The Alliance of the Indigenous Peoples of the Highlands of Borneo (FORMADAT) is hosting their signature ecotourism event, the Heart of Borneo Highlands Eco Challenge (HoBHEC), from 27^th June to 10^th July next year.

The third edition of this biannual event will be held in the highlands of Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysia), and neighbouring Kalimantan (Indonesia).

The HoBHEC was introduced in 2015 by FORMADAT, a transboundary grassroots initiative that aims to promote awareness and understanding of the highland communities in the Heart of Borneo.

The event’s objective is to promote conservation in Maligan and Kelabit highlands and to relive history, culture, and stewardship of nature. Thus, the concept of “taking nothing but photographs, leaving nothing but footprints” is integral to the organiser and its participants.

Registration is now open till 31^st May 2019 and the organiser calls upon adventure seekers worldwide to experience this unique adventure. Early birds who register before the 30^th April will enjoy a 5% discount.

FORMADAT Sarawak’s deputy chairman and event director John Tarawe said, “The event aims to promote ecotourism as a sustainable cottage industry for the communities living in the highlands of Sarawak, Sabah and North Kalimantan - all of which lies within the Heart of Borneo (HoB). It is an event supported by World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Ministry of Tourism and Heart of Borneo Tourism Task Force just to name a few,”

“We also hope to establish sustainable alternative livelihood means for the local communities through this ecotourism event and increase the sense of appreciation for the environment in locals and visitors.”

FORMADAT also hopes that HoBHEC III will help market Borneo’s northern highlands as a green tourism destination, in line with the Visit the Heart of Borneo campaign launched this year.

From June 27 to July 10 next year, the event offers a range of packages with a variety of trails to cater to the different interests and needs of the participants. The shortest route is five days, while the longest trail may take up to two weeks.

HoBHEC III offers seven packages for 2019 participants, the Cross-Country Journey – 5D4N,  Jungle Exploration – 5D4N, A Walk in the Clouds – 7D6N, Journey in the Wild – 9D8N, Highland Discovery – 10D9N, Highlands Adventure – 10D9N, and Warrior’s Trail – 14D13N,  priced between RM2,300 and RM5,650. More details on the packages can be found at www.hobecochallenge.com 

About FORMADAT
FORMADAT, an acronym for Forum Masyarakat Adat Dataran Tinggi Borneo or Alliance of the Indigenous Peoples of the Highlands of Borneo, is a trans-border community forum established by the main ethnic groups in the area - the Lundayeh /Lun Bawang, Sa'ban & Kelabit. The highlands of Borneo, which comprise the sub-districts of Bario, Ba'Kelalan and Long Semadoh in Sarawak; Long Pasia in Sabah, Malaysia; and Krayan Selatan and Krayan in North Kalimantan, Indonesia, constitute one geographic, environmental, and cultural land inhabited by people who share a common origin. For more info, visit FORMADAT.

For more information/media query, please contact:
Event Director: John Tarawe +6019-4381777