Itinerary
Key Highlights
~ being among the first to ride across Borneo;
~ experience the hospitality of multi-ethnic people of Borneo;
~ explore remote national parks of Sarawak for wildlife spotting;
~ discover the Kingdom of Brunei, richest country in the world;
~ mountain challenge of Mount Kinabalu, Sabah.
Day 1 Arrive Kuching
Welcome to Kuching! Meet and Greet upon arrival into Kuching International Airport. This afternoon, you may build up your bicycle before the trip briefing at the hotel. Then, get a first taste of the fresh local specialties with a seafood dinner.
Meal: Dinner
Stay: hotel, Kuching
NOTE: please schedule your flight arrival no later than 1500 hours (3.00 PM).
Day 2 Kuching – Maludam
It’s all about acclimatisation with a flat and scenic ride along the coast. Cycle through mangroves, paddy fields and rubber tree plantations. There are a few big river crossings including a car ferry. The road is generally flat throughout the day. The ride will end at Kampung Hilir Maludam, a peaceful Malay fishing village. This afternoon, take a 45-minute boat ride to Maludam National Park in search of big-nose proboscis monkeys. There is time at leisure to explore the quaint Malay village that is famous for its jellyfish and dried fish processing.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: homestay, Maludan
Cycling Distance: +/-133 KM. Elevation : +141 M approx.
NOTE: tonight’s accommodation is communal stay with shared facilities.
Day 3 Maludam – Sarike
Start the ride on a scenic road along the coast before a ferry crossing into an outpost town of Pusa for a coffee break. Cycle through mangrove forests, rubber and palm plantations, taking in the fresh air and peaceful natural surroundings. The last 33 KM of the ride undulates through more plantations, fields and bird houses (man-made structure for harvesting bird nest). Discover more and more traditional longhouse settlements as you ride slowly into the heartland of the Iban tribe. Load your bike for a quick transfer at a small town of Sarike, on a tributary of Rajang River.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: hotel, Sarike
Cycling Distance: +/-124 KM. Elevation: +576 KM approx.
Day 4 Sarkei – Mukah
Aim to cover 60 KM in the morning so that we can spend time in Sibu, the gateway to Central Sarawak. Famed for its extraordinary market, take a leisurely stroll to discover some of its 1,200 stalls with Iban ladies selling exotic fruits, jungle produce and handicrafts.
The main highlight today is the speedboat cruise to the town of Dalat. The Melanau tribe here is one of the most celebrated ethnic tribes in Sarawak, known for their gentle, loving nature and seafaring skills. The boat will cruise through meandering river, pass Melanau villages, timber and sago processing factories and Iban longhouses.
Back on land, continue cycling on back roads to see rural Sarawak at its best passing colourful remote villages and sago tree plantation. If time permits, visit the local sago processing centre that produces the sago pearl in its traditional way. Today’s ride will end at a seaside resort. Visit the town to discover some of its famous delicacies especially the Umai, a dish of fresh raw fish.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: chalet, Mukah
Cycling Distance: +/-113 KM. Elevation: +326 KM approx.
Day 5 Mukah – Bintulu
A day’s of ride alongside the sea. Cycle to several rustic rural towns which we will take respite and take in the local market scene. Ride through some plantations where there will be some undulations as we cycle on quiet roads. As we approach the city area of Bintulu – home to Sarawak heavy industry and a booming new town, load up the bicycles and take a quick 20-minute transfer to Similaju National Park. The afternoon is free at leisure. You may go on an easy hike at the national park, to spot sea turtle, estuarine crocodile and even Irrawady dolphins. A 2-hour boat trip can be arranged (own expense) with the National Park for access to remote stretches of golden sand beach.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: chalet, Similajau National Park
Cycling Distance: +/-138 KM. Elevation: +280 M approx.
Day 6 Bintulu – Niah
Head back inland to continue our ride towards North Borneo. Enjoy a few rolling hills before stopping for lunch. The rest of the journey undulates through plantations, fields and villages. The highlight of the day is the ride entry into Niah Cave National Park.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: chalet, Niah National Park
Cycling Distance: +/-136 KM. Elevation: +717 M approx.
Day 7 Niah – Miri
Explore Niah Cave National Park on foot this morning. Niah Cave is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and soon-to-be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has a thriving economy based on bird nest and guan; ancient cave paintings; a majestic rainforest criss-crossed with walking trails.
Ride the coastal route with some rolling hills for 60 KM before the road flattens out leading the way into the resort city of Miri, the 2nd largest city in Sarawak. You may visit a foot reflexology centre for a perfect foot massage (own expense) after dinner.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: hotel, Miri
Cycling Distance: +/-85 KM. Elevation: +365 M approx.
Day 8 Miri
Time off the saddle! It’s your day at leisure to discover Miri. This city found its riches through the oil boom and boasted the Grand Old Lady, a historic derrick serving as a monument to the discovery of oil in 1910.
Alternatively, an optional tour (own expense) can be arranged to visit nearby national parks or go scuba diving.
Meal: Breakfast
Stay: hotel, Miri
Day 9 Miri – Bandar Seri Begawan
Start the ride near the border between East Malaysia and Brunei – one of the richest countries in the world thanks to its petroleum income, with its head of state – the Sultan of Brunei among one of the richest men in the world.
