Borneo Heritage by Bicycle

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Meet in Kuching

   Welcome to Kuching, the capital of Sarawak! After being picked up from the airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the city centre (aim to arrive before noon or, if possible, the day before). The adventure begins in the early afternoon with a bike briefing at the base, followed by a ride through the cultural highlights of the city.
   
   You'll cycle a 12 km loop through the Heritage Zone, where Malay, Chinese, Islamic, British, and modern architecture blend together. Afterward, ride through riverside kampongs, visit a local market to sample street food, and cross the Sarawak River on a traditional sampan boat. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants.

   • 7.5 miles
   • 3.3 ft
     160.8 ft
     157.5 ft
   • The Waterfront Hotel
   • Dinner

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     The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching

     Stay in this comfortable and friendly hotel at the start and end of the tour set in a great location on the riverside in Kuching

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     Elevation Profile

2. Day 2Kuching – Annah Rais

   Today, you'll travel about 30 km from Kuching into the countryside for your first taste of rural Sarawak. Once there, you'll saddle up and cycle along scenic back roads that wind through banana plantations, betel nut tree forests, rice fields, and farming communities. As you head south, the landscape becomes more remote, leading you to the indigenous village of Annah Rais, home to the Bidayuh people.
   
   The Bidayuh, with a rich cultural heritage rooted in the Borneo rainforests, traditionally live in communal longhouses shared by multiple families. You'll arrive in time for lunch and then take a relaxed walk through the village, learning about the unique traditions of the Bidayuh, including the ancient practice of headhunting! In the afternoon, you can cool off with a swim in a nearby stream before settling in for dinner. Your overnight stay at a homestay in Annah Rais offers a rustic yet comfortable experience, giving you a deeper connection to the local way of life.

   • 21.7 miles
   • 150.9 ft
     1,072.8 ft
     921.9 ft
   • Bidayuh Annah Rais Homestay
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

3. Day 3Annah Rais - Kayak & Bikes - Siniawan

   Today, you’ll paddle and pedal your way north, taking in more of rural and wild Sarawak! In the morning, after a short transfer out of Annah Rais, you’ll hop into a kayak for a gentle drift down the Sarawak River. It’s the perfect way to soak up the atmosphere of the surrounding rainforest and, if luck is on your side, spot some wildlife along the riverbanks. You’ll cover around 10 km on the water, and no prior experience is needed.
   
   Once you reach the end-point, enjoy a well-earned lunch before hopping back on your bike for a scenic ride along Sarawak’s quiet backroads. Your destination is Siniawan, a small historic town on the Sarawak River. Established in the mid-19th century by Hakka Chinese settlers and miners drawn by the Bau Gold Rush, Siniawan still exudes old-world charm through its vintage shophouses and colonial-era architecture.
   
   In the evening, dinner is up to you. Wander along the main strip and choose from several inviting options in this enchanting little town. Your hotel is just a short stroll away, so feel free to linger over a beer or two and soak in the evening ambiance.

   • 20.5 miles
   • -52.5 ft
     899 ft
     951.4 ft
   • Roxy Siniawan Hotel
   • Breakfast and Lunch
4. Day 4Orangutan Sanctuary – Fairy Cave – Kuching Buddhist Village

   You start the day with a 45-minute transfer to Semenggoh Nature Reserve, a rehabilitation center for orangutans that have been injured, orphaned, or rescued from captivity. The reserve’s goal is to help these incredible creatures return to the wild in the surrounding forests. You’ll arrive in time for the 9:00 AM feeding, when fruits and other snacks are laid out to supplement their diet. This is one of the best opportunities to see orangutans up close—but keep in mind that sightings aren’t guaranteed. The apes may stay hidden during rain or when the forest offers plenty of fruit. If luck isn’t on your side today, don’t worry—we’ll try again on Day 7!
   
