4 days in Kuching and Bako, Sarawak

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   MorningSightings are never certain

   Semenggoh Wildlife Centre

   A forest reserve south of Kuching where orangutans that were once held in captivity or orphaned now live free. Rangers may put out food at set times, and the animals may or may not come to it. Keep your distance and watch quietly from the path.

   Go when Morning, at the session the centre runs. Check the times ahead.

   Local tip The orangutans live free and may or may not come out. Keep your distance, never feed or touch them, follow the rangers, and keep food and bags out of reach.

   About 33 min by car or transit17.9 km
2. 2
   MiddayWorth a short stop

   Kuching Old Courthouse

   A handsome historic courthouse from the days of the Brooke rajahs, near the river in the middle of the old town. Walk around it, look at the tower and the carved details, and see what is open inside.

   Go when Late morning, on the walk along the river.

   Local tip Look at it from outside first, then go in where the doors are open. It is close to the waterfront, so pair it with the bazaar.

3. Lunch

   Sarawak laksa

   The dish the town is known for: rice noodles in a spiced broth with shredded chicken, prawns, bean sprouts and a squeeze of lime. Lighter than a curry laksa, and found in coffee shops all over town.

   Local tip The broth is made with a shrimp paste and prawns, so tell the staff about any shellfish allergy first.

   About 3 min walk0.2 km
4. 3
   EveningWorth the time

   Kuching Waterfront

   A long, paved promenade along the Sarawak River, with benches, gardens and views across the water to the far bank. Families, joggers and food carts come out as the heat eases.

   Go when Late afternoon, around sunset (about 6:40 PM).

   Local tip Walk the whole promenade once, slowly, and look across the water to the far bank. After a downpour, the stone can be slippery, so mind your step.

   

5. Dinner

   Midin and rice

   Midin is a wild jungle fern, picked in the forest and stir fried with garlic or shrimp paste until it is crisp and bright green. Eat it with rice and a grilled fish at a coffee shop or food court near the river.

   Local tip Tell the staff about any shellfish allergy first, since the fern is often cooked with shrimp paste.

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. Travel from Kuching WaterfrontAbout 31 min by car or transit15.2 km

   Where Day 1 ended.
2. 1
   MorningCheck the tide

   Kampung Bako boat jetty

   The village landing where boats cross to the park, a short ride along a river mouth and out to the coast. Tides decide when it runs, so check ahead and ask about the return before you board. You may step off into shallow water at the other end.

   Go when Morning, as the boat sets out, with the return agreed before you board.

   Local tip Tides decide when boats run, so check ahead. You may step off into shallow water on arrival, so wear shoes that can get wet and keep your bag light.

   About 18 min by car or transit7.0 km
3. 2
   MiddayWorth the whole day

   Bako National Park

   A coastal park of rainforest, mangrove and sandstone headlands, with trails of many lengths from the park's base. Proboscis monkeys and macaques may be seen, and bearded pigs and other animals sometimes appear near the buildings. Macaques steal food, so keep it sealed. Watch quietly and from a distance.

   Go when Morning to mid-afternoon, with the boat back before the light drops.

   Local tip Keep food sealed, because macaques steal it. Do not feed or touch any animal. The trails have steep stairs and slippery boardwalks, so wear shoes with grip and go slowly.

   

4. Lunch

   A packed lunch for the trail

   Rice with fried chicken or egg, or a sandwich, in a sealed box, eaten near the park base. Keep every wrapper and crumb in your bag, and never feed an animal.

   Local tip Macaques steal food, so keep it sealed and in your bag, and eat where there are people close by.

   About 20 min walk1.6 km
5. 3
   AfternoonMind the steps

   Telok Pandan Besar Viewpoint

   A lookout on a headland trail above a bay, reached through forest with roots, steps and boardwalk. If the air is clear there is a wide view over the sea. Plan time to walk back before the light fades and the boat leaves.

   Go when Afternoon, with time to walk back before the boat.

   Local tip The path has roots, steps and boardwalk that gets slick in the wet. Take water, go slowly and turn back if the weather turns. The view depends on haze, so do not count on it.

6. Dinner

   Umai

   A salad of thin slices of raw fish dressed with lime, chili, onion and ginger, a dish of the Melanau people of the coast. Eat it with rice or a side of fried fish at a restaurant back in Kuching.

