Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

For full tour itineraries, please visit us online at www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/tours SOUTH EAST ASIA 51 MEAL PLAN: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 2 dinners ACCOMMODATION Sandakan 2 nights 4 ★ Four Point Sheraton Sandakan Sukau 2 nights Bilit Adventure Lodge Kota Kinabalu 3 nights 4 ★ Horizon Hotel Kota Kinabalu KUALA LUMPUR 3 nights 4 ★ B&B from £279 KOTA KINABALU BEACH STAY 3 nights 3.5 ★ B&B from £219 or 5 ★ B&B from £369 Visit our website to learn more about our extensions. EXTEND YOUR TOUR DEPARTURES & FROM PRICES 2022 DEPARTURES AT 2021 PRICES CONTACT US FOR DATES • Prices based on flights from London Heathrow to Borneo with Malaysia Airways (via Kuala Lumpur) • A single supplement starts from just £419 Orangutan PACE: 11 Nov 20 £1,819 25 Nov 20 £1,979 24 Feb 21 £1,849 10 Mar 21 £1,899 14 Apr 21 £1,999 28 Apr 21 £1,899 19 May 21 £1,849 09 Jun 21 £1,899 07 Jul 21 £1,919 01 Sep 21 £1,969 08 Sep 21 £1,859 15 Sep 21 £1,969 29 Sep 21 £1,839 06 Oct 21 £1,799 20 Oct 21 £1,719 10 Nov 21 £1,779 BORNEO’S JUNGLES & ORANGUTANS 9 days from £1,719pp TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ✔ Stroll along treetop walkways in the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre ✔ View the Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple ✔ Cruise the winding Kinabatangan River ✔ Explore the Gomantong Caves ✔ Traditional Mari Mari cultural village ✔ Nature walk through the Kinabalu National Park DAY 1: UK TO SANDAKAN Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Sandakan Airport, via Kuala Lumpur. DAY 2: SANDAKAN On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Sandakan to explore at leisure. DAY 3: SANDAKAN B/L This morning meet Borneo’s most famous residents at the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where these endangered creatures are rescued and returned to the ancient lowland forest. Wander wooden walkways to observe these cerebral primates glide between trees and feast on pungent durian fruits. Visit the Sun Bear Conservation Centre to meet the world’s smallest bears, before reaching the Rainforest Discovery Centre; exhibiting native flora and fauna, its highlight is undoubtedly a spectacular 80ft canopy walkway allowing a unique perspective of Borneo’s diverse avian inhabitants. DAY 4: SANDAKAN TO SUKAU B/L/D Begin today exploring the limestone Gomantong Caves, the fascinating domain of over a million wrinkle-lipped bats suspended from the 130ft limestone ceiling. Sharing this unique shelter are the swiftlets who dart overhead to construct the key ingredient for bird’s nest soup, a valuable delicacy within China. Travel to your lodge in the remote village of Sukau before a relaxing late afternoon motorboat cruise to witness the drooped nose proboscis monkeys, leaping from great heights into the Menanggul River with an amusing belly flop. DAY 5: SUKAU B/L/D Awake to the atmospheric melody of the surrounding jungle for a motorboat journey along Malaysia’s second longest river and centrepiece for Bornean wildlife, the Kinabatangan. Spot prehistoric monitor lizards, wandering pygmy elephants and leopard-like civet cats before reaching the tranquil Kelenanap river bend to spot Rhinoceros Hornbill, extraordinary birds famed for their peculiar beaks. Explore the jungle by foot in search of enchanting wildlife under the watch of macaque colonies. Spend the afternoon at leisure within the sleepy village of Sukau before heading back out onto the river for another chance to observe Borneo’s biodiversity. DAY 6: SUKAU TO KOTA KINABALU B/L Travel back to Sandakan and visit the spectacular Puu Jih Shih Temple, a Buddhist place of worship with a striking Oriental design. After lunch, fly to Kota Kinabalu, a bustling city whose Chinese, Kadazan and Malaysian influences are displayed through its architecture and tasted in its night markets. DAY 7: KOTA KINABALU B/L This morning, discover the home of five tribes at the Mari Mari Cultural Village to gain a fascinating insight into Borneo’s indigenous people. Following lunch, spend an afternoon at leisure exploring the many sights that Kota Kinabalu has to offer. Choose to study Sabah’s diverse culture and history showcased within the captivating exhibits of the Sabah Museum, wander aromatic night markets to enjoy delicious street eats, or head to the grand Imago Mall for a unique South East Asian shopping experience. DAY 8: KOTA KINABALU B/L Journey to Kinabalu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Mount Kinabalu. Enjoy a guided nature trek to spot Borneo’s dynamic bio- diversity. Continue to the nearby Poring Hot Springs to relax in the natural warm baths, whose sulphuric water is believed to contain healing properties, before traversing a 134ft Menggaris tree canopy walkway, which provides a breathtaking view across one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Return to Kota Kinabalu for your final evening in Borneo. DAY 9: KOTA KINABALU TO THE UK B Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK, via Kuala Lumpur or continue to your chosen extension. B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner FOR YOU TO KNOW: No visa is required when travelling to Borneo, however insurance must be obtained before travel. Tips - It is customary to tip your guide and driver. Tips; please allow approximately £27pp for the duration of your tour. Meet the hospitable Bornean orangutans, explore the bat-filled Gomantong Caves, sail alongside pygmy elephants and immerse yourself within the enchanting forest that surrounds the spectacle of Borneo’s highest mountain. Coach Air < Borneo Kota Kinabalu  Sukau    Gomantong Caves  Kinabalu National Park 2 • • 3 < Sandakan 2 1 Number of nights UPGRADE TO A PRIVATE TOUR FROM £99 PER PERSON