International flight

Arrive Kota Kinabalu, transfer by domestic flight to Mulu on the edge of the Gunung Mulu National Park. Overnight Mulu Marriot Hotel & Spa with time to relax and take a swim in the hotel pool surrounded by rainforest (H,B)

A relaxing morning with a late start allowing you time to recover from the long international flight. (H, B)

Canopy Skywalk - Deer & Langs Cave
In the afternoon those with a head for heights can impersonate ‘Ant & Dec’ on an optional canopy skywalk. This is a skywalk of about 500m, the longest in the world and takes around 45 minutes to complete. You may be able to see the following en route: macaque monkeys, flying lizards, squirrels, hornbills and a spectacular array of colourful birds. Alternatively, you can explore the lowland creatures. We continue our journey on a scenic 3km plank walk to reach the entrance to Deer Cave, the world’s largest cave passage. Its scale is awesome with moonlike landscape and from one vantage point, a perfect profile of President Lincoln. Next door is Langs cave, famous for its stalactites and stalagmites.

Dusk will be approaching so we gain a good vantage point in readiness to view the great natural phenomenon of millions of bats and swifts leaving and entering the caves in a superlative wildlife spectacle. Return by torchlight to Mulu Marriot Resort.

River Journey & Trek to the great Pinnacles
An exciting and varied day starting with a longboat ride up the Melinau River to Kuala Litut. On the way we visit two more caves (not more caves you say, yes but they are spectacular and different with intricate walkways!). Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave, the latter is the longest cave in Asia at 127km, and both display magnificent limestone sculptures. Another hour’s river journey and we arrive at Kuala Litut. We reorganise our bags before we walk through the rainforest to the base of Mt Api and the great ‘Pinnacles’, about 9km. Overnight at Camp 5 which is actually a basic lodge with basic bedding, and a great place to cool off with a swim in the river pools. (Ld, B, L, D)

Ascent to the Mulu Pinnacles
After an early start we start to climb Gunung Api for the limestone pinnacles, a steep climb of about 4-5 hrs to reach the summit of the mountain where you can look back on the towering, blade like, limestone pinnacles. A great day for those who like to scramble on steeper ground. The Pinnacles are razor sharp limestone needles rising up 45 metres to create a spectacular sight. This will involve some steep sections where you climb tree routes/branches and rock fixed with ladders and in-situ ropes (not suitable for those who don’t like steep ground). The rewards, however, are awesome as you look out over the great rainforest canopy with the Pinnacles reaching up through the jungle. Our return to camp is by the same route and we spend the remainder of the day relaxing by the river or visiting a nearby population of the fanged pitcher plant. (Ld, B, L, D) (Probably one of the toughest days on this expedition)

Return to Mulu National Park HQ
Today we return on foot to Long Litut and our longboat that takes us back down the Melinau River to Mulu Headquarters. If all goes to plan we will arrive around midday in time for lunch. Transfer to Mulu Airport for flight to Kota Kinabalu. (H, B, L)

Trek to Mount Trusmadi
After breakfast we depart Kota Kinabalu for Base camp at Kg. Sinua on the remote side of Mount Trusmadi. The journey takes us through the beautiful Crocker Range to Keningau and Sook before reaching Kg Sinua by late afternoon. Mr Dennis our guide, is inspirational, having built his own lodge and created some of the only alternative employment in the valley beyond ‘palm oil’, the enemy of the rainforest! His bamboo lodge looks out to Mt Trusmadi. In 2017 Dennis, in conjunction with Adventure Peaks, made the first ever traverse of Mt Trusmadi via the Mannan and Kaingaran Trails. (L, B, L, D)

Unlike the summit track of Mt. Kinabalu, the trail is heavily foliaged and surrounded by dense vegetation most of the time. The trail is narrow, no boardwalk and hand rail, but lots of overhanging trees, entangled roots with some fixed lines that you must use to haul yourself up.

Mount Trusmadi approach day to Khiong Point
A wonderful walk through the jungle, crossing a number of rivers and streams, we weave our way upwards to Shelter Camp II, set in a lovely clearing overlooking the wonderful valley below. Overnight in an open lodge. (Ld, B, L, D) 7-8hrs walking

Mount Trusmadi summit day
We leave the lodge in total darkness at around 3am to reach the summit in time to view the sunrise. The ascent is steep and in places it is impossible to climb without the help of in-situ ropes to pull on. Time passes gradually and with hidden interest as your torch lights up beautiful flowers and weird moss sculptures that add to this unique peak. Given good weather the views and sunrise are spectacular and, not to be disappointed, the summit holds one last flower Melastoma minahanse, this plant is only found on Trusmadi and Papua New Guinea. Descend via Kaingaran route to meet our 4x4 transport to the town of Tambunan and return journey to Kota Kinabalu. (H, B, L) 8-9hrs walking

Rest day exploring Kota Kinabalu
Optional visit to Poring Hot Springs for a therapeutic bath and marked trails to small waterfalls (approx. £30). (H, B)

Mount Kinabalu Approach
We depart our hotel in Kota Kinabalu and travel 1.5 hours to Kinabalu Park. We register our names with the Park Office for the mountain climb and proceed to the start of the summit trail from Timpohon Gate at 1866m. We trek up through a variety of terrain and ‘cloud forest’ to Pendant Hut 3289m, enjoying a packed lunch along the way. Look out for pitcher plants and orchids. The air will start to feel considerably colder here due to the altitude. Overnight at Pendant Hut. (R, B, L, D)

To the Summit of Kinabalu
We rise early around 0200hrs to climb to the summit of Mt Kinabalu in time for a magnificent sunrise. The route is lit by torchlight or moonlight and we adopt a steady pace taking into consideration the affects of altitude as we head upwards towards the summit. As day breaks you should be rewarded with stunning views and on a clear day can see as far as the southern islands of the Philippines. We descend back to the refuge for a relaxing breakfast or tackle the optional world’s highest Via Ferrata as an exciting alternative way to descend down to the refuge! If you like to scramble this is brilliant and not to be missed. After breakfast we descend to the park gate and transfer back to our hotel in Kota Kinabalu. (H, B, L)

Day 13: Fly to Sandakan and relax at the hotel (H, B)

Day 14: Return International flights. (H, B)

Seligan Turtle Island & Sepilok Orangutan Sanctury extension

Day 13: Fly to Sandakan, upon arrival transfer for an hour’s jet boat ride to Selingan Turtle Island, transfer to lodge/hotel for lunch. The afternoon is free to relax, snorkel or bird watch! In the evening we will be escorted down to view the green turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs and to see the hatching baby turtles scurrying off out to sea. (Ld, B, L, D)

Day 14: Return by boat to Sandakan and transfer to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where captive orangutans are reintroduced into the wild. Return to Sandakan then fly to Kota Kinabalu. (H, B)

Return international flights (H, B)