SHORTLIST

Classic Borneo

Immerse yourself in natural wonders and abundant wildlife unique to Borneo on this 10-day adventure. Journey through lush rainforests, navigate scenic rivers and explore the traditional villages of this beautiful region. Hang out with orangutans in Sepilok, cruise along the Kinabatangan River, unwind on the shores of Manukan Island and get a taste of vibrant city life in Kota Kinabalu. This restorative deep dive into nature will undoubtedly leave you wanting to return again and again.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

3. Sandakan can be reached via flight from Kuala Lumpur on airlines like Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air and AirAsia.

4. Some governments may have increased travel advice levels in place for parts of Eastern Sabah, including Sandakan and Turtle Island. Check your government’s travel advice before departure. Travel insurance is mandatory and must cover all destinations and activities on the Itinerary. If you are unsure about your level of coverage, please contact your insurer. In addition to the increased security presence in the region, we comply with local regulations, including avoiding night boat travel and using approved routes and vessels. More details can be found in the Safety section of the Essential Trip Information.

Tour details
Tour Provider Intrepid Travel
Price From
$3,442
Number of Days
10
Start Location
Sandakan, Malaysia
End Location
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Age Range
Avg. 30+
Group Size
1 to 12
Tour Style
Premium
Tour Themes
Adventure
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Itinerary Open all
Day 1: Sandakan
Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive before then, feel free to start your Sandakan exploration earlier. This city is celebrated for its seafood so, after your meeting, be sure to ask your leader for tips on where to pick up the freshest catch. Maybe head out to dinner with your group so you can get to know each other.
Day 2: Sandakan
Start the day with a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. 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 to eat the supplementary diet of fruits that laid out for them twice daily. Next, head to 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’ll also explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre, where you can roam the treetop walkways while you learn more about the flora and birdlife of Borneo.Last, but not least, learn about the city's past as you stand on the same ground as the former Japanese Prisoners of War camp at the Sandakan War Memorial. This site also marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, on which 2400 POWs were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo.Return to Sandakan for the evening.
Day 3: Kinabatangan River
Get a sense of Sandakan’s diverse cultural traditions completing a section of the Heritage walk together with your local leader and taste traditional cuisine like roti (flat bread) and teh tarik (hot milk tea). Later, travel to Kinabatangan River in a private transport. Arrive at your jungle lodge beside the river – ideal for taking in your wild surroundings. The Kinabatangan River is a protected forest reserve, containing some of Borneo's highest concentrations of wildlife. In the afternoon, board a river cruise and look out for the more elusive creatures. Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves, but crocodiles, wild orangutans and kingfishers are more easily seen. Tonight, return to the lodge for dinner.
Day 4: Kinabatangan River
Wake up to the calls of Bornean gibbons and hornbills before hopping aboard a morning cruise down the river. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques and pig-tailed macaques – your leader will point out the differences between each species. Enjoy some down time to relax and enjoy your surroundings before another afternoon river wildlife cruise. This final cruise will be your last chance to snap some photos of the animals along the river. Enjoy another night in the heart of the jungle.
Day 5: Kundasang
Before heading to Kundasang this morning, stop at the Gomantong Cave – the most extensive limestone formation in the Lower Kinabatangan region. Home to a thriving community of bats and swiftlets, this cave boasts fascinating biodiversity. In the afternoon, drive to Kundasang Spend the rest of the day getting your bearings.
Day 6: Kampung Kiau
Head west this morning and travel to the rural village of Kampung Kiau. Here, you’ll have the chance to experience a slice of local life by visiting a coffee production house, where you’ll learn about how the beans are cultivated in the region. After, visit Everything Pineapple – a sustainable community-based project that was formed in the aftermath of the 2015 Sabah earthquake to empower local women, socially and economically. Pick up some delicious handmade pineapple jam, chutney or juice. Sit down to a lunch of these dishes in a shady spot shared by the community, then hit the road and drive on to Kota Kinabalu for the night. Perhaps pop into Nabalu Market for a handmade souvenir or a local snack on the way to 'KK'.
Day 7: Manukan Island
Embark on a short boat ride this morning to Manukan Island – one of the larger islands found in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park. A paradise of white sand beaches and clear waters, this island is the perfect place for swimming, snorkelling and walking. You can also sit back and unwind with a cocktail on the beach.
