Western Borneo & Mt Kinabalu Experiencee

Start and end in Kota Kinabalu, the trip Western Borneo & Mt Kinabalu Experience is a guided hiking tour that takes 11 days. You will travel through Mount Kinabalu, Mulu National Park and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia. Western Borneo & Mt Kinabalu Experience is a small group trip which includes accommodation, transport, meals and others.

Leave it to the fascinating island of Borneo to show you an 11-day adventure through some of the most beautiful naturescapes anywhere in the world. Experience the sunrise from the highest peak on the island, Mt Kinabalu, home to over 100 mammals and more than 300 kinds of birds. Descend into the picturesque caves of Gunung Mulu National Park. Travel by boat. Trek to a mud volcano. Borneo and its experiences are just waiting to get you dirty (and clean again).

WHAT'S INCLUDED

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels (5 nts), mountain lodge/hostel (2 nts, multi-share), lodge (1 nt), jungle lodge/hostel (2 nts).

MEALS

10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Note: Allow USD125-165 for meals not included.

TRANSPORT

Private vehicle, plane, longboat, ferry, boat, walking.

STAFF & EXPERTS

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Mt Kinabalu hike (2 days)
Deer and Lang caves visit
Bat exodus observation
Wind and Clearwater caves exploration
Mud volcano visit and trek (Pulau Tiga)
Internal flight
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

WHAT'S EXCLUDED

Any international flights to/from Kota Kinabalu are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
Travel insurance is not included in this Western Borneo & Mt Kinabalu Experience tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu
Arrive at any time.
ACCOMMODATION
- Hotel Shangri-La (or similar)
INCLUDED ACTIVITY
- Meet Your CEO and Group
  Duration : 1.0 hr
  Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Day 2: Kota Kinabalu/Mount Kinabalu
Travel to Mt Kinabalu. Opt to hike the nature trails, or enjoy an excursion to Poring hot springs and a canopy walk with some free time.
Travel to the base of Mt Kinabalu, the highest mountain between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea.

In the afternoon, stretch your legs by exploring the trails around the park or check out the visitor centre.
MEAL
- Breakfast and Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
- Mt. Kinabalu Park Hostel (or similar)
TRANSPORT
- Private Vehicle
  Duration : 2.5 hr
  Distance : 96 km
  Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Poring Hot Springs Visit

Day 3: Mount Kinabalu
Head off to conquer Mt Kinabalu. During the first day's climb to Laban Rata, enjoy a packed lunch on the way. The hike can take from 5-7 hrs. Indulge in a buffet-style dinner then rest up for an early start to summit the mountain in the morning.
Set off early to begin the ascent up Mt Kinabalu. It is not an easy walk, but it is incredibly rewarding. Willpower is the main requirement as it's uphill all the way!

Spend the night at Laban Rata in basic mountain huts 3,272m (10,735 ft) above sea level.

Turn in early to prepare for the final climb very early in the morning.
MEAL
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
- Laban Rata Resthouse (or similar)
INCLUDED ACTIVITY
- Mount Kinabalu Hike- Day 1
  Duration : 5.0 hr - 7.0 hr
  Distance : 8 km
  Begin at the Timpohon Gate and head downhill into the rainforest to start, before heading upwards. The well-marked trail is predominantly made up of steep steps that vary considerably in size.
  
  The first section of the hike is fairly moderate, but take it easy and save your energy for the more difficult push higher up on the mountain. During the second half of the day's trek experience a change in scenery and terrain.
  
  Accommodation for the night is near Laban Rata at 3,272m elevation. Accommodation is basic with only cold water, and blankets are provided. Tomorrow's hike commences very early, so get some rest.

Day 4: Mount Kinabalu/Kota Kinabalu
Summit Mt Kinabalu (3-5hrs) and arrive in time for sunrise. Return to Laban Rata for a rest and to the park headquarters for lunch. Transfer back to Kota Kinabalu.
MEAL
- Breakfast and Lunch
ACCOMMODATION
- Hotel Shangri-La (or similar)
INCLUDED ACTIVITY
- Mount Kinabalu Hike- Day 2
  Duration : 5.0 hr - 7.0 hr
  Get an early start to make it to the summit for sunrise. This portion of the hike takes about three to four hours.
  
