Our Story

Rooted in Sarawak since 1980.

Telang Usan Travel & Tours (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd. is a licensed tour operator, offering tours and travel arrangements throughout the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah on the island of Borneo.

Founder Story

A vision to keep Sarawak’s heritage alive.

Established in 1980

The company was established in 1980 by Datuk Stephen Wan Ullok, a native Sarawakian from the ethnic group of the Kenyah. His vision was to showcase the heritage and traditions of the natives of Sarawak to the world. And by doing so, he hoped to foster interest and pride amongst his fellow Sarawakians, especially the next generation, to preserve their heritage and keep old traditions alive.

In 1989 Datuk Stephen Wan Ullok also opened the Telang Usan Hotel in Kuching, to further promote the heritage and hospitality of the Kenyah people. The name ‘Telang Usan’ refers to Datuk Stephen Wan Ullok’s birth place in the interior of Borneo. Telang Usan Travel & Tours is still owned and run by the Wan Ullok family until today.

Photo courtesy of Sarawak Tourism Board

Kenyah women in traditional dress carrying woven baskets at a cultural gathering in Sarawak.

Our Philosophy

Community-based tourism is the way forward.

With over 40 years of experience in the tourism industry, we strive to stay true to the founder’s vision of showcasing Borneo’s amazing native culture and heritage, while navigating the challenges and opportunities of development and modernization. We believe community-based tourism is the most ethical form of tourism and the way forward. At the same time, it is the most beneficial for both: local communities and travellers alike. While community-based tourism provides economic benefits to the locals, it also grants visitors a meaningful exchange and a much more authentic experience of the destination visited.

Sustainability, which by definition is based on the three pillars – social wellbeing, economic viability and environmental protection, is of utmost importance for community-based tourism. At Telang Usan Travel & Tours, we develop our tour products based on the following principles:

Telang Usan hosts and visitors gathered on a village path in Sarawak, two of them wearing traditional sun hats.

Tourism shall promote and incorporate local services and locally sourced products in order to generate income, economic benefits and opportunities for local communities.
Community-based tourism must be carried out in a sensitive way that minimizes negative impacts and is not detrimental in any way to the local community, their environment or resources.
Tourist activities in local communities shall be accompanied by local guides in order to foster a cross-cultural understanding and ensure a mutually respectful interaction between locals and visitors.
Cultural and natural heritage are deeply entwined in Borneo and therefore, tourism activities are to be carried out in a way that minimizes our environmental footprints.

What We Do

Borneo journeys shaped around you.

Besides well-balanced round trips and packages that combine off-the-beaten-path adventures with visits of Borneo’s highlights, we also concoct tailor-made and specialized tour itineraries for Sarawak and Sabah. Whether you would like to explore nature & wildlife or you are looking for an outdoor sports adventure, whether you are interested in history or in local culture & heritage, whether you are into arts, crafts & music, or a foodie craving for a culinary adventure – Borneo will not disappoint you and we would be happy to tailor a tour itinerary for you!

Our services

Homestay Programmes
Tours for Individual Travellers
Special Interest Tours & Excursions
Educational Tours & Programmes
Inbound Travel Packages
Ground Handling for Meetings & Events
Transportation
Hotel Reservations

Meet Our Team

Local Knowledge, lifelong experience.

Audry Wan Ullok

Managing Director, Telang Usan Travel & Tours and Telang Usan Hotels

Audry is the daughter of the company’s founder Datuk Stephen Wan Ullok. Having followed in his footsteps, she has been managing the family’s business for more than 20 years now. Passionate about tourism in Malaysian Borneo and especially her homeland Sarawak, Audry doesn’t just run Telang Usan Travel & Tours as well as the Telang Usan Hotels in Kuching and Miri. She also volunteers a lot of her time and skills as a committee member in several tourism associations and organizations, promoting Sarawak and Malaysian Borneo to the rest of the world.

Nicole Neuner

Business Development Manager, Telang Usan Travel & Tours and Telang Usan Hotel Kuching

Our German colleague Nicole, better known as Nicki, has accumulated more than 20 years of working experience in tourism in Germany and Malaysia. Married to a native Sarawakian, she has been living in Sarawak for 15 years now. With her typical German sense of organization and planning, Nicki assists Audry in managing Telang Usan Travel & Tours as well as Telang Usan Hotel. But her love and passion for her chosen home best come to light when she’s out in the field as tourist guide, sharing her knowledge and showing off the beauty of Borneo.

Melanie Lim

Business Development Manager, Telang Usan Travel & Tours

Melanie is a Eurasian, born and raised in Kuching. While she had left Sarawak in the past to pursue career opportunities in Sabah and West-Malaysia, she always gravitate back to her beloved home state eventually. Melanie’s more than 33 years of working for tour operators and travel agents throughout Malaysia did not just equip her with an invaluable expertise in tourism, but also with a wide-spun network of contacts. Fuelled by her sense of exploration, she utilizes her expertise and her network to develop new tours and packages, arrange all sorts of special interest tours and create individually tailored itineraries.

John Roland

Operations & Guide

John Roland is a dedicated operations specialist and tour guide for Telang Usan Travel & Tours. Passionate about local tourism and sharing the beauty of Malaysian Borneo, he plays a key role in coordinating seamless travel experiences while leading visitors through the rich culture and landscapes of Sarawak. With his hands-on field expertise and commitment to hospitality, John ensures every guest enjoys an unforgettable journey.

Jacklin Simo

Operations

Jacklin Simo is a core member of the operations team at Telang Usan Travel & Tours, occasionally taking on tour guiding duties. Passionate about sharing the wonder of Sarawak and Malaysian Borneo, she focuses on managing the behind-the-scenes logistics to keep trips running smoothly, while also stepping into the field to guide guests through memorable local experiences. Her versatile hands-on approach and dedication to hospitality help deliver seamless journeys for every traveler.

Rosli Eje

Park Guide

Rosli Eje is a specialized park guide for Telang Usan Travel & Tours. Passionate about Sarawak’s natural heritage, he brings deep local knowledge and field experience to every excursion, leading visitors through the region’s breathtaking national parks and unique ecosystems. With a commitment to guest safety and environmental appreciation, Rosli ensures an immersive and unforgettable rainforest experience for travelers exploring Malaysian Borneo.