Tioman Island, Malaysia

Tioman is located off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and can easily be reached by ferry or plane. This ex-volcanic island is surrounded by healthy fringing reefs and covered with rainforest housing numerous endemic species. Furthermore, both coastal and estuarine mangroves are represented. EFT has its own education centre on Tioman at Melina Beach Resort and assists in running the Melina Beach Turtle Hatchery. These factors together make Tioman a superb setting for fieldtrips for all ages, ranging from introductory short-length trips for primary school students to in-depth university level dissertation studies. Tioman has many endemic species, some of which are regularly spotted with students when we venture into the rainforest. The waters around Tioman are protected as a designated Marine Park, resulting in incredibly healthy and diverse reefs - some with over 90% coral cover. The calm, clear water allows novice snorkellers to comfortably investigate the coral reef and even snorkel into a coastal mangrove. Longer trips may include SCUBA diving, and EFT provides a 'Marine Biology for Divers' programme to ensure all divers have a thorough understanding of the fragile ecosytem they are exploring.

3-7 day trips
(10 day trips including dive programme)
Trips can include in-depth A Level and IB practical study for coursework

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

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Langkawi, Malaysia

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, 30km north-west of the Peninsular Malaysian mainland. It's unusual landscape was formed by caves that collapsed millions of years ago, and the land is now covered in expansive areas of rainforest, habitat to hornbills, colugos and leopards. We explore the understory of the rainforest on foot and then proceed to the canopy where we discover this seldom visited niche by high rope and flying fox. The Kilim River provides an excellent estuarine mangrove system through which we kayak, exploring the limestone caves and the unusual wildlife they support as we go. The estuary is also the site for the mangrove sapling planting project organised by Ecofieldtrips and Langkawi Canopy Adventures. This activity helps to offset carbon emissions resulting from travel to Langkawi, as well as prevent erosion along the estuary’s banks. Typical itineraries also include a day in the padi fields, where students will learn about the economic and cultural significance of rice in Malaysia as well as having a chance to try out some of the traditional farming methods. The Pulau Payar Marine Park is an ideal location for students to snorkel or dive in calm waters where groupers and colourful butterfly fish are commonly seen. Langkawi provides an adventurous trip for new students or a perfect follow-on trip for those who have previously visited Tioman.

6-7 day trip
Trip can include 'Marine Biology for Divers'

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

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Sedili Besar, Malaysia

Tanjung Sutera is located near the fishing village of Sedili Besar on the East Coast of Malaysia, and provides and excellent location for access to the most diverse rocky seashore and coastal mangroves in the area. In addition to this, Panti forest – one of the few remaining pockets of lowland rainforest in Malaysia – is a short drive from the Lodge. This range of highly biodiverse ecosystems, together with the traditional fishing village of Sedili Besar, makes a trip to Sedili suitable for fieldtrips focussing on environmental as well as anthropological study for students of all ages. Due to it’s close proximity to Singapore this location is perfectly suited for shorter trips, though Tanjung Sutera provides excellent facilities for more lengthy stays as well.

2-7 day trip
Trips can include in-depth A Level and IB practical study for coursework

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

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Ipoh, Malaysia

The Roots is a brand new eco-resort opening near Tanjung Rambutan, Perak in the foothills of the Titiwangsa Mountain Range, on the backbone of Peninsula Malaysia.  Situated on the shores of the Kinta River amid fruit orchards, the resort is easily reached by road from Ipoh, around 12km away. Orang Asli villagers (local Malay tribesmen) still thrive in the nearby Kinta Hills Forest Reserve, which features Gunung Korbu; the second highest peak in Peninsula Malaysia at 2,138m as well as a great diversity of the country’s captivating native flora and fauna. The region is alive with fascinating culture and history, both recent and ancient. Students will get a great introduction to Malaysia's colonial heritage as well as it's geological history.  Programmes include a marine biology course for Kuala Lumpur schools featuring snorkelling at Pulau Pangkor, mangrove biology at Kuala Gula and freshwater stream surveys. 5-6 day trips are available and include adventure activities such as high rope challenges and cave exploration as well as rainforest and mangrove biology. Students will get involved in an exciting community-run mangrove re-plantation project to off-set their carbon emissions.

3-6 day trip

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

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Manado, Indonesia.

8 day trip

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

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Karak, Malaysia

Karak is situated in the foothills of Malaysia's most prominent mountain range, the Titiwangsa, approximately one and a half hours by coach from Kuala Lumpur. This programme is designed to be an outdoor adventure experience in a remote and captivating setting. The trip is ideal for Duke of Edinburgh or NYAA certification as students will be navigating their way around the forest, pitching their own camps and cooking for themselves. A fieldtrip to Karak will promote self sufficiency and independence, as well as team building and problem solving. Groups will get an unrivalled chance to explore the rainforest ecosystem as they spend their nights under the stars in the dense forest. A trip to a nearby Orang Asli native village is another highlight and will allow students a snapshot of Malaysia's cultural heritage. Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary is a fascinating conservation project which is also visited on this fieldtrip.

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

4 day trip

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Sarawak, Malaysia

Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia. Situated in the north-west corner of the island of Borneo, the region offers some of Malaysia's largest unspoilt areas of lowland and highland rainforest as well as some of the largest cave systems in the world. There are over thirty ethnic groups in Sarawak. Among them are the Orang Iban, traditionally headhunting tribes, many Iban still maintain some of their traditional beliefs and lifestyles. Although headhunting is no longer practised, tribal communities often live in stilted longhouses and produce traditional wood and bead craftwork. As well as fantastic cultural experiences, Sarawak also boasts a wide range of exceptional flora and fauna such as the proboscis monkey and rafflesia which can be viewed in one of its many national parks.

