Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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CHARLES RYAN
From lush primary rainforest and misty mountains to pristine coral reefs and mangrove forests
at the edge of the sea, Borneo is a land of incredible biodiversity. On this fascinating expedition,
we’ll journey through extraordinary ecosystems that shelter more than 1,200 species of
orchids and 400 species of birds, and search for unique wildlife including orangutans, pygmy
elephants, and cloud leopards. Daily activities bring us deep into limestone caves, high in the
treetop canopies, and along the Kinabatangan River. We’ll also enjoy visits with conservation
experts to learn about their work with orangutans and meet some of Borneo’s fascinating
indigenous people. At journey’s end, we cap off our adventure with world-class snorkeling right
from our beachfront chalets.
Days 1-2 Kota Kinabalu / Sepilok Forest
Reserve From Kota Kinabalu, we head to
Sepilok Forest Reserve, habitat of the endangered
orangutan. We’ll visit with the experts who are
reintroducing injured and orphaned orangutans
back into the wild, and then set out at sunset
for a canopy boardwalk high in the trees. Our
lodge is nestled deep in the forest reserve,
granting us fantastic access to this amazing
bounty of wildlife.
Days 3-6 Kinabatangan
Wetlands / Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Journeying upriver on the 350-mile-
long Kinabatangan River, we’ll keep
an eye out for pygmy elephants,
silver leaf langurs, and other tree-
dwelling rainforest animals during
river cruises at dawn and dusk.
Our explorations in Tabin Wildlife
Reserve find us on fascinating forest
walks, with a stop at the limestone
Gomantong caves and one of Tabin’s
“mud volcanoes,” where a vast array
of species can be spotted.
Days 7-13 Danum Valley
Conservation Area / Mataking
Island In the Danum Valley, we’ll
enjoy forest canopy walks and guided
night hikes amid bioluminescent
RAFFAELE MEUCCI
fungi. Resident species include the Sumatran
rhino, endemic spectacled flowerpecker, and
Borneo’s beloved mouse deer. The snorkeling is
out of this world on Mataking Island, and we’ll
have the opportunity to explore the teeming
reefs, pristine islands, and the Bajau Laut sea
gypsies of Tun Sakaran Marine Park, with their
rainbow-colored boats. Fly to Kota Kinabalu for
a final overnight, and depart on Day 13.
Treetop walks, encounters with unique wildlife, cultural explorations, and world-class snorkeling—
this is Borneo at its best. PHOTO: MIKE HILL
HIGHLIGHTS
• See Borneo’s extravagant wildlife including
the endangered Bornean orangutan
• Explore the Danum Valley’s primary
rainforest
• Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation
Centre and the remote Tabin Wildlife
Reserve
• Snorkel the fabulous coral reefs at
Mataking Island
DETAILS
• 13-day trip begins and ends in Kota
Kinabalu
• 8 nights lodges, 2 nights beachfront
chalet, 2 nights hotel
• All meals included
DATES
Apr 24-May 6, 2017
Oct 9-21
Apr 23-May 5, 2018
TRIP COST
$8195 (11-15 members)
$8595 (7-10 members)
Single supplement: $1150
Internal airfare: $310 (subject to change)
TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Easy nature walks and light hikes, river
excursions by speedboat and longboat,
optional snorkeling