GUIDED BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS SINCE 1985 Tour Info

Transcription

1 Limosa GUIDED BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS SINCE 1985 Tour Info Borneo Sabah Bristleheads & Orang-utans The elusive Bornean Ground Cuckoo is one of the island's most mysterious and seldom-seen endemic birds Andy Paul 2015 Saturday 4th - Saturday 18th July LEADERS Peter Kennerley & local guide RETURNING A 15-day birding tour to Borneo focusing on the magnificent rainforests of Sabah in northern Borneo, forests that are among the oldest and richest on earth - and home to a fabulous array of birds, including more than 30 weird and wonderful endemics! Sought-after spectaculars such as Bornean Bristlehead, Fruithunter and Whitehead's Trogon headline amongst a fantastic list of hornbills, broadbills, pittas and other exotic Southeast Asian species on a trip that ranges from the tropical montane forests of Kinabalu National Park to the pristine lowland rainforests of Danum Valley. As well as Borneo's brilliant birdlife, we are likely to encounter some extraordinary mammals, with chances of Orang-utan, Proboscis Monkey, Bornean Gibbon, Borneo Pygmy Elephant and the 'flying' Colugo. See the amazing birdlife of the richest rainforests in all Asia Visiting Kinabalu National Park, Sepilok Reserve, Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley An extraordinary wealth of birds - many spectacular endemics Bornean Bristlehead, Whitehead s Broadbill, Bornean Falconet, Whitehead's Spiderhunter Great Argus, Bat Hawk, Edible-nest Swiftlet, Bushy-crested and Rhinoceros Hornbills Pittas, bee-eaters, barbets, kingfishers, spiderhunters, flowerpeckers Bornean Orang-utan, Proboscis Monkey and the 'flying' Colugo among possible mammals The Sepilok Canopy Walkway for unique treetop encounters Boat trips on the Kinabatangan River in search of the elusive Bornean Ground Cuckoo Scheduled flights from London to Kota Kinabalu Good accommodation in comfortable tourist hotels and lodges - with all meals included Led by Limosa's Asia specialist Peter Kennerley and an expert Malaysian bird guide LIMOSA, West End Farmhouse, Chapelfield, Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9EJ (UK) TEL: +44 (0) info@limosaholidays.co.uk WEB: limosaholidays.co.uk

2 Tour Overview Borneo is the world s third largest island, and its avifauna is one of the richest on earth. Its birdlife parallels that of the bountiful Malay Peninsula, yet includes numerous species that do not occur there - among them more than 30 spectacular Bornean endemics. For sheer diversity, the ancient rainforests of Southeast Asia are unsurpassed, containing more tree species than Amazonia along with a fantastic range of birds, from hornbills, barbets and minivets to kingfishers, broadbills and trogons. This remarkable tour will carry you from the tropical montane forests of Southeast Asia's highest peak - Mount Kinabalu - to the pristine lowland rainforests of the Danum Valley, via the world famous Sepilok Reserve, Gomantang Caves and the Kinabatangan River. Along the way, we should encounter the majority of the island's endemic birds plus some exciting mammals, too - including Bornean Orang-utan and the peculiar Proboscis Monkey. Our tour begins in Borneo's Crocker Range, at the Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Named after the world's largest flower, for which the reserve is famous, a visit here gives access to a range of mid-elevation specialities such as Bornean Barbet and Bornean Leafbird, which can be difficult to find elsewhere. We continue for a four-night stay at Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage Site, which protects Asia s highest mountain, Mt Kinabalu (4101m). Elusive and sought-after endemic birds here include Fruithunter, Crimson-headed Partridge and the fabulous trio of Whitehead s Trogon, Whitehead s Broadbill and Whitehead's Spiderhunter. The park is also home to more than 700 species of orchid and 600 different ferns; many of them found nowhere else on earth. Perhaps most intriguing amongst the plants are the Nepenthes pitcher plants, with their intricate traps for insects, eight species of which are found within this amazing national park. During our stay in the national park, we will enjoy a day trip to the lower slopes of Kinabalu and Poring Hot Springs, an area with a strikingly different avifauna. Possibilities include Blue-banded and Bornean Banded Pittas, together with rarities such as White-necked Babbler and White-tailed Blue Flycatcher. One of Borneo's most difficult endemics, Hose's Broadbill, also occurs - though we shall need luck to find it! Leaving Kinabalu, we head east to the Sepilok Reserve, visiting the Orang-utan Sanctuary before moving to the Kinabatangan River. The peculiar Proboscis Monkey, rare Storm s Stork, up to eight species of hornbill, the seldom seen Bornean Ground Cuckoo and the