Intrepid Classic Borneo

• Experience life in a Dusun village while enjoying a delicious home-cooked lunch of local flavours.
• Explore the unspoiled wilderness of the Kinabalu National Park by walking the trails at the base of this iconic mountain.
• Look over gloriously verdant rolling hills with a night at a tea plantation, including a tour and sampling of delicious local varieties.
• One of the wildest places on earth, Borneo offers rare treats for the nature lover – see orangutans in Sepilok, proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay and search for wildlife while cruising the Kinabatangan River and on a jungle walk.
• 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.

• 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
• Chalet (4 nights), Hotel (4 nights), Cottage (1 night)
• Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
• Mt Kinabalu National Park – Lower trails guided walk
• Mt Kinabalu National Park – Nepenthes Garden
• Dusun Village – Home-cooked lunch
• Sabah Tea Plantation – Tea factory tour
• Sabah Tea Plantation – Tea tasting
• Kinabatangan River – Wildlife spotting cruise
• Kinabatangan River – Guided jungle walk
• Sandakan – War Memorial
• Sukau – Gomantong Caves
• Sepilok – Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
• Labuk Bay – Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary (including transport)
• Tunku Abdul National Marine Park – Snorkeling Trip

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu

Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. An arrival airport transfer is included. 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.

Day 2: Mt Kinabalu National Park – Ranau

Leaving Kota Kinabalu behind, you’ll head for the hills and travel towards the unspoiled wilderness of the World Heritage-listed Mt Kinabalu National Park (approximately 3 hours). You will stop off en route at a local home at Dusun Village. Sample the local foods with a home cooked lunch to 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 Mt Kinabalu National Park. There are many walking trails from which you can bird watch. 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 in the grounds of a lush tea garden.

Day 3: Kinabatangan River

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.

Day 4: Kinabatangan River

You might awake to the call of a Bornean gibbon, or perhaps a hornbill. Enjoy an early 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 that morning take a walk to Bilit Village, home to the local Orang Sungei community. The Orang Sungei, which translates to ‘River People’ are one of Sabah’s many indigenous communities and are very hospitable with a diverse cultural heritage.

Enjoy some free time in the afternoon before your final river cruise to see wildlife along the river bank. This final 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.

Day 5: Sandakan

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.

Day 6: Sepilok – Labuk Bay – Sandakan

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.

Day 7: Manukan Island

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.

Day 8: Manukan Island

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.

Day 9: Kota Kinabalu

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.

Day 10: Kota Kinabalu

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

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote