Sabah Adventure
Tour Description
Day 1: Kota Kinabalu
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.
Itinerary
Day 1: Kota Kinabalu
Selamat 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 2: Dusun Village
Travel by minivan to a Dusun village that sits in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea – and enjoy a welcome lunch in your homestay with your hosts before visiting a local vegetable farm. Learn about planting and harvesting seasonal produce and then take some of these fresh vegetables home for dinner – a proper farm-to-table experience. Tonight, enjoy a special village cultural performance.
Day 3: Dusun Village
Start your day by walking to the local vegetable market in Kundasang with your leader. Located in the heart of the community, this market showcases an array of freshly harvested produce, from locally grown vegetables to unique regional seasonal fruits like tarap and rambutan. You’ll also find local snacks, wild honey and traditional Borneo crafts. Take the opportunity to chat with vendors to learn about the local produce and how it’s used in traditional Sabah cuisine. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure – perhaps visit Poring Hot Springs to relax in the open-air baths before heading back to your homestay.
Day 4: Kinabalu National Park
Eat 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 5: Kinabalu National Park
Rise 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 6: Kinabatangan River
Journey 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 7: Kinabatangan River
Embark 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.
Day 8: Sepilok
Say goodbye to your jungle lodge after breakfast and hit the road in a private minivan to a guesthouse located near the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Established to help reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or being orphaned, this sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to witness conservation in action. From the viewing platform, watch and photograph the orangutans as they swing into view onto the feeding platform. Observe young orangutans as they learn how to climb a specially constructed jungle gym in a new nursery. To see more of Borneo’s creatures, there’s the option to visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Here, rescued sun bears, many of whom have endured years of mistreatment, are given a second chance at life. Learn about the rehabilitation process and how they are reintroduced back into the wild. You can also opt to visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre, where you can roam the treetop walkways while you learn more about the flora and birdlife of Borneo.
Day 9: Turtle Island
This morning, transfer to Sandakan to leave your large bags at the hotel and walk with your overnight bag to a nearby jetty. Travel by speedboat, past small fishing villages and bamboo fish traps, to Turtle Island Marine Park. In the afternoon, there will be some time for swimming, snorkelling or lazing about on the beach. In the evening, you’ll join an expert local ranger and a select group of visitors to watch giant green turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs under the moonlight. Watch the rangers as they release protected hatchlings and guide them in their frantic dash to the ocean. This is a moving experience that will stay with you long after your trip is over!
Day 10: Sandakan
After breakfast, return to the mainland and walk back to your hotel. Today is free to explore Sandakan as you wish – perhaps you’ll call into Agnes Keith House, the restored home of an American writer best known for her accounts of life in Borneo during WW1. Or you could visit the Sandakan War Memorial, built on the site of a Japanese Prisoners of War camp. Learn about the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, when 2400 prisoners of war were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo and only six survived. Another great option is St Michaels & All Angels Church, a rare stone building in Sabah that managed to avoid major damage in the war.
Day 11: Sandakan
Your adventure ends today after breakfast. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Borneo – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Departure Dates
| Start Date | End Date | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2025 | Jun 3, 2025 | $3,920.00 | |
| May 31, 2025 | Jun 10, 2025 | $4,061.00 | |
| Jun 7, 2025 | Jun 17, 2025 | $3,663.00 | |
| Jun 14, 2025 | Jun 24, 2025 | $4,245.00 | |
| Jun 19, 2025 | Jun 29, 2025 | $3,668.00 | |
| Jun 26, 2025 | Jul 6, 2025 | $3,488.00 | |
| Jun 28, 2025 | Jul 8, 2025 | $3,956.00 | |
| Jul 5, 2025 | Jul 15, 2025 | $4,603.00 | |
| Jul 12, 2025 | Jul 22, 2025 | $3,528.00 | |
| Jul 19, 2025 | Jul 29, 2025 | $4,720.00 | |
| Jul 24, 2025 | Aug 3, 2025 | $4,315.00 | |
| Jul 26, 2025 | Aug 5, 2025 | $4,880.00 | |
| Aug 2, 2025 | Aug 12, 2025 | $4,390.00 | |
| Aug 16, 2025 | Aug 26, 2025 | $4,395.00 | |
| Aug 21, 2025 | Aug 31, 2025 | $4,315.00 | |
| Aug 23, 2025 | Sep 2, 2025 | $4,355.00 | |
| Aug 30, 2025 | Sep 9, 2025 | $4,300.00 | |
| Sep 6, 2025 | Sep 16, 2025 | $4,155.00 | |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Sep 23, 2025 | $4,280.00 | |
| Sep 20, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | $4,430.00 | |
| Sep 27, 2025 | Oct 7, 2025 | $3,995.00 | |
| Oct 4, 2025 | Oct 14, 2025 | $3,995.00 | |
| Oct 18, 2025 | Oct 28, 2025 | $4,035.00 | |
| Oct 25, 2025 | Nov 4, 2025 | $3,795.00 | |
| Nov 8, 2025 | Nov 18, 2025 | $4,110.00 | |
| Nov 15, 2025 | Nov 25, 2025 | $3,795.00 | |
| Nov 22, 2025 | Dec 2, 2025 | $3,995.00 | |
| Dec 13, 2025 | Dec 23, 2025 | $3,995.00 | |
| Dec 20, 2025 | Dec 30, 2025 | $3,995.00 | |
| Dec 27, 2025 | Jan 6, 2026 | $3,995.00 | |
