Premium Borneo in Depth
Deal number 28738321
INTREPID
Valid for select departures between 31 July 2026 and 30 June 2027
Malaysia
12-day tour
Earn points on every booking with Travel Associates*
What's Included
- 12 day Intrepid small group tour departing Kuching - Premium.
- Accommodation: Lodge (4 nights), Hotel (5 nights), Resort (2 nights).
- Meals: 11 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches & 7 Dinners.
- Transport: Boat, Plane, Private Mini Van.
- The service of a dedicated Travel Advisor managing your booking.
- Earn & Redeem Points on all travel with our new loyalty program, World360 Rewards*
Included activities:.
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer.
- Kuching - Welcome Dinner.
- Batang Ai - Lachau Bazaar Lunch.
- Batang Ai – Longboat Transfer.
- Batang Ai - Jungle and Plantation Walk.
- Batang Ai - Local Longhouse Visit.
- Batang Ai - Enseluai Waterfall.
- Batang Ai - Waterfall BBQ Lunch.
- Kuching - Group Lunch.
- Mulu National Park - Sunset bat experience.
- Mulu National Park - Deer & Lang Caves guided walk.
- Mulu National Park - Wind & Clearwater Caves guided walk.
- Mulu National Park - Picnic Lunch.
- Kota Kinabalu - Sunset Cocktail.
- Kota Kinabalu - Local Market Tour.
- Kota Kinabalu - Cooking class at local home.
- Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting Cruise.
- Kinabatangan River - Evening Wildlife Walk.
- Sandakan - War Memorial.
- Kinabatangan River - Morning wildlife spotting cruise.
- Kinabatangan River - Evening Wildlife Spotting Cruise.
- Abai village - Tree Planting Experience.
- Sepilok - Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
- Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
- Sandakan - Farewell Dinner.
Itinerary
Day 1 Kuching
Selamat datang! Welcome to Borneo. When you arrive in Kuching, you’ll be collected from the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. You’ll then have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and group members. If you arrive early, you might like to take a stroll along Kuching’s scenic waterfront or visit the Borneo Cultural Museum. After your meeting, get to know your group over a welcome dinner at a local, home-grown restaurant set in the heart of Kuching, where you can sample some authentic Sarawakian food.
Day 2 Batang Ai
This morning, begin your journey to Batang Ai National Park, where the remote and lush rainforests are alive with the calls of hornbills and gibbons. The Iban people have called these rainforests home for 400 years, with entire villages living under one roof in longhouses built along the river. Hidden away from the modern world, these communities have retained centuries-old traditions. Stop off at the native market in Lachau, where you can pick up locally made goods like woven baskets and traditional Iban clothing. Then, take a longboat down the Delok River to your accommodation for the evening – the serene and secluded Nanga Sumpa Lodge, tucked away on the riverbank. The operator here has had a long-standing relationship with the community, creating jobs and local involvement so the residents can benefit from tourism. He also established a scholarship fund to support children’s education in the community. Tonight, you’ll sit down for a traditional dinner at the lodge.
Day 3 Batang Ai
After breakfast surrounded by nature, you’ll take a walk through the jungle, passing local farms, orchards and plantations. Your trip leader will share stories from the region and teach you about foraging for edibles and local medicinal plants. Next, take a longboat up the river to the Enseluai Waterfall. Keep your eyes open in case of a rare orangutan sighting! When you arrive, your local guide will teach you about the raw materials used in traditional cooking, like bamboo and leaves. Then, you’ll take part in cooking up a barbecue lunch with the local community, roasting chicken in bamboo over an open fire. In the afternoon, cruise back to Nanga Sumpa for a walk through the village. After dinner, visit a traditional longhouse and spend time with the Iban people who will teach you about their way of living. Hang out on the common veranda, share some rice wine and gain insight into the local Iban culture.
Day 4 Kuching
Wake up to the songs of birds. After breakfast, take a longboat out of the rainforest and make the journey back to Kuching, stopping off for lunch at a local coffee shop along the way. The name Kuching literally translates to ‘cats’, and the city has fully embraced this moniker. You’ll have free time here, so maybe wander the streets to see the giant cat statues, spray-painted street art and local cat museum. If you’d like to dive deeper into the city’s fabulous food scene, your leader can recommend some spots to eat.
