Borneo's Orangutans & Rainforest AdventureEscorted Tour, Asia

This wonderful holiday lifts the lid on Sabah, Malaysian Borneo’s verdant jungle paradise, which is watched over by towering Mount Kinabalu and home to the endangered orangutan, proboscis monkey and the delightful sun bear, and fringed by pristine, white-sand beaches. With a host of included tours and experiences and the chance to rest and relax after the tour in an ocean-side spa resort, this is a perfect introduction to a stunning corner of the world.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Spend an unforgettable day at the Rainforest Discovery CentreRe-visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre for an optional night walk in search of nocturnal wildlife

Get to know the unusual-looking proboscis monkey at a local sanctuary

Wildlife cruises on the Kinabatangan River and oxbow lakes and a stay in a jungle lodge

Discover beautiful Kinabalu Park and the therapeutic Poring Hot Springs

Stay at the Sabah Tea PlantationJoin an optional excursion to the Mari Mari Cultural Village and gain insight into the local culture

Journey to former British colonial capital Sandakan

End your trip with four days in a luxurious beach resort

WHAT'S INCLUDED

10 nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two nights on the aircraft

Outbound flight to Sandakan via Kuala Lumpur and returning from Kota Kinabalu via Kuala Lumpur

Fully air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout

Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager (with the exception of the duration of your stay at the Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort)

20 meals, including ten breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Fly to Borneo

Fly overnight to Sandakan in Borneo, via Kuala Lumpur.

Day 2 – Arrival in Sandakan

You’ll arrive in Sandakan, where you’ll meet your local guide and transfer to the Sabah Hotel for a two-night stay. A welcome dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Day 3 – Included visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre & Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and optional night walk back at the Rainforest Discovery Centre

Join your tour manager this morning for an included visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre, where you’ll be met by a sea of scents and colours. Enjoy a guided walk along raised platforms on the rainforest floor, past fragrant orchids and colourful tropical flora, then head up slowly into the canopy where you'll have a bird’s eye view of this wonderful environment. With luck, you may catch a glimpse of the rhinoceros hornbill or perhaps even a swinging orangutan looking for some wild fruit!

The tour will then continue to the remote Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you’ll have the chance to observe the unique proboscis monkey. While walking across the hanging platforms, you'll get to to view the monkeys up close as they feed and play. Look out for the distinctive males, who have pot bellies and large dangling noses, as well as silver leaf monkeys and macaques. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant afterwards. 

This evening, you may wish to join the once-in-a-lifetime optional night walk back at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in search of nocturnal wildlife. With an experienced park ranger and a 'spotter' at the helm, you'll be led through the darkness, seeking out rare species that you wouldn't normally get a chance to see during the day. Keep an eye out for flying squirrels, sleeping kingfishers and slow loris monkeys. 

Day 4 – Included Borneo's Orangutans, Sun Bears & a river cruise

Today an undoubted highlight awaits as you visit the world-renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, dedicated to the protection of the species that is closest to our own. Watch the feeding of the primates and stroll through the forest on the marked trails, before visiting the equally fascinating Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where the smallest of the world’s ursine species live in protected open-air enclosures. You can observe these creatures from one of the viewing platforms before having lunch at a local restaurant. 

You’ll then head further into the jungle for a two-night stay on the bank of the languid Kinabatangan River, at the Borneo Natural Bilit Resort, with its hardwood walkways and its riverside cabins. After arriving, you'll set off on on a two-hour boat river cruise with a guide, spotting wildlife like oranguatans, monkeys and birds as you go. 

Day 5 –  Included jungle cruises from the lodge

Awaken early to the sounds of the jungle, and spend another day discovering its wonders. Cruise to Pitas Oxbow Lake to watch monkeys and pygmy elephants at play, and enjoy a second exciting afternoon cruise followed by a guided tour around the nearby village. The best chances to spot the Pygmy elephants are from March to October in the dry season.

Day 6 – Transfer to Sabah Tea Resort 

Transfer to the Sabah Tea Resort, in Ranau, for a two-night stay amongst pristine nature, surrounded by unspoiled forest and a working tea plantation.

Day 7 – Included visit to Kinabalu National Park & Poring Hot Springs

You’ll have the morning to explore the tea plantation and learn about the product of rainforest tea before journeying to the famous Poring Hot Springs. Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant, before spending an afternoon at the springs, where in addition to the chance to take a dip in the therapeutic waters you can explore the jungle trail of walkways through the rainforest canopy.

Day 8 – Transfer to Kota Kinabalu

Journey deep into the UNESCO-listed Kinabalu National Park this morning, a forested paradise home to several unique species of orchid, 5,000 species of plants, over 300 types of resident and migratory birds, as well as 100 species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Here you’ll enjoy a scenic hike through moderate elevation, of about 3kms, before pausing at the park’s headquarters, with its beautiful Mountain Garden Collection, then continue to the Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at the resort, spent lazing by the pools or on the beach, indulging in a spa treatment or two, enjoying the selection of water sports or a round on the championship golf course (activities payable locally).

Day 9 – Day at leisure or optional Mari Mari Cultural Village excursion

Enjoy a sumptuous day at leisure at the resort, or join the optional Mari Mari Cultural Village excursion. Those who join the optional excursion will get a fascinating glimpse and gain insights into the history, lifestyle and culture of the indigenous Borneo tribes with the help of a local guide. During the excursion, you'll sample traditional food and drink before watching a performance and enjoying an included lunch. Five ethnic tribes call this village home, and live, for the most part, as they did hundreds of years ago.

Day 10 – Day at leisure 

Spend another relaxing day at leisure, with a selection of dining options and the attractions of Kota Kinabalu. 

Day 11 – Day at Leisure

Enjoy a final day at leisure, no doubt reflecting on a wonderful adventure.

Day 12 – Return flight

Transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for your flight to Kuala Lumpur, where you’ll catch your connecting overnight flight to the UK.

Day 13 – Arrive UK

Early morning arrival in the UK

Borneo's Orangutans & Rainforest Adventure is located in Escorted Tour, Asia. Accommodation rating is the operators own rating and may not be the official rating. Hotel details correct at 04/07/2023