11 Day Sabah Adventure

Fully Guided Adventure Small Group

Our Price From 2,096 Per Person

Exclusive Savings 699 Per Person

Check Availability

Trip Length

11 Days

Trip Starts

Kota Kinabalu

Trip Finishes

Sandakan

11 Day Sabah Adventure Itinerary (Intrepid)

Countries Explored: Malaysia

Trip Operator

Intrepid Travel

150 Reviews

Trip Style

Original

Departures

Jul 2025 to Dec 2027

Budget

Affordable

Max. Group Size

Pace

Challenging

Guide Level

Fully Guided

Trip Code

TMSC

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Intrepid's 11 Day Sabah Adventure. Get to know a land of natural beauty and rare wildlife on this Borneo adventure through Sabah. With its collection of unique animals, ancient traditions, tribal villages, rescued orangutans and scenic views, Sabah has something for everyone. You’ll experience it all over 11 days in Borneo – climbing Mt Kinabalu at sunrise, watching sea turtles lay their eggs with an expert local ranger by your side and sharing laughs with your local hosts in a remote village.

Visit conservation sanctuaries, search for local...read more

Itinerary

Selamat datang! Welcome to Borneo, Malaysia. Your adventure begins in Kota Kinabalu with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe immerse yourself in the history of the city at the Sabah State Museum. You can also visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village or explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu – excellent for swimming and snorkelling. Tonight, perhaps head out with your group for a welcome dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations for local food and drinks.

Travel by minivan to a Dusun village that sits in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea – and enjoy a welcome lunch in your homestay with your hosts before visiting a local vegetable farm. Learn about planting and harvesting seasonal produce and then take some of these fresh vegetables home for dinner – a proper farm-to-table experience. Tonight, enjoy a special village cultural performance. (B/L/D)

Start your day by walking to the local vegetable market in Kundasang with your leader. Located in the heart of the community, this market showcases an array of freshly harvested produce, from locally grown vegetables to unique regional seasonal fruits like tarap and rambutan. You'll also find local snacks, wild honey and traditional Borneo crafts. Take the opportunity to chat with vendors to learn about the local produce and how it’s used in traditional Sabah cuisine. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure – perhaps visit Poring Hot Springs to relax in the open-air baths before heading back to your homestay. (B)

Eat a good breakfast this morning and say goodbye to your friends in the village as it’s time to drive to Timpohon Gate to begin your trek up Mt Kinabalu. It’s no small feat – prepare for an uphill trail made of steep steps that vary considerably in size – but along the way you can take in the remarkable variety of plant life, including about 1000 species of orchid and the carnivorous pitcher plant (yes, really). After covering 6 km (approximately 4 to 6 hours), spend the night at a hostel near Laban Rata, located at 3,272m (10,735 ft) above sea level. Rest up for the final ascent (very!) early tomorrow morning. (B/L/D)

Rise at around 2 am this morning to continue your trek – it’s tough, but the sunrise at the summit will be well worth it. At the top, take in the jungles of Borneo in one direction and the South China Sea in the other. After a well-deserved rest and plenty of pictures, return to Laban Rata for breakfast. Then, get started on the descent which can take between 3 - 6 hours. This evening, enjoy your overnight stay at a hostel within Kinabalu National Park. (B/L/D)

Journey by private bus into the steamy rainforest to Bilit – a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River – and then take a short boat ride to the comfortable jungle lodge where you’ll spend the night. Located on the riverbanks, the lodge is a brilliant place to spot wildlife. For even better spotting, head out on a sunset boat ride and look out for macaques, orangutan, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. End your day by searching for nocturnal wildlife like civets, owls and the rare slow loris on a night walk. (B/D)

Embark on another boat safari early this morning – different species come out at different times, so keep your eyes peeled! After breakfast, join the in-house guide for an insightful journey into the historical Kinabatangan community, which thrived long before tourism developed in the area. Explore traditional practices and craftsmanship and actively engage in the crafting of traditional fish traps. This hands-on experience provides a profound understanding of the local culture and heritage, fostering a deeper appreciation for their sustainable way of life. Then, head back on the boat for another river excursion in the afternoon. (B/L/D)

Say goodbye to your jungle lodge after breakfast and hit the road in a private minivan to a guesthouse located near the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Established to help reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or being orphaned, this sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to witness conservation in action. From the viewing platform, watch and photograph the orangutans as they swing into view onto the feeding platform. Observe young orangutans as they learn how to climb a specially constructed jungle gym in a new nursery. To see more of Borneo’s creatures, there’s the option to visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Here, rescued sun bears, many of whom have endured years of mistreatment, are given a second chance at life. Learn about the rehabilitation process and how they are reintroduced back into the wild. You can also opt to visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre, where you can roam the treetop walkways while you learn more about the flora and birdlife of Borneo. (B/L)

This morning, transfer to Sandakan to leave your large bags at the hotel and walk with your overnight bag to a nearby jetty. Travel by speedboat, past small fishing villages and bamboo fish traps, to Turtle Island Marine Park. In the afternoon, there will be some time for swimming, snorkelling or lazing about on the beach. In the evening, you’ll join an expert local ranger and a select group of visitors to watch giant green turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs under the moonlight. Watch the rangers as they release protected hatchlings and guide them in their frantic dash to the ocean. This is a moving experience that will stay with you long after your trip is over! (B/L/D)

