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Peregrine Travel Centre

Wonders & Wildlife of Borneo Cruise

Wonders & Wildlife of Borneo Cruise

From GBP £9,395

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Description

Straddling the equator, Borneo is the third largest island in the world and a wildlife wonderland, home to half of all known plant and animal species including some of the rarest and most endangered. It is not one country but shared by the states of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei and our exploration will focus on the north and the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah along with their tiny neighbour of Brunei. As with most islands, the best way to explore is by sea and there are marvellous experiences to be had as we discover remote jungle and rainforests on foot or by boat, observe the diverse range of flora and fauna and return each evening to the comforts of the all-suite MS Island Sky to sail on to our next adventure.
Borneo is a truly extraordinary island with vast rainforests, mountains, endemic wildlife and diverse culture, all of which we will discover during this unique small ship adventure. The conditions along with the thousands of years of separation from all other land masses have allowed entirely endemic species to exist meaning witnessing the wildlife here is a unique experience. The island is of course well known for the ‘wild man of Borneo’ – the orangutan and in addition we also hope to see proboscis monkeys, sun bears and hornbills, to name just a few species, in their natural habitat.
Never far from our minds will be the writings of Conrad and the adventures of James Brooke and the White Rajahs as we journey around the islands, rivers and jungles of Borneo. The privilege of exploring this remarkable land from a small ship and in the company of just 100-fellow passengers, a knowledgeable onboard team and local guides is an opportunity not to be missed. Our voyage will be so much more than a holiday, it promises to be an adventure shared with like-minded travellers.

