Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Intrepid's 10 Day Borneo Family Holiday Comfort. Pack up the troupe and head into Borneo's lush jungles on a family adventure. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys on a scenic cruise down the Kinabatangan River, or watch intelligent orangutangs on a visit to one of Borneo's best animal sanctuaries. Learn about a bygone era with an eye-opening visit to a Dusun village and wander through vast tea plantations in Ranau. Stop off at the idyllic Dinawan Island and see the colourful fish living beneath its shimmering waters. Everywhere you look, this island...read more is brimming with unforgettable memories.
Itinerary
Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 5pm followed by an included dinner to help you get to know your fellow travellers.
If you arrive early, you can immerse yourself in history of this intriguing city between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea at the Sabah State Museum. You can also visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village, or perhaps explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu, excellent for swimming and snorkelling. (D)
Leaving Kota Kinabalu behind, head for the hills and the unspoilt wilderness of the World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park. Stop off en route at a local home in a Dusun village. The Dusun people are wonderfully welcoming, and here you'll have the chance to learn about their culture as you sample local dishes at a home cooked lunch. If you are lucky, you may get to sample linopot, a tasty snack featuring rice tightly wrapped inside a leaf. Join a guided half day village walk that includes a visit to the local bee farm and see coffee being produced at a local factory. You’ll also meet the women from Everything Pineapple, a business that's known for its delicious pineapple products. This NGO empowers local women to reach new heights socially and financially and has some of the best jam you’ll ever taste. In the afternoon, travel by private bus to Sabah Tea Plantation where you will spend the night in a beautiful cottage nestled among the grounds of a lush tea garden (B/L)
After breakfast, drive to Kinabatangan River in a private vehicle where you will arrive at your jungle lodge, located beside the river, ideal for taking in the lush surrounds. The Kinabatangan River is a protected forest reserve, containing some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo. In the afternoon, board a river cruise, hopefully spotting some of the more exotic local creatures. Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves, but crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutan, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and kingfishers are more easily seen. After this short adventure, return to the lodge to enjoy dinner. (B/D)
Be woken by the the call of a Bornean gibbon, or perhaps a hornbill, before a morning cruise down the river. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, Borneo gibbons, long tail macaques and pig tail macaques and see if you can spot the differences between each species. This afternoon you will make a special visit to our Intrepid Foundation partner, RESPonsible Elephant Conservation Trust (RESPECT) to learn about the important work they are doing and help plant some grass for the Borneo pygmy elephants. In the evening you get your last chance to take as many photos as you can on a final river cruise before the final night in your lovely accommodation right in the heart of the jungle. (B/L/D)
This morning, travel to Sepilok where you will spend the next two nights in a beautiful rainforest resort. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy how you would like. You may choose to take a nature walk in the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre, swim in the resort pool or visit Sandakan, once the capital of British North Borneo (additional cost for transport applies). The Sandakan War Memorial was originally a Japanese Prisoner of War Campy and also marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, of which 2,400 POWs were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo. Of this number, only 6 survived, owing to courageous escapes. (B)
Today is a highlight for many, visiting the region's prized residents at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. In the nursery you can view young orangutans as they learn how to climb on a specially constructed jungle gym. Human contact must be kept to a minimum and it's essential that you follow the instructions of the park, as directed by your leader, at all times. To see more of Borneo’s creatures, next you'll visit the newly opened Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Here rescued Sun Bears that have spent many years being mistreated and locked away in cages are cared for, with hopes of rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy by the pool or perhaps head into town for a spot of shopping. (B)
This morning head to Sandakan Airport for a short flight to Kota Kinabalu. After touching down we will take a private transfer south to the jetty before boarding a boat out to the beautiful Dinawan Island. After checking into your villa tents, you will have time to explore the island, relax or enjoy one of the many activities offered by the resort. (B/D)
After breakfast you and your family will learn more about the Marine Ecosystem on the island with a programme which will give you insight into the importance of the coral to marine biodiversity. First up will be an informative talk about the coral reef ecosystem and the importance of the reef to marine life. Then we swap the indoor classroom to the outdoor classroom a one hour snorkelling trip with a marine biologist. Take a boat out to the nearby house reef to have a closer look at the types of corals, the habitat, signs of damages and healings, observing and identifying marine life with your specialist. A fun way for the entire family to explore this beautiful part of the world. Heading back to shore the afternoon will be free to enjoy at your own pace.
Perhaps soak up the turquoise vistas for another few hours or if you are keen you can take out kayaks (free) for some more fun on the water. (B/L/D)
Hit the water again this morning with a local guide for another snorkelling trip. . Then after lunch, it's time to say goodbye to this piece of paradise and head back to Kota Kinabalu. After checking into the hotel you will have time to relax before the option of a final group dinner to celebrate your incredible Borneo adventure. (B/L)
Your Borneo family adventure comes to an end after breakfast today and you are free to leave anytime. (B)
Trip Inclusions
Watch young orangutans learning to climb for the first time at the Sepilok Sanctuary
Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife on a cruise down the Kinabatangan River
Grab a snorkel or soak up the relaxed beach vibe on glorious Dinawan Island
Experience the hospitality of the Dusun people while enjoying lunch in a rural village
Look over rolling green hills of tea and a view of Mt Kinabalu, with a night at a tea plantation.
4-star Hotel (2 nights)
Cottage (1 night)
Resort (4 nights)
Tented Villa (2 nights)
9 Breakfasts included
4 Lunches included
5 Dinners included
Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Intrepid regularly update their itineraries throughout the year based on feedback and local conditions. Therefore the itinerary you see now may differ from when you booked. Global Journeys will provide you with detailed trip notes at the time of quoting, along with a finalised itinerary and trip notes before your trip departs.
Brochure
Intrepid Asia (2024-25)
Whether you’re feeling history reverberate while walking the Great Wall of China, savouring local flavours in the backstreets of Chiang Mai, exploring the Mekong Delta by boat, conquering the climb to Everest Base Camp, watching the sun rise at the majestic Taj Mahal or set over Cambodia’s Angkor complex, this captivating continent has endless possibilities...more and adventures for all travellers.
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate.
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Intrepid. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Intrepid. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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