Wild Borneo[ Print this itinerary ]

Arrive Kota Kinabalu

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel Shangri-la
• Basis: Breakfast Only

Mt Kinabalu World Heritage Site & Poring Hot Pools

Today you’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven through Dunsun villages and markets over the crocker range on your way to the Education Centre and Mountain Gardens of Mt Kinabalu. This is home to various species of flowering Rhododendrons, carnivorous pitcher plants, orchids, ferns, oak trees and birds. At night temperatures in the park are around 14°C - 25°C, so warm clothing is advised. The hot pools are a complete contrast to the cool environment of Kinabalu Park; with steaming, sulphurous water, channelled into pools and tubs for visitors to relax their aching muscles.

• Accommodation: Mt KK Park Accommodation
• Basis: Full Board

Ascent of Mount Kinabalu

After breakfast you’re transferred to Timpohon Gate to start the 4-6 hour trek up Mt Kinabalu to Laban Rata at 10,700 ft (3,261m) with your local mountain guide.

Look around as you climb for some of the flowers and pitcher plants along the lower parts of the trail and watch as the surrounding flora changes its appearance the higher you go before hitting the alpine plants of the base camp.
Temperatures can be as low as 3°C - 9°C so warm clothing is advised.

• Accommodation: Laban Rata Base Camp / Dorm
• Basis: Full Board

Finish Ascent of Mt Kinabalu, Return to Kota Kinabalu

You start the final ascent at 3am in order to reach the summit for sunrise, as you climb the final few hundred meters, the last of the flora begins to fade and the tops of the clouds come into view, beyond the south china seas.
Please bring a hat, good walking or trekking shoes, windbreaker, towel, torchlight, waterproof gloves, raincoat, water bottle, energy food and personal medical kit including Paracetamol for altitude sickness for this trek.

Return to Park HQ for late lunch before transferring back to Kota Kinabalu.

• Accommodation: Hotel Shangri-La
• Basis: Breakfast, Lunch

Turtle Island

You need to check out of your hotel after breakfast and take your transfer to the airport for your flight to Sandakan. Upon arrival in Sandakan you’re transferred to the jetty to catch the speedboat to Selingan Island. Once you check in, you are free to explore the island, swim and snorkel.

• Accommodation: Turtle Island Park
• Basis: Full Board

Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre

Return to Sandakan by boat. On arrival at Sandakan, transfer to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre for a video show. Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden plank walks to witness the feeding of the orangutans at 1000hrs. Continue to Sandakan jetty for 2½ hours boat journey to the multi awards winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. Late afternoon take a river cruise using electric motor in search of some of the 10 primate species. Sukau is home to Borneo Pygmy Elephants, Orangutans, and Proboscis monkeys.

• Accommodation: Sukau Rainforest Lodge
• Basis: Full Board

Trekking in Rainforest & Boat Safari

You have a river safari in the morning before a short trek of 20 minutes through the rainforest to the Gomantong cave entrance. Your guide will discuss the cave’s fauna with you including the bats, swiftlets and crabs and how they contribute to maintaining a balanced ecosystem while having a significant impact on the local economy. When in season, you can witness the collecting of birds' nests by the local people using bamboo ladders and poles. On one of the evenings you’re able to watch the exodus of bats and the perusing bat-hawks. You return to Sukau RFL for lunch. In the afternoon you can take another cruise looking for the pygmy Elephants or explore the surroundings on the hornbill boardwalk.

• Accommodation: Sukau Rainforest Lodge
• Basis: Full Board

Transfer back to Sandakan for Flight to Kota Kinabalu

After breakfast you return to Sandakan by boat in time for lunch before being transferred to the airport for your afternoon flight back to Kota Kinabalu.

• Accommodation: Hotel Shangri-La
• Basis: Breakfast Only

Day at Leisure in Kota Kinabalu

Today you’re free to explore Kota Kinabalu and do some last minute shopping or maybe you would prefer to take a taxi to one of the beaches nearby. If you would prefer more adventure then maybe a short boat ride out to Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park.

• Accommodation: Hotel Shangri-La
• Basis: Breakfast Only

Transfer to Airport for return flight

Once you’ve checked out of your hotel you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.