Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu

4.9Based on
11 daysDuration
Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers
15 peopleMaximum group size
12 - 100 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
Challenging
Demands good physical fitness and stamina for more intense or extended activities.

Highlights

Gather local ingredients and take a cooking demonstration.

Enjoy a river safari.

Visit an orangutan rehabilitation centre.

Watch the sunrise from the summit of Mt Kinabalu.

Spot wildlife in an oxbow lake

Itinerary

If you’re searching for wild beauty and a dash of adventure, the "Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu" tour in Malaysia is your answer. Over 11 days, this trip takes you from the lively city of Kota Kinabalu into Borneo’s eastern jungles, where you’ll meet orangutans at a renowned rehabilitation center and cruise the Kinabatangan River in search of wildlife. The journey culminates in a sunrise hike up Mt Kinabalu—the region’s highest peak and a true test for any adventurer. With accommodations, meals, and expert guides included, the USP here is a perfect mix of wildlife encounters and mountain triumphs, ideal for those who crave both nature and a challenge.

day 1 - Kota Kinabalu

Arrive at any time.

Accomodation:Hotel Shangri-La (or similar)
Included Activity:Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Duration : 1.0 hr

day 2 - Kota Kinabalu to Kota Belud

From Kota Kinabalu, travel to Tambatuon village and meet the local community. Walk to a nearby river, exploring the landscape surrounding the village along the way. Visit a local farm and gather fresh ingredients for an included dinner. Learn how to cook some local recipes with the host.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation:D'Danau Homestay (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 2.5 hr
Included Activities:D'Danau Homestay, Local Farms and Cooking Demonstration

day 3 - Kota Belud to Sungai Kinabatangan

Travel towards Sandakan and continue to the immersive jungle lodge on Kinabatangan River, Sabah's longest. After settling in, head out on a river cruise to experience the serenity of evening river life (keep your eyes peeled for birds and monkeys and crocodiles, oh my!). Enjoy dinner then opt for a guided night walk through the jungle.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation:Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 5.5 hr - 7.5 hr
Included Activity:Kinabatangan River Evening Cruise
Optional Activities:Jungle Night Walk

day 4 - Sungai Kinabatangan

Begin the Day with a river safari to witness the morning wildlife activity. After breakfast, visit the nearby oxbow lake with a professional guide and seek out proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, and gibbons. Enjoy another river cruise for a second chance to spot more wildlife (you never know what you may see) before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation:Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort (or similar)
Included Activities:Kinabatangan River Wildlife Cruise, Guided Oxbow Lake Walk and Wildlife Spotting, Kinabatangan River Evening Cruise
Optional Activities:Jungle Night Walk

day 5 - Sungai Kinabatangan/Sepilok

Depart in the morning and travel to Sepilok - a wildlife haven. Enjoy a visit to the orangutan rehabilitation centre and the adjacent sun bear conservation centre.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle
Included Activities:Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Visit, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Visit
Optional Activities:Jungle Night Walk

day 6 - Sepilok/Pulau Libaran

Transfer to Sandakan and continue by boat to Libaran Island, also known as Turtle Island because thousands of sea turtles return to nest each year. Take a guided tour of the island's turtle hatchery and learn about the turtle conservation program. Later, visit the local village and experience what life is like on the island. Opt to go snorkelling or kayaking with some free time.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation:Walai Penyu Resort (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle, Speedboat Duration : 0.75 hr - 1.0 hr
Included Activities:Turtle Experience, Libaran Island Village Walk

day 7 - Pulau Libaran/Kota Kinabalu

After breakfast, depart Libaran Island and travel back to the Sandakan jetty. From the jetty, transfer to Sandakan airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:Hotel Shangri-La (or similar)
Transport:Plane Duration : 0.75 hr, Speedboat Duration : 0.75 hr - 1.0 hr

day 8 - Kota Kinabalu/Mount Kinabalu

Travel to Mt Kinabalu. Opt to hike the nature trails, or enjoy an excursion to Poring hot springs and a canopy walk with some free time.
Travel to the base of Mt Kinabalu, the highest mountain between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea.

