Safety

This morning, Monday 20th May, two hot air balloons carrying tourists collided in Cappadocia, Turkey. This resulted in one fatality and 16 other passengers are reported to be injured.

No Intrepid travellers were on board this flight. We currently do not have any groups in the region at the moment.

The balloon operators involved are not companies we use.

All Intrepid customers travelling in Turkey are safe and accounted for.
 

Yesterday morning a plane crash occured at Jomsom airport, in Mustang, Nepal.

No Intrepid passengers were involved in the incident, and the 21 passengers on board have all survived, although many were injured.  Our thoughts go out to all involved.

For further information please see the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/nepal

Due to recent clashes between Philippine armed intruders from the Sulu archipelago, and Malaysian security forces in the eastern Sabah region, the Malaysian Government have declared the region of Eastern Sabah (including Sandakan) a Special Security Zone. There is currently no news on how long this may last for.

Due to recent clashes between Philippine armed intruders from the Sulu archipelago, and Malaysian security forces in the eastern Sabah region, the Malaysian Government have declared the region of Eastern Sabah (including Sandakan) a Special Security Zone. There is currently no news on how long this may last for.

Due to risk, we will not be travelling to the Eastern Sabah region until mid July.

The trips and departures affected are:

TMSC Sabah Adventure

Sabah Adventure 18^th May 2013 – TMSC130518

Sabah Adventure 25^th May 2013 – TMSC130525

Sabah Adventure 1^st June 2013 – TMSC130601

Sabah Adventure 3^rd June 2013 – TMSC130603

Sabah Adventure 8^th June 2013 – TMSC130608

Sabah Adventure 15^th June 2013 – TMSC130615

Sabah Adventure 22^nd June 2013 – TMSC130622

Sabah Adventure 29^th June 2013 – TMSC130629

Sabah Adventure 6^th July 2013 – TMSC130706

Sabah Adventure 13^th July 2013 – TMSC130713

TMSXC Best of Borneo

Best of Borneo 22^nd May 2013 – TMSXC1305022

Best of Borneo 5^th June 2013 – TMSXC130605

Best of Borneo 19^th June 2013 – TMSXC130619

Best of Borneo 3^rd July 2013 – TMSXC130703

TMKB Classic Borneo

Classic Borneo 18^th May 2013 – TMKB130518

Classic Borneo 1^st June 2013 – TMKB130601

Classic Borneo 15^th June 2013 – TMKB130615

Classic Borneo 22^nd June 2013 – TMKB130622

Classic Borneo 29^th June 2013 – TMKB130629

TMKMC Classic Malaysia and Borneo

Classic Malaysia and Borneo 6^th June 2013 – TMKMC130606

For any further trips departing in July, we will revisit the information on Thursday the 13th June 2013.

The alternative itineraries will be as follows.

TMSC Sabah Adventure

Days 1-6 remain unaffected.

Day 7: Head from Poring Hot Springs to Lupa Masa Jungle camp, where you will spend time learning survival skills from a local. There is a 1.5 km walk through the jungle to reach the camp, and all facilities are basic. There is no hot water, and there are bucket showers and squat toilets. All electricity is provided by hydro power, so can be unreliable. All meals are provided, and all are vegetarian, with the ingredients sourced locally. Tonight we go for a night walk to explore the surrounding jungle.

You can also spend time swimming in the river, located right next to our accommodation for the night.

Day 8: Return to Kota Kinabalu, and visit the Rasa Ria Orang-utan Sanctuary to check out these cheeky critters. The sanctuary houses the orang-utans until they can be released back into the wild. Our next stop is the Mari Mari Cultural Village, where we interact with the ‘locals’ and learn the historical and traditional life of different ethnic communities in Sabah.

Day 9: The morning is free for you to explore Kota Kinabalu. Perhaps check out the Central Market, or grab a massage to sooth those weary climbing legs. This afternoon we cruise down the Garama River on a wildlife spotting expedition, searching for proboscis monkeys. We watch the fireflies dance as dusk sets in. 

Day 10: Today we take a trip to Pulau Tiga, which is a 3 hour drive and then a 40 minute boat trip away. Pulau Tiga, also known as ‘Survivor Island’ is named after the reality television series Survivor, with first season of the show filmed here. There is plenty of time to swim or laze about on this tropical island, and this afternoon we have the option of heading to the mud volcano. Stay overnight on Survivor Island.

