Another wonderful cycle trip around Kuching with the very impressive Farhah. She made the trip as the guides do. She was knowledgeable, friendly, competent and made our half day very memorable. My second trip with this company; I learnt more than before. To have a local, passionate about Sarawak and her culture is priceless. Bikes were good and temp super. Finding hidden gems and eating with locals , made the experience special. Thank you Farhar and thank you to all.
10-Day Best of Borneo Nature and Culture
Cultural Experience
Wildlife Discovery
Stunning Nature
Borneo’s emerald tapestry is a blend of nature and ancient customs. The journey begins in Kuching, the “City of Cats,” where history is reenacted through colonial shophouses and markets. The rainforest of Bako National Park offers secrets and wildlife encounters. The Iban culture is explored in the Iban longhouse at Batang Ai. Kota Kinabalu offers a glimpse into Borneo’s beauty, with WWII War Memorial Park, Poring Hot Springs, and the Kinabatangan River cruise offering wildlife safaris.
Tour Highlights
Immerse yourself in the heart of Borneo's cultural heritage.
Experience Iban culture firsthand in a longhouse, including traditional meals, customs, and way of life.
Explore stunning landscapes, from pristine rainforests and national parks to majestic mountains and riverine ecosystems.
Observe orangutans in their natural habitat at Semenggoh and spot diverse wildlife on Kinabatangan River cruises.
Engage in activities like trekking, river cruises, and canopy walks in beautiful natural landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Click the Tabs to Find Out More
Itinerary
What You'll Do
Arrive at the airport and transfer to your first hotel in Borneo. Spend the first day in Kuching with a guided tour to explore “City of Cat”. The next day, visit Bako National Park, one of Borneo’s oldest national parks, where you can explore its forests and wildlife. Enjoy a day of trekking through the rainforest and a 20-minute boat cruise to the Bako Peninsula. Lunch is included at the park canteen.
Meals: 1 Breakfast (D2) , 1 Lunch (D2)
Accommodation: The Marian Lodging House 2-star hotel, Kuching Imperial
Riverbank 3-star hotel, or similar
The journey from your hotel to the Iban’s heartland of Batang Ai takes about 4 hours, passing padi fields, pepper plantations, farms, roadside kampungs, and tropical jungles. You’ll stop at Serian and have lunch at Lachau. Upon arrival at the Batang Ai Dam, you’ll board a native boat for an upriver journey to an Iban Longhouse to experience the Iban culture of the descendants of the feared warriors. In the evening, enjoy a native dinner prepared by your guide, followed by rounds of tuak, Iban’s home-made rice wine. Overnight in the longhouse or dormitory-style accommodation. The next day, after breakfast, enjoy the pristine surrounding jungle with an upriver trip, and take a nature walk to learn about native farming and Iban burial practices. Enjoy lunch traditionally cooked in bamboo or stone BBQ pits. Bring swimwear as the river waters may be clear and refreshingly cool if there’s no rain. On the third day, you’ll say goodbye to your hosts after breakfast and return to the river jetty for your journey back to the city. Lunch at a local cafe and drop off at your city hotel.
Meals: 3 Breakfast (D3,4.5) , 3 Lunch (D3,4,5), 2 Dinner (D3,4)
Accommodation:
- Days 3 and 4: Batang Ai Longhouse (basic accommodation)
- Day 5: The Marian Lodging House 2-star hotel, Kuching Imperial
Riverbank 3-star hotel, or similar
The journey begins with a transfer from Kuching airport to Kota Kinabalu. early in the morning. Today you will experience the beauty and history of Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs on this full-day tour. Visit the WWII War Memorial Park and local market before soaking in the natural hot springs and trekking to the Canopy Walkway. End the day with a transfer back to Kota Kinabalu city hotel. Night time you will have your own leisure time in the city.
Meals: 2 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Accommodation: Dreamtel Hotel, 3 stars or similar
Flight: Kuching to Kota Kinabalu [ AK 6350 0700 (KCH) – 0825 (BKI) ] with 25 kg luggage
Take a 50 minute flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and a short drive to Sepilok. Check into the resort at Sepilok. After lunch, proceed to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre for the 1400hrs feeding time before visiting the nearby Sun Bear Conservation Centre and the Rainforest Discovery Centre. The main highlight is its 363m long canopy walkway which is one of the best places in Borneo to spot the many endemic Borneo bird species. After that, relax or go for a swim in the jungle lodge pool. Dinner and overnight at the resort.
