11 Days | Explore the wildlife paradise of Sabah in lush Borneo
Explore a land of natural beauty and rare wildlife on an 11-day Borneo adventure through Sabah. With its collection of unique animals, ancient traditions, hot springs, tribal villages, rescued orangutans and scenic views, Sabah has something for everyone. You’ll experience the very best of this part of 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 village 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 World Heritage-Listed Kinabalu National Park.
Trip overview
- Start
- Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
- Finish
- Sepilok, 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. Witness 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 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!
- Spend a night in the Dusun village within the hills that sit in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Spend time with the friendly locals, watch a cultural performance and maybe hike through the surrounding fruit and rubber plantations.
- Climbing Mt Kinabalu is a challenge that shouldn't be underestimated. The elevation is approximately 4095 m and we rise early to summit in the dark to witness the sunrise. It's an unforgettable climb for sure, but you'll need an excellent fitness level to complete it.
- 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.
- You will get to experience a wide range of accommodation types on this trip – shared dormitory rooms in hostels, a homestay, resort, jungle lodge and hotels. Some may be a little more basic than our standard hotels, but their unique locations and close proximity to nature is what makes them special.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Inclusions
8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Private mini van, River Boat
Chalet (1 night), Resort (1 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hostel (3 nights), Hotel (2 nights), Lodge (2 nights)
- Dusun Village - Guided village walk
- Dusun Village - Cultural performance
- Mt Kinabalu National Park - Mt Kinabalu Climb
- Poring Hot Springs - 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
- 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 - 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 - Rainforest Discovery Centre - MYR30
- Sepilok - Sun Bear Conservation Centre - MYR50
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Please provide passport details at time of booking, as these are essential for booking services on this trip, including your Mt Kinabalu permit.
2. If you prefer not to share a room on this trip, you may purchase a single supplement, subject to availability. Please contact your sales agent if you would like to book this. The single supplement excludes Day 2 (Dusun Village), Days 3 & 4 (Mt Kinabalu), Days 5 & 6 (Poring Hot Springs), and Day 9 (Turtle Island), where you will be in shared accommodation.
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 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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