SEV 05 Your Complete Rainforest Experience 3days2nights

Your Complete Rainforest Experience

The complete rainforest experience awaits those who want to really see and feel it all! A 2-night stay which combines the best we have to offer, rivers to hills, herbs to giant trees, in the day and at night, your impression of the rainforest will never be the same again, and you will leave wanting to come back for more!

Your trip begins with a 45-minute speedboat ride* from Bandar Seri Begawan to Bangar, zipping through meandering rivers lined with mangroves and nipah palms. From Bangar, its a short drive and a stroll into our Eco Village, tucked away in a corner of Sumbiling Lama, an Iban village, and fronting an upstream stretch of the Temburong River.

Upon arrival, check-in and once settled, relax for the rest of the afternoon. Depending on the weather and river conditions, avail of our riverside hammocks nestled under shady trees for you to tuck into your favourite novel or to just catch a lazy afternoon nap, then take a refreshing dip in the river fronting the premises or a partially-submerged rock bank (for a different experience!), a short walk away and just a bit downstream. On certain days, marvel at the beautiful sunset as you savour the last few moments in the water before getting ready for dinner.

Sit down to a hearty dinner amidst the rising buzz of the surrounding wildlife. Once you have had your fill, let the local villagers guide the way - they will take you to their longhouse where you get to witness how they live their lives here, and even get to meet their families and friends! Then proceed to a nearby forested area for an excursion like to no other - a night walk in the forest! You will see that the forest is just as alive at night as it is in the day, thanks to the keen eye and skillful directions of the locals. After the walk, return to the Eco Village and after freshening up, doze off to the tireless crescendos of the surrounding jungle ensemble, manned by the cicadas, frogs and many more species!

Arise to a new and exciting day, and after breakfast, prepare for your Rainforest Discovery** excursion. After a briefing by your guide, proceed to cross to the other side of the Temburong River by temuai (local longboat). Your rainforest discovery is about to begin!

The first part of your trek will take you through secondary rainforest - formerly cultivated areas which now feature a diverse range of plants, many which feature in the medicinal remedies of the indigenous tribes, such as wild ginseng. Numerous plants throughout your entire trek are used by the tribes as food, raw materials for crafts and building and surprisingly, even as beauty products and toiletries! Go deeper until eventually you emerge into primary rainforest. Marvel at the towering trees, especially the hardwoods and enjoy the cool shade cast by the imposing canopy foliage above you.

All along the way, listen to stories of life and experiences as you traverse into the depths of one of the last tracts of virgin rainforest in Borneo - our village guides have lived in these parts all their lives! Relish walking across the Mutong River, and even trek along some of the shallower rocky portions! Depending on your fitness and timing, you might even be able to trek along a creek to a small seasonal waterfall!

Return to the Eco Village for lunch and spend the rest of the day getting a well needed rest, and savouring your last evening in this cosy corner of nature's paradise.

On your third and last day, after breakfast, prepare for your excursion to the Ulu Temburong National Park**, reachable only by braving rocky rapids in a longboat. Being one of the best preserved in the rapidly decreasing rainforest areas of Borneo, the Park is home to a diverse species of flora and fauna, some yet to be documented! Hardwood trees abound in these areas, and thanks to the nations restrictions on logging as well as the fact that the entire southern half of the district is designated forest reserve, these forest giants will remain standing for many more years to come.

After a briefing by your guide, you will proceed to board a temuai, a flat-based local longboat. Hands on the inside of the boat, and prepare for the ride of your life, as the boatman skillfully weaves his way across gushing rocky rapids, straight for the National Park! During low water, to get the boat moving, you might even have to come out of the longboat to push it along or even walk along dry rocky river beds!

Upon arrival, briefly disembark to register at Park HQ, then on to the start of a 385m ascending trek past virgin rainforest with its majestic hardwood trees, naturally adapted to growth on uneven ground. The ascent takes you up the ridge to the base of the Canopy Walkway - a climb up presents the different strata of the rainforest below and above the shady canopies, topped with a breathtaking vista of the surrounding greenery. On the way back down the ridge, cross a suspension bridge before returning to the boat, then head for a beautiful waterfall (seasonal) for a cool dip. The way to the waterfall itself is picturesque, walking along a pebble lined creek with crystal clear water flowing along. This waterfall is also known for its "free fish spa", where little fish nibble away the dead skin from your feet - something people pay for elsewhere! Once done, resume heading downstream towards the Eco Village, the downstream boat ride promises to be even more exciting - with more splashes and speed!

After returning, freshen up and get down to a hearty lunch, possibly with a treat in the form of wild vegetables foraged from nearby! Some relax and photo time, and then time to pack up and say good bye. Depart for Bangar, returning to BSB by speedboat*, with fond memories of your rainforest holiday, made possible by Sumbiling Eco Village!

* Not applicable to tours commencing from Bangar

** Whether Rainforest Discovery or Ulu Temburong National Park excursion is done first will be decided based on trip availability on given days. Guests will be informed by guides latest the night before excursion.

VALIDITY:

Until 31 Dec 2012

TOUR CODE:
SEV 05

TOUR COST:
B$275/pax (Min 2 pax)

DURATION:
 3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS

OUTDOOR CONDITIONS:

Nightwalk - easy trek through muddy paths and shallow streams with light from torches. National Park - moderately strenuous 385m ascending hike with a mix of wooden steps and tree root trails. Surfaces might be muddy and slippery. Canopy Walkway consists of 6 towers joined by bridges at least 40m above the base - one-way traffic, up through 1st tower, down by 6th tower. Walking along shallow stream bed to waterfall.

