Classic Borneo

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10 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Sandakan, Malaysia

Ends

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Highlights

Visit endangered orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre – a facility that provides care for orphaned and confiscated primates and other local wildlife.

Learn about a social enterprise that empowers women in the mountainous village of Kampung Kiau and enjoy a traditional lunch of regional favourites.

Soak up the calm beach vibes with two relaxing days on Manukan Island where you’ll get up close to diverse marine life on a snorkelling trip.

Search for pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys as you cruise the Kinabatangan River on a water safari.

Savour local cuisine, like roti canai and teh tarik, during food tastings on a heritage walk in Sandakan.

Itinerary

Explore the wild heart of Borneo on this 10-day adventure, tracing a path from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu. The 'Classic Borneo' wildlife tour immerses you in lush rainforests, winding rivers, and vibrant local villages. Encounter orangutans at Sepilok, cruise the Kinabatangan River, and unwind on the beaches of Manukan Island. With easy-paced activities suitable for most travelers, this trip offers a restorative connection with nature, guided by local experts who reveal Borneo’s hidden wonders. The tour’s unique selling point? Unmatched opportunities to see rare wildlife up close, all while enjoying the region’s diverse landscapes and cultures.

day 1 - Sandakan

Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive before then, feel free to start your Sandakan exploration earlier. This city is celebrated for its seafood so, after your meeting, be sure to ask your leader for tips on where to pick up the freshest catch. Maybe head out to dinner with your group so you can get to know each other.

included:Complimentary Arrival Transfer

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - Sandakan

Start the day with a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. Established to help reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or being orphaned, this sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to witness conservation in action. From the viewing platform, watch and photograph the orangutans as they swing into view to eat the supplementary diet of fruits that laid out for them twice daily. Next, head to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Here, rescued sun bears, many of whom have endured years of mistreatment, are given a second chance at life. Learn about the rehabilitation process and how they are reintroduced back into the wild. You’ll also explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre, where you can roam the treetop walkways while you learn more about the flora and birdlife of Borneo.Last, but not least, learn about the city's past as you stand on the same ground as the former Japanese Prisoners of War camp at the Sandakan War Memorial. This site also marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, on which 2400 POWs were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo.Return to Sandakan for the evening.

included:Sepilok - Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Visit, Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre Visit, Sepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Visit, Sandakan - War Memorial

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 3 - Sandakan / Kinabatangan River

Get a sense of Sandakan’s diverse cultural traditions completing a section of the Heritage walk together with your local leader and taste traditional cuisine like roti (flat bread) and teh tarik (hot milk tea). Later, travel to Kinabatangan River in a private transport. Arrive at your jungle lodge beside the river – ideal for taking in your wild surroundings. The Kinabatangan River is a protected forest reserve, containing some of Borneo's highest concentrations of wildlife. In the afternoon, board a river cruise and look out for the more elusive creatures. Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves, but crocodiles, wild orangutans and kingfishers are more easily seen. Tonight, return to the lodge for dinner.

included:Sandakan - Section of the Heritage walk including local tastings, Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting Cruise

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 4 - Kinabatangan River

Wake up to the calls of Bornean gibbons and hornbills before hopping aboard a morning cruise down the river. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques and pig-tailed macaques – your leader will point out the differences between each species. Enjoy some down time to relax and enjoy your surroundings before another afternoon river wildlife cruise. This final cruise will be your last chance to snap some photos of the animals along the river. Enjoy another night in the heart of the jungle.

included:Kinabatangan - River safari Cruise, Kinabatangan River - Morning wildlife spotting cruise, Kinabatangan River - Second Afternoon Wildlife spotting cruise

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 5 - Gomantong Cave/ Kundasang

Before heading to Kundasang this morning, stop at the Gomantong Cave – the most extensive limestone formation in the Lower Kinabatangan region. Home to a thriving community of bats and swiftlets, this cave boasts fascinating biodiversity. In the afternoon, drive to Kundasang Spend the rest of the day getting your bearings.

included:Kinabatangan - Visit to Gomantong Cave

accommodation:Cottage/Resort

meals:1 Breakfast

day 6 - Kiau Village / Kota Kinabalu

Head west this morning and travel to the rural village of Kampung Kiau. Here, you’ll have the chance to experience a slice of local life by visiting a coffee production house, where you’ll learn about how the beans are cultivated in the region. After, visit Everything Pineapple – a sustainable community-based project that was formed in the aftermath of the 2015 Sabah earthquake to empower local women, socially and economically. Pick up some delicious handmade pineapple jam, chutney or juice. Sit down to a lunch of these dishes in a shady spot shared by the community, then hit the road and drive on to Kota Kinabalu for the night. Perhaps pop into Nabalu Market for a handmade souvenir or a local snack on the way to 'KK'.

included:Kampung Kiau - Everything Pineapple community project visit & lunch

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

day 7 - Manukan Island

Embark on a short boat ride this morning to Manukan Island – one of the larger islands found in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park. A paradise of white sand beaches and clear waters, this island is the perfect place for swimming, snorkelling and walking. You can also sit back and unwind with a cocktail on the beach.

included:Manukan Island - Manukan Island Visit

accommodation:Resort

meals:1 Breakfast

day 8 - Manukan Island

See beneath the surface of Manukan’s waters today on a snorkelling trip with a local guide. Cruise out to the coral reefs where your guide will help you spot brightly coloured marine life. If you’re lucky, you might even bump into a sea turtle while you’re down there! Pull up on the beach for lunch and some time in the sun. After snorkelling, the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Maybe jump straight back in the water or head out for a walk.

included:Manukan Island - Boat trip & snorkelling

accommodation:Resort

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

day 9 - Kota Kinabalu

Head back to Kota Kinabalu today by boat and minivan. Modern-day 'KK' is a vibrant modern metropolis, having recovered from World War II bombings. You may like to peruse the local handicraft market on the waterfront or wander around Chinatown at Gaya Street. Or you may prefer to check out the Sabah Museum to learn about Sabah’s past and do some last-minute souvenir shopping at the Anjung Kinabalu. Perhaps round your group up for a final dinner tonight to celebrate all you’ve seen and done on your adventure through Borneo.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 10 - Kota Kinabalu

With no activities planned for today, your adventure will come to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Lodge (2 night), Hotel (5 nights), Resort (2 nights)

Meals

9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 2 Dinners

Transport

Boat, Private mini van

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Complimentary Arrival TransferSepilok - Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre VisitSepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre VisitSepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre VisitSandakan - War MemorialSandakan - Section of the Heritage walk including local tastingsKinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting CruiseKinabatangan - River safari CruiseKinabatangan River - Morning wildlife spotting cruiseKinabatangan River - Second Afternoon Wildlife spotting cruiseKinabatangan - Visit to Gomantong CaveKampung Kiau - Everything Pineapple community project visit & lunchManukan Island - Manukan Island VisitManukan Island - Boat trip & snorkelling

What's Excluded

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