Borneo & Mt Kinabalu Encompassed
17 days
From $ 3249
Duration17 days
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  • Etepia
  • Borneo & Mt Kinabalu Encompassed

Want to see all of Sabah (seriously, like all of it)? Here are 17 days that'll check off every possible box you could hope to throughout this tropical paradise. Summit Kinabalu, explore the perfect island of Pulau Tiga (where they shot a season of Survivor), visit the inspiring Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, and experience Mulu National Park. Don't come to Sabah without getting to see all of it. We got your ticket right here.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 17 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Physical Grading: Demanding
  • Ages: 12+
Borneo & Mt Kinabalu Encompassed - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Kota Kinabalu
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Kota Kinabalu/Mount Kinabalu
Travel to the base of Mt Kinabalu, the highest mountain between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea.

In the afternoon, stretch your legs by exploring the trails around the park or check out the visitor centre.
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: B, D
Day 3: Mount Kinabalu
Set off early to begin the ascent up Mt Kinabalu. It is not an easy walk, but it is incredibly rewarding. Willpower is the main requirement as it's uphill all the way!

Spend the night at Laban Rata in basic mountain huts 3,272m (10,735 ft) above sea level.

Turn in early to prepare for the final climb very early in the morning.
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: B, L, D
Day 4: Mount 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: B, L
Day 5: Kota Kinabalu/Pulau Tiga
After breakfast drive to Kuala Pinyu, then take a boat ride to the tropical island of Pulau Tiga. Opt to go on a jungle walk, snorkelling trip to snake island, or laze on the sandy beach.
Meals: B
Day 6: Pulau Tiga/Beaufort
Enjoy a relaxing morning. Go snorkelling off the beach or join your CEO for a walk to the natural volcanic mud baths. Travel back to the mainland and spot an array of wildlife from a river cruise on the Klias River. Transfer to the colonial town of Beaufort.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Beaufort
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: B, L, D
Day 8: Beaufort 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: B, D
Day 9: Mulu 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: B, L, D
Day 10: Pulau Tiga/Kota Kinabalu

Start place: Pulau Tiga

In Kota Kinabalu, opt to check out the restaurants along the waterfront with some free time in the evening.
After breakfast, depart for Kuala Penyu by boat where you will transfer to a private vehicle and continue to Kota Kinabalu.

End place: Kota Kinabalu

Meals: B
Day 11: Kota Kinabalu/Kota Belud
Learn more about the typical lifestyle in the village by taking part in seasonal activities such as rubber tapping, fruit harvesting, and rice planting.
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.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Kota Belud/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: B, L, D
Day 13: Sungai 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: B, L, D
Day 14: Sungai 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.

End place: Sepilok

Meals: B
Day 15: Sepilok/Pulau Libaran

Start place: Sepilok

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: B, L, D
Day 16: Pulau 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: B
Day 17: Kota Kinabalu
Depart at any time.
Meals: B
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Cooking Class, Kota Belud
  • 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)
  • Morning and evening Kinabatangan River safaris
  • Guided oxbow lake visit and wildlife spotting (Kinabatangan)
  • Cave visit (Kinabatangan)
  • Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre visit
  • Turtle hatchery visit
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Private vehicle, Plane, Longboat, Ferry, Boat, Walking

  • Accommodation

    Hotels (7 nts), Mountain lodge/hostel (2 nts, multi-share), Homestay (1 nt, multi-share), Lodge (3 nt), Jungle lodge/hostel (2 nts), Permanent tented camp (1 nt)

  • Meals

    16 breakfasts,
    9 lunches,
    10 dinners

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