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Proboscis monkeys and the coast of Bako

Route: Kuching - Bako National Park - Kuching

Bako National Park, tucked away in a mangrove forest near Kuching, lies on the edge of a beautiful coastline scattered with intriguing rock formations. During your trek through the jungle, keep a close eye on the tree branches above you and you may see the most famous inhabitant of this charming forest: the Proboscis monkey.

Whilst walking on your Borneo adventure you'll see many other different types of monkeys as well, such as Silver Leaf Monkeys and mischeivous Macaques. Small, winding paths will take you through the forest and will lead you to dreamy deserted tropical beaches. After long steamy hikes through the jungle, these deserted beaches are a refreshing tropical surprise.

You can start building your own Borneo trip using our bite-sized Borneo tours. Or, alternatively you can take your pick from our range of suggested holidays in Borneo. Want to combine your Borneo adventure with a trip to Malaysia? No problem. Simply choose from our selection of bite-sized Malaysia tours or ready-made holidays in Malaysia.

Duration	2 days / 1 night	Accommodation	Wooden jungle chalet (see our photos here). Comfort Level 2 (see accommodation).
Price	£130 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes	Bus and boat transfer to and from Kuching, entrance fee, jungle walks with English speaking guide and 1 night accommodation incl. 1 x breakfast, 2 x lunch and 1 x dinner
Transport	Minibus & boat

Day 1 - Kuching - Bako National Park

On the first morning of your Borneo adventure, you'll be picked up at your hotel in Kuching and driven to your next destination. After a short 40 minute drive you'll arrive at a small village of stilted houses named Kampung Bako. From here it won't be long till you reach your final destination for today: Bako National Park. One of the first things you'll notice when you reach the park, are the bizarre rock formations standing proudly in the surf. A boat will take you past these rock creations and within half an hour you'll reach the mangrove forest. Although you'll hear the skipper call out, 'We're almost there', you probably won't believe him. You won't see anything resembling a pier or National Park at first. As the skipper slowly steers through the mangrove, you'll finally spot the pier where your boat will dock.

When you reach the park, you'll find yourself in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by unusual tropical plants and trees. In the distance you'll hear monkeys screeching, curious about these new visitors lurking about their home. At 'Park Headquarters' you'll fill out a form requiring personal details and then you'll be treated to a cool drink and a short video about the park and its inhabitants: long tail macaques, silver leaf monkeys, bears and small species of deer. The most prominent inhabitant of the park is the world famous Proboscis monkey, which can only be found on Borneo. Comically, locals call the Proboscis monkeys 'Dutch Monkeys' because they believed they resembled the first Dutch who set foot on Borneo in search of herbs of spices. After the formalities and introduction to the park, you and your group, accompanied by a guide, will trek deeper into the jungle. By late afternoon you'll find yourself at a beautiful beach; just in time to watch the fiery golden sun sink into the sea. You'll spend the first night of your Borneo adventure in a rustic cabin at the edge of the jungle, surrounded by the sounds of the forest.

Day 2 - Bako National Park - Kuching

Want to see lots and lots of wildlife including monkeys? Then wake up early on day two of your Borneo adventure, and after you’ve had your breakfast you can explore one of the park trails. The shortest trail includes a steep climb to the top of Tanjong Sapi, great for a spectacular view across the park. The most popular trail on this Borneo adventure is a sturdy 3.5km trek to Tajor waterfall. Paths can be a little slippery at times, so it is best to wear proper walking shoes if you choose to take this route through the jungle. During your trek, you will see many extraordinary trees and plants, such as the Venus Flytrap and Pitcher Plants.

At some point the trail will branch out and you'll reach a tropical deserted beach with monkeys scurrying to find breakfast. As a picture perfect blue sea beckons, you can take a cool dip in the waters, which is just what you’ll need after the jungle’s humidity. After a swim you'll trek back to the park headquarters through the jungle, as curious macaques keep an eye on you. After eating your lunch, you'll then sail through the mangrove forest to the village of Kampung Bako where a bus will be waiting to take you to back to Kuching.

If you still want to see more of Sarawak after completing this Borneo adventure tour, then you can add on a visit to the Iban tribe and spend the night at home with the headhunters on our Borneo visit. If you feel like recharging your batteries a bit, then Kuching is a wonderful place to do so.

Borneo adventure accommodation (Click to enlarge)

Borneo Adventure Travel Tips

Camera/ Video equipment
Bringing along a camera or video equipment into the park requires a photography permit. For a (digital) camera you'll pay a little over £1 and for a video camera you'll pay approximately £3. If you bring along a professional camera the permit will cost you approximately £50.

Footwear
If you would like to walk comfortably through the rainforest during your Borneo adventure, bring along shoes with a good tread. A sturdy type of trainer is fine.

Food
Monkeys are fun, but also very cheeky, bold animals. Watch your food and close your bags well.

Want to see it all?
If you want to see as much as you can, it's best to get up early in the morning and to walk quietly during your trek. Pace yourself or you'll miss large groups of monkeys hiding up in the trees staring down at you.

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