Join us for an unforgettable nature tour Borneo to explore the world's largest rainforest.
Our tour begins in the city of Kota Kinabalu and continues to Kinabalu National Park, a paradise for nature lovers. We then travel to Sandakan, gateway to the rich rainforests of Eastern Borneo and the idyllic islands of the Sulu sea. Visits will be made to Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Selingan Island and the Sakau Rainforest Resort. A rail trip is also included on the Northern Borneo Railway. Visitors will experience the varied and abundant flora and fauna found in this rich tropical ecosystem.
2012 Departure Dates & Costs
Departures daily based on 2 or more persons.
Tour cost: $ 2,195 USD (includes domestic airfare)
Single Supplement $ 480 USD
NOTE: This trip can be customized to include other areas of Borneo.
Itinerary
DAY 1 - KOTA KINABALU
Upon your arrival in Kota Kinabalu, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the hotel. Balance of the day at leisure and time in the evening to watch the sunset over the South China Sea. Overnight Shangrila Resort Tanjung Aru Resort for 2 nights.
Tours of Exploration can assist with excellent promotional airfares from major cities in North America to join up with the trip.
DAY 2 - ISLANDS OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA (B,L)
Transfer 20 minutes from the jetty to Gaya Island. Explore one of the 2km jungle trails and learn about some of the unique medicinal plants, tropical hardwood trees, coastal vegetation, tropical dipterocarp rainforest and the ecology of the mangrove forest. Transfer across to Manukan Island for a picnic lunch. Relax, snorkel and free at leisure before returning at 3 pm. Return to Shangri-la's Tanjung Aru Resort.
DAY 3 - KINABALU NATIONAL PARK (B,L,D)
Drive 3 hours overland (130 km) through padi-fields and Dusun villages over the ridges of the Crocker Range to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 5,000 ft. to arrive at Poring east of the park headquarters. The vegetation here is tropical lowland rainforest. Explore the jungle trail leading up to the treetop canopy walkways, 41m above the forest floor. Visit Kipungit Waterfall and soak in hot sulphur pools. Return to Kundasang for overnight at Fairy Garden.
DAY 4 - KINABALU NATIONAL PARK (B,L,D)
After breakfast, depart for Kinabalu Park Headquater at Kundasang. Visit the Visitor Centre and Mountain Garden; home to some of the 24 species of flowering rhododendrons, 10 species of carnivorous pitcher plants, estimated 1,400 species of orchids, over 600 species of ferns, more than 40 species of oak trees and over 300 species of birds. Take a guided walk on one of the trails in the cool surrounding of the montane forest before returning to Fairy Garden for overnight.
DAY 5 - MT. KINABALU NATIONAL PARK/KOTA KINABALU (B,L)
Morning to explore Mt Kinabalu National Park. Afternoon return to KotaKinabalu. Overnight Shangrila Tanjung Aru.
DAY 6 - SEPILOK ORANGUTAN CENTRE (B,L,D)
Transfer to the airport for your Malaysian Airlines 7:00 am flight to Sandakan. On arrival at Sandakan airport at 7:40 am, transfer to Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre. Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden plank walks to witness the feeding of the orangutans. Also found in the sanctuary are Sumatran rhinoceros, brought to the centre for captive breeding. Red leaf monkeys, gibbons and many lowland forest birds are also seen in the park. Continue to Sandakan jetty for an estimated 2 hours boat journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. Late afternoon take a two hours river cruise using electric motor in search of some of the 10 primate species including Proboscis monkeys as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River. Return for solar heated hot shower, candle light dinner and slide show conducted by naturalist guide. 3 nights at Sukau Rainforest Lodge.
DAY 7 - SUKAU RAINFOREST LODGE (B,L,D)
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. A 6.00 am morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to view more birds and wildlife. Experience the wilderness of Borneo. You have the option to participate in our conservation project by planting trees at our 64 acres adopted land. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. After dinner a night safari cruise spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds.
DAY 8 - SUKAU RAINFOREST LODGE (B,L,D)
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. An early morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk (if weather permits) along the lake while searching for more wildlife.
DAY 9 - SUKAU - SANDAKAN - KOTA KINABALU (B,L)
Morning wildlife excursion. Return to Sandakan by boat. Lunch at Sandakan before a short tour of Sandakan town including the water village, The Agnes Keith House and The Australian War Memorial. Transfer to airport for departure flight MH2065 at 5.20pm. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to Shangri-la's Tanjung Aru Resort for overnight.
DAY 10 - DEPARTURE (B)
Transfer to the airport for the departure flight. Extensions will be offered on an individual basis to Brunei, Sarawak or mainland Malaysia.
OPTIONAL EXTRA DAY - NORTHERN BORNEO RAILWAY (B,L)
Depart hotel for 3 hours journey to Papar on The North Borneo Railway steam train which is built and operated to the highest of international service standards with renovated colonial style carriage. Enjoy the scenic view passing through villages, plantations of rubber and palm and paddy fields along the way with light lunch served in traditional style. Return to Kota Kinabalu.
