
moderate
8 hours
Light to moderate fitness: able to walk uneven trails for 1–4 km with short, steep sections up to ~200 m elevation gain.
Stand on wind-sculpted sandstone, track proboscis monkeys through mangroves and hike mixed root-and-sand trails on an eight-hour tour from Kuching to Bako National Park. This accessible day trip compresses Borneo’s unique ecosystems—beach, cliff and peat swamp—into one wildlife-rich experience.
You step off the skiff and the rainforest answers—leaves trembling like a crowd of witnesses as waves ping the sandstone cliffs. Salt spray and warm jungle air mingle; a path of compressed sand and roots arcs inland, promising coves, sea stacks and the odd long-nosed face in the canopy. In Bako, the coast and forest don’t sit politely beside each other: they press and argue, eroding cliffs into dramatic pillars and shaping narrow headlands where orchids cling like small trophies.

Boat transfers are tide-dependent—confirm pickup time and expect timing shifts around low and high tide.
Trails have sandy beaches, wet roots and rocky steps—trail runners or light hiking boots give the best traction.
Park facilities are limited; bring at least 1–2 liters of water and an energy snack for the three-hour park window.
Long-tailed macaques are bold—don’t feed or approach them and secure loose items to avoid theft.
Bako was gazetted in 1957 as Sarawak’s first national park to protect representative Bornean habitats, making it a key site in the state’s early conservation efforts.
Visitor numbers are managed and guides emphasize no-feeding rules to reduce human-wildlife conflict; stick to trails to protect fragile peat swamps and coastal vegetation.
Grip and ankle support for sandy, muddy and rocky sections.
Quick tropical showers are common and the boat crossing can spray you.
Protect skin during mangrove and forest walks.
Hydration is crucial—refill before departure from Kuching.