ESCAPAHOLICS Borneo
Sarawak jungle
Hi ! My name is Matt and I’m an escapaholic.
Its been 3 years since my last adventure.
I cant believe it. And what can I say? – Tom and Skonie. A ‘holiday’ to Borneo might involve a taste of the jungle, a visit to a themed traditional Iban longhouse, and may be some beach time. But ‘Nay’ this was a full on escapaholic immersion into the dense jungles of Borneo. True jungle survival stuff. Foraging for food, hacking through the jungle, machete in hand, sleeping in ‘bashas’, building rafts to head out down the delok river; staying with the Iban head hunters and all the time on the look out for Orangutans. I cant believe that you can still do this stuff. All washed down with crazy escapaholic challenges. My name is Matt and I’m most definitely an escapaholic…
Aaah, those beautiful teaming rainforests of Sarawak, Borneo…. a true head-hunter, jungle survival adventure. From arrival in Kuching, home to the white Raja, escpaholics hit the state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. A blend of culture and nature with full immersion into the wilds of the Borneo jungle. Travelling along the remote rivers of the Batang Ai region, by local Iban canoes and hacking through the jungle; learning jungle survival techniques, whilst ‘enjoying’ escapaholic games and challenges along the way; wild camping and staying in traditional longhouses; swimming in jungle pools; building rafts and finally returning to the civilised world of Kuching, before a return to the humdrum of work. But remember – you’re now an escapaholic.
- Day 01
- KUCHING
Even escapaholics can chill out, with a relaxed tour of historic Kuching. Discover the charms of this riverine city established by Sir James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak. With buildings dating back to the days of the White Rajahs, to ancient Chinese temples and shops selling produce that first brought traders to Borneo.
In the evening – a seafood dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight at Pullman Hotel.
- Day 02
- INTO THE JUNGLE
Off we head, away from the city, past villages and journey to the starting point for a jungle adventure. Along the way stop at Lachau Bazaar. Stroll around the shops and the small native market and have an early lunch in a local coffee shop. Continuing the journey, arriving at Batang Ai Lake to board a longboat and travel upriver to Nanga Sumpa, and settle in to the jungle lodge at the edge of the rainforest. After dinner visit the Iban the longhouse for a chat with the local, (of infamous head shrinking fame.) Overnight at Nanga Sumpa lodge (mix of Forest Wing & Ruai rooms).
Over the next few days, we escapaholics work our way deeper into the jungle along old trails and at times hacking through the dense undergrowth; (machete training given.) Crossing and swimming in rivers and pools. The lodges are surrounded by thick jungle, in an area that is inhabited by a thriving population of wild orangutans. Staying here offers the chance to spot local wildlife and enjoy the clear cooling waters of the Lalang River, alongside a aimless challenges and jungle survival.
From trekking, to using the local longboats to travel on the upper Delok River, escapaholics will build their own rainforest camp for a few nights of jungle peace and tranquillity. You will also experience how the Iban survive at the fringes of the rainforest, fishing or foraging with the Iban to find food for lunch – prawns, ferns, frogs – its all ‘delicious.’ Throw in some raft building (hopefully it will float) and a glass or two of ‘tuak’ (rice wine) and you make yourself a Borneo escapaholic.
- Day 03
- Nanga Sumpa – Lubok Kasai (Jungle Hike & River Race)
After an early breakfast, trek through the jungle from Nanga Sumpa to Jambu Longhouse. Splitting into Escapaholics boat teams for a river race, paddling along various sections of the Delok River with a BBQ lunch prepped by our Iban hosts. Whilst waiting for lunch a chance for a few games, challenges and swim at the nearby Enseluai Waterfall. Our lodge for the night is surrounding by rainforest in an area that is inhabited by a thriving population of wild orangutans. Staying here offers the chance to spot local wildlife and enjoy the clear cooling waters of the adjacent Lalang River. Dinner and overnight at Lubok Kasai Jungle Camp.
- Day 04
- Lubok Kasai – Semikai Eli Jungle Camp
After breakfast, a few short hours trekking along a rainforest trail through orangutan habitat. Look out for movements in the canopy and orangutan nests. We head further into the jungle along the upper Delok Riverto build our own Escapaholics jungle camp. Lunch, dinner and overnight in Semikai Eli.
- Day 05
- Iban Tribal Learning - Fish and Forage
A good old day for teamwork and challenges as Escapaholics learn how the Iban survive at the fringes of the rainforest. With fishing or foraging with the Iban, with the aim of finding enough food for lunch. Escapaholics spilt into small ‘hunter gatherer’ parties. Some will go in search of paku (jungle ferns), bamboo shoots and other edible jungle products found near the river. Others will fish for prawns in the small streams or set up fish traps in the Delok River. The other ‘hunter gatherers’ will use traditional jala (throw nets) to fish whilst some will be assigned to collect firewood. All in all – a jungle lunch. Afternoon, time to relax and have a swim in the river. In the evening – an orangutan trek, which are sometimes sighted in this area. Dinner and overnight at Semikai Eli.
- Day 06
- Lubok Kasai – Rafting – Nanga Sumpa
Travel by longboat to Nanga Lalang before bamboo raft building. …..there’s kind of an incentive to building your raft right! When confident that they are fit for purpose, head downriver and paddle to Jambu longhouse. Meet the Iban at Jambu and enjoy a glass or tuak or rice wine. Then proceed by longboat to Nanga Sumpa. Check in and relax, dinner and then the ubiquitous Escpaholics challenges…. Overnight at Nanga Sumpa Lodge.
- Day 07
- Nanga Sumpa - Kuching – Cove 55
Saying goodbye to your Iban friends, we head back downriver and overland back to Kuching and then on for some R&R on the beach……
- Day 08
- Cove 55
Chilling on the beach. All day to relax and unwind. At Cove 55.
- Day 09
- Bako National Park
Bako National Park is one of the best places in Sarawak for Escapaholics to see wildlife in a natural setting. Commonly spotted at Bako are the Borneo endemic proboscis monkeys, silvered langurs (monkeys), long-tailed macaques, wild boar, monitor lizards and numerous species of birds. The park has an impressive range of forest types from mangrove to kerangas (heath forest), tropical swamp vegetation, cliff vegetation and beach vegetation. The park’s spectacular coastline is dotted with small bays, coves and beaches. After spending the day exploring the park and beaches, we head back to Cove 55.
- Day 10
- Cove 55
Final day of relaxing by the pool or chilling on the beach at Cove 55. Final night of our Escapaholics adventure with a gala dinner and awards ceremony.
(Dress code – best escapaholic Hawaiian shirts!)
- Day 11
Pick up from the hotel for a quick ride to the airport to the airport to head home….or extend your stay.
What's Included
- All transfers to and from the airport and to other transport hubs.
- Boat and bus journeys, and other transfers, including all tours.
- Hotel accommodation in Kuching before the event.
- Accommodation in Kuching after the event (hotel to be advised.)
- All basic meals including welcome cocktail party and awards dinner and meals during the adventure.
- Digital copies of all official photography
Water and food stops. - Full medical support during the adventure
Medal, certificate and unique tech top. - Basic insurance
Storage of non-race luggage during the event. - Base Camp facilities
What's Not Included
- Flights to Kuching
- Essential trekking and survival kit
- Emergency and cancellation insurance