G-Adventures logo

Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu

11 days, Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinabalu

!

The itinerary on this trip has been improved! View the new itinerary.

The natural splendour of Borneo’s Eastern Sabah region and towering peaks of Mt Kinabalu, all on one adventure? Where do I sign up?” Right here, friend. This incredible 11-day tour delivers ample time in Malaysia’s jungle playground (including a life-changing encounter with orangutans at a rehabilitation facility) before three days in the shadow of mighty Mt Kinabalu – the tallest peak in this part of the world – climaxing with a sunrise hike to the mountain’s peak. Prepare to be amazed.

This specific trip is no longer running.

Trip Code: AAEK

Need a flight? We can help.

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

The natural splendour of Borneo’s Eastern Sabah region and towering peaks of Mt Kinabalu, all on one adventure? Where do I sign up?” Right here, friend. This incredible 11-day tour delivers ample time in Malaysia’s jungle playground (including a life-changing encounter with orangutans at a rehabilitation facility) before three days in the shadow of mighty Mt Kinabalu – the tallest peak in this part of the world – climaxing with a sunrise hike to the mountain’s peak. Prepare to be amazed.

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: AAEK

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: 11

Ripple Score

Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 100

Map of the route for Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu

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/Kundasang

Travel to Tambatuon village and meet the local community. Visit a local farm and gather fresh ingredients for an included cooking class. After lunch, trek to a nearby river, exploring the landscape surrounding the village along the way. This evening enjoy a traditional dinner with your hosts.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Foodie Moment Cooking Class

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 3Kundasang/Sungai Kinabatangan

Travel towards Sandakan and continue to the jungle lodge on the Kinabatangan River, Sabah's longest. After settling in head out for a river safari. After dinner, opt for a guided night walk through the jungle.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4Sungai Kinabatangan

Begin the day with a river safari in search of wildlife. After breakfast, visit the nearby oxbow lake with a professional guide and seek out proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, and gibbons. Enjoy another boat cruise along the river to spot more wildlife before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5Sungai Kinabatangan/Sepilok

Depart in the morning and travel to Sepilok. Enjoy a visit to the orangutan rehabilitation centre and the adjacent sun bear conservation centre.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Sepilok/Pulau Libaran

Transfer to Sandakan and continue to Libaran Island by boat. Take a guided tour of the island's turtle hatchery and learn about the turtle conservation program. Opt to go snorkelling or kayaking with some free time.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7Pulau Libaran/Kota Kinabalu

After breakfast, depart Libaran Island and travel back to the Sandakan jetty. From the jetty, transfer to Sandakan airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8Kota 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 9Mount 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 10Mount 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 11Kota Kinabalu

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Foodie Moment: Cooking Class, Kota Belud
  • Morning and evening Kinabatangan River safaris
  • Guided oxbow lake visit and wildlife spotting (Kinabatangan)
  • Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre visit
  • Turtle Island stay with turtle hatchery visit
  • Mt Kinabalu hike (2 days)
  • Internal flight
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (3 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share), jungle lodge (3 nts, twin-share), permanent tented camp (1 nt, twin-share), hostel (1 nt, twin-share), hostel (1 nt, multi-share)

Meals

10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Allow USD90-120 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, plane, boat, walking.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu

| 11 days - Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinabalu - from $1679 USD