Trek

An adventure in Sarawak and Sabah - Kinabalu, SE Asia's highest peak - Mulu and the 'Headhunters Trail' - Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. 10 nights hotels and lodges, 2 nights camping, 1 night longhouse, 6 days MODERATE trekking, 7 days touring and sightseeing, max. altitude - 4101m. Some meals not included.

This great adventure starts out with a visit to the Mulu National Park, deep within the rainforest of north-eastern Sarawak.

Trekking on jungle trails and travelling by longboat on the many rivers, you will explore some of the world's largest caves and climb above the forest canopy to a spectacular viewpoint amongst soaring limestone pinnacles. You then trek northwards on the 'Headhunters Trail,' stopping off at the villages and longhouses of the Iban people.

From Kota Kinabalu in the adjacent state of Sabah, a short flight takes you to Sandakan, where you will visit the Orangutan sanctuary at Sepilok and enjoy 2 nights at a jungle lodge on the Kinabatang River in an area rich in wildlife. Returning via the hot springs at Poring to the foot of Kinabalu (4101m./13450ft), you make a 2-day ascent of this challenging peak whose bare upper slopes command memorable views across the South China Sea to the Philippines. This is Borneo at its best!

 

The first trekking element on this trip is the 4-day exploration of the Gunung Mulu National Park. Although this is at low level, there is one tough day, as you climb to the viewpoint for the Mulu Pinnacles. You will also need to be prepared for hot conditions and for at times testing underfoot conditions. You will be mostly walking on tracks and trails between villages. There will be rutted, muddy roads and slippery hunters tracks through the forest. The slippery and sometimes sharp limestone rock encountered on the ascent to the Mulu Pinnacles is particularly testing. There are also river crossings, some of them on tree trunk bridges.

 

There is a couple of hours walking on the first day at Mulu, 2 to 3 hours on the second, 6 to 7 hours on the third and 4 to 5 hours on the final day in this area. Two days are set aside for the ascent of Mount Kinabalu. This is a tough undertaking and involves approximately 2200 metres of ascent and descent via the same route. The path is well maintained in places and has countless steps. It can be slippery low down in the forest and after rain. High up on the route, there are sections of bare rock slabs, with some fixed rope handrails. The route is never very steep or exposed.

 

Overall, this trip is graded at the upper end of a MODERATE grade on account of the remote trekking and the quite tough ascent of Kinabalu.

Please Request a Personal Quotation  or contact us and we can discuss ways of tailor-making the perfect holiday for you.

Only recently has it been permitted (and safe) to explore Cambodia beyond Phnom Penh and Angkor. Travelling by land, sea and river, you will take an in-depth look at some of these newly opened lands: from French colonial towns and remote villages to relaxing on the pristine beaches of the Andaman Sea and visiting some of the fascinating Khmer temples scattered throughout Cambodia.

After sightseeing in Phnom Penh, you will south to the charming riverside town of Kampot where you will take a journey into the surrounding picturesque countryside in a peculiar form of local transport based on the tractor known as a 'remorque'. Continuing along the coast to Sihanoukville, you will then take a boat trip through the offshore islands enjoying the unspoilt beaches and tropical waters of the Andaman Sea.

Travelling back to Phnom Penh, you continue your adventure and head for Kratie, home to some of the last Irrawady freshwater dolphins in Southeast Asia. Sightings are common and you will spend some time here to enjoy this unique opportunity. You will stop at Kompong Cham for a chance to explore by bicycles, then drive on to Kompong Thom passing many remote villages along the way. You will also visit the ancient Chenla capital of Sambor Prei Kuk: over a hundred temples dedicated to Shiva lie hidden in the jungle, at this tranquil and rarely visited 7th century site.

Your tour would not be complete without a visit to the breathtaking temples of the Angkorian Kings. Constructed over a period of some 600 years, hundreds are scattered through a vast area of the Cambodian jungle. Your exploration includes the main highlights - Angkor Wat, Ta Phrom and Angkor Thom, as well as a number of lesser known and newly opened ones, such as Banteay Srei. Finally you fly back to Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh.

Travelling with a tour leader and using local guides your group will consist of between 12 to 16 travellers. Accommodation is based upon bed and breakfast as you are encouraged to reduce your carbon footprint by using local restaurants and produce. This tour is operated in conjunction with Explore who have been awarded a three star for responsible tourism.

Please Request a Personal Quotation  or contact us and we can discuss ways of tailor-making the perfect holiday for you.

The Bear Trail may be the most well known long-distance hiking trail in the whole of Scandinavia. It is situated in Finnish Lapland in the beautifully tranquil Oulanka National Park, which merges with the Russian Paanajarvi National Park to the east. Unique rock formations and canyons have been eroded by the powerful Oulankajoki River, which you often follow during the walk. The park attracts many photographers, birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts keen to spot brown bear, elk and numerous migrating birds.

• Flights to Helsinki and accomodation of your choice for your chosen length of time in order to explore the delights of this friendly and elegant city.
• A flight to Kuusamo in the south-eastern corner of Finnish Lapland where you meet your guide.
• Two days in Kiutakongas Canyon, passing rapids and crossing a hnaging bridge to your overnight cabin.
• A traditional sauna and visit to the Oulanka nature centre.
• Hikes to Kiutakongas, a very special place created by the ice age where water thunders down between its dolomite walls. Also to the shores of the Kitkajcki River which offers the best white water rafting in Finland.
• Two days on the Little Bear Trail walking across hanging bridges, wooden staircases winding their way through the undergrowth.
• A day of mountaines and pistes, climbing up through the Valtavaara Nature Reserve.
• Transfers back to Kuusamo for your flight back to the UK.