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Borneo Tour off the beaten track with Pyala Travel - Travel Program

Local Agent Pyala Travel Malaysia offers Unusual Borneo Experience. Individual Tour Request Us For Free Offer

+31 (0)30 - 2300847

Unusual Borneo

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Experience Borneo off the beaten path

Travel through the lands of Sarawak & Sabah overland and by sea. Visit places where travelers don't usually come. Experience the kindness of the people first hand by staying with tribal communities. Explore untouched nature and trek less-trodden paths.

from 1440,-
14 days

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Tabs

Day 1 Arrival Kuching

Arrive at Kuching Airport, meet with our representative and transfer to Kuching Hotel. Kuching – which mean ‘cat’ in Malay – is the capital city of Sarawak, situated at the banks of the Sungai Sarawak. There are a few interesting museums, a lively weekend market and historical attractions, like Chinatown’s collection of beautiful colonial-era shop houses and Chinese temples.

Day 2 Kuching - Bau - Siniawan

After pickup from your city hotel, we take a 40 minutes drive to a century old historical town of Siniawan. We then hit the saddle and pedal into the historical gold mining town of Bau. We head off-road to explore some hidden gold mines through some spectacular limestone karst landscape! Proceed further to the majestic Fairy Cave filled with bats and impressive mountain chambers. Lunch is backed in Bau town, and then we hit the saddle again to cycle one of the most scenic stretch of riding along the countryside back to the old town of Siniawan. After a merry evening of dining in the old town, we take an early rest at a simple but uniquely Asian shoplot guesthouse.

Day 3 Siniawan - Mt. Singai - Kuching

After an early morning traditional noodle breakfast at an old town coffee-shop (kopitiam), we get ready for a full day of fun riding looping around the sacred holy mountain of Mount Singai. The ride start off with a ferry crossing with your bicycle and we ride along mostly countryside lanes line with paddy fields and pristine jungle. After reaching the foothill of Mount Singai, we use stairs to hike for 30 minutes half way up the mountain (230m) to a Catholic Church frequent every weekend by the surrounding Bidayuh tribes. After a quick picnic lunch, we carried on riding around the Mount Singai. For capable rider, you can try a section of off-road jungle ride that includes riding in the rainforest and crossing a suspension bridge. Our “Discover Sarawak on 2-Wheels” adventure ends with a ride back to Siniawan and transfer back to your city hotel.

Day 4 Kuching - Sibu

After breakfast, meet our driver at your hotel for a transfer to the Kuching Jetty. From here, take a 4-5 hour scenic boatride to Sibu.. Meet and greet at Sibu Express Boat Terminal. Transfer to Hotel for check-in & rest. Join us on a tour to the mind boggling Sibu Night Market, which is opened every night except when there is heavy rain. Be amazed by the food, gadgets, textiles, utensils & all things interesting at this amazing place.

Day 5 Sibu - Lamin Dana Village

After Breakfast, walk onto to the biggest Central Market in Malaysia – home to more than 1,200 stalls serving up a bedazzling variety of commodities. Seek out the live chicken stalls and find out how they are bundled with newspapers. You will get a real feel of how the people of Sibu live and get to see seasonal fruits, catches that are unique to Sibu. Then cut across the winding streets of Old Sibu Town and soak in the sights and smells of pastries baking in earthen ovens, alley ways small businesses that provides priceless photo opportunities as you head towards the Sibu Heritage Centre. There you get to view Sibu’s history, the local communities’ cultures, lifestyles and traditions. Walk on to a beautifully crafted Chinese Temple, climb up the Seven Storey Pagoda and take a panoramic view of SIbu’s waterfront life. The Melanaus are one of the most celebrated ethnic tribes in Sarawak, known for their gentle, loving nature and seafaring skills. From Sibu, jump onto a speed boat and head towards Dalat Town. This boat journey will bring you through the meandering river, passing Malay villages, shipyards, timber & sago processing factories, Iban longhouses and Melanau villages. Mid-way through your journey, jump off the boat for a stop at the Sungai (River) Kut Melanau Village and take a glimpse into the peaceful, undemanding and amazingly serene village life. Then back into the boat which will snake its way between a Rainforest & Mangrove swamp before arriving in Dalat Town. Go visit the iconic Church by the River & The Jerunei Gardens to find out what’s so fascinating about these two icons of Dalat. Continue your journey to Lamin Dana. This Authentic Melanau Village, which houses the Melanau Cultural Centre. Spend the night at this cultural heritage and let your host spin you yarns from days of old.

