Love lush jungle trails, soothing river rides, and super rare wildlife? This is officially the trip for you! Jump on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the very best of Borneo, while checking out orangutans, sun bears, turtles, proboscis monkeys, and even the world’s smallest elephants in just 9 days. All with a refreshing dose of sandy beaches, spectacular stays & comfy flights.
Locations Visited
Kuching, Bako National Park, Semenggoh, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Selingan Island, Sepilok, Kinabatangan River
Countries Visited
Malaysia
Travel Style
For 18 - 35 year olds
Accommodations
8 nights included
Age Requirements
Travel for 18-35 year olds
Day 1
Welcome to Borneo! Our journey through this pristine island begins here in its Malaysian capital. So, drop your bags at our hotel, and exchange hellos with your crew before heading out for the night.
Accommodation
Harbour View Hotel (or similar)
Day 2
Morning jungle explorers, ready for your first full day? Yeah, you are! This morning, we’ll head to the Bako Fishing Village and jump on a cruise to the Bako National Park.
See those funky-looking giant rocks? That’s how you know we’re in Bako - the perfect spot to check out Sarawak’s forests and wildlife! We’ll hit the lush forest trails with a local guide, checking out all the teeming wildlife along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for the rare proboscis monkeys (there are only around 275 here!).
A free evening dawns on us after sunset. And lucky for you, there's plenty more to explore.
Accommodation
Harbour View Hotel (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Cruise along the azure coasts for a 30-min ride to Bako Fishing Village, checking out all the show-stopping sea scenery along the way.
Join an expert for a walk through the rainforest. This is your chance to check out all the wildlife here (some found only in Borneo!) including proboscis monkeys, silvered langurs, bearded pigs and monitor lizards.
Day 3
Kuching
Today’s the day, folks. It’s time to see Orangutans in the wild! So tick that bucket list, and let’s head out to Semenggoh Orangutan Wildlife Centre.
Semenggoh
Kicking off with a short walk through the rainforest, where you’ll hope to see these rescued orangutans jumping across branches, playing with their little ones and even grabbing a banana or two from the feeding centre (who’s gonna say no to a free meal?!). Then, we’ll make our way to the airport and catch a flight to our next stop.
Kota Kinabalu
Back on land, there are only two things left to do - enjoy dinner & catch all the epic waterfront sunset views.
Accommodation
Citadines Waterfront (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
We'll visit the Semenggoh Orangutan Wildlife Centre, where you'll get to meet orphaned & rescued orangutans who were trained by the wardens here to survive in the wild. You'll also get to see the very first feeding of the day!
Zip through the clouds as we head to Kota Kinabalu for some cosy coastal relaxation.
Day 4
Pristine beaches? Check. Crystal clear water? Yep. Free time to explore 'em all? You bet. Coastal relaxation or countryside expeditions (on a bicycle) - it's a DIY day!
Accommodation
Citadines Waterfront (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Day 5
Kota Kinabalu
Look at you, rising & shining even before the sun! With no time to waste, we’ll zip through the skies once again, this time to Sandakan.
Sandakan
We’ll head to the Sandakan Memorial Park for a sombre dose of history & war, before swerving through the sea onto our next stop.
Selingan Turtle Island
It’s time for some well-deserved R&R - on this beautiful island that's a safehaven for green and hawksbill turtles. So, drop your bags off at our resort, and get ready for a very special experience tonight. After dinner, you’ll have the chance to see a turtle laying eggs, and even see baby turtles heading into the sea for the very first time. Awww!
Accommodation
Selingan Island Resort
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Sit back, relax and enjoy your second included flight of the trip!
Pay homage to the Australian and British soldiers who were held as prisoners in the Philippines by the Japanese between 1942 and 1945.
We'll jump on a boat and float over to our next beachy spot of the trip - Turtle Island!
First, we'll join a Park Ranger to explore the sights on this island. And then head to laying site in small group. You'll get to see a mother turtle laying eggs on the beach firsthand, see the tagging process and even witness the egg collecting before it's planted in the hatchery. And to finish it off, you'll even watch the baby turtles being released to the sea for the very first time! You don't wanna miss this one...
