From
$1,650
NZ $1,568

Real Borneo

10 days
Start and end in Kota Kinabalu
4.2
14 traveler reviews
From
$1,650
-5%
NZ $1,568
Find this price
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $400 now + easy payments of $92 Learn More

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
Explorer
Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
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
Age range 18 to 35
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

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

Expand All
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1 Kota Kinabalu
  2. Day 2 Kiulu Village Trek
  3. Day 3 Kiulu Village Trek - Kundasang
  4. Day 4 Sepilok
  5. Day 5 Kinabatangan River
  6. Day 6 Kinabatangan River
  7. Day 7 Usukan Cove
  8. Day 8 Usukan Cove
  9. Day 9 Kota Kinabalu
  10. Day 10 Kota Kinabalu
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar 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

1,484

Age Range

5 to 99 years old

Response time

11 hours

Response rate

84%

Back in 1989, two guys from Melbourne, Australia by the names of Darrell and...

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Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.2
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.7
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.4
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.2
  • Food
    Excellent
    4.3
  • 4.5
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • VV
    · September 13th, 2024
    Automatically translated. View in EnglishRate this translation
    Automatic translation available in English. View in English
    There 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 elephants
    Show more
    Intrepid Travel commented on this review
    Hi 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 more
    Trip date: September 2024
  • A
    · September 18th, 2019
    I 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 possible
    Show more
    Trip date: February 2019
  • A
    · September 18th, 2019
    Well managed, a fantastic guide (thanks Hasif!!) and a great way to get around Borneo without feeling too much like a loud, intrusive tourist
    Show more
    Trip date: February 2019
  • A
    · September 18th, 2019
    Great itinerary and awesome guide. Hasif shared a lot of his knowledge about Sabah. The mountain climb was stunning.
    Show more
    Trip date: February 2019
  • A
    · September 18th, 2019
    Had 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 more
    Trip date: February 2019
  • A
    · September 18th, 2019
    The trip was very good with many experiences included.
    Show more
    Trip date: February 2019
  • A
    · September 18th, 2019
    Manuiel 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 more
    Trip date: December 2018
  • A
    · September 18th, 2019
    The 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 more
    Trip date: December 2018
  • A
    · September 18th, 2019
    Whilst 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 more
    Trip date: December 2018
  • A
    · September 18th, 2019
    I 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 more
    Trip date: December 2018

Dates & Availability

10 days
Real Borneo
From Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinabalu

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    • Free eSim with every purchase

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Upcoming departures
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Ends on 24 Jun, 2025
  • From Sunday
    29 Jun, 2025
    To Tuesday
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    17 Aug, 2025
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    31 Aug, 2025
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    14 Sep, 2025
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    23 Sep, 2025
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    From:
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From
$1,650
-5%
NZ $1,568
Find this price
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $400 now + easy payments of $92 Learn More

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
  • S

    Sophia

    Asked on February 18th, 2025

    Does this trip include transfers from the airport or can you assist in organising a transfer please?

    Flights / Transfers
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten February 2025

      This trip does not include transfers to and from the airport but can arrange these at additional cost.

    • S

      Sophia

      TravelerWritten February 2025

      I have a conference in Thailand between 29 May and 3 June so would need a tour to fit around those dates.

    • S
      1 more answer
  • D

    Danièle

    Asked on February 9th, 2025

    What should I do in case of an emergency during the tour?

    Travel Support
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten 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, 2025

    How long is the trek each day? is it too much hiking? Do we have to carry our luggage while trekking?

    Tour Details
    Transport
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten 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, 2025

    What type of transport is available from Kota Kinabalu Airport to the hotel?

    Transport
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten 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, 2024

    Are there any specific packing recommendations for this tour?

    Other
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten 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, 2024

    Is there a group discount available for the Essential Borneo tour?

    Group size
    Price / Availability
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten 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, 2024

    Are there any age restrictions for the Essential Borneo tour?

    Age Range
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten 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, 2024

    Can I leave my luggage at the hotel during the tour?

    Accommodation
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten 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, 2024

    How can I prepare for visa requirements for my trip?

    Visa
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten 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, 2024

    What should I know about airport transfers for my tour?

    Flights / Transfers
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten 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.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Intrepid Travel with your enquiry, they usually respond within 11 hours.

Good to Know

Tour ID: 16388

  • Currency
    RM
    Malaysian Ringgit
    Malaysia
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from New Zealand you will need an adaptor for type G.

    Type G
    Malaysia
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Cholera - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Malaysia. Ideally 10 days before travel.
    • Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 1 month before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before August 16th, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 16th, 2025, a minimum payment of $400 is required to confirm your booking with Intrepid Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Intrepid Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Intrepid Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.