Trek Borneo's Kelabit Highlands: Wildlife Borneo - Rainforest –
Orangutans
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This trip is planned in
line with "Green Globe 21" principles - committed to sustainable
tourism.
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Introduction
• Experience camp life in remote jungle
locations
• Meet Kelabit highlanders and shy Penan
hunter gatherers
• Frequent opportunities to observe the
spectacular biodiversity of the rainforest, including orangutans
and the calls of wild gibbons
• Chance to ascend Gunung Murud
• Aim for the isolated peaks of Batu Lawi,
which do not appear on many maps
• Highly experienced guides with specialist
knowledge
• Search for the last Sumatran rhinocerous
Join us on a truly outstanding expedition through the remote
Kelabit highlands of Borneo and see its magical wildlife. This is a
challenging journey, which takes us through the almost completely
unexplored Pulong Tau, a spectacular and phenomenally bio-diverse
area, which offers a wealth of plant and animal diversity, as well
a chance to meet the fascinating Kelabit and Penan peoples. Pulong
Tau – its name in the Kelabit dialect means ‘Our Forest’ –
easily
competes with Mount Kinabalu and Mulu National
Parks in terms of scenic splendour and biological richness, and
within this area can be found pitcher plants, orchids, orangutan,
clouded leopard, sun bears, gibbons, hornbills and possibly the
last breeding population of Sumatran rhinoceros in Sarawak.
The environment ranges from primary rainforest
to orchid-festooned upland oak and laurel forest. These forests are
vital for maintaining the populations of bearded pig, which are of
tremendous value to the local people and which make spectacular
sporadic migrations down to the dipterocarp forest in search of
fruit. There are also unusual upland grasslands with their own
unique flora.
Pulong Tau is also home to the shy Penan, a
nomadic forest people who still live a hunter-gatherer lifestyle,
and whose prayer sticks are dotted throughout the forest. For eight
days we trek through this enchanted land. Along the way we pass
extraordinary rock pillars that loom in primeval fashion from the
forest canopy, and held to be sacred by the Kelabit highlanders.
The climax of the expedition will be an ascent of Gunung Murud, the
highest mountain in Sarawak, at whose foot the giant rafflesia, the
world’s largest flower, blooms. From the summit incredible views
stretch out across the rainforest.
The expedition starts from Miri on the Sarawak
coast, where after a comfortable night in a hotel, we take a Twin
Otter across the jungle to land at the grass airstrip of Bario,
capital of the Highland region. Bario is an isolated but extremely
friendly small town surrounded by glistening green rice paddies,
buffaloes pulling sledges of produce across the fields and the
famous Kelabit highlanders, a graceful and elegant people who make
their living as rice-farmers. Many of the older generation still
have pierced, elongated earlobes, and wear traditional hats of rice
stalks. The surrounding region is full of ancient megaliths
surprisingly similar to many British standing stones. We have a
full day to explore Bario and its fascinating culture, before
setting out along the trail with our local Kelabit guide.
For the next two days we make our way through
the forest, crossing small streams and stopping to observe the
amazing plant and animal life. Nights are spent under canvas or, if
dry, on a hammock suspended between two trees. We will often wake
in the morning to the plaintive echoing calls of gibbons across the
forest. Our aim is the twin peaks of Batu Lawi, a place so remote
that it does not appear on many maps. Batu Lawi is a compelling,
mysterious limestone massif with ‘male’ and ‘female’ peaks, emerald
green forest straight out of ‘Lord of the Rings’ and a real sense
of isolation.
The route then continues for another two days,
following old headhunters’ trails through
rocky, stunted forest onto a huge plateau
filled with small wooden houses and an enormous church. This is
Church Camp, the site of the annual pilgrimage of the people of
Ba’Kelalalan. It is here that we prepare for the ascent of Gunung
Murud. This is a demanding climb, but a memorable experience for
those who reach the top. Holding onto tree roots as we scramble up
to the mossy summit, the most fantastic views can be had. In one
direction are the twin peaks of Batu Lawi, and in the other the far
peaks of Mulu.
Descending, we re-enter a magnificent forest
with huge trees, where numerous birds, monkeys and gibbons can be
heard. Eventually we come to the rice fields surrounding the
village of Ba’Kelalan and to civilisation. From Ba’Kelalan, 4WD
vehicles will be waiting to take us to Lawas, from where the return
flight to Miri leaves.
Quick links:
wildlife borneo rainforest orangutans -
itinerary
wildlife borneo rainforest orangutans –
factfile
wildlife borneo rainforest orangutans –
dates & prices
wildlife borneo rainforest orangutans –
booking enquiry
wildlife borneo rainforest orangutans –
before you go
REF: Trek Borneo’s Kelabit Highlands, Sarawak,
Borneo - Malaysia (Forest) - HW0011
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