Snorkel, sunbathe & soak in the scenery on the oh-so-stunning Turtle Island.
Day 6
Selingan
Goodbye Selingan, you’ve been lovely. But we’ve got so much more to explore!
Sandakan
Kicking off the day, you’ll visit the lantern-lined Puu Jih Shih Buddhist temple. (Hope you're ready to witness some of the best hilltop views of your life!). Then we’ll stop by at a nearby English Tea House where you’ll have time for lunch.
Sepilok
This afternoon, you’ll have the chance to explore the Sepilok Forest and its Rainforest Discovery Centre. (Think classroom vibes, but amidst a tropical jungle). For dinner, we’ll take a stroll around town & grab some local eats.
Accommodation
Sepilok Jungle Resort (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Start your day with a mindful visit to this golden and red temple atop a hill
Day 7
Sepilok
Guess what? This morning, we’re heading out to meet the cutest-ever (also the world’s smallest!) sun bears at a conservation centre. Then we’ll visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to see rescued orangutans at a beautiful rainforest reserve. What’s next? We’ll make our way to catch a boat to our next stop - where you’ll get to see even more wildlife. (Don’t say we don’t spoil you…).
Kinabatangan River:
Drop your bags. Sip some tea. Grab your binocs. Then, come along for a soothing boat ride along the Kinabatangan River. This is your chance to spot some of the rarest wildlife - even the smallest elephants in the world!
Accommodation
Bilit Adventure Lodge
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
A bear? With a crescent shaped patch of fur? That resembles the rising sun? Get ready for cuteness overload as you see sun bears in this conservation centre.
That's right! This time we're visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to see even more rescued orangutans.
Hop onto a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River to discover wildlife situated along the river where there is a chance to see the Proboscis Monkey, rare bird species of Borneo, Hornbills, Gibbons and maybe even Pygmy Elephants!
Day 8
Kinabatangan River
Wake up with coffee & brekkie and join us for an early morning river safari for wildlife watching (think rare monkeys, hornbills, gibbons and pygmy elephants - bathing in the morning sun!). Then, we’ll ditch the boat for a jungle walk before tucking into a delicious lunch. And the final act of the day? Another river cruise! It’s your last one here, so - Keep. Those. Eyes. Peeled.
Accommodation
Bilit Adventure Lodge
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Join the birds and other animals of the river for a cruise up stream in search of wildlife as the bathe in the morning sun along the river
Take a nature jungle walk with a local guide who'll fill you in on all the deets of this wonderful riverine forest.
Another river cruise. Even more wildlife. That's what's on the agenda this afternoon. Grab your binocs!
Day 9
Don’t wanna say it but...our journey through Borneo's luscious forests has come to an end. Grab your final meal of the trip and hop on a transfer back to the airport.
Don’t worry, there are plenty more destinations waiting to be explored, and plenty more memories to be made with your crew.
Meals
Breakfast
Title
You’re gonna be exploring a tropical jungle, so we recommend that you get insect repellent, a torch, a raincoat, good walking shoes, a sun hat, and of course – binocs (a must-have!). For the beach, you should get sandals, swimwear, personal toiletries, and sun cream (preferably sweatproof!). Plus, you’ll need an overnight bag on some nights of this trip. Pro-tip: Extra-light cotton clothes are perfect for Borneo’s weather.
*Temporary changes to standard terms and conditions apply to bookings until further notice: In accordance with travel restrictions imposed by government advisories worldwide, Contiki has temporarily suspended all trips across the globe for trips departing up and until 31 August 2020 (with the exception of those listed here for travellers from the UK and Europe). For further details and terms and conditions, please click here.
Trip Notes:
Please note that airfare to and from your start/end destinations are not included in the cost of your trip.
Call 0808 169 8807 for great deals from the UK to & from all start/end cities for your selected itinerary.
Internal flights as specified on individual trip itineraries are included as part of the trip price.
Travel from the UK often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1 of your itinerary start date.
Terms & Conditions:
