BORNEO HIGHLIGHTS
- Small group guided adventure of Borneo, Malaysia
- Two internal airfares avoiding long distance road travel
- Visit the Mari-Mari Cultural Village - teleport back to the time of ancient Borneo
- Kota Kinabalu city sightseeing and food tour
- Sandakan city touring including a visit to a water village
- Visit the Sandakan war memorial, a site dedicated to the memory of the prisoners of war who died during the Sandakan Death Marches of World War II
- Visit the impressive Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
- Enjoy the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about conservation of the world's smallest bear
- An amazing speed boat journey to your rainforest lodge stay along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan - just making your way to the lodge is a discovery of its own
- Stay at an award winning rainforest lodge, where British actor, Judi Dench stayed for her documentary making ‘Judi Dench’s Wild Borneo Adventure’
- The best of river safaris along the Kinabatangan to spot wildlife including the proboscis monkey, birds and if lucky the elusive Orang Utan, and also the pygmy elephant with a safari specialist guide
- Visit Mulu Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage area in the state of Sarawak
- Guided cave visits of the four incredible Mulu Caves
- Experience a spectacular 5 star stay at Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa
- Take a local longboat up the Melinau River to visit a local Penan settlement, less visited than other nearby villages
- Enjoy a relaxing end to your Borneo discovery with a two-night beach resort stay
DAY 1
Arrival in Kota Kinabalu
Welcome to Borneo!
Depending on your arrival time today, there’s the option to be escorted to a local restaurant for lunch on your own account, or otherwise make own arrangements. Afterwards, visit the handicraft market before transferring back to the hotel.
Meet with your tour guide at 6PM this evening at the hotel bar for a short briefing of what's ahead. Afterwards, enjoy drinks or dinner with your fellow group members or make your own arrangements.
Meals: n/a
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Escorted by your guide for lunch time
- Visit Handicraft Market
- Hotel dinner
DAY 2
Kota Kinabalu & Mari-Mari Cultural Village
This morning we visit the Mari-Mari Cultural Village - teleport back to the time of ancient Borneo through the display of ingenious architectures, simulated lives and ritualistic ceremonies. Each of the tribal homes are built by their descendants and offer a genuine experience of living amongst the ingenious tribes of Sabah. A simulation of the traditional Sabahan life comes alive at Mari-Mari Cultural Village and enjoy a a cultural performance by the members of the tribes. A traditional meal for lunch is included with your visit.
After the cultural tour, it’s a short driver back to Kota Kinabalu to explore the city with some highlight food experiences, with the chance to try some of the best delicacies that Sabah can offer. We include a visit to the Sabah State Museum that offers historical and cultural insights of the indigenous people. Afterwards, enjoy your tea break with local delicacies in a local restaurant around Gaya Street.
Take in a stop at Signal Hill for an awesome bird’s eye view of the city skyline and nearby islands, plus there’s a short visit to the Puh Tze Temple – the largest temple in Kota Kinabalu, a visit of the City Mosque also known Floating Mosque. You’ll also have the chance to stop at handicraft market if time permits.
Dinner tonight is a local traditional menu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Hotel breakfast
- Escorted day touring with your group guide
- Transfer from hotel to Mari Mari Cultural Village
- Entry to Marimari Cultural Village
- Kota Kinabalu sightseeing and food tour
- Local restaurant for dinner
DAY 3
Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan
Today, we make our way to the jungle. We are picked up from the hotel and transferred to nearby Kota Kinabalu International Airport for departure to Sandakan.
Upon arrival at Sandakan Airport we begin our tour with a visit to one of the major town markets; there you will see the locals trading a wide array of food items such as fish, snacks, fruits, and other consumer products. Next, we will visit the Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple which is located on the hilltop and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Sandakan Bay. Then we will proceed to visit the St. Michael's and All Angels Church for a brief history of one the oldest buildings in Sandakan. Our next stop will be the historical Agnes Keith House, formerly home to the famous American author who penned the book ‘Land below the Wind’.