| Jan 3, 2026 | Jan 13, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Jan 10, 2026 | Jan 20, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Jan 24, 2026 | Feb 3, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Feb 7, 2026 | Feb 17, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Feb 21, 2026 | Mar 3, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Feb 28, 2026 | Mar 10, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Mar 7, 2026 | Mar 17, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Mar 14, 2026 | Mar 24, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Mar 21, 2026 | Mar 31, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Mar 28, 2026 | Apr 7, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Apr 4, 2026 | Apr 14, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Apr 11, 2026 | Apr 21, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Apr 26, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Apr 18, 2026 | Apr 28, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Apr 25, 2026 | May 5, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| May 2, 2026 | May 12, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| May 9, 2026 | May 19, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| May 16, 2026 | May 26, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| May 23, 2026 | Jun 2, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| May 30, 2026 | Jun 9, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jun 4, 2026 | Jun 14, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jun 6, 2026 | Jun 16, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jun 11, 2026 | Jun 21, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jun 13, 2026 | Jun 23, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jun 20, 2026 | Jun 30, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jun 25, 2026 | Jul 5, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jun 27, 2026 | Jul 7, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jul 4, 2026 | Jul 14, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jul 9, 2026 | Jul 19, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jul 11, 2026 | Jul 21, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jul 18, 2026 | Jul 28, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jul 23, 2026 | Aug 2, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jul 25, 2026 | Aug 4, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Jul 30, 2026 | Aug 9, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Aug 1, 2026 | Aug 11, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Aug 8, 2026 | Aug 18, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Aug 15, 2026 | Aug 25, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Aug 20, 2026 | Aug 30, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Aug 22, 2026 | Sep 1, 2026 | $4,475.00 | |
| Aug 29, 2026 | Sep 8, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 22, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Sep 24, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | $4,310.00 | |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 20, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 27, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 17, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Dec 19, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 | $4,145.00 | |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 5, 2027 | $4,145.00 | |
| Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 12, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jan 9, 2027 | Jan 19, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jan 23, 2027 | Feb 2, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 16, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Feb 20, 2027 | Mar 2, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Feb 27, 2027 | Mar 9, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Mar 6, 2027 | Mar 16, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Mar 13, 2027 | Mar 23, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Mar 30, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Mar 27, 2027 | Apr 6, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Apr 3, 2027 | Apr 13, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Apr 10, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Apr 15, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Apr 24, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| May 1, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| May 8, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| May 15, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| May 22, 2027 | Jun 1, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| May 29, 2027 | Jun 8, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jun 3, 2027 | Jun 13, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jun 5, 2027 | Jun 15, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jun 10, 2027 | Jun 20, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jun 12, 2027 | Jun 22, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jun 19, 2027 | Jun 29, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jun 24, 2027 | Jul 4, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jun 26, 2027 | Jul 6, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jul 3, 2027 | Jul 13, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jul 8, 2027 | Jul 18, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jul 10, 2027 | Jul 20, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jul 17, 2027 | Jul 27, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jul 22, 2027 | Aug 1, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jul 24, 2027 | Aug 3, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jul 29, 2027 | Aug 8, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Jul 31, 2027 | Aug 10, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Aug 7, 2027 | Aug 17, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Aug 14, 2027 | Aug 24, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Aug 19, 2027 | Aug 29, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Aug 21, 2027 | Aug 31, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Aug 28, 2027 | Sep 7, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Sep 2, 2027 | Sep 12, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Sep 4, 2027 | Sep 14, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Sep 9, 2027 | Sep 19, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Sep 11, 2027 | Sep 21, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Sep 18, 2027 | Sep 28, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Sep 23, 2027 | Oct 3, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Sep 25, 2027 | Oct 5, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Oct 2, 2027 | Oct 12, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Oct 9, 2027 | Oct 19, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Oct 16, 2027 | Oct 26, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Oct 23, 2027 | Nov 2, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Nov 6, 2027 | Nov 16, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Nov 13, 2027 | Nov 23, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Nov 20, 2027 | Nov 30, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Nov 27, 2027 | Dec 7, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Dec 11, 2027 | Dec 21, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Dec 18, 2027 | Dec 28, 2027 | $3,960.00 | |
| Dec 25, 2027 | Jan 4, 2028 | $3,960.00 |