Premium Borneo in Depth

Intrepid Travel · 12 days
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
Premium Borneo in Depth
12 Days
From AUD $6565
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


 (20 reviews)

Premium Borneo in Depth

Premium Borneo in Depth

Intrepid Travel · 12 days
4.6
20 Reviews
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Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Unknown

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Through rainforest, jungle, rivers and wetlands, take a 12-day Premium adventure to uncover Borneo’s natural wonders.

Highlights

  • Surround yourself with rich wildlife with two nights at the naturally beautiful and perfectly located Kinabatangan Wetland Resort – your Feature Stay accommodation.
  • Visit endangered orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, meet the Malaysian sun bear and take multiple cruises down the Kinabatangan in search of wildlife.
  • Gain unique insight into the Iban way of life during an Exclusive Experience where you stay in a rustic jungle lodge in the rainforests of Batang Ai, visit a traditional longhouse and chat to the locals about their culture.
  • Get a taste of Borneo’s diverse food scene during Exclusive Experiences, including dinner at a bustling food court popular with locals and a freshly caught seafood dinner after touring the seafood market.
  • Experience Borneo's beautiful natural surroundings with visits to local farms, waterfalls, National Parks, wildlife cruises, and more.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, RESPonsible Elephant Conservation Trust (RESPECT). Donations help them educate and engage local communities on the importance of conserving local habits for Borneo Pygmy Elephants.

Trip Details

Duration

12 days

Transportation

Boat,Plane,Private Mini Van

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Kuching, Malaysia

Finishes

Sandakan, Malaysia

Accommodations

Unknown

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Kuching
Selamat datang! Welcome to Borneo. When you arrive in Kuching, you’ll be collected from the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. You’ll then have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and group members. If you arrive early, you might like to take a stroll along Kuching’s scenic waterfront or visit the Borneo Cultural Museum. After your meeting, your leader will help you get acquainted with the city on a walk to one of Kuching’s food courts popular with the locals, where you can sample some local delights and get an introduction into Malaysian cuisine.

Included Activities:

  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Kuching - Welcome Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Riverside Majestic Hotel Astana Wing or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Batang Ai National Park
This morning, begin your journey to Batang Ai National Park where the remote and lush rainforests are alive with the calls of hornbills and gibbons. The Iban people have called these rainforests home for 400 years, with entire villages living under one roof in longhouses built alongside the river. Hidden away from the modern world, these communities have retained centuries-old traditions. Stop off at the native market in Lachau, where you can pick up locally made goods like woven baskets and traditional Iban clothing. Then, take a longboat down the Delok River to your accommodation for the evening – the serene and secluded Nanga Sumpa Lodge, tucked away on the riverbank. The operator here has had a long-standing relationship with the community, creating jobs and community involvement so the local people can benefit from tourism. He also set up a scholarship fund to boost children's education in the community. Tonight, you'll sit down for a traditional dinner at the lodge.

Included Activities:

  • Batang Ai - Nanga Sumpa Dinner
  • Batang Ai - Lachau Bazaar Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Nanga Sumpa Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Batang Ai National Park
After breakfast surrounded by nature, you’ll take a 2-hour walk through the jungle, passing local farms, orchards and plantations as your leader shares stories from the region and teaches you about foraging for edibles and local medicinal plants. Next, take a longboat up the river to the Enseluai waterfall. Keep your eyes open in case of a rare orangutan sighting! Take some time to relax and go for a swim, then your leader will choose a scenic spot for a picnic using local ingredients. In the afternoon, cruise back to Nanga Sumpa for a walk through the village. After dinner, visit a traditional longhouse and spend time with the Iban people who will teach you about their way of living. Hang out on the common veranda, share some rice wine and gain insight into the local Iban culture.

Included Activities:

  • Batang Ai - Jungle and Plantation Walk
  • Batang Ai - Local Longhouse Visit
  • Batang Ai - Enseluai Waterfall

Accommodation:

  • Nanga Sumpa Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Kuching
Wake up to the songs of birds and after breakfast, take a longboat out of the rainforest and make the journey back to Kuching, stopping off for lunch at a local coffee shop along the way. The name Kuching literally translates to ‘cats’, and the city has fully embraced this moniker. You’ll have free time here, so maybe wander the streets to see the giant cat statues, spray-painted street art and local cat museum. If you’d like to dive deeper into the city’s fabulous food scene, your leader can recommend some spots to eat.

Included Activities:

  • Kuching - Group Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Riverside Majestic Hotel Astana Wing or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Mulu National Park
Say goodbye to Kuching and take a flight to Mulu National Park. This national park is full of rainforests, mountains, caves and karst formations. Your leader will provide insight on how the park’s weird and wonderful geographic features came to be. In the late afternoon, visit Deer Cave and Lang Cave, which are reached by a scenic jungle walk along a 3-km plank path, passing through peat swamp, alluvial flats and limestone outcrops. Watch millions of bats fly out of Deer Cave at sunset and see the large ring-shaped formations they make as they circle the cliff face, before moving out across the rainforest. Return on the same path and head to your accommodation for the evening in secluded forest bungalows, tucked away in the park.