unique Bornean Bristlehead are among a long list of possible highlights. The superb Black-crowned Pitta, another Borneo endemic, can also be seen. To complete a fabulous adventure, we travel south for a 4-night stay at the excellent Borneo Rainforest Lodge, set deep within primary rainforest above a bend on the Danum River. The Danum Valley Conservation Area safeguards one of the world s oldest and richest lowland rainforests and boasts a huge list of species. Gigantic trees - some towering more than 80 metres above our heads - create the tallest canopy of any rainforest on earth, and the prospect of looking for five-star residents such as Great Argus (largest of all the pheasants), the spectacular Rhinoceros Hornbill, Pygmy White-eye and the furtive Bornean Wren-babbler can t fail to excite! Danum is probably the best place in the world to encounter a wild Orang-utan - no guarantees, of course, but we will do our best! Others we could see include Bornean Gibbon and the shy Borneo Pygmy Elephant. Night birding here might reward us with sightings of Buffy Fish Owl or Brown Wood Owl, and nocturnal mammals could include Bornean Loris, several species of flying squirrel and perhaps that tiny primate, Western Tarsier. Making a long overdue return to our programme in 2015, and led by Limosa s Asia specialist Peter Kennerley with expert Malaysian bird guide, Lee Kok Chung, our Borneo tour is not to be missed! 2 Any questions? Call: +44 (0) Web:

3 Outline Itinerary Days 1-2: Days 3-6: Day 7: Days 8-9: Day 10: Days 11-13: Days 14-15: Fly London-Kuala Lumpur-Kota Kinabalu, arriving on Day 2. Night Kota Kinabalu Transfer via Crocker Mountain Range to Kinabalu National Park for a four-night stay including visit to Poring Hot Springs. Kinabalu National Park (4 nts) Transfer to Sepilok Reserve. Night Sepilok Sepilok to Gomantong Caves and the Kinabatangan River. Kinabatangan (2 nts) River cruise Kinabatangan, transfer Danum Valley. Borneo Rainforest Lodge (4 nts) Danum Valley Conservation Area Morning Danum Valley. Fly to Kota Kinabalu and onward to Kuala Lumpur with overnight connection Kuala Lumpur-London. Arrival in London on day 15 Tour Itinerary Days 1-2 FLY LONDON TO KOTA KINABALU Our birding tour to Borneo begins with a flight from London to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, where we arrive the following day. An onward connecting flight carries us to Kota Kinabalu, in the state of Sabah (northern Borneo). Transfer to our hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Depending upon flight schedules, there may be time to enjoy some introductory birding nearby. Night Kota Kinabalu Days 3-6 KINABALU NATIONAL PARK & PORING HOT SPRINGS Leaving Kota Kinabalu early this morning, we travel southeast to the Rafflesia Forest Reserve, in the Crocker Mountains. Named after the dramatic Rafflesia keithii, a parasitic plant which produces the world s largest flower (up to one metre across), the reserve lies at a lower elevation than the nearby Mount Kinabalu massif and is home to a number of birds we may not encounter elsewhere. Specialities include Bornean and Mountain Barbets, Bornean Bulbul and Bornean Leafbird, with Blyth's Hawk Eagle, Red-breasted and Crimson-headed Partridges, Whitehead s Broadbill, Bornean Treepie, Pygmy Whiteeye, and Streaky-breasted and Whitehead s Spiderhunters also possible. From here, we swing northeast to magnificent Kinabalu National Park, where we spend four nights. At 4101m, Mt Kinabalu is Southeast Asia s highest peak. The park is also a World Heritage Site, the first in Malaysia, and boasts a huge range of endemic plant and animal species. With increasing altitude, lush lowland rainforests give way to forests of montane oaks, rhododendrons and conifers, culminating in the alpine meadow plants and stunted bushes of the summit zone. Kinabalu's splendid isolation has led to the evolution of a fabulous array of endemic species, which, together with the variety of habitats, has blessed Kinabalu with perhaps the richest floral diversity of any area of its size in the world. Throughout our stay here, we are based in an excellent location to sample Borneo s endemic birdlife. Mountain Serpent Eagles soar overhead and mixed feeding flocks rove the forest edge, bringing Haircrested and Ashy Drongos, Bornean Treepie, Chestnut-hooded and Sunda Laughingthrushes, Whitethroated Fantail and throngs of Chestnut-crested Yuhinas and Black-capped White-eyes our way. Despite its bright red belly and crown, the endemic Whitehead s Trogon can pass unnoticed as it sits quietly beneath the canopy, which harbours Golden-naped, Bornean and Mountain Barbets, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, the brilliantly green Whitehead s Broadbill, Fruithunter, Bornean Stubtail, Mountain Leaf and Yellow-breasted Warblers, Black-and-crimson Oriole, Mountain Blackeye and the emerald green Short-tailed Magpie. Among more than ten species of squirrel, we may see giant squirrel and the endemic Kinabalu Squirrel. We also pay a visit to Mountain Garden, with its collection of orchids, rhododendrons and pitcher plants, for an idea of what can be encountered along the well-maintained trails. 3 Any questions? Call: +44 (0) Web:

