Borneo: the ultimate multi-activity challenge

7 - 17 May 2010
10 - 20 September 2010
6 - 16 May 2011

Kinabalu ~ Cycle the Crocker mountain range ~ White water raft the River Trek Mount Padas

What is the itinerary?
Fitness Levels
Costs
I want to take part, What do I do next?

The Borneo Challenge is three exciting events during 10 fantastic days:

Trek to the peak of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia. The granite summit of Mount Kinabalu rises 4,095m (13,435ft) above the rain forest in the Kinabalu National Park.
A challenging two day cycle ride through the breathtaking Crocker Mountain range, known as the ‘Spine of Sabah’.
White water rafting – challenge the fast flowing turbulent rapids of the River Padas. A white knuckle ride you will remember for the rest of your life!

Itinerary

Day 1

After being met at London Heathrow by our Global representative, we catch our flight to Kota Kinabalu, by way of Kuala Lumpur, arriving the next day.

Day 2

We arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport and are met by our local guides. We then take the short transfer to the Beverley Hotel, where we can freshen up. The hotel is perfectly situated in Kota Kinabalu with local amenities right on the door step.

A full briefing and evening meal will be at the Beverley Hotel.

Day 3

After breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to Kinabalu National Park by our private coach – the journey will take approximately two hours.

Sunset

Upon arrival at the National Park, we will check in to our accommodation and the rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure in order for everyone to acclimatize to their new environment.

We will then meet as a group to enjoy an evening meal while we prepare for our first challenge tomorrow – trekking to the summit of Mount Kinabalu (4,095m / 13,435ft).

Day 4 – Conquer Mount Kinabalu

(4,095m / 13,435ft)

After our breakfast, we head for the Park Office for registration and then we continue our journey to the Power Station (approx. 15 minutes by coach), where our Trekking Challenge begins!

We start trekking on the jungle trails and covering the many steps as we head closer to our destination – our accommodation on the mountain – Laban Rata – 3,200m.

We should reach our accommodation after approximately four hours of strenuous trekking. A packed lunch will be supplied for trekkers to eat on the way. The Laban Rata guesthouse is very basic and has dormitory style rooms. Participants may want to bring a sleeping bag liner for extra personal comfort.

After dinner at the accommodation, we aim to get an early night as we are up at 2am for the climb to the summit!

Day 5 – Conquer Mount Kinabalu

(4,095m / 13,435ft)

After breakfast at approximately 2am, we push on up this mountain, using our head torches to help lead the way. Our trek to Lows Peak (summit) will take approximately three hours and we aim to reach the summit of this awesome mountain in time to see the sunrise over the whole of South East Asia – a sight definitely not to be missed!

Following our summit success, we then start our tough descent to Laban Rata Guesthouse. After a quick bite to eat, we continue our descent to the Power Station and Timpohon Gate and then transfer to the Park HQ.

Glowing from our success, we then transfer back to Rose Cabin where we can celebrate our achievement at an evening meal – but not too much – we need to prepare for our second challenge tomorrow – cycling the awesome Crocker Range Mountains!

Day 6

After our breakfast, at approximately 9am, we will take a transfer to Poring Hot Spring.

Today is a rest day for us to relax our legs after the strenuous mountain climb yesterday, and also, to prepare ourselves for the tough 2 days cycling coming.
The rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure. Lunch and dinner will be at Poring.

At about 3pm, we will all meet in the parking lot to prepare our Mountain Bikes for tomorrow’s ride.

Overnight at Poring Hot Spring.

Day 7 – Cycling the Crocker Range

Following our breakfast, a short transfer takes us to Ranau Town, where we will customise our bikes. We start our cycling Challenge from Ranau Town – the destination is Tambunan, approximately 80km.

This challenging scenic journey will take us through the undulating hills of the Crocker Mountains, past many villages and paddy fields. This region is famed for its orchids, Orang-utans and unusual plants. A full support vehicle will be following the group for safety and security and lunch will be on the way.

Upon arrival in Tambunan, we head straight for our accommodation – the Tambunan Village Resort, where we will enjoy a BBQ dinner before settling down the night.

Day 8 – Cycling the Crocker Range

This will be another testing day – from Tambunan, we take a very short transfer to Kampong (meaning ‘village’ in Malay) Rompan where we don our helmets again and take to the mountain road and cycle all the way to Tenom (approximately 90km on and off road). This route again has been chosen for its awesome views and panoramas of the surrounding area.

Upon arrival in Tenom, we head straight for our hotel where we can celebrate our cycling achievements at an evening meal.

Breakfast and lunch are also included.

Day 9 – Rafting the Padas River

Rafting Today we embark on our third and final discipline to end this amazing adventure – to raft the rapids of the Mighty Padas River.

After our breakfast, we transfer by bus to the railway station. At approximately 8am, we catch the train to Pangi, which lies right next to the Padas River. The Padas gushes through the spectacular Padas Gorge and offers rafters the ultimate white-water adventure in Borneo. Following our rafting trip we will enjoy a sumptuous BBQ lunch.

We then take the train back to Beaufort and upon arrival we will transfer to Kota Kinabalu – The Pacific Sutera Hotel – a lovely resort where we can relax and revive our aching limbs.

This evening we have a Presentation Dinner to celebrate our achievements.

Day 10

The morning is free to speand at your leisure until we transfer to the Airport for flight home in the afternoon.

Day 11

Arrive UK.

Please note that while we make every effort to stick to this schedule and the accommodation stated, this is subject to alteration.

Fitness levels

This wonderful challenge aims to attract people with a reasonable level of fitness to participate in an exciting and memorable event. This experience will physically and mentally test you. It will give you a tremendous sense of achievement and at the same time benefit those people whose lives are affected by epilepsy.

Costs

2009

Registration fee: £299
Additional minimum sponsorship required: £ 2,995, of which £1,520 goes directly to Epilepsy Action
Insurance fee: £45

2010

Registration fee: £349
Additional minimum sponsorship required: £ 3,095, of which £1,596 goes directly to Epilepsy Action
Insurance fee: £45

If you would prefer to pay the registration fee in installments, please call the fundraising department.

Eighty per cent of the minimum sponsorship money is to be paid to Epilepsy Action no later than 11 weeks before departure. The remaining 20 per cent is due within six weeks of completing the event..

See Epilepsy Action's other challenges

What do I do next?

If you would like more information about this event please contact the events team by telephone on 0113 210 8800 (UK) or +44 (0)113 210 8800 (international), or by email to events@epilepsy.org.uk.

Organised by Global Adventures Challenges