   Local tip It is made with raw fish, so ask for a cooked dish if you prefer. Tell the staff about any fish allergy first.

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. Travel from Telok Pandan Besar ViewpointAbout 31 min by car or transit15.8 km

   Where Day 2 ended.
2. 1
   MorningWorth the time

   Sarawak Cultural Village

   A living-museum village at the foot of Mount Santubong, with traditional houses of several of Sarawak's peoples set around a pond. Craftspeople may be at work and cultural performances are held, so check ahead for the program. Go early, before the heat.

   Go when Morning, as the first stop, before the heat.

   Local tip Ask the craftspeople about what they are making, and keep your voice low in the houses. Check the program for the day ahead, since performances follow a schedule.

   About 8 min walk0.6 km
3. 2
   MiddayA sea breeze and a rest

   Damai Beach

   A stretch of sand at the foot of Mount Santubong, with the mountain behind it and the South China Sea in front. Swim only where it feels safe, and watch for flags, signs and jellyfish. Do not swim in rivers or estuaries, where crocodiles can live.

   Go when Midday, once the walking is done.

   Local tip Swim only where it feels safe and heed any signs or flags. Jellyfish and currents can occur, and rivers and estuaries are not for swimming.

   

4. Lunch

   Grilled fish and rice by the sea

   Simple seafood restaurants by the coast serve fish and prawns grilled, steamed or fried with chili, rice and a plate of greens. Order what is fresh that day and share a few dishes.

   Local tip Tell the staff about any shellfish allergy before you order. Ask what is fresh and how each dish is cooked.

   About 30 min by car27.1 km
5. 3
   AfternoonWorth a short visit

   Kuching Cat Museum

   A museum devoted to cats, on a hill in Petra Jaya, with cat art and objects from many places. Kuching means cat in Malay, though where the name came from is disputed. An easy indoor hour on the way back to town.

   Go when Afternoon, as an easy indoor hour out of the heat.

   Local tip It sits on a hill in Petra Jaya, so ask your driver to wait or arrange the ride back. A short look is enough if cats are not your thing.

   

6. Dinner

   Ayam pansuh

   Chicken cooked inside a length of bamboo with lemongrass, ginger and tapioca leaves, an Iban dish with a smoky taste that is served at restaurants for local cooking. Eat it with rice.

   Local tip Ask whether it can be prepared as a plain version. Tell the staff about any allergy first.

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. Drive from Kuching Cat MuseumAbout 1 h 1 min by car55.5 km

   Where Day 3 ended.
2. 1
   MorningA bloom may not be open

   Gunung Gading National Park

   A forest park in the south-west corner of Sarawak, known for the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world. Blooms are rare and unpredictable, and each lasts only a few days, so it may not be in bloom. Ask the park before you go. Forest trails lead to small waterfalls.

   Go when Morning, as the first stop, before the heat.

   Local tip Ask the park whether a Rafflesia is in bloom before you go, since blooms are rare and last only a few days. If one is open, look from the path and do not touch it. Trails to waterfalls are steep and slippery.

   

   About 9 min by car or transit2.3 km
3. 2
   MiddayWorth a short stop

   Lundu

   A small market town near the foot of the mountain, a place for a simple lunch and a cool drink before the next stretch. Walk the main street and see the market if it is on.

   Go when Midday, for lunch and a rest.

   Local tip A simple meal in the market area is enough. Ask what is fresh that day, and tell the staff about any allergy first.

   

4. Lunch

   River fish with ginger

   A freshwater fish steamed or fried with ginger and chili and eaten with rice and a plate of stir fried greens, in a simple restaurant near the market. Share a few dishes between the table.

   Local tip Tell the staff about any allergy first and ask how each dish is cooked.

   About 21 min by car27.8 km
5. 3
   AfternoonWorth the time

   Sematan

   A small fishing town on the South China Sea, with a waterfront promenade, a pier and beaches. A quiet place for a late afternoon walk, if the weather allows, before the long road back to Kuching.

   Go when Late afternoon, if the weather allows.

   Local tip Walk the promenade and the pier, and watch the boats. The road back is long, so do not stay late.

   

6. Dinner

   Ice kacang

   A bowl of shaved ice with sweet corn, red beans, jelly and syrup, a cooling end to a hot day. Coffee shops on the way back serve it, and it is easy to share.

   Local tip Ask for less syrup if you want it less sweet. Tell the staff about any allergy first.