  Stop in at the mountain huts before continuing to the park headquarters for lunch. Be prepared—the descent can be tough on the knees and takes approximately five to seven hours.
TRANSPORT
- Private Vehicle
  Duration : 2.5 hr
  Distance : 96 km
  Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Day 5: Kota Kinabalu/Beaufort
After breakfast enjoy the seaside drive to Beaufort, a small colonial town of palm-oil plantations, white-water rapids, and interesting looking monkeys. Spot an array of wildlife from a river cruise on the Klias River.
MEAL
- Breakfast and Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
- The Gem Hotel Beaufort (ZC) (or similar)
INCLUDED ACTIVITY
- Klias River Cruise
  After refreshments board your river cruise spotting wildlife such as the rare Proboscis Monkey, Long Tail Macaque, Silver Fern macaque, hornbills other birds and reptiles that make their home on the banks of the river. Return to the riverboat base for an included dinner before heading out again for an evening cruise with magical fireflies lighting up the banks.
TRANSPORT
- Private Vehicle
  Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Day 6: Beaufort
Catch the local train to Tenom and explore the scenic town. Visit the Murut Cultural Centre before returning to Beaufort by road. If you prefer, jump off the train early and opt out of the visit to Tenom to instead get your adrenaline pumping on a rafting tour.
MEAL
- Breakfast
ACCOMMODATION
- The Gem Hotel Beaufort (ZC) (or similar)
INCLUDED ACTIVITY
- Murut Cultural Centre
  Enjoy exploring this large centre that includes a museum showcasing authentic Murut architecture and artifacts. The indigenous Murut tribe are one of Sabah's largest native groups.
TRANSPORT
- Local train
  Duration : 1.0 hr
  Distance : 48 km
  Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
- Shared Van
  Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- White Water Rafting Padas River

Day 7: Beaufort to Mulu National Park
Depart to Menumbok port and take a private speedboat to Labuan. Fly to Miri and make your way to Mulu National Park. Opt for a night walk on the boardwalks surrounding park headquarters.
MEAL
- Breakfast
ACCOMMODATION
- Mulu Park (or similar)
TRANSPORT
- Plane NA
  Duration : 0.75 hr
  Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
- Speedboat
  Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Mulu Night Walk

Day 8: Mulu National Park
Depart on an easy walk along the river to Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave. After a lunch stop, swim in the crystal clear waters emerging from the mountain. Opt to stop at Iban village's morning market to browse handicrafts by the Pena tribe, descendants from headhunters. Walk on the boardwalk to Lang Cave and Deer Cave before relaxing with a drink at the viewing area for the nightly emergence of 3 million bats.
MEAL
- Breakfast and Lunch
ACCOMMODATION
- Mulu Park (or similar)
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
- Deer and Lang Caves Exploration
  Walk along a series of planks through the rainforest to reach Deer and Lang caves. Explore these impressive caverns (Deer cave is never less than 90 metres high or wide!), home to more than two million bats.
- Wind and Clearwater Caves Exploration
  Visit Wind Cave, named for the breezes that blow through it, and the vast Clearwater Cave, home to a subterranean river. After checking out the caves, enjoy a refreshing swim and a picnic amongst the beautiful scenery of the rainforest.

Day 9: Mulu National Park to Pulau Sepangar
Before breakfast, opt to go on a two hour morning mist guided tour in Mulu NP on the worlds longest tree based canopy walk. Enjoy some free time before boarding a flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, take a boat to the secluded Sepanggar Island covered in a lush tropical rainforest with white sand beaches and turquoise water. Stay the night in a lodge nestled on a hill hidden in the trees. Enjoy the spectacular view of the sea, the stars, and the Kota Kinabalu city lights from your balcony.
MEAL
- Breakfast
ACCOMMODATION
- Mari Mari Sepanggar Island (or similar)
TRANSPORT
- Plane NA
  Duration : 1.0 hr
  Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
- Boat
  Climb aboard and get your float on.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Morning Canopy Walk
  Learn more about this 480 metre walkway, suspended in the canopy 20 metres above the forest floor. Through the morning mist, feel dwarfed by the soaring limestone cliffs and giant trees.

Day 10: Pulau Sepangar/Kota Kinabalu
Enjoy a relaxing morning on Sepanggar paradise island. Snorkel through the crystal clear water and follow the tropical fish to the colourful reefs. Opt to get a massage or try stand-up paddle boarding. If you are looking to pump some adrenaline try parasailing or jet skiing. Head back to the mainland in the afternoon and spend the evening in Kota Kinabalu as you please.
MEAL
- Breakfast and Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
- Hotel Shangri-La (or similar)
TRANSPORT
- Boat
  Climb aboard and get your float on.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Parasailing
- Jet Ski
- Seawalking
- Snorkelling

Day 11: Kota Kinabalu
Depart at any time.
MEAL
- Breakfast
INCLUDED ACTIVITY
- Departure Day
  Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.