DAY 1: FRIDAY, 23rd APRIL 2027

Arrive Sandakan where you will meet your driver for your transfer to your hotel. The rest of your day is free.

Hotel transfers included
Hotel included: Sabah Hotel, Sandakan - Superior Room (or similar)

DAY 2: SATURDAY, 24th ARIL 2027

Depart Hotel: 8:15am
Return: about 5:00pm

Travel about 30 minutes west of Sandakan, to visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre where the orangutangs are prepared for introduction back into the wild. Walk along the boardwalk through the jungle and look out for these amazing animals. Arrive at the ‘Nursery’ where you will see firsthand, mothers and babies undergoing their daily routine. Next door, visit the Sun Bear Conservation Centre and observe the smallest of the bear species.

Return to Sandakan late morning and have lunch (own expense) at a local restaurant.

After lunch, visit the Sandakan Memorial Park, the site of the Sandakan POW Camp in WWII and where the Anzac Day Dawn Service will take place the following day. Use this time free of crowds, to walk around this lush and serene park seeing relics that still exist today. Visit the park’s Interpretive Pavilion which tells the story of the camp and the infamous death marches.

Visit to the St Michael’s and All Angels Church and discover the magnificent stain glass Windows of Remembrance and the Friendship Windows before having a moment of quiet reflection in the POW Chapel.

Finish the day with a stop at the Chinese WWII Memorial and the Sandakan Liberation Memorial.

Return to your hotel with the rest of your day free as you wish.

Meals included: Breakfast
Hotel included: Sabah Hotel, Sandakan - Superior Room (or similar)

DAY 3: SUNDAY, 25th APRIL 2027

Depart Hotel: 4:15am
Return: 8:15am 

Travel to the Sandakan Memorial Park for the moving Anzac Day Dawn Service. After, attend the Gunfire Breakfast and mingle with other Anzac Day travellers, before leaving at about 8:00am to return to your hotel

Your day is free until your driver arrives for your transfer to the airport for your onward flight from Sandakan.

Airport transfers included
Meals included: Breakfast

• Hotel & airport transfers

• Hotel pick-up/Drop-off for tours

• Hotel (Sandakan) - 2 Nights

• Meals as indicated

• Experienced, English-speaking guide

• Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with driver

• All touring & activities as per program

• Entrance fees

• Historic War Tours – Anzac Day Polo Shirt

• Travel expenses before & after the tour

• Passport and visa expenses

• Meals and services not mentioned

• Comprehensive travel insurance

• Personal expenses (e.g. telephone, internet, laundry, drinks, souvenirs etc.)

• Tips to Guides and Drivers

If you find that you are unable to join a tour that has been booked, confirmed and paid in part or in full, the paid amount of that tour less any unrecoverable costs, may be converted to a voucher. The value of that voucher may be used towards the same tour with a later departure date or any other HWT tour.

If a refund is requested, the following cancellation fees may be deducted from the paid amount:

• Greater than 45 days prior to tour start date - 10% of total tour amount + any unrecoverable costs

• Greater than 14 days but less than or equal to 45 days prior to tour start date - 50% of total tour amount + any unrecoverable costs

• 14 Days or less (including ‘no show’) prior to tour start date – No refund

Validity: Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you plan to leave their country. This is a common safeguard to ensure you can legally travel without issues if your passport is close to expiring.

Before traveling: It’s essential to verify the entry requirements for every country you plan to visit. This includes visas, vaccination requirements, and other entry regulations.

Use official sources: For Australians, the Smartraveller website provides up-to-date travel advice, including passport and visa requirements, safety alerts, and other critical information.

Fitness level is very subjective and can vary for everyone. As a guide:

Low: Mainly sitting, small amount of walking required

Low-Moderate: Easy walking, some steps

Moderate: Walking moderate distances, uneven/unpaved ground, steps

Moderate-High: Walking moderate-long distances, uneven/unpaved ground, steep inclines, steps

High: Walking moderate-long distances, uneven/unpaved ground, steep inclines, steps, bush tracks

This tour:

Day 2:

• Sepilok Orangutang Rehabilitation Centre - Low-Moderate

• Sun Bear Conservation Centre - Low-Moderate

• Sandakan Memorial Park - Low-Moderate

• St Michael’s and All Angels Church - Low

• Chinese WWII & Sandakan Liberation Memorials - Low

Day 3:

• Anzac Day Dawn Service – Low-Moderate

• Gunfire Breakfast - Low