In the afternoon, stretch your legs by exploring the trails around the park or check out the visitor centre.

Meal:Breakfast and Dinner
Accomodation:Mt. Kinabalu Park Hostel (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 2.5 hr Distance : 96 km
Optional Activities:Poring Hot Springs Visit Poring Hot Springs is near the base of Mt Kinabalu. Known for its healing hot springs, Poring is a perfect spot to relax. Try the canopy walk (5 MYR), trek to some waterfalls, visit a butterfly farm or soak in the hot springs.

day 9 - Mount Kinabalu

Head off to conquer Mt Kinabalu. During the first day's climb to Laban Rata, enjoy a packed lunch on the way. The hike can take from 5-7 hrs. Indulge in a buffet-style dinner then rest up for an early start to summit the mountain in the morning.
Set off early to begin the ascent up Mt Kinabalu. It is not an easy walk, but it is incredibly rewarding. Willpower is the main requirement as it's uphill all the way!

Spend the night at Laban Rata in basic mountain huts 3,272m (10,735 ft) above sea level.

Turn in early to prepare for the final climb very early in the morning.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation:Laban Rata Dormitory (or similar)
Included Activity:Mount Kinabalu Hike- Day 1 Duration : 5.0 hr - 7.0 hr Distance : 8 km

day 10 - Mount Kinabalu/Kota Kinabalu

Summit Mt Kinabalu (3-5hrs) and arrive in time for sunrise. Return to Laban Rata for a rest and to the park headquarters for lunch. Transfer back to Kota Kinabalu.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch
Accomodation:Hotel Shangri-La (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 2.5 hr Distance : 96 km
Included Activity:Mount Kinabalu Hike- Day 2 Duration : 5.0 hr - 7.0 hr

day 11 - Kota Kinabalu

Depart at any time.

Meal:Breakfast
Included Activity:Departure Day
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu

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What's Included

Accommodation
Hotels (3 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share), jungle lodge (3 nts, twin-share), permanent tented camp (1 nt, twin-share), hostel (1 nt, twin-share), hostel (1 nt, multi-share)
Meals
10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Note: Allow USD90-120 for meals not included.
Transport
Private vehicle, plane, ferry, walking.All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Guide
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Included activities
Your G for Good Moment: D'Danau Homestay, Kota BeludYour G for Good Moment: Libaran Island Village Walk, Pulau LibaranYour Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and GroupYour Foodie Moment: Local Farms and Cooking Demonstration, Tambatuon VillageMorning and evening Kinabatangan River safarisGuided oxbow lake visit and wildlife spotting (Kinabatangan)Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre visitTurtle Island stay with turtle hatchery visitBornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre VisitMt Kinabalu hike (2 days)Internal flight

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

Read what other travelers have to say about Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu

4.9

based on 9 reviews
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D
David MVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

My overall experience was very good. The trip was well organized and our CEO was resourceful, helpful, and entertaining, I think that the information provided gave a relatively accurate description of the trip and its level of difficulty and comfort and the level of fitness required. Most importantly, I learned a great deal about the peoples, customs and places we visited, things I did not know at all prior to the trip,. Our exposure to apes, monkeys, and elephants was outstanding!

S
Shiran XVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

Overall a very relaxing trip, other members of the group are easy to get along with, good food, good CEO.

H
HollyVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

Borneo is absolutely incredible. The itinerary is fantastic with lots of things to do and see. The wildlife is sensational and hiking to the Summit of Mt Kinabalu is a special experience. Alister our CEO was fantastic. His knowledge, support and leadership was next level. I cannot wait to book on another G Adventure tour.

H
Holly SVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

Borneo is absolutely incredible. The itinerary is fantastic with lots of things to do and see. The wildlife is sensational and hiking to the Summit of Mt Kinabalu is a special experience. Alister our CEO was fantastic. His knowledge, support and leadership was next level. I cannot wait to book on another G Adventure tour.

J
Julia LVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

Great tour to see and enjoy the wildlife of Borneo.

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