Classic Borneo

Visiting: Malaysia

Classic Borneo

Discover exotic flora and fauna in Kinabalu National Park, Get steamy in the Poring Hot Springs, Fall in love with the orangutans in Sepilok, Spot birds' nests in Gomantong Caves, Spend the night in a jungle lodge, Hit the beach near Kota Kinabalu

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.

You'll be met on arrival at Kota Kinabalu airport and transferred to your hotel. Please advise flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to departure if you wish to have this transfer provided..

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1.

At the group meeting we will be collecting your insurance details and emergency contact information, so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader. After the meeting, there is the option of joining your fellow travellers for dinner. If your flight is scheduled to arrive late we recommend that you consider booking a night's accommodation prior to the trip so you can ensure you are able to attend the important group meeting.

Included Activities

Complimentary airport arrival transfer

Optional Activities

Kota Kinabalu - Monosopiad Cultural Village, Kota Kinabalu - MYR75.00

Kota Kinabalu - River rafting (full day), Kota Kinabalu - MYR230.00

Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Museum, Kota Kinabalu - MYR15.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

 

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Mt Kinabalu (located within Kinabalu National Park) at 4,095.2 metres, is the highest mountain on the island of Borneo. Mount Kinabalu is one of the youngest non-volcanic mountains in the world. It was formed within the last 10 to 35 million years. The mountain still grows at a rate of 5 millimetres a year. Kinabalu National Park covers an area of 754 square kilometers and was Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mountain and its surroundings are among the most important biological sites in the world, with over 800 species of orchid, 600 species of ferns, 326 species of birds, and is the richest place in the world for the Nepenthes insectivorous pitcher plants (five of the thirteen are found nowhere else on earth).

Here we will stretch our legs and take in the mountain views on one of the numerous walking trails - keeping an eye out for birds, snakes and the odd little leech.

Visit the Kundasang War Memorial, commemorating Australian and British POW's who died in Sandakan and during the infamous death marches to Ranau during World War II. The memorial also remembers the people of North Borneo who risked their lives to help the POWs.

The Memorial is made up of four beautiful gardens - the Australian Garden, the English Garden, the Borneo Garden and the Contemplation Garden and Pool - to represent the different nationalities. With its towering pine trees and blooming roses, a walk in the gardens is reminiscent to that of a stroll in a quaint English garden. The Kundasang War Memorial is a place to contemplate and remember the heroes of war. Visitors can also opt to view a brief video on the history of the Sandakan Death March.

Tonight we stay amongst the grounds of a tea garden.

Included Activities

Kundasang - War Memorial

Mt Kinabalu - Guided walk around lower trails

Accommodation

Cottage (1 nt)

 

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Before we leave for Poring we will take an early morning walk through the tea plantation concluding in some tea sampling.

It takes approx 45 mins to reach Poring Hot Springs. We will traverse the tree-tops on a suspended canopy walkway where you can get a birds eye view of the jungle and mountains of this beautiful National Park area.

There'll be some free time to explore the Park - you may like to visit the Butterfly Garden, the Orchid Garden or take a short walk through the jungle to the Kipungit Waterfall where you can have a refreshing swim. Afterwards, relax in the open air hot springs and soak up this unique atmosphere.

Included Activities

Poring Hot Springs

Poring Hot Springs - Canopy Walk

Tea Garden - Sunrise Morning Walk

Tea Sampling

Accommodation

Cottage (1 nt)

 

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It takes approx 5hrs to reach Sandakan, stopping at the Sandak War Memorial along the way.

Get some insight into the city's past at the emotive War Memorial, built on the site of a 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.

Sandakan was once the capital of British North Borneo and traditionally has strong trading ties with Hong Kong.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

 

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It is a quick ride in our private transportation to the centre.  To aid the orangutans adapt to the wild, a supplementary diet of bananas and milk is laid out on feeding platforms twice a day. From the viewing platform, you can watch and photograph these charming creatures as they swing into view on ropes and vines. We're not permitted to hinder the orangutans as human contact must be kept to a minimum and it's essential that we follow the instructions of the park, as directed by your leader. There's also a short film about the orangutan rehabilitation process to watch in the reserve's interpretation centre.

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. The sanctuary is a protected forest reserve inhabited by several groups of wild proboscis monkeys.

Included Activities

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

Sepilok - Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Optional Activities

Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok - MYR10.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

 

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It takes approx 2.5hrs to reach our jungle lodge. The Kinabatangan River is the 2nd longest river in Malaysia at 560 kms from its source at Mt Trus Madi to the Sulu Sea and is also a protected forest reserve which contains some of Borneo's highest concentrations of wildlife.

In the late afternoon we will take a river cruise and hopefully spot some of the local wildlife - wild elephants are rarely seen but we will hopefully find crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutan and proboscis monkeys, as well as hornbills or kingfishers - just some of the many types of animals and birds found in this area.

We will return to our jungle lodge for dinner and there is the option to do a night trek if you're ready for more adventure!

Included Activities

Sukau - Gomantong Caves

Sukau - River cruise & wildlife spotting on Kinabatangan River

Accommodation

Chalet (1 nt)

 

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Located just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, it is a short flight from Sandakan airport (max luggage allowance 15kg). We spend two days here, with the first day free for activities.

Today we explore the island and take a snorkelling trip - be sure to look out for tropical fish and colourful coral.

We stay here for one more night before heading back to Kota Kinabalu.

Included Activities

Boat trip to Tunku Abdul National Marine Park

Accommodation

Chalet (2 nts)

 

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Located just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, it is a short flight from Sandakan airport (max luggage allowance 15kg). We spend two days here, with the first day free for activities.

Today we explore the island and take a snorkelling trip - be sure to look out for tropical fish and colourful coral.

We stay here for one more night before heading back to Kota Kinabalu.

Included Activities

Boat trip to Tunku Abdul National Marine Park

Accommodation

Chalet (2 nts)

 

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There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.

Optional Activities

Tunku Abdul Marine Park - Scuba diving, Kota Kinabalu - MYR260.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

 

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There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.

Optional Activities

Tunku Abdul Marine Park - Scuba diving, Kota Kinabalu - MYR260.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

 

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Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner