One of my dream destinations is to travel to East Malayasia / Borneo. In this two week vacation, I plan to visit a number of spots.
This is my initial attempt at itineraries for Borneo with a focus on the must see locations.
- Brunei
- Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque (Brunei)
- Sarawak
- Gunung Mulu National Park (Best to fly there; SEE MAP below)
- Might be real challenge to get there and not worth it
- Caves
- Deer Cave is reached by a 3 km walk (Bats may exit the cave from 5 pm to 7 pm); Lang Cave is less amazing, but close to Deer Cave and worth seeing (Tours leave from Park office at 2:00 and 2:30)
- Clearwater Cave (Asia’s longest ave) reachable via 1.5 hour nature trail or with long boat that takes 15/20 minutes. Wind Cave can be reached via Clearwater Cave (Boats leave at 8:45 and 9:15 AM or leave 1 hr 15 min earlier if hiking)
- Pinnacles hike is commonly 3 day/ 2night trip, but it is possible to do in a 2 day / 1 night
- Bako National Park (Close to Kuching)
- Telok Limau Trail (10 km)
- Kinabatangan
- Gunung Mulu National Park (Best to fly there; SEE MAP below)
- Sabah
- Sepilok’s Oraguatan Rehabilitation Centre (NE Sabah)
- Near Sandakan, which is way to travel out to Turtle Islands NP
- Near here is also “Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary”
- Mount Kinabula
- You often need to book 6 months in advance
- Sungai Kinabatangan (Lower priority)
- Multiple day adventure on river with chance to see wildlife
- Cameron Highlands (Near Mount Kinabula)
- Beach
- SE corner of Sabah
- Sipidan Island (Dive) – Only 120 permits are issued each day
- Considered best dive spot in the world
- Need to stay at Mabul, Kapalai, or Semporna (5.5 hr bus ride from Sandakan near Sepilok)
- Need to often book at least 4 weeks ahead
- Mabul Island (Near Sipidan Island) – Boat from Semporna
- Mataking Island / Pilau Tiger
- Sipidan Island (Dive) – Only 120 permits are issued each day
- North of Sabah
- TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN NATIONAL PARK (Short Boat ride from Kota Kinabalu)
- NE corner of Sabah
- Turtle Islands National Park
- Mainland Malaysia
- Tioman (Arrive by Ferry from Mersing)
- Perhentian Islands
- Sepilok’s Oraguatan Rehabilitation Centre (NE Sabah)
Itinerary #1
Day 1 (Friday): Fly from NYC
Day 2: In Air
Day 3: Arrive in KL and Fly to Kuching
Day 4: Drive to Bako National Park and Explore
Day 5: Fly to Brunei; Day in Brunei (or fly to Mulu)
Day 6: Brunei; Fly to Miri and then on to Mulu on 1:45 PM flight
Day 7: Gunung Mulu National Park
Day 8 (Friday): Fly to KK on 1 Daily Flight; Spend Day in Town
Day 9/10: Hike up KK (Nora at Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park)
Day 11: Sepilok
Day 12/13/14 (Tues): Sipidan Island
Day 15 (Friday) – 18: Fly to additional location in SE Asia
If more time needed – Skip Sepilok, Brunei, or Mulu
Itinerary #2 – Skip Gunung Mulu National Park
Day 1 (Friday): Fly from NYC
Day 2: In Air
Day 3: Arrive in KL and Fly to Kuching
Day 4: Drive to Bako National Park and Explore
Day 5: Fly to Brunei; Day in Brunei
Day 6: Brunei (Bonus Day in Brunei; Could be skipped)
Day 7: Fly to KK on 1 Daily Flight; Spend Day in Town
Day 8 (Friday)/9: Hike up KK (Nora at Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park)
Day 10: Sepilok
Day 11/12/13: Sipidan Island
Day 14 (Thursday) – 18: Fly to additional location in SE Asia
MASwings
Flight on MASwings to Mulu from KK – 12:30 and arrives in 2:15 PM to 14:15 and back to KK leaves at 2:35 PM and arrives at 4:20
Flight to Mulu from Miri 9:20AM or 1:45 PM (30 min flight) and back at 10:10 AM and 2:35 PM
Ferry from Brunei to KK
http://ouroyster.com/overland-travel-the-brunei-to-kota-kinabalu-ferry/ (2 Ferries – 8 AM and another in morning)
Opinions on Islands in SE Asia:
Pinnacles trek in Mulu
http://www.molon.de/travelogues/Malaysia/2010/part3.html#0630
http://www.mulunationalpark.com/feature-treks-trails.php
Bus from Brunei to Miri: (4 hours)
Info on Brunei
Great article on Mulu:
http://www.mit.edu/people/lucylim/gunung-mulu-1.html
Sipidan Island
http://www.wsj.com/articles/diving-into-the-mystic-off-sipadan-island-1408654893
Sipadan Water Village – Hotel