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- Platinum Operator
- Intrepid Travel
- Explorer
- Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
- Group Tour
- Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
- Fully Guided
- An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
- Medium Intensity
- Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
- Guided in English
- Group Size 1 - 16
- Ages 18-35
Highlights
- Get hot and sweaty climbing up Mount Kinabalu then cool off in hot springs
- Try not to indulge in too much ikan panggang (stingray – a local delicacy)
- Bar hop through Kota Kinabalu on a leader-led celebratory adventure
Itinerary
- Introduction
- Day 1 Sandakan
- Day 2 Sandakan
- Day 3 Kinabatangan River
- Day 4 Kinabatangan River
- Day 5 Kundasang
- Day 6 Kiulu Village Trek
- Day 7 Kiulu Village Trek - Kinarut
- Day 8 Kinarut
- Day 9 Kota Kinabalu
- Day 10 Kota Kinabalu
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Meals
- Additional Services
- Transport
- Free eSIMTourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Optional
- Additional Services
Customer Photos
Operated by
Intrepid Travel
Number of tours
1,534
Age Range
5 to 99 years old
Response time
9 hours
Response rate
84%
Back in 1989, two guys from Melbourne, Australia by the names of Darrell and...
Read moreSustainability Initiatives
Reduce Carbon Emissions
Animal Welfare
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Customer Reviews
- Overall RatingExcellent
- GuideExcellent
- TransportExcellent
- AccommodationExcellent
- FoodExcellent
- VVVerena· September 13th, 2024Automatic translation available in English. View in EnglishThere were basically only 7 real travel days, for two 18 year olds the other travel companions were quite old. Sometimes food was included in the accommodation and sometimes not included the next day, even though we were still in the same accommodation. The visit to the village was great and the elephantsShow more
Intrepid Travel commented on this reviewHi Verena, thank you for your review. We are surprised there were not more people who were similar in age, but there is always someone/some people who will be the youngest. We do hope you managed to connect with some of the other travellers during your... Show moreTrip date: September 2024 - ARachel B· September 18th, 2019I have done a number of group tours in the past, however this was my first intrepid tour. I did not know what to expect and was incredibly impressed by all aspects of the tour. Our local guide Hasif, is truely passionate and enthusiastic about his role because of this I felt I was given the best experience possibleShow moreTrip date: February 2019
- APiper B· September 18th, 2019Well managed, a fantastic guide (thanks Hasif!!) and a great way to get around Borneo without feeling too much like a loud, intrusive touristShow moreTrip date: February 2019
- AMichael M· September 18th, 2019Great itinerary and awesome guide. Hasif shared a lot of his knowledge about Sabah. The mountain climb was stunning.Show moreTrip date: February 2019
- AFlynn D· September 18th, 2019Had great fun on this trip, saw lots of wildlife and met great people! Our tour guide Hasif was a major reason for our excellent experience.Show moreTrip date: February 2019
- AMichael H· September 18th, 2019The trip was very good with many experiences included.Show moreTrip date: February 2019
- AWilliam H· September 18th, 2019Manuiel Gidiun was an excellent guide with exceptional knowledge about the wildlife, culture, history and geography of Sabah and Malaysia. He often went out of his way to make the experience more enjoyable and organised the the trip very well. Sabah in general also lived up to my high expectations. Amazing scenery and wildlife.Show moreTrip date: December 2018
- AMatthew B· September 18th, 2019The trip was made amazing by our leader Manuel, who's passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm for his home country was the highlight of my trip.Show moreTrip date: December 2018
- AGeorgia T· September 18th, 2019Whilst we experienced some itinerary changes and weather concerns, our guide was very good in adapting to the changes well and ensuring our time and money were well spent. Our guide was full of knowledge regarding both the sites we visited and additional questions asked about a very wide range of topics. The tour was well adapted to the age group, although free time could be more carefully allocated as some locations did not have enough activities available to fill the time. Despite this, I would highly recommend the tour and Manuiel. He was exceptional!Show moreTrip date: December 2018
- AKaitlyn F· September 18th, 2019I gave this score because of my excellent trip leader. He was happy, accommodating, and always sought to ensure we were having a great time. What was lacking was the value for money and itinerary. We had a fair bit of free time that could have resulted in the trip being compressed. I’d skip the hot springs entirely as everything was closed on the day we were there, and it was so busy with locals that we could barely enjoy the springs. We were also stared at the entire time so it wasn’t particularly enjoyable.Show moreTrip date: December 2018
Dates & Availability
