wanderlust – Lovewayfaring

Mexico, Guatemala & Belize

7 May, 2020Posted in Central AmericaTagged bacalar, Backpacking, Belize, caulker, cenote, Central America, Dive, ferry, Guatemala, Island, maya, Mexico, RoadTrip, ScubaDive, Snorkel, travel, Trekking, tulum, Turtle, wanderlust, wildlife

11 Days Mexico, Guatemala & Belize itinerary

Overview

Day 1: Cancun Airport > Playa del Carmen
Day 2: Cozumel
Day 3: Playa del Carmen > Chetumal
Day 4: Chetumal > Flores
Day 5: Tikal
Day 6: Flores > Caye Caulker
Day 7-8: Caye Caulker
Day 9: Caye Caulker > Tulum
Day 10: Tulum
Day 11: Tulum > Cancun Airport

Detailed Mexico, Guatemala & Belize Itinerary

Day 1: Cancun Airport > Playa del Carmen

Distance: Drive (56km – 0h:45m)
Highlights: Relax and enjoy Mexican food at touristy Playa del Carmen.
Stay: Hostal MX 5th Avenue

Day 2: Cozumel

Distance: Around Playa del Carmen
Highlights: Full day discovering Playa del Carmen surroundings (Dive in Cozumel, Cenotes, Beaches, etc.).
Stay: Hostal MX 5th Avenue

Day 3: Playa del Carmen > Chetumal

Distance: Drive (320km – 4h:00m)
Highlights: Make sure to stop and spend some time at Laguna Bacalar on your way to Chetumal.
Stay: Hostelito Chetumal

Day 4: Chetumal > Flores

Distance: Bus (350km – 6h:00m)
Highlights: Reach Guatemala through Belize and spend the afternoon in Flores island.
Stay: Hotel Villa del Lago

Day 5: Tikal

Distance: Bus (128km – 2h:30m)
Highlights: Full day discovering Tikal National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site.
Stay: Hotel Villa del Lago

Day 6: Flores > Caye Caulker

Distance: Bus (220km – 3h:30m) + Fast Ferry (35km – 0h:45m)
Highlights: Indulge yourself with grilled Lobster for dinner at Reina’s.
Stay: Hummingbirds Cabins

Day 7-8: Caye Caulker

Distance: Excursion around Caye Caulker
Highlights: Experience the island’s wonders an fun (Blue Hole, The Split, Shark Ray Alley, etc.).
Stay: Hummingbirds Cabins

Day 9: Caye Caulker > Tulum

Distance: Fast Ferry (118km – 3h:00m) + Drive (249km – 3h:00m)
Highlights: Enjoy Tulum nightlife
Stay: Casa de Piedra Tulum

Day 10: Tulum

Distance: Around Tulum
Highlights: Visit the Maya archaeological site, cenotes and beaches around.
Stay: Casa de Piedra Tulum

Day 11: Tulum > Cancun Airport

Distance: Drive (118km – 1h:35m)

Indonesia

4 May, 20204 May, 2020Posted in IndonesiaTagged Asia, Backpacking, bali, Dive, ferry, giliisland, Indonesia, jakarta, jepara, karimunjawa, lombok, munduk, rinjani, RoadTrip, ScubaDive, semarang, Snorkel, SoutheastAsia, surabaya, Train, travel, Trekking, Turtle, wanderlust, Westbali, wildlife

3 weeks Indonesia itinerary (Lombok-Bali-Java)

Overview

Day 1-2: Denpasar > Padang Bai > Bangsal > Mount Rinjani National Park
Day 3: Mount Rinjani National Park
Day 4: Mount Rinjani National Park > Mawun Beach
Day 5-6: South Lombok beaches
Day 7: Sekotong and The Other Gilis
Day 8: Sekotong > Senggigi > Bangsal > Padang Bai > Munduk
Day 9-10: Munduk
Day 11: Munduk > Pemuteran
Day 12-13: West Bali National Park
Day 14: West Bali National Park >Banyuwangi > Surabaya
Day 15:Surabaya > Semarang > Jepara
Day 16-19: Karimunjawa
Day 20: Karimunjawa > Jepara >Semarang > Jakarta
Day 21: Jakarta

Detailed Indonesia Itinerary

Day 1-2: Denpasar > Padang Bai > Bangsal > Mount Rinjani National Park

Distance: Taxi (56km – 1h:15m) + Fast Ferry (70km – 2h:00m) + Drive (58km – 1h:30m)
Highlights: Explore Padang Bai before early morning Ferry departure. Selfdrive Rental Car at Bangsal Harbour with https://www.carrentallombok.com/.
Stay: OK Divers Resort & Spa

