Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
11 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 Kota Belud
From Kota Kinabalu, travel to Tambatuon village and meet the local community. Walk to a nearby river, exploring the landscape surrounding the village along the way. Visit a local farm and gather fresh ingredients for an included dinner. Learn how to cook some local recipes with the host.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your G for Good Moment: D'Danau Homestay
D’danau’ Homestay is a beautiful homestay located in Kota Belud Sabah, Malaysia. It provides job opportunities for locals offering great experiences to travellers like hiking, water tubing, cooking classes and other activities. The income generated from tourism allows the community to collect fees that are invested in the nature conservation and development of the village. Visitors can also learn about the lives of the Borneo people, and enjoy the cool climate and peaceful atmosphere. D’danau’s mission is to promote their culture and way of life, protect the environment and enhance their livelihood.
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 3Kota Belud 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.
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 4 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 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.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Jungle Night Walk
50MYR 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 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.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Speedboat
Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
Accommodation
Hotel Shangri-La (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Kota Kinabalu/Mount Kinabalu
Travel to Mt Kinabalu. Opt to hike the nature trails, or enjoy an excursion to Poring hot springs and a canopy walk with some free time.
Travel to the base of Mt Kinabalu, the highest mountain between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea.
In the afternoon, stretch your legs by exploring the trails around the park or check out the visitor centre.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Opt to enjoy some beautiful nature walks through lowland tropical forest on well marked trails or relax and prepare for the climb ahead.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Poring Hot Springs Visit
15-20MYR per personPoring Hot Springs is near the base of Mt Kinabalu. Known for its healing hot springs, Poring is a perfect spot to relax. Try the canopy walk (5 MYR), trek to some waterfalls, visit a butterfly farm or soak in the hot springs.
Accommodation
Mt. Kinabalu Park Hostel (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 9Mount Kinabalu
Head off to conquer Mt Kinabalu. During the first day's climb to Laban Rata, enjoy a packed lunch on the way. The hike can take from 5-7 hrs. Indulge in a buffet-style dinner then rest up for an early start to summit the mountain in the morning.
Set off early to begin the ascent up Mt Kinabalu. It is not an easy walk, but it is incredibly rewarding. Willpower is the main requirement as it's uphill all the way!
Spend the night at Laban Rata in basic mountain huts 3,272m (10,735 ft) above sea level.
Turn in early to prepare for the final climb very early in the morning.
Mount Kinabalu Hike- Day 1
Begin at the Timpohon Gate and head downhill into the rainforest to start, before heading upwards. The well-marked trail is predominantly made up of steep steps that vary considerably in size.
The first section of the hike is fairly moderate, but take it easy and save your energy for the more difficult push higher up on the mountain. During the second half of the day's trek experience a change in scenery and terrain.
Accommodation for the night is near Laban Rata at 3,272m elevation. Accommodation is basic with only cold water, and blankets are provided. Tomorrow's hike commences very early, so get some rest.
Accommodation
Laban Rata Dormitory (or similar)
Accommodations at this property are multi-share.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10Mount Kinabalu/Kota Kinabalu
Summit Mt Kinabalu (3-5hrs) and arrive in time for sunrise. Return to Laban Rata for a rest and to the park headquarters for lunch. Transfer back to Kota Kinabalu.
Mount Kinabalu Hike- Day 2
Get an early start to make it to the summit for sunrise. This portion of the hike takes about three to four hours.
Stop in at the mountain huts before continuing to the park headquarters for lunch. Be prepared—the descent can be tough on the knees and takes approximately five to seven hours.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel Shangri-La (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 11Kota Kinabalu
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.