17-Day Borneo Multi-Center Holiday

Arrive at the airport and transfer to your first hotel in Borneo. Spend the first day in Kuching, the “City of Cat,” exploring its historical quarters and museums at your own pace. The next day, visit Bako National Park, one of Borneo’s oldest national parks, by a 20-minute boat cruise to the Bako Peninsula where you can explore its forests and wildlife. Enjoy a day of trekking through the rainforest and spend the day spotting proboscis monkeys, wild boars, exotic birds, and snakes. Lunch is included at the park canteen.

Accommodation: Imperial Riverbank Hotel, 3 stars or similar
Meals: 1 Breakfast (Day 2), 1 Lunch (Day 2)

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.

Accommodation Day 3-4: Batang Ai Longhouse (basic accommodation)
Accommodation Day5: Imperial Riverbank Hotel, 3 stars or similar
Meals: 3 Breakfast (Day 3, 4, 5), 3 Lunches (Day 3, 4, 5) and 2 Dinners (Day 3, 4)

The next day, take a quick transfer to Kuching International Airport for a flight to Miri. Upon arriving at Miri, the journey continues with a visit to the Piasau Nature Reserve. This is an opportunity to spot the storied resident Oriental Pied Hornbill couple before checking into your hotel. On Day 9, explore the natural wonders near Miri by heading to the UNESCO Niah National Park’s Caves Complex heritage site, the home to the oldest human remains in Southeast Asia. This breathtaking rainforest has a rich diversity of plants, animal life and ancient caves with paintings. End your adventure with a local lunch in Niah town before returning to your hotel in the city of Miri.

Accommodation Day 6-7: Miri Imperial Palace Hotel Miri 4 stars or similar
Flight: Kuching – Miri (Airasia AK 6180 06:00 (KCH) – 07:05 (MYY), with 25 kg luggage
Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches

Go for a day tour by land to Brunei, a wealthy country with a rich petroleum industry. The capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is home to the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and a 16th-century royal barge replica. The Brunei National Museum and The Royal Regalia Center are also visited. Go for a photo stop at Kampong Ayer (Water Village) before lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, return back to Miri via a 2-hour overland transfer.

Accommodation Day 8: Miri Imperial Palace Hotel, 4 stars or similar
Meals: 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Miri airport for departure flight out to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival to Kota Kinabalu, take a transfer to Tempurung Golden Beach Resort.

The next day, we go for a visit to Pulau Tiga Park, also known as Survivor Island for its ascent to fame through the reality TV series. The island offers beautiful landscapes and marine life, and we can swim or snorkel.

After lunch, we return to Kuala Penyu jetty and enjoy a late lunch at Tempurung Golden Beach Resort. In the evening, we embark on a firefly boat trip in the Klias River mangroves, where we can spot proboscis monkeys and long-tailed macaques.

Accommodation Day 9-10: Tempurung Golden Beach Resort
Flight: Miri to Kota Kinabalu  (AK 6072 14:40 (MYY) – 15:30 (BKI)
Meals: 2 Breakfast (Day 9, 10), 1 Lunch (Day 10), and 2 Dinners (Day 9, 10)

Enjoy a relaxing morning at the beach resort. After lunch, transfer to the city center hotel in Kota Kinabalu with free time in the afternoon to explore the seafront promenade at leisure. The next day, experience the rich history of Kota Kinabalu on a guided heritage walk. Stroll along the city’s streets and landmarks, each with a story dating back to before and after the 2nd World War and post-independence days. Enjoy local flavors with a lunch stop at a local eatery before souvenir shopping at the waterfront. 

Accommodation Day 11-12: Dreamtel Hotel, 3 stars or similar
Meals: 2 Breakfasts (Day 11, 12) and 2 Lunches (Day 11, 12)

Take in the breathtaking views of Mount Kinabalu World Heritage site as you make your way up the scenic mountain road. Kinabalu Park is at the doorstep of this hill station. Stop at the WWII War Kundasang Memorial Park to pay homage to those who lost their lives during the war. Explore a local market for native products and handicrafts. Enjoy a rejuvenating soak in the Poring Hot Springs. Experience the Canopy Walkway suspended above the jungle. Indulge in a fish spa treatment at Sungai Moroli Fish Spa. In the evening, have dinner at the Sabah Tea Garden.

Accommodation Day 13: Sabah Tea Resort or similar
Meals: 1 Breakfast (Day 13), 1 Lunch (Day 13) , and 1 Dinner (Day 13)

Drive a 3.5-hour journey overland to Sepilok, near Sandakan, to 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.

Accommodation Day 14: Sepilok Jungle Resort
Meals: 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

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. 

Accommodation Day 15-16: Bilit Adventure Lodge
Meals: 2 Breakfast (Day 15, 16), 2 Lunches (Day 15, 16), and 2 Dinners (Day 15, 16)

Today the tour concludes. After breakfast you will be transferred to Sandakan airport. 

Meals: 1 Breakfast