Day 3: Mount Rinjani National Park

Distance: Hike around the National Park
Highlights: Mount Rinjani, Waterfalls and enjoy Sunrise/Sunset.
Stay: Rinjani Lodge

Day 4: Mount Rinjani National Park > Mawun Beach

Distance: Drive (140km – 3h:45m)
Highlights: Cross the National Park through rural villages until reach South Lombok.
Stay: Mawun Raya

Day 5-6: South Lombok beaches

Distance: Drive (55km – 1h:45m)
Highlights: Explore the best beaches in South Lombok; Pantai Mawun, Pantai Tanjung Aan, Selong Belanak Beach, etc.
Stay: Mawun Raya

Day 7: Sekotong and The Other Gilis

Distance: Drive from Mawun (51km – 1h:30m)
Highlights: Full day discovering the lesser known Gili islands around Sekotong region.
Stay: The Suites

Day 8: Sekotong > Senggigi > Bangsal > Padang Bai > Munduk

Distance: Drive (69km – 1h:45m) + Fast Ferry (70km – 2h:00m) + Taxi (100km – 2h:45m)
Highlights: Day on the road from Lombok to Munduk (Bali).
Stay: Villa Sande

Day 9-10: Munduk

Distance: Rent a Motorbike
Highlights: Enjoy rice fields, waterfalls and coffee plantations away from the crowds in Ubud and south Bali.
Stay: Villa Sande

Day 11: Munduk > Pemuteran

Distance: Taxi (53km – 1h:15m)
Highlights: Stop in Pemuteran on your way to the West Bali National Park. Snorkel at Biorock Project, beach walks around the small fishing village, local food at Warung D’BUCU.
Stay: Taman Sari

Day 12-13: West Bali National Park

Distance: Taxi (18km – 0h:25m) + Boat (3km – 0h:20m)
Highlights: Relax in paradise; pristine beaches, abundant wildlife and an amazing wall diving.
Stay: NusaBay Menjangan

Day 14: West Bali National Park >Banyuwangi > Surabaya

Distance: Boat (3Km – 0h:20m) + Taxi (16km – 0h:25m) + Ferry (3km – 0h:45m) + Train (315km – 6h:00m)
Highlights: Long day travelling from Bali to Surabaya (Java).
Stay: JW Marriott Surabaya

Day 15:Surabaya > Semarang > Jepara

Distance: Train (310km – 3h:20m) + Taxi (77km – 1h:40m)
Highlights: Walk around Surabaya before the next train to Semarang departs. Highlights; Chinatown Fish market, Arab Quarter, House of Sampoerna, etc.
Stay: Jepara Marina Beach

Day 16-19: Karimunjawa

Distance: From Jepara Fast Ferry (200km – 2h:00m)
Highlights: Relax in Karimunjawa Archipelago, a delight between Java and Borneo.
Stay: The Happinezz Hills

Day 20: Karimunjawa > Jepara >Semarang > Jakarta

Distance: Fast Ferry (200km – 2h:00m) + Taxi (77km – 1h:40m) + Train (420km – 6h:00m)
Highlights: Walk around Semarang before the next train to Jakarta.
Stay: Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta Gajah Mada

Day 21: Jakarta

Distance: Walking and Uber
Highlights: Wander the streets of Jakarta.

Oman

13 October, 201913 October, 2019Posted in OmanTagged arabia, Backpacking, desert, Dive, dolphin, dunes, middleeast, Muscat, Oman, RoadTrip, ScubaDive, Snorkel, travel, Trekking, Turtle, wanderlust, wildlife

10 days Oman itinerary

Overview

Day 1: Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve
Day 2-3: Bandar Al Khairan
Day 4: Bandar Al Khairan > Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve
Day 5: Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve > Sharqiya Sands
Day 6: Sharqiya Sands > Jebel Shams
Day 7: Jebel Shams > Muscat
Day 8-10: Muscat and around

Detailed Oman Itinerary

Day 1: Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve

Distance: Boat (18km – 0h:45m)
Highlights: Full day diving around the beautiful Daymaniyat Islands.
Stay: Muscat Hills

Day 2-3: Bandar Al Khairan

Distance: Drive (35km – 0h:30m)
Highlights: Dive, snorkel and relax around Bandar Al Khairan scenic area.
Stay: Muscat Hills

