Tour itinerary
If you wish to customize the trip length, or departure date please contact your trip advisor or leave a comment in your request.
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Day 1 |
London
Departure from the UK in the direction of Malaysia -
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Day 2 |
Kota Kinabalu
Arriving in Borneo and visiting Kota Kinabalu -
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Day 3 |
Kota Kinabalu / Kudat
Spending the night in a longhouse -
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Day 4 |
Kudat / Tips of Borneo / Kota Kinabalu
Where the earth ends -
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Day 5 |
Kota Kinabalu / Sandakan / Turtle Islands
The turtles of Turtle Island -
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Day 6 |
Sepilok / Abai
Orangutans and proboscis monkeys -
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Day 7 |
Lake Pitas / Kinabatangan River
Lunch with a local family near Pitas Lake -
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Day 8 |
Oxbow Lake / Kinabatangan River
Oxbow Lake -
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Day 9 |
Kinabatangan River / Sandakan / Kota Kinabalu
Visiting the Gomantong and Sandakan caves -
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Day 10 |
Kota Kinabalu / Danum Valley
Exploring untamed nature -
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Day 11 |
Danum Valley
In the heart of the jungle -
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Day 12 |
Tabin Sanctuary
Where volcanoes and jungles meet -
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Day 13 |
Tabin Sanctuary
Hiking and relaxing -
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Day 14 |
Lahad Datu
Leaving Borneo -
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Day 15 |
London
Arrive in the UK -
Détail du voyage :
Day 1 - London Departure from the UK in the direction of Malaysia
- Takeoff from the UK towards Malaysia.
- Flight from London towards the airport of Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah state , which is located on Borneo Island.
- If you wish to travel in Business Class or First Class, thank you to consult our advisors.
- Meals and night on board.
Day 2 – Kota Kinabalu Arriving in Borneo and visiting Kota Kinabalu
- Land at Kota Kinabalu in the morning.
- We will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.
- Spend a free afternoon getting to know the capital city of Sabah,
Kota Kinabalu
, and enjoying your first glimpse of Malaysia.Less charming than the villages in the heart of the jungle, Kota Kinabalu, also known as KK, was sadly destroyed twice by the Allies during World War Two to hinder the Japanese. However, this dynamic city is very interesting. Don’t hesitate to walk along the promenade by the sea after nightfall: the atmosphere is very welcoming. Taste the local delicacies, like the sayur mani fern and roti canai pancakes.
- We recommend you visit:
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Sabah Museum
, which has a collection of ancient and tribal objects as well as an exhibition on the flora and fauna. In the garden, you will find the heritage village, which consists of traditional houses of different ethnic groups. This museum is a good way to start learning about Borneo during your stay.
- The State Mosque is quite interesting. Unfortunately, non-Muslims are not allowed inside. In any case, you will still be able to marvel at the outside.
- The town mosque, which is beautifully located along the South China Sea, is also a lovely sight.
- Opposite the town mosque, you will find the
Likas Bird Sanctuary
.It boasts 60 acres of mangroves, which are home to many migratory birds.
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Markets
abound in this city!Spend some time with the locals in the central market, mingle with the crowd at the Chinese market, buy souvenirs at the crafts market, and end the day with the vast array of stands at the beautiful night market.
- The town also houses a Chinese temple, which is well worth looking at.
- Lunch and dinner at your leisure.
- Spend the night in the Promenade Hotel (or similar).
Day 3 – Kota Kinabalu / Kudat Spending the night in a longhouse
- Breakfast.
- Leave Kota Kinabalu and head off to the Kudat Division, which you will reach after a 3-hour trip. On the way, visit a bee-keeping farm.
- You will travel through remote little villages, plantations and paddy fields, before arriving at the
longhouse of the Rungus tribe.
Longhouses are the traditional houses of the inhabitants of Borneo. They are made of wood and house many families, who live together.
- You will be welcomed by the Rungus tribe inside their longhouses, Tinanggol and Bavanggazo.
- You will spend the rest of the day with them, watching them make traditional objects, or cook local dishes.
- You will have dinner with them in the Bavanggazo Longhouse, where you will have the opportunity to watch a traditional show.
- Lunch and dinner included.
- Spend the night in a longhouse.
Day 4 – Kudat / Tips of Borneo / Kota Kinabalu Where the earth ends
- You will wake up in a longhouse belonging to the Rungus tribe, in the heart of the rainforest, to the sound of the neighbouring birds and animals.
- For breakfast, you can sample a traditional breakfast made from local products grown by the Rungus, like tapioca and sweet potatoes.
- In the morning, you will leave the longhouse and head for the northernmost point of Sabah, where the earth ends. This area is called the
Tips of Borneo
and features very different landscapes from the rest of the island.Here, the China Sea joins with the Sulu Sea to provide a breathtaking view. You can swim at Kalampunian Beach.
