Overview

This is an adventure tour like no other, we start with a trip to the highest and most sacred peak in Sarawak and experience an enthralling 4-wheel drive. The climb up the peak is through the northern flank which offers some stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. We will stop at the Church Camp, the largest evangelical mountain church in the nation. We return to Lepo Bunga, where you’ll transfer to a homestay by 4-wheel drive. We spend an invigorating 3 day exploring the pristine northern highlands by 4-wheel drive. The exploration includes a trip to the Buduk Bui salt spring. We spend a night at a homestay and start early for a trek to Bukit Sarui, which gives us an immense panoramic view. We drive up to the Merarp Hot Springs, surrounded by the beautiful Lun Bawang Villages. The magnificent Batu Lawi towers overhead as you enjoy the amazing natural relaxation offered by the hot spring. We then travel to Lawas to see the Long Lidung riverine tagang system. Feed the fish before continuing to the city. One fast-paced tour to energize you up.

6 Nights 7 Days Available on request Kuching Airport
Inclusions/Exclusions
What we'll give. What we won't

What is included in the tour

  • We will stay 2 nights in a homestay, twin sharing room with shared sanitary facilities
  • During our trek 2 nights will be in a hut at the Church Camp, the sanitary facilities are shared
  • Tour has one-night stay at a jungle shelter with shared sanitary facilities
  • On our Visit to Merarp hot Springs, we will spend 1 night in a shared twin room with fan and private sanitary facilities
  • Detailed literary talks of the meals covered in the tour
  • All your transfers and tours will be with a local English-speaking driver/guides
  • English Speaking guides will be available on-site as well
  • Transfers and tours will be in air-conditioned vehicles
  • Entrance fees and/or boat fees where ever applicable as per the program
  • Drinking water will be available on your vehicles, except in Miri
  • Package includes GST 6% (Good and Service Tax)