4 On one day we will drive to Poring Hot Springs, which is located at lower altitude near the foot of the mountain, and has a markedly different avifauna. Resident specialities include the dazzling Blue-banded and Bornean Banded Pittas as well as one of Borneo's hardest-to-find endemics, Hose's Broadbill. As elsewhere on this remarkable island, the range of possible birds is amazing with Maroon and Rufous Woodpeckers, Moustached and White-necked Babblers, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Warbler, Everett s White-eye, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker and Bornean Spiderhunter among a host of lowland rainforest treats in store. Four nights Kinabalu National Park Day 7 SEPILOK: ORANG-UTAN SANCTUARY We leave Kinabalu today and travel to Sepilok, on Borneo's northeast coast. It's a long drive but, broken by stops for birding, well worth the effort! Sepilok is famous for its successful Orang-utan rehabilitation project and protects a sizeable chunk of tall secondary forest. The area is superb for birds and exploring the trails here we might encounter forest jewels like the endemic Black-crowned Pitta, Rufous-collared and Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers, and the gorgeous Diard s Trogon. Sepilok's newly constructed Canopy Walkway is a great spot to look for the peculiar Bornean Bristlehead and for treetop views of hornbills. Mammalian highlights could well include seeing Orang-utans and flying squirrels. Night Sepilok Days 8-9 SEPILOK, GOMANTANG CAVES & KINABATANGAN RIVER We enjoy some early morning birding at Sepilok and the chance to pick up new species before arcing inland to Gomantong Caves. Gomantong are the largest birds nest caves in Sabah, famous for their huge numbers of swiftlets and their edible nests. Four species of look-alike swiftlet breed in the caves: Ediblenest, Black-nest, Mossy-nest and Glossy Swiftlets, best distinguished from one another by the structure of their nests! The caves are also home to a large colony of Wrinkle-lipped Bats. From Gomantong, we continue to our next lodge, on the banks of the serene Kinabatangan River, where we stay for two nights. The Kinabatangan is the longest river in Sabah and is said to boast the greatest concentration of wildlife in the whole of Borneo. The main channel is lined with forest on fertile alluvial terraces; behind these are extensive, low-lying forested swamps, which are usually waterlogged and flooded. Within these swamps, scattered hills and lakes dot the otherworldly landscape. We spend the whole of the next day in this superb area, exploring the river and creeks by boat. We shall be making a special effort to find the elusive Bornean Ground Cuckoo here, one of the island's most mysterious and seldom-seen endemic birds. Cruising along the river and its tributaries, we may observe canopy dwelling species such as the incomparable Rhinoceros Hornbill - indeed, all eight of Borneo's hornbill species are possible here. From the boat we have good chances to spot the rare Storm s Stork along with a variety of forest raptors, up to four species of pitta and a host of frugivores. Riverside mammals to watch for include the bizarre Proboscis Monkey - yet another species unique to Borneo - feeding in the mangrove forests. These placid vegetarians live in groups of up to twenty or more and always sleep next to water amongst the mangroves. The elusive Bornean Pygmy Elephant and Bornean Orang-utan are present too, and we should see the superb Maroon Langur and Crab-eating Macaque. The lower reaches of the Kinabatangan are outstanding for birds, with Oriental Darter and a host of herons, egrets, kingfishers and vividly coloured bee-eaters to enjoy. Overhead, we will scan the skies for soaring Grey-headed and Lesser Fish Eagles, and in the evenings keep an eye open for Buffy Fish Owl. Two nights at a lodge in an idyllic setting on the banks of the Kinabatangan River Day 10 KINABATANGAN RIVER & TRANSFER TO DANUM VALLEY After a final morning s cruise along the Kinabatangan River, we head south towards Lahad Datu after lunch. From here we swing west, travelling inland to reach the heart of the fabulous Danum Valley 4 Any questions? Call: +44 (0) Web:

