Lankayan and nearby Billian Island are small tropical coral islands in the Sulu Sea, northwest of th

Summary: Explore seldom visited and very remote islands to take advantage of the marine diversity that exists in the heart of the coral triangle. In addition, visit the key destinations of Sandakan and the Kinabatangan River. Described as Malaysia�s Gift to the Earth, the Kinabatangan is a wildlife mecca and you immerse deep within its beauty with an inclusive overnight stay in the rainforest lodges of Sukau. You will have the chance to view wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, Bornean pygmy elephants and countless bird species as you journey along the river. Explore the tragic history of the WWII Sandakan Death Marches, where only 6 survived from the initial 6,000 participants. Your visit to Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary gives an insight into the plight, and struggle to save, one of your closest relatives.
Rates: B Ocean Suite: $, A Ocean Suite: $, AA Ocean Suite: $, Junior Suite: $, Deluxe Suite: $, Balcony Suite: $, Penthouse Suite: $, B Ocean Suite: $, A Ocean Suite: $, AA Ocean Suite: $, Junior Suite: $, Deluxe Suite: $, Balcony Suite: $, Penthouse Suite: $, B Ocean Suite: $, A Ocean Suite: $, AA Ocean Suite: $, Junior Suite: $, Deluxe Suite: $, Balcony Suite: $, Penthouse Suite: $, B Ocean Suite: $, A Ocean Suite: $, AA Ocean Suite: $, Junior Suite: $, Deluxe Suite: $, Balcony Suite: $, Penthouse Suite: $, B Ocean Suite: $, A Ocean Suite: $, AA Ocean Suite: $, Junior Suite: $, Deluxe Suite: $, Balcony Suite: $, Penthouse Suite: $, B Ocean Suite: $, A Ocean Suite: $, AA Ocean Suite: $, Junior Suite: $, Deluxe Suite: $, Balcony Suite: $, Penthouse Suite: $, B Ocean Suite: $, A Ocean Suite: $, AA Ocean Suite: $, Junior Suite: $, Deluxe Suite: $, Balcony Suite: $, Penthouse Suite: $, B Ocean Suite: $, A Ocean Suite: $, AA Ocean Suite: $, Junior Suite: $, Deluxe Suite: $, Balcony Suite: $, Penthouse Suite: $, B Ocean Suite: $, A Ocean Suite: $, AA Ocean Suite: $, Junior Suite: $, Deluxe Suite: $, Balcony Suite: $, Penthouse Suite: $, B Ocean Suite: $7335, A Ocean Suite: $8550, AA Ocean Suite: $9360, Junior Suite: $10170, Deluxe Suite: $11700, Balcony Suite: $13230, Penthouse Suite: $14760
Just Released Offer Details: Book by June 30, 2012: Members of ExpeditionTrips.com save 35% per person (up to $5,165 off). Or, no single supplement for solo travelers. These savings are not combinable with other promotions. Please contact us for details.
Introduction: Explore seldom visited and very remote islands to take advantage of the marine diversity that exists in the heart of the coral triangle. In addition, visit the key destinations of Sandakan and the Kinabatangan River. Described as Malaysia�s Gift to the Earth, the Kinabatangan is a wildlife mecca and you immerse deep within its beauty with an inclusive overnight stay in the rainforest lodges of Sukau. You will have the chance to view wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, Bornean pygmy elephants and countless bird species as you journey along the river. Explore the tragic history of the WWII Sandakan Death Marches, where only 6 survived from the initial 6,000 participants. Your visit to Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary gives an insight into the plight, and struggle to save, one of your closest relatives.
Day 1: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia / Embark Day 2: Pulau Labuan, Territory of Labuan Day 3: Klias Wetlands, Sabah Day 4: Pulau Mantanani, Sabah Day 5: Kudat, Sabah Day 6: Pulau Lankayan, Sabah Day 7: Sandakan Days 8-9: Kinabatangan River Day 10: Pulau Mataking Kecil, Sabah Day 11: Tawau, Malaysia / Disembark
Pulau Labuan is a tiny island town off Sabah�s coast that was formerly known as Victoria Town. Today, it is a hub for duty-free goods and boasts some nice cultural touches and landmarks. Because of its proximity to Brunei, Labuan attracts many visitors as well as avid scuba divers for its rich marine life.
Activities for the visit will focus on the island s history during WWII. The included tour will visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery housing the graves of many Australian, Indian and other Commonwealth forces killed during the retaking of Labuan and other parts of the Borneo campaign. Also, visit the memorial peace park and surrender point, the location where Japanese forces surrendered to the Commonwealth forces at the end of the war. Visit the Labuan Chimney, situated on a rise at Tanjung Kubong this famous �Chimney,� is a high red brick stack believed to be possibly linked to the coal mining days of Labuan. The Chimney was made from more than 23,000 pieces of red bricks imported from England. The bricks layering and works are typical of British style. The �Chimney� is still very much a mystery until today.
