Unforgettable Indian Ocean Holidays
DAY 1 UK to Singapore
Depart from London Heathrow airport on Singapore Airlines on the direct flight to Singapore. The flight takes ten hours. On arrival in Singapore make your own way to the Pan Pacific Hotel, your base for the next 3 nights.
Located in Marina Bay, the Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel is adjacent to three shopping malls including Suntec and Millennia Walk malls so shopping is plentiful. There is also easy access to Boat Quay and Orchard road and yet The Pac Pacific is only 20 minutes from Changi International Airport and therefore the perfect location for a short visit with everything on hand. The contemporary rooms and suites feature full-length glass windows with views of Singapore's city skyline or the Marina Bay harbour. Appointed in contemporary colours, the spacious rooms are furnished with an ample desk and lamp, and an ergonomic Herman Miller task chair. Remote-controlled drapes, flat screen LCD televisions and Audio Visual Portals for better connectivity have been introduced for the discerning international traveller.
Guests have the luxury of culinary choice with a myriad of world-class restaurants within the hotel. Global Kitchen features contemporary cuisine in a cosy, private, setting where you can enjoy all-you-can eat during the lunch and dinner presentations. For a memorable sky dining experience with exquisite Cantonese cuisine, Hai Tien Lo on level 37 is a favourite with locals and guests alike. Keyaki Japanese restaurant is tucked away in an idyllic Japanese rooftop garden offering kaiseki, shabu shabu, teppanyaki, robotayaki, sushi and sashimi.
DAY 4 Singapore to Borneo Malaysia
Time to leave the hustling city of Singapore and take the direct flight across to Kota Kinabalu in Malaysian Borneo for the next week.
Borneo is perfect for an exotic beach holiday with some of the most exciting sightseeing and diverse scenery and stunning beaches in the world. To discover this captivating region we’ve created an itinerary to encounter playful orang-utans at Sepilok, witness green and hawksbill turtles as they come ashore at night to lay their eggs and hatchlings scurry back into the water and climb the infamous Mount Kina Balu.
Upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu you will be met and transferred to Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa with a private beach, views of the sparkling coral islands, and legendary attentive service, Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort offers the serenity of a secluded tropical Kota Kinabalu luxury resort and yet is just 10 minutes walk from the centre of downtown Kota Kinabalu to experience the local markets and eateries.
Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa comprises 492 luxurious rooms and suites in two wings, the Kinabalu Wing and the Tanjung Wing. All rooms at this hotel in Kota Kinabalu have been recently renovated to provide contemporary luxury inspired by the colours and textures of traditional Borneo. Kinabalu Mountain View Rooms offer spacious, contemporary luxury accommodations with traditional Sabah-inspired touches reflected in the rich woods, colourful fabrics, and indulgent furnishings.
After a relaxing afternoon and evening at the Tanjung Aru we’ve planned a wildlife adventure that offers the opportunity to view orang utans and turtles in their natural environment, the Wildlife Adventure is escorted by an English speaking guide from arrival in Sandakan, to departure flight back to Kota Kinabalu.
DAY 5 Kota Kinabalu/Turtle Island
Depart early for your 40 minute flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan with Malaysian Airlines. On arrival transfer to the jetty, for a 75 minute speedboat to Selingan Island. Part of the Turtle Island Conservation Area, this picturesque island is set in the Sulu Sea and offers a safe haven for the green and hawksbill turtles. Relax, swim and snorkel and you may see the native turtles as they come ashore at night to lay their eggs or when hatchlings are released back into the wild (although sightings are not guaranteed, it is rare for visitors to leave disappointed). Overnight is in the island’s simple lodge style accommodation with private facilities.
Day 6 Turtle Island/Sukau
Return to Sandakan and continue to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, where you can observe these fascinating creatures. Proceed to Sukau, and take a river cruise amid the jungle watching out for the long nosed proboscis monkey and a great variety of birdlife. Stay overnight in simple chalets with private facilities.
Day 7 Sukau/Kota Kinabalu
Return to Sandakan before your flight with Malaysian Airlines back to Kota Kinabalu and transfer back to Tanjung Aru for an afternoon and evening of relaxation, perhaps take a walk into Kota Kinabalu. The following morning we have planned an n energetic and inspirational climb up Mount Kinabalu offering spectacular views over verdant Borneo, an exciting addition to any holiday. The Mountain Climb is escorted by an experienced mountain escort to help you to the summit.
Day 8 Kota Kinabalu/National Park
Depart early this morning from Tanjung Aru to be driven up the Croker Range. Stop at a native market en route to the National Park. Lunch and dinner are provided. Overnight at either Kinabalu Pine Resort or Pakasa Mount Kinabalu (dependent on availability)
Day 9 National Park
After breakfast transfer to the starting point and trek for five to six hours today with lunch en route and dinner to nourish you at the end and stay overnight at a simple Mountain Hut (Laban Rata Rest House or Gunting Lagadan Rest House). No mountaineering skills are required but a reasonable level of physical fitness is of course needed.
Day 10 National Park/Kota Kinabalu
Rise very early to complete the 2½ hour to 3½ hour trek to the summit before descending to the hut for breakfast and then on down to the foothills for lunch before the transfer back to the Shangri La Tanjung Aru to relax and reflect on this amazing once in a life time experience.
DAY 11 Borneo to Maldives
Mid-afternoon take the scheduled flight from Borneo via Kuala Kumpur to the Maldives (If you want to add in a few nights in Kuala Lumpur whilst you passing through its possible) The flight arrive into the Maldives late evening, in this itinerary we’ve suggested you over night before taking the early morning se plane across to Kuramathi Island for a week in paradise.
Kuramathi island offers a naturally Maldivian holiday experience, with unique twists to suit everyone. Located in Rasdhoo Atoll, 56 kilometres west from the Male’ International and accessible in 20 minutes by sea plane or 1 hr 20 minutes by speedboat.
Kuramathi island is one of the largest islands in the Maldives at over 1.8km long from top to bottom. Many areas of the island remain untouched, inviting guests to leisurely stroll along deserted beaches or through virgin vegetation or just to sit and relax in your own little piece of heaven. Whether you’re a couple on a romantic getaway or part of a big family seeking to enjoy quality time together, Kuramathi has the space and the activities to appeal to a wide spectrum of guests.
Recently refurbished at the beginning of 2010 the guest villas are scattered throughout the island, in lush gardens, facing secluded areas of long beach or poised over water. With villas in nine distinct styles, all blending nature and contemporary design, you are bound to find the perfect villa for you! For this itinerary we’ve selected a Beach Villa.
Beach Villas – are detached and hidden within the abundant vegetation of the island, but yet only a few steps away from the beach. Located on the lagoon side of the island, the bedroom features four-poster bed with a semi-open air bathroom and outdoor rainfall shower.
Kuramathi offers you unlimited dining experiences from a variety of restaurants that can be pre paid on a full board; an all-inclusive or a la carte all-inclusive that includes excursions and no restrictions to dine in any of the islands 9 restaurants. For this itinerary we’ve included the a la carte all inclusive.
DAY 19 Maldives to Heathrow
After a week of relaxation, sunbathing and enjoying the numerous water sports its time to leave Kuramathi and take the direct flight back from the Maldives to Heathrow to arrive back into Heathrow early evening.
For more information on holidays to Singapore and Borneo call 01243 779 737