12-Day Malaysian Borneo Adventure
Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the wild and wonderful landscapes of Malaysian Borneo. Begin in charming Kuching, where you can explore Sarawak's rich indigenous culture and encounter semi-wild orangutans at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. Venture deep into rainforest villages, where bamboo rafting and traditional bushcraft offer authentic glimpses into Dayak life. Fly to Sabah and discover the incredible biodiversity of the Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley. Spot proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and elusive wild orangutans during immersive river safaris and rainforest treks. Visit Sepilok's renowned orangutan sanctuary and witness the dramatic bat exodus at Gomantong Cave. Cap off your adventure with a luxurious stay on Gaya Island, where you can unwind on pristine beaches, kayak along calm coastal waters, and explore lush island trails at your leisure. This journey is a perfect blend of culture, wildlife, and relaxation, showcasing the very best of Borneo's natural beauty and indigenous heritage.
Tour Highlights
- Orangutan Encounters at Semenggoh & Sepilok: Observe semi-wild orangutans in their natural habitats and learn about vital rehabilitation efforts at two of Borneo’s most respected wildlife centers
- Immersive Cultural Experience in Ulu Bengoh: Visit a traditional Bidayuh village, enjoy a locally prepared lunch, learn about indigenous farming practices, and take part in a forest cooking session and bamboo rafting adventure
- Wildlife Cruises on the Kinabatangan River: Explore Sabah’s richest wildlife corridor by boat, with chances to spot proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, and even wild pygmy elephants
- Evening Bat Exodus at Gomantong Cave: Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of over two million bats emerging at dusk, often pursued by raptors in an incredible display of nature
- Pristine Wilderness of Danum Valley: Trek through one of the world’s most biodiverse rainforests, visit ancient burial sites, swim in jungle waterfalls, and walk among the treetops on a canopy walkway
- Night Safari & Nature Walks: Explore Borneo’s nocturnal wildlife and discover the rainforest’s complex ecosystem with expert naturalist guides
- Island Retreat at Gaya Island Resort: Unwind with two full days of leisure on a tropical islandswimming, kayaking, or relaxing at a luxury resort surrounded by jungle and coral reefs
What’s Included
- 1 night in a Premier room at The Waterfront Hotel in Kuching
- 1 night in a Standard room at Ngapuh Lodge in Kuching
- 1 night in a Standard City View room at Hyatt Centric in Kota Kinabalu
- 3 nights in a Deluxe room at Sukau Rainforest Lodge in Kota Kinabalu
- 2 nights in a Jungle Chalet at Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley
- 3 nights in a Bayu Villa at Gaya Island Resort in Kota Kinabalu
- All transfers, sightseeing tours, and activities as outlined in the itinerary
- Hotel taxes and service charges
What’s Excluded
- International and domestic flights
- Meals, beverages, gratuities and optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, camera/video camera fees, medical expenses, etc
- A Tourism Tax of MYR 10.00 per room per night will be charged to non-Malaysian guests and collected by the hotel upon check-out
Itinerary
Welcome to Sarawak! Upon arrival at Kuching International Airport, your driver will meet you at the airport arrival hall and transfer you to your accommodation in the city center. After check-in, take the rest of the day to relax or begin exploring the vibrant streets of Kuching at your own pace.
Accommodation: The Waterfront Hotel Kuching (Premier room)
After an early morning pickup from your hotel, travel approximately 30 to 40 minutes to the Semenggoh Nature Reserve, home to semi-wild orangutans that have been rescued and rehabilitated for life in the forest. As the orangutans roam freely and are not confined, sightings are not guaranteed, but are often rewarding. Continue with a 40-minute drive to Bengoh Dam, where a scenic boat ride across the tranquil reservoir brings you deeper into the heart of Sarawak. Arrive at the Bidayuh village of Kampung Nyegol for a locally prepared lunch and a chance to learn about traditional farming practices and indigenous culture. Enjoy a warm visit with a local family over coffee or tea, gaining insight into the Bidayuh way of life. End the day with a boat ride or short hike through the rainforest to Ngapuh Lodge, nestled in lush natural surroundings. Enjoy a peaceful evening, dinner, and an overnight stay in this serene setting.
