Real Borneo

Intrepid Travel · 10 days
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
Real Borneo
10 Days
From AUD $1595
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


 (11 reviews)

Real Borneo

Real Borneo

Intrepid Travel · 10 days
4.7
11 Reviews
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Duration

10 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Travel across the biodiverse Sabah region, immersing yourself in nature and learning about the island’s indigenous cultures on a 10-day journey through Borneo.

Highlights

  • Get the opportunity to meet our closest redheaded relatives at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and watch these gentle giants as they go about their day.
  • Hike to and from the rural village of Ratau, where you’ll mingle with the locals, take part in a cooking class, learn how to play the Gong and sleep in a traditional bamboo hut.
  • Take not one, not two, but three river cruises on the Kinabatangan River to spot local wildlife – look out for pygmy elephants, crocodiles, flying squirrels and proboscis monkeys among the teeming birdlife.
  • Dive into the clear waters at Dinawan Island and snorkel among colorful fish. If you're lucky, you might even spot a turtle swimming by.
  • Meet the rescued sun bears at the Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sepilok and learn about how this organisation works to rescue, protect, rehabilitate and hopefully reintroduce the sun bears back into the wild after they were mistreated.

Trip Details

Duration

10 days

Transportation

Private vehicle,Boat

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Sandakan, Malaysia

Finishes

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

18 - 39 Year Olds Only

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Sandakan
Selamat! Welcome to Borneo. You’ll kick things off in the coastal city of Sandakan with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive with time to spare, spend the day exploring this city’s culture on the Heritage Trail or visit the Sandakan War Memorial or Agnes Keith House. Sandakan has a great food scene, too, so tonight, maybe grab your new travel companions and eat dinner together at a local restaurant to get better acquainted – your leader will have the best recommendations.

Optional Activities:

  • Sandakan - Sandakan Heritage Trail - Free
  • Sandakan - Agnes Keith House (15 MYR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Sandakan
This morning, you'll visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and meet the world’s cutest redheads. These beautiful creatures will tug on your heartstrings as you watch them going about their daily business (eating bananas and hanging upside down). Swing by the nursery where young orangutans learn to climb on a specially constructed jungle gym and grab a selfie with them in the background if you can! Later, spend some time at the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where staff rescue and take care of the once-mistreated sun bears with the hopes of rehabilitating and reintroducing them into the wild. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Sepilok and Sandakan further. Maybe head to Sepilok’s Rainforest Discovery Centre, Malaysia’s most educational nature park, which features a 620 m long, 28 m high canopy walkway with spectacular views of the giant rainforest trees. At night, you can look out for slow lorises, tarsiers and flying squirrels!

Included Activities:

  • Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Sepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Optional Activities:

  • Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre (30 MYR)
  • Sepilok - Night Walk at Rainforest Discovery Centre (50 MYR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Kinabatangan River
Enjoy a free morning in Sandakan before you make the journey after lunch to tonight’s jungle lodge near the banks of the Kinabatangan River. When you’ve settled into your lodge, you’ll hit the water for a river cruise. Keep an eye out for wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys and maybe even a few pygmy elephants.

Included Activities:

  • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise

Accommodation:

  • Jungle Lodge (dormitory room) (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Kinabatangan River
This morning, wake up to the sounds of the jungle and have some breakfast before setting out for your first of two included river cruises today. Keep your eyes peeled, and you might be lucky enough to spot short and long-tail macaques, a variety of birds, including hornbills and kingfishers, crocodiles or reptiles like snakes and frogs. After a spot of lunch, you’ll hit the water again and continue your search along the river’s waters for wildlife and jungle scenery. Tonight take a night walk with your leader, looking for nocturnal birds, insects and other wildlife that come alive after sunset. You’ll have dinner together at your lodge.

