Sarawak - the land of longhouses, headhunters, tribal culture, wildlife, jungle and rainforest is a fascinating place to explore.

The tour starts and ends in Kuching, Sarawak's busy river capital, with its colourful markets selling exotic spices and ancient Chinese temples. We visit Semengoh Orang Utan Sanctuary where orang utans are being rehabilitated back into the wild, and see them being fed. In Bako National Park, we explore in search of proboscis and silver leaf monkeys, long-tail macaques and other wildlife, later swimming in the sea by secluded beaches. Returning to Kuching, we travel by road and longboat to the Batang Ai reservoir. Here we visit the Iban people in their longhouses, hike jungle trails, cool off under waterfalls and learn to fish Iban style. The last two nights are spent in the Damai Rainforest area, where there are various optional activities such as water sports, night jungle walks, Mangrove swamp cruise or a visit to the Sarawak Cultral Village.

Kuching -  Semengoh - Bako National Park.  After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the Semengoh Wildlife Centre located a short drive from the centre of Kuching. Get your cameras ready as we observe the feeding of orangutans requiring rehabilitation.  Semengoh Wildlife Centre is a temporary home for various endangered species of wildlife of  Sarawak, especially orang utans that were either orphaned or rescued from  captivity. Here, they are trained to survive in the wild.

Afterwards we drive to Bako Village, and from the village we take a 25-minute boat ride to Bako National Park. Bako is one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in a natural  surrounding. We check into the park chalets and there will be time to hike along jungle trails, enjoy sunsets, and for swimming in the sea by secluded beaches. We overnight in the park  chalets. Generally bathrooms are shared. All bedrooms are screened from mosquitos & have fans. 

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Kuching - Nanga  Sumpa Longhouse.  After breakfast, we depart by  air-conditioned vehicle for Batang Ai  reservoir (approx 4 1/2 hours).  We journey through  rural Sarawak, passing pepper  gardens, cocoa and rubber plantations. En-route a few stops will be  made. We visit the colourful native market in Serian town where a variety of  jungle produce such as edible ferns, bamboo shoots and  unusual tropical  fruit are on display. We visit a pepper garden and stop by to view wild orchids and several species of pitcher plants. Lunch en route. On arrival at the Batang Ai reservoir we take a longboat jounrney (1.5 hrs)  upriver to Nanga Sumpa.  We settle in at our jungle  lodge. After dinner  we head to the longhouse across the river. We relax on  the ruai (common verandah) and spend time with the local Iban people, learning about their culture and enjoying some local rice wine. Overnight at lodge. 

The lodge is a simple jungle lodge with raised sleeping platform. There are ten main sleeping rooms which take 2 to 4 people, as well as a central eating area, verandah and kitchen. Mattresses, bedding and mosquito netting is provided. There are flush toilets and bath areas, and water is piped in. The lodge is built from local materials, and as there is no electricity, remember to bring torches with you. A great jungle experience for the family! 

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinnner included

Nanga Sumpa Longhouse -  Kuching.  Following breakfast we depart down river by longboat, then overland to Kuching. We take lunch en route. Upon arrival in Kuching we check in to the Damai Beach Resort. 

Breakfast & Lunch included

Damai Beach Resort, Kuching. Breakfast is at the resort then you have leisure time until we transfer you to the airport for your flight departure.  

Breakfast included. 

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible.

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

This itinerary will be followed as closely as possible. However there may be times when it is necessary to change the route according to local conditions. There will be times travelling long hours as there will be days where we have to cover great distances. Weather patterns can change dramatically - high altitudes tend to be a lot cooler.

You are free not to participate in any of the included excursions. However, please note that there will be no refund for any excursions not taken.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx  for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Asia trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com  provides you with visa information. Please consult your relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. Certain visas cannot be obtained once you have started your tour, and during the peak summer months it can take longer than normal to get visas, please allow extra time to do this.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

Vaccinations:

No vaccinations are compulsory in Asia, but we do recommend you are covered for *diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus.

NB* A Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from infected areas. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

You may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information. Please consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in Asia.

We also recommend:

- A dental check-up prior to travelling.
- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Medical Supplies:

We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

• Do not take unnecessary valuables with you.
• A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money.
• DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room in Asia, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Items are left at the individuals’ risk.
• Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care.
• Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$15-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evenings out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

For security you are advised to carry most of your money in Traveller’s cheques - small denominations are preferable.

It is often a good idea to have a small amount of the currency of the country you are visiting prior to arrival. This will cover you for any initial expenses at or from the airport.

Banks are generally open Monday to Friday and some are open on Saturday morning. In the main cities travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaux, but this can be very difficult in small towns.

Some Hotels will also change money.

How much should I take?

• Please bring lightweight walking shoes or sandals, and a day sac. Pack essentially for hot conditions: days are hot and humid. Lightweight rain gear is essential at all times.
• Because of limited luggage space on transport, we must limit each passenger to ONE main suitcase or frameless backpack and one day bag. Your main bag must not weigh more than 20 kg’s.
• A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles.
• A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers checks etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission.

It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installation

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. It will always be clean, comfortable and of a high standard. The type of accommodation on this tour is quite varied - ranging from hotels, to cabins, to jungle lodges and dormitory style accommodation with more basic facilities.

If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. If you would like to book accommodation to stay additional nights after the tour ends, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable.

In most of the hotels in Asia you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it when you check out of the hotel.

Kumuka endeavors to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Although Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka cannot be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by a third party.

Details and prices of optional activities will be advised by your tour leader.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

KUMUKA WORLDWIDE

UK OFFICE

Hillswood Business Park
3000 Hillswood Drive Chertsey KT16 0RS
Tel: 020 7937 8855 Fax: 020 7937 6664
Email: sales@kumuka.com
www.kumuka.com

AUSTRALIAN OFFICE