Day 8: Manukan Island
See beneath the surface of Manukan’s waters today on a snorkelling trip with a local guide. Cruise out to the coral reefs where your guide will help you spot brightly coloured marine life. If you’re lucky, you might even bump into a sea turtle while you’re down there! Pull up on the beach for lunch and some time in the sun. After snorkelling, the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Maybe jump straight back in the water or head out for a walk.
Day 9: Kota Kinabalu
Head back to Kota Kinabalu today by boat and minivan. Modern-day 'KK' is a vibrant modern metropolis, having recovered from World War II bombings. You may like to peruse the local handicraft market on the waterfront or wander around Chinatown at Gaya Street. Or you may prefer to check out the Sabah Museum to learn about Sabah’s past and do some last-minute souvenir shopping at the Anjung Kinabalu. Perhaps round your group up for a final dinner tonight to celebrate all you’ve seen and done on your adventure through Borneo.
Day 10: Kota Kinabalu
With no activities planned for today, your adventure will come to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Inclusions
  • Meals: 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners.
  • Transport: Boat, Private mini van.
  • Accommodation: Lodge (2 night), Hotel (5 nights), Resort (2 nights).
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer.
  • Sepilok - Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Visit.
  • Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre Visit.
  • Sepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Visit.
  • Sandakan - War Memorial.
  • Sandakan - Section of the Heritage walk including local tastings.
  • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting Cruise.
  • Kinabatangan - River safari Cruise.
  • Kinabatangan River - Morning wildlife spotting cruise.
  • Kinabatangan River - Second Afternoon Wildlife spotting cruise.
  • Kinabatangan - Visit to Gomantong Cave.
  • Kampung Kiau - Everything Pineapple community project visit & lunch.
  • Manukan Island - Manukan Island Visit.
  • Manukan Island - Boat trip & snorkelling.
Departure dates
All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply
Start End Availability Price NZD
22 Nov 2025 01 Dec 2025 6 $3,443
13 Dec 2025 22 Dec 2025 6 $3,749
20 Dec 2025 29 Dec 2025 4 $4,194
27 Dec 2025 05 Jan 2026 8 $4,170
03 Jan 2026 12 Jan 2026 7 $3,553
17 Jan 2026 26 Jan 2026 6 $3,780
14 Feb 2026 23 Feb 2026 5 $4,491
18 Feb 2026 27 Feb 2026 12 $3,762
21 Feb 2026 02 Mar 2026 5 $4,131
28 Feb 2026 09 Mar 2026 4 $4,703
02 Mar 2026 11 Mar 2026 12 $3,762
04 Mar 2026 13 Mar 2026 6 $4,311
07 Mar 2026 16 Mar 2026 4 $4,046
11 Mar 2026 20 Mar 2026 6 $3,762
14 Mar 2026 23 Mar 2026 3 $4,703
21 Mar 2026 30 Mar 2026 5 $4,046
25 Mar 2026 03 Apr 2026 11 $3,911
