13-Day Borneo Overland Tour: Sarawak, Sabah, & Brunei

Your transfer awaits you at the arrival at the airport and brings you to your first hotel in Borneo. The first day will be spent in Kuching, the “City of Cat”. Relax at the waterfront before enjoying a good night’s rest.

The next morning, you’re completely free, so you can explore the historical quarters of Kuching at your own leisure and discover its unique and multi-cultural influences. Visit some of the best museums in Borneo and try some delicious Sarawak street food. Or alternatively, you can try out our optional, guided bike tour to explore the city on two wheels, which includes local food and drinks. In the afternoon, you will go for a visit to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre for a chance to spot orangutans during their feeding time. 

On the third day, visit one of the oldest national parks in Borneo, Bako National Park. Bako offers the perfect introduction to Borneo’s forests and wildlife. It’s the perfect place to spend the day in search of proboscis monkeys, wild boar, exotic birds, and snakes. We then embark on an adventure with easy trekking through the rainforest and this journey involves a 20-minute boat cruise to the Bako Peninsula from the fishing village of Kampong Bako. Lunch at the park canteen is included.

Meals: Breakfast on days 2 and 3, lunch on day 3

Accommodation: Imperial Riverbank Hotel, 3 stars or similar

Today, we head into the remote Borneo interior on a journey to discover the headhunter’s of Borneo, the Iban tribe.

Our drive is a 5-hour journey to Batang Ai, passing paddy fields, pepper plantations, farms, roadside kampungs, and tropical jungles. Stop at the small town of Serian to visit the market and later for lunch at Lachau. On arrival at the Batang Ai Dam, board a native boat for the upriver journey to an Iban Longhouse. Long ago, the Ibans were feared for their headhunting activities. Visiting the descendants of the feared warriors in one of the last remaining remote authentic Iban longhouses is quite the cultural experience.

In the evening, enjoy a native dinner prepared by your guide with rounds of ‘tuak’, the host’s homemade rice wine. Stay overnight in the longhouse. The next day, after breakfast, take a walk to visit the native’s farms and an Iban burial ground. Enjoy lunch the traditional way, with food cooked on bamboo or in a stone barbecue pit. Bring your swimwear as there may be opportunities to swim in the river. If there has been no rain in the days prior to your visit, the waters will be clear and refreshingly cool. Later, return to the longhouse to enjoy your surroundings. On the last day of our exploration of Borneo’s interior, we bid farewell to our longhouse hosts. We will then return to the river jetty for your journey back to Kuching. Lunch is at a local cafe on the journey home before the drop off at your city hotel.

Meals: Breakfast (days 4, 5, 6), lunch (days 4, 5, 6), and dinner (days 4 & 5)

Accommodation: 

• Days 4 and 5: Batang Ai Longhouse (basic accommodation)
• Day 6: Imperial Riverbank Hotel, 3 stars or similar

Transfer to Kuching airport for an early morning flight to Miri. After a transfer from Miri airport, we head straight to  UNESCO Niah National Park Caves Complex. This park is host to where the oldest modern human remains in South East Asia were found, making the park one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Yet there is much more to Niah than archaeology. A vast cave swarming with bats and swiftlets; the thriving local economy based on birds-nests and guano; ancient cave paintings, a majestic rainforest crisscrossed with walking trails, and abundant plant and animal life. All this and more make up the geological, historical, and environmental kaleidoscope that is Niah. The total journey will normally take 3-4 hours to complete. We then head to the town of Niah for lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we drive into the city of Miri to check-in and rest before proceeding to a 3-hour evening tour of Miri City, featuring Marina Bay (Seahorse Lighthouse), Canada Hill, the night market (only Thu-Sat), and award-winning Miri City Fan Park. Dinner is at the guest’s own expense during the tour.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Flight: Kuching to Miri (AK 6180 07:35 (KCH) – 08:40 (MYY))

Accommodation: Miri Imperial Palace Hotel, 4 stars or similar

The tour crosses international borders today for a visit to Brunei, a wealthy country with a rich petroleum industry.

We go on a day trip to the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan — home to the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and a 16th-century royal barge replica. Delve into the history of Brunei with a visit to the Brunei National Museum and The Royal Regalia Center.

Before we head for lunch at a local restaurant, we make a photo stop at Kampong Ayer (Water Village). In the afternoon, we return to Miri via a  2-hour overland transfer. Feel free to discover Miri City at your own pace on the remaining day. Dinner free and easy at your own expense. 

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation: Miri Imperial Palace Hotel, 4 stars

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.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on both days

Flight: Miri to Kota Kinabalu  (AK 6072 14:40 (MYY) – 15:30 (BKI)

Accommodation: Tempurung Golden Beach Resort, 1 star or similar

After breakfast, we make a 3-hour journey into Kota Kinabalu, the vibrant capital city of Sabah State. The rest of the day in Kota Kinabalu is free time for you to do your final souvenir shopping or explore at leisure Kota Kinabalu’s waterfront.

The next day, we head inland to discover the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. After breakfast, we take a 2-hour drive to Kinabalu Park, passing villages and paddy fields along the mountainous road. On a clear day, you will be able to see Mount Kinabalu and its surrounding valleys. We make a stop at Nabalu Market to shop for local natives products, homegrown vegetables, and handmade crafts. 

We then proceed to Kinabalu Park for a walk through its botanic garden, Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Crowned for its outstanding universal values and Malaysia’s most important biological sites. After our walk through the park, depart for lunch in a local restaurant near Poring Hot Springs, named after the tall bamboo plant that is abundant in the area. At these natural hot springs, you can soak in Japanese baths, filled with invigorating sulfur water that is believed to have curative powers and medicinal value. After the rejuvenation, trek for 20 minutes to the Canopy Walkway where bridges are suspended 41 meters above the tropical jungle. Return to Kota Kinabalu on an approximately 3-hour journey and we will drop you off at your city hotel. 

On the day of the departure, hotel checkout time is before 12 noon and transfer to the airport is 3 hours before your flight’s departure. The tour ends and you return home!

Meals: Breakfast (days 11, 12, & 13) and lunch on day 12

Accommodation: Dreamtel Hotel, 3 stars or similar