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UNTAMED BORNEO
Dense jungles, wild animals and exotic flora will be your introduction to Borneo on this cycling holiday. Rivers, mountains, and beaches are to follow as we bike on dirt and tarmac roads across the north of Borneo.
We'll be in the center of wildlife at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve and on the Kinabatagan River and at the edge of it when we visit the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre.
We switch tracks and find ourselves in the footsteps of allied POWs who were forced marched three times between January and June 1945 from their camp in Sandakan to the small settlement of Ranau. Of the 2,400 prisoners, six Australians survived. Our journey will bear little semblance to what the prisoners went through as we ride through small hamlets on gravel or old logging roads through palm plantations.
As we approach majestic Mount Kinabalu, the terrain becomes hillier and a bit more challenging as we ride through orchards, pine forests and a tea plantation. From our position up high with spectacular views of Mount Kinabalu we descend to the stunning coastline and are rewarded for all our efforts with a night at the luxurious Rasa Ria Spa Resort.
This trip has it all, unique flora and fauna, spectacular mountain scenery, a beautiful beach and of course great cycling!
TRIP PROFILE
The beginning of this ride is relatively flat and the riding gets hillier towards the end of our adventure. Although distances are not huge, the heat and humidity of Equatorial Sabah ensure things feel hot. This is a true journey through the finest terrain and scenery of North Borneo, with the best nature and wildlife thrown in along the way, ensuring you get the very best of everything from your cycling efforts.
| ITINERARY (11 days/10 nights starting and ending in Kota Kinabalu) | |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive Kota Kinabalu and rest of day free. |
| Day 2 | Fly from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu. Ride a bitumen road to Tabin Wildlife Reserve and join a night safari. |
| Day 3 | Go for a bird watching stroll in the morning, ride to mud volcanoes within the reserve. |
| Day 4 | Cycle out of Tabin Reserve and transfer to Bilit for an afternoon boat ride on river to spot proboscis monkeys. |
| Day 5 | Ride to Gomantong Caves where swiflets build their valuable nests. Transfer to Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. |
| Day 6 | Visit Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and then cycle on Sandakan Death March trail. |
| Day 7 | Cycle dirt trails of the Sandakan death march trail to Sabah Tea Garden. |
| Day 8 | Visit the tea factory and then ride on quiet country roads to home stay. |
| Day 9 | A tough ride on hilly dirt tracks to Kundasang. Overnight at a lodge with spectacular views of Mt. Kinabalu. |
| Day 10 | Ride 40 km off road to Kota Belud. Overnight at luxurious Rasa Ria Spa Resort on the beach. |
| Day 11 | Transfer to airport for onward flight. |
| FACTS & FIGURES | |
|---|---|
| Tour Cost | US$1,850 – Single supplement US$350 |
| Bike Rental | US$150 |
| Total Distance | 360 kilometers |
| Number of Days | 11 days /10 nights |
| Number of Cycling Days | 8 full days, 1 half |
| Road Surface | This tour is a mix of vehicle-width dirt trails which may be smooth, gritty, stony, rocky, rutted, loose or hard-packed. No technical experience required. |
| Vehicle Support | An air conditioned vehicle will provide support with some limited support on certain routes. |
| Group Size | Minimum 2. Maximum 16. |
| Staff Support | SpiceRoads cycling leader (for groups of 10 or more), plus a local cycling guide, as well as drivers and assistants for all groups. Smaller groups will be led by our local guide and support team. |
| Accommodation | Hotels vary from the luxurious Rasa Ria Spa Resort to homestays. Whenever possible we try to use hotels with charm and local character. |
| Meals | All meals are included from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 11. |
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