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Tourism Malaysia

9 Day 8 Night Borneo Self Drive Explorer Tour

Day 1 KUCHING

Distance: 15 kms (20 minutes by chauffeur driven car)

Drive Information:

No driving for the day

Meals: None

Remarks:

Arrive at Kuching airport, where you will be welcomed by our local representative. After checking in, spend the rest of the day at leisure as you explore the capital of the former White Rajah.

Day 2 KUCHING – BATANG AI

Distance: 220 Kms (5.5 hours by car and 20 minutes by boat)

Drive Information:

After getting acquainted with your rented car, make your way to Batang Ai as you depart Kuching. Upon reaching the jetty at Batang Ai Lake, board a boat that will take you to the Hilton Batang Ai Resort. Remember to park your car at the hotel jetty, which is free of charge. The boat leaves the jetty at 4.15pm and 5.30pm to the resort. Please make sure you arrive 15 minutes before boat departure time.

Meals: Breakfast

Remarks:

The rented car will be delivered to your hotel in the morning.

On your way to Batang Ai, you are advised to make a stop at Serian town to visit and experience the colorful local market, where you can purchase some local products. Enjoy the boat ride after reaching the Batang Ai Jetty. Relax in the evening and admire the lake.

Day 3 BATANG AI

Distance: 4 hour tour (by boat)

Drive Information:

No driving for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Remarks:

Breakfast at the resort.

Relax the entire day doing nothing at all, or sign up for an optional tour conducted by the resort. The tour will take you to a long house and will cost approximately RM 120.- / USD 45.- per person. The tour will take you via boat to Mengkak Longhouse. You will experience the longhouse culture, by meeting with its natives and share a moment of their day, and feel the pace of the rural life in the interior of Sarawak, as you share a glass of tuak (rice wine) and cultural performance with your Iban hosts on the Ruai-the communal enclosed verandah common to all Longhouse. Retrace your journey back to the Batang Ai Resort for more relaxation.

Day 4 Batang Ai – Sibu

Distance: 200 kms (3 hours by car)

Drive Information:

Bid goodbye to Batang Ai and retrieve your car from the parking lot after your boat ride back. Head to Sibu when you are ready.

Meals: Breakfast

Remarks:

Breakfast at the resort.

Enjoy the drive along Borneo’s countryside as you make your way to Sibu. Take a drive through town and put together your own impromptu tour.

Day 5 Sibu – Miri

Distance: 393 kms (6 hours by car)

Drive Information:

Head towards Miri via the Sibu-Bintulu Road. Remember to stop by at Bintulu along the way to Miri.

Meals: Breakfast

Along your way to Bintulu, stop at kilometre 26 of the Sibu-Bintulu Road to admire the Yu Lung San Tien En Si Temple. The temple is said to be the biggest of its kind in Asia and is dedicated to bringing together three faiths – Buddhist, Taoism and Confucianism. At Bintulu, you can check out the Similajau national park that has a very unique beach line which sands are said to be the color of gold. A hike is needed to reach the beach. When you are done, continue on to Miri.

Day 6 – MIRI

Distance: Depending on sights

Drive Information:

Drive around Miri town or head to one of the nearby attractions.

Meals: Breakfast

Remarks:

Miri is home to a population of about 300,000 people and is the second largest city in Sarawak. It is also the birthplace of Sarawak’s and Malaysia’s petroleum industry, which remains the major industry of the city. The famous Gunung Mulu National Park, which is not accessible by road, is only a half an hour by flight away. Other attractions such as the Loagan Bunut National Park, Lambir National Park and the Niah Caves are accessible by car.

Day 7 – MIRI to BRUNEI

Distance: 35 kms (1 hour by car)

Drive Information:

Please note the immigration checkpoints, as it requires a bit of attention as you will be leaving Malaysia in to Brunei and then re-entering Malaysia again and Brunei a second time before you get back into Malaysia.

Meals: Breakfast

Remarks:

Make your way to Brunei, the tiny sultanate that is one of the richest countries in the world. Admire the wealthy opulence as you embark on a self- exploration of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei’s capital city.

Day 8 BRUNEI – LAWAS – KOTA KINABALU

Distance: 170 km (2 hours)

Drive Information:

Take an early drive from Brunei to Sabah. Then proceed north to Kota Kinabalu. It is approximately 170 kilometers to Kota Kinabalu from Merapok, via the towns/villages of Sipitang, Beaufort, and Papar.

Meals: Breakfast

Remarks:

Upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu, remember to check out some of the interesting sights of the city. In the evening, you might want to head down to the Waterfront and enjoy some of the fresh seafood available there.

Day 9 – KOTA KINABALU

Distance: N/A

Drive Information: Return the rented car in the morning at your hotel.

Meals: N/A

Day at leisure until the return flight.