SABAH BORNEO

Kokoda Spirit is proud to introduce their latest treks in Sabah Borneo “In the footsteps of heroes”.
Borneo is the land of undiscovered treasures offering enriching cultural experiences and natural wonders.

From the vibrant capital of Kota Kinabalu to the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia and the home of the Worlds Highest Via Ferrrata, Sabah will spoil you with its laid-back lifestyle and tropical splendour.

Set between the coral reefs and rainforests with world-class resorts and hotels, Sabah is South East Asia’s premier nature adventure destination.

Visit secluded beaches, jungle trek in the “footsteps of heroes”, explore caves, try white water rafting, dive in remote tropical islands, explore for Orang-utans, Proboscis Monkeys and Pygmy Elephants explore the rivers and visit traditional longhouses and immerse yourself in culture.

Kokoda Spirit have designed our “In the footsteps of heroes” tours to enable you to satisfy your adventurous needs while allowing you time to shop, relax and take in the mesmerising and delightful culture.
 
THE SANDAKAN-RANAU POW DEATH MARCH
 
The Sandakan-Ranau POW death march follows in the footsteps of the POWs who were forced marched three times between January and June 1945 from their Prisoner of War camp in Sandakan North Borneo, west to the small settlement of Ranau. The very mention of the words Sandakan-Ranau in tandem conjures up visions of tragedy of immense proportions. The Death March is acknowledged as the worst tragedy for Australia in World War II. Tragic though it is, the story of the Death March is an important chapter in the shared wartime history of Australia and Sabah (North Borneo as it was called then).

This track commemorates a tragedy and an atrocity. The tragedy was the death between January and August 1945, within sight of Allied victory in the Pacific war, of approximately 2400 Australian and British prisoners of war held by the Japanese in the Sandakan POW camp, North Borneo.
The atrocity was the manner of the death inflicted upon them by their captors-starvation, overwork, beatings and punishments and the forcing of over 1000 sick and weak POWs on three marches under brutal physical conditions.

In 1942 and 1943 the Japanese brought to Sandakan about 2700 Australian and British POWs, the great majority of whom had been captured at the surrender at Singapore in February 1942. They were used as Labour force to build a military airstrip. In late 1944, as the Allies advanced in the Pacific, the airstrip was bombed and destroyed. Early in 1945 the Japanese decided to move the POWs 260 kilometres west into the mountains to the small settlement of Ranau. On three forced marches between January and June approximately 500 prisoners died. The remainder died at the Ranau and Sandakan camps.

Of all those who had been alive in January 1945, by the end of August only six-all Australians –survived. Two of the six escaped into the jungle during the second march in June 1945. Assisted by local people, they were eventually picked up by Allied units. Another four escaped from Ranau in July and again, with the help of local people, were fed and hidden from the Japanese until the end of the war.

Today the POW dead, whose bodies were recovered, are buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission war cemetery at Labuan. Those who could not be identified, or have no known grave, are commemorated on Memorials to the missing at Labuan and Singapore.

Download a PDF copy of this itinerary here.
 
Itinerary Saturday 28th June 2008- Wednesday 9th July 2008
 
Day 1
Depart home Capital for Brisbane. Depart from Brisbane on Royal Brunei Arrive in Brunei early morning. Spend the day in Brunei exploring the “Water Village” the Venice of the East and the other magnificent sites of this fascinating country. We then have a late afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. We then overnight at the Promenade Hotel.
 
Day 2: (B, L&D)
Today we have an early morning flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan. From airport, transfer to Sepilok, to visit the famous Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, before proceeding to Sandakan Memorial Park, the site of the Sandakan POW Camp. After lunch at a local restaurant, view the magnificent Windows of Remembrance at St Michael's Church before checking in at Hotel Sandakan. Dinner at local restaurant.
 
Day3: (all meals)
Today is a warm-up walk. After an early breakfast, depart by road for Bauto, and early lunch. The trek begins with a steep climb above the Labuk River, and a fairly challenging descent through thick rainforest. Overnight accommodation at Forestry Rest House. 3 hours' duration Medium grade.

Day 4: (all meals)
A physically challenging trek through primary jungle, with steep ascents and descents and river crossings. Lunch is a picnic along the track followed by a hard hill climb to finish the day. We then transfer back by road to the Forestry Accommodation building for the night. 6 hours' duration; Hard grade.
 
Day 5: (all meals)
Follow old vehicular road, then foot/estate tracks to Taviu village, passing through forested/cultivated land with numerous creek crossings, and some open sections. We overnight at Forestry Rest House. 8 hours' duration; Medium to hard grade, depending on the heat.

Day 6: (all meals)
After crossing Taviu River, follow various tracks to Taviu Hill, where a mystical experience concludes with a fairly exhausting climb through very steeply forested terrain to the summit. After lunch, continue along Liwagu Valley, passing through cultivated land with numerous river crossings. After a visit to Paginatan village, transfer to Sabah Tea Plantation for overnight rest house accommodation.7-8 hours' hours duration;  Medium to hard grade, with a steep uphill section.

Day 7: (all meals)
Transfer to Nabutan, enjoying a cultural experience along tracks which pass through forested/cultivated land to Nalapak. After lunch, proceed to Muruk, before transfer back to Sabah Tea Estate for overnight stay. 7 hours' duration; Easy to moderate grade, with uphill sections.

Day 8: (all meals)
Transfer to Muruk village. Steep ascent up Marakau Hill, then a short steep trek through jungle, before descending and crossing Ranau Plain for lunch and inspect POW Camp sites. We also have a small commemoration service. Transfer to at Kundasang (Mt. Kinabalu), for overnight stay at Perkasa Hotel. 5 hours' duration, moderate to hard grade, with extensive uphill section.

Day 9: (BF)
This morning visit the magnificently restored Kundasang War Memorial to participate in a commemoration service. We then travel to Kinabalu National Park, before selecting your option for the rest of the day.
 
Option 1:
After lunch at Kinabalu Rose Cabins, return to the Kota Kinabalu by vehicle for a well-earned rest, or you may wish to spend the afternoon and evening shopping or enjoying another sumptuous seafood feast at the local markets.

Option 2: Day 9/10
Commence climb up Mt Kinabalu with experienced guide. Mt Kinabalu is a challenging but non-technical climb, so suitable for most fit people. We overnight at Laban Rata rest house, which is at 3272m.Early start 2am to climb to the summit 4095m for a spectacular sunrise. We then descend back to Laban Rata Guest house before descending down to bottom and transferring to our accommodation at the Nexus resort.
 
Option 3: Day 9/10
Commence climb up Mt Kinabalu with experienced guide. Mt Kinabalu is a challenging but non-technical climb, so suitable for most fit people. We overnight at Laban Rata rest house, which is at 3272m.Early start 2am to climb to the summit 4095 for a spectacular sunrise. We then descend back to Laban Rata Guest house via Asia’s first and the Worlds Highest Via Ferrata before descending down to bottom and transferring to our accommodation at the Nexus resort.
 
VIA FERRATA
The Via Ferrata at 3800m is the Worlds Highest and Asia’s first.  A Via Ferrata is a mountain path consisting of a series of rungs and cables embracing the rock face, creating a protected pathway that everyone can walk on. It allows access to scenic sections of the mountain normally accessible only to rock climbers and mountaineers.
 
Day 11: (BF&D) 

Option 1:
Early morning departure by plane for Labuan. A visit to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, where the remains of Sandakan's POWs are buried, is followed by a tour of the island and lunch at a bay-side restaurant, before departing by air-conditioned ferry for late afternoon arrival in Kota Kinabalu. Walk or take taxi back to hotel, before joining the group for a final dinner at Nexus resort.
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Option 2:
Accommodation Kota Kinabalu Nexus 5 Star Beach Resort

Day 11: (BF)
Relaxation Day at Nexus 5 Star Resort
 
Day 12: (BF) 
We depart Kota Kinabalu for home capital.
 
Date Saturday 28 June 2008 - Wednesday 9th July
BF =full breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
Price $3995.00 per person
Fully Escorted and Includes International Airfares.

Download a PDF copy of this itinerary here.

What’s Included:
International Air fares
Airport/Hotel/Airport pick up & drop off by private car/van/bus.
Standard accommodation in 4/5 star hotel in Kota Kinabalu, breakfast included
Standard accommodation in 4/5 star hotel in Sandakan, breakfast included
Lunch and dinner at Sandakan restaurant
All your standard meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek.
Tea House/Lodge accommodation during the trek.
Your local Trekking Guide, who is highly experienced and the holder of a current Malaysian Government Licence for the duration of the trek.
An Australian Trekking Guide during the trek.
A support vehicle to transport your luggage during the trek.
Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, medicine for all Guides, Cook and Porters.
All ground transportation by private car/van/bus.
Mt Kinabalu National Park entry permits
Airfare from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.
All our government taxes.
Official expenses
Complimentary copy of Lynette Silver’s ‘A Conspiracy of Silence’
 
What’s not Included:

Lunch and dinner whilst in Kota Kinabalu – Days 1, 2, 3, & 13.
Lunch and dinner whilst in Mt Kinabalu / Labuan Island (Day11 & 12)
Your travel insurance (compulsory).
International airfare and airport departure tax.
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry.
Personal trekking equipment
Meals at Nexus Resort
 
Contact Kokoda Spirit for further details. We can tailor a program and dates to suit your needs.

kokodaspirit@bigpond.com or 07 54452758