Sandakan Death March Trek Itinerary
Click here for a hand drawn Sandakan Trek/Route map
B =full breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
Depart home Capital; Arrive in Kota Kinabalu.
Pick up at airport by Sandakan Spirit representative, transport to your 5 star Le Meridian Hotel.
5 pm briefing at Hotel.
Overnight at your 5 star Le Meridian Hotel
Day 1 (B/L/D)
Pick up from Hotel at 6.00 am and transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for early 7.20am morning flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan. From airport we transfer to Sandakan Memorial Park, the site of the Sandakan POW Camp, we then visit the World Famous Sepilok Orang-Utan Centre. After lunch at a local restaurant, we drive along the original Death March route from Sandakan to Telupid. Along the way we see the locations that both Campbell and Braithwaite escaped.
Overnight at the new tourist class Telupid Hotel
Day 2 (B/L/D) Distance 9kms, walking time 6 hours
The trek begins with an early morning walk up through the river before commencing our 450m climb up Bauto Hill through the dense jungle of Gambaron Hill. We continue our journey along the track and break out of the Jungle on our descent down towards Telupid. Bauto was the area that Sandakan Death March survivor Botterill witnessed the murder of two Australian POW’s.
We return to our Hotel for a well-earned refreshing shower before exploring the delights of Telupid.
Overnight at the new tourist class Telupid Hotel
Day 3 (BLD) Distance 12kms, walking time 7 hours
After our early morning breakfast we continue our trek up the second Gambaron Hill, this is a physically challenging trek through primary jungle climbing over 550 m of height, with tough steep ascents and descents through low overhanging jungle. We have spectacular views of the Telupid Valley from our rest spot on the mountain. This is one of the tough days on the track with high temperatures and humidity adding to the tough climb.
Overnight at the new tourist class Telupid Hotel
Day 4 (B/L/D) Distance 18kms, walking time 8 hours
Today we break camp from Telupid and start trekking from our hotel. We walk through Maliau and onto a walking track through plantations and an abandoned road through Ulu Tapaang and onto Wonod. After lunch we continue our walk to the Village of Koperung, where we camp near to a refreshing river. The Village of Koperung was one of the areas that locals witnessed POW’s being cannibalised.
Overnight at tented Camp site at the Village of Koperung.
Day 5 (B/L/D) Distance 18kms, walking time 7.5 hours
Our start today is from Koperung village, passing through forested and cultivated land as we trek to Taviu Village then onto Mungkadai and Miru. The route across to Miru is scenic with walking through delightful Villages. The local kids and villages are very excited to meet us and are all smiles as we walk through their villages.
We enter the Village of Miru with its towering hills and cliffs surrounding this delightful and traditional village. We return to Koperung Village where we are entertained with a local feast.
Overnight tented accommodation in the Village of Koperung.
Day 6 (B/L/D) Distance 4kms, walking time 2 hours
Today we depart Koperung Village and trek down Taviu Hill towards lalosing. We then ascend Taviu Hill and transfer by vehicle to Sabah Tea for our overnight accommodation. On the way to Sabah Tea we stop at Paginatan and visit the house of the “Ring Lady” and the area that the POWs were buried. Paginatan was also the area that the rice carrying parties operated.
Overnight accommodation at Sabah Tea in traditional longhouse accommodation or Cottages.
Day 7 (BLD) Distance 14kms 7 hours
Our early morning walk takes us up from the village of Nabutan through forested and cultivated land to the village of Nalapak. We then trek up towards the Sabah Tea Gardens and onto Quailey’s Hill for a small service to commemorate the murder of POW Quailey near this spot. After lunch, we continue our trek to Muruk, which was also a major Japanese camp and POW camp for the POW’s along the Sandakan Death March route; we then transfer back to Sabah Tea Estate for overnight stay in a traditional long house.
Overnight accommodation at Sabah Tea in traditional longhouse accommodation.
Day 8 (B/L/D) Distance 12kms, walking time 4 hours
Transfer to Muruk village by bus before we commence a steep ascent up Marakau Hill. Marakau Hill is also known as Botterill’s Hill, named after Sandakan Death March survivor Keith Botterill. Botterill trekked up this hill 6 times lugging 20kg bags of rice to keep himself fit and also gave him a chance to pinch some rice to help his escape. We then follow a short steep trek through jungle, before descending and crossing Ranau Plain for lunch and pay our respects at the Ranau POW Camp sites 1 and 2. We then visit the magnificently restored Kundasang War Memorial to participate in a service to remember all those who gave their lives for Australia and those that lost their lives on the Sandakan Ranau Death March. We have some time here to watch a video and reflect as we walk through the various memorial gardens. We then transfer back to Kota Kinabalu for celebration, shower and relaxation for overnight stay at Hotel.
Overnight at your 5 star Le Meridian Hotel
Day 9 (B/L)
After an early morning breakfast we depart by plane from Kota Kinabalu to Labuan Island to pay our respects to our fallen heroes.
Our Tour of Labuan Island includes the following;
• Tour of Labuan Island, visiting surrender point, Australian Memorial, Commonwealth War Cemetery, Water Village.
We then depart Labuan around midday and catch a fast boat to commence our drive down the Liberation highway through Klias and Beaufort.
Along the way we visit the areas that our special forces operated in during operation Stallion and we visit the areas that Jack Sue operated.
Our tour also includes visits to;
•The Graves of the Borneo resistance Heroes including Albert Kwok.
• The Japanese Kempetai HQ.
We return to Kota Kinabalu around 5pm and overnight at your 4 star Kota Kinabalu Hotel.
Overnight at your 5 star Le Meridian Hotel
Day 10 (B)
After breakfast your tour ends
Our all-inclusive Sabah/Dusan Guided Led Price is $3275.00 per person twin share.
Minimum 4 persons
Our all-inclusive Australian led by Wayne Wetherall is $3475.00 per person
Minimum 6 persons required for trip.
Group discounts apply. Dates and itineraries can be varied to suit requirements.
