11 Days | Explore the lush wildlife paradise of Sabah, Borneo
Get to know a land of natural beauty and rare wildlife on this Borneo adventure through Sabah. With its collection of unique animals, ancient traditions, tribal villages, rescued orangutans and scenic views, Sabah has something for everyone. You’ll experience it all over 11 days in Borneo – climbing Mt Kinabalu at sunrise, watching sea turtles lay their eggs with an expert local ranger by your side and sharing laughs with your local hosts in a remote village. Visit conservation sanctuaries, search for local wildlife at different times of day and night along the Kinabatangan River (including pygmy elephants if you’re lucky) and explore the untouched wilderness of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park.
Trip overview
- Start
- Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
- Finish
- Sandakan, Malaysia
- Theme
- Explorer
- 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
- TMSC
- Climb Mt Kinabalu – the literal pinnacle of all treks in South East Asia – with local guides whose families have trekked the mountain for generations. Watch the sunrise at the peak after a morning hike and spot diverse flora and fauna along the way.
- Spend time getting to know the unique wildlife of Borneo at conservation sanctuaries for orangutans and sun bears.
- 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 their 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 see wild pygmy elephants!
- Spend two nights in a Dusun village in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Spend time with your friendly hosts, explore a local vegetable farm and watch a cultural performance.
- Summiting Mt. Kinabalu is an exhilarating challenge that should not be underestimated. On the second day of the trek, we begin our ascent at 2 AM to witness the breathtaking sunrise from the summit. Standing at approximately 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) above sea level, it promises an unforgettable experience but requires an excellent level of fitness to complete successfully.
- Read our blog here for everything you need to know about climbing Mt Kinabalu: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/guide-to-climbing-mt-kinabalu-borneo/
- You'll need to pack some specific items for this trip. Check the ‘Packing List’ in the Essential Trip Information for more details so you are prepared.
- On this trip, you will experience a wide range of accommodation types: shared dormitory rooms in hostels, a homestay, a resort, a jungle lodge, and hotels. Some may be a little more basic than our standard hotels, but their unique locations and close proximity to nature are what make them special.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
Private mini van, River Boat
Chalet (1 night), Resort (1 nights), Homestay (2 night), Hostel (2 nights), Hotel (2 nights), Lodge (2 nights)
- Dusun Village - Guided village walk
- Dusun Village - Cultural performance
- Dusun Village – Local Vegetable Farm Visit
- Kundasang - Market Visit
- Mt Kinabalu National Park - Mt Kinabalu Climb
- Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise
- Kinabatangan River - Night jungle walk
- Kinabatangan River - Fish Trap Making & Story Telling
- Kinabatangan River - Dawn Wildlife Cruise
- Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
- Turtle Island - Turtle Island Marine Park
- Turtle Island - Turtle Hatchery Visit
- Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Museum entrance fee - MYR15
- Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul National Marine Park Snorkeling Trip (Minimum 4 people) - MYR355
- Kundasang - War Memorial (Entrance Fee) - MYR10
- Poring Hot Springs - Conservation Fee - MYR15
- Poring Hot Springs - Hot Springs (Open Bath Tub) - (3 hours) - MYR10
- Poring Hot Springs - Canopy Walk - MYR10
- Poring Hotspring (Slide Pool/Open Bathtub) - MYR10
- Poring Hotspring (Entrance Fee) - MYR50
- Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre - MYR30
- Sepilok - Sun Bear Conservation Centre - MYR50
- Turtle Island - Snorkel Hire - MYR35
- Sandakan - Agnes Keith House - MYR15
- Sandakan - St Micheals and All Angels Church - MYR10
- Sandakan - Puu Jih Shih Chinese Temple - Free
- Sandakan - War Memorial - Free
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Please provide passport details at the time of booking, as these are essential for booking services on this trip, including your Mt Kinabalu permit.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 2 and 3 (Dusun Village), 4 and 5 (Mt Kinabalu), and 9 (Turtle Island), where you will be in shared accommodation. It is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. 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 on our Travel Alerts page https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts
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.
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