Day 4: Bandar Al Khairan > Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve

Distance: Drive (245km – 3h:00m)
Highlights: Stop at Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab on your way to the Turtle Reserve. Visit the reserve at dawn and sunrise.
Stay: Ras Al Jinz

Day 5: Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve > Sharqiya Sands

Distance: Drive (180km – 2h:40m)
Highlights: Visit the city of Sur and Wadi Bani before reach the Dunes. Make sure to arrive 1 or 2 hours before sunset.
Stay: Sama Al Wasil Desert Camp

Day 6: Sharqiya Sands > Jebel Shams

Distance: Drive (328km – 6h:00m)
Highlights: Detour to visit Nizwa and Bahla Forts. Spend the afternoon around Jebel Shams.
Stay: The View

Day 7: Jebel Shams > Muscat

Distance: Drive (200km – 4h:30m)
Highlights: Enjoy an Epic Off Road drive crossing the Al Hajar Mountains.
Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Muscat

Day 8-10: Muscat and around

Distance: –
Highlights: Relax in the capital of the Sultanate (Mutrah Corniche, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Al Bustan Beach, Qurum Beach, etc).
Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Muscat

Ukraine and Moldova

27 May, 20192 August, 2019Posted in Ukraine and MoldovaTagged Backpacking, Chernobyl, Chisinau, easterneurope, Kiev, Moldova, nuclear, Odessa, Pripyat, RoadTrip, Transnistria, travel, Trekking, Ukraine, wanderlust, wildlife

9 days Ukraine and Moldova itinerary

Overview

Day 1-2: Kiev
Day 3: Chernobyl
Day 4: Kiev > Chisinau
Day 5: Chisinau
Day 6: Chisinau > Odessa
Day 7-9: Odessa

Rental Car including cross-border

Detailed Ukraine and Moldova Itinerary

Day 1-2: Kiev

Distance: Walking distance
Highlights: Two days discovering the highlights of the Ukrainian Capital.
Stay: Airbnb

Day 3: Chernobyl

Distance: Drive (270km – 4h:00m)
Highlights: Day trip to Chernobyl Nuclear Plant and around (Chernobyl Town, Pripyat, Reactor no.4, etc.)
Stay: Airbnb

Day 4: Kiev > Chisinau

Distance: Drive (470km – 6h:30m)
Highlights: Full day travelling through the Ukrainian and Moldovan countryside (crossing Transnistria).
Stay: Airbnb

Day 5: Chisinau

Distance: Drive (110km – 2h:00m)
Highlights: Explore the Moldovan Capital and take a half day trip to Old Orhei archaeological complex.
Stay: Airbnb

Day 6: Chisinau > Odessa

Distance: Drive (195km – 3h:10m)
Highlights: Detour to visit Milestii Mici Winery, the largest wine cellar in the world.
Stay: Airbnb

Day 7-9: Odessa

Distance: –
Highlights: Enjoy “the pearl of the Black Sea” and make the most of your time visiting Dniester Estuary or the Danube Delta on a day trip.
Stay: Airbnb

South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland

5 April, 20195 April, 2019Posted in South Africa, Lesotho & SwazilandTagged Backpacking, Capetown, drakensberg, gamedrive, kruger, lesotho, lion, Safari, southafrica, swaziland, travel, Trekking, wanderlust, wildlife

Two weeks South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland itinerary

Overview

Day 1: Johannesburg Airport > Blyde River Canyon > Phalaworba
Day 2: Kruger National Park
Day 3: Kruger National Park
Day 4: Kruger National Park > Ezulwini
Day 5: Ezulwini > Johannesburg
Day 6: Johannesburg > Cape Town
Day 7: Western Cape
Day 8: Western Cape
Day 9: Western Cape
Day 10: Western Cape
Day 11: Western Cape
Day 12: Cape Town > Prince Albert
Day 13: Prince Albert > Lesotho
Day 14: Lesotho > Clarens
Day 15: Clarens > Johannesburg Airport

Detailed South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Itinerary

Day 1: Johannesburg Airport > Blyde River Canyon > Phalaworba

Distance: Drive (530km – 6h:00m)
Highlights: Drive the beginning (or end) of the Panorama Route and enjoy the best views on the whole route at the Three Rondavels View Point.
Stay: Impala Chalets

Day 2: Kruger National Park

Distance: Drive (125km – 2h:40m)
Highlights: Game Drive from Phalaworba gate to Satara Restcamp and around.
Stay: Satara Restcamp

