Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu

G Adventures · 11 days

Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply

Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
11 Days
From AUD $2774 Was AUD $3699
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Demanding

Rating


(28 reviews)

Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu

Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu

G Adventures · 11 days

Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply

Duration

11 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Budget

Physical Rating

Demanding

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

The natural splendour of Borneo’s Eastern Sabah region and towering peaks of Mt Kinabalu, all on one adventure? Where do I sign up?” Right here, friend.

Includes

Activities

  • Your G for Good Moment: D'Danau Homestay, Kota Belud Your G for Good Moment: Libaran Island Village Walk, Pulau Libaran Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Local Farms and Cooking Demonstration, Tambatuon Village
  • Morning and evening Kinabatangan River safaris
  • Guided oxbow lake visit and wildlife spotting (Kinabatangan)
  • Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre visit
  • Turtle Island stay with turtle hatchery visit
  • Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Visit
  • Mt Kinabalu hike (2 days)
  • Internal flight
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

  • Hotels (3 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share), jungle lodge (3 nts, twin-share), permanent tented camp (1 nt, twin-share), hostel (1 nt, twin-share), hostel (1 nt, multi-share)
  • 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

  • Private vehicle, plane, ferry, walking.

Group Leader

  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Highlights

  • Gather local ingredients and take a cooking demonstration
  • Enjoy a river safari
  • Visit an orangutan rehabilitation centre
  • Watch the sunrise from the summit of Mt Kinabalu
  • Spot wildlife in an oxbow lake
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu

Trip Details

Duration

11 days

Transportation

Private vehicle, plane, ferry, walking.

Guide Language

English

Starts

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Finishes

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Accommodations

Budget

Travel Style

Classic, Budget

Physical Rating

Demanding

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu

Arrive at any time.


Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre
2

Day 2: Kota Kinabalu to Kota Belud

From Kota Kinabalu, travel to Tambatuon village and meet the local community. Walk to a nearby river, exploring the landscape surrounding the village along the way. Visit a local farm and gather fresh ingredients for an included dinner. Learn how to cook some local recipes with the host.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - D’danau’ Homestay is a beautiful homestay located in Kota Belud Sabah, Malaysia. It provides job opportunities for locals offering great experiences to travellers like hiking, water tubing, cooking classes and other activities. The income generated from tourism allows the community to collect fees that are invested in the nature conservation and development of the village. Visitors can also learn about the lives of the Borneo people, and enjoy the cool climate and peaceful atmosphere. D’danau’s mission is to promote their culture and way of life, protect the environment and enhance their livelihood.Activity - Visit a farm and learn of their contrasting techniques while picking fresh vegetables, later used when learning to cook local recipes with the villagers. First visit Kundasang Aquafarm, a community-led farm that uses fish waste instead of chemical fertilizer for a hydroponic system. Then you are off to Onis farm that practices more traditional farming.Accommodation - D'Danau Homestay
3

Day 3: Kota Belud to Sungai Kinabatangan

Travel towards Sandakan and continue to the immersive jungle lodge on Kinabatangan River, Sabah's longest. After settling in, head out on a river cruise to experience the serenity of evening river life (keep your eyes peeled for birds and monkeys and crocodiles, oh my!). Enjoy dinner then opt for a guided night walk through the jungle.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Cruise through the crocodile-infested waters with an expert boatman. While wildlife-spotting can't be guaranteed there's a good chance you will spot some monkeys, birds and the occasional saltwater crocodiles.Accommodation - Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort
4

Day 4: Sungai Kinabatangan

Begin the day with a river safari to witness the morning wildlife activity. After breakfast, visit the nearby Oxbow Lake with a professional guide and seek out proboscis monkeys, macaques, and gibbons. Enjoy another river cruise for a second chance to spot more wildlife (you never know what you may see) before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Jump into a boat and explore the muddy river; keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, birds, and crocodiles.Activity - Enjoy a guided trek along the lake and seek out proboscis monkeys, macaques, and gibbons.Activity - Cruise through the crocodile-infested waters with an expert boatman. While wildlife-spotting can't be guaranteed there's a good chance you will spot some monkeys, birds and the occasional saltwater crocodiles.Accommodation - Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort
5

