Treasures of Borneo

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1. Fly overnight to Borneo. 

Day 2. Arrive Kota Kinabalu and transfer to hotel. Evening welcome dinner. 

Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Have some time to settle in then enjoy a welcome dinner. Your hotel is set in the city centre, within walking distance from the clock tower and museums. There is a swimming pool and a range of dining options. 

Three nights at Grandis Hotel Kota Kinabalu. Meals included: Dinner

Day 3. Day trip to Kudat Rugus Longhouse.

Early in the morning, get picked up from your hotel and driven north for about three hours to Kudat. En route, you will stop at Gombizau Village to learn about bee farming and honey harvesting. The next stop for the day is Sumangkap village, known for the local artisans and their Gong-making craft. You then proceed to Bavanggazo Village, where you will visit a typical longhouse and learn about the Rugus people and their handicrafts. After lunch you will proceed with a drive to Tanjung Simpang Mengayau also known as the 'Tip of Borneo', a cliff at the tip of the third largest island in the world, boasting glorious views. Return to your hotel in the late evening. 

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4. Gaya Island trekking and Sapi Island relaxation.

This morning, visit Pulau Gaya, the largest of the islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, an island teeming with flora and fauna, in a beautiful beach setting. Afterwards, take a boat to Sapi Island where you will have some time to relax on the beach, swim, snorkel or go ziplining (not included). Return to Kota Kinabalu in the late afternoon. 

Meals included: Breakfast and Packed Lunch

Day 5. Morning visit to Kinabalu National Park. Afternoon visit to tea estate. Continue to Sabah. 

Check-out after breakfast and continue your journey to Kinabalu National Park. Set at 1,500 metres above sea level, this is Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring one of the tallest mountains in Southeast Asia as its centrepiece - the 4,095 metre Mount Kinabalu. Along the way, make a brief stop at Nabalu Market, where the local communities gather to sell local produce, fruits, homegrown vegetables, and handicraft souvenirs. Once you arrive at the national park, depart on a guided hike, revealing the incredible biodiversity of the area. After lunch, continue to a tea estate where you will stay the night. Set in the rainforest foothills of Mount Kinabalu, the charming cottage is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunset against a majestic mountain backdrop. 

Overnight at Sabah Tea Garden. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6. Cultural visit to Lunati Village. Continue to Sandakan.

The day starts with a guided tour of the Sabah Tea Plantation, the largest tea production site in Sabah. After check-out, you continue to Kampung Luanti Baru, a conservation area on the Tagal Moroli River, where you can dip your toes in the water and have a foot massage from the school of fish that the place is famous for. Continue the journey to Sandakan, driving for around four hours through local villages and picturesque scenery. Check-in to your hotel and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. 

Two nights at Sabah Hotel Sandakan. Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7. Canopy walk at Rainforest Discovery Centre and visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre. Lunch at English Tea House then afternoon city tour. 

Have an early breakfast then drive to the Rainforest Discovery Centre where you walk across 147-metre-long canopy walkway, admiring panoramic views across the treetops as you go. Continue to Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre where you get to observe man’s closest relative, the Orangutan. Walk through the lowland forest then watch them feed and learn about how they are being rehabilitated to become wild in their natural habitat. Visit the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, home to the world’s smallest bear. After lunch, continue to the town of Sandakan for lunch at an English tea house. Enjoy a city tour where sights include the Agnes Keith House, Central Market, Sim-Sim Water Village and Puh Jih Syh Byddhist Temple which offers a panoramic view of Sandakan Bay. Return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. 

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8. Boat ride on Kinabatangan River to rainforest lodge. Afternoon wildlife river cruise.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to your lodge on the Kinabatangan River. A 2.5 hrs drive will take you to Sukau, from where you will short boat transfer to Borneo Nature Lodge. After you check in, have lunch and get your orientation session you have some time to relax before embarking on a river cruise, exploring the wildlife and birds in the virgin rainforest habitat. Enjoy the serenity of the boat journey as you look out for endemic Proboscis monkeys, a variety and birdlife and other animals along the banks of the river. 

Three nights at Borneo Nature Lodge. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9. Explore the Kinabatangan River and the jungle wilderness.

After a restful first night in your lodge, wake up to a rainforest soundtrack with the iconic calls of birds, animals and insects. Early in the morning, take a morning cruise up the Kinabatangan River and onto the Kelenanap oxbow lake in search of birds and monkeys. If the weather permits, you can go for a short morning walk in the jungle, before returning to the lodge for breakfast. You can have a rest and explore the surrounding area until the late afternoon when you will head out for another river cruise and then enjoy a dinner at the lodge. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10. Visit Batu Tuluq cave. Afternoon wildlife river cruise. 