Day 3: Kruger National Park

Distance: Drive (160km – 3h:30m)
Highlights: Game Drive from Satara Restcamp to Malelane Satellite Camp and around.
Stay: Malelane Satellite Camp

Day 4: Kruger National Park > Ezulwini

Distance: Drive (280km – 5h:30m)
Highlights: Morning Game Drive from Malelane to Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp and cross Swaziland through the spectacular MR1 road.
Stay: Damicha Lodge

Day 5: Ezulwini > Johannesburg

Distance: Drive (390km – 4h:40m)
Highlights: Visit Malolotja Nature Reserve before leaving Swaziland. Dinner at Melville neighborhood in Johannesburg.
Stay: Thulani Lodge

Day 6: Johannesburg > Cape Town

Distance: Flight (1262km – 1h:35m)
Highlights: Visit the township of Soweto before the flight to Cape town.
Stay: The Piazza Apartments

Day 7: Western Cape

Distance: Drive (140km – 2h:45m)
Highlights: Muizenberg Beach, Boulders Penguin Colony and Cape of Good Hope.
Stay: The Piazza Apartments

Day 8: Western Cape

Distance: Drive (260km – 3h:45m)
Highlights: Whale watching or Shark cage diving at Hermanus/Gansbaai and visit Betty’s Bay in the way back to Cape Town.
Stay: The Piazza Apartments

Day 9: Western Cape

Distance: Drive (15km – 0h:40m)
Highlights: Bo-Kaap neighborhood and Camps Bay.
Stay: The Piazza Apartments

Day 10: Western Cape

Distance: Drive (18km – 0h:55m)
Highlights: Table Mountain National Park, Lion’s head and The Waterfront.
Stay: The Piazza Apartments

Day 11: Western Cape

Distance: Drive (70km – 1h:30m)
Highlights: Chapman’s Peak Drive and Hout Bay.
Stay: The Piazza Apartments

Day 12: Cape Town > Prince Albert

Distance: Drive (393km – 4h:30m)
Highlights: Relax in the Great Karoo.
Stay: Karoo Lodge B&B

Day 13: Prince Albert > Lesotho

Distance: Drive (765km – 8h:50m)
Highlights: Enjoy the drive to Lesotho and relax at Malealea Lodge.
Stay: Malealea Lodge

Day 14: Lesotho > Clarens

Distance: Drive (486km – 9h:40m)
Highlights: Full day crossing Lesotho through the Drakensberg.
Stay: Clarens Eddies

Day 15: Clarens > Johannesburg Airport

Distance: Drive (309km – 3h:15m)
Highlights: Drive to Johannesburg to catch the flight back home.

Israel – Jordan

7 December, 2018Posted in Israel - JordanTagged Asia, Backpacking, DeathSea, desert, Israel, Jordan, middleeast, Petra, RedSea, ScubaDive, travel, Trekking, WadiRum, wanderlust, wildlife

10 day Israel and Jordan itinerary

Overview

Day 1: Tel Aviv Airport > Beit Guvrin > Jerusalem
Day 2: Jerusalem > Dead Sea
Day 3: Dead Sea > Wadi Araba Border > Aqaba
Day 4: Aqaba (Red Sea)
Day 5: Aqaba > Wadi Rum
Day 6: Wadi Rum > Petra
Day 7: Petra > Wadi Araba Border > Tel Aviv
Day 8: Tel Aviv
Day 9: Tel Aviv > Caesarea > Tel Aviv
Day 10: Tel Aviv

Detailed Israel – Jordan Itinerary

Day 1: Tel Aviv Airport > Beit Guvrin > Jerusalem

Distance: Drive (122km – 1h:40m)
Highlights: Detour to Beit Guvrin National Park in your way from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem before spend the day visiting Jerusalem (Old City, Mount of Olives, Downtown, etc).
Stay: Yafo 35 Apartment

Day 2: Jerusalem > Dead Sea

Distance: Drive (152km – 2h:20m)
Highlights: Drive the Dead Sea from north to south (Neve Midbar Beach, Ein Guedi Reserve, Ein Bokek, etc).
Stay: Shkedi’s Camplodge

Day 3: Dead Sea > Wadi Araba Border > Aqaba

Distance: Drive (180km – 2h:10m)
Highlights: Enjoy the drive to the Red Sea and spend the afternoon snorkeling in the Jordan coast.
Stay: Aqaba Adventure Divers

Day 4: Aqaba (Red Sea)