Located about 75 miles from Kota Kinabalu on the Klias Peninsula are the Klias Wetlands, a Mangrove Forest Reserve rich with river wildlife and birds. Among the wildlife that can be spotted on a mangrove cruise on the Klias River are proboscis monkeys, long tail macaques, with some luck silver langurs and of course an amazing variety of birds. There will be no landings today, but still an amazing opportunity to explore the wetlands and spot wildlife exists from the fleet of Zodiacs. A variety of primates should present themselves today and the birdlife is significant as well, including herons and hornbills.
The Mantanani Islands are a group of three isolated islands northwest of Kota Belud. It was so isolated in fact that until recently, only a few locals knew the existence of the islands. If lucky, you may catch sight of the dugongs (sea cows) that frequent the waters around the island. The sheltered bays around the Mantanani Islands seem to provide the ideal habitats for dugongs. Sea grass beds are found on shallow sandy areas within the encircling fringing reef of the islands. The island boasts miles and miles of incredibly white sand beaches and crystal clear blue water. A small human population has caused minimal pollution and there is very little boat traffic.
The shallow coastline and fringing reef provides ideal snorkeling conditions. Enjoy the picturesque islands for the day with ample opportunity for swimming and snorkeling. A beach BBQ will take place to round the day on the beach. If all goes as planned, you may also receive a cultural performance from the local fishing village during the day.
Kudat sits on the northern tip of Borneo having been founded in 1881 by the British North Borneo Company, and today has a population of just under 70,000 people. Many of these people belong to the Rungus people. As with most indigenous ethnic groups in Borneo, their culture revolves around rice; however, coconut and banana groves provide cash income. Women weave cloth on backstrap looms, and make containers from vine or beadwork. Many Rungus now work in town, and have abandoned the communal life of the longhouse for modern Malaysian society. Traditionally animist, with female shamans, most Rungus are now Christian.
Today, visit a Rungus Longhouse inland from Kudat. Considered one of the most traditional ethnic groups in Sabah, many Rungus still live in longhouses, with each family having its own separate quarters off a common hall. At the edge of the communal hall, a well-ventilated platform of split bamboo with outward sloping walls provides a place for socializing and communal work. The Rungus longhouse is quite different from others in the region, which are often perched on high stilts.
Lankayan and nearby Billian Island are small tropical coral islands in the Sulu Sea, northwest of the mainland of Borneo. These jewels in the ocean will provide great opportunities to explore the underwater world. The fauna that inhabit the waters of the island include scads, yellow tail barracudas, and jacks. Other fauna include blacktip sharks, giant clams, claw anemone fishes, decorator and spider crabs, coral shrimps, nudibranchs, prawn gobies, seahorses, ghost pipefish, flying gurnards, parrotfishes, rays and guitarfish. The indigenous plants include casuarina trees and pandan screwpine. Green and hawksbill sea turtles make this island a key nesting spot in the Salu Sea. The expedition team will run guided snorkel expeditions throughout the day.
Sandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo and was the former capital of British North Borneo. Sandakan provides you with the opportunity to visit Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. Established in 1964 for rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned baby orangutans from logging sites, plantations, and illegal hunting it is located within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. The orphaned Orangutans are trained in the essential skills required for them to survive in the wild. The area is also infamous as the site of a World War II Japanese airfield, built by the forced labour of 6,000 Javanese civilians and Allied prisoners of war. In 1945, the surviving prisoners were sent on what became known as the Sandakan Death Marches; of which only 6 of them survived, all of whom escaped.
Beginning in the Crocker Range of Southwest Sabah, the Kinabatangan River meanders to the Sulu Sea in the east and sustains one of the world s richest ecosystems. It is Sabah�s longest river and has been described as Malaysia�s gift to the planet. It is one of the most exciting and easily accessible places to explore the condensed biodiversity of Sabah. From Kampung Abai near the river mouth to the major village of Sukau, the lower Kinabatangan offers an opportunity to see a large range of wildlife. Sightings of proboscis monkeys are common among the mangroves in the late afternoon, long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques are everywhere, and wild orangutans are also often seen, particularly nesting in the trees downstream. There�s a chance of seeing other mammals including deer, giant squirrels and the rare Bornean pygmy elephants. In fact the Kinabatangan River�s surrounding forest is one of only two known places in the world where 10 species of primates are found. All eight species of hornbill found in Borneo also ma