Note: If water levels are too low for the boat to travel upriver, a 30-minute walk to the lodge will be required.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ngapuh Lodge (Standard room)
Begin your morning with breakfast in the misty highlands of Borneo, followed by an immersive bushcraft experience. Discover how the Dayak people rely on the rainforest as their supermarket, pharmacy, and hardware store, harvesting edible plants, sourcing medicinal herbs, and crafting tools from natural materials. Accompanied by your guide, take a jungle walk to forage for seasonal plants like wild ferns or bamboo shoots. At the riverbank, observe a traditional 'bubu' fishing demonstration using handmade rattan traps. Then, enjoy a hands-on forest cooking experience as you prepare a jungle-style lunch over a campfire using bamboo. After this unique culinary adventure, float down a gentle river on a bamboo raft before making your way back to Kuching. From there, catch your flight to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival, meet your driver for a transfer to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu (Standard City View room)
Start the day with an early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Sandakan. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and head directly to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Learn about the center's vital conservation work through a short documentary, then walk through the forest to the feeding platform to observe semi-wild orangutans and other primates. Visit the enclosed nursery area to watch the young orangutans at play as they develop essential survival skills. After lunch, embark on a scenic 2.5-hour speedboat journey up the Kinabatangan River to Sukau Rainforest Lodge, nestled deep within Sabah's richest wildlife corridor. Upon arrival and check-in, set out on a late afternoon river cruise in search of Borneo's remarkable wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and if you're lucky, wild orangutans or pygmy elephants. Return to the lodge for a delicious dinner, followed by a nature presentation by one of the lodge's expert guides.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sukau Rainforest Lodge (Deluxe room)
Rise early for a morning river cruise along the Kinabatangan River to the Kelenanap Oxbow Lake, a haven for bird life and other wildlife. After returning to the lodge for breakfast, take a guided nature walk along the Hornbill Boardwalk with the in-house naturalist and learn more about the lodge's surrounding ecology. Enjoy free time after lunch to relax or explore at your own pace. In the late afternoon, embark on another river safari, offering more opportunities to spot Borneo's remarkable wildlife in its natural habitat.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sukau Rainforest Lodge (Deluxe room)
Start your day with an early morning river cruise along the Menanggol River, where you will have another chance to spot wildlife stirring in the cool morning hours. In the late afternoon, embark on a 16-mile overland journey to Gomantong Cave, the largest limestone cave system in Sabah. Stroll along a 15-minute boardwalk through dense rainforest, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, including the elusive "man of the jungle" (wild orangutan), which is occasionally spotted in this area. At dusk, witness the spectacular exodus of over two million bats streaming from the cave, often accompanied by raptors circling above in search of prey. Return to Sukau Rainforest Lodge for dinner and another peaceful overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sukau Rainforest Lodge (Deluxe room)
Rise early and get ready for your journey into the heart of Sabah's pristine wilderness. After breakfast, travel overland for approximately 2 hours to Lahad Datu, where you will continue to the award-winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge in the renowned Danum Valley Conservation Area. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and check in to your Jungle Chalet nestled deep within the rainforest. In the late afternoon, take a guided walk along the nature trail and ascend the canopy walkway, which offers breathtaking views of the treetops and provides the chance to spot wildlife from above. In the evening, attend a naturalist-led slideshow introducing the area's biodiversity. If weather permits, embark on a night safari to spot some of the forest's nocturnal wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Borneo Rainforest Lodge (Jungle Chalet)
Spend the day immersed in the wonders of the Danum Valley rainforest. Begin with a guided trek through the lush jungle, keeping an eye out for birds, primates, and other wildlife as you make your way to an escarpment featuring ancient burial coffins, a fascinating archaeological remnant of Sabah's indigenous communities. Continue your adventure with a hike to a secluded waterfall, where you can cool off with a refreshing dip in natural rock pools. Return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, venture back into the forest to explore more nature trails and uncover the rich biodiversity that makes Danum Valley one of the world's most celebrated conservation areas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Borneo Rainforest Lodge (Jungle Chalet)
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the lodge before check-out. Travel overland to Lahad Datu for your late afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival, transfer to Jesselton Point Jetty, where you will complete check-in formalities at the Gaya Lounge. Then, take a speedboat transfer to Gaya Island Resort, where your island retreat begins.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Gaya Island Resort (Bayu Villa)
Enjoy a full day at leisure on Gaya Island. Relax on the beach, unwind by the pool, or explore the island's lush rainforest trails and vibrant marine life at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Gaya Island Resort (Bayu Villa)
Enjoy another relaxing day at leisure on Gaya Island. Spend your time as you wish, lounge on the beach, indulge in a spa treatment, explore the island's rainforest trails, or kayak through its calm coastal waters. The day is yours to unwind and enjoy at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Gaya Island Resort (Bayu Villa)
After breakfast, bid farewell to Gaya Island as you transfer by speedboat to Jesselton Point Jetty, followed by a transfer to Kota Kinabalu Airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Dates & Prices
| Departure Dates | Tour Cost | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Dec 25 - 21 Dec 25 | USD $4999 | 12-Day Malaysian Borneo Adventure | BOOK NOW |
| 21 Jan 26 - 01 Feb 26 | USD $4999 | 12-Day Malaysian Borneo Adventure | BOOK NOW |
| 04 Feb 26 - 15 Feb 26 | USD $4999 | 12-Day Malaysian Borneo Adventure | BOOK NOW |
| 18 Mar 26 - 29 Mar 26 | USD $5099 | 12-Day Malaysian Borneo Adventure | BOOK NOW |