Ride the trunk road passing Kuala Belait and Serja where Brunei’s oil and gas industry in centered. Head into the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan using the rural backroads where our paths will be rolling hills with lots of vegetation lining the road.
Take a stroll through the city’s ‘Old Town’ where the skyline is dominated by Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, one of the most magnificent mosque in South East Asia and a replica of a 16th-century royal barge is moored in an adjoining lagoon. There is time for a quick photo stop at Kampong Ayer or Water Village.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: hotel, Brunei
Cycling Distance: +/-153 KM. Elevation: +768 M approx.
Day 10 Bandar Seri Begawan – Lawas
After leaving the capital city of Brunei, back on the flat with some nice stretches of farmland and paddy fields. There will be 3 international crossings today, Brunei – Sarawak – Brunei – Sarawak again. Lunch stop is at Limbang, a charming Sarawak town with the market is bussing with border trading. Explore an interesting mix of diverse cultures traditionally home to Bruneian Malay, Kedayan, Iban, Lun Bawang and Orang Ulu people. Take a stroll through the bustling Tamu (wet market) where the locals get their fresh vegetables, fruits and seafood.
The remaining ride of the day undulates over another international border and get your passport stamped for the 8th time since the arrival in Borneo. The ride ends in Lawas, the most northernmost town in Sarawak.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: hotel, Lawas
Cycling Distance: +/- 136 KM. Elevation: +1,401 M approx.
Day 11 Lawas – Tenom
The start of mountain challenge today. Enter into the Malaysian state of Sabah. As you turn off the main road, cross the mighty Crocker Range that divides the western coastal plains from the rest of Sabah to the south of the magnificent Mount Kinabalu. See interesting landscapes, lots of friendly smiles and plenty of unspoiled mountain forest. The ride up Crocker Range is sure to get your heart rate up! After a challenging uphill ride, enjoy a great downhill following on a flat and smooth ride all the way to Tenom – the unofficial capital of the Murut community in Sabah.
The fertile land in Tenom and its surrounding area has made it primarily an agricultural area, including the famous Tenom highland coffee. Perhaps the best way to really experience Tenom is by sampling local coffee at the old school coffee house with a side order of toast, half-boiled eggs or local desserts (own expense) for afternoon tea.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: chalet, Tenom
Cycling Distance: +/-119 KM. Elevation: +1,854 M approx.
Day 12 Tenom – Tambunan
It’s a long and steady uphill cycle on the edge of Crocker Range. It’s all about the mountains today and our route will be rolling hills with lots of paddy fields lining on both sides. Reach the charming old town of Keningau – a busy commercial centre right in the middle of Sabah. Today’s lunch will be Bak Kut Teh – a famous dish in South East Asia with cuts of pork filles in a hot and savoury herbal broth.
The final destination of the day is Tambunan. This valley town at an altitude of 750 M, experiences a mild tropical climate all year long. The valley is peppered with terraced paddy fields and 70 villages. The Dusun people who lived in the highland grow mountain rice and famed for its good quality fermented rice wine.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: chalet, Tambunan
Cycling Distance: +/-95 KM. Elevation: +1,440 M approx.
Day 13 Tambunan – Kundasang
A big climb today.
Continue northward to reach the base camp of the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. The gradient gets steeper as we approach the midway point of Ranau, a busy crossroads between East and West Sabah. After lunch, begin the final stretch of 600 M ascent gain over 13 KM. On the climb up to Kundasang, a resort town at the base camp of Mount Kinabalu, the view of the valley will keep your mind off the climb. This area is the largest producer of highland vegetables in the state of Sabah growing cabbage, tomato, lettuce and even strawberry. You will be able to see Mount Kinabalu and its surrounding valleys from the garden of your hotel on a clear day.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: hotel, Kundasang
Cycling Distance: +/-78 KM. Elevation: +2,050 M approx.
Day 14 Kundasang – Kota Kinabalu
Start the day with a 7-KM ride to Kinabalu Park – entrance to Mount Kinabalu at 4,095 M and is the highest mountain on the island of Borneo. Head over to the UNESCO Botanical Garden (most important biological sites in the world) to discover more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna. Make a stop at Nabalu Market and take a stroll to shop for local native products, home grown vegetables and handicraft.
The final descent of 1,500 M to the flat plain of western Sabah poses a challenge when it is misty and at times congested along the winding road. Our Trans Borneo ride concludes as we reach the junction with the highway. Take a 40-minute transfer to the centre of Kota Kinabalu as the heavy traffic is not conducive for cycling anymore.
After check in, take a stroll along the waterfront, visit the vibrant wet and dry seafood market or simply relax at one of its many waterfront bars. This evening, reminisce over 12 days of cycling over a final farewell and celebration dinner.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: hotel, Kota Kinabalu
Cycling Distance: +/-60 KM. Elevation: +964 M approx.
Day 15 Depart Kota Kinabalu
Simply rest and relax until check out or until it’s time for your departure airport transfer to Sabah International Airport. The official check out time is 12 PM.
Meal: Breakfast