   After your visit, you’ll transfer for about an hour to the legendary Fairy Cave, where you can marvel at the impressive limestone formations and learn about the site’s religious significance. From there, enjoy an afternoon ride past cornfields, fruit orchards, and oil palm plantations, leading you to tonight’s accommodation: a unique Chinese Buddhist temple complex surrounded by serene gardens. The philosophy here emphasizes Buddhist principles, including vegetarianism and abstaining from alcohol, offering you an immersive experience in Borneo’s Chinese and Buddhist cultural heritage.

   • 17.4 miles
   • -82 ft
     807.1 ft
     889.1 ft
   • Kuching Buddhist New Village
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Kuching Buddhist Village - Telaga Air – Santubong

   Today's ride is the longest of the tour but also one of the most scenic. You’ll start directly from the Buddhist Village and begin your journey through the tranquil Borneon countryside. After about 25 km, you’ll reach the eastern edge of Kubah National Park. Here, the landscape, with its jungle-covered hills and prominent peaks like Mount Serapi, provides a stunning backdrop for the ride.
   
   As you continue north through the park, you'll soon arrive at the estuaries of the Sibu Laut and Salak Rivers, where expansive mangrove forests and wetlands stretch out before you. The ride concludes in the small fishing village of Telaga Air, a popular spot for locals who come to unwind by the waterfront, savour seafood, and enjoy refreshing coconut shakes. You’ll have the chance to do the same before transferring one hour further east to the Santubong Peninsula.
   
   Jutting into the South China Sea just north of Kuching, Santubong is renowned for its iconic Santubong Mountain, lush forests, and pristine beaches. It’s the perfect place to relax and immerse yourself in nature at an eco-resort for the next two nights!

   • 39.1 miles
   • -75.5 ft
     1,840.6 ft
     1,916 ft
   • Permai Rainforest Resort
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Permai Rainforest Resort

     Stay in this beautiful eco resort next to the sea and bordered on two sides by protected rainforest

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     Elevation Profile

6. Day 6Santubong Free Day

   The Santubong Peninsula is perfect for a free day, whether you’re looking to relax or seek adventure. If you prefer to take it easy, settle into the golden sands of a nearby beach and soak up the views of the South China Sea. Feeling more adventurous? Rise early and tackle the steep cliffs of Mount Santubong, or choose one of the shorter, more leisurely hikes instead.
   
   One of the highlights of the area is a wetland cruise. Available in the morning or evening, this outing takes you through Santubong’s rivers and mangroves, offering a chance to spot Irrawaddy dolphins, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and other wildlife. All activities today are optional and paid locally, giving you the freedom to shape your own perfect day.

   • Permai Rainforest Resort
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Permai Rainforest Resort

     Stay in this beautiful eco resort next to the sea and bordered on two sides by protected rainforest

7. Day 7Santubong - Kuching

   Starting from your resort, you’ll cycle down the Santubong Peninsula and make your way back to the mainland. Along the route, stop by a traditional Malay fishing village and the archaeological site at Bongkissam, once a major 8th-century trading hub between India and China that helped spread Hindu-Buddhist beliefs across Borneo.
   
   You’ll then wind your way back to Kuching, entering the city through the “backdoor” as the quiet roads of the wetlands and hinterlands give way to bustling urban streets. Arrive in time for lunch, with the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
   
   If you missed the orangutans on the morning of Day 4, you’ll have another chance today. After lunch, take a short drive out to Semenggoh Nature Reserve for the afternoon feeding session—fingers crossed for sightings!
   
   No matter how the afternoon unfolds, the evening is reserved for celebrating your Bornean adventure with a farewell dinner in Kuching.

   • 31.1 miles
   • -36.1 ft
     652.9 ft
     689 ft
   • The Waterfront Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
8. Day 8Departure

   Time to head home, extend your stay in Kuching, or travel to your next destination in Southeast Asia. There are plenty more places to explore! If you have a flight out today, a transfer to the airport is available.
   

   • Breakfast