5 Conservation Area. Our base for four nights here is the splendid Borneo Rainforest Lodge, established to show that tourism can help to protect this magnificent area, with its excellent forest trails and wealth of birds and wildlife, including many Bornean endemics. Night Borneo Rainforest Lodge Days DANUM VALLEY CONSERVATION AREA The pristine rainforests of the Danum Valley are exceedingly rich in birds and home to everything from pittas, barbets and minivets to kingfishers, broadbills and trogons. Our lodge is located in superb primary rainforest and excellent birding begins right outside the door. An extensive trail system gives access to some of the region's more elusive forest dwellers, and the amazing canopy walkway offers a unique insight into the lives of creatures that would otherwise remain hidden in the treetops. Danum is probably the best area to look for some of Borneo s trickier species. No fewer than six species of pitta occur and we could be lucky to encounter the shy Great Argus, the world's largest pheasant, with its distinctive 'kwa-wau' call that can be heard from over a kilometre away! Among a host of sought-after Bornean endemics we have further chances to see Bornean Bristlehead, White-crowned Shama, Bornean Ground Babbler, Bornean Blue Flycatcher and Pygmy White-eye. More widespread South-east Asian species include Oriental Honey Buzzard, Crested Serpent Eagle, Emerald Dove, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Raffles s and Red-billed Malkohas, Red-naped and Scarlet-rumped Trogons, Red-bearded Beeeater, Banded, Green and Black-and-yellow Broadbills, Fiery Minivet, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Black-throated and Striped Wren Babblers, Fluffy-backed Tit-babbler, Spectacled Spiderhunter and Yellow-rumped, Yellow-breasted and Yellow-vented Flowerpeckers. The list of possible excitements is long and our days at Danum are sure to be filled with great birding! Danum is also outstanding for mammals and possible highlights might include Bornean Orang-utan, Bornean Gibbon and, with luck, Borneo Pygmy Elephant - not to mention Red Giant Flying Squirrel and Bornean Bearded Pig! Nocturnal forays may be rewarded with sightings of Buffy Fish Owl or Brown Wood Owl along with mammals including up to five species of civet, several species of flying squirrel, Bornean Loris, Leopard Cat and, if we are really lucky, perhaps even the tiny Western Tarsier. In all, we spend four nights at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, set deep in primary rainforest above a bend on the Danum River, with abundant birds in the garden and a host of butterflies including several species of magnificent birdwing. Nights at Borneo Rainforest Lodge Day 14 DANUM VALLEY, FLY LAHAD DATU-KOTA KINABALU-KUALA LUMPUR-LONDON After some final birding this morning, we bid farewell to the Danum Valley and return to the coast at Lahad Datu. Here we catch a domestic flight to Kota Kinabalu and onward to Kuala Lumpur, where our overnight connection to London awaits. Day 15 ARRIVAL LONDON Arrival in London, where our spectacular birding tour to Borneo concludes. 5 Any questions? Call: +44 (0) Web:

6 Trip Information Group Size 12 participants & 2 leaders What To Expect A 15-day birdwatching tour to Borneo, visiting the bird-rich rainforest state of Sabah, in the north of the island. As with all wildlife tours to the tropics, be prepared for early starts, typically followed by a rest break during the hottest and least birdy part of the day before going out again midlate afternoon - and occasionally at night. Birds: species Mammals: species, including a good chance of Bornean Orang-utan. Primarily a birdwatching tour but with excellent all-round wildlife interest, including primates and butterflies Accommodation Good lodges and hotels throughout. All rooms with private facilities. Meals All main meals included in the price. Some lunches, and the occasional breakfast, will be picnics. Walking Easy to moderate walks, at a gentle pace along quiet roadsides and forest trails (note: some hill and forest trails can be steep and/or muddy underfoot at times, but our progress along them is unhurried). Comfy, robust walking shoes or lightweight boots with good grip recommended. Weather Tropical. Mostly hot, dry and sunny (typically C) in the lowlands, but overcast conditions and rainfall are likely at any time of the year. As one would expect in the tropics, it is often very humid, especially in the lowlands and around the coast. Generally cooler and more pleasant early and late in the day, also at higher elevation on Mt Kinabalu. Flights We use the scheduled services of Malaysian Airlines or similar from London-Kota Kinabalu (change of planes in Kuala Lumpur). Tour cost also includes domestic flight from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu. Ground Transport By air-conditioned minibus. Boat Trips Tour cost includes boat trips on the Kinabatangan River. Insects Mosquitoes are of course present throughout the tropics and you must check the current malarial risk and recommended precautions with your doctor - see Health section below. You should not need to bring a mosquito net on this tour as rooms are netted and/or equipped with air-conditioning, and/or provided with an electric mosi-coil burner. Leeches: expect to encounter leeches in the rainforest where, although harmless, their presence can be distracting! Insect repellent applied to your footwear and lower leg area can be effective in keeping them at bay, but the effect is of course quickly lost if boots become wet or muddied. So we recommend that you bring with you a pair of leech socks, which will prevent leeches reaching the skin on your feet and lower legs. Leech socks are available in the UK from (e.g.) the Oriental Bird Club. Photos Some good photographic opportunities but generally difficult in the forested areas due to the terrain and low light levels. 6 Any questions? Call: +44 (0) Web:

7 Tour Cost 2015 (15 days): 4795 (inc flights from London) Land only cost: 3995 Deposit: 600 Single Supp: 535 Cost includes Scheduled flights London Heathrow-Kuala Lumpur-Kota Kinabalu; domestic flight Lahad Datu-Kota Kinabalu; all accommodation, main meals, surface transport (including boat trips), park entrance fees, tips to local drivers and guide/s, airport taxes, map, bird and mammal checklist, and services of the leaders. Cost excludes Insurance, camera fees in the national parks (minimal), drinks & items of a personal nature. About Your Guides Peter Kennerley Peter is a principal Limosa leader who lives in Suffolk. His knowledge of Asia and its birds is outstanding and he is our most experienced leader within the continent. Having lived in Hong Kong for ten years and in Singapore for further four, Peter has now travelled and birded extensively in almost every country throughout the continent - from Turkey in the west to Indonesia in the east, and north to arctic Siberia. Since joining the Limosa team in 2002, his many trips for us have included tours across the region, from Borneo and the Malay Peninsula, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka to China, Taiwan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. His expertise extends much more widely than Asia however, and he has featured on many of our European, African and American tours, too. When he s not busy leading for Limosa, Peter is assistant editor of the highly respected journal British Birds. He has written numerous papers and articles, and particularly enjoys delving into interesting identification conundrums, making frequent visits to the British Museum. Peter has led this tour before and is a veteran of numerous visits to Borneo and the Malay Peninsula. Our resident Malaysian bird expert Lee Kok Chung will also be accompanying the tour throughout. Limosa Loyalty Discount We are proud of the number of loyal customers who travel regularly with us. As our way of saying thank you, we offer a Frequent Travel Discount. Under the scheme, everyone who takes four trips with us is entitled to claim a 5% discount on their fifth trip *1. Alternatively, you can opt to save your discounts up and carry them forward to claim a 10% discount on your 10th trip. The choice is yours, but please remember to request your discount at time of booking! *1 Please note: This offer applies to the basic tour cost only and excludes certain commission-based trips, extras such as additional flights, private extensions and cancellations. Discounts cannot be given in lieu of tour deposits or off the cost of single room supplements. How to Book Be sure to read our Booking Conditions and General Information found at the back of our brochure or on our website - You can make a booking by one of three easy methods: 7 Any questions? Call: +44 (0) Web:

8 Book Online: You can book swiftly and securely online via our website: via the Book This Tour button on the relevant tour page or the Booking tab at the top of the page. Book by Post: Our brochures contain a Booking Form, but you can also download a copy from our website - Please complete both sides of the form - remembering to sign and date the section at the bottom of the second page - send this to us, together with the appropriate Booking Deposit (see below). Telephone bookings: Telephone bookings will be accepted on a provisional basis to allow time for your Booking Form and deposit to reach us by mail. We will hold provisional reservations for up to 14 days pending receipt of booking form, after which time any unconfirmed space will be released. Payments Deposits: The amount of deposit per person is shown above. We accept payment by cheque (drawn on a UK bank in GB Pounds Sterling), by BACS or internet banking (please ask us for our bank details), and by debit card. We also accept most major credit cards (not AmEx). Final Balance: Full payment of the balance is due not later than 12 weeks prior to departure (occasionally longer in the case of some tours such as cruises or those involving rail travel). We will send you an invoice at about this time indicating the balance. We accept payment for final balances by cheque or debit card. Alternatively, please ask for our