Best of Sabah Adventure - 10 Days

Kopivosian! Welcome to Kota Kinabalu! On arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (advisable to arrive after 1200 hrs), you will be transferred to your tour hotel by our airport shuttle. The timing will be based on your flight arrival time. This afternoon is yours to relax and settle in.

Good morning! Enjoy your breakfast before your hotel pick-up to the jetty.

After a quick boat ride from the jetty, you'll arrive at the stunning Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Explore vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life through two snorkeling sessions guided by an experienced Dive Master. After a delicious lunch on one of the islands, you'll have free time to relax on the beach, explore the island, or continue snorkeling on your own. In the late afternoon, you'll return to the mainland and your hotel.

After freshening up at the hotel, your tropical evening on the North Borneo Cruise begins at Sutera Marina Jetty. Get ready to become acquainted with the charms of Kota Kinabalu on a whole new level.

All aboard! Your evening unfolds along the sultry sun-tinged South China Sea, cruising pass the islands and water villages that dot Sabah’s west coast. You are free to wander around the vessel. Panoramic ocean views, warmth of the setting sun and gentle sea breeze grace the upper-deck while a live band serenades the ethnic themed air-conditioned restaurant below with acoustic favorites.

Dinner will be served buffet style. Time to sink your teeth into Sabah’s most sought-after culinary experience.

As the sun sets and the stars come out, Kota Kinabalu’s coastline now comes alive with dazzling city night lights. North Borneo Cruise will glide across the Waterfront as you indulge in the food and the views.

Your rendezvous at sea comes to an end. You will disembark from the cruise at the Sutera Marina Jetty and transfer back to your hotel.

Check out from KK City hotel and depart for Kudat.

Arriving Kudat, cruise on over to the  Northern Tip of Borneo, also known as Tanjung Simpang Mengayau which means 'lingering junction' as it is here that the South China Sea lingers and meets the Sulu Seas flowing from the east. Take a stroll on the lavish expanse of white sand that comes complimentary with a breath-taking view of dramatic rocky outcrops.  The northern most tip of Borneo is graced with wide publicity through popular mass media from the 2003 book entitled KUDAT.

Proceed to the Bavanggazo Village for a longhouse visit. Built entirely using local materials, it is home to the Rungus people community, a sub-tribe of the indigenous Kadazandusun. Observe their very own unique bead work, lifestyle and costumes.

Lunch will be served Rungus syle.

Moving forward to the sweet sticky business of bees at the Borneo HoneyBee Centre. Get a feel of what actually goes down at the honey farm and ofcourse, a taste of raw honey straight from the comb!

Depart to Kinabalu National Park. A 1 ½ hour of scenic drive through picturesque landscapes of mountainous roads that wind along the Crocker range. Along the way stop by Nabalu Market, where the native residents gather to sell local produce such as hand-crafted souvenirs, home-grown vegetables and fruits. Mingle with the locals and don’t forget to capture some good shots of Mount Kinabalu from the viewing platform!

The temperature cools on arrival in Kinabalu Park. Enjoy the breeze as you get to know the blossoms of Borneo along the trails of the Botanical Garden. If the day is clear, you may even spot a majestic view of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain between the New Guinea and Himalaya. Kinabalu Park boasts an estimate of 4,500 species of plants which include 1,500 species of orchids, 77 of which are endemic to Kinabalu. The park also supports a whooping 289 species of birds and 290 different types of butterflies.

Depart to Kinabalu Park HQ. Upon arrival, all necessary registrations and fees will be done by your guide, this includes assigning your mountain guide and applying for ID Tags. You will then be dropped off at the starting point, Timpohon Gate with your mountain guide.

The first half of your hike is a 6km trek up to Panalaban, and depending on your fitness level it may take 4 – 5 hours with rest-stops and toilets along the way. As you ascend in an elevation of 1,300meters, the landscape morphs from a dense tropical rainforest in lowlands to mossy-alpine vegetation in higher elevations. Don’t forget about the fascinating orchids and pitcher plants along the way.

Make it to Panalaban Base Camp (3,272m) and check into your accommodation.  There will be a buffet Dinner at Laban Rata restaurant. Lights out at 8pm, rest well for the ultimate adventure in the morning.

Rise and shine at 0200hrs for supper. Continue the second half of your Mt. Kinabalu climb, don’t forget your head torch. Depending on your speed and If the weather permits, you will be able to witness the crack of dawn from above the clouds.

Descend back to Panalaban Base Camp for breakfast before checking out. Make your way to the base of the mountain, usually taking up to 3-5 hours where upon arrival your driver will be waiting for you at the start of the trail.

Depart for another interesting wonder, the Poring Hot Spring. At approximately 47 kilometers from Kinabalu Park, Poring Hot Spring got its name from the tall bamboo plant that is abundant in that area. At this natural hot spring that is believed to have curative powers, soak your senses in sulfur-rich waters.

Hit the road again, this time to the gateway of wildlife wonders, Sandakan.

Check-in to your accommodation and you are free to enjoy the rest of the day to your liking.

Meet and pick up at your hotel lobby.

Journey to the famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre at the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve.

Upon arrival, your guide will provide a short briefing session before entering the Centre and be brought to watch a short video documentary providing you with information on the rehabilitation of an orphaned Orang Utan.

Enjoy and explore as you get to encounter Bornean-endemic Orang Utans up close as they frolic in their natural habitat.

You will proceed to a boardwalk through the lowland rainforest where you can witness the Orang Utan feeding from a feeding platform.

After enjoying some time with the Orang Utans, you will proceed to Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.

Sun Bear is the smallest bear in the world where their height of adult is around 120cm to 150cm (while standing); weight around 27kg to 65kg. You can easily spot white or yellowish crescent marking on its chests.

Then you will be taken on a 2-hour journey to the Bilit Jetty.

Upon arrival at the jetty, you will take a boat ride to Bilit Rainforest Lodge located at the Bilit Village.

A welcome drink is served upon your arrival at the Bilit Rainforest Lodge as you check-in.

Lunch is served for you to refuel and recharge!

Hop onto a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River in the evening to discover wildlife situated along the river where you will have the chance to see the Proboscis Monkey, rare bird species of Borneo, and maybe even Pygmy Elephants!

Dinner will be ready for you in the evening after your river cruise. 

After dinner, you can go for a complimentary night safari cruise where you can spot nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds, or to have some leisure time to yourself before spending the night at Bilit Rainforest Lodge.

Rise and shine! Opt to either go for an early morning river cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of more Bornean-endemic wildlife or to go for a jungle trek at the Oxbow Lake to encounter an array of bird species.

After a morning of encountering wildlife, it’s time to refuel and recharge with at breakfast. Have so free and easy leisure time to yourself until it’s time for lunch in the afternoon. You can opt to add on a jungle walk (guided tour) at a reasonable fee.

It’s time to head out on another river cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of a variety of wildlife.

After your river cruise, dinner is served in the dining hall. Have some leisure time to yourself and spend the night at Bilit Rainforest Lodge.

A hearty breakfast will be served to kick start the day!

It’s time for some cave exploring. You will be taken on a 30-minute drive to the famous Gomantong Caves!

Explore the Gomantong Caves – home to millions of bats and swiftlets. You may get to witness the birds’ nest harvesting in action!

After your cave exploration, you will be taken to lunch in local restaurant.

After 8 days exploring the wonders of Borneo, we bid safe journeys and bitter-sweet farewell as you fly out to your next destination.

** Choice to extend tour to Diving in Lankayan & Semporna, or enroute to Danum Valley & Tabin Wildllife Reserves for more wildlife encounter. Please consult our tour consultant for your perfect vacation.