Trip Name
Wonders & Wildlife of Borneo Cruise
Days
15
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 116  Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2010 / 2017 Sister ship to Hebridean Sky. Island Sky and Hebridean Sky are truly sisters. Built in the same Italian Shipyard, both boast spacious, well-appointed suites, stylish common areas, and redundant core technology that allows them to operate smoothly, even under the most challenging of conditions. Both ships are all-suite, all-inclusive small expedition vessels with touches of elegance throughout. The Island Sky is scheduled for additional upgrades in 2017, including the addition of tinted sliding glass doors to all cabins on the Promenade Deck. Services: World-Class Cuisine Complimentary Wine or Beer with Dinner Live Entertainment Complimentary Coffee/Tea station Voyage Photographer On-board MD and Facilities Dedicated Passenger Service Manager Pre-voyage hotel night Complimentary Expedition Jacket Facilities: Elevator serving all passenger decks Upgraded WIFI Internet Library with computers Panoramic Top Deck Observation Platform Bar/Lounge with Live Entertainment Lounge with Audiovisual Facilities DVD Movie Library Tinted sliding glass doors in all cabins on the Promenade Deck World-Class Cuisine: Great expeditions require great food! Our team of world-class chefs offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that change daily. They have boat-loads of creativity, so you are sure to experience a variety of remarkable cuisine throughout your voyage. Accommodations: All Suites Feature: Exterior views Your choice of queen-sized or two twin-sized beds Sitting area with sofa and side chair Flat Screen TV with DVD/CD player Telephone Independent temperature controls Mini-Bar Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries Hair dryer 220 square feet or more Sofa can be converted to bed for third person PLEASE NOTE - DECK PLANS CAN VARY.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 London to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Fly by scheduled flight to Kuala Lumpur.
Day 2 - Day 2 Kuala Lumpur.
Arrive and transfer to our hotel for a two night stay. The remainder of the day and evening are at leisure.
Day 3 - Day 3 Kuala Lumpur.
This morning, we will set out to explore Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur. Here a walking tour will take us to Independence Square, also known as Dataran Merdeka. This is the historical place where the Union Flag was lowered, and the Malayan flag was raised for the very first time on 31st August 1957. Continue to the Masjid Jamek Mosque, the oldest Islamic place of worship in Kuala Lumpur. Overlooking the Klang River, it offers breathtaking photo opportunities due to the combination of ancient Moorish, Islamic and Mughal architectural styles, verdant surroundings, and distant views of the city’s other iconic landmarks. Also see the Central Market, Chinatown and the extravagantly decorated Sri Mahamariamman Temple before ending at the Petronas Twin Towers, once the tallest buildings in the world. After lunch the rest of your afternoon and evening are at leisure to continue exploring independently or relax at the hotel.
Day 4 - Day 4 Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan.
We will transfer to the airport this morning for our scheduled flight to Sandakan. On arrival we transfer to the MS Island Sky and enjoy welcome drinks and dinner. Moor overnight.
Day 5 - Day 5 Sandakan.
Today we will learn about the rehabilitation of the orangutans at the Sepilok Centre and hear about their threats to survival. We will visit the Sepilok Forest Reserve feeding platform and see orangutans in the third stage of their rehabilitation programme where the orphaned and injured orangutans are brought to Sepilok to be rehabilitated to return to forest life. Sepilok is a primary lowland forest and the nearest place to visit the virgin jungle of Borneo and one of the few remaining rainforests in Sabah. We can observe the fascinating diversity of plants, trees and wildlife as Sepilok is known to have more than 450 species of trees and over 250 species of birds whilst we also have a good chance of sighting macaques, leaf monkeys and other mammals. Close by is the Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Opened in 2014 this centre provides rehabilitation to the smallest bears in the world which are at risk from deforestation and poaching. Our exploration today will end at the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. These distinctive primates, endemic to Borneo, live mainly in the mangrove and lowland forests near fresh water and rivers.
Day 6 - Day 6 Sandakan.
For keen nature lovers there will be an excursion to the Rainforest Discovery Centre this morning, one of the most accessible natural rainforests in Sabah. It sits by a lake at the edge of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve and is managed by the Sabah Forestry Department which has been in operation since 1996 for the purpose of environmental education. A wonderful park for nature lovers and birdwatchers, we can discover the unique flora and fauna of Borneo. Our walk along the forest trails will lead to the canopy walkway where the centre boasts a pristine lowland dipterocarp forest with an astounding 300 species of birds recorded in the area. Alternatively, the guided tour of Sandakan this morning will include a visit to the lively market and the old-fashioned stone building of St Michael Church, one of the few surviving pre-war stone building built in 1893. We will also visit Newlands, the former home of author Agnes Newton Keith. Return to the MS Island Sky for lunch and enjoy a leisurely afternoon on board as we sail to Kota Kinabalu.
Day 7 - Day 7 Kota Kinabalu.
