MOUNTAIN AND BEACH

Tour Code: BTS MB1

Day 1

Arrive Kota Kinabalu. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation at the Sutera Harbour Resort - Magellan Wing.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a morning tour (3 hours) of the city of Kota Kinabalu. The tour covers Signal Hill where you will get a bird's eye view of the city and the five offshore islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Visit the Atkinson Clock Tower, the scenic Likas Wetland, Tun Mustapha (former Sabah Foundation) building, Kampong Likas, the University Malaysia Sabah, Sabah Museum and its unique ethno-botanical garden (closed Friday), Tanjung Aru beach, hawker stalls and Sembulan water village.

Drop off at your hotel prior to lunch. (Note that this tour could also be taken in the afternoon if you wish - please advise at the time of booking). Overnight at Sutera Harbour Resort - Magellan Wing. (B)

Day 3

Begin your journey to the highest point in South-East Asia. Drive 2 hours overland (88 km) through paddy-fields and Dusun villages, over the ridges of the Crocker Range, to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 1500 m. Short stop at roadside stall to savour the taste of local fruits. At Kinabalu Park World Heritage Site HQ, visit the Education Centre and Mountain Garden, home to various species of the flowering rhododendrons, carnivorous pitcher plants, orchids, ferns, oak trees and birds. Temperatures at the lower levels of the park vary from around 14 - 25 degrees C. Overnight in twin bedded room just outside the Park boundary. (BLD)

Day 4

Transfer to Timpohon Gate at 1800 m to start a 4-6 hours trek with a mountain guide to the overnight stop at Laban Rata at an altitude of 3353 m. The accommodation is dormitory style, and has common bathrooms and a restaurant. Take time to look around while on the trail for some of the flowers and pitcher plants.

Temperatures at Laban Rata are generally around 5-10 degrees C. (BLD)

Day 5

Begin your ascent to the summit at 0300 hrs. You should be able to reach the summit at an altitude of 4100 m in time for sunrise at 0600 hrs. After time for photography (you can see to the Southern parts of the Philippines on a clear morning), return to Laban Rata to collect your things, then back down to the Park HQ where you will arrive in time for lunch. At around 1430 hrs, transfer by road back to Kota Kinabalu.

You will be taken to your Nexus Karambunai Resort which is located on a beautiful beach on the shores of the South China Sea. (BL)

Days 6 to 8

Spend the time at leisure, relaxing on the beach or around the pool. (Includes daily breakfast)

Day 9

At leisure until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight to your next destination.

Prices:

Tour Code	Itinerary	Duration	Inclusions	Joining Point	1 person	2 people	3 people
BTSMB1	Mountain & Beach	9 days/8 nights	Transfers, Accommodation, meals indicated	Kota Kinabalu	$2159	$1445	$1363

Prices per person in Australian Dollars and valid 01 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 (E.O.E.)
Accommodation is based on resorts and lodges indicated in the itinerary.

Tour prices based on twin share or triple share (in the case of three people). Single supplement will apply if separate rooms are required. Alternative accommodation in KK is available if desired. Contact us for details and prices.

Note that accommodation at Laban Rata is often booked out months in advance - particularly during the peak period of June to September. Overnighting on the mountain without prearranged accommodation is strictly forbidden. While every endeavour will be made to secure accommodation at Laban Rata, this cannot be guaranteed.

High Season Rates apply to accommodation at Magellan Sutera and Nexus Resort during Easter, July/August, first week of October, December/January and Chinese New Year (February 2010) - please contact us for details. Additional photographs on this page are courtesy of Kirsten Lueders and Sutera Harbour Resort.