Bako National Park from Kuching Day Trip?
 

Can anyone give me step-by-step instructions on how best to do this without doing a tour?

Take a bus, mini bus or taxi from Kuching to the park office. Buy a day pass and then take a motor boat to Bako. I can't remember how much the boat ride costs but it was not very much. You pay for the boat and it takes several people. I stayed overnight in very basic accommodation but it this option you a lot more time to explore. (Just watch out for the monkeys, they'll steal anything!

I also stayed overnight, and I thought later that by leaving quite early, I could have done it as a day trip. Silverwool has given you all the correct info. I just should add this. I did not hire a guide and could not see why so many people did as there are marked paths - which some places are wet & slippery and up and over big rocks. Then at night, I heard one of the guides speaking of "pit vipers." I asked and he said they were all over and pointed out several at the edge of the camp. They are pretty much invisible to the visitor, until a guide indicates how to see them. They do not want to bite you, but if it should happen, you have 4-5 hours to live and that is an absolute guarantee. I could have slipped and bumped a low branch a PV was resting on and I would not be writing this now. I do not want to frighten you, and you must go - do not be afraid - but you should be advised. The mac Monkeys are devils and break into each cabin daily. One sneaked behind me while I was shooting his family and took a pkg of Trident gum from my camera bag and I was so embarassed to see a monkey opening and chewing gum.

As you know, Craig, we didn't have time for Bako, but I did the research ahead of time and found essentially what silverwool says. We would have taken a taxi and self-guided.

Ouch - I did not know about the pit vipers! If you go to the bus station in the morning there will usually be mini buses around that are a bit dearer than the local bus. Still very cheap. I came back on a local bus and it was fine.

Craig- When are you planning Bako? I am in KK now and have a tentative reservation for an overnight there in April. Haven't totally decided whether to do a day trip or overnight. Sounds like more options for hiking if you stay, but I'll let you know what I find out if you are not going right away.

susn - I'll be there in early July. I'd love to hear from you after your visit.