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Operated by Intrepid Travel
Sabah Adventure
From
CAD 2,944
Duration
11 days
Countries
Malaysia
Activity
active
Group size
Max 16
Rating
4.9 · 313 reviewsvia Intrepid Travel
The adventure
Get to know a land of natural beauty and rare wildlife on this Borneo adventure through Sabah. With its collection of unique animals, ancient traditions, tribal villages, rescued orangutans and scenic views, Sabah has something for everyone. You’ll experience it all over 11 days in Borneo – climbing Mt Kinabalu at sunrise, watching sea turtles lay their eggs with an expert local ranger by your side and sharing laughs with your local hosts in a remote village. Visit conservation sanctuaries, search for local wildlife at different times of day and night along the Kinabatangan River (including pygmy elephants if you’re lucky) and explore the wilderness of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park.
Kg Lobong-Lobong - Village walking tour
Kg Lobong-Lobong - Orchid farm
Kg Lobong-Lobong - Village farming activities
Kg Lobong-Lobong - Community cooking experience
Kg Lobong-Lobong - Cultural performance
Mt Kinabalu National Park - Mt Kinabalu Climb
Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise
Kinabatangan River - Night jungle walk
Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise
Kinabatangan River - Fish Trap Making & Story Telling
Kinabatangan River - Dawn Wildlife Cruise
Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Turtle Island - Turtle Island Marine Park
Turtle Island - Turtle Hatchery Visit
At a glance
Duration
11 days
Route
Kota Kinabalu → Sandakan
Countries
Malaysia
Activity level
active
Style
Beach & Islands, Culture & History, National Parks & Wilderness, Wildlife & Safari
Group size
Max 16
Ages
15+
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Welcome
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
Malaysia
Showing Days 1-7
11-day itinerary
Day 1Kota KinabaluSelamat datang! Welcome to Borneo, Malaysia. Your adventure begins in Kota Kinabalu with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe immerse yourself in the history of the city at the Sabah State Museum. You can also visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village or explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu – excellent for swimming and snorkelling. Tonight, perhaps head out with your group for a welcome dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations for local food and drinks.
Kota KinabaluSelamat datang! Welcome to Borneo, Malaysia. Your adventure begins in Kota Kinabalu with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe immerse yourself in the history of the city at the Sabah State Museum. You can also visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village or explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu – excellent for swimming and snorkelling. Tonight, perhaps head out with your group for a welcome dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations for local food and drinks.
Day 2Kg Lobong-Lobong VillageTravel by minivan to a Kg Lobong-Lobong, a village that sits in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Be welcomed into the village, take a walk with the locals to learn about the village life and visit the local orchid farm. Enjoy some excellent home-cooked flavors while you are here and rest for a peaceful village night with your host family.
Kg LobongTravel by minivan to a Kg Lobong-Lobong, a village that sits in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Be welcomed into the village, take a walk with the locals to learn about the village life and visit the local orchid farm. Enjoy some excellent home-cooked flavors while you are here and rest for a peaceful village night with your host family.
Day 3Kg Lobong-Lobong VillageContinue your exploration of Kg Lobong-Lobong village life today. Check out the rubber farm, pineapple farm and rice paddy, depending on what is in season. And join the fellow villagers in their rice husking, fish fermentation or making tapai (a type of fermented food made from glutinous rice) and other activities for a rare chance to experience the local village life firsthand. Then cook up a storm with your hosts in the village community hall and enjoy a cultural performance prepared by the villagers.
Kg LobongContinue your exploration of Kg Lobong-Lobong village life today. Check out the rubber farm, pineapple farm and rice paddy, depending on what is in season. And join the fellow villagers in their rice husking, fish fermentation or making tapai (a type of fermented food made from glutinous rice) and other activities for a rare chance to experience the local village life firsthand. Then cook up a storm with your hosts in the village community hall and enjoy a cultural performance prepared by the villagers.
Day 4Kinabalu National ParkEat a good breakfast this morning and say goodbye to your friends in the village as it’s time to drive to Timpohon Gate to begin your trek up Mt Kinabalu. It’s no small feat – prepare for an uphill trail made of steep steps that vary considerably in size – but along the way you can take in the remarkable variety of plant life, including about 1000 species of orchid and the carnivorous pitcher plant (yes, really). After covering 6 km (approximately 4 to 6 hours), spend the night at a hostel near Laban Rata, located at 3,272m (10,735 ft) above sea level. Rest up for the final ascent (very!) early tomorrow morning.