Day 6 Lamin Dana Village - Mukah - Miri

After breakfast, take a leisure boat cruise along the dark mysterious brackish waters of Tellian River & Misan River. Visit the local sago processing centre, a cottage industry that produces Sago Pearl the traditional way. Sago pearls are exported all over the world for various uses in food and beverages, a local delicacies being the most prolific. Proceed to the Mukah market where you experience locals trading and carrying on with daily activities. Go “Bizarre Food” and sample Siet (Sago Worm) and Umai (Fresh Raw Fish). This will earn you bragging rights when you go home with the prized photos of you savouring these two famous dishes. Proceed to Mangrove Trails opposite Mukah fish market. Depending on weather conditions and water levels, you’ll come across crabs that climb trees, monitor lizards stalking its prey, monkeys and other forms of fauna and flora. In the afternoon, be dropped off at Mukah Airport for your flight to Miri. Upon arrival in Miri, meet our driver for a transfer to your hotel.

Day 7 Miri - Brunei

Pick up from Miri hotel for transfer to nearby Brunei. Visit Seria, the oil town of Brunei where one can still see the “nodding donkeys” hard at work pumping crude oil for the country and the Billionth Barrel Monument. In the capital, highlights include:
• National Museum of Brunei to discover Brunei's glorious past
• Royal Regalia Museum that displays the royal memorabilia of the sultan.
• Sultan’s Palace, Istana Nurul Iman, on the hilltop - open to the public briefly after Ramadan, its golden domes and sweeping rooflines is a popular photostop.
• Sultan Omar Mosque and a replica of a 16th-century royal barge moored in an adjoining lagoon
• Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque with 20 golden domes and 29 marble steps symbolizing His Majesty, the 29th Sultan of the 600 year old Bolkiah Dynasty, one of the world longest ruling monarchies. (Check closed days)
• Kampong Ayer, one of world's largest, centuries-old water village sometimes described as the Venice of the East.

Drop off at the hotel in Brunei in the afternoon

Day 8 Brunei - Kota Kinabalu

Meet our driver for a transfer to the Muara Jetty. Upon arrival,
board the ferry to Labuan. Upon arrival at Labuan, spend some time roaming around the city before taking a second ferry to Kota Kinabalu. Arrive at Kota Kinabalu in the afternoon and have a transfer to the hotel.

Day 9 Kota Kinabalu

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend your day free at leisure. Visit the island off the coast of Kota Kinabalu or visit the Gaya Street Market.

Day 10 Kota Kinabalu (Cooking Class)

Meet and greet with our friendly driver and our local Sabahan Instructor. Head up straight to Penampang market or called as “Penampang Tamu” in local language located just outside of kota kinabalu area. Upon arrival, the instructor will explain you on how the locals buy and pick up fresh local herbs where the locals gather each morning to ferret out the freshest vegetables, meats and spices which vary with the season and some exotic flowers all at a good bargain price Afterward proceed to “Momma’s House” in one of the oldest local villages in the Kota Kinabalu area. Here you will be treated like family and learn the secret family recipes to cook like a Sabahan. Get ready, wear your apron and get hands-on for your cooking experience. Slicing, grinding, and chopping will be done by yourself with the watchful of our instructor in accordance with the local menu. After preparing and cooking, enjoy the fruits of your labour - your very own freshlycooked meals Let’s eat! Taste your and Momma’s dishes, At your leisure Have fun taking pictures before transfer back to your hotel with a recipe book, some stories and definitely a full belly!

Day 11 Kota Kinabalu - Tambatuon Village

Pick-up at your hotel and drive for 1.5 hours to Tambatuon Village, stopping at points of interests along the way. Meet your host and check-in upon arrival and proceed to lunch at a local home. After lunch, your guide and host will introduce you to the ways of life in a local Dusun village. The Dusuns are the biggest ethnic group in Sabah, most living subsistence lifestyles in terms of agricultural farming which includes rice, fruit and vegetable plantation. Spend the day exploring the village farmlands. A traditional Dusun dinner will be served at your host's home in the evening.

Day 12 Tambatuon Village

After a relaxing breakfast, meet your host to prepare for your traditional cooking class. Collect vegetables from local farms, or prepare the ingredients with your host before starting the cooking class at the area right in front of the homestead, with the background of Mount Kinabalu in the distance. Enjoy lunch together after the cooking class. Relax after lunch and trek out to a beautiful river coming from Mount Kinabalu and explore the agriculture and forestland surrounding the village. Return to the village in time for dinner.

Day 13 Tambatuon Village - Kota Kinabalu

Wake up early for breakfast and marvel in the beauty of Mount Kinabalu before returning to Kota Kinabalu.

Day 14 Kota Kinabalu Departure

Meet our driver for a transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

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