Sandakan Adventure (9 Day Trip)

Adventure Package 

Our Spirit's safety and success record in extreme environments over the past 20 years is unrivalled by any other trek operator. Our adventure is led by one of our qualified Australian leaders and includes a pre-trek training program, airfares, accommodation, trekking fees and much more. Please refer to the tabs below for details on our inclusions and exclusions for this adventure.

Airfares & Accommodation

Our adventure package includes:

• International economy class airfares to Kuala Lumpur from Sydney or Brisbane
• Pre-paid departure taxes from Australia and Malaysia
• Domestic flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan 
• All airport/accommodation transfers in Malaysia
• Package travel insurance (individual coverage subject to approval)
• Twin share accommodation in Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu

Adventure Package Inclusions

 Our comprehensive adventure package includes:

• Limited group size
• 3 Month training and preparation program (refer to tab for details)
• International airfares and accommodation (refer to tab for details)
• Australian leadership (refer to Leaders & Guides tab for details)
  • Pre-trek briefing at the hotel followed by daily briefings on the track
• Vehicle transfers to/from
  • the hotel to the start of the Sandankin Track and from the finish of the track at Ranau to Kota Kinabalu
• License fees and trekking permits
• Village Fees
• Adventure accommodation - guesthouses/tents (twin share)
  • New sleeping bag and mat (for you to keep or donate to your legends on completion)
• Group expedition equipment including:
  • Tents; cooking equipment; ropes; safety equipment; communication equipment (including satellite phone); etc
• eXtreme Cuisine (TM) nutritionally balanced, energy appropriate trekking meals and snacks
  • Our Spirit provides all trek meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner whilst on the track. Breakfast and evening meals are supplemented with local fresh vegetables and fruit, when available. An additional cost may apply to cater for special dietary requirements.
    
    Please contact us if you would like specific information about our trek menus
• Certificate of completion
• History reference booklet to take on the  and keep as a memento
• Subject to accessibility, GPS Spot tracking updates which enables family and friends to follow your journey along the . 

Adventure Package Exclusions

The following personal items and expenses are not included in this adventure package. 

• Travel Expenses:
  • Australian domestic airfares and accommodation (if required - refer to inclusions for details)
  • Passport and visa
  • Personal expenses in Malaysia (including meals on first and last day of the trip)
  • Airline charges for excess baggage (limit of 24kg personal luggage allowed)
• Trekking Equipment:
  • Backpack
  • Waterpack/bladder
  • Head torch
  • Personal items:
    • trekking boots and premium trekking socks
    • appropriate clothing, footwear and hat
    • eating utensils (bowl, cup, knife, fork, spoon)
    • toiletries and towel
    • Basic personal first-aid kit, including insect repellent and pharmaceutical items

Note: a comprehensive equipment checklist is provided to participants, upon receipt of the deposit and prior to commencing the training program.

• Medical Expenses:
  • Pre trek preparation and associated medical costs (including, but not limited to obtaining medical clearance, required prior to commencing the training program)
  • Malarial medication and any prescription medications recommended by your doctor
• Other Expenses:
  • Subject to availability, additional fresh fruit and drinks can be purchased from local villagers along the track, if desired
  • Handmade crafts and souvenirs can also be purchased from numerous villages along the track

Pricing

Our standard adventure package is $4995, please refer to Adventure Package Inclusions and Exclusions tabs for full details on what is and isn't included. Please contact us if you would like a copy our budget, which covers exclusions and personal items for this adventure. Large group discounts and exclusive charters are also available on request.

The following optional extras are also available at the time of booking or can be added up to 1 month prior to departure:

• Singles Supplement:

  Our singles supplement is available for clients who want a hotel room to themselves on the first two nights and the last night of the trip.  A surcharge of $295 is applied at the time of booking, if this option is selected.
• Climb Mount Kinabalu:
  For an additional cost of $750, participants can extend their stay in Malaysia to climb to 11000ft up Mt Kinabalu where they stay overnight in the lodge before climbing the summit the following day and then trekking back down to park head quarters. This option includes hotel transfers to /from park headquarters. 

Leaders & Guides

Our Spirit have the most experienced Australian Trek Leaders, doctors and qualified medics on the track. They ensure participant safety and deliver an experiential journey based on mateship, courage, endurance and sacrifice by:

• Providing individual motivation and encouragement (including pre-trek training advice)
• Creating opportunities for team cohesion
• Guiding and presenting the most passionate and comprehensive historical briefings along the Sandakan Death March, approved and supported by the 8th Division Military Historian and Department of Veteran Affairs, as well as various battalions from the Australian military campaign.
• Informing participants of cultural etiquette
• Hosting a tour of the Sepilok Orang Utan (Orangutan) Tour
• Hosting a tour of Sandakan and Kundasang War Memorials to pay our respects to those who fought so that we can enjoy of freedom today
• Recognising and rewarding individual achievements on completion (including certificate of completion)
• Full backup support of the team in Borneo
• Qualified Emergency Medic

Our Malaysian Support Crew are an essential part of our team and include: 

• Group Guides - provide essential local knowledge and safe passage throughout the Sandakan Death March
• General Crew - carry our food supplies and the group expedition equipment
• Group Cook - prepares all trek meals and assists with general crew duties

Important: Our Spirit package fees include all meals and airfares (to/from village of origin) for our Malaysian support crew. 

