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Travel to Borneo and leave urban life behind. Head into Borneo's lush jungles, down scenic rivers and through the vibrant villages of beautiful Borneo. On the way, soak up stunning mountain vistas, meet local indigenous people, relax in hot springs and have an encounter with some pretty special orangutans. There's no doubt that this adventure in Borneo will find its way into your heart and leave you with unforgettable memories.

Start
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Finish
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Destination
Malaysia
Style
Comfort
Theme
Explorer, Wildlife
Code
TMKB
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Experience the friendliness and hospitality of the Dusun people while enjoying lunch in a rural village

  • Explore the unspoilt wilderness of the Kinabalu National Park while walking trails at the base of the iconic mountain

  • Look over gloriously verdant rolling hills of tea with a night at a tea plantation, including a tour and sampling of delicious local varieties

  • One of the last remaining wild places on earth, Borneo offers rare treats for the nature lover – see Orangutans at the Sepilok Sanctuary and search for wildlife while cruising the Kinabatangan River

  • During two days on glorious Manukan Island there's plenty of time to soak up the relaxed beach vibe, and to get close to marine life on an included snorkelling trip

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip covers a lot of distance, so be prepared for some long drives of up to 5 hours. Wherever possible, you'll make stops in interesting locations to break up the trip.

  • The accommodation varies, from hotels to unique chalets to jungle lodges. The latter two may be a little more basic than our standard hotels. Their unique location and close proximity to wildlife is what makes them special though.

  • This trip visits Kinabalu National Park but we do not climb the mountain. If you want to climb Mt Kinabalu please see our Sabah Adventure trip.

  • Travelling light is essential, as there is a strict 15 kg maximum luggage limit due to the internal flight. Excess luggage will incur extra fees.

Map of Classic Borneo including Malaysia
Baby monkey, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Orangutan, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Rafflesia, Kinabalu National Park

Itinerary
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Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. An arrival airport transfer is included. Please advise your flight details at time of booking or 14 days prior to departure so as we can book this transfer for you. Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm, which you can find details about at the hotel’s reception. If you have any free time beforehand, perhaps explore this intriguing city that was born between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Modern-day 'KK' is a vibrant modern metropolis, having recovered from World War II bombings. The Sabah State Museum is a great place to immerse yourself in its backstory.

Notes: If you plan to arrive earlier, this arrival transfer can only be offered in conjunction with pre-tour accommodation booked through Intrepid.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Optional Activities
  • Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Museum entrance fee - MYR15
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Leaving Kota Kinabalu behind, you'll head for the hills and travel towards the unspoilt wilderness of the World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park (approximately 3 hours). You will stop off en route at a local home at Dusun Village. The Dusun people are wonderfully warm and friendly people, and while here you'll sample the local foods with a home cooked lunch get some insight into what it’s like to live in a rural village. Later you can stretch your legs and soak up the mountain scenery with a stroll through Kinabalu National Park. There are many walking trails from which you can birdwatch, and remember to watch for the odd snake or little leach. There is plenty to see and do here. The Mountain Botanic Garden is an excellent showcase of the diverse plant life on the mountain, as flora from all over the park has been replanted here. Late in the afternoon you travel by private bus to Sabah Tea Plantation (approximately 30 mins). Tonight you will stay amongst the grounds of a lush tea garden.
Accommodation
  • Cottage (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mt Kinabalu - Guided walk around lower trails
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Please see "itinerary disclaimer" section of this document for changes to accommodation on this night for some departures.

After breakfast you will take a tour of the tea factory itself, ending in sampling some of the delicious varieties. From there, head to Kinabatangan River in private mini van, a trip of approximately 5 hours. Your jungle lodge, located beside the river, is ideal for taking in the lush surrounds. At 560 kilometres, the Kinabatangan River is the second longest river in Malaysia. It's also a protected forest reserve, containing some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo. Later in the afternoon you will take a river cruise, hopefully spotting some of the more exotic local creatures. Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves, but crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutan, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and kingfishers are more easily seen. After this short adventure you'll head back to the lodge to enjoy dinner.
Accommodation
  • Chalet (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mt Kinabalu - Sabah Tea Plantation - Tea Factory Tour
  • Mt Kinabalu - Sabah Tea Plantation - Tea Sampling
  • Kinabatangan - River cruise & wildlife spotting on Kinabatangan River
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