Day 5 Gunung Mulu National Park
Today, say goodbye to Kuching and take a flight to Mulu National Park – a national park is full of rainforests, mountains, caves and karst formations. Your trip leader will provide insight into how the park’s weird and wonderful geographic features came to be. In the late afternoon, visit Deer Cave and Lang Cave, which are reached by a scenic jungle walk along a 3 km (1.8 m) plank path, passing through peat swamp, alluvial flats and limestone outcrops. Watch millions of bats fly out of Deer Cave at sunset and see the large ring-shaped formations they make as they circle the cliff face, before moving out across the rainforest. Return on the same path and head to your accommodation for the evening in secluded forest bungalows, tucked away in the park.
Day 6 Gunung Mulu National Park
Today, join your leader and further explore Mulu National Park. First, head to Wind Cave (named for the cool breeze that flows through it) along the Melinau River. Your leader will share some details on the formation of the cave as you explore the stalagmites and columns. Later, discover the caverns and crags of Clearwater Cave – one of the longest caves in Asia! The rest of the day is free for you to relax and take in the scenery.
Day 7 Kota Kinabalu
Today, you’ll fly to Kota Kinabalu – the bustling capital of the Sabah state. In the late afternoon, head to one of the city’s rooftop bars for a cocktail while watching the sunset over the skyline. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore. The city’s food scene is best experienced like a local, so for dinner tonight, be sure to ask your leader for advice on hidden treasures away from the main tourist trail.
Day 8 Kota Kinabalu
You have a free morning in Kota Kinabalu – maybe go snorkelling in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and search for marine life or take a tour to the cultural village. Regroup midafternoon for a market tour, then head to a local home for a hands-on Bornean cooking class. A local female entrepreneur will guide you in preparing traditional dishes using the best available local vegetables of the day. Enjoy the fruits of your labour, including pinarasakan sada (traditional simmered fish).
Day 9 Kinabatangan River
Take a flight to Sandakan this morning, then visit the Sandakan War Memorial. Here, you’ll learn about the city’s past as you stand on the same ground as the former Japanese POW camp. This site also marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches. Next, head to the jetty for a boat ride to the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort – your Feature Stay accommodation. Sitting on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, the resort offers access to local wildlife. Wooden boardwalks cut through the jungle and connect spacious and bright chalets that serve up great views of the surrounding mangrove forests. This afternoon, take a river cruise, where your leader will help you spot some of the local creatures. Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves, but crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and kingfishers can sometimes be seen. Enjoy dinner at the resort before heading back out for a nighttime wildlife walk. Geared up with a headlamp, you’ll set out in search of interesting insects or other animals that pop up after dark.
Day 10 Kinabatangan River
Take an early-morning cruise through the fog as the sun rises, enjoying light refreshments onboard while you search for birds and wildlife. Keep an eye out for long-tailed macaques and pig-tailed macaques. Return to the resort for breakfast and search the property with your leader for some insects, plants and birds. This afternoon, set off for another river adventure, exploring small tributaries by boat. You’ll also visit Kampung Abai today – a local village where you’ll join local conservationists for a tree-planting activity. Hear about their commitment to managing natural resources and tourism in a fair, ethical and community-based manner. Later, head out for a nighttime cruise and look for nocturnal animals – you might even see a wide-eyed slow loris hanging from a tree! Have dinner back at the resort, then relax in your comfortable rooms.
Day 11 Sandakan
Return to Sandakan by boat and visit the orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Watch them as they swing into view on ropes and vines, then check in at the outdoor nursery where young orangutans, born in captivity or orphaned, are cared for. You’ll also visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre – seeing the world’s smallest bears in large forest enclosures as they are rehabilitated after being rescued. This evening, enjoy a final dinner in Borneo with your group and leader.
Day 12 Sandakan
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. If you’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent to arrange additional accommodation. Flights depart most days from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur.
