For those of you who are not into the typical traditional tours, then this self-drive tour is definitely recommended. Traveling around Borneo by car is a unique experience, offering a close perspective of this beautiful region, something most traditional packages are unable to offer. This promotional package includes hotel accommodation with breakfast, airport transfers and the car rental with GPS.

Beginning in Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak, your road trip around Borneo will take you to Batang Ai where you can explore the jungle interiors of Borneo. Then it's off to Sibu and Miri along the northern coast of Borneo and across the border to Brunei! After exploring this amazing Malay sultanate, cross over into Malaysia again to Kota Kinabalu. Your tour wraps up in the shadow of the tallest peak of the country, Mount Kinabalu.

Along the way, you will have time to explore the various places and attractions in Borneo. Here are some suggestions on how to occupy your time at some of these places.

The tour of Kuching will take you around what was known as the Kingdom of Sarawak during the first White Rajah's reign. It includes both modern and historical landmarks, including Chinatown, the city's Cat Statue (the Malay word for cat is Kuching), and the famous Sarawak Museum. Trace the legacy of the White Rajahs as you view buildings like Fort Margherita and the Astana, their former residence by the river.

The highlight at Batang Ai is the boat ride through Batang Ai Hydro Lake, the largest man-made lake in the country. The lake itself is a beauty of nature, one that you will be able to admire at leisure from the luxurious Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort.

Sibu is Sarawak's third largest city, and boasts of a few superlatives like having one of the biggest open air market, tallest building - the Sanyan Tower - and the largest town square in Malaysia. The local food here is simply amazing, so be sure to try the Sibu Kong Pia (local made bun with stuffed fillings).

The Brunei sultanate once stretched across the northern region of Borneo, much of it now is modern day Sarawak and parts of Sabah. While Brunei today may not be vast, the country is one of the richest in the world, owning vast oil reserves and numerous global concerns. Brunei is a monarchy, led by the Sultan, who holds near absolute power. His wealth can be seen in the many beautiful buildings in the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, including Istana Nurul Iman - the Sultan’s Palace, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the Royal Regalia Museum and the Brunei Museum.

Many of Sabah's major tourist attractions happen to be within close proximity of Kota Kinabalu. Just off the coast lies the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, which is an amazing wonder of nature. The city is situated in the shadow of Mount Kinabalu, the tallest peak of the country, and one of the world's most diverse ecosystems. Many locals take opportunity of this close proximity to indulge in mountain climbing and other nature related activities during the weekends.

Day 1 KUCHING

Distance: 15 kms (20 minutes by chauffeur driven car)

Drive Information:

No driving for the day

Meals: None

Remarks:

Arrive at Kuching airport, where you will be welcomed by our local representative. After checking in, spend the rest of the day at leisure as you explore the capital of the former White Rajah.

Day 2 KUCHING – BATANG AI

Distance: 220 Kms (5.5 hours by car and 20 minutes by boat)

Drive Information:

After getting acquainted with your rented car, make your way to Batang Ai as you depart Kuching. Upon reaching the jetty at Batang Ai Lake, board a boat that will take you to the Hilton Batang Ai Resort. Remember to park your car at the hotel jetty, which is free of charge. The boat leaves the jetty at 4.15pm and 5.30pm to the resort. Please make sure you arrive 15 minutes before boat departure time.

Meals: Breakfast

Remarks:

The rented car will be delivered to your hotel in the morning.

On your way to Batang Ai, you are advised to make a stop at Serian town to visit and experience the colorful local market, where you can purchase some local products. Enjoy the boat ride after reaching the Batang Ai Jetty. Relax in the evening and admire the lake.

Day 3 BATANG AI

Distance: 4 hour tour (by boat)

Drive Information:

No driving for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Remarks:

Breakfast at the resort.

Relax the entire day doing nothing at all, or sign up for an optional tour conducted by the resort. The tour will take you to a long house and will cost approximately RM 120.- / USD 45.- per person. The tour will take you via boat to Mengkak Longhouse. You will experience the longhouse culture, by meeting with its natives and share a moment of their day, and feel the pace of the rural life in the interior of Sarawak, as you share a glass of tuak (rice wine) and cultural performance with your Iban hosts on the Ruai-the communal enclosed verandah common to all Longhouse. Retrace your journey back to the Batang Ai Resort for more relaxation.

Day 4 Batang Ai – Sibu

Distance: 200 kms (3 hours by car)

Drive Information:

Bid goodbye to Batang Ai and retrieve your car from the parking lot after your boat ride back. Head to Sibu when you are ready.

Meals: Breakfast

Remarks:

Breakfast at the resort.

Enjoy the drive along Borneo's countryside as you make your way to Sibu. Take a drive through town and put together your own impromptu tour.

Day 5 Sibu – Miri

Distance: 393 kms (6 hours by car)

Drive Information:

Head towards Miri via the Sibu-Bintulu Road. Remember to stop by at Bintulu along the way to Miri.

Meals: Breakfast

Along your way to Bintulu, stop at kilometre 26 of the Sibu-Bintulu Road to admire the Yu Lung San Tien En Si Temple. The temple is said to be the biggest of its kind in Asia and is dedicated to bringing together three faiths - Buddhist, Taoism and Confucianism. At Bintulu, you can check out the Similajau national park that has a very unique beach line which sands are said to be the color of gold. A hike is needed to reach the beach. When you are done, continue on to Miri.

Day 6 - MIRI

Distance: Depending on sights

Drive Information:

Drive around Miri town or head to one of the nearby attractions.

Meals: Breakfast

Remarks:

Miri is home to a population of about 300,000 people and is the second largest city in Sarawak. It is also the birthplace of Sarawak's and Malaysia's petroleum industry, which remains the major industry of the city. The famous Gunung Mulu National Park, which is not accessible by road, is only a half an hour by flight away. Other attractions such as the Loagan Bunut National Park, Lambir National Park and the Niah Caves are accessible by car.

Day 7 - MIRI to BRUNEI

Distance: 35 kms (1 hour by car)

Drive Information:

Please note the immigration checkpoints, as it requires a bit of attention as you will be leaving Malaysia in to Brunei and then re-entering Malaysia again and Brunei a second time before you get back into Malaysia.

Meals: Breakfast

Remarks:

Make your way to Brunei, the tiny sultanate that is one of the richest countries in the world. Admire the wealthy opulence as you embark on a self- exploration of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's capital city.

Day 8 BRUNEI - LAWAS – KOTA KINABALU

Distance: 170 km (2 hours)

Drive Information:

Take an early drive from Brunei to Sabah. Then proceed north to Kota Kinabalu. It is approximately 170 kilometers to Kota Kinabalu from Merapok, via the towns/villages of Sipitang, Beaufort, and Papar.

Meals: Breakfast

Remarks:

Upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu, remember to check out some of the interesting sights of the city. In the evening, you might want to head down to the Waterfront and enjoy some of the fresh seafood available there.

Day 9 - KOTA KINABALU

Distance: N/A

Drive Information: Return the rented car in the morning at your hotel.

Meals: N/A

Day at leisure until the return flight.

Hilton Kuching Hotel

Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman

93100, Kuching, Sarawak

Tel: 082 223 888

Fax: 082 428 984

Batang Ai Longhouse Resort by Hilton

Lubuk Antu, Batang Ai, Sri Aman,

93748 Sarawak

Tel: +60 83 584 388

Fax: +60 83 584 399

Tanah Mas Hotel Sibu

Lot 277, Block 5

Jalan Kampung Nyabor

P.O. Box 240

96007, Sibu, Sarawak

Tel: 084 333 188

Fax: 084 333 288

Miri Marriott Resort

Jalan Temenggong Datuk Oyong

Lawai, Miri, 98000

Tel: 085 421 121

Fax: 085 420 199

Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam

PO Box 2203, Jalan Tasek, Bandar Seri Begawan

BS 8674, Negara Brunei Darussalam

Tel: +673 224 4272

Fax: +673 222 1579

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Jalan Datuk Salleh Sulong

88991 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Tel: 088 22 1234

Fax: 088 22 5972

All package rates are nett price in USD. Valid from 1 November 2011 till 31 March 2013.

Car Type

Proton Wira 1.5 (Auto) USD 1100 per person

Proton Waja 1.5 (Auto) USD 1200 per person

Toyota VIOS (Auto) USD 1300 per person

Toyota Unser (Manual) USD 1300 per person

Toyota Hilux, Frontier, Triton (M) USD 1300 per person

Single room Supplement USD 500 per person

* All vehicles listed above are subjected to availability

PEAK SEASON SURCHARGES

Hilton Kuching

USD 20 per room/night for the period of 1 July to 31 August

Package Rate includes:

Accommodation in air conditioned rooms with bath/shower with daily breakfast

Service charge of 10 % and local taxes of 6 %

Private transfer from Kuching airport to Hilton Hotel in Kuching

Private transfer from Hyatt Hotel to Kota Kinabalu airport

Car on self drive basis with CDW

Car Collection Fee at Kota Kinabalu

Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS)

Package Rate excludes:

Any damages caused by hirer carelessness or negligence

All entrance fees, sightseeing, petrol, toll, parking, etc.

Any domestic or international flights

Expenditure of a personal nature

Departure airport tax

Optional tours such as the Longhouse tour at Batang Ai, etc.

Minor changes to the itinerary are sometimes necessary, we will endeavour to minimise these changes, which are at times out of our control.

All prices are subject to changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as but not limited to increase in government taxes etc.

The non-waiver excess:

Model 1 – 2: RM 500

Model 3: RM 700

Model 4 – 5: RM 1000

Model 6: RM 2000

Sun protection (Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.)

Raincoat

Mosquito repellent

Good walking shoes

Arrange for a local prepaid SIM card (preferably Celcom, which has the widest coverage on Borneo)

Camera

Torch/Flash-light