Today we will explore the city and surroundings of Kota Kinabalu. A full day tour will take us to Kinabalu Park located beneath the jagged granite peaks of Mount Kinabalu. This UNESCO World Heritage Site provides a glimpse into the fascinating plant life of the region. We will walk through the montane oak and chestnut rainforest at park headquarters to view some of the 700 species of orchids, nine species of carnivorous pitcher plants and 27 species of rhododendrons found here. Next, we will visit the botanical gardens where a diverse collection of unique flora is gathered from the entire park and transplanted here for conservation and educational purposes. We will enjoy lunch in the park before returning to the ship later in the afternoon. Alternatively there will be the opportunity to explore the myths and legends of Borneo and delve into the history of the ‘headhunters’ with a visit to an ancient burial site and the memorial dedicated to the legendary headhunter Monsopiad, here we will learn more about the Kadazan community and the descendants of Monsopiad.
Day 8 - Day 8 Muara, Brunei.
We arrive this morning in oil-rich Brunei where our full day excursion will include the immense Kianggeh open air market before taking a scenic boat ride on the Brunei River offering views of the magnificent Sultan’s Palace. The Istana Nurul Iman is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei and one of the largest residential palaces in the world. We will also see the colourful water villages built on stilts and connected by wooden walkways before continuing to the stunning Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Our tour will conclude at the Royal Regalia Building, which is home to the Sultan’s marvellous collection of royal gifts and ceremonial weapons. After a local lunch we will return to the MS Island Sky and sail in the late afternoon.
Day 9 - Day 9 At Sea.
As we sail back towards Malaysia you can join a lecture in the lounge or find a spot on deck as we spend a relaxing day at sea.
Day 10 - Days 10 & 11 Kuching, Malaysia.
This morning, we arrive back into Malaysia where we will spend the next two days in Kuching, exploring the city and surrounding natural wonders. There will be a chance to visit nearby Semenggoh Nature Reserve. Since 1975, the wardens here trained young orangutans, who had been orphaned or rescued from captivity, how to survive in the wild. The success of this programme has left the surrounding forest reserve with a thriving population of healthy adolescent and young adult orangutans, who are now breeding in the wild. Besides orangutans, Semenggoh Nature Reserve is also a habitat for rare flora and fauna including the giant squirrel, pigmy squirrel, gibbons and a splendid variety of birds. We will also set out to explore the city of Kuching and learn more about the exploits of the Brooke family who, some 200 years ago, were awarded Sarawak by the former owner, the Sultan of Brunei, in recognition for the aid provided in defeating a rebellion. See Fort Margherita which was built in 1879 to guard Kuching’s River approaches from pirates and the Chinese History Museum which houses many artefacts of past eras and memorabilia of Chinese affairs during the time of Charles Vyner Brooke, also known as the White Rajah in Sarawak history. During our time in Kuching we will also visit Bako National Park, the oldest national park in Sarawak which is known for its amazing diversity containing almost every type of vegetation found in Borneo. Established in 1957 it occupies more than 27 square kilometres of rainforest, waterfalls, secluded beaches and rocky shorelines. On a series of guided nature walks for all levels we will explore the jungle keeping an eye out for proboscis monkeys, long tailed macaques, silvered langurs, monitor lizards and bearded pigs as well as some of the 190 species of birds that can be found here.
Day 11 - Day 12 At Sea.
Spend the day at sea, join a lecture in the lounge and relax on deck.
Day 12 - Day 13 Singapore.
Spend today in Singapore where there will be a choice of excursions this morning. A city tour will start in Little India and include the magnificent Sultan Mosque before we head to vibrant Chinatown. Here narrow streets centered on the pagoda will lead us to a treasure trove of apothecary shops, quaint teahouses and a cornucopia of stalls selling trinkets as well as the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, Sri Mariamman. Here we join a cruise along the Singapore River sailing past a mix of colonial buildings and modern skyscrapers ending at Merlion Park. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the National Orchid Garden which displays the largest collection of orchids in the world with 2000 hybrids. The afternoon will be at leisure to explore the city further at your own pace.
Day 13 - Day 14 Singapore to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 14 - Day 15 London.
Arrive this morning.
Day 15 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
28-06-202612-07-2026GBP £9,395Magellan Deck Standard Suite
28-06-202612-07-2026GBP £9,595Columbus Deck Superior Suite
28-06-202612-07-2026GBP £9,895Marco Polo Deck Premium Suite
28-06-202612-07-2026GBP £10,295Marco Polo Deck Corner Suite
28-06-202612-07-2026GBP £11,095Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
28-06-202612-07-2026GBP £11,495Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
28-06-202612-07-2026GBP £12,195Magellan Deck Standard Single
28-06-202612-07-2026GBP £12,495Columbus Deck Superior Single
28-06-202612-07-2026GBP £12,495Explorer Deck Island Suite
30-07-202613-08-2026GBP £9,595Columbus Deck Superior Suite
30-07-202613-08-2026GBP £9,895Marco Polo Deck Premium Suite
30-07-202613-08-2026GBP £10,295Marco Polo Deck Corner Suite
30-07-202613-08-2026GBP £11,095Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
30-07-202613-08-2026GBP £11,495Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
30-07-202613-08-2026GBP £12,195Magellan Deck Standard Single
30-07-202613-08-2026GBP £12,495Explorer Deck Island Suite
30-07-202613-08-2026GBP £12,495Columbus Deck Superior Single
30-07-202613-08-2026GBP £9,395Magellan Deck Standard Suite

Inclusions

    • Witness orangutans and sun bears up close at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Borneo.
    • Explore UNESCO-listed Kinabalu Park's diverse flora and fauna in Malaysia.
    • Discover Singapore's vibrant mix of culture, history, and modernity on guided tours.

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