Baby Orangutan, Borneo
Caption: Baby Orangutan, Borneo
Caption: Sea turtle, Selingan Island, Borneo
Caption: Skyline Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Caption: Proboscis money, Borneo
Caption: Sunset Kota Kinabalu, Borneo

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Journey Snapshot

Activity level: Level 2 Requires moderate physical activity. You need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing steps and be comfortable with some periods of standing. Not suitable if you have limited mobility or require a wheelchair/mobility scooter.
Destination: Borneo Wildlife Adventure
Duration: 13 days / 12 nights
Flight information: Please arrange your flights to arrive into Kuala Lumpur Airport [KUL] on Day 1 and depart from Kota Kinabalu International Airport [BKI] on Day 13
Pickup location: Kuala Lumpur Airport [KUL]

Overview

Choose your own departure date for your group.

Wildlife, jungle & rivers abound in Borneo! Encounter Orangutang in their natural habitat, meet Proboscis monkeys and release baby turtles into the ocean on our Borneo Adventure

Wildlife, Jungle and Rivers abound in Borneo! Meet the weird looking Proboscis monkeys, gaze in wonder at adorable Orangutans and dote on cute baby turtles on this magical adventure - including city stops in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. Absorb the sights and sounds of Malaysia’s vibrant capital city - in Kuala Lumpur you will marvel at the juxtaposition between old and ultra-modern.

The winding, meandering alleys of this city reveal hidden surprises. The national parks of Kota Kinabalu welcome visitors into a jungle paradise filled with natural wonders, rugged landscapes and scenic beauty. You won't forget seeing orangutans in their natural habitat. Join us on our adventure in Borneo where breathtaking sights await you every step of the way.

Itinerary

Itinerary summary: DAY 1 - Welcome to Kuala Lumpur
DAY 2 - Batu Caves and City Tour
DAY 3 - Sandakan
DAY 4 - Sepilok Orangutan Centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
DAY 5 - Selingan Island Turtles
DAY 6 - Agnes Keith Museum, Bilit village & Kinabatangan river
DAY 7 - Bilit Wildlife Cruise and Trek
DAY 8 - Sabah Tea Factory & Kundasang
DAY 9 - Kudasang War Memorial Park, Kinabalu National Park & Nabalu market
DAY 10 - Local market visit, Upside-down house, 3D Museum & Kampung Nelayan
DAY 11 - Mari Mari cultural village
DAY 12 - Free time & Sunset Cruise
DAY 13 - Selamat Jalan Borneo
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Full Itinerary

DAY 1 - Welcome to Kuala Lumpur

On arrival at Kuala Lumpur airport you will be met from the arrivals area and transferred to our hotel. Your Big Journey Company representative will introduce you to the rest of the tour group and brief you on plans for tomorrow.

DAY 2 - Batu Caves and City Tour

Today we will explore the spiritual Batu Caves. Here you can admire the beauty of the local area and encounter the mischievous monkeys looking to pick up treats from visitors. The caves are said to be around 400 million years old.

The Hindu temple sat at the top of 272 painted steps was added more recently, around 100 years ago and the 140ft golden statue of Lord Murugan at the foot of the staircase took 3 years to construct.

Before heading back to the hotel, we will go on a panoramic tour of the city taking in the Petronas Tower, the National Mosque, Merdeka Square and the Bird Garden.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

DAY 3 - Sandakan

After breakfast we say farewell to Kuala Lumpur and head to the airport for our flight to Sandakan.

On arrival in Sandakan we go on a quick orientation tour to include Sandakan War Memorial and then on to Puu Jih Shih Temple, which is a Buddhist temple located at the hilltop of Tanah Merah with great views of Sandakan and Sandakan Bay.

Afterwards we check into our hotel for the evening.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

DAY 4 - Sepilok Orangutan Centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

Today we have a full day of wildlife tours. We can obeserve the feeding time at the Sepilok Orangutan Centre. The centre opened in 1964 as the first official orangutan rehabilitation project for rescued orangutans from across Borneo. There are now roughly 80 orangutans living at the centre. We can also see the world’s smallest bear at Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.

This research and conservation centre aims to improve animal welfare and provide rehabilitation for Sun Bears. They work to improve education about and habitat conservation for the Sun Bear.