Distance: Short distance from accommodation.
Highlights: Relax and Dive in the Red Sea (Japanese Garden).
Stay: Aqaba Adventure Divers

Day 5: Aqaba > Wadi Rum

Distance: Drive (78km – 1h:25m)
Highlights: Full day discovering Wadi Rum by 4×4.
Stay: Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp

Day 6: Wadi Rum > Petra

Distance: Drive (105km – 1h:45m) + Hike (25km – 4h:00m)
Highlights: Walk around the ancient city of Petra (including Petra by night).
Stay: Seven Wonders Hotel

Day 7: Petra > Wadi Araba Border > Tel Aviv

Distance: Drive (470km – 5h:45m)
Highlights: Make sure to drive through the Makhtesh Ramon in the Negev desert.
Stay: Airbnb in Florentin

Day 8: Tel Aviv

Distance: Walking Distance
Highlights: Discover the vibrant city of Tel Aviv (Carmel Market, Gordon Beach, Florentin, etc).
Stay: Airbnb in Florentin

Day 9: Tel Aviv > Caesarea > Tel Aviv

Distance: Drive (120km – 1h:40m)
Highlights: Spend the day in the Beach and enjoy the Caesarea National Park.
Stay: Airbnb in Florentin

Day 10: Tel Aviv

Distance: Walking Distance
Highlights: Last day before departure. Walk around Jaffa old city and the Port.

Trans-Mongolian

30 September, 201830 September, 2018Posted in Trans-MongolianTagged Asia, Backpacking, BaikalLake, China, Mongolia, nomads, Russia, Siberia, Train, Transiberian, Transmongolian, travel, Trekking, wanderlust, wildlife

18 days from Moscow to Shanghai

Overview

Day 1-2: Moscow
Day 3: Moscow > Irkutsk
Day 4: Irkutsk
Day 5: Baikal Lake
Day 6: Irkutsk > Ulaanbaatar
Day 7: Ulaanbaatar
Day 8: Gorkhi Terelj National Park
Day 9: Hustai National Park
Day 10: Ulaanbaatar > Beijing
Day 11: Beijing
Day 12: Mutianyu Great Wall
Day 13: Beijing
Day 14: Beijing > Shanghai
Day 15: Zhujiajiao
Day 16-18: Shanghai

Low Cost Flight Moscow – Irkutsk: Pobeda Airlines
Online Train Tickets: Russian Train Tickets

Detailed Trans-Mongolian Itinerary

Day 1 – 2: Moscow

Distance: Walking distance
Highlights: 2 full days to visit Moscow’s highlights (The Kremlin, Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, Old Arbat street, etc)
Stay: GoodMood Hostel

Day 3: Moscow > Irkutsk

Distance: Flight to Irkutsk (4.220km – 5h:45m)
Highlights: Last day in Moscow discovering the Moscow International Business Center and around.
Stay: Overnight Flight

Day 4: Irkutsk

Distance: Walking distance
Highlights: Enjoy walking around Irkutsk, the facto capital of Eastern Siberia.
Stay:Montana Hostel

Day 5: Baikal Lake

Distance: Bus Irkutsk – Listvyanka – Irkutsk (140km – 2h:00m)
Highlights: Hike a small section of the Great Baikal Trail and spend the rest of the day around the lake.
Stay: Montana Hostel

Day 6: Irkutsk > Ulaanbaatar

Distance: Train (520km – 22h:40m)
Highlights: Enjoy life on board while passing through the Siberian landscapes.
Stay: Overnight Train

Day 7: Ulaanbaatar

Distance: Walking Distance
Highlights: Full day to visit Ulaanbaatar’s highlights (Sükhbaatar Square, Naran Tuul Market, Gandan Khiid, Zaisan Memorial, etc)
Stay: Wonder Mongolia Guest House

Day 8: Gorkhi Terelj National Park

Distance: Car with driver (155km – 3h:15m)
Highlights: Visit Chinggis Khaan statue complex and hike to the Aryapala Meditation Temple.
Stay: Wonder Mongolia Guest House

Day 9: Hustai National Park

Distance: Car with driver (205km – 3h:15m)
Highlights: Spend the day at Hustai in search of the Przewalski wild horses.
Stay: Wonder Mongolia Guest House

Day 10: Ulaanbaatar > Beijing

Distance: Train (1.170km – 32h:00m)
Highlights: Enjoy life on board while crossing The Gobi Desert.
Stay: Overnight Train