bank details if you prefer to transfer your payment direct to our bank account. Payment of the balance can also be by credit card with a 2% commission charge for the latter (see below). Card Charges: Due to escalating credit card charges we are no longer able to absorb the cost of these in respect of balance payments. We will not charge for payment by credit card of the initial booking deposit (amount as indicated in the Tour Cost section, above), but we will make a 2% commission charge on any balances or subsequent payments (e.g. interim flight deposits) paid by credit card. Please note we do not charge commission on payments made by debit card or by cheque or direct to bank. Late Bookings: In order for us to guarantee your airline seats, hotels etc., full payment is required at time of booking for all late bookings (i.e. bookings made within 12 weeks of departure). When to Book This is one of the most Frequently Asked Questions - the short answer is as early as possible! Accommodation and flights are much more easily secured well in advance and there is nothing more frustrating than to know that on paper space is still available on the tour but that hotels and/or flights are full. To encourage early booking therefore, we are pleased to offer an Early Booking Discount - see our current brochure or website for details. Our tours are limited to small group sizes, so they can fill up quickly - sometimes even before our new brochure comes out! It's not unusual to find trips are fully booked around four to six months in advance. Single rooms in particular can often be in short supply and among the first to go, so do try to plan well ahead if you definitely require one of these. Last-minute bookings: We inevitably receive a few unexpected late cancellations over the course of a season so it is always worth enquiring about vacancies on any tour - even for those departing in just a few weeks time! 8 Any questions? Call: +44 (0) Web:

9 Other Things You Need To Know Passports & Visas All participants must be in possession of a valid passport. Passports must have a minimum of 6 months validity from date of entry into Malaysia. Visa NOT required by UK passport holders for this tour. You will normally be given permission to stay for three months on arrival. All other nationalities should contact the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate to check whether or not they require a visa/s. If a visa/s is required, you will need to apply locally. If the embassy or consulate requires you to provide a letter confirming that you are booked on an all-inclusive tour, please contact our office and we will be happy to provide one. Health & Vaccinations Compulsory vaccinations: None (yellow fever certificate required if arriving within 6 days from endemic areas). Recommended vaccinations: typhoid, tetanus and hepatitis A. Consult your doctor for up-to-date advice regarding diphtheria, hepatitis B, Japanese B encephalitis, polio and TB, which may be recommended in some circumstances. Malaria exists all year below 2000m across Borneo, notably in eastern Sabah, but it is less prevalent in coastal areas. Prophylactic treatment is essential and you must consult your doctor for the latest advice in good time prior to travelling. We recommend that you take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes, including using insect repellent at all times. For further advice on malaria see: maps at Government and private hospitals are found in all main Malaysian cities and can deal with major medical needs, but charge for all services. Standards are generally higher at private hospitals the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia ( has a list of member hospitals. In an emergency, dial 999. The above information, together with that contained within our Travel Information sheets (sent to everyone who books), outlines health requirements for this tour. Please note that these details are given for guidance only - and are only for certain diseases - and you must consult your doctor in good time prior to travel as to what immunisations (if any) are needed for your chosen holiday. For full and up-to-date health information we urge everyone to consult The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website prior to booking any overseas holiday. NaTHNaC is funded by the UK Government s Health Protection Agency and provides health information for both health professionals and travellers, with information compiled by its own clinical and scientific team. You can search for your individual country requirements, which are updated regularly. Your Safety & Travel Advice An unavoidable aspect of travelling abroad nowadays is the threat it may pose to your safety and security. The UK s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) encourages British nationals to be better prepared for their overseas trips with a view to avoiding common travelling traumas, risks and dangers. In order for you to assess and protect against any risks in your chosen destination it is strongly recommended that you refer to the relevant FCO Travel Advice both prior to booking and regularly before you travel. 9 Any questions? Call: +44 (0) Web:

10 It is standard Limosa policy for our office to send a copy of the relevant FCO Travel Advice about the tour to all participants along with their Final Letter (2-4 weeks prior to the trip). Further useful information on visas, health, etc., can be found at the World Travel Guide website: Know Before You Go - staying safe and healthy abroad - is a travel safety campaign run by the FCO, and another useful resource. Go to: Travel Insurance Good travel insurance is essential before setting off on any overseas trip. In common with all responsible tour operators, it is a condition of booking that all clients are fully and adequately insured before travelling overseas with us. Your travel insurance should cover against cancellation, curtailment, missed departure, delay, personal accident, death, loss of baggage and valuables (see note below), personal liability and legal expenses. Most importantly, your insurance must cover you fully in respect of medical care and repatriation should you become too ill to continue with the tour, including the cost of emergency evacuation by helicopter or air ambulance should this be necessary. Note that passenger liability insurance covering the transportation that we hire, particularly in Third World countries, may be inadequate; it is therefore important that your insurance cover includes sufficient provision for your dependents in the event of an accident. We recommend that you obtain travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your holiday to ensure you are protected right from the word go in the event of unexpected cancellation prior to departure due to accident or illness. You must inform your insurers of any pre-existing medical conditions (including those of persons not necessarily travelling but upon whom your holiday may depend) that may require treatment during a period of overseas travel or might cause you to cancel the trip. Once you have arranged your insurance, please be sure to send us the following essential details: name and contact details of your insurance provider, your policy number, expiry date and your insurers 24hr Emergency Assistance number. Important Things to Note! Be aware that Travel Insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover for valuable optical equipment, which is often best protected under your own household insurance policy. If in doubt ask your insurers for advice prior to travel. Most travel insurance policies limit the amount of cover, typically up to a maximum tour cost of 5000 per person. If the tour you are booking exceeds this amount, additional cover can usually be provided upon payment of additional premium. We recommend all travellers check their individual policy limit to ensure the full cost of their holiday is covered. Arranging Your Insurance: due to UK Government legislation, under Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations, we are not allowed to offer or recommend travel related insurance to customers. Premiums can vary widely according to your age, needs, health, choice of destination and other factors, while many people nowadays have Annual Travel Insurance cover. For these reasons, we leave you free to shop around and pick your own policy, one best suited to your own individual needs. 10 Any questions? Call: +44 (0) Web:

11 General Information Our website gives easy access to detailed tour itineraries (Tour Info Packs), trip reports, trip photos and the latest Limosa News. Special Diets & Other Requests We pass on all such requests to the airlines, hotels and other suppliers, and do our best to ensure (but of course cannot guarantee) that your needs will be met. Please be sure to tell us about these (in as much detail as possible) at the time of booking, to allow good time to make the necessary arrangements. Smoking Almost all of our clients prefer a smoke-free environment. For the enjoyment and comfort of all, we ask that smokers refrain from smoking in proximity to the group and respect our NO SMOKING policy in the vehicle, at meal times and when watching wildlife. Any Questions? If you have any questions at any time, you ll find our office staff friendly, efficient, approachable - and just a phone call away, eager to assist you in every way. Our office is open hrs Mon-Fri, and can also be reached by fax and . In the event we are unable to take your call, please leave a message on our answerphone (24 hrs) and our office will contact you as soon as we can. Thank you for your interest in our tours. We do hope that you will be able to join us - and we look forward to hearing from you again! CK Any questions? Call: +44 (0) Web: