Retracing Borneo Death March 2D1N

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When the World War II spread to South East Asia, the Allied armies from Commonwealth came to the rescue to help free this region from invaders. Ironically, after Singapore’s fall in 1942 thousands of POWs were deported to Sandakan to construct a military airfield. In between January to April 1945, when the invaders’ plan were strained, approximately 2,600 Australian and British prisoners-of-war (POWs) loss their life as they were ordered to march from Sandakan to Ranau - a distance of 240 km. Only six escaped with the help of locals thus survived the torturous trek across mountainous and forested terrain. Let not the history fade away with the passage of time. Travel back to 1945 with a brief Death March trek in Ranau and experience how the esteemed POWs confronted their strangled hope and inevitable fate. Lest we forget.

Day 1  Kinabalu Park – Sabah Tea Garden 
Drive 2 hours overland (88 km) through paddy-fields and Dusun villages over the ridges of the Crocker Range to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 5,000 feet.  A short stop at roadside stalls at Nabalu market to savour local fruits in season. At Kinabalu Park World Heritage Site, visit the Education Centre and Mountain Garden, home to various species of the flowering Rhododendrons, carnivorous pitcher plants, orchids, ferns, oak trees and birds. If time and weather permits, take a guided walk on one of the trails in the cool surrounding to observe the montane forest. Drive 40 minutes to Nalapak, Ranau and check in at Sabah Tea Garden. Free at leisure. (L/D)

Day 2  Brief Death March – Kundasang Memorial Park 
After breakfast, join a brief educational tour of the Sabah Tea Garden factory (close on Public Holidays). Begin the approximately 3-hour trek from Kg. Nabutan (7.8KM), partially a Death March route used by the Australian and British POWs during World War II. Your trail will crisscross different terrains including tropical jungle, hills, creeks, paddy fields and villages. Experience how the frail POWs trudged in despondent, amid all the physical and mental tussles. In 1945, three successful escapes were recorded along this trail whereas the rest of them perished due to multiple diseases, hunger, dehydration, exhaustion and cruelty. Ending point for this tour is on Quailey Hill at Sabah Tea Garden. Learn about Allan Quailey’s tragic story as we pay our tribute to him at his Memorial.

Continue to Kundasang Memorial Park to learn part of Sabah's WWII history. A large display of POWs pictures, their profiles, video show and beautiful gardens dedicated to these fallen heroes conclude the significance of their courage, endurance and sacrifice in North Borneo. Return to Kota Kinabalu. (B/L)

Please bring along sun block lotion, personal toiletries, insect repellent, hat, good walking / trekking shoes, torchlight, raincoat and water bottle. Towel for shower will be provided after the trek.