Borneo Encompassed Independent Tour

Itinerary

• Day 1: Kota Kinabalu

  On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the evening visit the night market. A number of food stalls sell satay, and you can see the traditional Malaysian cuisine being cooked. Drive to Signal Hill for sunset. Proceed for dinner at a local restaurant with cultural show. B, D.

• Day 2: Monsopiad Cultural Village

  Drive to the ancestral home of Monsopiad, the most feared and infamous of warriors of the Kadazan Dusun tribe. See the artifacts and relics from his headhunting days and learn the history and tradition of the indigenous people of Sabah. B, L.

• Day 3: Kudat Longhouse and Tip of Borneo

  Journey north to Kudat past villages, rice fields and lush scenery. Enroute, visit the Gong making cottage industry and stop by a honey bee farm. Continue to a traditional Rungus longhouse in a village just outside Kudat. The interior fittings are exquisitely furnished with locally-sourced materials like bamboo stems and rumbia leaves. Enjoy a traditional lunch cooked by the Rungus women then proceed to a modern Rungus longhouse. In the afternoon depart for the ‘Tip of Borneo’ - the meeting point of the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. B, L.

• Day 4: Kinabalu National Park/Poring Hot Springs

  Travel three hours by road along the ridges of the Crocker Range to Poring Hot Springs. Lowland dipterocarp forest makes up most of the vegetation at Poring. Trek into the forest to the canopy walkway suspended between trees at the height of 40 metres. After lunch, proceed to Kinabalu National Park and take a guided walk to the mountain garden to see rare collection of mountain plants and flowers. B, L, D.

• Day 5: Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre

  Drive overland easterly to the district of Sandakan where you will visit the worldfamous Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Get a close up view of these orangutans and have the chance to photograph them at close range. B, L, D.

• Day 6: Gomantong Caves and Sukau Kinabatangan

  Drive overland to Gomantong Caves where the bizarre edible bird's nest is harvested as they have been for hundreds of years. The caves are also home to more than a million bats. The birdlife around the cave is particularly rich, with crested serpent eagles, kingfishers, Asian fairy bluebirds and leaf birds often sighted. Continue the journey to the village of Sukau at the Kinabatangan River where the greatest concentration of wildlife in Malaysia and possibly all of Borneo, can be found. B, L, D.

• Day 7: Oxbow lakes

  Early morning take a boat trip to the ox-bow lakes. Birds abound in all shapes and forms - Egret, kingfisher, oriental darter, bee-eater and hornbills are commonly seen. The lakes are the abode of freshwater fish, otters and sometimes – wild elephants may be sighted. Trek in the riverine rainforest before returning to the Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, another river cruise for more chances to spot wildlife. B, L, D.

• Day 8: Danum Valley

  Journey approx five hours to Danum Valley where you can trek in the oldest remaining rainforest in the world. Experience an exciting suspension walkway to see wildlife. In the evening, embark on a night drive in an open jeep in search of wildlife. B, L, D.

• Day 9: Danum Valley

  Participate in nature walks with experienced naturalists through undisturbed riverine and lowland dipterocarp forest. There is a good chance to photograph wildlife in this pristine jungle vegetation and unlimited bird watching of rainforest species. B, L, D.

• Day 10: Danum Valley – Lahad Datu

  There is time for further explorations of nature trails before transfer to Lahad Datu for your departure flight. B.

* All prices shown are for low season, per person, twin share. Click here to see full Terms & Conditions.