All the places where the group ate together provided good, traditional food and those who took on the job of ordering for us did a really good job. A special highlight was dinner on our final night where it seemed the world and his wife had all turned out to eat, the food delicious and we had much to toast after a great trip.
8-Day Borneo Family Cycling Holiday
Family-Friendly Activities
Meet Diverse Wildlife
Cultural Immersion
Discover the captivating landscapes of Borneo on a thrilling 8-day family cycling adventure, catering to both young and old. Traverse from the majestic mountains to the tranquil coastal mangroves, immersing in the breathtaking Borneo rainforest and encountering fascinating wildlife. Engage with local communities, savor authentic tribal cuisine, and enjoy diverse activities designed for all skill levels. Perfect for families seeking an unforgettable blend of culture, adventure, and relaxation in a compact yet enriching itinerary.
Tour Highlights
Cultural Exploration: Explore Kuching's heritage by cycling its markets, Malay kampongs, and historical sites.
Nature & Wildlife: Witness Bako Park's wildlife, trek to scenic waterfalls, and observe orangutans at Semenggoh.
Village Life: Immerse in Annah Rais Longhouse and a secluded highland homestay, connecting with local traditions.
Adventure Activities: Enjoy kayaking the Sarawak River, cycling through limestone karsts, and trekking remote areas.
Culinary Delights: Delight in Sarawak's diverse flavors at local markets, longhouses, and eateries.
Click the Tabs to Find Out More
Itinerary
Trip Details
Price
- Adult (12+): MYR 9800.00
- Per Child Discount (If Below 16, Sharing Bed w 2 Full-Paying Adult): MYR8,800.00
- Single supplement (for solo travelers who want their own room): MYR 650.00
If you have a group of more than 6 pax, ask for our group pricing!
Departure Time
To be arranged upon booking as it depends on your arrival flight time
Meeting Point
Kuching Airport
Availability
On request
Duration
8 days, 7 nights
Number of Cycling Days
7 days
Distance
171 km
Group Size
Minimum 2 adults, for groups of more than 6, please inquire for a special price
Difficulty Level
2/5 Easy: paved roads with some undulations
Included
- Airport transfer
- English-speaking guide
- Bikes and helmets
- Accommodations
- Meals
- Support vehicle
- Rain ponchos
- Drinks & snacks during the rides
- Paradesa Borneo T-shirt and water bottle
- Other non-riding activities as per the itinerary
- Entrance fees
Not Included
- Bikes – for the longer tours we offer bike hire as a supplement in case you prefer to bring your own bike
- Bikes can be rented from us on an availability basis – we provide front-suspension mountain bikes with lightweight alloy frames, 27-speed gearing, dish-brakes, and Shimano components – all in good condition
- Travel insurance
What to Bring
Essential Items
- Multiple sets of cycling or sporting clothing
- Multiple sets of spare casual clothing, including long trousers and shorts, hat/cap, swimming costumes, sandals, and extra walking shoes
- Cycling gear: gloves and sunglasses
- Personal care: small towel, toiletries, personal medication, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent
- Camera and chargers, dry bag, and torchlight
- Extra cash/credit card
- Passport with 6 months validity and spare pages (additional immigration check at Sarawak’s entry points) and travel insurance details
For More Comfort
- Padded bike shorts with something to put on over the top when not on the bikes
- Cycling shoes or comfortable sports shoes
- Your own personal helmet, water bottle, and raincoat
About Your Guide
From start to finish, your trip will be led by 1 or 2 English-speaking cycling tour leaders, depending on the size of the group. Along with further support from an assistant and support vehicle driver, the team’s aim is to deliver a comfortable, safe, fun, and enriching travel experience by ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Our local, English-speaking tour leaders take great pride in their heritage (as well as their own personal stories) and are well informed on Borneo’s history, culture, and natural wonders.
