Family Wildlife & Beach
Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

A family-oriented exploration of Borneo's Sarawak state followed by a tour of Penang island and a beach adventure in Langkawi. Whilst this itinerary has been created with families in mind, it is equally brilliant for adults travelling without children.

This suggested itinerary includes a Langkawi beach where the weather is great from December to April/May. If you'd prefer to travel in the summer and autumn months we would suggest staying on in Borneo for the beach part of the holiday - talk to your travel consultant to tailor your perfect tour.

On this holiday you will see the villages, explore the jungles, take boat cruises and spot dolphins, monkeys, butterflies, rare birds and reptiles. There will be a chance to meet orangutans and plenty of fun at the beach too.  

Highlights include

• Watching Proboscis monkeys flock to the beach to gather crabs in Bako National Park.
• Looking for Irrawaddy dolphins playing in the water in the Kuching Wetlands. 
• Exploring the immense cave chambers, stalactites and stalagmites of Mulu National Park - by foot and on a thrilling longtail boat trip.
• Watching the enormous colony of bats as they emerge from Deer Cave (Mulu at dusk).
• Trying freshly made dim sum on a street-food tour of Penang.
• Relaxing or exploring on the beautiful island paradise of Langkawi; pristine rainforest fringed by white-sand beaches. 

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include.

• International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers 
• Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences 
• Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding). 
• Meals as described, 
• 24 hour in-country backup whilst away
• Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK 

For more on our pricing policy read here.  

Day 1 depart the uk

 Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Kuching.

Day 2-5 kuching

On arrival your driver will meet you for the transfer to your hotel. There is time to recover from jetlag and relax in comfortable surroundings. The hotel recommended has family rooms and these will be booked for you if suitable (subject to availability).

During your stay in Kuching there will be time for a guided walking tour where you can pick up a few facts about the city’s history and sample some of the delicious and varied local food. The tour will be tailored to suit your individual family but stops could include the Sarawak Museum, the Mughal-style pink State mosque and a sunset cruise along the Sarawak River. 

There will also be a day allocated to an exciting visit to Bako National Park - a unspoiled rainforest just an hour from the city where, with your guide, you’ll explore the jungle keeping watch for birds, mammals, bizarre plants and peculiar rock formations. There will be time to splash in waterfalls and to discover deserted beaches where proboscis monkeys congregate to collect crabs. In the afternoon you'll return to Kuching and the rest of the day is at leisure.  

During your third day based in Kuching there will be a visit to Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary and plenty of free time to enjoy the pool or explore independently.  

day 6 & 7 Mulu national park

It’s a short hop, on a morning flight, from Kuching up to Mulu where you’ll stay at the park HQ. The main attractions of this outstanding national park are close by. Take a guided walk along the 3km elevated plank-walk to Lang Cave - the largest cave passage in the world . Marvel at the impressive stalactites and stalagmites before proceeding to Deer Cave where you can watch thousands of bats emerge in formation at sunset.

During your second day in Mulu you'll take a longboat ride up river to explore Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave. These form part of the largest connected cave system in the world and Clearwater has a subterranean river so parts of it can be explored by boat.

In the evenings enjoy dinner or play cards on the deck of your bungalow/longhouse whilst listening to the hum of the jungle. 

Day 8-10 Permai Rainforest Resort

Depart Mulu, hop back to Kuching and on to Permai Rainforest Resort which is just a short drive from the airport. The resort is simple but the surroundings are unique and a stay here is a great way to explore Borneo's natural wonders in a little more depth whilst still near the beach.

During your time here there will be a chance to explore the foothills of Sarawak's highest mountain, Mount Santubong, and to look for Irrawaddy dolphins (as well as monkeys, crocodiles and fireflies) in the mangrove forests of the Kuching Wetlands. There are plenty of jungle trails to explore in your free time (the area is known for great birdlife) or you could choose to kayak and paddleboard off the beach. 

There is also the option to include a boat tour to Satang Island which is known for its Turtle Conservation Centre. Turtle sightings are common from April to September so talk to your travel expert to decide whether it's a good time to include this. 

Day 11 & 12 Penang

A direct flight takes you straight from Kuching to Penang and on arrival you'll check in at your hotel with a free afternoon to relax around the pool. In the evening you'll take a stroll with a local guide to try some of the regional street-food and to get a feel for diverse Penang.

The next morning we recommend an early start to get your chopsticks ready for a Dim Sum breakfast with the locals! Then you could choose to go on a guided rural cycle tour, spend a day in Penang's National Park or take a heritage tour of Penang's architectural highlights; your consultant will help you choose. 

DAY 13-16 Langkawi

Travel from Penang to Langkawi today (you can choose between a quick flight or a ferry journey). Langkawi has secluded beaches and pristine jungle and plenty to keep everyone entertained.

There is a wide choice of beach hotels here and depending on your preferred style we recommend the Pelangi Beach Hotel or The Andaman. The Pelangi Beach is a largish resort but it has a kids' club, multiple pools, and family chalets near the beach located within a stroll of various eateries and shops. The Andaman also has great family facilities but it has a quieter location on a sandy bay that has a slightly more exclusive feel; it shares a sweeping bay with the luxurious Datai Hotel. Your consultant will help you choose where to stay.

 You'll probably want to spend your time here enjoying the sea, beach and resort facilities but if you'd like more to keep everyone busy there are plenty of things to do in Langkawi. There is a cable car ride and a mountain top bridge that give spectacular views of the jungle clad island or you could take a speedboat across to the nearby island of Koh Lipe in Thailand.

DAY 17 DEPARTURE FROM Langkawi

Today you will leave Langkawi for your journey home. 

*NB In the summer and autumn months the weather can be unfavourable in Penang and Langkawi but it is great in Borneo. So at that time of year we would recommend swapping your beach time to Borneo's Sabah state (Gaya Island has great weather then).