Day 5: Sungai Kinabatangan/Sepilok

Depart in the morning and travel to Sepilok - a wildlife haven. Enjoy a visit to the orangutan rehabilitation centre and the adjacent sun bear conservation centre.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - The orangutans at the centre were either rescued as orphans or from illegal domestication. Once rehabilitated, they are set free to live in the wild. Watch these creatures being fed or roaming the grounds along with other animals such as macaque monkeys.Activity - Visit the conservation centre and see the world’s smallest bear. Learn more about the sun bears and the conservation efforts being made to protect them.Accommodation - Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort
6

Day 6: Sepilok/Pulau Libaran

Transfer to Sandakan and continue by boat to Libaran Island, also known as Turtle Island because thousands of sea turtles return to nest each year. Take a guided tour of the island's turtle hatchery and learn about the turtle conservation program. Later, visit the local village and experience what life is like on the island. Opt to go snorkelling or kayaking with some free time.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Transport - Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).Activity - Accompany Island rangers to learn more about these amazing creatures and the threats to their existence. Depending on the time of year, observe turtles laying their eggs on the beach, follow the park rangers as they transfer the eggs to the hatchery, or stand on the shore and witness the release of baby turtles to the open sea. Activity - Visit the friendly village of Libaran Island, part of a Planeterra Foundation community development project. View demonstrations by villagers who make flower souvenirs from plastic bottles, master Pandanous weaving, and meticulously knit fishing nets. Also see how local snacks are prepared and enjoy the delicacies.Accommodation - Walai Penyu Resort
7

Day 7: Pulau Libaran/Kota Kinabalu

After breakfast, depart Libaran Island and travel back to the Sandakan jetty. From the jetty, transfer to Sandakan airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.Transport - Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).Accommodation - Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre
8

Day 8: Kota Kinabalu/Mount Kinabalu

Travel to Mt Kinabalu. Opt to hike the nature trails, or enjoy an excursion to Poring hot springs and a canopy walk with some free time.
Travel to the base of Mt Kinabalu, the highest mountain between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea.

In the afternoon, stretch your legs by exploring the trails around the park or check out the visitor centre.

Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Free_time - Opt to enjoy some beautiful nature walks through lowland tropical forest on well marked trails or relax and prepare for the climb ahead.Accommodation - Mt. Kinabalu Park Hostel
9

Day 9: Mount Kinabalu

Head off to conquer Mt Kinabalu. During the first day's climb to Laban Rata, enjoy a packed lunch on the way. The hike can take from 5-7 hrs. Indulge in a buffet-style dinner then rest up for an early start to summit the mountain in the morning.
Set off early to begin the ascent up Mt Kinabalu. It is not an easy walk, but it is incredibly rewarding. Willpower is the main requirement as it's uphill all the way!

Spend the night at Laban Rata in basic mountain huts 3,272m (10,735 ft) above sea level.

Turn in early to prepare for the final climb very early in the morning.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Begin at the Timpohon Gate and head downhill into the rainforest to start, before heading upwards. The well-marked trail is predominantly made up of steep steps that vary considerably in size. The first section of the hike is fairly moderate, but take it easy and save your energy for the more difficult push higher up on the mountain. During the second half of the day's trek experience a change in scenery and terrain. Accommodation for the night is near Laban Rata at 3,272m elevation. Accommodation is basic with only cold water, and blankets are provided. Tomorrow's hike commences very early, so get some rest. Accommodation - Laban Rata Dormitory
10

Day 10: Mount Kinabalu/Kota Kinabalu

Summit Mt Kinabalu (3-5hrs) and arrive in time for sunrise. Return to Laban Rata for a rest and to the park headquarters for lunch. Transfer back to Kota Kinabalu.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Get an early start to make it to the summit for sunrise. This portion of the hike takes about three to four hours. Stop in at the mountain huts before continuing to the park headquarters for lunch. Be prepared—the descent can be tough on the knees and takes approximately five to seven hours.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre
11

Day 11: Kota Kinabalu

Depart at any time.


Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $3699

AUD $2,774
(Tour only)
Offer ends 24 Mar, 2026 Per Person Standard
25% Off

Duration: 11 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Demanding

The natural splendour of Borneo’s Eastern Sabah region and towering peaks of Mt Kinabalu, all on one adventure? Where do I sign up?” Right here, friend.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 26 Apr 2026

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
5.0
Nina C
Traveled, December 2023

12/27/2023

Well organised, tour full of experiences. Local CEOs very knowledgeable.

5.0
Leif M
Traveled, November 2023

12/27/2023

Local guides and many highlights

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990