Today you will take the first step on your adventure to Borneo. Departure is from your chosen airport, with connecting flights along the way.

You will arrive in Kota Kinabalu on the world’s third-largest island, Borneo. The island is predominantly Indonesian in the south, while the small country of Brunei is nestled between the two Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak in the north, offering an abundance of spectacular natural and wildlife experiences.

Upon arrival, your driver awaits to take you to your hotel. Check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, whether exploring the city or unwinding with a refreshing dip in the hotel pool.

In the evening, Kota Kinabalu transforms into a culinary hotspot for you to savour, as the city comes alive with restaurants and street food stalls offering everything from fresh-caught seafood to authentic Malaysian dishes.

In the morning, you’ll be driven to the town of Kundasang, which boasts a front-row seat next to Mt. Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia. You won’t need much for the upcoming days’ trekking, so pack only your trek-related gear in your hiking backpack and leave your suitcase at the hotel.

You can then sit back and enjoy the passing landscape on the drive, which takes about 2.5 hours. Halfway through, you’ll make a short stop at Nabalu Market, which not only offers fruit and souvenirs but also one of the best views of Mt. Kinabalu.

In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at your hotel in Kundasang. Here, you can stretch your legs before dinner and an early night’s sleep to replenish your energy reserves.

Start your day with a nutritious breakfast amidst the peaceful surroundings at the foot of Mt. Kinabalu. Enjoy the aroma of freshly brewed coffee as the morning sun softly illuminates the surrounding mountain landscape.

You’ll then receive a packed lunch for the day’s hike and be driven to the park’s headquarters, where you’ll meet your experienced guide who will accompany you up the majestic mountain. Together, you’ll be transported to Timpohon Gate (1,829 metres), where your hiking adventure truly begins.

Leaving Timpohon Gate, you’ll enter the lush rainforest terrain, accompanied by the sounds of cicadas and birds. The trail winds through dense bushes and tall trees, with the humid air gradually replaced by cooler temperatures as you ascend the mountain.

As you gain elevation, the landscape gradually changes, with the rainforest giving way to a more rocky terrain. Here, you can take a break and enjoy your packed lunch as the fresh mountain air hits your face, providing a refreshing boost for your continued journey.

After 5-6 hours of trekking, you will finally reach Laban Rata Resthouse (3,353 metres), where you will be greeted with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and distant horizon. Here, a warm and much-needed meal awaits you in the dining room, with the aroma of local cuisine spreading while you have the opportunity to share the day’s experiences with fellow hikers and look forward to tomorrow’s climb.

After dinner, it’s time to retreat to one of the basic bedrooms, where you can unwind to the background sounds of the night.

You will wake up in the dark of night to continue your ascent towards the summit of Mt. Kinabalu. Equipped with a headlamp and warm clothing, you venture out under the night sky, hoping for glimpses of twinkling stars. The air is cool and clear, with the silence mostly broken by your own footsteps and breathing.

As you approach Low’s Peak (4,095 metres), daylight slowly begins to appear. Reaching the summit, if the weather permits, you’re rewarded with a spectacular sunrise painting the sky in pink and golden hues as the surrounding mountains start to emerge. The view from the summit is nothing short of breathtaking, so take your time to savour the moment and immerse yourself in nature’s unfiltered beauty.

After nature’s display, you begin your descent to Laban Rata Resthouse, feeling the satisfaction of having accomplished the climb. Upon your return, a well-earned and nourishing breakfast awaits, providing warmth and energy for the continuing journey down the mountain.

With your energy reserves replenished, you set off on the challenging descent towards Timpohon Gate. The descent is steep, so it’s important to take your time with each step. Meanwhile, the increasing strength of the sun highlights the stunning landscape around you, allowing you to admire the magnificent surroundings and rich plant life.

Upon arrival at Timpohon Gate, you’re collected and driven to the park’s headquarters, where you will receive a certificate as proof of your impressive achievement. From here, your driver takes you back to your hotel in the capital, Kota Kinabalu, where you can look forward to a well-deserved rest along the way.

Today, no excursions are planned, so you have ample opportunity to listen to what you need.

You can let the many impressions of the trek settle while relaxing by the hotel’s inviting pool, or you can embark on new adventures as a guest on one of our exciting optional tours or explore independently. Based in central Kota Kinabalu, you have plenty of opportunities to experience the city’s modern urban life, with several good shopping centres and cultural institutions like the beautiful city mosque.

Before bedtime, settle in at one of the cosy restaurants at Anjung Samudera Waterfront. Here, you can dine with a view of the water and watch the sun’s rays set over the sea while looking forward to continuing your travel adventure in the rainforest.

Today, the tour continues as you fly on to Sandakan, where your driver will be waiting to take you to your lodge in the town of Sepilok. Here, you can refresh yourself with a dip in the pool as you settle on the edge of the rainforest, before dinner is served with a view of the lush surroundings.

Afterwards, it’s time to awaken your sense of adventure, as the first chapter of Borneo’s unparalleled rainforest begins. You’ll visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre to experience and learn about the rainforest’s impressive biodiversity. Guided by the centre’s naturalist, you’ll be led through the well-designed trail system in the Kabili-Sepilok reserve, where, with a flashlight in hand and extensive experience, the naturalist spots the rainforest’s nocturnal animals as they stir. With luck, you might admire the fascinating wildlife up close, featuring flying squirrels, slow lorises, and adorable tarsiers.

