Best of Kuching & Damai 9D8N

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Kuching

Arrive in Kuching. Meet and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure to discover historic Kuching. Overnight at the Waterfront Hotel (or equivalent).

Day 2 Bako National Park (B/L)

Bako National Park is one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in a natural setting. Commonly spotted at Bako are the Borneo endemic proboscis monkeys, silvered langurs (monkeys), long-tailed macaques, wild boar, monitor lizards and numerous species of birds. The park has an impressive range of forest types from mangrove to kerangas (heath forest), tropical swamp vegetation, cliff vegetation and beach vegetation. A trail network provides access to different parts of the depending on level of fitness and areas of interest. The park’s spectacular coastline is dotted with small bays, coves and beaches.

0750-0810 hours pick up from hotel in Kuching. Bako National Park is situated on a peninsula on the coast and the departure point for trips to the park is Bako village, 35 minutes drive from Kuching. From the village, proceed by boat for approximately 25 minutes to the park headquarters. En route there is a chance to see crocodiles, sea eagles and other shore birds. Arrive at the park HQ and begin exploring the trails and searching for wildlife. Return to Kuching mid-afternoon. Overnight at the Waterfront Hotel (or equivalent).

Please note schedule may depend on tide.

Day 3 Kuching – Nanga Sumpa (B/L/D)

0800 hours pick up from hotel in Kuching and drive to Batang Ai reservoir. Along the way stop at Lachau Bazaar. Stroll around the shops and the small native market and have an early lunch in a local coffee shop. Then continue your journey, arriving at Batang Ai Lake around 1330-1400 hours.  Board a longboat and travel upriver to Nanga Sumpa, arriving at approx. 1530 hours, although the exact time will depend on river conditions. Settle in at Borneo Adventure’s lodge and have dinner. After dinner visit Nanga Sumpa longhouse. Relax on the ruai (common verandah) and spend time with the Iban people. Interact with the community; learn about their culture and enjoy some local rice wine. Overnight at Nanga Sumpa lodge.

Day 4 Enseluai Waterfall – Nanga Sumpa (B/L/D)

Following breakfast hike the jungle trails along the river. Then continue upriver by longboat. Our destination is the scenic Enseluai waterfall.  Arrive at the waterfall and have time to relax, swim and enjoy the rainforest surroundings. Enjoy a riverside BBQ lunch prepared by your Iban hosts. Return to the lodge. After dinner visit Nanga Sumpa longhouse. Overnight at Nanga Sumpa lodge.

Day 5 Nanga Sumpa – Kuching (B/L)

Breakfast in the lodge. 0900 hours travel downriver to the Batang Ai Lake jetty, arriving around 1030-1100 hours. Then travel overland back to Kuching with lunch enroute. Arrive in Kuching approx. 1630 hours and be dropped off at your hotel. Overnight at the Waterfront Hotel (or equivalent).

Day 6 Semenggoh Orangutan (B)

0745-0800 hours pick up from hotel. Located 24 kilometres from the centre of Kuching, the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre provides an excellent opportunity to view semi-wild orangutans in a natural setting.  This orangutan rehabilitation centre receives orphaned or rescued orangutans and trains them to survive in the wild. Over 20 orangutans live in forest within the nature reserve and they often return to the centre to receive supplemental feeding. The feeding area is set in a natural amphitheatre where it is possible to observe the orangutans coming down from the surrounding forest for the food provided. The rangers provide a briefing on the purpose of the centre and the conservation objectives. Return to hotel late morning. Rest of day at own leisure. Overnight at the Waterfront Hotel (or equivalent).

Day 7 Nanga Damai Homestay – Santubong Wildlife Cruise (B)

1100 hours pick up from your hotel and transfer to the Nanga Damai Homestay, a boutique homestay located on the slopes of Mount Santubong. Nanga Damai is set in a tropical garden and surrounded by rainforest. The homestay is about a 25 minute walk from Damai Beach. Free at leisure to relax or swim in the pool. Alternatively, walk to Damai Beach or the Sarawak Cultural Village. 1615 hours pick up from Nanga Damai Homestay and transfer to the Santubong Boat Club. Board a boat and start your cruise along the rivers, creeks and mangroves of the Santubong Peninsula. The cruise first heads to the mouth of the Santubong River, where Irrawaddy dolphins are regularly sighted. From there continue along the mangrove-lined rivers and estuaries looking for wildlife, including proboscis monkeys. Groups of these Borneo endemic monkeys are often seen amongst the mangroves at the water’s edge. As the light fades your boatman will search for fireflies and crocodiles. Crocodiles are sometimes spotted on the muddy riverbanks by the reflection of their eyes reflected from a torchlight is shone over the water. Fireflies gather along certain areas of the river. Watch the fireflies light up the branches of the mangrove trees before returning to the boat club around 1930 hours.  Transfer back to Nanga Damai Homestay.

Notes: We advise you to take some snacks on the cruise as you will only get back to the homestay around 8 pm. The tour does not operate during rough sea conditions or heavy rain. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. However, wildlife often seen on this cruise includes Irrawaddy dolphins, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, silver-leaf monkeys, fireflies, long-tailed macaque monkeys, monitor lizards and a range of birds, including egrets, white-bellied sea eagles and kingfishers.

Day 8 Nanga Damai Homestay (B)

Free at own leisure. Relax at the homestay, go to Damai Beach or explore the nearby Santubong National Park. Overnight at Nanga Damai.

Day 9 Nanga Damai Homestay – Kuching (B)

Check out and transfer to Kuching city or the airport for departure or extend tour.