After breakfast, head to Batu Tuluq cave, an isolated 40-metre-high limestone hill which forms part of the Labang limestone formation, dating back some 20-25 million years and used as an ancient burial site from about 500 to 900 years ago. There are three main caves here, containing more than 125 ancient log coffins. Return to the lodge and then join another river cruise before dinner. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11. Drive to Lahad Datu and onto Danum Valley. Afternoon rainforest walk. Guided evening walk.

After breakfast, leave the rainforest lodge and continue your overland journey to Lahad Datu. Switch to a four-wheel drive to Danum Valley Conservation Area, where you can take in the scenery of Borneo’s 130 million-year-old tropical rainforest. Have lunch then sit down with your guide to decide how you want to spend your time here. Have some time to settle in then take a mid-afternoon walk around the centre as an introduction to the tropical surroundings, with chances of spotting orangutans, red leaf monkeys, sambar deer, wild boar, hornbills and more. Return to the centre before sunset for dinner, then head back out on a night walk to see the forest come alive with nocturnal activity. 

Two nights at Danum Valley Conservation Centre. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12. Early morning rainforest trek then free time. Afternoon further walk option. Guided evening walk. 

After early breakfast, you will depart on a guided walk on a trail to Rhino Pool (approx. 4hrs). You will have some time to rest before the next walk in the late afternoon, which will take you to one of the old burial caves of long-gone communities. Return to the centre as the sun sets, then go out for another post-dinner night walk in search of weird and wonderful night time creatures. Return to the centre as the sun sets, then go out for another post-dinner night walk in search of weird and wonderful nocturnal creatures. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner

Day 13/14. Fly from Lahad Airport to Kota Kinabulu & return flight to UK 

Wake up early for check-out. You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabula and your return flight to the UK.

Meals included: Breakfast

Beach Extension

If you have chosen to stay on in Borneo you will be transferred to Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort for 3 nights. Your departure day will be Day 16 and you will be transferred from the resort back to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

At La Rasa Ria Resort you will stay in a Garden Wing deluxe room on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis.

The Garden Wing Deluxe Rooms offer luxury comforts that blend flawlessly with the inspiring surrounding scenery of a verdant garden in front of the beach, including warm earthy tones and natural wood furnishings.

Features

Each room offers 36 sqm / 388 sqf of luxury.

Captivating views of lush, tropical landscapes.

Amenities

Bath & Personal Care

• Sofa-bed as extra bed
• Plush bathrobes and slippers
• Shangri-La toiletries
• Extra towels

Media & Entertainment

• Cable television
• Wi-Fi access
• In-room entertainment (Vision 4 system)Television

Office Equipment & Stationery

• Bedside lighting
• Elegant stationery
• In-room safety box
• International Direct Dial telephone
• Voicemail

Refreshments

• Coffee / tea-making facilities
• Minibar

https://www.shangri-la.com/en/kotakinabalu/rasariaresort/

Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin share basis in hotels unless you have already requested a single room at a supplementary cost. You will stay in a variety of characterful 3-4* properties including a tea garden, rainforest lodge, field centre and beach resort (see day to day itinerary for further details).

Provisional Flight Information

15/06/2024 London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur Dep: 1100 Arr: 0715(+1)

16/04/2024 Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu Dep: 0915 Arr: 1155

27/06/2024 Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur Dep: 1905 Arr: 2140

27/06/2024 Kuala Lumpur to London Heathrow Dep: 2340 Arr: 0555(+1)

The flights on this trip are indirect.

NB - if you choose the beach extension you departure day will be 30/06/24 arriving back in the UK 01/07/24.

Passport validity

For UK passport holders your passport must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 6months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

Travel Insurance

Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel. Spice Escapes have arranged a scheme with Staysure who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 663617) full details of which can be found on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk. For an instant online quotation please click here.

Visas

British nationals do not need a visa to enter Malaysia and will be issued a social visit pass for 30-90 days on arrival.

Health

Make sure you visit your local health centre at least 2 months before departure, to be advised on any vaccinations needed. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. We recommend bringing a personal first-aid kit containing the following: high factor sun cream, lip salve, moisturiser, plasters, antiseptic cream, insect repellent, cold/flu tablets, throat lozenges, electrolyte powder, aspirin or equivalent, muscle rub, nail scissors, 100mm elastic bandage, knee/ankle supports if needed, and wet wipes. For more information we recommend visiting fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

Money

The currency in Borneo is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM). We recommend that you change some money before your departure or at the airport. Please refer to www.xe.com for up to date rates.

Electricity

We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:

http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/