Challenge Highlights / Challenge Tour  
(11 Days 10 Night, minimum 16 people)

Photo Gallery :   1) Bauto to         Gambaron   2) Maliau To         Kapuron   3) Taviu Hill   4) Liwagu Valley

This eleven-day tour, departing May and August and with groups of 16 or more accompanied by historian Lynette Silver, is designed to cater for the more adventurous traveller with a fairly high level of fitness. It also follows the Death March route from beginning to end, but incorporates six days of trekking along the Sandakan Track, from Bauto to Ranau, across the most challenging section of the route. There are two options: Challenge Highlights, which involves a half-day walk each day, and Challenge, a full-day walk. Highlights walkers can choose to continue for the full-day trek if they wish, provided they are fit enough.

Please note

Important:

All walkers can choose to omit a sector, or sectors, on any day. However, the Challenge Highlight Walk scheduled for Day 6 must be completed, as there are no easy evacuation points. The final decision regarding fitness of any participant on any sector on any day lies with the trek leader.

While trekking, the accommodation for both tours is in comfortable rest houses, with bathroom facilities. It is essential, in tropical heat, for trekkers to be sufficiently rested at the end of each day. Trekking times are approximate and are subject to weather and track conditions and physical fitness of the party. The treks have been timed to allow tour members the opportunity of enjoying the Sabah Fest Gala Opening and the Merdeka (Independence) Day Celebrations, on 4 May and 31 August.

Note: Additional departure dates can be arranged for common interest groups.

BONUS OFFER:

Tham Yau Kong (TYK) invites all travellers booked on the May Tour to attend the opening of Sabah Fest - a cultural extravaganza which is not to be missed. Those joining the August Tour can enjoy a free night (breakfast included) on 30 August, at the conclusion of the tour, at The Promenande Hotel, on Kota Kinabalu's waterfront, and then watch the Merdeka (Independence) Day Parade and celebrations in Kota Kinabalu on the morning of 31 August. This is a also great event. Be in it!

Day 1:

Arrive Kota Kinabalu International Airport, where you will be transferred to the Hyatt Regency hotel for an overnight stay. For May trekkers, early evening transfer to Sabah Fest Gala Opening.

Day 2: (B/L/D)

Early morning flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan. From airport, transfer to Sepilok, to visit the famous Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, before proceeding to Sandakan Memorial Park, the site of the Sandakan POW Camp. After lunch at a local restaurant, view the magnificent Windows of Remembrance at St Michael's Church before checking in at Hotel Sandakan. Dinner at local restaurant.

Day 3: (all meals)

After an early breakfast, depart by road for Bauto. The trek begins with a steep climb along a jungle track above the Labuk River, and a fairly challenging descent through thick rainforest. Overnight accommodation at Forestry Rest House. Full trek, 7 hours' duration; Highlights, 4 hours. Medium to hard grade.

Day 4: (all meals)

A physically challenging trek through fairly thick jungle, with steep ascents and descents. Highlight walkers exit after a picnic lunch, and transfer to the Forestry Rest House, while Challenge walkers tackle the next sector. Full trek, 8 hours' duration; Highlights trek, 5 hours. Hard grade.

Day 5: (all meals)

Follow old vehicular road through semi-jungle, then foot/estate tracks,  passing through forested/cultivated land with numerous creek crossings, and some open sections. Overnight at Forestry Rest House. Full trek, 8 hours' duration; Highlights trek, 5 hours. Medium to hard grade, depending on the heat.

Day 6: (all meals)

For Challenge walkers, the day begins with a three-hour walk along various estate and foot tracks, passing through plantations and villages, to Taviu River, where  Highlights walkers will join the trek. After   crossing the Taviu River, follow various tracks to Taviu Hill, where a mystical experience  concludes with a fairly exhausting climb through very steeply forested terrain to the summit.  After descending from the summit, transfer to Forestry Rest House for overnight accomodation. Full trek, 7 hours' hours duration; Highlights trek, 4 hours. Medium to hard grade, with a steep uphill section.

Day 7: (all meals)

Transfer to Liwagu Valley, for a pleasant walk through cultivated land, with several river crossings and mountain vistas. After a visit to Paginatan village, and lunch, Highlight walkers transfer to Sabah Tea Plantation for overnight accommodation. Challenge walkers complete the day's trek, from Nabutan to the plantation,  enjoying a cultural experience along a route which passes through forested/cultivated land. Full trek, 6 hours' duration;  Highlights trek, 3 hours. Easy to moderate grade, with uphill sections.

Day 8: (all meals)

Interesting cultural walk to Muruk village, passing through tea plantation, small farms and jungle sections. Fom Muruk, Challenge walkers begin steep ascent up Marakau Hill,  to meet Highlights walkers who have been transferred by vehicle. After lunch, all participate in a short steep trek through jungle, before Challenge walkers  continue trek, descending and crossing Ranau Plain.   After inspecting POW Camp sites,  transfer to Kundasang (Mt. Kinabalu), for overnight stay at Perkasa Hotel. Full trek, 5-6 hours' duration, moderate to hard grade, with extensive uphill section. Highlights trek, 2-3 hours with short steep ascent.

Day 9: (B/L)

After breakfast visit the magnificently restored Kundasang War Memorial for a time of quiet reflection, before returning by vehicle to Kota Kinabalu. After lunch, transfer to Hyatt Hotel (Promenade Hotel for August trekkers) for overnight accommodation.

Day 10: (B/L)

Early morning departure by plane for Labuan. A visit to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, where the remains of Sandakan's POWs are buried,  is followed by a tour of the island and lunch at a bay-side restaurant, before departing by air-conditioned ferry for late afternoon arrival in Kota Kinabalu. Walk or take taxi back to hotel.

Day 11: (B)

After breakfast, check out of hotel for return home, or own arrangments, or, for August trekkers, to watch the Merdeka Day Parade.

B =breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner

What to bring:

Good, strong walking shoes/boots with thick soles, sandshoes/sneakers/crocodile shoes for river crossings, extra socks, loose comfortable clothing, personal items, broad-brimmed hat, folding solar umbrella (optional, but highly recommended), sun screen, insect repellent, small backpack for trekking, energy food bars, rehydrating salt sachets. All luggage is transported by vehicle. Bottled water is provided.

All participants must ensure that they have adequate travel insurance.

2008 TOUR DEPARTURES FROM KOTA KINABALU

• TOUR 1: 04 May - 14 May
• TOUR 2: 21 August - 31 August

Other departure dates for groups, by arrangement.

COST: AUS$1,950 p.p. (twin share) based on 16 people

For groups less than 16, (scheduled and private departure dates) the following rates apply.

OPTIONS:

For groups wishing to incorporate the trek into their own itineraries, or individuals wishing to join a scheduled tour for the trek only, the price of the 8-day trek tour, excluding accommodation in Kota Kinabalu, airport transfers and day trip to Labuan, is $1500 AUD (based on a tour of at least 16 persons).

TYK also offers customised tours to climb Mt Kinabalu and Mt Trusmadi, and specialty trekking, including the historic Salt Track and expeditions for botanists and nature lovers.
( see www.tykadventuretours.com )

Coach tours, which follow the approximate route of the death march track, and general tours of Sabah by coach, are also available for groups.

FOR ALL BOOKINGS CONTACT

TYK ADVENTURE TOURS SDN BHD
C/N 477861-U   L/N KKKP3443 
e-mail  :  tykadto@tm.net.my / thamyaukong@hotmail.com
Tel       :  +60 88 720826 / 727825 
Fax      :  +60 88 720827