Highlights
Kiulu: Roll up your sleeves and dive into village life as you help prepare four signature Kiulu dishes. You’ll wrap Linangatan rice in leaves, mix up Hinava (a zingy raw fish salad), slow-braise local fish for Pinasakan Sada, and finish with punchy Tuhau pickles. It’s hands-on, a little messy, and seriously rewarding. Plus you’ll get to eat everything you make.
Kiulu: Step into the wild and learn how to live off the land. This interactive bushcraft session covers traditional fire-making, clever survival techniques, and a live demo of bamboo crafting and tool-making. It’s all about getting stuck in, thinking resourcefully, and seeing the jungle from a whole new angle.
Kiulu: Slow things down this afternoon with a creative, culture-led session. You’ll learn the intricate art of Dalai bead-making before diving into the secrets of Tapai (rice wine), shared by village elders. Expect stories, hands-on moments, and a deeper connection to the traditions that shape daily life here.
Kiulu: Sit down to a shared meal before enjoying a vibrant cultural dance performance. With time to chat, learn and laugh with your hosts, this is more than just dinner — it’s a chance to genuinely connect with the community.
Kiulu: Get a feel for village life with a hands-on rubber tapping experience. Alongside a local farmer, you’ll learn the process from tree to collection, gaining insight into a trade that’s central to the community’s way of life.
Kiulu: Wrap up your time in the village with a powerful Silat performance — a traditional martial art full of precision and energy. It’s a meaningful send-off from your hosts, giving you one last moment to soak up the culture and connection you’ve built here.
Kundasang: Kick things off early with a jungle trek to one of the region’s most impressive sights. This 3.4km trail (around 2 hours each way) takes you through dense tropical forest, past giant trees and bamboo groves — and if you’re lucky, even a blooming Rafflesia. Your reward? The thundering Langanan Waterfall, crashing down from over 120 metres before the trek back.
Sandakan: Start your day with a mindful visit to this golden and red temple atop a hill
Selingan Island: We'll jump on a boat and float over to our next beachy spot of the trip - Turtle Island!
Selingan Island: First, we'll join a Park Ranger to explore the sights on this island. And then head to laying site in small group. You'll get to see a mother turtle laying eggs on the beach firsthand, see the tagging process and even witness the egg collecting before it's planted in the hatchery. And to finish it off, you'll even watch the baby turtles being released to the sea for the very first time! You don't wanna miss this one...
Selingan Island: Snorkel, sunbathe & soak in the scenery on the oh-so-stunning Turtle Island.
Sepilok: A bear? With a crescent-shaped patch of fur that looks like the rising sun? Get ready for cuteness overload! Your local guide will take you on a tour of the centre, showing how rescued sun bears are researched, rehabilitated, and cared for. There’s also a spot to watch an info video during your free time to learn even more about these incredible animals.
Sepilok: That's right! This time we're visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to see even more rescued orangutans.
Kinabatangan River: Hop onto a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River to discover wildlife situated along the river where there is a chance to see the Proboscis Monkey, rare bird species of Borneo, Hornbills, Gibbons and maybe even Pygmy Elephants!
Kinabatangan River: Join the birds and other animals of the river for a cruise up stream in search of wildlife as the bathe in the morning sun along the river
Kinabatangan River: Take a nature jungle walk with a local guide who'll fill you in on all the deets of this wonderful riverine forest.
Kiulu: Wrap up your time in the village with a powerful Silat performance — a traditional martial art full of precision and energy. It’s a meaningful send-off from your hosts, giving you one last moment to soak up the culture and connection you’ve built here.
Kundasang: Kick things off early with a jungle trek to one of the region’s most impressive sights. This 3.4km trail (around 2 hours each way) takes you through dense tropical forest, past giant trees and bamboo groves — and if you’re lucky, even a blooming Rafflesia. Your reward? The thundering Langanan Waterfall, crashing down from over 120 metres before the trek back.
Sandakan: Start your day with a mindful visit to this golden and red temple atop a hill
Selingan Island: We'll jump on a boat and float over to our next beachy spot of the trip - Turtle Island!
Selingan Island: First, we'll join a Park Ranger to explore the sights on this island. And then head to laying site in small group. You'll get to see a mother turtle laying eggs on the beach firsthand, see the tagging process and even witness the egg collecting before it's planted in the hatchery. And to finish it off, you'll even watch the baby turtles being released to the sea for the very first time! You don't wanna miss this one...
Selingan Island: Snorkel, sunbathe & soak in the scenery on the oh-so-stunning Turtle Island.
Sepilok: A bear? With a crescent-shaped patch of fur that looks like the rising sun? Get ready for cuteness overload! Your local guide will take you on a tour of the centre, showing how rescued sun bears are researched, rehabilitated, and cared for. There’s also a spot to watch an info video during your free time to learn even more about these incredible animals.
Sepilok: That's right! This time we're visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to see even more rescued orangutans.
Kinabatangan River: Hop onto a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River to discover wildlife situated along the river where there is a chance to see the Proboscis Monkey, rare bird species of Borneo, Hornbills, Gibbons and maybe even Pygmy Elephants!
Kinabatangan River: Join the birds and other animals of the river for a cruise up stream in search of wildlife as the bathe in the morning sun along the river
Kinabatangan River: Take a nature jungle walk with a local guide who'll fill you in on all the deets of this wonderful riverine forest.
Itinerary
Love lush jungle trails, river moments and spotting wildlife you’ve only ever seen on screen? This 9-day Borneo Adventure takes you deep into Sabah state. From orangutans and sun bears to proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants, you'll check out all the wonderful wildlife here. Plus, you’ll cook, create and connect in local villages, trek to Langanan Waterfall, and swap stories with your crew after jungle-filled days. Think vibrant markets, hands-on culture and stays that bring you closer to it all. If you’re after one of the most immersive Borneo tours out there, this is it.
day 1Kota Kinabalu
Welcome to Malaysian Borneo! Starting in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah state, make your way to the hotel for our kickstart meeting at 4pm. After meeting the crew why not check out the bustling night markets for a delicious dinner.
day 2Kota Kinabalu
day 3Kota Kinabalu to Kiulu
day 4Kiulu to Kundasang
day 5Kundasang to Sepilok
day 6Sepilok to Selingan Island via Sandakan
day 7Selingan Island to Kinabatangan River via Sepilok
day 8Kinabatangan River
day 9Kinabatangan River to Sandakan
What's Included
Customer Reviews
Super fun trip, a great combination of comfort and adventure! The accommodations and locations were varied and fun. All the guides were super knowledgeable!
The trip was full of adventure, animals, nature, good food and good vibes! Absolutely loved the included experiences and the optional extras. Our trip leader was amazing and well versed in Borneo, and made the trip beyond expectations.
Borneo with Contiki was honestly one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. Our trip leader was amazing and made everything feel so easy and fun. I met such a great group of people, and seeing orangutans in the wild was something I’ll never forget. Every excursion was packed with adventure I had the best time!
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