Itinerary
- Day 1
Kota Kinabalu
You'll arrive in Kota Kinabalu and check in at your hotel at your own pace. Your Holiday Director will meet you there for a welcome meeting to go over what's ahead. After you settle in, dinner is on your own this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner
Landmarks Kota Kinabalu - Day 2
Kiulu
Head out to the Kiulu countryside to see how village life works. You'll cross a hanging bridge to reach a local village, then walk scenic trails through the area. At Tombung Village, you'll visit a Native Dusun House where you can have refreshments and learn about rubber tapping from the locals. After sharing some local stories and food, lunch happens at a riverside café where you can also jump in the river if you want. By evening you're back in Kota Kinabalu with free time to explore and find dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at riverside café)
Included Activities
- Scenic walk along countryside trails in Kiulu
- Visit Native Dusun House in Tombung Village
- Light refreshment at local host's home
- Experience rubber tapping at the farm
- Share life stories and local delicacies
- Riverside café visit with optional river dip
Landmarks Kiulu Tombung Village - Day 3
Papar
Travel south to Papar and start your day at the local market picking out fresh ingredients. You'll head to a local home for a cooking class where you'll prepare two traditional dishes people eat regularly. Sit down and eat what you've made along with tea. After that, take a short walk around Papar's riverfront and stop by a nearby local temple before heading back to your hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch after cooking class in local home)
Included Activities
- Local market visit in Papar
- Cooking class in local home
- Prepare two traditional local dishes
- Stroll around Papar's riverfront
- Local temple visit
Landmarks Papar - Day 4
Kinabalu National Park
Spend the day in Kinabalu National Park checking out the native Borneo plants and animals that don't exist anywhere else. Join a guided nature trek on one of the park trails with views of Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia's highest peak. You'll stop at Poring Hot Springs for a warm soak (paid locally). There's also an optional 40-meter canopy walk in the Menggaris tree if you want the rush and great views from up there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided nature trek in Kinabalu National Park
- Views of Mount Kinabalu
Optional Activities
- Dip in Poring Hot Springs (payable locally)
- 40-metre canopy walk in Menggaris tree
Landmarks Kinabalu National Park Mount Kinabalu Poring Hot Springs Menggaris tree - Day 5
Sandakan
Drive through the scenic Kundasang highlands heading toward Sandakan. Stop for lunch at a restaurant along the way, then visit Sandakan Memorial Park, which honors Prisoners of War who died during the Sandakan Death Marches in World War II.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Sandakan Memorial Park
Landmarks Kundasang highlands Sandakan Sandakan Memorial Park - Day 6
Lower Kinabatangan River
Morning starts at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre watching orangutans in the tropical lowland forest. From there, head to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to see honey bears. After lunch, you'll transfer to Sandakan jetty and cruise up the Lower Kinabatangan River through mangrove forests. Later at Abai, check into Kinabatangan Abai Jungle Lodge, then cruise out to search for wildlife and watch the sunset with coffee. Night cruising to spot fireflies finishes off the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
- Walk in tropical lowland forest
- Visit Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
- Cruise up Lower Kinabatangan River through mangrove forests
- Afternoon river cruise to search for wildlife
- Sunset viewing with coffee
- Night firefly cruise
Landmarks Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary Sulu Sea - Day 7
Lower Kinabatangan River
Wake to rainforest sounds and take an early cruise to Pitas Lake for wildlife watching. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then walk the 800-meter boardwalk behind the lodge where wild orangutans, silver leaf monkeys, and other animals often come close. Another wildlife cruise rounds out the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning cruise to Pitas Lake
- Wildlife observation
- Explore lodge boardwalk
- Afternoon wildlife cruise
Landmarks Pitas Lake - Day 8
Sukau
The morning is free at the lodge to explore stilted forest paths up to 800 meters long where animals regularly appear nearby. After lunch, boat upriver to Sukau for an overnight stay. You'll search for primates especially orangutans, pygmy elephants, and exotic birds. Check in at your lodge and head out on the water again for evening wildlife viewing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore boardwalk and stilted forest paths
- Wildlife search cruise upriver to Sukau
- Evening wildlife viewing from lodge
Landmarks Sukau - Day 9
Sandakan
Cruise back from Sukau to Sandakan. The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore however you want. Later, gather with the group for a farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner with fellow travelers)
Landmarks Sandakan - Day 10
Sandakan
Your trip comes to an end. Say goodbye to your fellow travelers and depart at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
