Best of Borneo
Overview
Highlights
- See wild orangutans at the Semenggoh sanctuary and look for proboscis monkeys in Bako National Park. One of the last truly wild places on earth, Borneo offers rare treats for nature lovers.
- Explore labyrinthian cave systems, some of the largest in the world, and watch as millions of bats emerge from their depths at sunset, darkening the sky like a plume of black smoke.
- Climb Mt Kinabalu – the literal pinnacle of all treks in South East Asia – with local guides whose families have trekked the mountain for generations. Witness the sunrise at the peak after a morning hike and spot diverse flora and fauna along the way.
- Join a local ranger to witness the life cycle of sea turtles, who come ashore on Turtle Island to lay their eggs on the beach. At night, you’ll watch the hatchlings make a dash down the beach on the way to their new life.
- Cruise down the Kinabatangan River and search for wildlife in this rich and unique jungle ecosystem – if you’re lucky, you may spot wild pygmy elephants!
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- Bako National Park - Wildlife Trail Trek
- Kuching - Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary
- Mulu National Park - Deer & Lang Caves
- Mulu National Park - Wind & Clearwater Caves
- Mulu National Park - Picnic Lunch
- Mulu National Park - Local Dinner
- Mulu National Park - Guided trek along Headhunters' Trails
- Mulu National Park - Longboat ride along the Melinau & Terikan Rivers
- Labuan Island - Sunset cocktail drink
- Dusun Village - Guided village walk
- Dusun Village - Cultural performance
- Mt Kinabalu National Park - Mt Kinabalu Climb
- Poring Hot Springs - Poring Conservation Fee
- Kinabatangan River - Night jungle walk
- Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise
- Kinabatangan River - Dawn wildlife cruise
- Sandakan - War Memorial
- Turtle Island - Turtle Island Marine Park
- Turtle Island - Turtle Hatchery Visit
- Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Itinerary
Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Kuching, meaning 'cat' in Malay, is the capital and most populous city in the state of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. It was home to the infamous White Rajah of Sarawak, whose mysterious rule in this remote corner of the world sparke...
Hop in a private van to the fishing village of Kampung Bako, then a local boat up the coast to Bako National Park. Bako is the oldest national park in Sarawak and features rainforest, abundant wildlife, jungle streams, waterfalls, diverse plant life, secluded beaches ...
Head to the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary – a government-funded rehabilitation centre set in lush surrounds. The centre was set up to help reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been orphaned. Head into the jun...
Fly to Mulu today, sending your large bag on to Limbang and packing a day bag with the essentials for the next four days. When you arrive in Mulu, head into the heart of one of the most spectacular national parks in Asia – Gunong Mulu National Park. Transfer the short...
Today, you have a free morning to explore or have a sleep in. Spend the afternoon strolling the walkways of this 180-million-year-old rainforest, and then catch the sunset flight of the bats at Deer Cave. This UNESCO World Heritage site has the world’s largest known s...
Leave Park HQ behind and head into the jungle. Take a boat upriver to the Clearwater and Wind Caves, which contain Asia’s longest underwater river. The Clearwater Cave system runs for more than 200 km, over 100 of which have been explored. Wind Cave draws a cooling br...
Today, you’ll tackle the infamous Headhunter’s Trail. Located in an isolated area of the Bornean jungle, the trail used to be the route used by warring parties between the Tutoh and Limbang Rivers. Cross streams by rope bridges, wooden walkways and logs, surrounded by...
After breakfast this morning, take a short walk to the ferry terminal for a boat to Labuan Island. When you arrive, you’ll have a free afternoon and evening at a beach resort. Relax and recover after yesterday’s trek, chilling out with a cold drink and a good book. Maybe head to Layang Layang Beach for a swim and get together for a sunset cocktail by the end of the day.
Enjoy some more free time on the island before catching a ferry and express bus to Kota Kinabalu – the capital of Sabah and a modern metropolis that rebounded from multiple bombings during WWII. Tonight, maybe head out for a final meal with your group to celebrate your Borneo adventure – the night market is filled with fresh grilled seafood.
Poring Hot Springs is an ideal place to kick back for a day to recuperate after the mountain climb. These pools were developed by the Japanese during World War II, where warm sulphur water – believed to have healing properties for the skin – is piped into several man ...
Today, travel by minivan to a Dusun village that sits within the gorgeous hills in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Our guides on Mt Kinabalu are local Dusun people, known for being wonderfully warm and friendly. W...
This morning, say goodbye to your new friends from the village and travel into the unspoiled wilderness of the World Heritage-Listed Kinabalu National Park. Take some time to enjoy the surroundings and prepare for the climb ahead. There are nature trails through the l...
Rise early and take a quick drive to Timpohon Gate to begin the climb up Mt Kinabalu. It's not an easy trek as it is uphill all the way, and you’ll need to be prepared to tackle a trail made of steep steps that vary considerably in size. You may get quite hot but reme...
Rise around 2 am this morning to catch the sunrise at the summit of Mt Kinabalu (4095 m). It's difficult walking, but you'll feel a huge sense of achievement when you make it. The view from the summit is incredible – the jungles of Borneo in one direction, the South C...
Poring Hot Springs is an ideal place to kick back for a day to recuperate after the mountain climb. These pools were developed by the Japanese during World War II, where warm sulphur water – believed to have healing properties for the skin – is piped into several man ...
Today, you’ll journey by private bus into the steamy rainforest to Bilit – a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. Take a short boat ride to the comfortable jungle lodge where you’ll spend the night. The lodge is located right on the riverbanks and is ...
This morning, take another early boat safari in search of wildlife – different species come out at different times of the day, so keep your eyes peeled! After breakfast, say goodbye to your jungle lodge and hit the road in a private minivan to the coastal city of Sand...
This morning, leave your large bags at the hotel and walk 15 minutes to a nearby jetty. Travel by speedboat, past small fishing villages and bamboo fish traps, to Turtle Island Marine Park. Here, green turtles come ashore to lay their eggs every night of the year! In ...
After breakfast, return to the mainland, collect your bags and continue by minibus to a guesthouse located near the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The centre was set up to help reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestic...
There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. Flights depart most days from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur.
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- Jalan Rambutan, Sepilok Mile 14,
- Sepilok
- 90723
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