After breakfast, return to the mainland and walk back to your hotel. Today is free to explore Sandakan as you wish – perhaps you’ll call into Agnes Keith House, the restored home of an American writer best known for her accounts of life in Borneo during WW1. Or you could visit the Sandakan War Memorial, built on the site of a Japanese Prisoners of War camp. Learn about the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, when 2400 prisoners of war were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo and only six survived. Another great option is St Michaels & All Angels Church, a rare stone building in Sabah that managed to avoid major damage in the war. (B)

Your adventure ends today after breakfast. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Borneo - just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. (B)

Trip Inclusions

Climb Mt Kinabalu – the literal pinnacle of all treks in South East Asia – with local guides whose families have trekked the mountain for generations. Watch the sunrise at the peak after a morning hike and spot diverse flora and fauna along the way.
Spend time getting to know the unique wildlife of Borneo at conservation sanctuaries for orangutans and sun bears.
Join a local ranger to witness the life cycle of sea turtles, who come ashore on Turtle Island to lay their eggs on the beach. At night, you’ll watch the hatchlings make a dash down the beach on their way to their new life.
Cruise down the Kinabatangan River and search for wildlife in this rich and unique jungle ecosystem – if you’re lucky, you may see wild pygmy elephants!
Spend two nights in a Dusun village in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea. Spend time with your friendly hosts, explore a local vegetable farm and watch a cultural performance.

Chalet (1 night)
Resort (1 nights)
Homestay (2 night)
Hostel (2 nights)
Hotel (2 nights)
Jungle Lodge (2 nights)

10 Breakfasts included
6 Lunches included
6 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

Download Brochure

Availability USD

Flexible Deposit

Cancel up to 56 days before departure and your deposit becomes a credit for future travel.

Guaranteed Departures

Your Intrepid trip is guaranteed to depart as soon as one full paying traveler is booked!

Saturday 12 Jul 2025

Tuesday 22 Jul 2025

Status

From: $2,860 $2,431

Save $429 Inquire

Saturday 19 Jul 2025

Tuesday 29 Jul 2025

Status

From: $3,075 $3,013

Save $62 Inquire

Thursday 24 Jul 2025

Sunday 03 Aug 2025

Status

From: $2,795 $2,376

Save $419 Inquire

Saturday 26 Jul 2025

Tuesday 05 Aug 2025

Status

From: $3,185 $3,121

Save $64 Inquire

Saturday 02 Aug 2025

Tuesday 12 Aug 2025

Status

From: $2,850 $2,514

Save $336 Inquire

Saturday 16 Aug 2025

Tuesday 26 Aug 2025

Status

From: $2,850 $2,793

Save $57 Inquire

Thursday 21 Aug 2025

Sunday 31 Aug 2025

Status

From: $2,795 $2,096

Save $699 Inquire

Saturday 23 Aug 2025

Tuesday 02 Sep 2025

Status

From: $2,820 $2,397

Save $423 Inquire

Saturday 30 Aug 2025

Tuesday 09 Sep 2025

Status

From: $2,795 $2,739

Save $56 Inquire

Saturday 06 Sep 2025

Tuesday 16 Sep 2025

Status

From: $2,695 $2,641

Save $54 Inquire

Saturday 13 Sep 2025

Tuesday 23 Sep 2025

Status

From: $2,780

Sold Out

Saturday 20 Sep 2025

Tuesday 30 Sep 2025

Status

From: $2,885 $2,827

Save $58 Inquire

Saturday 27 Sep 2025

Tuesday 07 Oct 2025

Status

From: $2,590 $2,538

Save $52 Inquire

Saturday 04 Oct 2025

Tuesday 14 Oct 2025

Status

From: $2,590 $2,538

Save $52 Inquire

Saturday 18 Oct 2025

Tuesday 28 Oct 2025

Status

From: $2,695 $2,641

Save $54 Inquire

Saturday 25 Oct 2025

Tuesday 04 Nov 2025

Status

From: $2,590 $2,538

Save $52 Inquire

Saturday 08 Nov 2025

Tuesday 18 Nov 2025

Status

From: $2,665 $2,612

Save $53 Inquire

Saturday 15 Nov 2025

Tuesday 25 Nov 2025

Status

From: $2,460

Inquire

Saturday 22 Nov 2025

Tuesday 02 Dec 2025

Status

From: $2,590 $2,538

Save $52 Inquire

Saturday 20 Dec 2025

Tuesday 30 Dec 2025

Status

From: $2,590 $2,538

Save $52 Inquire

Show more dates...

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.

Sabah Adventure

Overview

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu

Day 2: Dusun Village

Day 3: Dusun Village

Day 4: Kinabalu National Park

Day 5: Kinabalu National Park

Day 6: Kinabatangan River

Day 7: Kinabatangan River

Day 8: Sepilok

Day 9: Turtle Island

Day 10: Sandakan

Day 11: Sandakan

Trip Inclusions Expand All

Sightseeing Highlights

Accommodation

Included Meals

Trip Notes

Brochure

Intrepid Asia (2024-25)

Availability USD Twin Share (Per Person)Solo Share (Per Person)Solo (Own Room)

Flexible Deposit

Guaranteed Departures

Similar Tours

Itinerary

Trip Inclusions

Availability USD