28 Mar 2026 06 Apr 2026 7 $3,951
01 Apr 2026 10 Apr 2026 6 $3,911
04 Apr 2026 13 Apr 2026 6 $4,136
06 Apr 2026 15 Apr 2026 4 $4,131
08 Apr 2026 17 Apr 2026 7 $4,316
11 Apr 2026 20 Apr 2026 6 $4,316
13 Apr 2026 22 Apr 2026 10 $4,064
15 Apr 2026 24 Apr 2026 3 $4,437
18 Apr 2026 27 Apr 2026 4 $4,311
20 Apr 2026 29 Apr 2026 8 $4,082
22 Apr 2026 01 May 2026 10 $4,082
25 Apr 2026 04 May 2026 5 $4,284
27 Apr 2026 06 May 2026 9 $3,911
29 Apr 2026 08 May 2026 9 $3,911
02 May 2026 11 May 2026 10 $3,929
06 May 2026 15 May 2026 10 $3,911
09 May 2026 18 May 2026 4 $3,807
13 May 2026 22 May 2026 9 $3,866
16 May 2026 25 May 2026 10 $3,861
20 May 2026 29 May 2026 8 $3,807
23 May 2026 01 Jun 2026 9 $3,780
27 May 2026 05 Jun 2026 12 $3,911
30 May 2026 08 Jun 2026 12 $3,911
03 Jun 2026 12 Jun 2026 6 $3,983
06 Jun 2026 15 Jun 2026 6 $4,221
08 Jun 2026 17 Jun 2026 3 $4,347
10 Jun 2026 19 Jun 2026 6 $4,221
13 Jun 2026 22 Jun 2026 9 $3,929
17 Jun 2026 26 Jun 2026 10 $3,911
20 Jun 2026 29 Jun 2026 11 $4,064
22 Jun 2026 01 Jul 2026 12 $4,064
24 Jun 2026 03 Jul 2026 12 $4,064
27 Jun 2026 06 Jul 2026 12 $4,064
01 Jul 2026 10 Jul 2026 12 $4,064
04 Jul 2026 13 Jul 2026 6 $4,064
08 Jul 2026 17 Jul 2026 12 $4,064
11 Jul 2026 20 Jul 2026 12 $4,064
13 Jul 2026 22 Jul 2026 12 $4,064
15 Jul 2026 24 Jul 2026 11 $4,064
18 Jul 2026 27 Jul 2026 7 $4,401
22 Jul 2026 31 Jul 2026 12 $4,064
25 Jul 2026 03 Aug 2026 8 $4,131
29 Jul 2026 07 Aug 2026 12 $4,064
01 Aug 2026 10 Aug 2026 12 $4,064
05 Aug 2026 14 Aug 2026 12 $4,064
08 Aug 2026 17 Aug 2026 12 $4,064
12 Aug 2026 21 Aug 2026 10 $4,064
15 Aug 2026 24 Aug 2026 12 $4,064
17 Aug 2026 26 Aug 2026 12 $4,064
19 Aug 2026 28 Aug 2026 10 $3,911
22 Aug 2026 31 Aug 2026 8 $3,983
26 Aug 2026 04 Sep 2026 12 $3,911
29 Aug 2026 07 Sep 2026 12 $3,911
02 Sep 2026 11 Sep 2026 10 $3,911
05 Sep 2026 14 Sep 2026 12 $3,911
09 Sep 2026 18 Sep 2026 9 $3,911
12 Sep 2026 21 Sep 2026 12 $3,911
14 Sep 2026 23 Sep 2026 12 $3,911
16 Sep 2026 25 Sep 2026 12 $3,911
19 Sep 2026 28 Sep 2026 9 $3,942
23 Sep 2026 02 Oct 2026 12 $3,911
26 Sep 2026 05 Oct 2026 12 $3,911
30 Sep 2026 09 Oct 2026 12 $3,911
03 Oct 2026 12 Oct 2026 12 $3,911
07 Oct 2026 16 Oct 2026 12 $3,762
10 Oct 2026 19 Oct 2026 12 $3,762
14 Oct 2026 23 Oct 2026 12 $3,762
17 Oct 2026 26 Oct 2026 10 $3,762
19 Oct 2026 28 Oct 2026 12 $3,762
21 Oct 2026 30 Oct 2026 12 $3,762
24 Oct 2026 02 Nov 2026 12 $3,762
31 Oct 2026 09 Nov 2026 12 $3,762
04 Nov 2026 13 Nov 2026 12 $3,762
07 Nov 2026 16 Nov 2026 12 $3,762
14 Nov 2026 23 Nov 2026 12 $3,762
21 Nov 2026 30 Nov 2026 12 $3,762
28 Nov 2026 07 Dec 2026 12 $3,762
12 Dec 2026 21 Dec 2026 12 $3,762
19 Dec 2026 28 Dec 2026 12 $4,180
26 Dec 2026 04 Jan 2027 12 $4,180
30 Dec 2026 08 Jan 2027 12 $4,180
02 Jan 2027 11 Jan 2027 12 $4,390
16 Jan 2027 25 Jan 2027 12 $4,390
06 Feb 2027 15 Feb 2027 12 $4,390
13 Feb 2027 22 Feb 2027 12 $4,390
