4 DAYS TALANG TURTLE ISLAND A REAL HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE TOURCODE: KCH4DST JOINT TOUR (MIN. 2 PERSONS) WITH WEEKLY DEPARTURES ON MONDAYS KUCHING TALANG-SATANG NATIONAL PARK KUCHING Days Tour Meals Overnight Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Kuching Sematan Transfer to Sematan village and boat ride to Talang- Talang Introduction and briefing about turtle conservation Night-time beach patrol & turtle monitoring Morning free at leisure Afternoon beach & hatchery maintenance work Night-time turtle hatchling & egg conservation activities Morning free at leisure Data recording Turtle or nest adoption Night-time turtle hatchling & egg conservation activities Sematan Kuching Boat ride to Sematan village and transfer to Kuching B = / L = / D = -/ L /D B/ L /D B/ L /D B/ L /- -- City TALANG-TALANG ISLAND Talang-Satang National Park, Hostel Budget Category P a g e 69
DETAILED ITINERARY TALANG-SATANG NATIONAL PARK Sea turtles spend their whole life at sea, migrating long distances between feeding grounds and nesting sites, and only come on land to dig nests and lay eggs. Due to hunting and poaching, habitat destruction and pollution as well as rising temperatures of the oceans, most sea turtle species have become endangered. Various global initiatives, as well as conservation efforts by specific countries, aim to save these amazing creatures. One of these conservation programmes is the Sea Turtle Adoption Programme by Sarawak Forestry Corporation. This ecotourism initiative gives you the unique opportunity to spend 4 days with the rangers of Talang-Satang National Park and join the conservation works! In other words to have a real hands-on experience and to participate in turtle conservation! KUCHING SEMATAN TALANG-TALANG ISLAND (-/L/D) Day 1 Depart from your hotel in Kuching by air-conditioned vehicle to Sematan, a small upcountry town bordered by various mountain peaks. This small fishing port is situated approximately 95 km from Kuching and consists of some rows of shop-houses and a jetty in the bazaar area. Short orientation of Sematan district before your lunch at a local cafe. After lunch you will be transferred by boat to an island called Besar (30 minutes ride), located in the Talang-Satang National Park. The islands of Talang- Satang National Park are an important nesting site for sea turtles. Upon arrival at Besar you will undergo a welcoming and first briefing by the park warden, followed by a Get to know session that will introduce you to the park s personnel and the natural surroundings. Once received the first essential information you will be left with some free time to further explore this paradise-like island or simply rest at the beach until dinner is served. After dinner the park warden allocates different duties and responsibilities to the personnel and volunteers, including the locating of turtle arrivals through beach patrols, the monitoring of turtle nesting activity and other conservation activities. Following the role allocation you will attend a technical briefing concerning Sarawak s sea turtle conservation programme and join the nightly turtle watch beach patrol in order to monitor turtle landings. TALANG-TALANG ISLAND (B/L/D) Day 2 After a long night, that was hopefully busy with many turtle landings and hatchings, you will be served breakfast. The morning will be free at your own leisure to relax and reenergize for your next sea turtle conservation activities. After lunch, the park warden will give you a more detailed insight into sea turtle management at. Later on you might join the park personnel with the beach work such as beach cleaning or hatchery maintenance. P a g e 70
After dinner, the park warden will assign duties for the evening s activities in the park s hatcheries. Tonight you may join-in to take care of the hatchlings and execute hatchling related activities such as net tagging, measuring and other ways of recording important data concerning newly hatched turtles. TALANG-TALANG ISLAND (B/L/D) Day 3 Besides some data recording activities, the day time is mainly free at leisure. You may relax at the beach, swim in the crystal clear waters or snorkel nearby the island. Sometimes you may encounter sea turtles swimming around the island, waiting for night fall in order to come on land for nesting. will be followed by the next duty allocation by the park warden and subsequent hatchery work activity comparable to the preceding evening. Tonight you will also adopt a turtle or a nest, earning a personal adoption certificate from the Sarawak Forestry, underlining your contribution towards the conservation of this endangered species. TALANG-TALANG ISLAND SEMATAN KUCHING (B/L/-) Day 4 After breakfast, it s time to say goodbye to the park rangers and newly found friends with the satisfying feeling of having contributed to a valuable conservation project. Depart by boat back to Sematan, where you will have your lunch. Transfer back to Kuching by air-conditioned vehicle. P a g e 71
NOTE: This tour package has weekly departures on Mondays and is only valid from May until September in order to avoid rough sea conditions during monsoon season. Even from May until September we might occasionally experience heavier rain falls and rough sea conditions might occur, which can have an effect on the boat services ex/to. Therefore the guide may at any given time decide to divert to a similar alternative tour if necessary. Sightings of wildlife depend on several natural factors (e.g. weather) and therefore cannot be guaranteed. Please travel light for the overnights at. Suitcases can be stored at your hotel in Kuching. Due to very basic living conditions at, be prepared for some discomfort. Accommodation provided is basic (bunk-beds) and you will have to share room with other volunteers. Squatting type toilet and bathing facilities (dip & splash method) are available. Water rationing might be required during hot season. SERVICES INCLUDED: 3 nights accommodation in shared hostel room with shared bathroom Meals as stated in the programme B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner Transfers and tours with local English-speaking driver guides in air-conditioned vehicles Entrance fees and/or boat fees as stated in the programme Sea Turtle adoption programme fees of MYR 1.200 per person payable to Sarawak Forestry Corporation which includes: (i) course fees, course materials (ii) adoption cost of 1 turtle (iii) adoption cost of 1 turtle nest (iv) programme kits (v) certificate of turtle adoption programme Drinking water available on the vehicles Package includes GST 6% (Good and Service Tax) SERVICES EXCLUDED: Domestic airfare and/or International airfare to/from Malaysia (quoted separately, if requested) Optional tours Surcharges for other language guides Personal travel insurance Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc. Meals and services other than mentioned in the programme Drinks with meals Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the programme WHAT TO BRING: Backpack Loose-fitting summer clothing Swimwear Snorkelling gear P a g e 72
Sun hat/ cap Sun block Insect repellent Personal toiletries Raincoat Torch or flashlight CONTACT INFORMATION OF HOTELS DURING YOUR STAY: Talang-Satang National Park c/o Visitor s Information Centre, Lot 31, Jalan Masjid, 93400 Kuching, Sarawak Tel. (+60-82) 248 088, Fax (+60-82) 248 087 JOURNEYS OF A LIFETIME P a g e 73