Sorry, online registration is no longer available for this event. Please contact us on events@mariecurie.org.uk or call us on 0800 716 146.

22-30 May 2022

Take on this jungle experience, trekking through mountain forest, rushing streams, rivers and isolated villages. You will be taught survival skills, help set up camp and sleep in hammocks, all in aid of Marie Curie.

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart UK

Our adventure begins! We meet the group at the airport and fly to Kota Kinabalu.

Day 2

Arrive Sabah, Borneo

Upon arrival, we will have a free afternoon to explore Kota Kinabalu, the bustling cosmopolitan city and capital of Sabah and prepare for the trek. In the evening we will eat traditional Malaysian cuisine and meet our guides for a full briefing about the challenge ahead.

Day 3

Kg Sinorut to Waig-Waig Waterfall 

3-5 hours trekking

We transfer from Kota Kinabalu around to Kg Sinorut in the Kiulu Valley. We start with very little shade, crossing a small stream and into some secondary forest. We will get some beautiful views on the trail, ascending a few hills, and generally going uphill. We will learn some survival techniques on the trail including what the local tribes collect for food - wild vegetables such as tapioca leaves, ferns, bamboo shoots, ginger, and a wide array of wild fruits and even reptiles. If we collect enough, we will get to cook this at camp for dinner.

A final downhill gets us to our camp site near Waig-Waig Waterfall, which is at an altitude of about 400m. We will be taught how to set up camp, including setting up hammocks, digging a toilet and lighting a campfire. After dinner, weather permitting, we will go frog-hunting, a survival skill the locals have practiced for many centuries. 

Day 4

Waig-Waig Waterfall to Bungkawas Camp

5-7 hours trekking

Today's trek is mostly ascending. We pass through some secondary forests and plantations, crossing beautiful streams along the way. When the trail isn't covered, we get some amazing views of the surrounding forest and valleys. We will continue to learn more survival techniques on today's trek before we finish at Bungkawas Camp, which is on a ridge about 700m. We make our living spaces again today and our water source is from a nearby stream. 

Day 5

Bungkawas Camp to Long Pa Kou Survival Camp

6-7 hours trekking

It's a longer trek today but the early start means you'll catch the breath-taking sunrise over Bungkawas Camp. We will pass through forest and plantations and over at least 2 hanging bridges with stunning views. Long Pa Kou Survival Camp is next to a beautiful river where you can have a swim on arrival. As you are now at a much lower altitude, it can be hot and humid, even at night. You will learn how to make fish and animal traps and there may even be time for a blowpipe competition in camp.  

Day 6

Long Pa Kou Camp to Rangalau Camp

5-7 hours trekking

Today's trek is about 15km and can be hot and humid, but most of the route will be flat. Again we trek through plantations and jungle, following and crossing rivers on hanging bridgers. We also pass through some villages, understanding the way of life in the jungle.

Rangalau Camp is situated next to Kiulu river. This is a permanent camp with stretcher hammocks and a fully equipped kitchen! 

Day 7

Rangalau Camp to Tampurali

Transfer to Kota Kinabalu 

3-4 hours trekking

Our final day of trekking through some lovely villages along very quiet village paths. Today's route is mostly flat, passing fruit orchards, rubber planatations and hanging birdges. We finish at the small frontier town of Tampurali where you'll stop for lunch at one of the local cafes before your transfer back to Kota Kinabalu. 

On arrival a welcome shower and bed awaits! Tonight you'll celebrate your achievements in this vibrant city. 

Day 8

Kota Kinabalu

Free morning in Kota Kinabalu before an overnight flight to UK. 

Day 9

Arrive UK

Information

What's included?

  • Return flights
  • Local transfers
  • Accommodation
  • Tour leader
  • Medic
  • All meals
  • Marie Curie kit
  • Marie Curie representative on the event

Event details

  • Distance

    Around 8-12 kilometres per day

  • Date

    22 - 30 May 2022

  • Location

    Borneo

  • Minimum fundraising

    £3,450 – we'll help you with your fundraising every step of the way

  • Fundraising Deadlines

    £2,760 due 6th March 2022. Remaining amount due 4 weeks after the event.

  • Registration fee

    £299

  • Minimum age

    You must be 18 years or older to register for this event

  • Fitness

    To take on this challenge you'll need to be fit and do some training.

Smoky Mountains Promo

The trip of a lifetime

Trek through the magnificent Smoky Mountains and help people living with a terminal illness get the most from the time they have left.

Picking a raffle ticket

Get fundraising tips

Worried about reaching your target? Get some more ideas for how you can get those pounds rolling in.

Fundraising tips
Fundraising tips

Have a question about this event?