After an exciting walk in the dark, it’s time to return to the lodge for a good night’s sleep.

Today, the tour continues to the rainforest along the Kinabatangan River, home to an incredible biodiversity. The rainforest here is considered one of the world’s richest ecosystems, well-supported by the flowing river.

However, you’ll first stop at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, which you’ll be driven to by your driver after breakfast. Here awaits one of the tour’s main highlights, as you will meet perhaps Borneo’s most famous residents, the orangutans. Often called great apes, orangutans are one of many reasons to visit Borneo – and rightly so. Few experiences are more fascinating than observing a species that reminds us so much of a primitive version of ourselves.

During your visit, you will be introduced to the centre’s admirable work in rescuing, rehabilitating, and preparing orangutans for release back into their natural environment. You’ll have the opportunity to observe the orangutans returning to the centre in the rainforest reserve during feeding sessions, giving you a rare insight into the orangutans’ social hierarchy.

From the world of orangutans, you will move on to the neighbouring Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where you’ll discover the sun bear. Known as the world’s smallest bear species, it is distinguished by its short black coat and a light crescent-shaped marking on its chest – resembling a sunrise, hence the name sun bear. The centre plays a central role in efforts to ensure the sun bear has a future in its natural habitat in Borneo’s rainforests.

After the visit, you will be taken to the Kinabatangan River, where you’ll be accommodated at your riverside lodge. Here, you can look forward to lunch before having some time on your own.

In the late afternoon, you’ll head out on a safari along the river to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings. Surrounded by the lush canopy of the rainforest, keep your eyes and ears peeled in the fading light of the day, for the impressive wildlife here includes quirky proboscis monkeys, wild orangutans, and the world’s smallest elephant, the pygmy elephant.

As night falls, it’s time to sail back to the lodge where you can reflect on the day’s many experiences while supper is being served.

Awakened by the mesmerising sounds of the rainforest, you’ll prepare for the morning’s boat trip, which will take you along the winding paths of the Kinabatangan River to Oxbow Lake.

As you board the small boat, you can sit back and soak in the peaceful ambiance of the rainforest while cruising along at sunrise. The landscape around you feels like something out of a fairy tale, with scenes that can take anyone’s breath away. The river’s winding course meanders through both open and dense rainforest, where the roaring of monkeys and singing of birds create a unique soundscape.

Upon reaching Oxbow Lake, the tranquil waters offer a quiet moment for you to immerse yourself in the green surroundings that blend seamlessly into one another. The lake is home to an impressive bird life, featuring colourful species like hornbills and kingfishers, so keep your eyes peeled.
As your appetite begins to make itself known, you’ll head back to the lodge the same way you came. With the daylight now stronger, you might spot animals and plants you missed earlier in the morning.

Back at the lodge, it’s time for a well-prepared breakfast, which you can enjoy in peace amidst the restaurant’s scenic surroundings. Afterwards, you have a few relaxing hours at your leisure.

Later in the afternoon, you’re invited on yet another boat trip before day turns to night. As the boat chugs along, your guide shares insights about the rainforest and helps you spot its surrounding flora and fauna. Once again, you might be lucky to witness the rainforest’s extraordinary wildlife, such as the saltwater crocodile appearing in the water or the silvered langur swinging from branch to branch in the treetops.

After an eventful day, you’ll be sailed back to the lodge. Here, you can look forward to another authentic meal before retiring to your cabin for the night.

In peace, enjoy your last morning in the magical rainforest by the Kinabatangan River before it’s time to bid farewell to this beautiful corner of Sabah.

After breakfast, you’ll be driven to Sandakan, from where you’ll fly back to Sabah’s capital, Kota Kinabalu. It’s time to unwind on the idyllic paradise of Gaya Island, the largest of five islands located in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park off Borneo’s northwest coast.

Gaya Island is just a short boat ride from the mainland, and here you’ll be greeted by beautiful nature and beaches with powder-soft sand. After check-in at your resort, indulge in a relaxing afternoon by the pool or on the beach, where the gentle breeze and sounds of the sea embrace you.
In the evening, you may choose to dine at one of the resort’s restaurants, enjoying a culinary experience in tropical surroundings.

Days on Gaya Island are wrapped in tranquillity and relaxation. There are no scheduled activities for your stay, so it’s entirely up to you how you spend your days.

You might decide to grab your snorkel mask and explore the crystal-clear waters, home to vibrant coral reefs and incredible marine life that you can experience just a short swim from the shore. The beach also invites relaxation, where you can stretch out with a good book and enjoy the serenity by the sea.

Despite the island’s small size (15 km2), it offers a large expanse of lush rainforest, which you can explore with the resort’s nature guide along accessible jungle trails. Here, you will find surprisingly rich wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, bearded pigs, and flying squirrels.

Your evenings on Gaya Island can be crowned with freshly caught fish or seafood at one of the resort’s restaurants. Afterwards, take your time to reflect on the journey’s many impressions under the starry sky.

It’s now time to say goodbye to Gaya Island and Borneo, but you will take the memories of your adventure home with you forever.

Well in advance of your flight, you’ll be picked up from your resort and sailed back to the mainland. Here, you’ll be driven to the airport, where you’ll fly towards Europe, with connecting flights along the way.

You will land at your chosen airport after a memorable tour.