Treasures of Southeast Asia

Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and transfer to your deluxe hotel. Attend a Welcome Reception and overnight at the hotel.

Situated between wild jungles and the South China Sea, Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah, is endlessly fascinating. Your exploration includes the Sabah Museum’s permanent collection of tribal and historical artifacts, Heritage Village, with examples of traditional tribal dwellings, including a Kadazan bamboo house and a Chinese farmhouse, and the Atkinson Clock Tower and Signal Hill Observatory for views of the city center. After lunch, embark L’Soléal and set sail.

Sandakan National Park is part of the Malaysian system of parks designed to protect the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. This old growth forest offers a rich kaleidoscope of flora and fauna, perhaps the most famous of which is the orangutan. The route through the primitive landscape leads to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, where several scores of orphaned orangutans are cared for along with sun bears, gibbons, Sumatran rhinos, and the occasional injured elephant. Here learn about the impact of deforestation on wildlife and about the work of the Center in saving young apes from the illegal pet trade.

Arrive in the city of Puerto Princesa in Palawan to visit the Subterranean River – the longest navigable underground river in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Before entering the river, explore a mangrove which is home to a number of endemic species –the shy Tabon bird, white breasted sea eagles, a troop of crab-eating macaques, and if you are lucky, spy a Palawan hornbill. Your cruise on the river reveals stalagmites and stalactites thousands of years in the making. An alternate excursion explores the city of Puerto Princesa, visiting the Cathedral, the Plaza Cuartel, and the Palawan Museum.

North of Palawan, El Nido (the Nest) is a hidden island made up of turquoise lagoons and deserted beaches. A veritable ecological reserve, the island owes its name to the many swallows that nest on the cliff side.

Coron Island, at the heart of lands sacred to the indigenous Tagbanuas tribes and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers tropical rainforests, the incredibly clear waters of Lake Kayangan, and fine sandy beaches.

Today begins with exploration of the Intramuros – the walled center of the original city of Manila that was the headquarters of Spanish imperial rule in the Philippines. Here find the UNESCO World Heritage site - San Agustin Church, and the San Agustin Museum, containing fine religious artifacts and relics from the Galleon Trade. In the late afternoon, travel to Corregidor at the mouth of Manila Bay, site of many battles for control of the capital, including conquest by the Japanese in 1942 and the liberation of the island by American forces three years later.

Spend a relaxing two days enjoying lectures and the many amenities of Le Soléal.

See the sights of Hong Kong including the floating city of Aberdeen and Repulse Bay. Take a funicular ride up to Victoria Peak for spectacular views of Hong Kong harbor and Kowloon.

Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home.