Grand tour of Borneo

Your guide will take you to Bako — Sarawak's oldest national park on the northwestern tip of Borneo — for your first introduction to Borneo's flora and fauna. After hiking through the jungle, you'll emerge onto untouched beaches and coves. You will have the evening back in Kuching. You might like to visit the night market this evening, which has a lively local atmosphere.

You will be met by your driver and guide after breakfast and taken to the Lemanak River by road, stopping at Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary for a chance to see orangutans at feeding time, a traditional market in Serian, a pepper farm and a local restaurant on the way. The final 40 minutes of your journey will be on the river by a traditional long-tail boat. On arrival at the Iban longhouse, you will learn about the local customs and dine and dance with the families before bed.

After breakfast, your guide will take you on a nature trail surrounding the longhouse. You will also be given a blowpipe demonstration, which you can try for yourself. Weather permitting, lunch will be served on the riverbank, where you can also swim. You will then head back to Kuching, with the evening at leisure.

You will be taken to the airport for your short flight to Mulu. Once you are checked in to your hotel, your guide will take you into the rainforest to explore the huge caves that the area is famous for. Deer Cave is the largest, and it is named because deer use the cave to shelter from poor weather. Lang's Cave is smaller but is home to some unique rock formations and bats. Linger until dusk, and you can watch the massive bat exodus as the colony sets off to hunt for the night.

Experience a jungle canopy walkway and get a different view of the rainforest right above the trees. Head back to your hotel for lunch before visiting the remaining show caves on a private basis, and Batu Mulong village by boat in the afternoon. Your specialist can upgrade both experiences to be private if you wish.

This morning, you have the opportunity to spend as you wish at the resort without a guide. If you are still feeling active, perhaps you can take further walks, cycle rides, or kayaks through the national park independently. Then, fly on to Kota Kinabalu for two days of relaxation, exploring the town, or visiting the beach.

Day at leisure. Today you might like to explore Kota Kinabalu. The Museum of Islamic Architecture is particularly interesting. An ideal city for shopping, you'll find a selection of modern shopping malls and markets selling unique handicrafts.

This morning, you will fly early to Lahad Datu, in the heart of Sabah. It is worth struggling through the bumpy journey to Danum Valley, so cling onto the door handle, watch your head on the vehicle roof and look forward to arriving at your lodge in the middle of the rainforest! Once you arrive, you will have a delicious lunch and then meet your guide, who will discuss the plan for your time here. This afternoon, you will visit the canopy walkway and learn about the flora and fauna in the area on one of the many nature trails. This evening, you can head out on a night drive, and you may be lucky enough to spot some of the area's nocturnal animals. Your activities at Borneo Rainforest Lodge are shared. If you prefer, ask your specialist about upgrading to private.

Why not rise early to see and hear the rainforest come alive. After breakfast, you will head back into the rainforest for the trek to Coffin Cliff, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the lodge and Danum Valley. Stop off at a waterfall on your way back to cool off! This afternoon, you can spend more time on the trails trying to track wildlife, or you may have the option to go tubing down the Danum River — a brilliant way to experience the area. A night walk this evening will give you a new experience of the area around the lodge.

Today you leave the rainforest, heading back to Lahad Datu and onto the Kinabatangan River. In the afternoon you will be out on the water, spending your time spotting a huge array of wildlife. Paddling down tributaries of the Kinabatangan River in a boat, your experienced naturalist will help you spot crocodiles, proboscis monkeys and, hopefully, orangutans.

Rise early for a second trip on the river and the chance to visit the nearby oxbow lake. Breakfast is served back at the lodge. You have free time back at the lodge to catch up on some sleep, or, for the more energetic, take the jungle trail behind the lodge. Lunch will be served at the lodge. Enjoy a final trip on the river this afternoon and try to tick some more animals off your list before a final dinner at your lodge.

This morning you will travel by shared boat to the town of Sandakan, with the afternoon at leisure to explore Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. If you have time, you might like to visit the nearby Sun Bear Conservation Centre or Rainforest Discovery Centre, all within walking distance.

Head to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu, and on to the Shangri-La Rasa Ria. Here, you will have three nights to relax in paradise, snorkeling and enjoy time on the beach in the exclusive Ocean Wing.

Full day at leisure. The Shangri-La Rasa Ria has a large pool to relax around, as well as a spa and gym. With 3 km (1.9 miles) of private beach, there is plenty of space to explore.

Today is free to explore. The hotel runs a number of excursions including horse riding along the beach, walks into the surrounding jungle and cooking lessons in the hotel's kitchen.

A final day at leisure before you head back to the airport for your flight home.