Day 11: Beijing

Distance: Walking Distance
Highlights: Arrive to Beijing at midday and spend the afternoon walking through the hutongs around Gulou street.
Stay: Sofu Hotel

Day 12: Mutianyu Great Wall

Distance: Car with driver (155km – 3h:00m)
Highlights: Wake up early in the morning to visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Make sure to be there around 7:00 a.m to have on of the new seven wonders of the world all for yourself.
Stay: Sofu Hotel

Day 13: Beijing

Distance: Walking Distance
Highlights: Discover Beijing main attractions (Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, etc).
Stay: Sofu Hotel

Day 14: Beijing > Shanghai

Distance: High Speed Train (1.318km – 5h:30m)
Highlights: Last day in Beijing discovering the local cuisine. Take the high speed train to Shanghai in the afternoon.
Stay: Shanghai Blue Mountain Bund

Day 15: Zhujiajiao

Distance: Metro (100km – 3h:00m)
Highlights: Enjoy a day trip to the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao dubbed the “Venice of the East”.
Stay: Shanghai Blue Mountain Bund

Day 16-18: Shanghai

Distance: Walking Distance
Highlights: 2 full days to visit Shanghai’s highlights (The Bund, Pudong Financial District, French Concession, etc)
Stay: Shanghai Blue Mountain Bund

Borneo

13 July, 2018Posted in BorneoTagged Asia, Backpacking, Borneo, Dive, Estambul, jungle, Malaysia, RoadTrip, sabah, Singapore, Snorkel, travel, Trekking, Turkey, wanderlust, wildlife

11 days trip around Sabah, Borneo

Overview

Day 1: Singapore > Kota Kinabalu
Day 2 – 4: Manukan Island (Open Water Diver)
Day 5: Sepilok
Day 6: Kinabatangan
Day 7: Kinabatangan > Tip of Borneo
Day 8: Tip of Borneo
Day 9: Tip of Borneo > Kota Belud
Day 10: Kota Belud > Kota Kinabalu
Day 11: Kota Kinabalu > Istanbul

Open Water Diver: Manukan Island Stay & PADI Open Water Course
Rental Car: BKE BORNEO KINABALU ELEGANT TOURS & RENT A CAR SDN BHD

Detailed Itinerary around Sabah (Borneo)

Day 1: Singapore > Kota Kinabalu

Distance: Walking distance + Flight (1.455km – 2h:20m)
Highlights: Visit Singapore’s highlights (Jalan Besar, Gardens by de Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Patk, Chinatown, Little India, etc)
Stay: Adventure Lodge

Day 2 – 4: Manukan Island (Open Water Diver)

Distance: Walking distance + Ferry
Highlights: Spend 3 days completing a Padi Open Water Course and relaxing around the beautiful Tunku Abdul Rahman National Marine Park.
Stay:Manukan Island Resort

Day 5: Sepilok

Distance: Drive (312km – 5h:30m)
Highlights: Enjoy the scenic drive to Sepilok passing through Majestic Mount Kinabalu. Meet the Orangutans at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
Stay:Sepilok Forest Edge Resort

Day 6: Kinabatangan

Distance: Drive (110km – 1h:45m)
Highlights: Cruise along the Kinabatangan River for exciting wildlife encounters.
Stay: Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Day 7: Kinabatangan > Tip of Borneo

Distance: Drive (410km – 6h:50m)
Highlights: Go in search for wild Bornean Pygmy Elephants around the Kinabatangan River and visit the Gomantong Caves.
Stay:Hibiscus Villa Borneo

Day 8: Tip of Borneo

Distance: Walking Distance
Highlights: Full day chilling in and around Hibiscus Villa (including snorkeling at the private beach).
Stay: Hibiscus Villa Borneo

Day 9: Tip of Borneo > Kota Belud

Distance: Drive (132km – 2h:15m) + Ferry (2km – 0h:20m)
Highlights: Overnight at Big Fin Divers Resort for spectacular views from your room. Dive around their dive sites for the chance to spot Sharks and Rays.
Stay:Big Fin Divers Resort

Day 10: Kota Belud > Kota Kinabalu

Distance: Drive (66km – 1h:15m)
Highlights: Explore the city of KK (Filipino and Sunday Markets, Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, etc)
Stay:Imago KK Times Square

Day 11: Kota Kinabalu > Istanbul

Distance: Flight to Singapore (1.455km – 2h:20m) + Flight (8.642km – 11h:15m)
Highlights: Long stopover at Istanbul (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Galata bridge, Grand Bazaar, etc)
Stay: Night in the flight back