Afterwards, we take you to explore Sim Sim Water Village, a unique floating village with houses built on stilts with a short walk inside the water village. Finally, our tour also includes a visit to the Sandakan War Memorial; created to commemorate the World War II events that took place in Sandakan and North Borneo. As we reach the end of the day there’s the option to transfer to a roof top bar for an evening drink and meal (on your own account).
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Hotel breakfast
- Airport transfers
- Escorted day touring with your group guide
- Sandakan city touring including a visit to a water village
- Sandakan War Memorial
- Return transfer to a Sandakan rooftop bar and bistro for sunset
DAY 4
Sandakan to Sukau
This morning we visit Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. You will have the opportunity to watch the orangutans up close in their natural habitat. Take a boardwalk through the rainforest to the feeding platform where the apes are fed milk and bananas at 10am. Then, visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about conservation of the world's smallest bear. After lunch, some adventure begins. We transfer to Sandakan jetty for a 2.5 hour boat journey to a multi awards winning rainforest lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife. Just making your way to the lodge is a discovery of its own with magnificent views along the river.
From our lodge take an afternoon river cruise in search of wildlife and birds using a boat with hybrid system of outboard and electric motor (depending on river current). Enjoy candlelight dinner overlooking the riverbank.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Hotel breakfast
- Escorted day touring with your group guide
- Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
- Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre
- Transfer Sandakan to Sukau
- Afternoon river cruising safari
DAY 5
Sukau, Eco Lodge & Safari
At sunrise, take morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap oxbow lake to view more birds and wildlife. After breakfast, proceed for an educational tour along the lodge’s Hornbill Boardwalk with our in-house naturalist. After lunch, join our in-house Orang Utan Talk activity. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Hotel breakfast
- Escorted touring with your group guide
- River cruise safari
DAY 6
Sukau to Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast, we make our way back to Sandakan by overland journey. Enjoy take a quick lunch before we proceed to the airport for our flight to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu International Airport, we are met and transferred back to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Hotel breakfast
- Casual lunch
- Airport Transfers
DAY 7
Kota Kinabalu / Mulu
Today we travel from Sabah to Sarawak state. We transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for a short flight to Mulu. Upon arrival in Mulu Airport, we are picked up by the hotel transfer to reach our stunning jungle resort. In the afternoon, we take a longboat up the river to visit a local settlement. Enjoy the scenery as your ride up the river by long boat arriving to a Penan Settlement, less visited than other near villages.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Hotel breakfast
- Meet and greet with our local guide, Sarawak
- Airport transfer
- Return Boat to visit the Local Settlement
DAY 8
Mulu Caves Tour
You’re staying at a beautiful five star jungle resort and you have the morning to enjoy the resort, the facilities and surrounds. In the afternoon, you will take your first tour to the incredible Mulu Caves. You will start on a three-kilometre plank walk through the rainforest to reach the biggest caves system in the world: Deer Cave and Lang cave. At the end of the afternoon, you take the plank walk to back to the park headquarters and transfer back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Hotel breakfast
- Guided cave visit with our group guide
- National Park entry fees
- Mulu Caves visit
- Airport transfer
- Return Boat to visit the Local Settlement
DAY 9
Mulu Caves Tour
Transfer by longboat to Batu Bungan – a Penan Settlement. The journey by longboat to the Wind Cave, with its slender stalagmites and then onto the Clearwater Cave and see the underground river before ending the day with a swim in the clear water springs. After lunch return to your accommodation and the rest of the day is free.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Hotel breakfast
- Longboat transfer to a Penan Settlement
- Guided cave visit with our group guide
- National Park entry fees
- Mulu Caves visit
DAY 10:
Mulu to Kota Kinabalu to Beach Resort
Today we return to Kota Kinabalu with a short flight from Mulu airport. Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu International Airport, you will be transferred to our beachside resort in Karambunai.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
DAY 11:
Beach Resort Stay
Free at easy at the resort.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12:
Departure From Borneo
Check-out from resort and transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for departure flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast
Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance, we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
