Borneo Express
Experience the best of Borneo in 8 days
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Group Size: Max 15.
Trip code: AAES
Duration: 8 days
Explore one of the most bio diverse environments in the world on this amazing 8 day trip. From unforgettable animal encounters with orang-utans and sea turtles, to jungle lodges, homestays, beaches, boat trips and teeming tropical cities, this once in a lifetime adventure has it all. What are you waiting for?
Trip highlights
- Visit an orang-utan rehabilitation centre and a sun bear conservation project
- Learn about turtles with a guided tour of a hatchery on Libaran Island
- Cruise through crocodile infested waters on an evening river-boat trip
- Look for proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques and gibbons on a guided jungle safari
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- 7 nights’ accommodation
- 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 4 dinners
- Village community stay
- Farm visits
- Cooking class
- Morning & evening Kinabatangan river safaris.
- Guided oxbow lake visit & wildlife spotting in Kinabatangan
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre visit
- Sun bear conservation centre visit
- Turtle hatchery visit.
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
- Tour guide
- 24 hour emergency support
- Some meals
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Optional activities (jungle night walk)
- Any camera entry fees
- Airport transfers
Day 1: Welcome to Borneo! Arrive into Kota Kinabalu airport and head to your accommodation to meet your group and guide. If you arrive early, you’ll have time to explore this lively city. In the evening, head out for a bite to eat with your new friends.
Day 2: Homestay in Kota Belud. We’re heading into the mountainous highlands today, to Tambatuon, a traditional village. Share a welcome lunch with the villagers, take a short walk along the river, then visit two local farms and pick ingredients to be used later when cooking with our hosts. This evening, prepare a meal with the community and enjoy a delicious dinner and traditional Sabahan performance.
Day 3: Jungle Lodge on Kinabatangan River. Hop on the minibus towards Sandakan and check into your home for the next 3 nights – a jungle lodge on the Kinabatangan River! Drift through crocodile-infested waters on our evening river-boat cruise. After dinner you can opt to take a guided walk through the jungle to look for some of the unique nocturnal wildlife.
Day 4: River Safari on Kinabatangan. Board the boat for a morning river safari. After breakfast you’ll visit a nearby lake to look for proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants with your guide. Later you’ll enjoy dinner at the lodge with your travel buddies.
Day 5: Sepilok Orang-utan Centre. Get the bus to Sepilok before enjoying a visit to the Orang-utan rehabilitation centre where you can see these amazing apes being fed and frolicking in the grounds. Next stop is the sun bear project where you can learn about the efforts being made to conserve this charismatic species.
Day 6: Libaran Island & Turtle Hatchery. Transfer to Sandakan and then on to Libaran Island by boat. Learn all about turtles at the island’s hatchery. Depending on the time of year, you might see turtles laying their eggs on the beach or watch their babies being released into the sea! Use your free time this afternoon to snorkel, swim or kayak in the crystal clear waters around the island.
Day 7: Return to Kota Kinabalu. Hop on the boat back to the mainland after breakfast then take an internal flight back from Sandakhan to Kota Kinabalu. Head out into the city and try some of the excellent seafood Kota Kinabalu is so famous for.
Day 8: Departure Day. Your Bornean adventure has come to an end. Pack your bag and say goodbye to everybody. You can leave Kota Kinabalu at any time, or stay on for more adventures!
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Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Arrival
Arrive into Kota Kinabalu Airport on day 1, where you can arrive at any time for the welcome meeting in the evening. Airport transfers are not included the cost of the tour, but a taxi from the airport is safe, reliable and easy to arrange from the pre-paid booth outside the arrival hall. A taxi is roughly RM20 from the airport to starting hotel.
Please note, we can arrange an airport transfer for you when you arrive. Please contact a Travel Advisor for more information.
Departure
You can depart at any time on day 8 of the tour from Kota Kinabalu. Return airport transfers are not included as part of the tour, but your tour guide can help you arrange this for an extra cost.
Accommodation
We really get away from the tourist trail on this trip and immerse ourselves in local culture, so we’ll be staying in some quite unique places! 7 nights’ accommodation is included and is a mix of guesthouses (2 nights), homestay (1 night), jungle lodge (3 nights) and permanent tents (1 night).
Rooms are twin (5 nights) or multi-share (2 nights) and are basic but clean and comfortable. There may be shared toilet facilities and showers.
Meals
7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners are included on this trip. All other meals and snacks will need to be purchased by you. This is a great opportunity to try Malaysian food. The local cuisine is very diverse, with Chinese, Malay and indigenous Bornean influences. Typical staples include grilled or barbecued fish, fried rice, noodles, and dishes made with spices and coconut milk. Your guide will be able to suggest restaurants and food is generally of a good standard and very affordable. While trekking in remote regions, meals are usually included.
The minimum age to join this trip is 18. This is an open-aged trip, so your group may be made up of a variety of different ages, backgrounds and nationalities.
British citizens can enter Borneo without a visa for a stay of up to 3 months, provided you have a valid return or onward travel ticket and six months’ validity on your passport. It’s your responsibility to obtain the necessary visas for your time away. Visa rules are subject to change without prior notice, so please do check visa requirements at the time of your trip.