G-Adventures logo

Borneo Encompassed

16 days, Kota Kinabalu to Kuching

!

Sorry! There are no remaining departures for "Borneo Encompassed" (AABM), but here are some similar trips.

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.

16 days

Kota Kinabalu to Kuching

Sold Out

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

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

16 days

Kota Kinabalu to Kuching

Sold Out

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

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/Beaufort

After breakfast enjoy the seaside drive to Beaufort, a small colonial town of palm-oil plantations, white-water rapids, and interesting looking monkeys. Spot an array of wildlife from a river cruise on the Klias River.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 6Beaufort

Catch the local train to Tenom and explore the scenic town. Visit the Murut Cultural Centre before returning to Beaufort by road. If you prefer, jump off the train early and opt out of the visit to Tenom to instead get your adrenaline pumping on a rafting tour.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Beaufort to Mulu National Park

Depart to Menumbok port and take a private speedboat to Labuan. Fly to Miri and make your way to Mulu National Park. Opt for a night walk on the boardwalks surrounding park headquarters.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8Mulu National Park

Depart on an easy walk along the river to Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave. After a lunch stop, swim in the crystal clear waters emerging from the mountain. Opt to stop at Iban village's morning market to browse handicrafts by the Pena tribe, descendants from headhunters. Walk on the boardwalk to Lang Cave and Deer Cave before relaxing with a drink at the viewing area for the nightly emergence of 3 million bats.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 9Mulu National Park to Pulau Sepangar

Before breakfast, opt to go on a two hour morning mist guided tour in Mulu NP on the worlds longest tree based canopy walk. Enjoy some free time before boarding a flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, take a boat to the secluded Sepanggar Island covered in a lush tropical rainforest with white sand beaches and turquoise water. Stay the night in a lodge nestled on a hill hidden in the trees. Enjoy the spectacular view of the sea, the stars, and the Kota Kinabalu city lights from your balcony.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 10Pulau Sepangar/Kota Kinabalu

Enjoy a relaxing morning on Sepanggar paradise island. Snorkel through the crystal clear water and follow the tropical fish to the colourful reefs. Opt to get a massage or try stand-up paddle boarding. If you are looking to pump some adrenaline try parasailing or jet skiing. Head back to the mainland in the afternoon and spend the evening in Kota Kinabalu as you please.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

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
  • 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 (9 nts), mountain lodge/hostel (2 nts, multi-share), lodge (1 nt), jungle lodge/hostel (2 nts), traditional longhouse (1 nt, multi-share).

Meals

14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 5 dinners
Allow USD175-230 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