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BORNEO'S REEFS AND RAINFOREST: AN ISLAND AND JUNGLE ADVENTURE Layang Layang Island Resort and Proboscis Jungle Lodge
Saturday 1st June - Tuesday 11th June 2002 (11 days) Rainforest extension to Friday 14th June (3 days) Leader: Mark Walker Group size limit: 12 divers plus leader
Experienced diver, published underwater photographer and registered pharmacist (yes, he does take his first aid kit with him!) Mark Walker will lead a unique expedition to the tiny offshore island of Layang Layang, 300 kilometres off the north coast of Borneo, and then into the heart of Borneo's rich rainforest jungle to see Proboscis Monkeys, vibrantly colourful tropical birds and Orang Utans being reintroduced into the wild (at the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre at Sepilok).
Mark's fabulous trip offers the opportunity to make a journey of discovery that will not only be exciting and adventure-filled, but fun too! Take advantage of Mark's wide experience of world travel and let him take care of all the arrangements and allow you to sit back and enjoy yourself!
For details of the diving, accommodation and travel to Layang Layang, please see the Layang Layang entry in this brochure.
Itinerary
Saturday 1st June: Malaysia Airlines midday flight bound for Kuala Lumpur. Sunday 2nd June: Morning arrival in Kuala Lumpur. Connect with Malaysia Airlines flight to Kota Kinabalu, arriving at lunch time. Overnight at the luxurious Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort. Monday 3rd June: Return to the airport for an early morning, 60-minute flight to Layang Layang, arriving in time to settle into your 'island home' for a 7 night stay. There should be time for 2 dives. Tuesday 4th June-Saturday 8th June: Five days to explore the pristine reefs of Layang Layang Island Resort. Sunday 9th June: After one last boat dive, you are free to relax and sunbathe, walk around the island, snorkel from the dive boats (subject to space availability), or even shop for souvenirs! Monday 10th June: We take a morning flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Those who are returning to London will have some free time before taking the Malaysia Airlines evening flight back to London, via Kuala Lumpur. Tuesday 11th June: Morning arrival at London (Heathrow).
Extension Itinerary
Monday 10th June: For those who are continuing on the 'Jungle Adventure', we take a Malaysia Airlines flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan on the northeast coast of Borneo and continue to Proboscis Jungle Lodge at Sukau. On the way we will stop and visit the Gomantong Caves. Carved from large limestone outcrops, the cave complex houses roughly two million insect-eating bats along with one million swiftlets, (small swift-like birds that make nests using their saliva). Four species of swiftlet are found in these caves, but only one species makes its nest entirely from saliva. This saliva, which is edible and used to make birds' nest soup, is considered a great delicacy by the Chinese. The edible (and valuable) nests are harvested from every corner and crevice of the cave twice a year. Our journey takes us onwards to Sukau where the last part of our adventure involves travelling a short distance by boat before reaching Proboscis Jungle Lodge, where we will check in to our rooms for a three nights stay. The lodge is built in native style to blend in with the surrounding dense tropical forest and offers simply furnished, comfortable, fan-cooled accommodation with en-suite facilities. The main lodge houses the dining room, lounge area and a balcony overlooking the river. Tuesday 11th June: There will be little need for alarm clocks today as the jungle's inhabitants will treat us to their unforgettable morning chorus. We will take an early morning river cruise along the Kinabatangan River to the Ox-Bow Lake, an area famed for its wealth of wildlife (although while birds are numerous, the only mammals likely to be seen are monkeys and squirrels). We return to the lodge for breakfast followed by a free morning to explore or relax, until our afternoon cruise: an opportunity to explore the Menanggul River. At this time of the day the wildlife 'show' begins again as the birds and beasts of the jungle emerge after the heat of the day. Look out for Proboscis Monkeys high above the canopy, as well as other primates, such as the diminutive Western Tarsier. Birds are ever-present and we are almost certain to see and hear several varieties of hornbills and many, many other beautiful and elegant species. As dusk falls we return to the lodge for dinner. Wednesday 12th June: After breakfast the morning is free for you to relax, enjoy a jungle walk or visit the local village of Sukau. We return to the lodge for lunch. In the late afternoon we have a second opportunity to explore the Menanggul River, and try to see any of the creatures that we may have missed on the previous trip. After dinner at the lodge, a last chance to fall asleep lulled by the calls from the wild creatures of the jungle! Thursday 13th June: After breakfast, we return to Sandakan where we will take a trip to the world-famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. There will be ample opportunity to sees these magnificent, and now endangered animals,some of which have been reintroduced into the wild, and also an opportunity to see the young Orang Utans being fed. We will return to Sandakan for lunch, followed by a city tour of Sandakan, before making our way to the airport in time for the afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu where we connect with the Malaysia Airlines evening flight back to London, via Kuala Lumpur. Friday 14 June: Morning arrival at London (Heathrow).
Layang Layang only: £1820 (non-divers £1435)
Includes · Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Kota Kinabalu/Sandakan/Kota Kinabalu/London (Heathrow) by Malaysia Airlines. · All surface transportation. · 1 night room-only accommodation on a twin/share basis at the luxurious Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort. · Charter flights Kota Kinabalu/Layang Layang/Kota Kinabalu. · 7 nights full board accommodation on a twin/share basis at Layang Layang Island Resort · 6 days diving (usually 3 boat dives daily, but 2 on the day of arrival and only 1 on the day before departure), dive guide, cylinders and weights. · Services of Mark Walker as group leader.
Single Occupancy Supplement: £236. Please note that, while we will endeavour to find a room-mate for those on the expedition who are travelling alone and would prefer to share accommodation, in the event of a room-mate not being available the single occupancy supplement will apply. Room mates will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Deposit: £300
Proboscis Jungle Lodge extension: £275
Includes
· All surface transportation. · 3 nights full board accommodation and river cruises at Proboscis Lodge (excluding alcoholic and carbonated drinks). · Visit to Gomantong caves and Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre · City tour of Sandakan · Entrance fees and English speaking guides · Services of Mark Walker as group leader.
Single Occupancy Supplement: £138. Please note that, while we will endeavour to find a room-mate for those on the expedition who are travelling alone and would prefer to share accommodation, in the event of a room-mate not being available the full single supplement will apply. Room mates will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Deposit: £100
Note: Should two people travelling together apply for the last place on the tour, we may, at our discretion, increase the group size limit by one. |