2 Weeks in Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, and Sabah)

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
• 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
  • 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

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:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/asia-south-east-asia-islands-peninsula/malaysia/two-routes-malaysia-peninsular-or-borneo-i-need-recommendations-and-help?page=1#post_21625297

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)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293937-i9175-k3804268-Bandar_Seri_Begawan_BSB_Miri_Express_Bus-Brunei_Darussalam.html

Info on Brunei

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/asia-south-east-asia-islands-peninsula/brunei/bsb?page=1#post_21670968

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

http://www.sipadan.com/Sipadan-Permits.php

Basic CMYK