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This eleven-day tour 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. The minimum number of trekkers required to form a group is six. Fixed departure dates in May, August and November enable individuals and small parties to form a viable group. Groups of 16 or more for the fixed departure dates are accompanied by historian Lynette Silver. Additional departure dates can be arranged for common interest groups. Please note that this trek is not for those whose aim is to travel from point A to point B in the fastest possible time. It has been carefully designed and paced to provide an all-round experience, combining Sabah's natural beauty with hard physical and mental effort, and historical, cultural and spiritual elements, in what is, essentially, a challenging pilgrimage to retrace the footsteps of some of World War 2’s finest heroes.Important:Participants aged over 55 years who wish to undertake the Challenge Walk are required to provide a statement from a medical practitioner attesting that they have achieved a level of fitness necessary to undertake the full-length trek in tropical heat.
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: Mereka Day Parade is not held if it falls during Ramadan) Note: Additional departure dates can be arranged for common interest groups. Itinerary:Day 1: Arrive Kota Kinabalu International Airport, where you will be transferred to the Hyatt Regency hotel for an overnight stay. 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)
Day 4: (all meals) A physically challenging trek through fairly thick jungle and open country, 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, depending on the heat; Highlights trek, 5 hours. Hard grade. Day 5: (all meals) Follow foot/estate tracks, passing through semi-jungle and 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 walk through various estate and forest tracks, and then along a river to Taviu Hill, and a fairly exhausting climb to the summit. After lunch, descend into the Liwagu Valley, for a pleasant walk through cultivated land, with several river crossings and mountain vistas. After a visit to Paginatan village, transfer to Sabah Tea Plantation. Full trek, 7 hours' hours duration; Highlights trek, 3 hours. Medium to hard grade, with a steep uphill section. Day 7: (all meals) After breakfast, an easy walk through forested/cultivated land brings you to Quailey's Hill. After lunch, continue on along the valley to Muruk village, passing through small farms and forested sections. Full trek, 5 hours' duration. Easy to moderate grade, with uphill sections. Overnight at Slagon Homestay. Day 8: (all meals) Fom Muruk, Challenge walkers begin steep ascent up Marakau Hill, to meet Highlights walkers who have been transferred to Ranau by vehicle. After visiting Ranau POW sites and lunch, trek to the site of the Last Camp. Transfer to Kundasang (Mt. Kinabalu), for overnight stay at Mt Kinabalu Heritage Resort and Spa. Full trek, 5-6 hours' duration, moderate to hard grade, with extensive uphill section. Highlights trek, 3-4 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 for overnight accommodation. Day 10: (B/L/D) 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 for the mainland. Before returing to Kota Kinabalu, take a boat along a jungle bordered river, to observe proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat. Dinner at riverside, before returning to Hyatt in the evening by vehicle. Day 11: (B) After breakfast, check out of hotel for return home, or own arrangments. 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 and/or large bum-bag 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.
2010 - 2011 TOUR DEPARTURES FROM KOTA KINABALU FINAL TOUR FOR 2010: Remembrance Day Trek, 3 -13 November.
Other departure dates for groups, by arrangement.
COST: AUS$2,895 p.p. (twin share) based on 16 peopleFor groups less than 16, (scheduled and private departure dates) the following rates apply.
Please note: 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 $2,200 AUD (based on a tour of at least 16 persons). Private groups wishing to have Lynette Silver accompany them to provide expert and exclusive historical commentary need to contact TYK to ensure that she is available, and to obtain a quote, before making a firm booking. TYK also offers a cycling tour along the first section of the POW route, from Sandakan-Bauto ( click here for details ) ; customised tours to climb Mt Kinabalu and Mt Trusmadi, and specialty trekking, including the historic Salt Track and expeditions for botanists and nature lovers.
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