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Off The Beaten Track in Borneo

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Off The Beaten Track in Borneo

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An immersive holiday suggestion, ideal for families or couples who want to get away from the everyday without missing any of Borneo’s more well-known highlights.

Explore the tribal traditions of the Murat people, get off-the-beaten-track to discover incredible wildlife, and relax on unspoiled beaches.

Highlights include:

  • Discovering exceptional wildlife and incredible scenery while staying at a rainforest research station deep in Danum Valley
  • Getting away from modern life as you travel to the most remote part of Sabah, homeland to the indigenous Murat people and the remarkable Batu Punggol
  • Boat down the Kinabatangan River keeping watch for pygmy elephants, rare bird species and primates
  • Relaxing away from the crowds (and the wifi) on the unspoiled sandy beaches of the Kudat peninsula

Your holiday will include private transport and guides throughout (including an expert nature guide in Sepilok, Kinabatangan and Danum). Having a private guide will allow you a level of flexibility and spontaneity, and a nature guide will ensure you have the absolute best viewings of the fantastic wildlife. 

As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We can tailor it completely to suit your budget, pace and style. Get in touch to find out how this suggested itinerary could inspire your trip.

 

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK on a flight via Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu.

Day 2 & 3 Kota Kinabalu

On arrival, your guide will meet you for the transfer to your hotel. There will be time to relax and recover from your flight and perhaps explore the local markets.

DAY 4-6 Murat Tribe and Jungle Experience    

On your journey from Kota Kinabalu, by 4-wheel drive and boat, you will travel deep into one of the most remote parts of Sabah state. You’ll travel through the homeland of the Murat people towards Batu Punggul, an 800 ft forest-clad limestone pinnacle that is home to a labyrinth of caves.  On the first day, you’ll explore caves via underground streams and sleep overnight under the stars in a comfortable hammock camp.

Day 2 will take you to explore Batu Punggul itself, spend the night in a longhouse and enjoy an evening of Murut hospitality. On Day 3 you’ll enjoy a morning of light trekking and swimming in multi-levelled waterfalls, before journeying back to your Kota Kinabalu hotel for the evening.

While accommodation is basic for a couple of nights, the experience and hospitality on offer during these three days is fantastic.

DAY 7 & 8 Sepilok and KINABATANGAN

Depart Kota Kinabalu on a short flight to Sandakan. On arrival you’ll transfer to Kabili-Sepilok Forest, renowned for its orchids, ancient trees, and of course, its orangutan community. Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where a highlight is the daily feeding of the orangutans. In the afternoon you’ll begin the river journey along the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary towards your accommodation. En route, you’ll pass mangroves, wetlands and lush rainforests with plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting. The Lodge has boardwalks extending into the jungle interior, offering a great way to explore this fantastic part of the world with ease.

During your stay you can enjoy guided night walks and boating to Pita's oxbow lake, looking out for pygmy elephants on the journey upstream.

DAYS 9 & 10   into the FOREST   DANUM VALLEY

Travel onward to Danum Valley Conservation Area, one of the world’s most complex ecosystems covering more than 400 square kilometres. Here you’ll stay in relatively simple accommodation at the field centre. It's an active research centre, so a stay here is quite different from a typical hotel experience and unique for that reason. You’ll enjoy a great program of trekking, night drives and night walks and one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in Borneo. With your dedicated guide on hand, keep watch for wild orangutan, slow loris, gibbons, red leaf langurs, western tarsiers, Bornean bearded pigs, deers, civet cats, hornbills, flying squirrels and - if you are super lucky - maybe even the elusive clouded leopard.  

DAYS 11-14 RELAXING BEACH      KUDAT

After an early morning transfer and quick flight back to Kota Kinabalu, you’ll head towards the sleepy beaches of Kudat. Relax and rejuvenate here for the next two days, and explore this beautiful part of the region dotted with stilted building and fishing boats.

DAYS 15 RETURN HOME

After breakfast at the resort, transfer to Kota Kinabalu Airport for your flight back to the UK.

Your holiday will include private transport and guides throughout (including an expert nature guide in Kinabatangan). Having a private guide will allow you a level of flexibility and spontaneity, and a nature guide will ensure you have the absolute best viewings of the fantastic wildlife. 

As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We can tailor it completely to suit your budget, pace and style. Get in touch to find out how this suggested itinerary could inspire your trip.

 

As every holiday is unique to you, prices vary. To give you an indication, our holidays typically cost between £4,000 and £6,000 per adult depending on trip length and time of year as well as the hotels and flights involved. We offer child and seasonal discounts. You can read our ultimate guide to holiday costs in Asia for more in-depth information.

To start your journey, talk to one of our friendly consultants today.

Since every traveler is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 to create your personalised vacation itinerary.

Inclusions

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

  • International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
  • Accommodation as described
  • Privately guided tours and transfers
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
  • Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
  • 24-hour in-country backup while away
  • Your dedicated travel expert in the UK 

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

Basic Accommodation

Basic Accommodation, Various Locations in Sapulot

Simple accommodation during a 5 star experience.

Field Centre

Field Centre, Danum Valley Conservation Area

Whilst not a hotel in the conventional sense, this field centre provides an excellent base for exploring this magnificent rainforest.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus, Kudat

A much more intimate affair, compared to other larger resorts, this gorgeous private beach villa sits close to the northern tip of Borneo

Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort

Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, Kinabatangan River

A tranquil off-the-beaten-track, eco-friendly resort - perfect for wildlife spotting and relaxing.

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu

With a great location in downtown Kota Kinabalu, Le Meridien offers a modern and sleek style in a friendly atmosphere.

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the experiences & activities within this holiday as standard...

Danum Valley Trekking

Danum Valley Trekking, Danum Valley Conservation Area

Explore the 130 million year old virgin rainforest of Danum Valley, spot an array of wildlife and absorb the natural surroundings.

Kinabatangan Wildlife Safari

Kinabatangan Wildlife Safari, Kinabatangan River

One of South East Asia's best wildlife viewing locations, a great place to see Orangutans in the wild.

Orang Utan and Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Orang Utan and Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Sepilok

See Orang Utans and Sun Bears close up at Sepilok's rehabilitation and conservation centre.

Pitas Oxbow Lake

Pitas Oxbow Lake, Kinabatangan River

Journey through the Pitas Oxbow Lake and absorb Borneo's natural wealth by boat.

Map showing Hotels & Experiences associated with 'Off The Beaten Track in Borneo '

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More Holiday Suggestions

Beach and Wildlife: The Classic

Beach and Wildlife: The Classic

A two-week exploration of the Borneo ending with pure relaxation on beautiful Gaya Island.

Borneo Encompassed

Borneo Encompassed

An in-depth, expertly guided three-week tour taking in a wide variety of Borneo’s many natural wonders.

In Depth Borneo Adventure

In Depth Borneo Adventure

The ultimate Borneo experience for couples or intrepid families. Incredible wildlife, adventure and a touch of luxury too.

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~
Your next adventure
starts with a conversation
~

Every ETG journey is unique. Tell us your loves, your hates, your holiday ambitions, your hopes and fears, and we’ll share a suitcase so full of inspired holiday ideas you’ll need to sit on it to shut it tight.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Let us inspire you...

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133

ETG - immersive holidays that give back, since 2004.
Don’t just see Asia - feel Asia.

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