Work on your biceps as well while kayaking
Get up close and personal with Borneo's inhabitants
Cycle the road less travelled
Come across delightfully strange things such as the Raffelesia
Learn more about Borneo on this trip
Get enthralled in the presence of the dense jungle

Wilds of Sarawak by Bicycle

Duration
8 days
Site savings
$60
From
$1,930 USD

Borneo conjures up images of intrepid explorers, dense tropical rainforest, a dazzling array of tropical wildlife and of course, the great ape indigenous to this island, the orangutan. This week long cycling adventure takes in Kuching, the diverse, lively capital of Sarawak; orangutan rehabilitation centres where you have a chance to get up close to these engaging creatures, kayaking the languid Sarawak River, hiking along steamy jungle paths, and taking cooling dips at a waterfall. The jungle adventures are much the focus of the tour but there will also be plenty of time to mingle with the friendly, fun and fascinating local indigenous people, as the group will stay in their houses and visit their villages.

  • Category
    Adventurous
  • Type
    Fully Guided
  • Duration
    8 days
  • Culture Level
    Out There
  • Skill Level
    2 - Novice
  • Activity Level
    3 - Active
  • Elevation
    2 - Moderate
  • Terrain
    Mixed
  • Distance
    159.7 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    26.7 miles
operated by
SpiceRoads Cycling
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Quick Stats

  • Duration
    8 days
  • Main Destination
    Malaysia
  • Distance
    159.7 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    26.7 miles
  • Elevation
    2 - Moderate
  • Terrain
    Mixed

Route Map (click to view larger image)

Itinerary Details

  1. Day 1Arrive in Kuching

    On arrival in Kuching, you'll be transferred to the hotel at the edge of town. Kuching is a fascinating, bustling city with a mix of old and new world cultures. In the afternoon, you'll have a bike fitting that's a short walk from your hotel. In this ultimate Kuching tour, you'll  explore the culture of the city’s heritage zone with visits to temples and monuments. Take a ride across the Sarawak River on a traditional ‘sampan’ boat and then cycle through rural kampongs (villages). Indulge in local street food in Kubah Ria, the open-air market.

    Head back to the hotel early in the evening for a welcome dinner.

    • 10.6 miles

    • 413.4 ft
      413.4 ft
    • Marion Hotel
    • Dinner
  2. Day 2Kuching – Annah Rais

    An action-packed day lies ahead! It starts with a transfer to visit Borneo's Semenggoh Nature Reserve, a haven for injured and orphaned orangutans and one of the highlights of the tour. You'll arrive in time for the 9:00am feeding, where wild orangutans join their friends for a free feed - it's a real magical experience to see the great apes up close. After feeding time, you'll take a short drive (15 mins), to a very scenic spot near Kampong Benuk. The cycling today is on a fabulous back road that winds up and down, meandering around countless curves and bends. It takes us through banana plantations, betel nut tree forests, rice fields, and farming villages, giving us a real feel for rural Sarawak.

    You'll ride all the way to Annah Rais, where, after a late lunch and longhouse tour, you can enjoy a swim at the nearby stream before settling down for a tribal dinner with your local hosts.

    • 21.7 miles

    • 3,103.7 ft
      3,103.7 ft
    • Bidayuh Annah Rais Homestay
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  3. Day 3Annah Rais – Siniawan

    Wake up early and after breakfast, you'll make a quick transfer to the start of a kayak adventure. The adventure begins as you head out into the crystal-clear waters of the Sarawak River and have a relaxing paddle downstream. This is a great way to spot the river wildlife along the banks, like kingfishers and monkeys, so keep your eyes peeled. Savor more views of the tranquil river and rainforest as you float away.

    After lunch and a quick transfer, it's back onto the bikes to cycle through some spectacular limestone karst landscapes and to visit the Fairy Cave, before a flat-ish ride of 25 km ride to Siniawan. Siniawan is a tiny town dotted with Chinese wooden houses where the locals are friendly and hospitable. The accommodation tonight in this small town is at a peaceful Buddhist village a few kilometers out of town. The Buddhist village does not serve alcohol, but you will still be able to relax and reflect on our day over a cold beverage, as you will be transferred into town for dinner (at your own expense tonight) for a chance to choose western or local food.

    • 18.6 miles
    • -19.7 ft
      1,597.8 ft
      1,617.5 ft
    • Kuching Buddhist New Village
    • Breakfast and Lunch
  4. Day 4Siniawan – Kubah National Park

    Today it's back in the saddle for another adventurous full day. The road is flat but windy, making it an easy and fun ride. You'll follow the enormous sandstone ridge of Mt. Kubah on our way to the edge of Kubah National Park. After dinner, take a short drive into the National Park where the group will embark on a night safari in search of Bornean frogs that dwell in the ponds and streams of the rainforest. In addition to the frogs that come in all shapes and sizes (including some of the world’s smallest!) you may also spot carnivorous pitcher plants and other wildlife.

    • 31.1 miles
    • 3.3 ft
      1,929.1 ft
      1,925.9 ft
    • Retreat to Serapi Resort
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  5. Day 5Kubah National Park – Gunung Gading - Lundu Beach

    After breakfast, you can prepare for a long but worthwhile ride. The route is mostly flat as you cycle along the coast to Lundu, crossing numerous creeks on narrow bridges. After a short break, you'll ferry across the Sampadi River to an isolated windswept beach, a perfect place for a photo opportunity of the mangrove forest.

    Upon reaching the sleepy but friendly town of Lundu, a delicious local lunch will be served. From here, it's just a short ride to Gunung Gading National Park, where you can take a cooling dip in a waterfall or ,time permitting, you can go for an optional jungle hike. If the season is right you may be able to see the enormous Rafflesia flowers in bloom.

    After enough time Gunung Gading, you'll have a final 14 km to our gorgeous beachside hotel.

    • 46.6 miles
    • 105 ft
      2,473.8 ft
      2,368.8 ft
    • Rafflesia Lundu Resort
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  6. Day 6Gunung Gading – Telok Melano - Semantan

    Today, you'll head out on a backroad off the beaten track and take a 10 minute local boat crossing, to the old trading post of Semantan. Continue to cycle past deserted beaches and paddy fields to reach the western tip of Borneo at Telok Melano, which is the "zero kilometre" of the Pan Borneo Highway. It's a great place to finish your Sarawak ride and a great place for a group photograph.

    After a late lunch, transfer back to the seaside resort of Sematan. You'll have the afternoon free to enjoy hotel facilities, swim in the ocean, or explore the local surroundings by bike.

    • 31.1 miles
    • -23 ft
      1,804.5 ft
      1,827.4 ft
    • SPB Resort
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  7. Day 7Semantan – Kuching

    Enjoy your last morning by the sea and take a walk on the long beach to stretch your legs. After lunch in Sematan town, you'll transfer back to Kuching and check into the hotel and enjoy last-minute shopping or a stroll along the waterfront.

    The tour ends with a group celebratory dinner and tales of this unique Borneo adventure.

    • Marion Hotel
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  8. Day 8Departure

    Depart Sarawak for a flight back home or you can extend your stay in Borneo.

    • Breakfast