Borneo – East Sabah Adventure
8 days, Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinabalu
Itinerary
Day 1Kota Kinabalu
Arrive at any time.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel Shangri-La (or similar)
Day 2Kota Kinabalu to Tambatuon
Travel to the luscious and welcoming Mesilou Village tucked in the mountainous highlands. Stop at a local family-run farm to enjoy the views of Mt Kinabalu and see the different types of cold-climate vegetables and fruits. Afterward, meet the villagers and get to know each other over a traditional lunch. In the afternoon, visit two local farms before learning to cook custom recipes with the community. In the evening, enjoy a sumptuous dinner followed by a traditional Sabahan dance performance.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your G for Good Moment: Mesilou Village Stay
Immerse yourself in the culture of Mesilou Atamis Village and settle into their guesthouse, a Planeterra Foundation kampong stay project. Visit the "Farm Village" to learn about locally-owned organic orchards. After lunch, take a short hike to the nearby Mesilou Hill, exploring the landscape surrounding the village. Continue on to visit the aqua farm and Onis farm. Enjoy picking veggies for your cooking activity. This evening enjoy a traditional dinner followed by a cultural performance where you'll be invited to join in the fun.
Your Foodie Moment: Local Farms and Cooking Demonstration
Visit a farm and learn of their contrasting techniques while picking fresh vegetables, later used when learning to cook local recipes with the villagers. First visit Kundasang Aquafarm, a community-led farm that uses fish waste instead of chemical fertilizer for a hydroponic system. Then you are off to Onis farm that practices more traditional farming.
Accommodation
D'Danau Homestay (or similar)
Accommodations at this property are multi-share.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Tambatuon to Sungai Kinabatangan
Travel towards Sandakan and continue to the immersive jungle lodge on Kinabatangan River, Sabah's longest. After settling in, head out on a river cruise to experience the serenity of evening river life (keep your eyes peeled for birds and monkeys and crocodiles, oh my!). Enjoy dinner then opt for a guided night walk through the jungle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Kinabatangan River Evening Cruise
Cruise through the crocodile-infested waters with an expert boatman. While wildlife-spotting can't be guaranteed there's a good chance you will spot some monkeys, birds and the occasional saltwater crocodiles.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Jungle Night Walk
70MYR per personTake a night walk on the trails near the Jungle Lodge and look for the unique creatures that are active at night.
Accommodation
Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Sungai Kinabatangan
Begin the day with a river safari to witness the morning wildlife activity. After breakfast, visit the nearby oxbow lake with a professional guide and seek out proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, and gibbons. Enjoy another river cruise for a second chance to spot more wildlife (you never know what you may see) before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Kinabatangan River Wildlife Cruise
Jump into a boat and explore the muddy river; keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, birds, and crocodiles.
Guided Oxbow Lake Walk and Wildlife Spotting
Enjoy a guided trek along the lake and seek out proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, and gibbons.
Accommodation
Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Sungai Kinabatangan/Sepilok
Depart in the morning and travel to Sepilok - a wildlife haven. Enjoy a visit to the orangutan rehabilitation centre and the adjacent sun bear conservation centre.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Visit
The orangutans at the centre were either rescued as orphans or from illegal domestication. Once rehabilitated, they are set free to live in the wild. Watch these creatures being fed or roaming the grounds along with other animals such as macaque monkeys.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Visit
Visit the conservation centre and see the world’s smallest bear. Learn more about the sun bears and the conservation efforts being made to protect them.
Accommodation
Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Sepilok/Pulau Libaran
Transfer to Sandakan and continue by boat to Libaran Island, also known as Turtle Island because thousands of sea turtles return to nest each year. Take a guided tour of the island's turtle hatchery and learn about the turtle conservation program. Later, visit the local village and experience what life is like on the island. Opt to go snorkelling or kayaking with some free time.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Speedboat
Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
Turtle Experience
Accompany Island rangers to learn more about these amazing creatures and the threats to their existence. Depending on the time of year, observe turtles laying their eggs on the beach, follow the park rangers as they transfer the eggs to the hatchery, or stand on the shore and witness the release of baby turtles to the open sea.
Your G for Good Moment: Libaran Island Village Walk
Visit the friendly village of Libaran Island, part of a Planeterra Foundation community development project. View demonstrations by villagers who make flower souvenirs from plastic bottles, master Pandanous weaving, and meticulously knit fishing nets. Also see how local snacks are prepared and enjoy the delicacies.
Accommodation
Walai Penyu Resort (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Pulau Libaran/Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast, depart Libaran Island and travel back to the Sandakan jetty. From the jetty, transfer to Sandakan airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, enjoy a free afternoon to walk and shop at Jesselton Point, a waterfront district lined with shops and street food. Opt to visit the famous Filipino market.
Speedboat
Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Free Time
Take advantage of your free time to stroll and shop along the waterfront.
Accommodation
Hotel Shangri-La (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Kota Kinabalu
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.