A trek to the Maliau Basin is a highly adventurous way of exploring one of Borneo's most remote and pristine areas of rainforest.  Due to the remoteness of this area and difficulty of access, the Maliau Basin is known 'Sabah's Lost World', and is the place to go for someone with a penchant for expedition style adventure.  This huge saucer shaped depression is enclosed on all sides by cliffs and steep slopes of a 1,500m high mountain range.  Located at the heart of one of the most remote and pristine parts of Sabah, the awe inspiring natural beauty and breathtaking landscape make the Maliau Basin one of Borneo's greatest wilderness areas.  Talks are presently underway to designate the Basin as Malaysia's third UNESCO World Heritage as the area is of global importance.

It is one of the few remaining truly wilderness areas of not just Sabah and Malaysia, but of the world.  Only about 25% of the total area has been mapped with less than 10% has been studied intensively.  There are a number of different forest types with a high diversity of botanical species and it is a refuge for rare and endangered animals such as the Sumatran Rhino, Banteng, Proboscis Monkey and the Asian Elephant.  The Basin boasts extraordinary geomorphological features including an exceptionally high number of waterfalls - probably the highest number of any area in Malaysia.

The stunning diversity of flora and fauna within the utterly untouched interior of the Basin is staggering.  The variation in altitude means vegetation changes from rainforest to heath forest and the isolation of these forests within the 'lost world' has produced numerous endemic species.  More than 80 species of mammal reside within including Sambar, Mouse & Barking Deer, Wild Boar, small cats, the larger Leopard Cat and Sun Bears.  The calls of Bornean Gibbons are heard every morning and other primates include Red Leaf Monkeys and Grey Leaf Monkeys.

Alongside the mammals are 270 species of bird including 8 hornbill species, 9 barbets, 8 kingfishers and 3 pheasants of which one is the exceptionally rare Bulwer's pheasant.  A plethora of amphibians and reptiles have been recorded or sighted and a variety of endemic pitcher plants thrive on the nutrient deficient soils of the heath forest as well as a recently discovered orange-coloured dwarf species of Rafflesia. 

Rafflesia are the largest flowers in the world with blossoms that can attain a diameter of nearly a metre and can weigh up to 11kg.  A carrion-like stench of rotting meat accompanies the flowers when in bloom as this attracts the insects they depend on for transporting pollen between male and female flowers.  It may take up to 10 months for the bud to develop into a flower which then only lasts 5 - 6 days before the petals blacken and wither away.  It is a rare privilege to see this endangered and scarce rainforest spectacle in bloom.        

The Maliau Basin forms a single water catchment and is drained by the Maliau River which descends a magnificent series of cascading waterfalls, known as Maliau Falls.  After draining out through a gorge into the Kuamut River, it then feeds into another top-wildlife watching location, the Kinabatangan - Sabah's longest and most important river.

Aqua-Firma offers you a specialist insight into this remote, rugged and isolated area but a visit to this area is no walk in the park.  Access is strictly controlled and only camping style accommodation is permitted to keep visitor impact to an absolute minimum.  Over 6 days you will trek an average of 10km a day through rainforest enjoying the abundance of flora and fauna with opportunities to cool down and swim in forest waterfalls including the spectacular Maliau Falls.  Accommodation is based at 3 different rainforest camps including one of those set up for the Borneo Camel Trophy Challenge.  There are over 55km of marked trails in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area and a 30m high canopy observation platform is located at the Camel Trophy Camp. 

Physical Fitness is essentional for this trek

Photographs kindly provided by Albert Teo, BET, Allison and David Thomas

 

 

 

 

Price £1230 per person (group of 4+) £1290 per person (group of 3) £1380 per person (group of 2) Price Includes This is an adventurous expedition style camping experience including all prepared meals as indicated (B,L,D); a porter;a naturalist guide / forest ranger to accompany you; overland transfers from and to Kota Kinabalu at the beginning and end of the trek; all camping arrangements & equipment; conservation & permit fees; campsite user fee Price Excludes Items not mentioned Activity Level High

Day 1
(B,L,D)
Travel overland down to the Maliau Basin. Your journey starts with a long off road journey until we reach the security gates of the Maliau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA).  Once through, you will be taken to the Agathis Camp where you will stay overnight. After dinner, enjoy a night drive in search of nocturnal animals through the 26km access road along the Agathis Camp & Belian camp (subject to weather conditions).  Animals we will be looking out for include sambar deer, bearded pigs, Malay civets and flying squirrels.

Day 2
(B,L,D)
After breakfast we will begin our trek through this remote rainforest. The hills are steep here and you will be ascending to the highest level of the Basin. Break for packed lunch and then in the afternoon, proceed to the nearby waterfalls of Giluk.  You can spend the afternoon swimming and relaxing at the waterfall. The entire trek will be 7 km.

Day 3
(B,L,D)
Today will be a longer trek of approximately 13 km through the dense forest of Maliau Basin.  You will be able to see an abundance of nepenthes plants along "Jalan Babi". When we arrive at the Ginseng Campsite, you will be able to relax and swim in the nearby cool forest waterfall and immerse yourself in the sound of the wilderness. Overnight at Ginseng Campsite.

Day 4
(B,L,D)
Wake up to the calls of Gibbons and the enchanting sounds of the forest in the morning before continuing your trek to the spectacular seven tier Maliau Falls.  Here you can enjoy a refreshing swim at one of the most remote places in Malaysian Borneo.  Overnight in Ginseng Campsite. Total trekking distance today 10km.

Day 5
(B,L,D)
After breakfast, leave Ginseng Campsite and trek for 9 km back to the Agathis Camp. Expected to reach Agathis Camp in late afternoon. Overnight at Agathis Camp.

Day 6
(B,L)
After breakfast, leave camp and head back to Kota Kinabalu stopping at Keningau en-route. Overnight in Kota Kinabalu at the Jesselton.

Photographs kindly provided by Albert Teo, BET, Allison and David Thomas