Package Includes:

ü     Guided forest night walk
ü     Rainforest discovery trek through forest and river
ü     Visit to Canopy Walkway, cross suspension bridge, return longboat ride
ü     Visit to waterfall (if water conditions suitable)
ü     Visit to Iban longhouse
ü     English-speaking guide for both Ulu Temburong National Park and Rainforest Discovery  excursion
ü     Ulu Temburong National Park entrance fee
ü     Return speedboat fare BSB - Bangar (ex. Kianggeh Jetty only)
ü     Return transfer Bangar - Sumbiling Eco Village
ü     Use of Eco Village recreational facilities to be indicated by staff
ü     Accommodation in camping tents

ü     2x Dinner, 2x breakfast, 2x lunch, free flow of tea at Eco Village
ü     Bamboo chicken at lunch for groups of >20pax.

Package Excludes:
û    Personal Toiletries
û    Tips for guides and staff
û    River rafting, which requires pre-booking and is chargeable
û    River tubing commencing from beyond Eco Village waterfront
û    Accommodation in basic rooms
û    Bamboo chicken at lunch for groups of <20pax. Special request may be fulfilled at additional cost.
û    Additional requests for products, services or amenities not expressly mentioned above.

For trekking, wear light, easy-to-dry clothes which do not hinder movement

~ Shorts or covered pants

~ T-shirt

~ Shoes with good grip

~ Cap or Hat    

For swimming and other water-based activities:

~ Swimwear

~ Other suitable clothing

~ Sandals (not slippers)

~ OR Rubber shoes

 ~ Light Rucksack

|
 ~ Changes of Clothes
 ~ Hat or Cap
 ~ Swimwear
 ~ Small Towel (for sweat)
 ~ Bath Towel
 ~ Toiletries
 ~ Raincoat
|
 ~ Insect Repellent
 ~ Sun Lotion
 ~ Medication (if required)
|
 ~ Camera
 ~ Torchlight (for night walk)
 ~ Binoculars
|
 ~ Waterproof Pouches/Bags
    (to keep gadgets, wallets, 
    passports, etc dry)
|
 ~ Refillable Water Bottle
 ~ Favourite Snacks
 ~ Isotonic Drinks

Items in purple are bare essentials, but other listed 

Rough Itinerary

DAY 1

14:00      Meet at Kianggeh jetty, BSB

Speedboat ride to Bangar town, Temburong

16:00      Welcome by local guide at Bangar jetty

Overland transfer to Eco Village

16:20      Arrive at Eco Village. Light refreshments, briefing & check in to your camp

16:50      Gather wild vegetables (for dinner) with a local villager

17:30      Back to Eco Village. Swim in river, before shower and get ready for dinner

18:30      Dinner

20:00      Night forest walk. Visit longhouse

21:30      Walk back to Eco Village

22:00      Light refreshments. Prepare for nights sleep

22:30      Lights out

DAY 2

08:00      Breakfast & get ready for the day (flexible)

10:15      Start rainforest discovery trek

OR

10:15      Depart by motorised temuai to National Park

                Arrive at National Park. Register at Park HQ

                Begin trekking uphill to the Canopy Walkway

                Trek down, cross suspension bridge, depart National Park

                Visit waterfall (if water conditions suitable)

13:30      Back to Eco Village. Freshen up

                Lunch. Relax & leisure time

18:30      Dinner

22:00      Prepare for nights sleep

22:30      Lights out

DAY 3

08:00      Breakfast & get ready for the day (flexible)

10:15      Start rainforest discovery trek

OR

10:15      Depart by motorised temuai to National Park

                Arrive at National Park. Register at Park HQ

                Begin trekking uphill to the Canopy Walkway

                Trek down, cross suspension bridge, depart National Park

                Visit waterfall (if water conditions suitable)

13:30      Back to Eco Village. Freshen up

                Lunch

                Packing & Check-out from Eco Village

14:30      Overland transfer to Bangar.

                Speedboat ride to BSB

16:00      Arrive at Kianggeh Jetty, BSB. End of tour

DISCLAIMER: Timing subject to boat schedules and other factors.

Terms & Conditions

Package provision subject to guest's acceptance of the following:

-  Provision of package is on a seat-in-coach basis. Cost based on Minimum 2 pax going .

Extra charges will be levied for personal tours.

- The operator and its affiliates exclude any liability for any discomfort, death or injury occurring within our premises or on tours conducted resulting from guest's own negligence or from circumstances, natural or otherwise, beyond reasonable foresight of the operator.

- Guests are expected to show respect for the natural environment by refraining from destruction or removal of flora, fauna or other components, unless otherwise permitted, and with the knowledge of the guides in attendance. Guests are also expected to strictly adhere to safety regulations and directions from the guides at all times during the duration of the tour.

- As an outdoor trip, itinerary and times indicated are subject to change without notice, as trips may be affected by rain, heat, high or low water levels in the river, and guests' fitness levels which might affect speed of mobility.

- Meals are prepared in local style and consist of chicken, fish & assorted vegetables, unless otherwise pre-requested and agreed upon between operator and guest. Guests observing a vegetarian regime, or other dietary preferences are to make their preferences known at time of booking in order for suitable meals to be prepared, to the best effort of the operator.