Borneo Sandakan Trek - Tour 3
School Tour for for those on shorter time frame
$3195.00 per person fully escorted

BOOKING CODE BSAN3

B =full breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner

Day 1

Depart home Capital; Arrive in Kota Kinabalu.
Pick up at airport by Wild Spirit representative, transport to Hyatt Regency.
5 pm briefing at Hotel by Wild Spirit
Overnight at the Hyatt Regency

Day 2 (B/L/D)

Pick up from Hotel at 5.50 am and transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for early 7am morning flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan. From airport we transfer to Sepilok and visit the famous Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, before proceeding to Sandakan Memorial Park, the site of the Sandakan POW Camp. After lunch at a local restaurant, we view the magnificent Windows of Remembrance at St Michael's Church before checking in at Hotel. Dinner at local restaurant.

Day 3 (B/L/D) Distance 6.5kms, walking time 4.5hours

After an early breakfast we drive from Sandakan to Telupid. The trek begins with a walk up through the river before commencing our 450m climb up Bauto Hill through the dense jungle. There will be a packed lunch along the way, which we will stop in the jungle to enjoy. Overnight accommodation at Forestry Rest House.

Day 4 (B/L/D) Distance 18kms, walking time 6.5hours

Our start today is a short drive along an old vehicular road, before commencing our trek via foot and estate tracks to Taviu village, passing through forested and cultivated land with numerous creek crossings and suspension bridges, and some open sections. We stop along the way to meet Judan one of the blowpipe gang members that systematically wiped out over 100 Japanese soldiers. Judan shows us the art of Blow dart shooting. Much of today’s trekking is in the open.
Overnight at Forestry Rest House.

Day 5 (B/L/D) Distance 15kms, walking time 5 hours

Today we transfer to Nabutan, stopping in Paginatan to view the Japanese Camp and staging area for the POW. Paginatan is also the area where there was a POW cemetery and some remains were also found in this area. We also visit Umpil who was the river man who helped the POWs across the river. This section of the Sandakan Death March is also the area that the ring lady lives. We continue our journey, enjoying a cultural experience along tracks which pass through forested and cultivated land to the village of Nalapak. We up towards the Sabah Tea Gardens and onto Qualley’s Hill for a small service to commemorate the murder of POW Qualley at this spot. After lunch, the group continues our trek to Muruk, which was also a major Japanese camp and POW camp for the POW’s along the Sandakan Death March route, we the transfer back to Sabah Tea Estate for overnight stay in a traditional long house.

Day 6 (B/L/D) Distance 12kms, walking time 3hours

Transfer to Muruk village by bus before we commence a steep ascent up Marakau Hill. Marakau Hill is also known as Botterill’s Hill, named after Sandakan Death March survivor Keith Botterill. Botterill trekked up this hill 6 times lugging 20kg bags of rice to keep himself fit and also gave him a chance to pinch some rice to help his escape. We then follow a short steep trek through jungle, before descending and crossing Ranau Plain for lunch and pay our respects at the Ranau POW Camp sites 1 and 2. Transfer to Kundasang Hotel (Mt. Kinabalu), for overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 7 (B/L/D)

After breakfast we visit the magnificently restored Kundasang War Memorial to participate in a early service to remember all those who gave their lives for Australia and those that lost their lives on the Sandakan Ranau Death March. We have some time here to watch a video and reflect as we walk through the various memorial gardens. Note it is possible to return to Kota Kinabalu at this time for other tour or departure.

After lunch we will transfer to the Mt Kinabalu Park for registration before commencing our climb up Mt Kinabalu with experienced guide, Mt Kinabalu is a challenging but non-technical climb, so suitable for most fit people. We overnight at Gunting Lagadan rest house, which is at 3323m.

Day 8 (B/L/)

Early start 2am to climb to the summit 4095 for a spectacular sunrise before descending to our awaiting transport which will take us to the Hyatt Regency in Kota Kinabalu. The remainder of the day can be spent at your leisure, visit the many markets and roam around Kota Kinabalu to complete any last minute shopping. Enjoy the night markets and the endless small restaurants along the waterfront. You may wish to just relax around the pool or have a game of golf.

Day 9 (B) Optional tour. (It is possible to depart this day for home port)

Today we have early start travelling to Kota Kinabalu airport for our short flight to Labuan.
On arrival in Labuan we will tour the local town before paying our respects to the POW who died on the Sandakan Death March and other service personal who made the ultimate sacrifice at the magnificent War Cemetery. We return back to Kota Kinabalu at 1 pm by ferry. Ferry takes 2 hours and is great way to finish the day.

Day 10 (B/L/) Optional tour. (also possible to depart this day for home port)

Today we are picked up from our Hotel and driven to our Wild water rafting start on the Kiulu River. The river winds its way through beautiful countryside and is of grade 1-2 standard. There is ample opportunity to have a swim in the warm waters as we paddle approximately 7 kms. After a traditional lunch we are driven back to Kota Kinabalu for a free evening.

Day 11 (B/-/-)

Our tour ends after breakfast. Depart for home.