15 night Itinerary

Perfect for families - approx £5,000pp (based on July departures)

Talk to me about this itinerary - I have experienced it!

Day 1 - London - Kuala Lumpar

Day 2 - Kuala Lumpa - Sandakan, 30 mins drive to MY Nature Reserve, Sepolok 

Overnight at MY Nature Resort: Chalet - Triple + Half Board. Close to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, this resort has wooden walkways through the jungle and stylish, modern and well-appointed chalets.

Day 3 - ACTIVITIES IN SEPILOK - Visit the Orangutan Sanctuary and Sun Bear Rehabilitation centre and the Educational Rainforest Discovery Centre. 

Day 4 - EXPLORATION OF THE ABAI AREA -Its a 40 minute drive to Sandakan Jetty where you board a boat. Take an hour long cruise up the Sungai Kinabatangan, gliding through the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary to Sukau Rainforest Lodge. David Attenborough has stayed here and filmed a documentary from this very same lodge.

SPECIALIST NATURE GUIDE -  some of the best in the business and will travel with you until the end of your wildlife experience. 

Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge: Villa - Triple. Nestled on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, this comfortable lodge is a great base in which to explore the surrounding rainforest.

Day 5 - EXPLORING THE KINABATANGAN FLOODPLAIN - Today starts with an early morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan to Kelenanap Oxbow Lake, a chance to observe the surrounding forest coming to life. 

Day 6 - Transfer - After breakfast, take the boat back down to Sandakan, with another chance to see wildlife along the journey, which takes approximately 2.5 hours. Upon arrival at Sandakan Jetty, take a visit to the biggest and busiest market here before heading to a local spot for lunch. FLIGHT SANDAKAN - KOTA KINABALU (1 hour)

Transfer -You will be met by your guide at Kota Kinabalu airport and transferred to Hyatt Regency Kinabalu.

DINNER AT PASAR BESAR - After settling into your hotel, head out with your guide later this afternoon to the waterfront market otherwise know as Pasar Besar (Central Market). 

Overnight at Hyatt Regency Kinabalu: Sea View - Triple + Breakfast. Located along the famous waterfront of Kota Kinabalu, this hotel provides great quality accommodation and is a great base for exploring the state's capital city.

Day 7 -RIVER RAFTING -Once you depart the city, the journey takes you along winding roads of rice field valleys with rickety suspension bridges, which traverse the valley. On arrival at the launch point, you will be fitted out with rafting equipment and given a safety briefing before you set out on the river.

Day 8 - KOTA KINABALU TO PUNGITON CAMP  - You will be picked up from Hyatt Regency Kinabalu this morning and transferred to the town of Keningau which is around 2 hours away. It's another 2 hours to Labang village, deeper in the Borneo rainforest, and the last 45 minutes of this journey is by 4x4. Finally, board a traditional longtail boat for the 10 minute ride to Pungiton Camp.Once you're settled in at the camp and have had a tasty local lunch, you can embark on a short walk to discover the unexplored Tinahas Caves. 

Overnight at Pungiton Eco Camp: Stretcher Hammocks - Triple.

In the heart of the Sabahan Jungle, perched high up on the riverbank this basic but comfortable camp is a great base from which to explore the beautiful landscape. You'll sleep on stretcher camp beds with full bedding and mosquito netting, and there is access to western toilets and showers. Simple meals using local ingredients will be freshly prepared for you by your hosts, who will also be keen to show you around. While the accommodation is primitive and not for the faint-hearted this is a fantastic jungle experience that feels truly remote.

Day 9 - PUNGITON CAMP TO ROMOL VILLAGE - Wake up early this morning to the sounds of the local jungle life. Transfer back to Labang Village by boat and from there by 4x4 to Tataluan. This is the starting point for your excursion to Batu Punggul, the 800 foot limestone pinnacle, which rises majestically out of the jungle. Admire it from the river as you approach by boat and then, if you're feeling very adventurous and have a strong head for heights, you can climb up to the top for a magnificent view of the jungle canopy below. 

If that sounds too much, just relax in the pristine jungle surroundings! Lunch is a picnic prepared for you on the riverbank before you return to the starting point and drive on to Romol Village. A warm welcome awaits you here, with the villagers keen to show you around their farm, prepare a Murut feast for you and invite you to visit their Longhouse for rice wine tasting and local dancing.

Overnight at Romol Longhouse: Communal Room - Triple. Romol Longhouse offers basic but comfortable longhouse acccommodation in a communal hall, just like the locals! You'll have access to a western toilet and showers and you'll sleep on mattresses on the floor with full bedding.

Day 10 -ROMOL VILLAGE TO KOTA KINABALU - This morning embark on an excursion to the little-known Kabulongou Waterfall, which will involve some jungle trekking. Spend the morning swimming at the multi-tiered waterfall and enjoy some light refreshments. You'll then return to Romol Village house for a quick lunch and to bid goodbye to your lovely hosts. 

A transfer will take you to Keningau, the conclusion of your adventure in Sapulot Country, you will say goodbye to your guide here. At Keningau, you will be met by your driver for your journey back to Kota Kinabalu and Gaya Island Resort, where you will be for 5 nights. Expect to be back late afternoon/early evening. 

Transfer - AIRPORT - JESSELTON POINT - GAYA ISLAND RESORT -  board your private speedboat to Gaya Island where you will be for 5 nights.

Overnight at Gaya Island Resort: Bayu Villa - Single: Bayu Villa - Twin + Breakfast.  An excellent beach spot on the stunning shores of Pulau Gaya, off Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

DAY 11,12,13,14 - Days at leisure

As well as relaxing on the beach on this beautiful rainforest island, there are plenty of activities on offer. You can learn about local sea turtle and coral conservation by visiting the marine centre or going on a snorkelling expedition in the company of a marine biologist. Exploring the rainforest with the resident naturalist by foot or kayak whilst looking out for the endemic Proboscis Monkeys, variety of hornbills, mouse deer, pangolins and bearded pigs is great fun. If you're a foodie, you can cook up a Sabahan delicacy with the chef – you can even prepare your own catch after a day's fishing. And if pampering yourself is key to a luxurious stay, book a treatment in the spa which is founded on the healing traditions of Sabah's indigenous people.

Day 15 - PRIVATE SPEEDBOAT & PRIVATE TRANSFER. GAYA ISLAND RESORT - JESSELTON POINT - KOTA KINABALU AIRPORT - KUALA LAMPUR - LONDON

Overnight onboard aircraft

Included in example price:

*Specialist Nature Guide

*Private Guide - Exploring the Kinabatangan Floodplain

*Private tour and dinner - Dinner at Pasar Besa

*Shared service - River Rafting

*Private Tour - Pungiton Camp to Romol Village

Also included:

*Any flights specified on the itinerary in the class of travel shown. 

*Accommodation & meals as stated including local tax and service charge.

*Services of experienced English speaking local guides for sightseeing. 

*Transfers as per the itinerary. 

*Services and the assistance of the Experience Travel Group team and representatives in all countries visited. 

*Entrance fees for the sightseeing described in the itinerary. 

*Tips for drivers and guides on pre-arranged excursions as per the itinerary

#Experience Travel Group