Ask away. We'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Contact us

0800 716 146
events@mariecurie.org.uk

How the money you raise helps

£180 pays for someone with a terminal illness to attend the day therapy unit at the hospice.

£400 pays for someone to stay in a Marie Curie Hospice for 24 hours, so that they can receive the hands-on care they need in their final days.

£1,250 pays for a portable oxygen system that will relieve distressing symptoms, so a person doesn’t have to be confined to bed.

Sorry, online registration is no longer available for this event. Please contact us on events@mariecurie.org.uk or call us on 0800 716 146.

Brenda trekked the Great Wall of China for Marie Curie

"I could not have asked for a better group of people to trek with. At different points on the trek you would have a chance to discover what inspired everyone else to get involved."

Read about Brenda's trek experience

Frequently asked questions

  • We are continuously monitoring and assessing the evolving situation with Covid-19 along with the event organisers. Health and safety is our top priority, and we will only run the event if it safe to do so within government guidelines. If the event cannot go ahead, we will look to postpone it to a later date.

  • You must be 18 years old or over to take part. The group size will be around 30, and will include people of all ages and from all backgrounds. Most will be on their own, but some will go with friends, partners or relatives.

  • Although you do not need to be an exceptionally fit person to take part, the trek poses a significant physical challenge and you will need to train properly beforehand. The more consistent with and committed you are to your training, the more you will enjoy the adventure.

  • - Registration fee
    - Travel insurance
    - Recommended vaccinations

    - Visa
    - Tips and gratuities
    - Personal spending money.

  • We require 80% of the total amount three months before the trip, with the remainder due four weeks after you return.

    Stage 1: £2,760 due 6 March 2022

    Stage 2: £690 due 27 June 2022

  • We ask you to raise a minimum of £3,450. A minimum of £1,954 will go directly to Marie Curie, as well as anything you raise over the minimum sponsorship.

    You can opt to pay for or contribute to the tour operating costs, therefore reducing your sponsorship target, please contact us on events@mariecurie.org.uk or 0800 716 146** for more information.

  • Participants should have at least six months’ validity on their passports from the date of return to the UK. British nationals do not need a Visa to enter Malaysia. Other nationalities should check with their Embassy. 

  • We recommend you seek professional medical advice from your GP to ensure your vaccinations are up to date, including primary courses and boosters as recommended for living in the UK.

  • Your welcome pack will include a full packing list, but essential kit includes good quality walking boots, rucksack, lightweight walking trousers, waterproofs, a sunhat and a light scarf/bandana.

     

  • The accommodation will be a mixture of hotels on a twin share basis and wild camping sleeping in individual hammocks whilst on trek. These are tied to trees about two to three feet above the ground, you will set them up yourself with help from the guides 

  • All the water on the trek will be boiled or purified and safe to drink. Whilst in the jungle, you will eat the same as the people in the villages. They only eat what they can grow or farm locally, such as bread, rice, noodles, beans, fern plants, fruit, fish and chicken. For example, breakfast may consist of noodles, bread, fried/scrambled eggs, possibly meat and fruit if available. You may find meals can feel repetitive so we would suggest to bring some of your own snacks and treats too. Please let us know in advance of any special dietary requirements.

  • Sabah enjoys a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 22C to 30C (72-86F) in lowland areas throughout the year.  Although rain can occur at any time of the year, showers are generally brief. It is important to use a high factor sun cream and drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluid each day. 

  • You may see some deer, wild boars, snakes and a wide variety of birds and insects. There may be an option to visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre if you wish to extend your trip by a day or two. This will be at an additional cost and subject to availability. Please contact Ultimate Travel Company for more information. 

  • Anyone wanting to stay on after the trek can arrange to do so by contacting Ultimate Travel Company. This will likely be subject to an additional cost and be subject to availability.

  • Beforehand: To help you raise your final total, we will send you fundraising pack with lots of helpful tips on how to meet your targets. We’ll be in touch with you regularly to offer any help, and we’ll also invite you to a briefing day where you can meet your fellow participants and hear more about the challenge.

    During the trip: Your group will be accompanied by a qualified medic and trek leader, as well as a Marie Curie representative. Local guides will escort your group along the route, and your luggage will be transported to each night’s accommodation, so you won’t be carrying it in the daytime.

  • Marie Curie is committed to responsible tourism. This challenge is organised by our tour operator, Ultimate Travel Company, who can provide guidelines on responsible tourism upon request, or you can find out more through their website https://www.theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk/about/treading-lightly/

Sorry, online registration is no longer available for this event. Please contact us on events@mariecurie.org.uk or call us on 0800 716 146.