Included Activities:

  • Mulu National Park - Sunset bat experience
  • Mulu National Park - Deer & Lang Caves guided walk

Accommodation:

  • Garden Bungalows, Mulu National Park or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Mulu National Park
Today, join your leader and further explore Mulu National Park. First, head to Wind Cave (named for the cool breeze that flows through it) along the Melinau River. Your leader will share some details on the formation of the cave as you explore the stalagmites and columns. Later, discover the caverns and crags of Clearwater Cave – one of the longest caves in Asia! The rest of the day is free for you to relax and take in the scenery.

Included Activities:

  • Mulu National Park - Wind & Clearwater Caves guided walk
  • Mulu National Park - Picnic Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Garden Bungalows, Mulu National Park or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Kota Kinabalu
Today, you’ll fly to Kota Kinabalu – the bustling capital of the Sabah state. In the late afternoon after you have arrived, head to one of the city’s rooftop bars for a cocktail while watching the sunset over the skyline. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore. The city’s food scene is best experienced like a local, so for dinner tonight, be sure to ask your leader for advice on hidden treasures away from the main tourist trail.

Included Activities:

  • Kota Kinabalu - Sunset Cocktail

Accommodation:

  • Horizon Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Kota Kinabalu
You have a free morning in Kota Kinabalu – maybe go snorkelling in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and search for marine life, or take a tour to the cultural village. If you’d prefer to stay in the city, you can visit the handicraft market on the waterfront or explore Chinatown. Your leader will be on hand to help you plan activities for the day. Later in the afternoon, head to a local vegetable and fish market, learning about and sampling regional snacks along the way. End the tour with dinner at a local restaurant.

Included Activities:

  • Kota Kinabalu - Local Market Tour

Optional Activities:

  • Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul National Marine Park Snorkeling Trip (min 2, excludes transportation) (345 MYR)
  • Kota Kinabalu - Cultural Village Tour (excludes transportation) (130 MYR)
  • Kota Kinabalu - PADI Discover Scuba Diving (min 2, excludes transportation) (485 MYR)
  • Kota Kinabalu - Monsopiad Cultural Heritage Cooking Class (min 2, excludes transportation) (360 MYR)

Accommodation:

  • Horizon Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Kinabatangan River
Take a flight to Sandakan this morning, then visit the Sandakan War Memorial. Here, you’ll learn about the city's past as you stand on the same ground of the former Japanese POW camp. This site also marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches. Next, head to the jetty for a boat ride to the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort – your Feature Stay accommodation. Sitting on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, the resort offers access to local wildlife. Wooden boardwalks cut through the jungle and connect spacious and bright chalets which serve up great views of the surrounding mangrove forests. This afternoon, take a river cruise, where your leader will help you spot some of the local creatures. Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves, but crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutan, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and kingfishers can sometimes be seen. Enjoy dinner at the resort before heading back out for a night-time wildlife walk. Geared up with a headlamp, you’ll set out in search of interesting insects or other animals that pop up after dark.

Included Activities:

  • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting Cruise
  • Kinabatangan River - Evening Wildlife Walk
  • Sandakan - War Memorial

Accommodation:

  • Kinabatangan Wetland Resort (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Kinabatangan River
Take an early morning cruise through the fog as the sun rises, enjoying light refreshments on board while you search for birds and wildlife. Keep an eye out for long tail macaques and pig tail macaques, then return to the resort for breakfast and search the property with your leader for some insects, plants and birds. This afternoon, set off for another river adventure, exploring small tributaries by boat. Later, head out for a night-time cruise and look out for nocturnal animals – you might even see a wide-eyed slow loris hanging from a tree! Have dinner back at the resort, then relax in your comfortable rooms.

Included Activities:

  • Kinabatangan River - Morning wildlife spotting cruise
  • Kinabatangan River - Evening Wildlife Spotting Cruise

Accommodation:

  • Kinabatangan Wetland Resort (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
11
Day 11: Sandakan
Return to Sandakan by boat and visit the orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Watch them as they swing into view on ropes and vines, then check in at the outdoor nursery where young orangutans, born in captivity or orphaned, are cared for. You’ll also visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre – seeing the world’s smallest bears in large forest enclosures as they are rehabilitated after being rescued. This evening, enjoy a final dinner in Borneo with your group and leader.

Included Activities:

  • Sepilok - Sun Bear Conservation Centre
  • Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Sandakan - Farewell Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Sabah Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
12
Day 12: Sandakan
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. If you’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent to arrange additional accommodation. Flights depart most days from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • 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 willdo 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. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

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.
AUD $6,565
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 12 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Through rainforest, jungle, rivers and wetlands, take a 12-day Premium adventure to uncover Borneo’s natural wonders.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 03 Jan 2026

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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
4.5
Noela
Traveled, August 2023

09/18/2023

We recently visited Borneo on the Premium Borneo in Depth. We were immersed in nature and experienced Borneos Natural Wonders and wildlife, whilst expertly guided and informed. NP Guides and leaders always went beyond with knowledge, passion and humour. A wonderful unforgettable experience. Once in a lifetime.

4.5
Heather
Traveled, August 2023

09/26/2023

We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Seeing Orangutans in the wild was a highlight, also lots of Probiscus monkeys and other creatures. The caves at Mulu were spectacular. Be prepared for lots of walking, boating and very hot, humid weather. Nelson was an excellent guide and made the trip interesting and very well organised.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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