20 Feb 2027 01 Mar 2027 12 $4,390
27 Feb 2027 08 Mar 2027 12 $4,390
06 Mar 2027 15 Mar 2027 12 $4,390
13 Mar 2027 22 Mar 2027 12 $4,390
20 Mar 2027 29 Mar 2027 12 $4,390
24 Mar 2027 02 Apr 2027 12 $4,560
27 Mar 2027 05 Apr 2027 12 $4,560
31 Mar 2027 09 Apr 2027 12 $4,740
03 Apr 2027 12 Apr 2027 12 $4,740
05 Apr 2027 14 Apr 2027 12 $4,390
07 Apr 2027 16 Apr 2027 10 $4,740
10 Apr 2027 19 Apr 2027 12 $4,740
14 Apr 2027 23 Apr 2027 12 $4,740
17 Apr 2027 26 Apr 2027 12 $4,740
18 Apr 2027 27 Apr 2027 12 $4,740
21 Apr 2027 30 Apr 2027 12 $4,740
24 Apr 2027 03 May 2027 12 $4,740
26 Apr 2027 05 May 2027 12 $4,390
28 Apr 2027 07 May 2027 12 $4,560
01 May 2027 10 May 2027 11 $4,560
05 May 2027 14 May 2027 12 $4,390
08 May 2027 17 May 2027 12 $4,390
12 May 2027 21 May 2027 12 $4,390
15 May 2027 24 May 2027 12 $4,390
19 May 2027 28 May 2027 12 $4,390
22 May 2027 31 May 2027 12 $4,390
26 May 2027 04 Jun 2027 12 $4,390
29 May 2027 07 Jun 2027 12 $4,390
02 Jun 2027 11 Jun 2027 12 $4,560
05 Jun 2027 14 Jun 2027 12 $4,560
09 Jun 2027 18 Jun 2027 12 $4,560
12 Jun 2027 21 Jun 2027 12 $4,560
16 Jun 2027 25 Jun 2027 12 $4,560
19 Jun 2027 28 Jun 2027 12 $4,560
23 Jun 2027 02 Jul 2027 12 $4,560
26 Jun 2027 05 Jul 2027 12 $4,560
30 Jun 2027 09 Jul 2027 12 $4,560
03 Jul 2027 12 Jul 2027 12 $4,560
07 Jul 2027 16 Jul 2027 12 $4,740
10 Jul 2027 19 Jul 2027 12 $4,740
12 Jul 2027 21 Jul 2027 12 $4,390
14 Jul 2027 23 Jul 2027 12 $4,740
17 Jul 2027 26 Jul 2027 12 $4,740
21 Jul 2027 30 Jul 2027 12 $4,740
24 Jul 2027 02 Aug 2027 12 $4,740
28 Jul 2027 06 Aug 2027 12 $4,740
31 Jul 2027 09 Aug 2027 12 $4,740
04 Aug 2027 13 Aug 2027 12 $4,740
07 Aug 2027 16 Aug 2027 12 $4,740
11 Aug 2027 20 Aug 2027 12 $4,740
14 Aug 2027 23 Aug 2027 12 $4,740
15 Aug 2027 24 Aug 2027 12 $4,740
18 Aug 2027 27 Aug 2027 12 $4,740
21 Aug 2027 30 Aug 2027 12 $4,740
25 Aug 2027 03 Sep 2027 12 $4,740
28 Aug 2027 06 Sep 2027 12 $4,560
30 Aug 2027 08 Sep 2027 12 $4,390
01 Sep 2027 10 Sep 2027 12 $4,560
04 Sep 2027 13 Sep 2027 12 $4,560
06 Sep 2027 15 Sep 2027 12 $4,390
08 Sep 2027 17 Sep 2027 12 $4,560
11 Sep 2027 20 Sep 2027 12 $4,560
12 Sep 2027 21 Sep 2027 12 $4,560
15 Sep 2027 24 Sep 2027 12 $4,560
18 Sep 2027 27 Sep 2027 12 $4,560
22 Sep 2027 01 Oct 2027 12 $4,560
25 Sep 2027 04 Oct 2027 10 $4,560
29 Sep 2027 08 Oct 2027 12 $4,560
02 Oct 2027 11 Oct 2027 12 $4,560
06 Oct 2027 15 Oct 2027 12 $4,560
09 Oct 2027 18 Oct 2027 12 $4,390
13 Oct 2027 22 Oct 2027 12 $4,390
16 Oct 2027 25 Oct 2027 12 $4,390
20 Oct 2027 29 Oct 2027 12 $4,390
23 Oct 2027 01 Nov 2027 12 $4,390
30 Oct 2027 08 Nov 2027 12 $4,390
06 Nov 2027 15 Nov 2027 12 $4,390
13 Nov 2027 22 Nov 2027 12 $4,390
20 Nov 2027 29 Nov 2027 12 $4,390
27 Nov 2027 06 Dec 2027 12 $4,390
11 Dec 2027 20 Dec 2027 12 $4,390
18 Dec 2027 27 Dec 2027 12 $4,390
25 Dec 2027 03 Jan 2028 12 $4,390
29 Dec 2027 07 Jan 2028 12 $4,390