Sensational Borneo

Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and check into your luxury hotel for the next two nights.

Stroll around the vibrant Gaya Street Sunday Market, where you can browse local crafts and delicacies. The street was known as Bond Street during the British colonial era, and was established in 1902, after the construction of shop houses there was completed. Then an orientation drive around the city, taking in key sights and landmarks. Welcome Lunch included today.

The afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your own pace and soak in the lively atmosphere of Kota Kinabalu.

Discover the rich cultural diversity of Borneo’s ethnic groups and their traditional lifestyle at Mari Mari Cultural Village. Witness tribes cooking with bamboo, making ropes from tree bark and using local plants to create refreshing drinks. Walk through the cultural village and discover the unique architecture of each tribal house, set against the serene jungle environment. A traditional music and dance performance provides a complete cultural immersion.

Lunch included today. This afternoon travel across the scenic Crocker Range to the quaint town of Keningau, offering a glimpse into the region’s rural charm and natural beauty. Check into our hotel in Keningau for 2 nights.

Dinner included tonight.

In Tenom, Sabah Agricultural Park is a paradise for plant lovers filled with all the heliconias, gingers, bougainvillea and exotic trees you could dream about. There are 21 gardens including the Native Orchid Centre with 350 species of orchids, many rare and endangered. The ‘living crop’ museum has 400 species of plants and an Evolution Garden where you can see the South American giant water lily. Carnivorous Pitcher plants flourish here too. It serves as both a conservation centre and an educational hub for agricultural studies. Lunch included today. Dinner included tonight.

Travel from Keningau to the Kundasang War Memorial and its beautifully landscaped gardens of rememberance, set up in honour of the Australian and British prisoners of war. Check into Perkasa Hotel, Mt Kinabalu for the next three nights renowned for its breathtaking views of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia at 4095m (13431 feet).

Check into our hotel for the next three nights. Dinner included tonight.

Travel to UNESCO World Heritage site Kinabalu Park this morning, known as a hot spot of plant biodiversity and stunning landscapes. There are 711 species of orchids, 27 species of rhododendrons, 9 species of carnivorous Nepenthes, 45 species of wild gingers just to name a few. Take in the majestic views of Mount Kinabalu and search for the world’s largest flower, the elusive Rafflesia. Kinabalu is also home to over half of Borneo’s 518 bird species, including the Rhinoceros Hornbills and Mountain Blackbird. Lunch is included today.

In the afternoon, discover the bustling Kundasang Market. Search for delicious local fruits like mangosteen and rambutan, vegetables, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Dinner included tonight.

To Poring, a renowned destination for nature enthusiasts. Explore the Lowland Dipterocarp Forest, a lush, tropical rainforest home to an incredible diversity of plant and animal species. Take a leisurely walk through the forest, enjoying the sights and sounds of this vibrant ecosystem, including life in the treetops of the Canopy Walkway. Lunch included today.

Then we are on the hunt to find a Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, in bloom. The Rafflesia is a rare and fascinating plant, known for its enormous size and unique lifecycle. Dinner included tonight.

Leaving Kundasang today for the coastal city of Sandakan. Cruise down the Kinabatangan River, one of the most biodiverse areas in Sabah, offering a unique opportunity to spot a wide variety of wildlife in their natural habitat. Lunch included today.

Check into our lodge on the riverbank with dinner included tonight. Head out for an evening boat cruise in search of nocturnal wildlife.

Early morning cruise on the Kinabatangan River. The river’s morning ambiance is magical, with mist rising over the water and animals stirring in the dawn light. Keep your eyes open for proboscis monkeys, orangutans, pygmy elephants and an array of bird species. Kinabatangan is home to 198 species of birds notably 8 species of Hornbills. Lunch included today.

Visit the Gomantong Caves, located within a protected forest reserve. These caves are famous for their impressive limestone formations and as a home to swiftlets and bats. Learn about the traditional harvesting of bird nests, a valuable local industry.

Return to the Kinabatangan River in the evening for the opportunity to see more nocturnal wildlife.

Travel by boat to Abai Village, where you’ll have the opportunity to engage in a meaningful reforestation project. Participate in planting trees alongside local villagers, contributing to the preservation of the environment and learning about their sustainable practices.Lunch included today. In the evening, enjoy a serene cruise on the river, taking in the tranquil beauty of the surroundings as the sun sets.

Later, join a guided night walk along the nature boardwalk. See nocturnal creatures, frogs, fireflies and learn about the fascinating ecosystem that thrives after dark.

A peaceful morning cruise to Pitas Lake with breakfast at the Abai jungle platform, surrounded by the serene natural beauty. Cruise back to Sandakan, disembarking at the Buli Sim Sim water village. Experience the unique lifestyle of the local community living on stilt houses over the water. Visit St. Michael’s Church and All Angels Church, two historic landmarks showcasing beautiful colonial architecture. Lunch included today.

Continue to Agnes Keith’s House, a museum dedicated to the life and works of the famous American author who lived in Sandakan. In the afternoon, visit the Sandakan Memorial Park built on the site of the notorious POW camp where thousands of Australian and British POW’s died in WW2. Reflect on the history and the resilience of those who endured this hardship.

Early morning visit to the world famous Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, where you’ll have the chance to meet orphaned Orangutans in their natural habitat. Watch these magnificent creatures during feeding times and learn about the sanctuary’s rehabilitation efforts. Then, see rescued sun bears at the wonderful Borneo Sunbear Conservation Centre, dedicated to the protection and conservation of the world’s smallest bear species. Observe the sun bears foraging, climbing and sunning themselves in the forest.

Lunch included today. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Check into our deluxe hotel by the ocean and share memories and pictures at our Farewell Dinner tonight.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.