- You will have lunch in the town of Kudat, the northernmost town of Borneo, before returning back to Kota Kinabalu.
- Lunch included and dinner at your leisure.
- Spend the night in the Promenade Hotel in Kota Kinabalu (or similar).
Day 5 – Kota Kinabalu / Sandakan / Turtle Islands The turtles of Turtle Island
- After breakfast, leave early in the morning for Kota Kinabalu Airport. Take a plane to the city of Sandakan.
- As soon as you arrive, you will take a boat to the
Turtle Islands
, an archipelago comprised of three islands, which is 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Sandakan.This idyllic archipelago is very famous, as it is there that the famous green turtles lay their eggs all throughout the year. You will therefore be sure to see some of these natural wonders. However, please keep in mind that the best month to see them is October, when up to 50 turtles a day come to the islands. In order not to frighten the turtles, visits are limited, and the park rangers will guide you toward a specific turtle, in the evening.
The rangers, who take part in the turtle conservation programme, help the baby turtles to reach the sea, preventing them from being devoured by predators. They also move the turtle eggs to a safe location. - Apart from the turtles, the islands are the perfect place for a relaxing day: swimming and snorkelling are the order of the day!
- Lunch and dinner included.
- Spend the night in the Turtle Island Park Chalet Hotel (or similar).
Day 6 – Sepilok / Abai Orangutans and proboscis monkeys
- After breakfast, you will take aboat to Sandakan, where you will be taken to
Sepilok Sanctuary
, which is 25 km (15 miles) from Sepilok.This sanctuary is spread out over 40 km² (15 sq mi) and is one of the most moving places in Sabah, as it rescues orphaned or wounded orangutans in order to teach them how to survive again in the wild. These red apes with soft eyes are native to Borneo and Sumatra. Sadly, they are an endangered species, as man is consistently encroaching on their natural habitat.
Orangutans, who are remarkably intelligent like most of the great apes, measure between 1.10 and 1.40 metres (between 3’ 7” and 4’ 7”) and weigh approximately 80 kg (12.6 stones). They can live between 30 and 40 years. - In Sepilok Sanctuary, the
orangutans
are fed daily at 12:00 and at 3:00 p.m. You can watch these great apes, with an arm span of up to 2.25 metres (7.4 feet), eat their meals!The name “orangutan” means “forest man”. Indeed, not only is their behaviour similar to ours, their genome is only 3% different from the human genome. They are highly respected by the indigenous people. An emotional encounter, in the heart of the humid jungle, that will not fail to move you.
- If you are completely won over by these animals, you can even adopt one and regularly receive updates on its progress from the Sanctuary!
- After this magical encounter, you will be taken to the delta of the Kinabatangan River.
- There, in the heart of the mangrove forest, you will be able to see various reptiles and birds, but more importantly: proboscis monkeys. Once again, only on Borneo Island can you see this type of monkey, with its reddish-brown hair and its peculiar nose.
- You will explore the surrounding mangrove, looking for the wildlife that is hidden in the forest.
- After dinner, you will take a night cruise into the mangrove to marvel at the thousands of fireflies that light up the trees and the jungle.
- Lunch and dinner included.
- Spend the night in the Abai Jungle Lodge (or similar).
Day 7 – Lake Pitas / Kinabatangan River Lunch with a local family near Pitas Lake
- After breakfast, you will leave to discover the area around Pitas Lake.To reach this region, you will take a boat cruise which will allow you to see many birds.
- Not far from Pitas Lake, you will visit the
local, typical village of Abai
where you will receive a warm welcome from the villagers.In the village of Abai, you will be able to take part in the villagers’ project: planting trees. You will have lunch with one of the families in the village and eat carefully-prepared home-made delicacies. A unique opportunity to taste the everyday cooking of the Malay.
- After this, you will board a boat and travel from Sukau to the Kinabatangan and Menanggul Rivers.The longest river in Sabah is full of surprises, thanks to the wetlands through which it runs, which teem with wildlife.
Using binoculars, you can see orangutans, proboscis monkeys, colourful hornbills, crocodiles and pygmy elephants, etc. A wonderful safari experience, during which you will be amazed by the infinite fauna and flora around you! - Lunch and dinner included.
- Spend the night in the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge (or similar).
Day 8 – Oxbow Lake / Kinabatangan River Oxbow Lake
- After breakfast, you will once again take
a small boat
, which will allow you to reach Oxbow Lake.As you continue to travel through the fascinating jungle, this cruise will give you a new opportunity to see many different animals. You will travel through the jungle, along the river, through the thick vegetation and the mangroves. An amazing experience, in the heart of a preserved wilderness! A Noah’s Ark, the lung of a planet that needs oxygen so much. A fragile, moving landscape, which is the a source of life.
