7-Day Sabah Tour Packages
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Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Sabah itineraries
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6 Days in Borneo Wildlife, incl. Sandakan and Kinabatangan River
Wildlife viewing defines this six-day adventure with 2 nights in Sandakan, 3 nights at Sukau. The daily schedule alternates sanctuary visits with river safaris, featuring morning and evening activities.
- Day 1
Sandakan Arrival
Plan to land at Sandakan Airport before 2 PM to check in and get oriented. The climate is hot and humid so pack light clothes that dry quickly and bring a reusable water bottle. Get to bed early since wildlife viewing starts at dawn.
- Day 2
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Visit Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary for the 9:30 AM feeding. Get there by 9 AM for the best spots to watch. Wear shoes with good grip since the wooden boardwalks get slippery. Next up is Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre for the 10:30 AM feeding. For better photos stand on the left side of the viewing platform.
- Day 3
Sandakan to Sukau
You have the morning free to organize your gear for the river journey. After lunch take the 2.5-hour boat to Sukau. Bring motion sickness medicine if you need it as the river can get rough. Your first wildlife cruise starts at 4 PM. Wear dark colors and bring binoculars to spot animals.
- Day 4
Kinabatangan River Exploration
Start early at 5:30 AM for the Kelenanap Oxbow Lake cruise. This is the best time to see proboscis monkeys and hornbills. Bring a light jacket since mornings can be cool. In the afternoon you'll learn about Borneo's endangered species at the Orangutan Talk.
- Day 5
Menanggol River Safari
Take an early morning cruise on the Menanggol River where the narrow waterways get you closer to wildlife. Use the free afternoon to rest or walk the lodge's boardwalk looking for macaques and monitor lizards. The evening cruise starts at 4:30 PM. Remember insect repellent for the mosquitoes that come out at dusk.
- Day 6
Return to Sandakan
Book flights after 2 PM to avoid rushing your boat transfer back to Sandakan. The 2.5-hour journey is usually smoother in the morning. If you need to leave earlier you can take a road transfer for an extra fee but you'll miss the river views.
- Day 1
Kota Kinabalu to Kiau Village
Your journey starts at 8 AM with a 2-hour drive through the scenic Crocker Range to Kampung Kiau. Pack light layers since mountain temperatures can change quickly. The village homestay offers authentic local experiences like rice wine making and tree planting. The rooms are basic. Bring a sleeping bag liner for comfort.
- Day 2
Mount Kinabalu National Park & Poring Hot Springs
Start early at Kinabalu Park to avoid crowds and catch the clearest views of Southeast Asia's highest peak. Wear hiking shoes with good grip on the nature trails. The afternoon Canopy Walkway at Poring needs decent fitness levels. It's 41 meters high with several suspension bridges. Finish your day relaxing in the hot springs.
- Day 3
Kinabatangan River
Start with a tea plantation tour before your 3.5-hour drive to Kinabatangan River. Consider motion sickness pills if you need them. The 4 PM river cruise is prime time for wildlife spotting. Bring binoculars and a zoom lens. Wildlife sightings are most common from March to October.
- Day 4
Dawn River Safari & Sandakan
The 6 AM river cruise offers the best wildlife viewing. Wear dark, neutral colors and bring a light jacket for the chilly morning air. After checkout, you'll drive about 2 hours to Sandakan.
- Day 5
Selingan Turtle Island
Take the 10 AM boat for a 1-hour ride to Selingan Island. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes if you plan to snorkel. Turtle viewing happens at night without flash photography. You'll need to stay in your room between 6 PM and 6 AM unless staff call you to see turtles.
- Day 6
Sepilok Orangutan Centre & Departure
Leave at 7 AM for Sepilok. Plan around the 10 AM orangutan feeding for the best viewing. Book flights after 2 PM. Get to the center 30 minutes early to find a good spot.
5 Days in Borneo, incl. Kota Kinabalu and Mt Kinabalu Summit
This 5-day trek focuses on optimal altitude adjustment: arrival, base acclimatization, two-day summit push with mountain hut overnight, and descent. The package includes 4 breakfasts and strategic rests.
- Day 1
Kota Kinabalu Arrival
Land in Kota Kinabalu (KK) and get settled downtown. This is your prep day for checking all your gear. You'll need warm clothing layers, rain gear, and proper hiking boots ready to go. One experienced climber warns: "The mountain is unforgiving if you're not prepared—make sure your boots are well broken in." If you need any last-minute supplies, you can find them at Centre Point or Suria Sabah mall.
- Day 2
Kinabalu Park Base
Take an early morning transfer to Kinabalu National Park. The drive takes about 2.5 hours through rural Sabah. Pick a seat on the right side of the vehicle for the best views of the mountain. Once you arrive at park headquarters (1,564m), take some afternoon walks to help your body adjust to the altitude. Stop by the park office to rent walking poles for $5. You'll definitely want them for the descent later. You can visit Poring Hot Springs if there's time, but save your energy for the climb ahead.
- Day 3
The Big Climb
Start climbing by 8:30 AM after eating well. You'll cover 6km up to Laban Rata rest house (3,272m). Most people take 5-7 hours depending on their fitness level. The first 4km wind through thick rainforest on good steps. A recent climber shares this advice: "Take lots of short breaks and stay hydrated—the humidity is intense until you break through the cloud line around 2,500m."
- Day 4
Summit Day (13,435ft/4,095m)
Wake up at 2 AM for the final push. Put on plenty of layers since temperatures often drop below 10°C (50°F). The last 2.7km to Low's Peak gets steep and rocky. You'll use rope assists in some spots. Plan to reach the summit around 6 AM for sunrise. One climber described it as "Wet, cold and amazing!" Bring gloves and check your headlamp batteries. After summit photos, head back to Laban Rata for breakfast before continuing down to park headquarters. You'll return to KK by late afternoon.
- Day 5
Kota Kinabalu Departure
Give yourself a slow morning. Most people can barely handle stairs after the climb. Try to book an afternoon flight so you can enjoy a relaxed breakfast. Many climbers recommend celebrating at Fish Market restaurant in KK for some excellent fresh seafood.
