The whole trip was very well organised and we enjoyed every minute of it. We are very grateful for all your help and we will recommend “Responsible Travel ” to our relatives and friends.
17-Day Borneo Multi-Center Holiday
Our itinerary covers Malaysian Borneo and Brunei Darussalam. You begin your journey in Kuching, Sarawak and end in Sandakan, Sabah. In Sarawak, the destinations are Kuching, Batang Ai and Miri. You will also tour the capital city of Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan. In Sabah, the west coast destinations include Pulau (island) Tiga Park and Kota Kinabalu. In the east coast, Sepilok, Sandakan and Kinabatangan complete the rest of the stops. 80% of the travel is done on land. The remaining parts are by sea and air. The trip entails both state and international border crossings.
Tour Highlights
Click the Tabs to Find Out More
Itinerary
Trip Details
Price
- Adult (13+): MYR 14,000
- Children (3-12): MYR 10,500
- Young Children (0-2): MYR 4,200
- Single supplement (for solo travelers who do not wish to share rooms): MYR 1,600
Departure Time
8 AM
Meeting Point
Kuching Airport or Hotel
Tour End
Sandakan Airport
Availability
2024
- February 11th – February 27th
- March 10th – March 26th
- April 7th – April 23rd
- May 5th – May 21st
- June 9th – June 25th
- July 7th – July 23rd
- August 11th – August 27th
- September 8th – September 24th
- October 6th – October 22nd
- November 10th – November 26th
- December 8th – December 24th
Contact us if the planned dates don’t fit your schedule and you would like to customize your tour to an alternative date.
Duration
17 days, 16 nights
Group Size
2 to 6 persons
Included
- Join-In Tour with Transportation & English Speaking Guide
- Meals are provided as stated
- Domestic flight from Kuching – Miri, with 25kg luggage
- Domestic flight from Miri – Kota Kinabalu, with 25kg luggage
Twin sharing room:
- 2 nights @ Imperial Riverbank Hotel, 3* or similar
- 2 nights @ Batang Ai Longhouse (basic accommodation)
- 2 nights @ Miri Imperial Palace Hotel 4* or Similar
- 2 nights @ Tempurung Golden Beach Resort
- 2 nights @ Kota Kinabalu Dreamtel Hotel 3* or similar
- 1 night @ Sabah Tea Resort
- 1 night @ Sepilok Jungle Resort, or similar
- 2 nights @ Bilit Adventure Lodge, or similar
Tour Excursion:
- Bako National Park
- 3 Day Batang Ai Excursion
- Miri Piasau Nature Reserve Tour
- Niah Cave National Park
- Brunei Day Tour
- Firefly Boat Cruise
- Pulau Tiga Island trip
- Kota Kinabalu Heritage Walk
- Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring (Canopy Walk and Hot Spring)
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre & Rainforest Discovery Centre
- Sandakan City Tour
- Kinabatangan River Cruise
Not Included
- International Flight Connection to Borneo (ie. Kuching and Kota Kinabalu)
- Tipping / Gratuity is at your discretion
- Camera / Video Fees at certain site visits
- Medical / Travel Insurance
- Hotel accommodation after the tour ends (not included)
- Any other item(s) not in the tour itinerary
What to Bring
- Multiple sets of spare casual clothing, including long trousers and shorts, hat / cap, swimming costumes, sandal and extra walking shoe;
- Personal care: small towel, toiletries, personal medication, sunscreen, mosquito repellent;
- Camera and chargers, dry bag, torch light, sunglasses;
- On day trips, bring snacks and extra mineral water even though we do provide mineral water;
- Passport with 6 months validity and spare pages (additional immigration check at Sarawak’s entry points) and travel insurance details.
Tour Staff
At different locations on this long trip, we use a combination of local guide, park guide and community guide who are most willing to share their knowledge of local culture and the remarkable diversity of local fauna and flora so that you will have plenty of information about your journey, and at the same time ensure safety and Great FUN in this beautiful island. One passionate local English Speaking guide will serve up to a maximum of 6 guests.
Good to Know
- Reservation required 3 days in advance
- Suitable for families and visitors of all ages
Important to Know
All tours are subject to weather conditions and may be amended without notice to suit the prevailing conditions at the time of tour.
This tour is available with minimum of 2 pax to go. Should you be only 1 person, we will wait for at least one other to join the tour to guarantee the departure.
What You'll Do
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 of Miri by heading to Niah National Park, 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 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 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
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
The most memorable part was arranged by Jerry Tao to attend the Remembrance Day celebrations on Labuan Island – an unexpected addition and very much appreciated. Some of the other highlights were visiting Bako National Park (seeing proboscis monkeys and wild boar plus the rock formations); the Orangutan Sanctuary and seeing a female and her baby; visiting the Niah Caves; the visit to Brunei and the visit with Jack Koh to Kinabalu Park. Learning the history & cultures of the areas we visited was a special treat.