History

Imagine this. It is May 1945. Clad only in ragged loin-cloths, over 500 skeletal creatures, barely recognisable as human, struggle to their feet at the Sandakan POW Compound, on Sabah's north-east coast. Three long years in captivity, half of them on starvation rations and with little or no medical attention, have taken their toll. The grimy, wasted bodies of these once fit and strapping Australian and British servicemen are covered in sores and scabies, their filthy hair and beards matted and lice-infested. Many are suffering from tropical ulcers, some so large that shin bones are clearly visible. Others, bloated from beriberi, lumber along on sausage-like legs. They are bound for Ranau, a small village on the flanks of Mt Kinabalu, South East Asia's highest peak, situated 250 kilometres away to the west, in the rugged Borneo jungle interior.

The story of Sandakan and the death marches is one of the most tragic of World War Two. It is also one of the most heroic. Despite appalling conditions, the prisoners never gave up. Their heroism, their determination and their indomitable spirit are testimony to the strength of the human spirit and an inspiration to all.

Itinerary

The following itinerary is recommended as a guide only. Track and weather conditions will inevitably determine the final journey of each trek. To maintain our unblemished safety record, all trekking is done during daylight hours only.  Trekking at night on cliff faces and across raging rivers increases the risk of injury and should only be attempted by experienced trekkers when absolutely necessary.   The journey of the Sandakan Death March is one of respect to those who endured unthinkable conditions during the war in 1942.

Download Sandakan Itinerary here

Training & Preparation

Our Spirit have the best safety and success record of any adventure operator. We attribute much of our unrivalled track record to our pre-trek training and preparation program, which includes:

• 3 Month specific exercise program and nutrition advice - designed and monitored by our team of qualified exercise physiologists
• Personal equipment and training advice
  • Quality trekking equipment available from our online shop (free delivery with orders over $100)
• Recommended training buskwalks throughout Australia
• Clear instructions, travel advice, supporting documentation and timely communication leading up to the event

Video Footage

Watch the video of journalist, Charles Wolley of 60 Minutes, as he presents the story of the secret heroes of the Sandakin Japanese P.O.W. camp.

Considerations

Our Spirit holds current public liability insurance and maintains comprehensive risk management procedures for all our adventures as part of our standard business practice. Our experience, safety and success record on adventure treks is unsurpassed by any other operator, however there are still some things which you should take into consideration prior to booking.

• It is recommended that each person joining the party be physically prepared by the time of departure. An exercise program, including training walks and nutritional advice are included in the program.
• There are several sessions within the program that require training with full packs, (that is the backpack and all equipment you intend to use on the trek). By wearing or breaking in your hiking boots (aided by our specifically designed premium trekking socks), you will minimise the risk of blisters and unnecessary sweat problems if they can be addressed prior to commencing the trek. 

Booking Information

We recommend that you make your booking for this adventure at least 3 months prior to the departure date to ensure you have adequate time for the physical preparation that is required. Bookings generally close 1 month prior to departure when international flights and accommodation are finalised.

During the booking process, you will be required to submit your contact details as well as personal information about your health, any conditions or prescribed medications you take; your current fitness levels (including your height, weight, activity) and your emergency contact person's details.

Additionally, you will be required to check all items on the terms and conditions section of the booking form. If you are under 18 years of age, you will also be required to enter the details of a consenting adult who will receive a copy of the form.

A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure your booking with the final balance due 30 days prior to departure.

Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you a series of emails, which contain instructions and important information that you will need to prepare for this adventure. Alternatively, please let us know if you prefer to receive the preparatory documents on a USB stick and we will post them to you.

IMPORTANT: Exclusive group bookings and group discounts are available by negotiation. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

More Information

CONTACT US NOW if you would like more information about this adventure.

• Invite one of our highly qualified Trek Leaders to deliver a comprehensive history presentation to your group on the Sandakan Death March
• Discuss your individual or group requirements
• Have your adventure specific questions answered by one of our experienced Trek Leaders.

Dates

Exclusive group treks (minimum 14 participants), to suit your preferred travel dates are available on request. Please note, the first and last day of this adventure includes your international travel as well as accommodation on the first and last night. Refer to the specific tabs for full details.