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Borneo Encompassed

16 days, Kota Kinabalu to Kuching

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Few travel opportunities are as rare or special as the one to really get out there and explore the must-be-seen-to-be-believed nature and wildlife of the island of Borneo. Start at its heights by summiting UNESCO-designated Mt Kinabalu before descending into the mind-blowing caves of Gunung Mulu National Park. Throw in some unconventional cultural moments like drifting along the water by long boat and overnighting in an Iban longhouse of the Malay people and you've got 16 days of adventure that'll remain with you forever.

This specific trip is no longer running.

Trip Code: AABM

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

Few travel opportunities are as rare or special as the one to really get out there and explore the must-be-seen-to-be-believed nature and wildlife of the island of Borneo. Start at its heights by summiting UNESCO-designated Mt Kinabalu before descending into the mind-blowing caves of Gunung Mulu National Park. Throw in some unconventional cultural moments like drifting along the water by long boat and overnighting in an Iban longhouse of the Malay people and you've got 16 days of adventure that'll remain with you forever.

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 4 - Demanding

Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travellers.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 15

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

View our Entry Requirements tool

This specific trip is no longer running.

Trip Code: AABM

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 16

Map of the route for Borneo Encompassed

Places visited

Itinerary

Day 1Kota Kinabalu

Arrive at any time.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2Kota Kinabalu/Mount Kinabalu

Travel to Mt Kinabalu. Opt to hike the nature trails, or enjoy an excursion to Poring hot springs and a canopy walk with some free time.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 3Mount Kinabalu

Head off to conquer Mt Kinabalu. During the first day's climb to Laban Rata, enjoy a packed lunch on the way. The hike can take from 5-7 hrs. Indulge in a buffet-style dinner then rest up for an early start to summit the mountain in the morning.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4Mount Kinabalu/Kota Kinabalu

Summit Mt Kinabalu (3-5hrs) and arrive in time for sunrise. Return to Laban Rata for a rest and to the park headquarters for lunch. Transfer back to Kota Kinabalu.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 5Kota Kinabalu/Gunung Mulu National Park

Fly to Mulu via Miri and transfer to the lodge. Head into the park for a walk through the forest and explore Deer Cave. In the evening go on a walk in search of bats hunting for insects.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Gunung Mulu National Park

Depart the lodge, board a longboat and travel along the Melinau River to the Wind and Clearwater caves. Explore the caves, take a dip in the crystal clear waters, and enjoy a picnic lunch in the rainforest. Continue by longboat to Kuala Litut and start the trek through dense jungle to Camp 5, our stop for the night.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7Headhunters Trail/Limbang

Set out on the Headhunters Trail, an 11 kilometre trail through Borneo's dense jungle. Trek past streams and caves, all while hearing the sounds of the thousands of species that call this jungle home. Learn about the rich history of the warring parties that created this trail before arriving at Kuala Terikan where you will board a boat down the river to Limbang.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 8Limbang/Pulau Tiga

Start off early for a busy day of travel – by ferry, boat, and private vehicle – to the tropical island of Pulau Tiga. After arriving on the island head out on a trek to a mud volcano and learn more about the region.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 9Pulau Tiga

Enjoy a free day on this tropical paradise. Opt to go snorkelling, kayaking, or visit Snake Island.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 10Pulau Tiga/Kota Kinabalu

After breakfast, depart for Kuala Penyu by boat where you will transfer to a private vehicle and continue to Kota Kinabalu.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 11Kota Kinabalu/Kuching

Fly from Kota Kinabalu to Kuching. Enjoy some free time in the evening.

Day 12Kuching/Bako National Park

Depart Kuching in the morning, passing through mangrove forest before arriving at Bako village. Continue along the coast by motorized boat to reach Bako National Park. Hike through the park and experience amazing plant and wildlife. Be sure to keep an eye out for the proboscis monkey. Return to Kuching in the evening.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 13Kuching/Batang Ai

Drive through the scenic countryside, passing plantations, rivers, rainforest to reach the Batang Ai jetty, stopping en route to visit a trading town and a local farmhouse. From the jetty transfer via boat to a local Iban longhouse and enjoy a stay with this welcoming community while learning more about their culture.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Local Living Moment Iban Longhouse Homestay

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 14Batang Ai

Witness a blowpipe demonstration before setting off by longboat for a trip across the lake. Disembark and enjoy a hike through the forest and a local lunch at a scenic locale. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the water before heading to our hotel for the night.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 15Batang Ai/Kuching

Return to the jetty by boat and continue overland to Kuching, stopping en route to visit the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and with some luck spot a wild orangutan passing through.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 16Kuching

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Local Living Moment: Iban Longhouse Homestay, Batang Ai
  • Mt Kinabalu hike (2 days)
  • Deer and Lang caves visit
  • Bat exodus observation
  • Wind and Clearwater caves exploration
  • Rainforest picnic
  • Headhunter Trail trek (2 days)
  • Mud volcano visit and trek (Pulau Tiga)
  • Bako NP excursion
  • Trading town and farm visit
  • Blowpipe demonstration
  • Forest hike and local lunch
  • Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre visit
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (10 nts), mountain lodge (2 nts, multi-share), lodge (1 nt), basic lodge (1 nt, multi-share), traditional longhouse (1 nt, multi-share).

Meals

14 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 7 dinners
Allow USD145-190 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, plane, longboat, ferry, boat, walking.

Staff & experts

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

Departures

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Please Contact Us to inquire about dates for next season, or to discuss other tour options.

Borneo Encompassed

| 16 days - Kota Kinabalu to Kuching - Sold Out