4:00 PM along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view wildlife and birds in its virgin rainforest habitat. Search for some of the primates species including the endemic Proboscis Monkeys as they settle down on treetops. Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary is on the best places in Southeast Asia to observe wildlife. Note: Please bring along torch light, insect repellent, raincoat (umbrella is not recommended), hat, binocular and sunscreen (sweat proof). Use good walking shoes and comfortable cotton T-shirt with long or short pants. Overnight at Borneo Nature Lodge or equivalent.

Wake up to the calls of birds, insects and animals. At 0600 hrs take a morning cruise up to The Kinabatangan River and onto Kelenanap Ox-Bow Lake for bird watching and in search of other wildlife. Take a short jungle walk (if weather permits) and experience the wilderness of Borneo before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Free at leisure to explore the surrounding areas or nearby village. In the late afternoon at 4:00 PM, boat cruise along the river to see many species of flora and fauna of the rainforest and overnight stay at Borneo Nature Lodge or equivalent. Note: Optional tours e.g. Night Cruise, Night Walk & Tree Planting can be arranged at the lodge with minimal rates depends on the weather condition (Optional night activity starts at 2000 hrs). Overnight at Borneo Nature Lodge or equivalent.

Return to Sandakan by land, transfer to Sandakan Airport for flight back home.

Inclusion

⮚ Tours and transfers conducted in air-conditioned vehicle / coach on PRIVATE basis EXCEPT all boat trips are on SIC (Seat In A Coach Basis) joint basis.
⮚ 7 nights accommodation as above itinerary.
⮚ Daily breakfast, 5 lunches and 3 dinners.
⮚ Services of English speaking guide.
⮚ Related entrance fees during the tours.

Exclusion

⮚ All airfares and airport taxes (both International & Domestic).
⮚ Guide / Driver tipping.
⮚ Meals not indicated as above itinerary.
⮚ Beverage in the organized meals.
⮚ Camera / Video fees.
⮚ Surcharge for transfer is required between 23:00hrs – 07:00hrs
⮚ Travel Insurance.
⮚ Incidental charges such as room service, mini bar, telephone charge, laundry and etc.
⮚ Malaysia Tourism Tax of AUD 44.00 per room per night, payable by guests directly to hotel upon arrival.

Note

SELECTED HOTELS or similar
Kota Kinabalu
3 Star- THE JESSELTON HOTEL
4 Star - HORIZON HOTEL
5 Star - THE MAGELLAN SUTERA RESORT
Sandakan
Sabah Hotel Sandakan (Deluxe Room)
Selingan Island
Turtle Island Resthouse (Standard Room with attached bathroom)
Sukau
Borneo Nature Lodge or equivalent
* In the event of non-availability of the above hotels, a similar class of hotel will be substituted *

Flight Fare: MH 4708 BKI/SDK 1000/1040 hrs - AUD 1022.00 per person.
1. Please be informed that the airfare & airport tax quoted is based on flight demand and load which may fluctuate over time. It is possible that the fare maybe revised or seats become unavailable. Fare confirmation and seats
availability are subject to change.
2. A handling fee of AUD 222.00 will apply for any booking arrangement of flight.

IMPORTANT NOTES
SELINGAN - TURTLE ISLAND
➢ As the island is a common nesting ground for turtles, and there is high probability that you will see some. Nevertheless, we cannot guarantee that the turtles will show.
➢ The chalet is about 500m away from the beach, there is NO porter available on the island. Please pack an overnight bag with personal effects sufficient for this one night trip. Please bring the following: Good walking shoes or sandals, insect repellent, torch light, binoculars, Sun block, hat, rain jacket or wind breaker wear and personal toiletries. Luggage storage room is available at Sandakan jetty.
➢ Please bring your flash light, insect repellent and raincoat when you proceed to the restaurant for dinner because you will proceed directly from the restaurant to see turtles immediately after dinner.
➢ Photography or the use of video cam on Turtle Island is prohibited by law.
➢ Activities include observing Marine Turtle Conservation Program at night, Swimming & Snorkeling
➢ Park Rules at the Turtle Island. Guests are not allowed to wander along the beach after dark but wait in the coffee house for the Park Ranger to inform them when the turtle start laying the eggs. No bright torches allowed on the beach, nor sing, dance or play music on the beach is permitted. No crowding around the turtles but watch from a short distance throughout the nesting process. Do NOT ride on the turtle, pull her flippers, turn her over, jump on her or injure her physically. The Sabah Parks also forbid visitors from going around the island on their own from
6.00 pm - 6.00 am. Please take note that Sabah Parks allow only camera of unaided flash to take photograph of the Turtles.
➢ Turtle Island accommodation: Basic Chalets (11 rooms with attached bathroom & 11 rooms with common communal bathroom & toilet only), fan, mosquito netting on windows but no hot water. Sabah Park / Turtle island offers Single occupancy or Twin sharing basis only. No TRIPLE in the room.

SUKAU
➢ The overland journey to Sukau is bumpy road and will be on dirt track. It is now in the process of being tarred.
➢ Please bring insect repellent, raincoat, flash light, binoculars, sun block lotion, wide brim hat, slippers, and comfortable walking shoes and wear light clothing.
➢ Facilities – Sukau Lodge (Borneo Nature Lodge or similar)
➢ All rooms with attached bathroom/toilet/hot shower/ceiling fan.

Safety reminders at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center
1. To prevent Orangutans from snatching your personal belongings, please ensure that you do not leave these items unattended.
2. Keep all valuables away from view. Bring only your camera, video cam and a raincoat while visiting the Center.
3. Fees for camera and video equipment are chargeable by the Park. These must be paid for directly by visitors at the Park.
4. For the safety of the Orangutans, insect repellents are not allowed to be brought to the feeding areas of these animals (to prevent accidental poisoning of these animals if they get their hands on them).
5. For health reasons, visitors are not allowed to feed or touch any of the animals at the Centre or feeding area.

Please Note:
- Hotel standard check-in time at 15:00 hrs and check-out time at 12:00hrs. Request early check-in or late check-out will be subject to room availability and charges. Our proposal does not include early check-in or late check-out.
- Midnight surcharge applied for transfer is required between 23:00hrs – 07:00 hrs.
- All services are subject to availability upon confirmation.
- Closed-out period will be advised when applicable.
- With the current and exceptional increase in fuel charges, please note the transportation costs including the cost f fuel chargeable for tours and transfers services may change again between the date of receipt of quotation and the date of travel. Since all these costs are beyond our control, thus prices are subject to further fuel and related surcharges. GGTS reserves the right to change prices in event the fuel prices change.