Day 11: We take a trip to a small island nicknamed Snake Island (weather permitting), and snorkel in the crystal clear waters. After lunch we head back to Kota Kinabalu for the night. As tomorrow is the last day, perhaps have a farewell dinner to say goodbye to your group.

Day 12: Departure day.

TMSXC Best of Borneo

Days 1-16 remain unaffected

Day 17: Head from Poring Hot Springs to Lupa Masa Jungle camp, where you will spend time learning survival skills from a local. There is a 1.5 km walk through the jungle to reach the camp, and all facilities are basic. There is no hot water, and there are bucket showers and squat toilets. All electricity is provided by hydro power, so can be unreliable. All meals are provided, and all are vegetarian, with the ingredients sourced locally. Tonight we go for a night walk to explore the surrounding jungle.

You can also spend time swimming in the river, located right next to our accommodation for the night.

Day 18: Return to Kota Kinabalu, and visit the Rasa Ria Orang-utan Sanctuary to check out these cheeky critters. The sanctuary houses the orang-utans until they can be released back into the wild. Our next stop is the Mari Mari Cultural Village, where we interact with the ‘locals’ and learn the historical and traditional life of different ethnic communities in Sabah.

Day 19: The morning is free for you to explore Kota Kinabalu. Perhaps check out the Central Market, or grab a massage to sooth those weary climbing legs. This afternoon we cruise down the Garama River on a wildlife spotting expedition, searching for proboscis monkeys. We watch the fireflies dance as dusk sets in. 

Day 20: Today we take a trip to Pulau Tiga, which is a 3 hour drive and then a 40 minute boat trip away. Pulau Tiga, also known as ‘Survivor Island’ is named after the reality television series Survivor, with first season of the show filmed here. There is plenty of time to swim or laze about on this tropical island, and this afternoon we have the option of heading to the mud volcano. Stay overnight on Survivor Island.

Day 21: We take a trip to a small island nicknamed Snake Island (weather permitting), and snorkel in the crystal clear waters. After lunch we head back to Kota Kinabalu for the night. As tomorrow is the last day, perhaps have a farewell dinner to say goodbye to your group.

Day 22: Departure day

TMKB Classic Borneo

Days 1-3 remain unaffected

Day 4: Return to Kota Kinabalu, and visit the Rasa Ria Orang-utan Sanctuary to check out these cheeky critters. The sanctuary houses the orang-utans until they can be released back into the wild. Our next stop is the Mari Mari Cultural Village, where we interact with the ‘locals’ and learn the historical and traditional life of different ethnic communities in Sabah.

Day 5: The morning is free for you to explore Kota Kinabalu. Perhaps check out the Central Market, or grab a massage. This afternoon we cruise down the Garama River on a wildlife spotting expedition, searching for proboscis monkeys. We watch the fireflies dance as dusk sets in, before sitting down to a local dinner.

Day 6: We head out to the Kota Kinabalu wetlands this morning, to learn about the environment and to spot passing birds and butterflies. Later on, we had to the Sabah Museum for an insight into the fascinating history of Sabah. Tonight, after a day of exploring, we settle down for a delicious buffet dinner.

Days 7-10: Revert back to original itinerary

TMKMC Classic Malaysia and Borneo

Days 1-12 remain unaffected

Day 13: Return to Kota Kinabalu, and visit the Rasa Ria Orang-utan Sanctuary to check out these cheeky critters. The sanctuary houses the orang-utans until they can be released back into the wild. Our next stop is the Mari Mari Cultural Village, where we interact with the ‘locals’ and learn the historical and traditional life of different ethnic communities in Sabah.

Day 14: The morning is free for you to explore Kota Kinabalu. Perhaps check out the Central Market, or grab a massage. This afternoon we cruise down the Garama River on a wildlife spotting expedition, searching for proboscis monkeys. We watch the fireflies dance as dusk sets in, before sitting down to a local dinner.

Day 15: We head out to the Kota Kinabalu wetlands this morning, to learn about the environment and to spot passing birds and butterflies. Later on, we had to the Sabah Museum for an insight into the fascinating history of Sabah. Tonight, after a day of exploring, we settle down for a delicious buffet dinner.

Days 16-19: Revert back to original itinerary

Please note the order of these activities may change due to availability.

When the situation improves and is deemed safe we will revert to the original itinerary, depending on availability of services.

If you would like any further information, please contact your agent or our head office.

Any further updates will be posted here.

For further information please see the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Malaysia