Mount Kinablu and Mount Trusmadi

• Climb Kinabalu and remote Mount Trusmadi • Jungle and Flora like entering the world of “Lord of the Rings” • Mulu National Park and the most beautiful mountains view in ”

EXPEDITION OVERVIEW This great adventure combines many other companies standard and Mount Kinabalu programme with a unique Adventure Peaks twist to include the wild and rarely climbed peaks of Mt Api (1750m) and Mount Trusmadi (2642m). Our first ascent is of that we combine with a longboat journey and jungle trek to the Deer , the home to over two million bats that exodus the almost every afternoon as featured in the BBC series Planet Earth. It is just one of many natural wonders to find in this off-the-beaten trail and tropical paradise! Moving northwards we continue our programme of acclimatise on Mount Trusmadi the second highest mountain in Sabah, a peak extremely rich in flora and fauna. Unlike Mount Kinabalu few tourists venture here and very often you have the mountain to yourself! The sunrise view out towards our main objective Mount Kinabalu is out of this world. Acclimatised we can now enjoy the ascent of Mount Kinabalu the highest point between the Himalaya and Iran Jara on the island of Borneo. First climbed in 1851 by Sir Hugh Low. Those with more time can extend their journey through Borneo with a visit to the Orang Utan sanctuaries at Sepilok, sit in hot springs or a neighbouring Tropical Island.

Participation Statement Adventure Walks recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

Adventure Travel – Accuracy of Itinerary Although it is our intention to operate this itinerary as printed, it may be necessary to make some changes as a result of flight schedules, climatic conditions, limitations of infrastructure or other operational factors. As a consequence, the order or location of overnight stops and the duration of the day may vary from those outlined. You should be aware that some events are beyond our control and we would ask for your patience. 101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0DB Tel: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]

OUTLINE ITINERARY Day 5: Return to Mulu National Park HQ KEY to inclusions (H-hotel, Ld-lodge, R-mountain Today we return on foot to Long Litut and return by boat refuge/hut, C-campsite, B-breakfast, L-lunch, D- down the Melinau River back to the Mulu Headquarters. If dinner/evening meal) all goes according to plan you should arrive around midday allowing time to rest before we follow the great boardwalk Day 1: International flight (normally Malaysian). that leads to ! Arriving in time to view the spectacular exodus of tens of thousands of bats emerging Day 2: Arrive , (or ) a busy and from the cave like smoke at sunset. (Ld, B) prosperous town on the shores of , with time to explore or relax after your long flight (H)

Day 3: Fly to Gunung Mulu National Park Mulu is situated in dense equatorial rainforest and was listed as a World Heritage site in November 2000 thanks to its spectacular scenery and biological significance.

The park has the largest caves on earth, each having its own unique ecosystems of plants and animals living within. Deer Cave. The largest passage in the world provides the opportunity to view the great natural phenomenon of millions of bats and swifts leaving and entering the caves in a superlative wildlife spectacle.

You will be amazed by the rainforest around you. In the humid heat, plant life flourishes everywhere. Many thousands of species of ferns, mosses and flowering plants along with thousands of species of fungi thrive in this Day 6: Canopy Walk and fly to Kota Kinabalu complex habitat. It boasts 170 species of orchid. This morning, those with a head for heights can impersonate ‘Ant & Dec’ on an optional canopy walk (extra charge). The great equatorial rainforest is home to many fauna This is a skywalk of about 500m, the longest in the world species from the world’s smallest mammal the Savi Pigmy and takes around 45 minutes to complete. You should be Shrew to some of the largest insects on earth. In the dense able to see en-route: macaque monkeys, flying lizards, foliage secretive macaques, bearded pig and moon rats hide, squirrels, hornbills and a spectacular array of colourful blending in so well that we rarely see them. birds. Alternatively you can explore the lowland creatures. In the afternoon we fly to Kota Kinabalu (H,B) (and The local tribespeople are the Penan tribe, a nomadic group possibly Drive 90kms to Tambunan in 1.5 hrs) of forest dwellers who are elusive hunters. Day 7: Trek to Mount Trus Madi On arrival we transfer into canoes to journey up the After breakfast we travel by four-wheel jeep along the 30km Melinau River to Kuala Litut. On the way we hope to visit a track to the start point of our climb. River crossings, number of caves including Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave. frictionless muddy tracks an adventurous journey after The latter is the longest cave in Asia at 127kms, and both which you will truly realize the power of the 4-wheel drive display magnificent limestone sculptures of stalactites and vehicle! Our trek starts at a sign “4900 M” which means stalagmites. A short rest is taken in Kuala Litut to 4.9km (4900 Metres) to the summit of Mt Trus Madi. A reorganise our bags before we walk to the base of Mt Api short distance but it’s steep and rugged and takes two days! and the great ‘Pinnacles’, about 9kms.(C,B, L,D) Unlike the summit track of Mt. Kinabalu, the trail is heavily Day 4: Ascent of Mt Api via the Pinnacles foliaged and surrounded by dense vegetation most of the After an early start we trek up Mt Api, a steep climb of time. The trail is narrow, no boardwalk and hand rail, but about 4-5hrs to reach the summit of the mountain where you lots of overhanging trees, entangled roots with some fixed can look back on the towering, blade like, limestone lines that you must haul yourself up. You must cross two pinnacles. A great day for those who like to scramble on other summits (Taman Bunga (Flower Garden) Peak and steeper ground. The ‘Pinnacles’ are razor sharp limestone Taliban Peak (which is named after the first Native Chief in needles rising up 45meters to create a spectacular sight. . Tambunan and has nothing to do with terrorist) to reach This will involve some steep sections fixed with ladders and Mount Trus Madi. in-situ ropes. The rewards however are awesome as you So why go? Some say climbers will be rewarded by the look out over the great rainforest canopy with the Pinnacles beautiful sunset and close view of Mt. Kinabalu. According reaching up through the jungle. Our return to camp is by the to the book “Mountains of Malaysia” by John Brigss, Mt. same route and we spend the remainder of the day relaxing Trus Madi has “The most beautiful mountains view in by the river or visiting a nearby population of the fanged Malaysia”. Others have described the mossy jungle as an pitcher plant. (C, B,L,D) alien world like entering the world of “Lord of the Rings” movie. But the region is most special for its unique abundance of rare plants and flowers 101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0DB Tel: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]

Just before reaching our overnight cabin (at 2,000M However, the nature of the well trodden path mean that signage), you will enter Taman Bunga Peak, which means these are rarely seen. Flower Garden. It is a natural garden full of flora and is one of the few places where you can see the rare pitcher plant, Nepenthes lowii. And this is just one example of many! Overnight in a lodge/cabin. (Ld,B, L,D)

Day 8: Summit Mount Trus Madi We leave the lodge in total darkness at around 3am to reach the summit in time to view the sunrise. The ascent is steep and in places it is impossible to climb without the help of in situ ropes to pull on. Time passes gradually and with hidden interest as you torch lights up beautiful flowers and weird moss sculptures that adds to this unique peak. Given good weather the views and sunrise are spectacular and not to be disappointed the summit holds one last flower Melastoma minahanse, this plant is only found on Trus Madi and Papua New Guinea. (For those who have missed civilization there is a nearby repeater that should allow your mobile phone to a get full signal so you should be able to call home or update your Facebook or Twitter!) Descend and return to Kota Kinablu. (H,L,B)

Day 10: Summit Approach We depart our hotel in Kota Kinabalu and travel 2 hours along the ridges of the Crocker Range to Kinabalu Park. We register our names with the Park Office for the mountain climb and proceed to the start of the summit trail at the Power Station. From here, we trek up through a variety of terrain and ‘cloud forest’ to Laban Rata (3300m) enjoying a packed lunch along the way. Look out for pitcher plants and orchids. The air will start to feel considerably colder here due to the altitude. Overnight at Laban Rata Resthouse where it may not always be possible to obtain heated rooms and hot water. (R,B,L,D)

Day 11: To the Summit of Kinabalu

We rise early around 0200hrs to climb to the summit of Mt

Kinabalu for a magnificent sunrise. The route is lit by Day 9: A day to relax. After Breakfast you can take a walk torchlight or moonlight and we adopt a steady pace taking through the rainforest (3-4hrs) or enjoy an optional into consideration the affects of altitude as we head upwards excursion (£15 extra cost) to the Poring Hot springs, within towards the summit. As day breaks you will be rewarded the Kinabalu Park. Sulphuric hot springs provide a with stunning views and on a clear day can see as far as the therapeutic bath and marked trails lead to small waterfalls southern islands of the Philippines. We descend to the rest and caves. Later in the day we transfer to our pre-mountain house for breakfast before further descending to the park lodge for an evening briefing about our ascent of Kinabalu. gate. After lunch we transfer to our beach hotel on the coast (H,B) close to Kota Kinabalu. (H,B)

Day 10-11: Mt Kinabalu Summit Day 12: Explore Kota Kinabalu, enjoy a relaxing Seen from the Park headquarter, Mt Kinabalu, the highest morning by the pool, enjoy a white water rafting adventure, mountain in South East Asia at 410m, is a magnificent sight. boat trip or relaxing massage (extra cost) H,B) The name means ‘A place where the spirit of the dead return’. The lower slopes are covered in thick vegetation Day 13-14: Return International flights. (B) from which rise huge granite walls to a summit which is often shrouded in clouds. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE/FITNESS The mountain is home to a large variety of flora and fauna You will need a good level of fitness as the walks are over and encompasses a range of climatic conditions from rough terrain and involve some steep ascents which are tropical forests at the lower level to montane and sub considered reasonably strenuous. This would mean you are montane and finally alpine attributes. The mountain boasts a regular hill walker used to a number of continuous days on over 1200 types of orchid. Some of the animals prevalent the hill of at least 6-7hrs. on the mountain include monkeys, squirrels, lemurs, orangutan, deer, many variety of birds, insects and snakes. 101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0DB Tel: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]

SERVICES INCLUDED HEALTH National Park & Permit fees, British Leader and local guide There are no compulsory vaccinations but we would & porters, flights and airport transfers (for flight inclusive recommend vaccinations against hepatitis A and typhoid. package), land transport, accommodation and meals as Malaria prophylaxis should be considered so please consult indicated on the itinerary and group equipment. your GP or a vaccine specialist for professional advice or visit the website www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk. SERVICES NOT INCLUDED Our leaders hold first aid certificates and carry a first aid kit Travel insurance (essential), tips, hotel meals other than for medical emergencies. You should bring your own those stated above, departure taxes, optional activities supplies of plasters, blister prevention pads (compeed), (marked in bold text), meals in Khota Kinablu and drinks paracetamol etc. and any medication you are taking.

INSURANCE Insurance which covers mountain rescue, helicopter evacuation and medical expenses is essential. We will require a copy of your insurance prior to departure.

ALTITUDE If this is your first trip to altitude you may have concerns about the effects of altitude. Don’t worry, our itineraries allow sufficient time to acclimatize. At worst you may experience a headache or a little breathlessness, the best way to avoid such symptoms is to do everything slowly, walk at a gentle steady pace and drink plenty of fluid.

USEFUL TIPS Just in case your main luggage goes missing en route, it is a good idea to wear your boots on the plane. Most other things can be replaced but comfortable, well worn-in boots can not.

VISAS AND PERMITS ACCOMMODATION All nationalities require a full passport valid for 6 months During this trip we use a variety of accommodation from beyond the intended stay. UK citizens and most EU comfortable hotels (usually twin rooms with en suite nationals do not need a visa. If you are unsure please check facilities); to lodges (no frills but usually twin rooms and en with Malaysian consulate in your country. All other suite) and mountain refuges (can be communal with shared countries should check with their local embassy. facilities). If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired with another individual of the same sex. CURRENCY The local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). FOOD Most credit cards are accepted. ATM machines are on the For refreshments not included in the price, you should allow increase. As you will probably be carrying a fair amount of around £150 (equiv.), a little more if you want a couple of cash we recommend you use a money belt. Put all other drinks per night. Alcohol tends to be reasonably expensive documents in waterproof bags as the showers tend to be and on a par with Western prices. very heavy.

BAGGAGE TIPPING For your own comfort, travel light. Normally airlines restrict Tipping is not as customary as some countries but is very baggage to around 20kg, but you will be wearing boots and much appreciated. We would suggest around £50 (equiv.) one set of trekking clothes. The local flights operate a strict for the whole trip. maximum allowance of 20kg. A suitable kit bag is provided but all items should also be packed in waterproof/plastic BOOKS & MAPS bags. Available from Adventure Peaks/Walks. Malaysia & Singapore Handbook (Footprint Publications) EQUIPMENT and WHAT TO CARRY You will only need to carry a light daypack. A 30-35L Map Nelles Map of Malaysia is a good general map and rucksack is a useful size to comfortably fit in essential items contains a street map of Kota Kinabalu. such as two one litre water bottles, camera, sun cream, wet- weather gear, extra layers, gloves, hat and at the high camps/huts warmer layers etc. A full equipment list will be provided on booking, but general hill walking gear is the norm with no real need for specialist equipment. For equipment purchases Adventure Peaks offers a 15% discount from our shop or online.

101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0DB Tel: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]