Good to Know
- Our tour leaders carry spare parts and tools for basic repair
- Age restriction: all participants must be aged 12 and over
- For correct bike sizing, please provide personal height measurements during the booking process
- Tell us your food preference, accommodation preference, and any other personal request, etc
- Come into our shop a day before the tour to meet your tour leader and test out your bike, and for fixing your personal saddle, clips, bike bag or phone rack, etc, if any
- Check out OUR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM COMMITMENT
What You'll Do
Arrive in the capital of Sarawak, the charming old town of Kuching. Meet with the tour leader in the afternoon for a briefing on the tour, a chance to try out the bikes, and then we head off straightaway onto the heritage trail of the White Rajah and visit a local market. Enjoy a sunset dinner at the bank of the romantic Sarawak River.
Pedal into history on this heritage tour of Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. Explore the Main Bazaar of the picturesque Old Town, and stop at the Square Tower, at the ‘stone jetty’. Along the way, you can explore the vibrant and exotic open air market of Kubah Ria. Experience the vibrant colors of tropical fresh fruits and vegetables, and discover a whole range of jungle produce, including unique wild ferns, exotic vegetables, as well as orchid plants. We continue the ride into the Malay kampong (village), and at sunset, relax by the bank of the Sarawak River to enjoy a local dinner.
The Marian Boutique Hotel (3*)
Meals: Dinner
Reach Bako National Park for trekking and wildlife spotting at Sarawak’s premier national park. After the hike, take the return boat transfers to the mainland before cycling to reach the river island of Beliong, before a transfer to a rural town of Serian.
Bako National Park is Sarawak’s oldest national park with potential wildlife sightings of Proboscis Monkeys, Long-Tail Macaques, Bornean Bearded Pigs, Snakes and Tropical Birds. In the morning, after a transfer from Kuching, we depart from Kampong Bako jetty by boat heading towards Bako National Park. This 20 minutes boat ride across the Buntal Bay is a great opportunity to spot many migratory birds along the spectacular coastline. Our expert park guide will bring you to the best places to see the wild animals. Our expert park guide will bring you to the best places to see the wild animals. Next is the lunch break at National Park Canteen and followed by boat transfer back to Kampung Bako Jetty. From there, we shall proceed by cycling to reach Kampung Beliong, a traditional fishing village with a majestic Chinese Temple. The scenery is a little different and more varied from the previous days as we ride through coconut husking areas, orchards, farms and mangroves. Fairly flat throughout it does have some short unsurfaced sections along the way which are non-technical. In order to experience Beliong we’ll take a couple of short river crossings with the ride concluding close to the village of Asajaya. From here it is time to load up the bikes for a 45 minutes transfer to Serian Town and our hotel.
Serian Roxy Hotel (3*)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
After a visit to the local market followed by a quick transfer, we cycle along the spectacular Penrissen Range dotted with local farms and villages. Explore a peaceful Bidayuh Longhouse and experience a freshly cooked authentic Bidayuh Lunch in a lovely longhouse.
Our first stop of exploration is in the form of the Serian Market. It’s very much a local market (far more than those in Kuching) with the array of wild and weird jungle produce here incredible and time spent here well worth it. After a quick transfer to avoid the heavy traffic area, it’s another lovely day of riding through the lush, fertile area of this part of Sarawak. Using winding backroads, we pedal through a landscape dotted with small kampongs, rice paddies, and plantations near to the Penrissen Mountains. The final part of the trail is quite hilly but there is plenty of opportunity to get on the support vehicle. Our final destination today is Annah Rais. It’s here at the Bidayuh longhouse community that you’ll be able to spend some time exploring and have the chance to see the skulls that the headhunters collected during the tribal disputes of the past. The rest of the day is spent at leisure and you’ll be free to take a wander down to the river and around the village, meet the villagers and learn more about their way of life. In the evening we enjoy a Bidayuh dinner served in the Longhouse. Overnight is basic but in clean homestay accommodation.
Annah Rais Longhouse (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Explore amazing waterfalls, remote villages and learn how to live in the jungle by putting your new survival skills to the test on this multi-day Borneo trekking tour. On this adventure, guests will start by trekking to one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Sarawak and stay in a beautiful village with an incredibly scenic view.