Kinabalu National ParkEat a good breakfast this morning and say goodbye to your friends in the village as it’s time to drive to Timpohon Gate to begin your trek up Mt Kinabalu. It’s no small feat – prepare for an uphill trail made of steep steps that vary considerably in size – but along the way you can take in the remarkable variety of plant life, including about 1000 species of orchid and the carnivorous pitcher plant (yes, really). After covering 6 km (approximately 4 to 6 hours), spend the night at a hostel near Laban Rata, located at 3,272m (10,735 ft) above sea level. Rest up for the final ascent (very!) early tomorrow morning.
Day 5Kinabalu National ParkRise at around 2 am this morning to continue your trek – it’s tough, but the sunrise at the summit will be well worth it. At the top, take in the jungles of Borneo in one direction and the South China Sea in the other. After a well-deserved rest and plenty of pictures, return to Laban Rata for breakfast. Then, get started on the descent which can take between 3 - 6 hours. This evening, enjoy your overnight stay at a hostel within Kinabalu National Park.
Kinabalu National ParkRise at around 2 am this morning to continue your trek – it’s tough, but the sunrise at the summit will be well worth it. At the top, take in the jungles of Borneo in one direction and the South China Sea in the other. After a well-deserved rest and plenty of pictures, return to Laban Rata for breakfast. Then, get started on the descent which can take between 3 - 6 hours. This evening, enjoy your overnight stay at a hostel within Kinabalu National Park.
Day 6Kinabatangan RiverJourney by private bus into the steamy rainforest to Bilit – a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River – and then take a short boat ride to the comfortable jungle lodge where you’ll spend the night. Located on the riverbanks, the lodge is a brilliant place to spot wildlife. For even better spotting, head out on a sunset boat ride and look out for macaques, orangutan, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. End your day by searching for nocturnal wildlife like civets, owls and the rare slow loris on a night walk.
Kinabatangan RiverJourney by private bus into the steamy rainforest to Bilit – a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River – and then take a short boat ride to the comfortable jungle lodge where you’ll spend the night. Located on the riverbanks, the lodge is a brilliant place to spot wildlife. For even better spotting, head out on a sunset boat ride and look out for macaques, orangutan, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. End your day by searching for nocturnal wildlife like civets, owls and the rare slow loris on a night walk.
Day 7Kinabatangan RiverEmbark on another boat safari early this morning – different species come out at different times, so keep your eyes peeled! After breakfast, join the in-house guide for an insightful journey into the historical Kinabatangan community, which thrived long before tourism developed in the area. Explore traditional practices and craftsmanship and actively engage in the crafting of traditional fish traps. This hands-on experience provides a profound understanding of the local culture and heritage, fostering a deeper appreciation for their sustainable way of life. Then, head back on the boat for another river excursion in the afternoon.
Kinabatangan RiverEmbark on another boat safari early this morning – different species come out at different times, so keep your eyes peeled! After breakfast, join the in-house guide for an insightful journey into the historical Kinabatangan community, which thrived long before tourism developed in the area. Explore traditional practices and craftsmanship and actively engage in the crafting of traditional fish traps. This hands-on experience provides a profound understanding of the local culture and heritage, fostering a deeper appreciation for their sustainable way of life. Then, head back on the boat for another river excursion in the afternoon.
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What's included
Included
- ✓Climb Mt Kinabalu – the literal pinnacle of all treks in South East Asia – with local guides whose families have trekked the mountain for generations. Watch the sunrise at the peak after a morning hike and spot diverse flora and fauna along the way.
- ✓Spend time getting to know the unique wildlife of Borneo at conservation sanctuaries for orangutans and sun bears.
- ✓Join a local ranger to witness the life cycle of sea turtles, who come ashore on Turtle Island to lay their eggs on the beach. At night, you’ll watch the hatchlings make a dash down the beach on their way to their new life.
- ✓Cruise down the Kinabatangan River and search for wildlife in this rich and unique jungle ecosystem – if you’re lucky, you may see wild pygmy elephants!
- ✓Spend two nights in the Kg Lobong-Lobong village in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea. Spend time with your friendly hosts, explore local farms, take part in the community activities and watch a cultural performance.
Traveller reviews
4.9
Based on 313 reviews · via Intrepid Travel
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CAD 2,944/ person