Best of Borneo

20 Days | Travel through the wild untamed lands of beautiful Borneo

4.7 out of 5 based on 12 reviews submitted.
Explorer
Wildlife
From
CAD $4,905
View dates and book

Imagine a place that is spiritual and wild, colourful and mysterious, and full of tantalising secrets - this is beautiful Borneo. From the steamy jungles of Mulu National Park and the secluded beaches of Turtle Island, to the graceful orangutans at Sepilok and small villages nestled in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu, Borneo is a true gem of South East Asia. Experience captivating sunsets, be welcomed on homestays, travel along scenic trails, laze on tropical beaches and see an abundance of wildlife - this is a tour to remember forever.

Trip overview

Map of Best Of Borneo including Malaysia
Start
Kuching, Malaysia
Finish
Sepilok, Malaysia
Theme
Explorer, Wildlife
Destinations
Malaysia
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
TMSXC
This trip generates 54.65 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • One of the last remaining truly wild places on earth, Borneo offers rare treats for the nature lover – see Orangutans at the Semenggoh Sanctuary and the quirky proboscis monkeys in Bako National Park
  • Discover the colourful history of the Iban people and spend the night in a modern longhouse with a local family.
  • Explore one of the world’s largest cave networks and witness a sunset hunting exodus of millions of bats, twisting through the sky like a plume of black smoke in Gunung Mulu National Park.
  • Follow in the infamous footsteps of tribal warriors on a trek through wild, dense jungle on the Headhunters’ Trail.
  • Experience next-level vistas from the top of Mt Kinabalu climb on a two-day climb that will really get the heart pumping.
  • Witness nature at its most beautiful with a night on Turtle island, watching mother turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
  • Cruise down the Kinabatangan river and search for wildlife in this rich and unique ecosystem.

Is this trip right for you?
  • It’s best to pack light for this trip. There is a strict 15 kg maximum luggage limit on the included internal flights. Excess luggage will incur extra fees to the traveller.
  • A small to medium size day backpack is required for the time in Mulu NP and on the Headhunters Trail. Your main pack will be forwarded on, so there will be days when you don’t have access to it. Pack light and smart.
  • This trip includes a number of wonderful long walks through forest and jungle, especially the 12 kilometre Headhunters’ Trail, so a good level of fitness is required.
  • The Mt Kinabalu trek is very challenging, including an altitude of more than 2800 metres and an early morning to summit in the dark, so we recommend a good level of fitness to be able to enjoy this unforgettable climb.
  • You may have to purchase some items for this trip. Check the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
  • You will get to experience a wide range of accommodation types on this trip – some dormitory rooms in hostels, a homestay, guesthouses, jungle lodge and hotels. Some may be a little more basic than our standard hotels, but their unique location and close proximity to wildlife is what makes them special.

Itinerary

Map of Best Of Borneo including Malaysia

Inclusions

Meals

17 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

4x4, Ferry, Longtail boat, Plane, Taxi, Mini van, Private mini van, River Boat

Accommodation

Cabin (multishare) (2 nights), Dormitory (1 night), Hotel (5 nights), Resort (1 night), Chalet (1 night), Resort (1 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hostel (3 nights), Hotel (2 nights), Lodge (2 nights)

Activities
  • 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
Add on activities
  • Kuching - Sarawak Cultural Village - MYR95
  • Sarawak River cruise - MYR65
  • Kuching - Borneo Cultures Museum - MYR50
  • Mulu National Park - Canopy Walk - MYR50
  • Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Museum entrance fee - MYR15
  • Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul National Marine Park Snorkeling Trip (Min 4) - MYR315
  • Kundasang - War Memorial - MYR15
  • Poring Hot Springs - Butterfly Farm - Free
  • Poring Hot Springs - Canopy Walk - MYR10
  • Poring Hot Springs - Orchid Conservation Centre - Free
  • Poring Hot Springs - Rafflesia Blooming Observation - MYR30
  • Poring Hot Springs - Hot Springs (Open Bath Tub) - (3 hours) - MYR10
  • Sandakan - Agnes Keith House - MYR15
  • Sandakan - St Micheals and All Angels Church - MYR10
  • Sandakan - Puu Jih Shih Chinese Temple - Free
  • Turtle Island - snorkel hire - MYR35
  • Sepilok - Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary - MYR120
  • Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre - MYR20
  • Sepilok - Sun Bear Conservation Centre - MYR50

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Please provide passport details at time of booking, as these are essential for booking services on this trip.
2. Strict luggage limits apply for this trip. See the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
3. A single supplement is available on some nights of this trip. Please note that on the following nights the supplement is not available; Days 4 - 6 (Mulu National Park), & 11 (homestay), Day 12 - 13 (Mt Kinabalu), Days 14 - 15 (Poring Hot Springs) and Day 18 (Turtle Island).
4. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Eastern Sabah before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. Further information can be found in our "Safety" section of the Essential Trip Information. You can find links to prominent government travel advisories our Travel Alerts page https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 based on 12 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Olivia · Traveled September 2023
I cannot recommend the Best of Borneo trip enough for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the wildlife, landscape, culture, food, and history of Borneo. The trip is fast paced and active so best suited to those with good physical fitness and energy. This trip is not just orangutans! For me, the most rewarding and memorable three weeks of my life!
Review submitted 10 Oct 2023

John · Traveled September 2023
Tough but very rewarding trip. Great guides. Bring good water resistant shoes/boots for mud and downpours. A second dry pair would be good.
Review submitted 01 Nov 2023

Anna · Traveled September 2023
Best of Borneo was a brilliant trip! I really feel like I've seen Borneo well, from trekking in the rainforest to climbing Mount Kinabalu. We saw so much wildlife and had a lot of laughs along the way with a brilliant group. As a solo traveller I felt safe and comfortable the whole trip and would really recommend this to experience Borneo!
Review submitted 29 Sep 2023

Maria · Traveled August 2023
Best of Borneo was everything as we expected. Wildlife, virgin jungles, meeting local people and tasting local food and a great group of people with similar interests lead by a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide.
Review submitted 25 Aug 2023

Alison · Traveled June 2023
Amazing trip, full of so many different highlights from landscapes, wildlife, meeting like minded people, friendly licals, and to climbing Mt Kinabalu.
Review submitted 05 Jul 2023
Best of Borneo
From
CAD $4,905