After a 15-minute vehicle transfer from the longhouse, we reach Bengoh Dam jetty, situated at a mountain opening of the majestic Bengoh Range. Here you’ll prepare for a scenic 20-minute boat ride across a tranquil lake surrounded by the majestic Bornean mountains. Today’s hiking continues for around an hour (a little steep at times) but is well worth the effort as it will bring you to a series of spectacular waterfalls, whose crystal-clear waters are surrounded by deep jungle. Part of the trail includes a crossing of suspension bamboo bridge and we’ll then settle down under one of the waterfalls to soak in a crystal clear waterfall in the middle of the lush rainforest. After a spot of relaxation at the falls, it’s time to learn the art of Dayak cooking and its unique culinary methods. Using bamboo harvested from the jungle, this is a hands-on cooking experience that you all will enjoy. With bellies suitably full and we’re dried off from swimming, we return to the village passing through pepper farms, where we will see how the spice is harvested and processed. In the evening, you’ll then experience the most memorable village stay with the friendly Bidayuh tribe while you learn traditional culinary skills and craft making of the highlands.
Highland Homestay (Basic Facilities)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Float down a stretch of untouched tributary of the Sarawak River in a kayak to discover hidden waterfalls and explore unique limestone formations. Then hop back on the saddle to cycle through some spectacular limestone karst landscape before settling in a serene Buddhist sanctuary near Siniawan night market.
A full day of 2-in-1 (2 adventure activities of Kayaking and Cycling, all in one day) awaits us. In the morning, wake up early to view the spectacular mist over the scenic lake below from the vantage point of your homestay patio. After breakfast, we return to Bengoh by boat before transferring (around a 10 minute transfer) to the village of Bengoh where we start our river kayaking. It’s a scenic gentle downstream paddle (around 12 kms) that sees us meandering through the rainforest taking in the sights and sounds along the way. On reaching Semadang by kayak we take time to relax over a delicious lunch before getting back in the saddle. The afternoon ride is around 30 kms and takes us along quiet back roads that pass through villages, plantations and farmland. We finish our ride at the manicured grounds of the Buddhist Village close to Siniawan. This will be our accommodation for the night, but the day is not over yet! Tonight we’ll be heading to the historic town and former gold mining settlement of Siniawan for an evening of food and fun at the open-air street market (Weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday only). With a bewildering array of delicious ‘street food’ available until late in the evening, you are free to choose your own evening meal and drinks from one or more of the stalls then sit back and take it all in.
NB: Kayaking is not available on Monday
Gandhalaya Vihala @ Kuching Buddhist Village (3*)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
We watch orangutans emerge from the rainforest during their feeding time. Get back on two wheels to cycle some scenic backroads before a transfer to the beach side resort at Damai.
From the Buddhist Village we board our transfer vehicle for the journey (30 mins approx) to the Semenggoh Nature Reserve. Enclosed in a large area of lush rainforest it is home to endangered Orangutans who have been rescued from captivity and who are now part of a successful rehabilitation programme. During the scheduled feeding time, these amazing primates should descend from the canopy to the lower branches of trees, near the feeding area and offer us the chance to see them at fairly close quarters which for many is the wildlife highlight of the trip. From Semenggoh we head back to the Buddhist Village from where it’s time to start cycling. Ride to Siniawan town for a quick lunch and cycle the backroad under the shadow of Mt. Serapi before packing up the bike for a transfer to Damai beach below the majestic Santubong National Park. Dinner at Permai Rainforest Resort and maybe free and easy time at the seaside bar at Damai Central.
Permai Rainforest Resort (3*)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Relax on the resort’s beautiful beach before taking a morning cruise through the spectacular mangroves tributary to sight exotic birds and animals. After lunch at the nearby fishing village, we make a final ride into Kuching before enjoying a farewell dinner at Topspot.
After breakfast, we take a boat cruise through the spectacular mangroves tributary to sight more exotic birds and animals. Lunch is at a local seafood restaurant in the Malay fishing kampong of Buntal. We then ride back into the city center along a beautiful mangrove coastal path taking in great views of majestic Mt Santubong. Once back and checked in to our hotel the remainder of the day is yours to take at leisure. We round-off the day with yet more delicious Sarawak cuisine at one of Kuching’s best loved restaurants in Bukit Mata.
The Marian Boutique Hotel (3*)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Today the tour concludes. Transfer to Kuching airport for a flight home sweet home.
Meals: Breakfast
Frequently Asked Questions
Our bike tours are fully supported by air-conditioned vehicles, so should you want to put your feet up, there will be a seat for you and a place to put your bike. The support vehicle also carries your luggage, as well as keeping you topped up with water, tropical fruit, and snacks.
Wearing a helmet is strongly recommended on all our biking adventures. Your tour leader will conduct a group cycling safety meeting on day one, as well as a briefing at the beginning of each day on what to expect during the day’s ride. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue but, to a certain degree, you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. For non-biking activities such as kayaking, safety measures such as life-jackets are compulsory and a separate safety briefing will be given before the start of each activity.
Meals and snacks are included as per the itinerary. We take care in our planning to include the best of Sarawak cuisine, including delicacies from a mixture of Dayak, Malay, and Chinese cuisine that all use local, fresh ingredients from the tropics. Some can be hot and spicy. We eat dinner together, Malaysian style, by sharing all of our delicious dishes. Alcoholic drinks are available at your own expense, but they might not be served in some Muslim halal restaurants.
We have carefully chosen the best available accommodation in different locations with friendly, local hosts. To ensure your comfort after a hard day in the saddle, we strive to offer a range of accommodation that is clean, comfortable, and represents the local culture. The type of lodging can vary depending on the location and what is available: a local tribal homestay, a jungle lodge, a national park cabin, a historical shophouse, and seaside resorts. Rooms are based on a sharing basis with double beds and if you are a single traveler, you might be paired with another traveler of the same sex unless you pay the single supplement.
The details of the number of cycling days, cycling distances, and difficulty levels for each tour are listed in the fact sheet. All our trips require basic fitness, preferably acquired through cycling. The fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy the riding. However, we try to make our Sarawak bike tours as accessible as possible with the average cycling distance of 30-40 km per day and the longest distance no more than 70 km. Most cycling terrains are on paved roads (and limited gravel tracks) with some undulations.
Being on the equator, Borneo is generally hot (average daily temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius) and humid, especially around noon. Therefore, we like to start our day early and rest at points of interest during the hottest part of the day. Short rain showers are fairly common during the mid to late afternoon but we provide waterproof ponchos for continuous riding, which can actually be very entertaining.
Once you have booked your tour, we will send you a pre-tour information pack that will have all the information you need to prepare for the tour, such as the packing list and joining instruction, etc.
Solo travelers are always welcome and those who would like their own room have the option of paying a single supplement. Otherwise, we will arrange for a shared room with another solo traveler (of the same sex) at no extra cost. If there is no roommate available, we will cover the additional cost of a single room.
We include very limited corporate insurance coverage with minimum coverage. It is a condition of participating in a Paradesa Borneo that each traveler holds his or her own travel insurance for the duration of the trip. It needs to include coverage of medical expenses, emergency evacuation, personal liability, and accident insurance. You should email us a copy of your insurance coverage for our reference in case of an emergency.
The official currency is the Malaysian ringgit (RM). Foreign currencies are not generally accepted and currency exchange is only available in major banks, as well as larger hotels. Credit cards can be used only in larger hotels and shops. ATMs are widely available in cities and towns, but you’ll need cash in villages to pay for some extra meals, drinks, activities, and, of course, shopping. There will be limited opportunities to spend money whilst cycling through rural areas outside of personal items, extra snacks, drinks, and the odd souvenir. Tipping at restaurants and for local guides and support staff is uncommon. Should however you feel the staff/guides have provided excellent service you may wish to give them some form of gratuity. We recommend that you bring an equivalent of US$ 400 (in Malaysian ringgit) for incidentals.