What is NOT included in the tour

  • Air-travel, domestic or international to/from Malaysia, this can be quoted separately by us on request
  • Any optional tours you take
  • Charges for arranging guides for other languages if requested
  • Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications – including phone bills, postage, gratuities and the likes
  • Meals and services other than mentioned in the program
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Drinks with meals and bottled water
  • Porter charges, certificate, and the likes
  • Hotels may charge for early check-in and late check-out, this can be covered only if it is explicitly mentioned in the program
Highlights
What makes this tour special
  • Explore the traditional beliefs around the sacred power of Mount Murud, a pilgrimage site for many peoples
  • Experience traditional Malay hospitality while staying at the homestay with a family
  • Conquer Sarawak's highest mountain peak and absorb the stunning views of the countryside
  • Go out on a thrilling 4-wheel drive journey along less traveled roads
  • Learn about the local practices of the Lun Bawang tribe as you travel
  • The clear water, open forests and beautiful surroundings of Merarp Hot Springs will amaze you
Itinerary
Day 1: Ba’Kelalan Arrival – Lepo Bunga
  • You will be received by an English-speaking guide on arrival at Ba’Kelalan. A transfer to your homestay is arranged. This is where you will get time to set up your backpack with the necessities for the next 3 days of travel. The host family at the homestay will arrange for a traditional lunch.
  • We move out in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle after lunch. It will be an hour-long drive through a long and deserted road used by logging trucks to a forest shelter in Lepo Bunga. This is about 1300 meters above sea level and is a very basic shelter.
  • Your guide will now take time to explain some of the very basic survival tricks that you need to know before we venture into the jungle. Post the lessons it is now time to go out and help the guide in collecting some dry wood so that dinner can be cooked.
  • Overnight stay is at the jungle shelter. Do note the place is basic and you have to carry your own sleeping bag as well.
  • Meals provided: lunch and dinner
Day 2: Lepo Bunga – Church Camp
  • We do an early breakfast at the jungle camp. The day has 5 to 6 hours of trekking and we start towards our first destination – Batu Linanit. This is a mountain on the northern flank of Mount Murud and is 2250 meters above sea level. The panoramic views are breathtaking and the atmosphere pollution free. You also get the chance to see Mount Mulu and the sacred mountains Batu Lawi from this place.
  • We now proceed to our next destination – Church Camp. This is the largest evangelical mountain Church in Malaysia and is built at an altitude of 2135 meters above sea level. It is a pilgrimage site for Evangelical Christians and the camp here is built to house the pilgrims. It is a basic shelter that can house up to 1500 people.
  • The shelter is basic, and one has to carry one’s own sleeping bag as no mattresses are provided.
  • Your guide will cook dinner and we will spend the night at the shelter
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3: Mount Murud Summit
  • We have breakfast at the church camp and start our ascend to Mount Murud. This is the highest mountain in Sarawak and stands 2423 meters above sea level. The climb will take up to 4 hours depending you how fit and energetic you are on the day. As you climb the mountain the vegetation will change with the height, just before the summit you will enter what is called the mossy forest. This is the place to explore the flora, you will see pitcher plants and orchids. One of the varieties of pitcher plants here is endemic to Mount Murud itself. 
  • Take a much-needed rest after reaching the summit. Enjoy the views and the mountain air. Ona clear day you will be able to see all the way to Brunei and Kalimantan / Indonesia. We recommend using your camera to the full. We now start our descend and reach the Church Camp just before dinner.
  • Night stay will be at the church camp and your guide will arrange the dinner.
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Church Camp – Ba’Kelalan
  • We enjoy a breakfast at the Church camp and start our 4-hour long trek to Lepo Bunga. This is where a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is waiting for us, it will take us back to the homestay at Ba’Kelalan through the narrow logging roads. You will get some time to explore the beauty of Ba’kelalan but if you are tired it is OK to just enjoy the hospitality of the Lun Bawang Hosts at the homestay.
  • The night stay will be at the homestay.
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: Ba’Kelalan
  • We enjoy a traditional breakfast at the homestay. Relax till lunch is served. The service is homely and full of traditional warmth. We hit the road in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle to reach Baduk Bui salt spring which is about 20 mins away. The salt springs are usually found in the foothills and near the riverbank, locally called “Mata-air-garam”. The salt water from the salt spring is extracted to make salt crystals. This is called Garam Bukit (hill salt) or “Tuchu” in Lun Bawang language. It is highly sought after, for its nutritious and medicinal values.
  • You can buy for personal use at the salt processing facility. This facility was created to help the local economy and encourage eco-tourism. The packaged hill salt is sold at airports and in retail stores in Miri and other towns helping increase the income of the local people.
  • We return to the homestay for dinner and some relaxation.
  • Meals included: lunch and dinner.
Day 6: Ba’Kelalan – Merarap Hot Springs
  • The day starts early, and your guide will be ready to take you on an exploratory trek to Bukit Sarui. After a moderate trek of 45min to 1 hour, you will reach a spectacular vantage point with breathtaking views over Ba’Kalalan. You can see the beauty of its paddy fields and fruit orchards. The beautiful sunrise over the northern highlands is a heavenly sight to behold and take some beautiful pictures. It is now time to trek back to the homestay for a good breakfast.
  • The second leg of our adventure starts at 10:00 AM, we journey to the Merarap hot springs in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. This is a long drive of about 4 hours traveling through forests that give spectacular views of the high lands. We pass many Lau Bawang villages on our way to the hot springs. If we have clear skies we may also get a view of the sacred twin peaks of the magnificent Matu Lawi. This is legendary in Borneo culture, it also played a pivotal role during the Japanese occupation in the second world war.
  • Once we reach the resort of Merarap Hot Springs, lunch is served. The resort is built on 5-acre of land with a rustic theme, surrounded by pristine jungle. This place is ideal to relax, rejuvenate and for recreation. Hotspring water is piped from a nearby mountain source and dip pools with different water temperature ensure a complete spa experience. Private baths are also available.
  • The fast flowing Trusan river runs alongside the resort and it provides angling opportunity and white-water kayaking thrills. Traveling along the rough timber road (playground for 4-wheelers) is an adventure in itself.
  • Your guide will take you out on a short trek to explore the nearby areas.
  • Simple accommodation at the chalet is arranged.
  • Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7: Merarap Hot Springs – Lawas/Kota Kinabalu
  • A traditional breakfast starts the day, we then take a 4-wheel-drive vehicle on our way to Lawas. The city of Lawas is about 2 hours 30 mins from Merarap Hot Springs.
  • On our way, we will stop at a small village Long Lidung. It is a small Lun Bawang village that has only about 100 villagers. The village is known for its riverine tagang system. The village river has 4 different zones and each zone has its own rules set, agreed by the community for fish conservation effort. The main reason for this program was to conserve the river. This river is the source of Semah (the local fish) which happens in a clean water environment only. To sustain the supply of fish, the river needs to be protected.
  • With clear knee-deep water in the river, one can feed the fish which will happily come and eat out of your hands. The adventurous ones may also step into the water to feed the fish around their feet.
  • Once we reach Lawas, we enjoy a good Lunch. You now have two options depending on your plans in Malaysia.
  • Option A – We can drop you at the Lawas airport for a flight back to Miri or to your next destination.
  • Option B – We can also do a land transfer to Kota Kinabalu, to a hotel of your choice in the town/city center. The land journey takes anywhere from 2 to 3 hours depending on the rains.
  • Meals included: breakfast and lunch
Pickup point
Directions.
Kuching International Airport (KCH/WBGG) (KCH), 900B, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia View on Map