Sabah North Borneo Escorted Tour

Flights Brisbane to Sydney TBA (Brisbane passengers)

Flights Adelaide to Melbourne TBA (Adelaide passengers)

Flight MH140 & MH2710 Sydney - Sandakan via Kuala Lumpur 2210/1325 + 1 Day

Flight MH128 & MH2710 Melbourne - Sandakan via Kuala Lumpur 2330/1325 + 1 Day

After our overnight flights from Australia via Kuala Lumpur, we arrive in Sandakan early afternoon and transfer to our hotel for check in and leisurely afternoon. This evening we gather at the hotel for a relaxing drink with our fellow passengers before dinner.

Overnight Sandakan: Sabah Hotel

Dinner

This morning after a leisurely breakfast we head off on a highlights tour of Sandakan to learn about its history, take a stroll through the Sandakan Central Markets, see the stilt houses of the Sim Sim water village and the Puh Jih Syh Buddhist Chinese Temple, which is at 300 meters above sea level, provides wonderful panoramic views of Sandakan Bay. Our next stop is at St Michael’s and All Angels Church – the oldest stone church in Sabah and home of the Windows of Remembrance and The Friendship Windows, which were initiated by a group of POW relatives from Australia. We then enjoy lunch at the English Tea House, a charming former Colonial residence perched overlooking the city and bay. We also visit the restored colonial home of the famous American writer – Agnes Keith. During the years between 1934 and 1952, Agnes Keith penned a trilogy – “Land below the Wind”, “Three Came Home” and “White Man Returns”, accounts of her moving experience during her stay in Sandakan. After a wonderful insight into the city we head back to our hotel to relax for the remainder of the day before dinner.

Overnight Sandakan: Sabah Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast we travel up to the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, located in the centre of the mangrove along the coastal land near Samawang Village. From platform B we not only get to see Proboscis Monkeys, we also have a good chance of meeting the Silver Leaf Monkey and Oriental Pie Hornbills. We view these unique primates that are not found elsewhere in the world, providing us with an exhilarating and memorable experience. After lunch at the Sepilok Forest Edge Restaurant, we visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre and learn about the rainforest and its exotic flora and fauna. Experience the canopy walkway that gives an incredible view of the tree tops and over view of the rainforest as well as its unique flora and fauna. After a freshen up back at the hotel we gather at the bar for a cool drink before dinner.

Overnight Sandakan: Sabah Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We wake to the calls of Long Tail Macaque and birds searching for food. After breakfast we head back up to Sandakan to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Founded in 1964, the centre helps once captive, injured or abandoned Orang Utans learn to climb and fend for themselves in the wild, so they may return to the forest. We then proceed to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) founded in Sabah, Malaysia in 2008 as a two-stage effort to provide for the care, rehabilitation and release of orphaned and captive sun bears, as well as address the lack of knowledge and awareness of this little-known bear both in Malaysia and internationally. Back at the hotel there will be time to relax and prepare for dinner.

Overnight Sandakan: Sabah Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning we attend the Memorial Day Service and ‘wreath laying’ at Sandakan Memorial Park, once the site of the Prisoner of War Camp. Here we will remember the fallen heroes of the Australian and British Prisoners of War (POW’s) who suffered and perished during the infamous ‘Death Marches’ from Sandakan to Ranau in 1945. Over 2500, Australian and British soldiers were taken to Sandakan to build airstrips. They were tortured, left malnourished and in poor physical condition. The surviving POW’s were then forced to carry Japanese supplies on a tortuously long walk to Ranau, a distance just over 260km. Only six men survived, managing to escape and were then fed and hidden by the locals. The story of the Sandakan POW Camp and Death March is one of the most tragic of World War II. Every year, family members and friends of the POW’s, who perished during the Death March, travel to Sandakan to reflect and remember. This event also remembers local residents who risked their lives to help the POW’s during this period. Late morning after checkout we travel down to Sukau and the mighty Kinabatangan River. On arrival at Bilit Jetty we transfer by boat to Bilit Rainforest Lodge for lunch, check-in and rest. Late afternoon we venture out for our Kinabatangan River Wildlife Cruise, spot wildlife like the unique Proboscis Monkey, Hornbills, Kingfishers, Pygmy Elephants and many others. Return to Bilit Rainforest Lodge to refresh before dinner at the Lodge Restaurant.

Overnight Kinabatangan River: Bilit Rainforest Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Flight AK6497 Sandakan - Kota Kinabalu 1405/1455

This morning we can opt to either go for an early morning river cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of more Bornean-endemic wildlife. Mid-morning we depart the Kinabatangan and travel back up to the Sandakan Airport for our afternoon flight across to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival we are transferred to our luxury 5 star hotel, edging the waterfront the Le Meridien Hotel is the perfect location to explore the cities central retail outlets and local markets, while enjoy stunning sea and city views. After settling into our rooms we gather for a drink in the Rooftop Bar, enjoying panoramic sunset views of the South China Sea before sitting down for dinner.

