Classic Borneo - Independent Journey

10 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
92%
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Leave urban life behind on this unbeatable Borneo adventure that will get you trekking through lush jungles, searching for wildlife on river cruises and exploring the rich ecology of Mt Kinabalu. From replenishing soaks in natural hot springs to encounters with wild orangutans and underwater forays around tropical Manukan Island, there's no doubt this trip wi...

Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Discover exotic flora and fauna in Kinabalu National Park
    • Get steamy in the Poring Hot Springs
    • Fall in love with the orangutans of Sepilok
    • Spot birds' nests in the Gomantong Caves
    • Spend the night in a jungle lodge along the Kinabatangan River
    • Venture out to tropical Manukan Island

What's this trip about?

    Leave urban life behind on this unbeatable Borneo adventure that will get you trekking through lush jungles, searching for wildlife on river cruises and exploring the rich ecology of Mt Kinabalu. From replenishing soaks in natural hot springs to encounters with wild orangutans and underwater forays around tropical Manukan Island, there's no doubt this trip will leave you with an entire vault of heartwarming memories.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 3 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Destinations

Activities

  • Independent

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 3

Trip includes

    • Included activities are listed in the day-to-day itinerary
    • all other activities are optional and at your own expense
    • If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary
    • the cost will not be refunded

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Kota Kinabalu

Arriving in Kota Kinabalu, an Intrepid representative will be there to greet you and transfer you to your hotel. With spare time at your disposal, why not get into holiday mode with a beach excursion, river rafting expedition, jungle hike or boat trip into Tunku Abdul...

Day 2 Mt Kinabalu

Venture into the Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia’s first World Heritage-listed site, along winding roads lined with centuries-old trees. Learn how – with around 1,000 species of orchid, 600 species of fern and 320 species of bird – this area is among the most importa...

Day 3-4 Kinabatangan

Rising early, experience sunrise on a morning stroll through a picturesque tea plantation. Continue on to a lodge in a protected rainforest near the lower Kinabatangan River, your base for the next two nights. Spend your time here seeking out the myriad flora and fauna of this pristine tract of rainforest on nature walks and river cruises.

Day 5 Sandakan

The morning's travel includes a stop at the Gomantong Caves, where locals have harvested edible swiftlet eggs for centuries. There's also the opportunity for a stop at the Sandakan War Memorial, built on the starting point of the infamous Sandakan Death Marches of WWI...

Day 6 Sepilok

Continue on to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and fall in love with these graceful apes as they swing gleefully down from the forest canopy to snaffle up their meals of bananas and milk. A visit to the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary is also on the c...

Day 7-8 Manukan Island

Swap jungle paths for the warm waters of the South China Sea and head for Manukan Island – a tropical paradise that is just a stone's throw away from Kota Kinabalu. Embark on a snorkelling trip and dive through schools of brightly coloured fish before kicking back on the beach or exploring the island.

Day 9-10 Kota Kinabalu

Return to Kota Kinabalu, where further opportunities for beach-lazing at our beachside hotel await. While here, perhaps try one of the many water-based pursuits on offer before savouring one of KK's famously beautiful sunsets over a drink or two.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $0
Price per day$0
Last Updated: 6/9/2018

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.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Peregrine Adventures.

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.

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Peregrine Adventures

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It’s been more than 36 years since our first small group set out to discover Nepal. It’s this heritage and our reputation that keeps travellers coming back time and time again.

We appeal to the well-travelled, discerning traveller. The one who chooses value over price, and wants to immerse themselves in a place instead of just ticking landmarks off a bucket list. The type of person who would rather stay in a family run B&B built in a 16th century Venetian convent than a forgettable hotel. We’re for travellers who want inclusions along the way instead of fiddling around for loose change.

Almost 20 years ago, Peregrine led an industry revolution by solely employing locally born leaders. This innovative approach gives our travellers a deeper insight into the countries they visit. Doorways are opened and a true understanding of the place is fostered.

At Peregrine, we travel in intimate groups and take the time to get under the skin of a destination. Of course we all want to see the Taj Mahal in India. But imagine then heading to a remote Rajasthani village and learning about rural life while in the company of locals. Seeing the famous sites is a must, but it’s often the memory of wandering through a small village or sharing dinner with a local family that will leave a lasting impact.

We promise to share our knowledge and expertise with you, and ensure you will come home with stories you will tell for years to come.

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Immersive experiences that prioritize value, authenticity and adventure over luxury touches for older travelers.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Horizon Hotel or similar (2 nts), Myne Resort or similar (2 nts), Sandakan Waterfront Hotel or similar (2 nts), Sabah Tea Garden Cottage or similar (1 nt), Manukan Island Resort or similiar (1 nt)

Transportation & Flights

Boat, Plane,

Transportation & flights

Boat, Plane
Guides
On your Independent Journey you will be accompanied by one of our leaders in each location. Your leader may change from day to day, even while at the same location. The aim of our leaders 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 leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader 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 were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Requirements
Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey. ,The twin share price for this trip is based on 2 people travelling together and sharing a twin room. If you’d prefer not to share a room with your travel companion a single supplement is available. Please ask your booking agent for more information. If travelling in a group of three, one person will take a single room which will be included in the quoted price. As this is an independent trip we are unable to match single travellers in a room with another single traveller.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won't be permitted to join the trip until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by our local representative. If you have credit card insurance our local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact telephone number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. Please go to our website for links to various travel insurance providers:
Visa requirements
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. As a general rule most countries expect that you will have at least 6 months' validity on your passport. On arrival visitors may be asked to present return tickets and evidence of means to cover your intended stay. We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change - it's important that you check for yourself. Residents from other countries must consult the relevant embassies or your travel agent.
Health & Safety
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable 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 leader will accompany you on most included activities but you may not be accompanied while travelling between locations. During your trip you'll also have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your leader 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 leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to Intrepid's operational safety policy on our website. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it's being implemented in the field: FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. BALCONIES: Some hotel balconies don't meet UK standards in terms of the width of the balcony fence being narrower than 10cm. TRAFFIC AND DRIVING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD: Depending on where you come from please note that drivers in this part of the world may drive on the opposite side of the road from what you are used to. Look both ways before crossing any road. Traffic can be a little more chaotic than you might be used to at home. Be aware! SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY: While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. SWIMMING POOLS: You may stay at hotels with unfenced pools and no life guard on duty. www.intrepidtravel.com/safety
Meals Included

Meals introduction

While travelling with us you'll have the opportunity to experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. On our camping trips we often cook the region's specialities so you don't miss out. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility.

Meals

9 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

Style descriptions

‘Comfort travel’ means encountering all that the real world has to offer, but with an added degree of, well… comfort. We use more private transport, the travel pace more relaxed, the accommodation a touch nicer. And by paying a little more up front, you’ll be treated to more included meals, more leader-led activities and get a greater immersion in all things local.

Finish point

  • Horizon Hotel
  • Jalan Pantai Pusat Bandar
  • Kota Kinabalu
  • Kota Kinabalu
  • Sabah
  • 88999
  • MALAYSIA
  • Phone: +60 88518000
Trip ID
peregrine-TMKBJ

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