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

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Sabah, Malaysia

Located in the north-east corner of Borneo, Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia. It is known as negeri di bawah bayu: 'the land below the winds' for it's location below the typhoon belt around the Philippines. Sabah contains the three highest peaks in Malaysia. Besides its fantastic forests and mountains, Sabah also offers some of the best diving in the world. The island of Sipadan, off the east coast, is at the heart of the Indo-Pacific Basin, one of the most bio-diverse marine habitats on the planet. Rare sightings such as hammerhead sharks, whale sharks and eagle rays are common visitors to Sipidan's rich dive sites.

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

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Cape Town, South Africa

At the very southern tip of Africa, Cape Town offers a wonderful mix of culture, history and biology. Iconic landmarks such as Table Mountain and Cape Point (where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet) make this a breathtaking location for a fieldtrip. Students are based in a small coastal town adjacent to Boulders Beach, home to a colony of African penguins. Simonstown not only provides a safe location, but is also walking distance from fantastic rocky shores and kelp forests which are ideal for snorkelling. Simonstown is also an excellent location for whale watching between the months of May and November. A trip to Aquilla Game Reserve provides opportunity to learn about some of Africa's most famous macrofauna, and their unique adaptations to the challenging habitat in which they survive. Finally, students will be led through a township by local guides, widening their understanding of South Africa's history and the social issues it faces today.

7-14 day trip

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

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Kaikoura, New Zealand

Situated on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, the small town of Kaikoura is the ideal location for students to experience a unique mix of marine biology and Maori culture. Due to a large oceanic drop-off in Kaikoura Bay, upwelling currents bring nutrients to the surface, making it a haven for all kinds of marine lfe. Students will engage in a range of acivities which give them access to Kaikoura's marine flora and fauna. One such activity is whale watching, where they will have the chance to see the resident sperm whales. Kaikoura is home to the dusky dolphin: one of the most acrobatic and interactive species of dolphin in the world and students have the opportunity to go snorkelling with these charismatic animals. Besides its wonderful marine life, New Zealand also has a unique and captivating history. Descendants of the Maori tribes which once prospered in these lands will teach us about their beliefs and rituals which provide an interesting backdrop for the trip. This trip runs during New Zealand's summer months from November to May when the climate is more agreeable.

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

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Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is a relatively large island in Southern Thailand, and is a very popular spot for tourists and backpackers. However, many of Phuket's visitors are oblivious to the large areas of unspoilt rainforest and mangrove, situated only a short drive from Phuket Town. The National Park, Khao Phra Thaeo, is designated as a Non-Hunting Zone, and the result is an incredibly biodiverse rainforest in pristine condition. This rainforest was once habitat to CITES protected white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar), although due to the demand for gibbons to be used as tourist attractions and in the illegal wildlife trade, no wild gibbons remain. The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP), based on the edge of the National Park, is slowly repopulating this fantastic area of forest with gibbons rescued from life in captivity. In this trip students will have the opportunity to help the project to collect data on the released gibbon families. Some highlights include an overnight stay in the forest, learning about Thai culture and cuisine, and exploring Phang Nga Bay by kayak.

6 day trip
Trip can include 'Marine Biology for Divers'

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

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The Seychelles

The Seychelles archipelago is a group of 115 equatorial Islands, many uninhabited and unspoilt. Among the highlights are unique flora and fauna, stunning beaches and majestic mountains. The surrounding Indian Ocean boasts some of the greatest marine environments in the world. Whale sharks are frequently sighted offshore between the months of August and October. The whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean and is now seriously under threat from human activity such as over-fishing. David Rowat from Underwater Seychelles started the Whale Shark Tagging Project in 1996. A microlight is used to spot whale sharks from the air, the pilot then guides the tagging team onboard the dive boat to the animal’s location. As the number of whale shark encounters increase, this has created the opportunity to use photography to identify individual animals. The information collected contributes to a research database at the Shark Research Institute in the US. This trip gives you the unique opportunity to participate in a worthwhile conservation and research project, and experience the whale shark's enormous size first-hand.

7 day trip

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

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Singapore

Singapore is an island nation at the tip of the Malay Peninsular. This thriving metropolis is a melting pot of cultures; Chinese, Malay, Tamil and many expat communities have made Singapore their home. The island has several nature reserves, among them are Pulau Ubin, MacRitchie and Bukit Timah. This trip offers an ideal opportunity for students to engage in a fieldtrip which doesn't neccesarily have to be far from home. The focus of the trip is to introduce students to wilderness areas which still have a strong hold in this island city, and promote environmental awareness. It is also an ideal way for Singaporean schools to undertake IB or A Level field studies close to home.

1-3 day trip

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

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Safety Code:

• No natural enviroment is ever completely secure.
• Safety is of paramount importance on all our fieldtrips and most particularly during the snorkeling & scuba diving activities.
• Ecofieldtrips staff assigned to snorkeling & diving activities are certified scuba divers, Divemasters or Instructors. All dives are preceded by stringent checks & briefing.
• A well qualified, experience biologist/specialist is assigned to each group of approximately 12 students.
• Our staff members have had first aid training or certification.
• A State Registered Nurse can be hired for fieldtrips if required.

For more detailed itineraries and to request a booking form please contact bridget@ecofieldtrips.com

Please ensure you have read the Terms and Conditions before booking.