Classic Borneo

10 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 14 photos
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
93%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Group Tour
Immerse yourself in natural wonders and abundant wildlife unique to Borneo on this 10-day adventure. Journey through lush rainforests, navigate scenic rivers and explore the traditional villages of this beautiful region. Hang out with orangutans in Sepilok, cruise along the Kinabatangan River, unwind on the shores of Manukan Island and get a taste of vibrant ...
$2,440
From$1,984
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Visit endangered orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre – a facility that provides care for orphaned and confiscated primates and other local wildlife.
    • Learn about a social enterprise that empowers women in the mountainous village of Kampung Kiau and enjoy a traditional lunch of regional favourites.
    • Soak up the calm beach vibes with two relaxing days on Manukan Island where you’ll get up close to diverse marine life on a snorkelling trip.
    • Search for pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys as you cruise the Kinabatangan River on a water safari.
    • Savour local cuisine, like roticanai and teh tarik, during food tastings on a heritage walk in Sandakan.

What's this trip about?

    Immerse yourself in natural wonders and abundant wildlife unique to Borneo on this 10-day adventure. Journey through lush rainforests, navigate scenic rivers and explore the traditional villages of this beautiful region. Hang out with orangutans in Sepilok, cruise along the Kinabatangan River, unwind on the shores of Manukan Island and get a taste of vibrant city life in Kota Kinabalu. This restorative deep dive into nature will undoubtedly leave you wanting to return again and again.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityKota Kinabalu
End CityKota Kinabalu

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • National Parks
  • High Adventure

Destinations

Attractions

  • Borneo
  • Kota Kinabalu

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • Wildlife Viewing

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 12

Trip includes

    • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
    • Sepilok - Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Visit
    • Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre Visit
    • Sepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Visit
    • Sandakan - War Memorial
    • Sandakan - Heritage walk including local tastings
    • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting Cruise
    • Kinanbatang - River safari Cruise
    • Kinabatangan River - Morning wildlife spotting cruise
    • Kinabatangan River - Second Afternoon Wildlife spotting cruise
    • Kinabatangan - Visit to Gomantong Cave
    • Kampung Kiau - Everything Pineapple community project visit & lunch
    • Manukan Island - Manukan Island Visit
    • Manukan Island - Boat trip & snorkelling

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Sandakan

Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive before then, feel free to start your Sandakan exploration earlier. This city is celebrated for its seafood so, after your meeting, be sure to ask your leader for tips on where to pick up the freshest catch. Maybe head out to dinner with your group so you can get to know each other.

Day 2 Sandakan

Start the day with a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. Established to help reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or being orphaned, this sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to witness conservation in action. F...

Day 3 Sandakan / Kinabatangan River

Get a sense of Sandakan’s diverse cultural heritage on a walk with your local leader and try traditional cuisine during a food and heritage walk, tasting things like roti (flat bread) and tai tarik (hot milk tea). After, learn about the city's past as you stand on the...

Day 4 Kinabatangan River

Wake up to the calls of Bornean gibbons and hornbills before hopping aboard a morning cruise down the river. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques and pig-tailed macaques – your leader will point out the differences between each species. Enjoy so...

Day 5 Gomantong Cave / Kundasang

Before heading to Kundasang this morning, stop at the Gomantong Cave – the most extensive limestone formation in the Lower Kinabatangan region. Home to a thriving community of bats and swiftlets, this cave boasts fascinating biodiversity. In the afternoon, drive to Ku...

Day 6 Kiau Village / Kota Kinabalu

Head west this morning and travel to the rural village of Kampung Kiau. Here, you’ll have the chance to experience a slice of local life by visiting a coffee production house, where you’ll learn about how the beans are cultivated in the region. After, visit Everything...

Day 7 Manukan

Embark on a short boat ride this morning to Manukan Island – one of the larger islands found in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park. A paradise of white sand beaches and clear waters, this island is the perfect place for swimming, snorkelling and walking. You can also sit back and unwind with a cocktail on the beach.

Day 8 Manukan

See beneath the surface of Manukan’s waters today on a snorkelling trip with a local guide. Cruise out to the coral reefs where your guide will help you spot brightly coloured marine life. If you’re lucky, you might even bump into a sea turtle while you’re down there!...

Day 9 Kota Kinabalu

Head back to Kota Kinabalu today by boat and minivan. Modern-day 'KK' is a vibrant modern metropolis, having recovered from World War II bombings. You may like to peruse the local handicraft market on the waterfront or wander around Chinatown. Or you may prefer to che...

Day 10 Kota Kinabalu

With no activities planned for today, your adventure will come to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $1,984
Price per day$198
Last Updated: 6/4/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
05 Apr 2025
14 Apr 2025
$3,095
Sold Out
09 Apr 2025
18 Apr 2025
$3,100
3 spots left
12 Apr 2025
21 Apr 2025
$2,965
3 spots left
16 Apr 2025
25 Apr 2025
$3,100
Sold Out
19 Apr 2025
28 Apr 2025
$3,010
4 spots left
23 Apr 2025
02 May 2025
$2,765
7 spots left
26 Apr 2025
05 May 2025
$2,600
9 spots left
30 Apr 2025
09 May 2025
$2,585
9 spots left
03 May 2025
12 May 2025
$2,680
6 spots left
07 May 2025
16 May 2025
$2,850
5 spots left

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
Excellent
3,470
Great
673
Average
155
Disappointing
86
Terrible
235
M

Marisa

Oct 2015

Written on

I wanted to see Orangutans and I

I wanted to see Orangutans and I did!

S

Sandra

Oct 2015

Written on

Great itinerary, good price

Great itinerary, good price

D

Dorab

Oct 2015

Written on

Our guide was particularly good and made

Our guide was particularly good and made the trip truly worthwhile

k

karen

Sep 2015

Written on

You provide the best guides the trip

You provide the best guides the trip details are always accurate....

Write a Review

Other Intrepid Travel Reviews

G

Georgiii

Feb 2025

Written on

Michelle Middleton is an asset to the…

Michelle Middleton is an asset to the customer care team. Easy and honest communication throughout!

L

LATRICE PRATT

Feb 2025

Written on

Travel The Intrepid Way

I’ve taken two vacations with Intrepid Travel so far, and I have nothing but positive perspectives about the company. Intrepid Travel has a wide range of itineraries...

L

Lisa Falcone

Feb 2025

Written on

The best people and itineraries.

I cannot overstate what an outstanding organization Intrepid has been to deal with. My husband had health issues on our last trip (Spain/Portugal) and they were noth...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Lodge (3 night),Hotel (4 nights),Resort (2 nights)

Transportation & Flights

Boat,Plane,Private mini van,

Transportation & flights

Boat,Plane,Private mini van
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines FOREIGN TRAVEL ADVICE FOR EASTERN SABAH Some governments currently have increased foreign travel advice in place for Eastern Sabah. Insurance coverage may be affected by this level of advice. Travel insurance that covers all destinations and activities within your itinerary is compulsory to join this trip. Please check your government’s foreign travel advice before departure and contact your insurance provider to ensure you have the appropriate level of coverage for travel to all destinations and activities within your itinerary.
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
intrepid-TMKB

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save