- In the afternoon, you will take a second cruise on Kinabatangan River, in case you missed a few animals the day before. Maybe you will encounter a wild orangutan...
- In the evening, you will go back to your hotel.
- Lunch and dinner included.
- Spend the night in the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge (or similar).
Day 9 – Kinabatangan River / Sandakan / Kota Kinabalu Visiting the Gomantong and Sandakan caves
- Breakfast.
- You will leave the Kinabatangan mangrove and jungle and take a boat to Sandakan.You will spend the rest of the day discovering the town, as you wait for your flight for Kota Kinabalu.
- The famous merchant city of
Sandakan
was the leading port for the exportation of precious wood in the 1930s.Sadly, the town was completely destroyed in the bombings of World War Two. Today, Sandakan is the second largest port in Sabah, after Kota Kinabalu, especially for palm oil, tobacco, cocoa, coffee, Manila hemp and sago. The town has managed to stay true to itself, and it is still famous for its luxury goods, such as pearls and edible bird’s nests, a delicacy for the Chinese population.
- In Sandakan, you can visit:
- Puu Jih Shih Temple, a large Buddhist shrine.
- The
neighbourhoods on stilts
: In Sandakan, there are many neighbourhoods on stilts. These traditional wooden houses are very colourful. They can be reached by wooden pontoons, that are a great place for a stroll. You will enjoy the atmosphere of these singular neighbourhoods!
- In the afternoon, you will take a flight to Kota Kinabalu.
- Lunch included and dinner at your leisure.
- Spend the night in the Promenade Hotel in Kota Kinabalu (or similar).
Day 10 – Kota Kinabalu / Danum Valley Exploring untamed nature
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to the airport for an early flight to Lahad Datu.
- Then leave for the
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
in the Danum Valley. It takes about 2 and a half hours to reach it.This valley is a must-see, due to the many hiking paths that criss-cross this old-growth forest, which is home to amazing flora and fauna. It is extremely famous for birds. As you walk through the forest, you will marvel at the birds overhead in the canopy: the Great Argus, Borneo’s Crested Fireback, the Blue-headed Pitta, the Bornean Bristlehead, and a few different kinds of hornbills.
- If the weather is favourable, you will also have the opportunity to take part in a night safari!
- Lunch and dinner included.
- Spend the night in the Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
Day 11 – Danum Valley In the heart of the jungle
- Breakfast.
- Your adventure continues in the valley as you hike, dive into natural pools, and explore the jungle. Danum Valley is a must-see area of the Sabah region, if you want to discover the untamed nature of Borneo!
- Make the most of this amazing lodge – an island of luxury and well-being in the heart of the jungle.
- You can also walk under the canopy at night.
- Lunch and dinner included.
- Spend the night in the Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
Day 12 – Tabin Sanctuary Where volcanoes and jungles meet
- Breakfast.
- This morning, you will leave for Tabin Sanctuary.
- Settle into your lovely wooden bungalow in the
Tabin Wildlife Resort
, which has all the comforts you need.As it is built along the Lipad River and nestled in the heart of the jungle, you can see many birds and small mammals from the lodge.
- Discover the native herbs and plants of the forest, which are natural remedies for many ailments.
- Walk around the
Lipad mud volcano
, near which many animals roam.You can try your hand out at identifying their footprints. Climb to the top of the observation tower to see the contrast between the thick rainforest and this barren site.
- You can also have a
mud bath
, if you feel like it.Mud is renowned for its therapeutic virtues on the skin.
- After dinner, take a night safari to discover the animal nightlife.Don’t forget to look up and make a wish if you spot a shooting star as you marvel at the beautiful sky above Tabin...
- Lunch and dinner included.
- Spend the night in the Tabin Wildlife Resort.
Day 13 – Tabin Sanctuary Hiking and relaxing
- Take an optional very early hike to see the 300 different kinds of birds to which the sanctuary is home, or enjoy a safari by car to see the natural world wake up at daybreak.
- Breakfast.
- Then, take a hike to the Lipad waterfall where you can enjoy a pleasant swim!
- In the afternoon, relax with a treatment using local herbs and plants to pamper your feet and muscles after all this effort!
- Lunch and dinner included.
- Spend the night in the Tabin Wildlife Resort.
Day 14 – Lahad Datu Leaving Borneo
- Breakfast.
- Leave the Sanctuary for Lahad Datu Airport.
- Take a plane for Kota Kinabalu and your final destination, London, via Kuala Lumpur.
Day 15 - London Arrive in the UK
- Arrive in the UK.
- Meal and night on board.