We get the chance to see proboscis monkeys that are found only on Borneo. The potbellied and red-faced proboscis monkeys are named for their long bulbous noses, but once you have seen one you will spot its many remarkable features! You'll learn more about this animal with a visit to the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, sited among local palm plantations.

After the tours we head back to the hotel for some time at leisure.

Included meals: Breafast, Lunch & Dinner 

DAY 5 - Selingan Island Turtles

After checking out from the hotel, we transfer to the jetty for a boat ride to Selingan 'Turtle' Island. Selingan island is one of the most important nesting sites in South East Asia for Green and Hawksbill turtles. A lot of work has been put into making the beaches here a safehaven for turtles to lay their eggs and for the hatchlings to make it safely back into the sea.

You can spend the afternoon stretched out on the sandy white beaches, or swim and snorkel (snorkelling gear available to hire locally).

We will meet again in the evening for turtle watching on the beach - the possibility of seeing a mother turtle coming in from the emerald waters of the Sulu Sea and laying her eggs is highly probable at this time of year and we'll see new hatchlings scurrying down the beach for their first swim.

The accommodation here is basic, but it is the only accommodation on the island.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

DAY 6 - Agnes Keith Museum, Bilit village & Kinabatangan river

We check out early this morning to return by boat to Sandakan and begin our journey to Kota Kinabalu.

On the journey, we will visit the Agnes Keith House. Agnes Keith was an American author, who was best known for her autobiographical books about life in Borneo before, during and after the second World War. Her previous home has now been sympathetically restored and stands as an interesting insight into her life and into this period of Borneo’s history.

We make a stop at the English Tea House for lunch before moving on to Bilit village. On arrival, we will head out on an afternoon river cruise to search for proboscis monkeys and the local birdlife that gather along the Kinabatangan River.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

DAY 7 - Bilit Wildlife Cruise and Trek

We make a very early start to the day today to be up and out for a morning cruise to see the local birdlife and will return to the lodge for breakfast.

If you are feeling energetic after breakfast, there is an opportunity to take a guided jungle trek and learn more about the local riverine forest. The trek will return to the lodge in time for lunch. If you prefer a more restful morning, you may enjoy participating in batik painting at the river lodge.

In the afternoon there will be a second river cruise to see more wildlife from the boat.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

DAY 8 - Sabah Tea Factory & Kundasang

After breakfast we continue our journey Kota Kinabalu which will include a stop at a Bornean foot spa.

We have our lunch en-route and continue overland to Sabah Tea. Have you ever wondered how the tea you drink has made its way into your tea cup? Will find out all about the process on a visit to a tea factory today. Sabah tea is only available in Borneo as they only produce enough to meet local demand.

We continue our drive to Kundasang, where on arrival, we check into our hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

DAY 9 - Kudasang War Memorial Park, Kinabalu National Park & Nabalu market

Today we start our day with a visit to Kundasang War Memorial Park. The park exhibits four different beautiful gardens – the Australia Garden, the English Garden, the Borneo Garden and the Contemplation Garden and Pool to represent the different nationalities.

We then continue on to Kinabalu National Park. Here we will go on an interesting guided walk through the botanical gardens in search of mountain plants and wild orchids. To reach Kota Kinabalu this evening we will pass through the scenic Crocker Range, stopping at Nabalu local market which is the best place to look for handicraft, souvenirs and also some local snacks.

The next few days we stay in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah's biggest city.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

DAY 10 - Local market visit, Upside-down house, 3D Museum & Kampung Nelayan

We will leave a bit later this morning - at around 10.00hrs, to visit to one of the local ‘Tamu’ open markets, where you can find local produce from the nearby villages and valleys such as tropical fruits, vegetables, Sabah fern, homemade traditional cakes, traditional homegrown tobacco, honey and of course fish.

We'll walk across a suspension bridge to see the forest from a different angle, before we continue to a famous ‘Up-Side-Down’ House & 3D Museum.

Everything inside the house, from furniture to household appliances, hover above your head, as the ceiling is actually the floor. The 3D museum is a fun way to engage visitors in thinking about the importance of protecting Borneo’s unique biodiversity, ecosystem and natural resources.

