Exotic Borneo & Bangkok

Overview

If you've been dreaming of a vacation to Southeast Asia, then this is the tour package for you! Your journey begins on the island of Borneo, where a mosaic of indigenous tribes, intriguing history, ancient rainforests, and diverse wildlife await. Your discovery of this fascinating region continues in Thailand, where you'll enjoy a few days in the bustling capital city of Bangkok and visit to the Royal Grand Palace. Top off your visit by taking advantage of your already-included airfare and joining our optional extension to Phuket Island, Thailand's most famous resort.

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA

• Your fascinating journey begins tonight as you check-in for your flight bound for Malaysia.

Day 2: En route

• Cross the International Date Line and lose one day en route. (You'll recover a day on your return trip.)

Day 3: Arrive Kuching

2 nights Hilton Kuching or similar.

• Via Kuala Lumpur, arrive today in Kuching, the gateway to the legendary island of Borneo
• After customs formalities, you'll be escorted to your centrally located hotel for check-in

Day 4: Kuching & Bako

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

• Sightseeing of Bako National Park
• Upon return to Kuching remainder of the day at leisure
• Enjoy a welcome dinner with fellow travelers

Full Day Itinerary: Sightseeing begins today at Bako National Park, one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in its natural surroundings. After arrival at Bako, a Malay fishing village built on stilts over the river, enjoy a 30-minute cruise on the South China Sea to this remote coastal park.

Millions of years of erosion have sculpted a coastline of steep cliffs, rocky headlands, fantastically shaped arches and seastacks, and stretches of beautiful white, sandy beaches. The park is a unique botanical treasure housing 25 distinct types of vegetation that form seven complete ecosystems. Your local guide will help you to explore on well-marked jungle trails.

Keep an eye out for some of the park's most famous residents: the rare, long-nosed Proboscis monkeys, macaque monkeys, silver leaf monkeys, sambar deer, Borneo bearded pigs, mousedeer, otter, and monitor lizards. After lunch, return to your hotel in Kuching, where you'll have the rest of the day at leisure. (The Bako National Park excursion is subject to weather conditions, alternative sightseeing to Kubah National Park may be provided.)

This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with fellow travelers.

Day 5: Kuching & Batang Ai

2 nights Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat or similar. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

• Visit to the Semenggoh Orangutan Rehabilitation Center
• Local lunch in the small town of Lachau
• Travel by boat across the Batang Ai Reservoir to your hotel

Full Day Itinerary: Today's touring begins with a short, scenic drive to the Semenggoh Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. Established in 1975, this 1800-acre virgin forest provides sanctuary to some of Malaysia's most protected wildlife, including hornbills, monkeys, and especially, orphaned or rescued orangutans. At the center, the orangutans are carefully nurtured and rehabilitated for eventual release into the jungle, their natural habitat. You will have the opportunity to learn about the rehabilitation process and to observe and photograph the orangutans from a distance. Note: Since the orangutans in Semenggoh are semi-wild, sightings cannot be guaranteed.

From Semengok, proceed to Batang Ai. After lunch in the small town of Lachau, sit back and enjoy the rest of the drive through the scenic countryside of rice fields, cocoa and rubber plantations, luxuriant tropical rainforest, wild orchids, and mountain ranges. Travel by boat across the Batang Ai Reservoir to your hotel.

Day 6: Batang Ai Longhouse Excursion

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

• Sail by longboat across the lake and down the Engkari River to an authentic Iban longhouse, an entire village under one roof
• Enjoy lunch by the riverbank or in the longhouse

Full Day Itinerary: A special treat awaits you today as you take a longboat down the Engkari River to a real Iban longhouse, an entire village under one roof. Experience the legendary hospitality and charm of the locals as you learn about their fascinating culture. Join in their traditional dance and music as they welcome you with a cultural performance, followed by a blow pipe demonstration.

Enjoy a picnic lunch by the riverbank or in the longhouse, depending on water conditions. Time permitting, enjoy a short trek through the jungle around the longhouse before returning to Batang Ai.

Day 7: Borneo/Thailand

3 nights COMO Metropolitan or similar, Bangkok.  Breakfast.

• Transfer to the Kuching Airport for your flight to Thailand
• Remainder of the day at leisure

Full Day Itinerary: After breakfast, transfer to the Kuching Airport for your flight to Thailand. Following customs formalities, meet our representatives and transfer to your centrally located hotel in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand's bustling capital city.

Day 8: Bangkok

Breakfast & lunch.

• Enjoy a morning tour of Bangkok, including Wat Pho
• Tour the Royal Grand Palace 
• Afternoon at leisure to explore on your own

Full Day Itinerary: After breakfast, you will be picked up for the half day sightseeing to the old heritage of Siam. The tour will start with the Royal Grand Palace, Bangkok’s number one ‘must-see’ attraction as well as Thailand’s most important landmark. You will visit the main sites including the magnificent throne halls and the Emerald Buddha. Then continue to visit Wat Pho. Bangkok’s oldest temple is home to the magnificent reclining Buddha as well as the first school of traditional medicine and Thai massage and is also regarded as Thailand’s first University. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel for the balance of the day at leisure.

Day 9: Bangkok

Breakfast & dinner.

• Your last full day in Thailand is at leisure for independent sightseeing, shopping, or optional tours
• Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

Day 10: Depart Bangkok/Arrive USA

Breakfast.

• Bid farewell to Thailand today as you transfer to the airport to board your return flight to the USA via Taipei
• Or, take advantage of your already-included international airfare and join our optional extension to Phuket Island, Thailand's most famous resort island!

Kuala Lumpur Pre-Tour Extension

Why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare and visit the bustling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, capital city of Malaysia? You will depart the U.S. 2 days earlier than the departure dates listed.

Day 1: Depart USA

• Your fascinating journey begins tonight as you check-in for your flight bound for Kuala Lumpur

Day 2: En route

• Cross the International Date Line and lose one day en route. (You'll recover a day on your return trip.)

Day 3: Kuala Lumpur

2 nights Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur or similar, Kuala Lumpur. 

• Arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital. After customs formalities, you'll be escorted to your 5-star hotel to check in and rest from your flight
• Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the city on your own, or enjoy the wonderful facilities of your hotel

Day 4: Kuala Lumpur

Breakfast & dinner.

• Panoramic city tour of Kuala Lumpur
• Remainder of the day at leisure
• This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and then a cultural performance

Full Day Itinerary: A city of contrasts, Kuala Lumpur blends modern skyscrapers with impressive historic buildings to create a unique cityscape. Today, enjoy a panoramic city tour including a photo opportunity at the Petronas Twin Towers, the world's tallest buildings until 2004, King's Palace, the National Museum, the National Monument, the Moorish-style railway station, and the superb buildings at the Independence Square, where you can observe the contrast between historical architecture and modern skyscrapers in an abundant setting of greenery. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure then later this evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and then a cultural performance.

Optional Excursion: Craft Factories & Batu Caves (purchased locally). The area surrounding Kuala Lumpur abounds with cottage industries and nature reserves. See how beautiful pewter products are manufactured at the world famous Royal Selangor factory. Then stop by a batik factory and observe how this traditional fabric is designed and printed. The excursion concludes at the Batu Caves, the famous site of the annual Thaipusam festival in January and February, where almost a million devotees congregate. You'll pass a 140ft statue of the Hindu god Lord Murugan, the world's largest, as you climb the 272-steps to the top of a natural limestone cavern which houses a Hindu shrine. This optional excursion must be purchased locally and may have some slippery terrain.

Day 5: Kuala Lumpur & Kuching

Breakfast.

• After breakfast, transfer to the airport to meet your fellow travelers arriving from the USA and continue together on your flight to Kuching, where you'll begin your tour of Borneo

Phuket Island Extension

Why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare and enjoy a luxurious and relaxing stay on Phuket Island, Thailand's most famous resort?

Day 10: Bangkok & Phuket

3 nights Amari Phuket or similar. Breakfast.

• Today you'll fly to Phuket, where the balance of the day is at leisure.

Day 11-12: Phuket

Breakfast.

• Full Day at leisure or enjoy an optional excursion

Full Day Itinerary: Two full days at leisure to relax, shop or tour this scenic island, Thailand's largest. Phuket and the 39 smaller islands to the southeast are studded with tropical forests, mountains, gravity-defying limestone formations, and pristine beaches, surrounded by coral reefs and the aquamarine water of the balmy Andaman Sea.

With warm, humid weather year-round, you'll enjoy plenty of sun-drenched days lounging on the beach and all manner of water sports, including jet-skiing, parasailing, surfing, scuba and snorkeling. Most of the dive locations are suitable for all skill levels, and the waters abound with colorful coral forests, tropical fish and other marine life, including leopard sharks, moray eels, octopus and turtles.

Phuket is also the sailing and yachting center of Thailand and adjacent countries, with several races and regattas happening throughout the year. And in the unlikely event that you can pull yourself away from the beach, you'll find opportunities to ride horses or elephants, hike, mountain bike, and even golf. Afterwards, unwind at one of the many spas or one of the excellent acrobatic, theatrical or cultural shows.

Join an optional tour to the breathtaking Phi Phi islands. Take a trip by boat and bus to Phang Nha Bay and to the famous limestone spire known as "James Bond Island" for its role in The Man with the Golden Gun.

Optional Excursion: Day Cruise by June Bahtra (purchased locally). Departing early this morning, experience the spectacular limestone scenery of Phang Nga Bay onboard the June Bahtra, a traditional Chinese junk bearing designs from Thai, Malay and Dutch influences. Recline on comfortable deck cushions below the schooner’s striking red sails as the scores of beautiful islands and towering limestone spectacles unfold before you. Stopping at a deserted white sandy beach, a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters beckons. Later, a ride on a long tail boat will take you to the caves and grottoes scattered throughout the mangrove delta, with birdsong and monkey chatter keeping you entertained along the way. At James Bond Island, revel in the views of the iconic rock formation jutting out of the azure bay. Back onboard, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch followed by a leisurely afternoon of swimming, sunbathing and relaxation. Sailing the open sea on this idyllic cruise will definitely make an unforgettable memory. (Lunch included)

Optional Excursion: Day Tour of Phi Phi Island by Speedboat (purchased locally). Departing this morning, escape to a quieter and more natural side of southern Thailand with this day trip from Phuket. Travel by speedboat across the Andaman Sea to the six scenic Phi Phi Islands. The journey to Phi Phi takes around 45 minutes, passing by spectacular limestone karsts that jut out from the blue seas. Sit back and relax, enjoying the views as the boat cruises closer to paradise. 

Continue around the islands, visiting Lho Sa Mah, Phi Phi Lay Cove and Monkey Beach. Each of these stretches of island boasts swaying palm trees and white sands. There are also calm, clear waters brimming with fish for those who wish to discover Thailand’s underwater beauty. 

During the day, lunch will be served at Tongsai Bay. This southern stretch of Phi Phi Ley Island offers sweeping views of the surrounding sea. The afternoon is spent cruising to Bamboo and Khai Islands, for more chances to snorkel and swim in the Andaman Sea. (Lunch included)

Day 13: Depart Phuket/Arrive USA

Breakfast.

Today, transfer to the airport for the short flight to Bangkok. Continue to the USA via Taipei

Reviews & Photos

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 12 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Malaysia? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about Thailand? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about Borneo? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.

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