Tour's activities
We invite you to take full advantage of your experiences with Marco Vasco by selecting among our additional guided tours. Don’t hesitate to talk to one of our specialists for more information or if you would prefer a Spanish-speaking guide!
Included Activities
Tour's hotels
Voici les hébergements que nous vous proposons pour votre circuit. Ils sont communiqués à titre indicatif et pourront être remplacés par des hôtels de catégorie similaire.
Included Hotels
Promenade Hotel - Kota Kinabalu
Promenade Hotel - Kota Kinabalu
Abai Jungle Lodge - Kinabatangan
Abai Jungle Lodge - Kinabatangan
Turtle Island Lodge - Turtle Island (Selingan)
Turtle Island Lodge - Turtle Island (Selingan)
Borneo Rainforest Lodge - Danum Valley
Borneo Rainforest Lodge - Danum Valley
Tabin Wildlife Resort - Tabin Sanctuary
Tabin Wildlife Resort - Tabin Sanctuary
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge - Kinabatangan River
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge - Kinabatangan River
Rungu Longhouse - Kudat
Rungu Longhouse - Kudat
Good to know
Hotels and Meals
If a hotel mentioned in the program is not available, a hotel in a similar category will be booked.
All the meals during the trip are included in the programme, unless the detailed itinerary mentions otherwise.
In our programmes, the hotels offered are usually comfortable 3 or 4 star hotels. If you would like hotels in a higher or lower category, please don’t hesitate to consult one of our specialised advisers. During this itinerary, you will spend several nights in the jungle, in a longhouse, the traditional houses of the inhabitants of Borneo. The accommodation may be basic, but it is very authentic. You won’t have private toilets or bathrooms.
Good to Know:In the peak season (Christmas holidays, July and August, from January to March), hotels quickly become fully booked. Don’t hesitate to reserve well in advance to avoid any availability issues.Prices
The prices displayed on our website are based on two people in the off season.
This is the starting price, which can change depending on flight and accommodation availability and when you want to take your trip.
Indeed, in the peak season, airlines and hotels don’t hesitate to apply higher rates than in the off season, due to high demand.
Planetveo/MalaysiaVeo carefully calculate their prices in order to guarantee the best price in terms of the quality/price ratio.
Our advice: the earlier you book, the more chance you have of getting interesting deals, especially when it comes to plane tickets – keep that in mind!Additional Information
Procedures and Visas
You don’t need a visa to go to Malaysia or Singapore.
Vaccinations and Health
No vaccinations are required for travellers coming from Europe. However, it is recommended you make sure the following vaccinations are up-to-date: tetanus, polio, diphtheria, hepatitis B. You do not need preventative treatment against malaria.
Health: Never drink tap water, as it is not safe to drink. Also avoid ice cubes, which are made with tap water. Always buy mineral water.Meeting People
During this trip, you will meet the Iban and other tribes of Borneo and share their lives, in their longhouses. Please be respectful and ask for their permission before taking pictures of them. We encourage you to taste the products they offer you, as this will create a positive atmosphere for your stay. In any case, please try to be as polite as possible towards your hosts, even if your cultures are very different!
Hiking and Sporting Activities
Borneo is home to a lush, virgin flora. During this itinerary, you will spend time in the jungle. Please remember to dress appropriately and bring the necessary equipment. Always make sure you have snacks on you, as you will occasionally be far from everything and will not have the opportunity to buy food. Also remember to bring a bottle of water with you, as the heat can be overpowering.
Finally, you will have many opportunities to swim: don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and a towel!
Bespoke travel packages
Planetveo/MalaysiaVeo is specialised in bespoke travel packages
Your trip will therefore be private: you will not be mixed in with a group of strangers. You will have your own car and your own guide (unless mentioned otherwise).
The itineraries offered on our website are merely suggestions that can easily be changed or extended.
Don’t hesitate to talk to our specialised advisers: they will adapt the trip to suit you and will create a bespoke programme for you!
We also offer different kinds of extensions in the Extension section.
Don’t hesitate to browse through the different tabs of the site to get an idea of the different possibilities we can offer you!
Finally, if you want to change the accommodation to a higher or lower category, everything is possible! All you need to do is leave a note on the quotation form.
Tour Price
The price include
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International flights with a scheduled operator in economy class
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Accommodation in the standard hotels mentioned in the programme (or hotels in a similar category)
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Half-board, unless the detailed itinerary mentions otherwise
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Entrance to the parks mentioned in the programme
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Transfers
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An experienced English-speaking guide
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Domestic flights with Malaysia Airlines, in economy class
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The visits and activities mentioned in the programme
The price doesn't include
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Insurance (please ask us)
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Drinks
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Tips
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Personal purchases
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Meals and activities not included (please see the detailed itinerary)
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* price per person "from", double base in standard room