Meals: 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Accommodation: Resort @ Sepilok, Sepilok Jungle Resort, or similar
Flight: Kota Kinabalu – Sandakan [ AK6490 0945 (BKI) – 1035 (SDK) ] with 25 kg luggage
Leave for Sandakan city after breakfast. Enjoy a city tour that includes a visit to the local market and the English Tea House. Transfer to Kinabatangan River, to experience the best of Borneo’s nature and wildlife. The Kinabatangan River is one of best places in Borneo to spot wildlife including our red-haired cousins the orangutan, proboscis monkeys, Tarsiers, and also sightings of the endemic Bornean Pygmy Elephant. The best way to enjoy the river and her wild inhabitants are by jumping on a boat during the early hours of dusk and dawn. After checking in the river lodge, take a late afternoon wildlife cruise before dinner and overnight stay at the river lodge. Next day, wake up early for an early river cruise at about 6.00 am. Return to the river lodge for breakfast. In the late evening, take another river cruise to a different part of the river to discover more wildlife. Dinner and stay the second night at River lodge @ Kinabatangan River.
Meals: 2 Breakfast (D8 & 9), 2 Lunch (D8 & 9), 2 Dinner (D8 & 9)
Accommodation: River lodge @ Kinabatangan River, Bilit Adventure Lodge or similar
Today the tour concludes. After breakfast you will be transferred to Sandakan airport.
Meals: 1 Breakfast
Trip Details
Price
Price per Adult (13+ years old): RM 7,900
Children (3-12), Ex – Bed: RM 5,925
Young Children (0-2), Sharing Bed: RM 2,370
Single Supplement (non-sharing room) : RM 1,100
Minimum 2 Adults to guarantee departure
Based on Twin Sharing Room basis
Departure Time
Depending on flight arrival
Meeting Point
Kuching International Airport
Tour End
Sandakan Airport
Availability
Valid till: 31/03/2025
Duration
10 days, 9 nights
Group Size
2 to 8 persons
What's Included
- Transportation & English- speaking driver/guideMeal are provided as stated in the itinerary
- Twin sharing room:
- 3 nights @ Kuching Imperial Riverbank 3-star hotel, or similar
- 2 nights @ Batang Ai Longhouse , Basic or similar
- 1 nights @ Kota Kinabalu Dreamtel Hotel, 3 stars, or similar
- 1 nights @ Sepilok Jungle Resort, 3 stars, or similar
- 2 nights @ River lodge @ Kinabatangan River, Bilit Adventure Lodge or similar
Domestic flight
- Kuching to Kota Kinabalu [ AK 6350 0700 (KCH) – 0825 (BKI) ] with 25 kg luggage
- Kota Kinabalu – Sandakan [ AK6490 0945 (BKI) – 1035 (SDK) ] with 25 kg luggage
Tour excursions:
- Bako National Park
- 3-day Batang Ai Longhouse Excursion
- Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs (canopy walk and hot springs)
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation
- Sun Bear Conservation Centre and the Rainforest Discovery Centre
- 2-day Kinabatangan River cruises
Not Included
- International flight connection to Borneo (ie. Kuching and from Kota Kinabalu)
- Juices and alcoholic beverages
- Tourism tax MYR 10.00 per bed/room is applicable for foreigners or non-Malaysians, payable upon check-in
- Tip/gratuity is at your discretion
- Camera & video fees at certain site visits
- Medical & travel insurance
- Hotel accommodation after the tour ends
- Any other items not in the tour itinerary
What to Bring
- Multiple sets of spare casual clothing, including long trousers and shorts, hat/cap, swimming costumes, sandals, and extra walking shoes.
- Personal care: small towel, toiletries, personal medication, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent.
- Camera and chargers, dry bag, torch/flashlight, and sunglasses.
- On day trips, bring snacks and extra mineral water.
- Passport with 6 months validity and spare pages (additional immigration check at Sarawak’s entry points) and travel insurance details.
Good to Know
- We recommend guests bring your own refillable water bottles and avoid using one-off plastic water bottles.
- During our tours, we recycle wherever possible, and try to keep our waste as low as possible. We discourage the use of plastic bags, and suggest that you bring your own dry bag or small waterproof backpack.
- Check out OUR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM COMMITMENT.(opens in a new tab)
- Please do not take pieces of coral or other endangered plant life home as a souvenir.
See What Our Guests Are Saying
I went on a great walking food tour with Delilah, who was an excellent guide. In addition to eating all manner of interesting goodies, from restaurants, street vendors and hawker courts, Delilah gave us a great historical and cultural look at Kuching too. Highly recommended. Skip breakfast and come empty!
This is my second trip to Kuching and my second time booking day trips with Paradesa and they did not disappoint. On this trip, I had my 8 year old and my 70++ parents with me and we did the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary & Annah Rais Longhouse Day trip and the Wetlands Cruise. On each occasion, the guides assigned were helpful, informative and attentive to our varying needs (young and elderly both taken care of).