Included Activities:

  • Kinabatangan River - Night Jungle Walk
  • Kinabatangan River - Morning Wildlife Cruise
  • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise

Optional Activities:

  • Kinabatangan River - Ox-Bow Lake Trekking (25 MYR)
  • Kinabatangan River - Rubber Boot Rental (12 MYR)
  • Kinabatangan River - Tree Planting (250 MYR)
  • Kinabatangan River - Batik Painting (65 MYR)
  • Kinabatangan River - Cooking Class (min. 2 participants) (150 MYR)
  • Kinabatangan River - Grass Planting (200 MYR)

Accommodation:

  • Jungle Lodge (dormitory room) (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Kundasang
After breakfast, leave your jungle oasis and embark on the overland journey to Kundasang – a little town that sits in the shadow of Mount Kinabalu. This is a long drive, so have your favourite book or travel games ready. When you arrive in Kundasang and if the weather is right, have your camera ready, capturing the views of Mt Kinabalu. From here, maybe visit the Kundasang War Memorial to learn about the Sandakan Death Marches. Sit in reflection in the solemn memorial gardens or simply take in the serene view of the fields below.

Optional Activities:

  • Kundasang - Kundasang War Memorial (15 MYR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Kiulu Village Trek
This morning you’ll drive to Pukak in Kiulu Valley – a small area in Kiulu named after the bamboo that grows on the riverbanks. This will be the starting point of your trek to Kampung Ratau (Ratau Village), where you’ll spend the night among the locals. After your hike this afternoon, participate in cultural activities – learn how to work with beads, join the group for some traditional fishing, take a cooking class to learn how to prepare the local food (which you’ll enjoy later for dinner) and take a Gong class. In your traditional bamboo hut, you’ll fall asleep to the peaceful sounds of the village and its natural surroundings.

Included Activities:

  • Kiulu - Village Trek (2 days / 1 night)
  • Kiulu - Cultural Activities
  • Kiulu - Cooking Class

Accommodation:

  • Bamboo Hut (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Kiulu Village Trek - Kinarut
This morning, you’ll have breakfast in the village before continuing your trek through rural Kiulu, winding your way towards Lokub. When you arrive, you’ll be treated to a traditional cultural dance and Dusun martial art show over lunch. After, continue by private vehicle to Kinarut, where you'll have some free time to relax when you arrive.

Included Activities:

  • Kiulu - Dusun Martial Art Show
  • Kiulu - Village Trek (2 days / 1 night)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Kinarut
Fuel up on breakfast and embark on a daytrip to Dinawan Island for a day of snorkelling. When you arrive, be welcomed by a refreshing homemade drink before getting ready to head out on your first snorkelling adventure to spot colourful fish and corals. Enjoy a delicious lunch, then continue snorkelling or choose to pick up a paddle and explore the island from a kayak. Relax and enjoy afternoon tea after a day in the sun before travelling back to your accommodation later today. Tonight, why not head out for a group dinner? Your leader can point you in the right direction if you’re looking for restaurant recommendations in Kinarut.

Included Activities:

  • Dinawan Island - Snorkelling Excursion

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Kota Kinabalu
Leave Kinarut this morning and make the drive to Kota Kinabalu. The afternoon's free for you to check out some optional activities – maybe take an interactive and educational visit to Koisaan Cultural Village to see how indigenous ethnic groups of Borneo used to live. Tonight, maybe head out with your new mates and mark the end of your adventure with a group dinner. Your leader will have some great recommendations for where to go on the waterfront. The nightlife here is also worth exploring, so maybe after dinner go bar hopping and soak up the city after dusk.

Optional Activities:

  • Kota Kinabalu - Koisaan Cultural Village (Entrance) (65 MYR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Kota Kinabalu
There are no activities today and your Borneo adventure will come to an end. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.

Optional Activities:

  • Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul National Marine Park Snorkelling Trip (Minimum 2 people) (345 MYR)
  • Kota Kinabalu - PADI Discover Scuba Diving (Minimum 2 people) (485 MYR)
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 $1,595
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 10 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Travel across the biodiverse Sabah region, immersing yourself in nature and learning about the island’s indigenous cultures on a 10-day journey through Borneo.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 08 Feb 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
Claudia
Traveled, April 2024

04/16/2024

If you’re hesitating about this trip, don’t! Every aspect was fantastic and had a bit of everything; plenty of wildlife, some culture, forest and beach.

4.5
Laura
Traveled, April 2024

04/16/2024

Great trip to see the highlights of Malaysian Borneo and experience the diverse culture

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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