Borneo to Langkawi: Wildlife with a taste of Luxury
Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

This holiday takes in the best of Malaysia from east to west. In the east you'll explore Borneo encountering its famous wildlife, beautiful natural interior and fascinating indigenous culture.

Then in the west you'll get to explore KL city and Penang Island, in both locations a variety of historical influences have left a fascinating mix of architecture and cuisine. Finally you'll spend 5 days relaxing on the shores of Langkawi in one of its best hotels; The Datai.

Highlights include

• Taking a river boat along the Kinabatangan river in Borneo - look out for monkeys, orangutan, and Pygmy elephants as you travel.
• Staying in stilted cabins, perhaps meeting the indigenous Abai people and exploring the wilderness at Abai Jungle Lodge.
• Sampling the food, in Kuala Lumpur and Penang where the influence of Indian, Chinese, Thai, Portuguese and even British flavours has left diverse and delicious cuisine.
• Great quality hotels and lodges throughout but you'll feel especially pampered whilst in paradise at The Datai Langkawi. A beautiful location at the edge of an ancient rainforest, overlooking a sweeping white sand bay.

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we can tailor-make your holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive ‘Journey Planner’ here.

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include.

• International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers 
• Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences 
• Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
• Meals as described
• 24 hour in-country backup whilst away
• Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK 

For more on our pricing policy read here.  

Day 1 Depart the UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Kuala Lumpur (flight options include direct flights from Heathrow with British Airways)

Day 2 & 3 Kuala Lumpur   food & culture

On arrival in “KL” your guide and driver will meet you for your private transfer to your hotel. Your accommodation is right at the heart of the city within a stone’s throw of the famous twin towers. Your first evening is free to relax and acclimatise and on your second day you’ll enjoy a tour of the city with your guide.

Day 4 – 6 sepilok and The kinabatangan  jungle adventures

Today your Borneo Adventure begins. Your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your morning flight from KL to Sandakan, the gateway to the beautiful Bornean rainforest. On arrival you’ll transfer to your resort in the rainforest and there may be time to stop at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre on the way. As the journey into the rainforest progresses you’ll pass through the small town of Sukau before boarding a river boat upstream to Abai Jungle Lodge. Set on the Kinabatangan river bank, the lodge is a great base from which to get immersed in the true wilderness of Borneo. You’ll then head to Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge, as you travel along the river there is chance to spot wildlife such as monkeys, orang-utan, and maybe even pygmy elephant. Kinabatangan Lodge is a fantastic spot for wildlife spotting in general with boardwalk trails taking you into the jungle. 

DAY 7 & 8 Kota Kinabalu  mountains & high tea 

After spending the morning around the Kinabatangan you’ll leave the rainforest to head back to Sandakan for a very short (45 minute) afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival in “KK” your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel and the evening is free to relax at your hotel or to explore Sabah’s largest city. The next day will include a trip to beautiful Kinabalu National Park, stopping at a Tea House for high tea.

If time permits and you are in town on the right day (Wednesday or Saturday) talk to your travel expert about adding in an excursion on the North Borneo Railway.

Day 9 & 10 Penang  heritage and street-food

Its a direct flight from Penang to Kota Kinabalu where you'll stay for 2 nights.  Your stay will include a guided walking tour of Penang,  you'll explore UNESCO World Heritage sites and take in late 19^th century colonial and Chinese settler buildings and taste some of the fantastic regional street-food.

Day 11-14 Langkawi  relax at the beach

The last part of your holiday will be spent at the blissfully idyllic Datai resort in Langkawi (4 nights but can be extended). This part of the holiday is all about relaxing in one of Malaysia’s most beautiful natural locations at the edge of an ancient rainforest overlooking a sweeping white sand bay. Enjoy the service, indulge at the spa, sunbathe on the beach, swim in the sea or join one of the complimentary nature walks; the resident naturalist will show you rare wildlife and bring the 10-million-year-old rainforest to life.

Day 15 Fly Home

 Depart Langkawi for your flight back to the UK.