Selamat datang! Welcome to Borneo. When you arrive in Kuching, you’ll be collected from the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. You’ll then have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and group members. If you arrive early, you might like to take a stroll along Kuching’s scenic waterfront or visit the Borneo Cultural Museum. After your meeting, get to know your group over a welcome dinner at a local, home-grown restaurant set in the heart of Kuching, where you can sample some authentic Sarawakian food.
Day 2 Batang Ai
This morning, begin your journey to Batang Ai National Park, where the remote and lush rainforests are alive with the calls of hornbills and gibbons. The Iban people have called these rainforests home for 400 years, with entire villages living under one roof in longhouses built along the river. Hidden away from the modern world, these communities have retained centuries-old traditions. Stop off at the native market in Lachau, where you can pick up locally made goods like woven baskets and traditional Iban clothing. Then, take a longboat down the Delok River to your accommodation for the evening – the serene and secluded Nanga Sumpa Lodge, tucked away on the riverbank. The operator here has had a long-standing relationship with the community, creating jobs and local involvement so the residents can benefit from tourism. He also established a scholarship fund to support children’s education in the community. Tonight, you’ll sit down for a traditional dinner at the lodge.
Day 3 Batang Ai
After breakfast surrounded by nature, you’ll take a walk through the jungle, passing local farms, orchards and plantations. Your trip leader will share stories from the region and teach you about foraging for edibles and local medicinal plants. Next, take a longboat up the river to the Enseluai Waterfall. Keep your eyes open in case of a rare orangutan sighting! When you arrive, your local guide will teach you about the raw materials used in traditional cooking, like bamboo and leaves. Then, you’ll take part in cooking up a barbecue lunch with the local community, roasting chicken in bamboo over an open fire. In the afternoon, cruise back to Nanga Sumpa for a walk through the village. After dinner, visit a traditional longhouse and spend time with the Iban people who will teach you about their way of living. Hang out on the common veranda, share some rice wine and gain insight into the local Iban culture.
Day 4 Kuching
Wake up to the songs of birds. After breakfast, take a longboat out of the rainforest and make the journey back to Kuching, stopping off for lunch at a local coffee shop along the way. The name Kuching literally translates to ‘cats’, and the city has fully embraced this moniker. You’ll have free time here, so maybe wander the streets to see the giant cat statues, spray-painted street art and local cat museum. If you’d like to dive deeper into the city’s fabulous food scene, your leader can recommend some spots to eat.
Day 5 Gunung Mulu National Park
Today, say goodbye to Kuching and take a flight to Mulu National Park – a national park is full of rainforests, mountains, caves and karst formations. Your trip leader will provide insight into how the park’s weird and wonderful geographic features came to be. In the late afternoon, visit Deer Cave and Lang Cave, which are reached by a scenic jungle walk along a 3 km (1.8 m) plank path, passing through peat swamp, alluvial flats and limestone outcrops. Watch millions of bats fly out of Deer Cave at sunset and see the large ring-shaped formations they make as they circle the cliff face, before moving out across the rainforest. Return on the same path and head to your accommodation for the evening in secluded forest bungalows, tucked away in the park.
Day 6 Gunung Mulu National Park
Today, join your leader and further explore Mulu National Park. First, head to Wind Cave (named for the cool breeze that flows through it) along the Melinau River. Your leader will share some details on the formation of the cave as you explore the stalagmites and columns. Later, discover the caverns and crags of Clearwater Cave – one of the longest caves in Asia! The rest of the day is free for you to relax and take in the scenery.
Day 7 Kota Kinabalu
Today, you’ll fly to Kota Kinabalu – the bustling capital of the Sabah state. In the late afternoon, head to one of the city’s rooftop bars for a cocktail while watching the sunset over the skyline. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore. The city’s food scene is best experienced like a local, so for dinner tonight, be sure to ask your leader for advice on hidden treasures away from the main tourist trail.
Day 8 Kota Kinabalu
You have a free morning in Kota Kinabalu – maybe go snorkelling in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and search for marine life or take a tour to the cultural village. Regroup midafternoon for a market tour, then head to a local home for a hands-on Bornean cooking class. A local female entrepreneur will guide you in preparing traditional dishes using the best available local vegetables of the day. Enjoy the fruits of your labour, including pinarasakan sada (traditional simmered fish).
