Day one
Begin your impressive Borneo experience with a traditional welcome of lively dancers and drummers at Kuching International Airport. A special area dedicated to the group’s luggage, plus staff to handle and transfer all luggage separately, ensures a smooth arrival. Reach the city centre in just 15 minutes for a welcome at Pullman Kuching or Hilton, with a special check-in desk and welcome drinks.
Discover Kuching in the afternoon with a walking and heritage tour that includes the
Ethnological Museum,
Carpenter Street and colourful riverfront. Stop in at a selection of
private galleries to hear from an expert on Borneo’s primitive arts, who will introduce the creativity of their ancestors through an explanation of
Dayak sculptures. End the day with a cruise on the Sarawak River that winds through the city, followed by a pre-dinner reception at
James Brooke Café and a private dinner at
Jambu Jambu restaurant, which serves fine fusion cuisine in an authentic Malay house.
Day twoVisit the Semongoh Rehabilitation Centre to see some of Sarawak’s most famous locals, the orang utans. Stop at Serian market to discover local fruits and for a quick and active treasure hunt to collect local specialities, before tasting them on board the coach during the transfer into the jungle. Get local with a typical roadside hawker lunch before viewing the 100 km long chain of mountains that denote the border with Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Arrive at Batang Ai River for welcome drinks before boarding boats for transfer to Hilton Batang Ai. The lakeside resort is a reproduction of a traditional longhouse and offers an isolated haven with an amazing panoramic view. In the evening the group will gather for a themed dinner around the swimming pool, followed by an informative presentation of the Iban (local headhunter tribe) traditions.
Day threeAuthentic pirogues (longboats) await delegates for a memorable cruise through Batang Ai National Park. Take in pepper and rubber plantations, churches and spectacular natural beauty in just 40 minutes. Meet local families in their natural environment to share the lifestyle of the native people. Dancing, rice wine, gift giving and participating in their daily activities of preparing rice, handicrafts and collecting pepper makes for unforgettable moments of cross-cultural sharing.
The tribe can also perform a short demonstration or competition of blowpipe technique or jungle trekking. The group can also take part in the preparation and cooking of its own riverside lunch followed by leisurely time for swimming or fishing. Transfer back to the resort mid-afternoon for a canopy walk and jungle discovery tour.
Day fourThe trip back to Kuching includes a pepper plantation visit and a memorable lunch at the waterfall of Ranchan Pools. VIP delegates have the option of helicopter transfers.
Itinerary provided by Lionel Roy, director of Borneo Incentives. Contact l.roy@borneoincentives; www.borneoincentives.com