SIPADAN WATER VILLAGE

Save 10% on all packages of 7 nights or longer.  Travel during January, February, September and October 2008.  Book your trip by November 15.  Packages include lodging in an over-the-water bungalow, all meals, 6 days of boat and shore diving (3 boat dives daily), airport transfers and hotel taxes.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive to Kota Kinabalu from Kuala Lumpur. Meet by our representative and transfer to STAR Hotel.
Day 2
Early breakfast at the Hotel. Then, 2 ½ hours journey to Kudat, the land of the last longhouses in Sabah. After lunch, we set off our journey to the ‘Tip of Borneo”. Witness the picturesque view of South China Sea meeting Sulu Sea. Proceed to our overnight guesthouse for check in. If weather permits, cycle (optional) through scenic villages, oil palm estates and farms to Mompilis Village Longhouse. Enjoy fresh coconut drink and witness cultural activities while mingling with the friendly local folks and children. Return to longhouse homestay for shower. Enjoy a traditional-style dinner followed by colourful cultural performance by the local Rungus community. Overnight in twin share room. Mattress and mosquito net are provided. (BLD)
Day 3
Wake up to the calls of roosters and enjoy the tranquility of the village. Take your breakfast before we trek to the nearby rubber estate. Test your skill at rubber tapping. Drive through paddy-fields and Dusun villages over the ridges of the Crocker Range to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 5,000 ft. Short stop at roadside stall to savour the taste of local fruits. At Kinabalu Park World Heritage Site, visit the Education Centre and Mountain Garden, home to various species of the flowering rhododendrons, carnivorous pitcher plants, orchids, ferns, oak trees and birds. Temperature at the park is around 14 - 25° C. If time and weather permits, take a guided walk on one of the trails in the cool surrounding to observe the montane forest. Overnight at twin bedded room. (BLD)
Day 4
Journey to Poring, 500m above sea level, east of Kinabalu Park HQ. Vegetation here is tropical lowland rainforest. Explore the jungle trail leading up to the treetop canopy walkways, suspended 41 meters above the forest floor. Visit Kipungit Waterfall and soak in hot sulphur pools (excludes camera/video fee). Proceed to Kundasang Memorial Park to learn part Sabah’s WWII history. Return to Kota Kinabalu
and overnight at STAR Hotel. (BL)
Day 5
Journey to Beaufort and by train to Pangi. After suiting up and safety instructions by the guide, embark on a 2 hours exhilarating adventure shooting through rapids (Headhunter, Padas Cyclone, Cobra Rock, Roller Coaster, Jacuzzi Pool). In moments of respite, raft down the river and soak in the tranquility of the virgin rainforest followed by a sumptuous lunch before we return. Water grade is 3 - 4. Return to STAR Hotel. (BL)    
Day 6
Fly to Tawau. Meet by our staff and transfer to Semporna Jetty and depart to Kapalai Island. Boat dive in the afternoon + unlimited shore dive from Kapalai Jetty. Overnight at the Resort.   (BLD)
Day 7 to Day 12
Daily 3 boat dives at Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai Islands + unlimited shore dive from Kapalai Jetty.  No shore diving on last day.  (BLD)
Day 13
Relax and depart from Kapalai Island in the afternoon after lunch to Tawau Airport for flight to Sandakan. Meet by our staff and transfer to Sepilok Nature Resort.
Dinner and overnight at the Resort.   (BLD)
Day 14
After breakfast, a guided tour to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre.  Witness the Orang utan feeding at 1000hour as they swing through the trees towards the feeding platform for their food of the day. Encounter long  tailed & pig tailed Macaques,  view the displays and exhibits at the Information Centre.  Visit the Sandakan Town for the Water Village of Kampung Buli Sim-Sim where the houses are built on stilts. Visit to the Chinese Temple at 300m above sea level for a panoramic view of Sandakan Bay.  Evening guided walk on the Sepilok Forest Trails.  Overnight at Sepilok Nature Resort.  (BLD)
Day 15
Relax at the Resort, then pick up from Sepilok Nature Resort for lunch before continue to Sandakan jetty for a boat journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlifes in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. Late afternoon take a river cruise in search of some of the 10 primate species including Proboscis monkeys as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River. Return for solar heated hot shower, candle light dinner and slide show conducted by naturalist guide. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)
Day 16
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. A morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk (if weather permits). Experience the wilderness of Borneo Boat to Sukau Village for a short tour including a tea break.  In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. After dinner an optional night safari cruise spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)
Day 17
After breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat journey. Transfer to Sandakan Airport for departure flight to Kota Kinabalu/KUL. (B)

Contact us for more information...