Day 9 Kinabatangan River
Take a flight to Sandakan this morning, then visit the Sandakan War Memorial. Here, you’ll learn about the city’s past as you stand on the same ground as the former Japanese POW camp. This site also marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches. Next, head to the jetty for a boat ride to the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort – your Feature Stay accommodation. Sitting on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, the resort offers access to local wildlife. Wooden boardwalks cut through the jungle and connect spacious and bright chalets that serve up great views of the surrounding mangrove forests. This afternoon, take a river cruise, where your leader will help you spot some of the local creatures. Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves, but crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and kingfishers can sometimes be seen. Enjoy dinner at the resort before heading back out for a nighttime wildlife walk. Geared up with a headlamp, you’ll set out in search of interesting insects or other animals that pop up after dark.
Day 10 Kinabatangan River
Take an early-morning cruise through the fog as the sun rises, enjoying light refreshments onboard while you search for birds and wildlife. Keep an eye out for long-tailed macaques and pig-tailed macaques. Return to the resort for breakfast and search the property with your leader for some insects, plants and birds. This afternoon, set off for another river adventure, exploring small tributaries by boat. You’ll also visit Kampung Abai today – a local village where you’ll join local conservationists for a tree-planting activity. Hear about their commitment to managing natural resources and tourism in a fair, ethical and community-based manner. Later, head out for a nighttime cruise and look for nocturnal animals – you might even see a wide-eyed slow loris hanging from a tree! Have dinner back at the resort, then relax in your comfortable rooms.
Day 11 Sandakan
Return to Sandakan by boat and visit the orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Watch them as they swing into view on ropes and vines, then check in at the outdoor nursery where young orangutans, born in captivity or orphaned, are cared for. You’ll also visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre – seeing the world’s smallest bears in large forest enclosures as they are rehabilitated after being rescued. This evening, enjoy a final dinner in Borneo with your group and leader.
Day 12 Sandakan
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. If you’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent to arrange additional accommodation. Flights depart most days from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur.
Terms of service
- The following product terms and conditions apply in addition to our Booking Terms and Conditions (available on our website) and terms and conditions of the relevant travel service provider.
- Prices quoted valid for sale until 31 August 2026 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
- All prices are per person (unless otherwise stated), subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied without notice. Accommodation (if included) is based on [twin share] unless otherwise stated.
- Pricing includes Travel Associates non-refundable Purple Ribbon Service Booking and Management fees of $50 per person.
- Advertised price includes bonus nights and/or stated saving (if applicable).
- Additional supplier conditions and travel restrictions may apply.
- Please enquire for further details.
- Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
- Components of the total price including local payments, "resort fees", "national park fees", "trip kitties" and food funds (if applicable) may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel consultant prior to your departure.
- Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
- Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
- Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at the time of publication.
- Additional levies, government charges & other applicable fees, including additional taxes, surcharges and visa fees specific to your departure date or flight routing, may apply and are beyond our control.
- Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
- Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or by BPAY.
- Payments made in store by credit card will incur a surcharge (see Booking Terms and Conditions for further details).
- Prices quoted are based on cheapest available at time of advertising and may be higher depending on date of purchase and date of travel.
- Please enquire for further details.
- Advertised prices are for products booked with Travel Associates retail advisors or franchise offices within Australia.
- Pricing may vary if you are booking with a Travel Associates at Home independent travel advisor or Travel Associates franchise office as they operate as independent businesses and determine their own pricing.
- If you are a member of World360 Rewards, the World360 Rewards Terms will apply in respect of any points that you may earn and/or redeem in connection with this booking.
- Bookings with Travel Associates Member Businesses and Travel Associates at Home Advisors are not eligible for points earn or redemption.
- Other earn exclusions apply (incl service, change/cancellation & merchant fees, gift card purchases and bookings with brand credit).
- Some products are redeemable in store only and min.
- and max.
- point redemption values apply.
- Ask in store or visit https://www.
- travelassociates.
- com/world360-rewards for full details.
Start planning with an expert Travel Associates advisor
Customer Reviews loading...