You might awake to the call of a Bornean gibbon, or perhaps a hornbill. Enjoy a morning cruise down the river, searching for more birds and wildlife. Keep an eye out for Long Tail Macaques and Pig Tail Macaques – ask your leader about the difference. Later, you can trek up to a birdwatching tower overlooking the river and visit a Merabu tree. When it's all over, this evening's river cruise will be your last chance to photograph or simply marvel at your surrounds. Spend one more night in your lovely accommodation right in the heart of the jungle.
Accommodation
  • Chalet (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kinabatangan - River cruise & wildlife spotting on Kinabatangan River
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Travelling by private minivan, you will stop to visit the intricate Gomantong Caves. Renowned for their edible swiftlet nets, which are harvested for bird's nest soup. Bird's nest collection is an ancient tradition, though nowadays licences are required for it. Travelling to Sandakan, a journey of 3 hours, you will stop in at the Sandakan War Memorial. Here you will learn about the city's past as you stand on the same ground of the former Japanese POW camp. This site also marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, on which 2,400 POWs were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo. By the end of the march, only 6 Australians survived, and only because they had escaped. Arrive in Sandakan, which was once the capital of British North Borneo and traditionally has strong trading ties with Hong Kong. The Cantonese influence is palpable in the lively harbour-side market, the many Chinese temples and the local cuisine.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sandakan - War Memorial
  • Sukau - Gomantong Caves
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning take a private transfer to the Sepliok Orangutan Sanctuary (approximately 1 hour). The centre was set up to help re-introduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been orphaned. From the viewing platform, you can watch and photograph these charming creatures as they swing into view and eat the supplementary diet of bananas and milk that is laid out for them twice a day. Human contact must be kept to a minimum and it's essential that you follow the instructions of the park, as directed by your leader. Also included is a new nursery where you can view young orangutans as they learn how to climb on a specially constructed jungle gym. The viewing area is behind one-way glass so as to not disturb the animals. To see more of Borneo’s creatures there’s the option to visit the newly opened Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Here rescued Sun Bears that have spent many years mistreated and locked away in cages are cared for, with hopes of rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild. You will also visit the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you can watch up close the amazing bachelor proboscis lazing and feeding – an experience that can only be found in Borneo.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sepilok - Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Sepilok - Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Optional Activities
  • Sepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Centre - MYR32
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Transfer to Sandakan Airport today for a flight to Kota Kinabalu. Keep in mind that the luggage allowance for this flight is only 15 kg of check in luggage and one cabin bag of 7kg and any excess baggage will incur a further charge paid direct to the airline. A short boat ride (around 20 minutes) takes you to Manukan Island, just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. This is one of the larger islands found in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park. The first of two days on this island will be free for you to explore the island at your leisure – perhaps swimming or local activities. The 1.5-kilometre beach is lovely to stroll along at low tide.
Accommodation
  • Chalet (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Dinner tonight will be at the resorts only restaurant where they offer a buffet style menu. Please allow approx MYR65.00 per person for this buffet dinner. Drinks are available and are an optional cost.

Enjoy a snorkelling trip today, where an array of coral and brightly coloured marine life reveals itself, conditions depending. An optional scuba dive trip from Manukan Island is also on offer for those interested in a more immersive experience. If you are interested, let your leader know and it can be arranged. After snorkelling, the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Soak up the turquoise vistas for another few hours as you stroll or swim about in this gorgeous corner of the world.
Accommodation
  • Chalet (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tunku Abdul National Marine Park - Snorkeling Trip
Optional Activities
  • Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul Marine Park Scuba diving 3 dives - MYR380
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Dinner tonight will be at the resorts only restaurant where they offer a buffet style menu. Please allow approx MYR65.00 per person for this buffet dinner. Drinks are available and are an optional cost.

Head back to Kota Kinabalu today by boat and minivan. This will take around 40 minutes.  Optional activities include a visit the intriguing Mari Mari Cultural Village, nestled deep in the countryside. Here you will see how indigenous ethnic groups of Borneo used to live. Or a visit to the Sabah museum to learn about Sabah’s past or do some last minute souvenir shopping at the Filipino market . Tonight, perhaps head out for a final meal with your group to celebrate your Borneo adventure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Kota Kinabalu - Mari Mari Cultural Village - MYR180
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Boat, Plane, Mini van

Accommodation

Chalet (4 nights), Hotel (4 nights), Cottage (1 night)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Mt Kinabalu - Guided walk around lower trails
  • Mt Kinabalu - Sabah Tea Plantation - Tea Factory Tour
  • Mt Kinabalu - Sabah Tea Plantation - Tea Sampling
  • Kinabatangan - River cruise & wildlife spotting on Kinabatangan River
  • Sandakan - War Memorial
  • Sukau - Gomantong Caves
  • Sepilok - Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Sepilok - Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
  • Tunku Abdul National Marine Park - Snorkeling Trip

Dates & availability

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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Classic Borneo trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Important notes

1. An airport arrival transfer is included. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking.
2. Strict luggage limits apply. See under the Important Notes Section of Trip Notes for more information.
3. A single supplement is available for every night on this trip. Please advise your sales agent at time of booking if you would like to purchase this single supplement

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. We also have links to prominent government travel advisories and any updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page http://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.
View Essential Trip Information

Reviews

Our Classic Borneo trips score an average of 4.75 out of 5 based on 110 reviews in the last year.

Classic Borneo, March 2018

John Dearlove

Review submitted 18 Apr 2018

Classic Borneo, March 2018

Bridget Dearlove

Review submitted 15 Apr 2018

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