Many off-the-beaten-track twists and adventures are included to make it an extra special experience from which you’ll come home with a great sense of achievement and memories to last a lifetime.
In total, the adventure covers almost 4 weeks, but as with all of our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point.
Depart your home country on your flight to Kuching.
You’ll be met on arrival by your driver for the short road transfer to your hotel. There will be plenty of time to relax, swim and recover from the flight.
During your stay in Kuching, your guide will take you on a walking or cycle tour of the city so that you can learn a little about local history and try some of the fantastic regional food. The tour will be designed around your interests and could include the Mughal-style pink State Mosque and a cruise along the Sarawak River as the sunsets.
Your first wildlife adventure will take you to Bako – an unspoiled national park only a short drive from the city. Here you’ll explore pristine rainforest via waterfalls and beaches, looking out for rare birds and mammals, unusual plants and bizarre rock formations. If you are lucky, you might even spot the proboscis monkeys gathering on the sand.
A short morning flight takes you directly from Kuching to Mulu, where you’ll stay two nights. On arrival, there are various activities you can get stuck straight into; these include visiting the treetop tower for views across the national park, a stroll along the boardwalk to see waterfalls or a short heritage trail.
After lunch, your guide will escort you on a 3km plank walk to Lang Cave – the most extensive cave passage in the world. Explore the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites before proceeding to Deer Cave. The big attraction here is the colony of thousands of free-tailed bats that inhabit the cave. There is a night-time trek through the jungle in the evening to the park headquarters; keep a lookout for nocturnal animals and the flash of fireflies.
On the second day in Mulu, you’ll wake up to the sounds of the jungle before taking a short longboat ride to experience Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave. These form part of the Sarawak Chamber – the most extensive connected cave system in the world. There is free time in the afternoon for independent exploration.
Today you’ll hop on the plane for the 50-minute flight to Kota Kinabalu. There is time to relax here after your Mulu adventure.
Today you’ll travel 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 9 will take you to explore Batu Punggul itself, spend the night in a longhouse and enjoy an evening of Murut hospitality. On Day 10, you’ll enjoy a morning of light trekking and swimming in multi-levelled waterfalls before journeying back to a Kota Kinabalu beachfront hotel for the evening.
Pantai Dalit Beach is a secluded stretch of sand north of Kota Kinabalu, perfect for relaxation or water sports. Enjoy a full day relaxing and enjoying beach life in preparation for the next part of the adventure.
Over the next two days, you will climb more than 4,000 metres above sea level to reach the summit of Mount Kinabalu, assisted by a park ranger – an incredible adventure. Pass by oak forests, moss-covered trees, bamboo, and ferns as you go, and there are plenty of rest stops and a picnic lunch.
On the first day, you’ll stop overnight in the national park and on the second night, you’ll stay at Laban Rata Resthouse, by which point you will have already ascended 3,353 metres. The next morning you’ll be called early at 2 am to begin the final trek from Laban Rata to the summit in time for sunrise.
The descent takes you back past Laban Rata, and you’ll get a certificate for reaching the summit. You’ll reach the base around lunchtime and then transfer onwards to Sepilok.
During your time here, there will be an opportunity to visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, where a highlight is the daily feeding of the orangutans.
From Sepilok, continue along with the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary to your jungle lodge. 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 an easy way to explore this fantastic part of the world.
Enjoy a guided nature walk at night and a riverboat cruise to take in the scenery of Pitas Oxbow Lake. Keep your eyes peeled for a variety of bird species and pygmy elephants.
Travel to the Danum Valley Conservation Area, one of the world’s most complex ecosystems covering more than 400 square kilometres. Danum is a rich rainforest packed with fascinating wildlife. On arrival, take a walk along the 300m long canopy walkway; up here, you can listen to the hum of the ancient jungle.
After dinner, there is time for a thrilling 4WD night safari drive; if you’re lucky, you’ll spot nocturnal animals such as sambar deer, civet cats and leopards, not to mention plenty of insects and frogs.
In the mornings, listen out for the call of the Bornean gibbons (you can’t miss the cacophony!). During your stay, there will be time to trek to “Coffin Cliff” along a 2.6km trail, with fantastic views over the rainforest as well as waterfalls and a natural pool. Other optional activities include a guided jungle trek or water tubing down the river. There is a chance to sneak back into the jungle on foot to listen to the nocturnal animals in the evening.
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll transfer to Lahad Datu for the 50-minute flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Spend a night in a waterfront hotel, just a short transfer from the airport.
Fly directly from Kota Kinabalu to Johor Bharu on mainland Malaysia. Meet your guide for the road transfer to Mersing Jetty bound for the remote, rustic and luxurious Japamala. At the jetty, board the boat to Tioman Island. After checking in and settling into your room, the next few days are at your leisure. This is a wonderful place to spend days snorkelling, hiking in the jungle or relaxing in the spa.
Transfer to Kuala Lumpur (or Singapore) for your flight back home.
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With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Chione has a real passion for Borneo’s wild beauty. She knows how to bring its jungles, wildlife, and hidden corners to life, creating holidays that feel both adventurous and effortless.
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of the destination. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
Borneo is one of the most extraordinary places on earth for wildlife encounters, from orangutans swinging through the treetops to pygmy elephants by the riverside. With ETG, you’ll explore this remarkable region with the insight of expert naturalist guides who know the rainforests intimately. They’ll help you spot rare wildlife, understand the intricate ecosystems, and uncover the cultural heritage of local communities. We focus on meaningful, well-organised experiences that bring you closer to the heart of Borneo, supported by handpicked eco-lodges and 24/7 on-the-ground assistance.
The dry season, March to October, is the best time to experience Borneo’s wildlife and landscapes. Trails are more accessible, and river levels are perfect for boat journeys, giving you the best chance to see orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and hornbills. The wetter months, November to February, bring heavier showers, but this is when the rainforest is at its greenest and most vibrant. For an ideal balance of good weather and fewer visitors, May and September are excellent months to travel.
Every ETG holiday to Borneo is designed to feel seamless, immersive and stress free. We’ll arrange international flights (if you’d like us to), your drivers and guides, and stays in characterful hotels we know and trust.
You’ll experience Borneo in a way that’s completely bespoke to you – from quiet moments to big adventures – all planned by our Borneo specialists. And while you’re away, our local team is on hand 24/7, so you’ll always feel well looked after.
Discover jungles, extraordinary wildlife, beaches and our tips and tricks in a handy 10 minute read.