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- Instant ConfirmationFrom Sunday18 Jan, 2026To Tuesday27 Jan, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $1,600 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Sunday8 Feb, 2026To Tuesday17 Feb, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $1,540 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Sunday22 Feb, 2026To Tuesday3 Mar, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $1,540 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Sunday8 Mar, 2026To Tuesday17 Mar, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $1,540 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Sunday22 Mar, 2026To Tuesday31 Mar, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $1,540 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Sunday5 Apr, 2026To Tuesday14 Apr, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $1,590 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday18 Apr, 2026To Monday27 Apr, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $1,540 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday25 Apr, 2026To Monday4 May, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $1,600 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday2 May, 2026To Monday11 May, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $1,600 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday16 May, 2026To Monday25 May, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $1,600 per personMultiple Room Types
What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- S
Sophia
Asked on February 18th, 2025Does this trip include transfers from the airport or can you assist in organising a transfer please?
Intrepid TravelOperator•Written February 2025This trip does not include transfers to and from the airport but can arrange these at additional cost.
- S
Sophia
Traveler•Written February 2025I have a conference in Thailand between 29 May and 3 June so would need a tour to fit around those dates.
S1 more answer - D
Danièle
Asked on February 9th, 2025What should I do in case of an emergency during the tour?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written February 2025
In case of an emergency, please refer to the Essential Trip Information for contact details of local service providers or reach out to us via the provided emergency contacts.
- J
Judy
Asked on January 26th, 2025How long is the trek each day? is it too much hiking? Do we have to carry our luggage while trekking?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2025
On Day 2, the trekking time will be approximately 3 hours, and on Day 3, it will be around 4 hours. The trek is manageable, but it is a good amount of hiking. Throughout the trip, we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible, and you may not be able to check in immediately upon arrival. In such cases, we can store your luggage, and you'll have the chance to explore the new destination before your room is ready.
- I
Isabelle
Asked on January 26th, 2025What type of transport is available from Kota Kinabalu Airport to the hotel?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2025
We can arrange transfer services for you from Kota Kinabalu Airport to your designated hotel. Kindly reach out to us for detailed arrangements and prices.
- J
Jan
Asked on November 17th, 2024Are there any specific packing recommendations for this tour?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written November 2024
For the Essential Borneo tour, packing light with an emphasis on hiking essentials like sturdy boots, a hat, sunglasses, and a durable backpack is advised.
- M
Magdalena
Asked on November 7th, 2024Is there a group discount available for the Essential Borneo tour?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written November 2024
Group discounts may be available depending on the size of your group. Please contact us directly for more information on applicable discounts.
- S
Sandra
Asked on September 17th, 2024Are there any age restrictions for the Essential Borneo tour?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written September 2024
Yes, typically, this tour has an age limit of 18 to 35 years. However, we do offer other itineraries that cater to a broader age range.
- I
Iris
Asked on June 11th, 2024Can I leave my luggage at the hotel during the tour?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written June 2024
Most hotels, including your joining hotel, offer luggage storage options for your convenience. Feel free to contact us to confirm details for specific requirements.
- V
Vera
Asked on June 9th, 2024How can I prepare for visa requirements for my trip?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written June 2024
It's important to stay updated on the visa requirements for your destination. You can find detailed and relevant information on the Essential Trip Information section on our website.
- K
Kenya
Asked on May 9th, 2024What should I know about airport transfers for my tour?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written May 2024
Airport transfer details are usually confirmed closer to the date of your trip. You can reach out to us via the 'Ask a Question' button for exact pickup times and locations closer to your travel dates.
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Good to Know
Tour ID: 16388