After lunch we drop by Imago Shopping Mall or Filipino Market, where you have to chance ot buy some souvenirs. By 17.00hrs, we visit Tanjung Aru beach to wait for the stunning sunset view.

After the sun has set you will be taken to Kampung Nelayan for a seafood dinner and a cultural dance show.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

DAY 11 - Mari Mari cultural village

Today we will explore Mari Mari cultural village

This village now operates as a museum, preserving Borneo ethnic culture and features information on 5 different ethnic tribes in one place. You will learn more from the rice farmer of Kadazan-Dusun, the longhouse resident Rungus, the hunter and fisherman Lundayeh, the cowboy and sea gypsey Bajau, and the famously-feared headhunting tribe Murut.

After lunch we return back to the hotel, where you have the rest of the afternoon and evening free at your own leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch 

DAY 12 - Free time & Sunset Cruise

Today you will have to morning free until you get picked up at 15.00hrs.

You will be transferred to Marina Sutera for North Borneo Sunset Cruise. Tonight we will enjoy a final farewell dinner together with your nature guide onboard.

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner 

DAY 13 - Selamat Jalan Borneo

It's time to say goodbye to Borneo. Selamat Jalan (Goodbye) and may you return home with many unforgettable memories!

Included meals: Breakfast  

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More information

What's includedWhat's not includedImportant information

What's included

  • One way economy flight: Kuala Lumpur [KUL] - Sandakan [SDK]
  • Meet & Greet at the airport on arrival 
  • Transport in an air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
  • Transfers as detailed in the itinerary
  • Accommodation as detailed in the itinerary
  • All activities, visits and excursions as detailed in the itinerary
  • Meals as detailed in the itinerary
  • English speaking tour guide
  • Tour Director from The Big Journey Company as well as the local tour guide (subject to minimum group size being reached)

What's not included

  • ATOL Protection
  • Flights to Kuala Lumpur [KUL] and from Kota Kinabalu Airport [BKI] - please ask for a flight quotation
  • Transfers on arrival or departure, to/from the airport(s), outside of the tour dates
  • Drinks
  • Camera fees, charged in some locations
  • Gratuities 
  • Visas, travel and medical insurance
  • Malaysian Tourism Tax (TTX) at a flat rate of RM10 per room, per night (subject to change). The tax will be collected upon check in or check out as per the individual hotel’s arrangement
  • Any personal items and anything not mentioned under included in price above
  • Any meals not mentioned in itinerary
  • Any optional activities offered
  • Any COVID tests or related entry & exit requirements

Important information

  • Please note, flights to Kuala Lumpur and from Borneo are not included in this package. The Big Journey Company would be happy to provide a quotation for your flights - please contact us for further details
  • The Malaysian Customs Department charges a Tourism Tax on non-Malaysian guests, currently at the sum of RM10 nett per room per night. All guests will need to pay this locally on check out.
  • Please let The Big Journey Company know prior to travelling if you have any medical needs or take any medication that we need to be made aware of to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant tour. 
  • British and US Passport holders do not currently require a visa to visit Borneo. You will normally be given permission to stay for up to three months upon arrival. 
  • Vaccinations are recommended for Borneo. Please consult your doctor for advice.
    Check in is after 2-3pm and check out is before 10am unless otherwise specified in the itinerary.
    Cancellation 90 – 0 days prior to departure cancellation fee is 100%. It is your responsibility to ensure the correct travel insurance in place to protect you against the need to cancel your holiday. Deposits are non-refundable.
  • Further terms and conditions apply and will be provided upon request or at the time of booking. The Big Journey Company reserves the right to withdraw any offer prior to accepting a reservation request. This does not affect your statutory rights. This offer is subject to availability and space is limited.

The big journey promise

The big journey company was set up with one goal in mind, to share our passion for inspirational cultures, destinations and experiences. Over the last 10 years we have had the privilege to escort thousands of travellers on awe inspiring and sometimes life changing journeys. Our promise to every guest who joins us is that we will do everything possible to make sure your journey not only exceeds expectations but delivers at least one moment of true amazement.

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Holiday tours are operated by The Big Journey Company Limited. Registered in England. Registered office: Marron Bank, Branthwaite, Cumbria, CA14 4SZ. Registered number: 6532140. The Big Journey Company Limited is a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and holds an Air Travel Organiser’s License number T7282.

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