Overnight Kota Kinabalu: Le Meridien Hotel

Breakfast & Dinner

Our journey this morning takes us up through breath taking scenery towards Mount Kinabalu. Along the way we stop at Nabalu Village Markets to savour the local fruits and to bargain for the handicrafts which the villagers sell. On arrival at the sprawling Sabah Tea Plantation and Processing Plant we enjoy a stroll through the factory before sitting down to lunch and admiring the view across the tea plantation. The Renau War Memorial marks the site of the final POW Camp, where the survivors of the Death Marches where held. The memorial stones tell about the history of the death marches and show the names of the 83 prisoners of war from this camp. It must be remembered that after arriving at the camp, just 6 weeks later only 32 remained alive, of them 17 were murdered on the 1 August with the remaining 15 slaughtered on the 27 August, twelve days after the Japanese had surrendered and the war had ended. Our last stop for today is the Kundasang War Memorial and Gardens, established in 1962, this was one of the first memorials to commemorate the brave Australian and British Prisoners of War who died while in the Sandakan POW Camp and during the infamous “Death Marches”. Later in the day we return to Kota Kinabalu to relax before dinner.

Overnight Kota Kinabalu: Le Meridien Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Flight Details: MH3043 Kota Kinabalu - Labuan 1010/1045

After breakfast and short flight across to the island of Labuan we enjoy the sights of island which includes a visit to the Labuan Museum to experience the historical and cultural heritage of the Federal Territory of Labuan. We also stop by the Chimney Museum which features the history of coal mining in Labuan around 1847 to 1911 and the history of Tanjung Kubong. After a light lunch we make our way up to Surrender Point where the 32nd Japanese Southern Army surrendered to the 9th Division Australian Imperial Forces on 9th September 1945 which led to the end of World War II in Borneo. A bronze plaque commemorating the surrender is mounted on a stone slab near the entrance to Peace Park. Our final stop for the day is for our wreath laying ceremony at the Commonwealth War Cemetery, home to 3,908 graves of soldiers who either died at the POW Camp Sites, Death Marches or in battle. The graves lie in long neat rows all bearing a plaque, mostly identified, a few graves still say ”Known only to God”. We then arrive back at Labuan Airport to board our flight back to Kota Kinabalu and transfer back to our hotel for some refreshments before a good night’s rest.

Flight Details: MH3046 Labuan - Kota Kinabalu 1850/1925

Overnight Kota Kinabalu: Le Meridien Hotel

Breakfast & Lunch

After a leisurely breakfast we transfer to the Mari-Mari Cultural Village passing by the historic Atkinson Clock Tower, Tun Mustapha building formerly known as Sabah Foundation Building, the Phu Thou Se Chinese Buddhist Temple and the magnificent new Moorish Likas Bandaraya Mosque “Floating Mosque”. We then discover the captivating traditions and customs of North East Borneo’s 5 main tribes, and uncover the rich heritage of Sabah’s cultural tapestry at Mari Mari Cultural Village. Experience the essence of “As It Was... As It Is...”, as we delve into the vibrant mosaic of Sabah’s culture. From the skilled farmers and traders of Dusun and Rungus to the resourceful hunters and fishermen of Lundayeh, the adventurous cowboys and sea gypsies of Bajau, and the legendary warrior tribe of Murut, each group contributes to the vibrant cultural tapestry of Sabah. After leaving the village we pay a visit to the Sabah State Museum before returning to the hotel. After a relaxing afternoon we board our farewell Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise, which takes us past the island of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and the famous city waterfront all in the warm glow of golden hour.

Overnight Kota Kinabalu: Le Meridien Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning after breakfast and checkout we enjoy a leisurely day to checkout the waterfront markets and city shops for those last minute gifts to take home. This afternoon we transfer to the Kota Kinabalu Airport for check in and overnight flight back to Australia via Kuala Lumpur.

Flight MH2631 & MH123 Kota Kinabalu - Sydney via Kuala Lumpur 1905/1000 + 1 Day

Flight MH2645 & MH149 Kota Kinabalu - Melbourne via Kuala Lumpur 1730/0800 + 1 Day

Flights Sydney to Brisbane TBA (Brisbane passengers)

Flights Melbourne to Adelaide TBA (Adelaide passengers)

Breakfast

We arrive back in Australia mid-morning where we clear customs and immigration before returning to our homes after an amazing adventure and moving experience up in Sabah North Borneo with Trade Travel.