Available Dates
June 2024
May 2025
June 2025
July 2025
10 Days $3799 pp
Click map to enlarge
Discover Borneo
Join me on this 10-day journey into the most spectacular and extraordinary regions of Malaysian Borneo and Brunei. We begin this adventure in Sarawak, “Land of the Hornbills” where we first meet our distant relative, the orangutan. Travel through inland rainforests to visit the indigenous villages of the Iban headhunters. Continue North to Sabah the “land below the wind”, and home to one of South East Asia’s highest mountains, Mt Kinabalu. Enjoy a guided tour of the National Park and cross the walkway in the canopy of the rainforest. Travel along mighty rivers in search of the many animals that call this country home. End the tour with a day in rich Brunei.
Sarawak
“Land of the Hornbills”
DAY 1: Arrive Kuching
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Welcome to Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, “Land of the Hornbills”. Upon your arrival in Kuching, you will be met and transferred to the impressive Pullman Hotel where Dee will be waiting for you. Enjoy your afternoon relaxing before meeting your fellow travellers for an enjoyable evening cruising along the Sarawak River. Witness the unique architectural, culinary and religious influences that have impacted Sarawak’s capital over the centuries. Be enthralled by the landmarks of a bygone era whilst enjoying a buffet dinner and traditional dancing. Meals: Dinner Accommodation: Pullman Kuching (Superior Room) |
DAY 2: Kuching
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After a good nights rest and a sumptuous breakfast, it is time to explore Kuching, a picturesque riverside city. Our first stop will be to introduce ourselves to the city’s most famous ambassador, the Cat Monument. We will then continue to stroll through the streets of old Kuching. The Brooke Gallery enables us to step back into history where we learn the story of one of the most remarkable kingdoms in history: Sarawak and the White Rajahs. James and Charles Brooke forged a unique bond with the people and together built the foundations of today’s Sarawak. After lunch venture into the foothills of Mount Santubong to visit Sarawak Village. Observe the authentic and contrasting designs of houses and structures built by Orang Ulu, Bidayauh, Iban and Melanau indigenous groups, as well as Malay and Chinese architecture. This living museum allows you to participate in everyday activities such as wood carving, sugar can crushing, weaving. Try your skills on a Penan blowpipe and listen to the enchanting melodies of a traditional Orang Ulu Sape. Our visit will conclude in the villages amphitheatre witnessing a multicultural performance. After returning to the hotel and freshening we will take a stroll through the White Rajahs era and visit the Pavilion and the Grand Old Post Office en route to dinner. This evening you may wish to pack down and leave your main luggage at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Accommodation: Pullman Kuching (Superior Room) |
DAY 3: Kuching
| Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre & Annah Rais Bidayuh Longhouse
Today we leave the city limits of Kuching to visit our closest and favourite cousins, the orang utan at the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Learn about their techniques developed for the rescue, rehabilitation, retraining and relocation of the orang utans by one of the dedicated rangers. Afterwards, we will continue our journey to visit Annah Rais Bidayuh Longhouse that houses over 80 families. Learn about the 175 years of history of this Bidayuh tribe. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Pullman Kuching (Superior room) |
DAY 4: Kuching - Kota Kinabalu
| Today we depart Sarawak and fly north to Sabah and the capital Kota Kinabalu, “Land below the wind” or KK as the locals call it. Enjoy some free time at the hotel or exploring the city before a buffet dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: Hotel Grandis Kota Kinabalu (Superior Room) |
Sabah
“Land below the wind”
DAY 5: Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan - Kinabatangan River
This morning we have an early morning transfer to the airport for our flight over Mt Kinabalu (highest mountain in South East Asia) to the eastern city of Sandakan. On arrival, we will be met and transferred to the world famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Here we will witness young orang utans playing and exercising in the nursery before journeying to the feeding platforms to observe them in their natural habitat. Afterwards, we will venture next door to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. After an exciting morning, we will tear ourselves away to transfer to the Jetty for our thrilling boat ride up the Kinabatangan River. Enroute we will stop for lunch at the Abai Jungle Restaurant before continuing on to Sukau and the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge.
If today could not already be exciting enough, we will transfer into smaller boats for a sunset cruise in search of wildlife along the river.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge (Limited Air-Con Room)
DAY 6: Kinabatagan River
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Before breakfast, we will enjoy an early morning boat cruise to Oxbow lake. This is a great time for bird watching. After a well-deserved breakfast, we will drive to Gomontong Caves to explore Sabah’s largest bird’s nest caves home to millions of Bats and swiftlets. The local communities collect the swiftlets nest which are highly prized by the Chinese as a delicacy. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Accommodation: Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge (Limited Air-Con Room) |
DAY 7: Kinabatagan River - Sandakan - Kota Kinabalu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Grandis Kota Kinabalu (Superior Room)
DAY 8: Kota Kinabalu - Mt Kinabalu National Park
Today we journey up South East Asia’s highest mountain and into the Kinabalu Park World Heritage site. The jagged granite peaks of Mt. Kinabalu (4095m) towers above one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. Nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Kinabalu Park is a natural wonder that offers day visitors a glimpse into the fascinating and often unique world of flora within the park. Enroute visit some local fruit stalls and market. Afterwards, visit the Ranau Monument before proceeding onto Poring Hot Springs.
Walk through the rainforest and witness life in the treetops as you walk along the 100ft high Canopy Walkway (If Canopy walkway is closed, it will be replaced with a visit to the Poring Garden).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Grandis Kota Kinabalu (Superior Room)
DAY 9: Kota Kinabalu - Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei) - Kota Kinabalu
This morning we will take an early flight to rich Brunei and the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, or Bandar as the locals call it. Be blinded by the golden chariot in the Royal Regalia, visit the Sultan Ali Saifuddin Mosque, Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque and Kampong Ayer (the largest water village in the world).
We finish this magnificent day with a special afternoon tea at the Empire Hotel & Country Club before transferring to the airport for our flight home to Kota Kinabalu. Upon returning the hotel join your fellow passengers for a special farewell party to celebrate our wonderful adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Party Snacks
Accommodation: Hotel Grandis Kota Kinabalu (Superior Room)
DAY 10: Depart Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast, we say our sad farewells as you will be transferred to the airport for your journey home.
Highlights
- Visit Sarawak Cultural Village
- Visit Semenggoh Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
- Visit an Iban Longhouse
- Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
- Visit the Bornean Sunbear Conservation Centre
- Search for wildlife on the Kinabatangan River
- Pay our respects at Sandakan War Memorial
- Visit Mt Kinabalu National Park
- Enjoy a high tea at the Empire Hotel and Country Club in Brunei
Inclusions
- 9 breakfasts (2 boxed), 7 lunches, 1 High Tea, 5 dinners & a farewell party
- Professional & experienced Tour Director, Danielle (Dee)
- Professional & experienced Local Guide and driver in Sarawak, Sabah & Brunei
- Entrance and Park Fees (as per itinerary)
- All accommodation, meals and transport (as per itinerary)
- All economy flights as per the itinerary (taxes included)
- All hotel & tourism taxes
- Return airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Tipping and gratuities to guides and drivers
- All touring in air-conditioned vehicles (excluding water-based activities)
Exclusions
- Personal expenses
- Photography/ Video fees
- Personal Travel Insurance (booking requirement)
- Visas and Vaccinations (if required)
- International flights to Kuching (Sarawak) and from Kota Kinabalu (Sabah)
- Personal expenses
Accommodation
- Pullman Hotel, Kuching
- Grand Regis, Kota Kinabalu
- Sukau Lodge, Kinabatangan River
Every effort is made to avoid changes however if a change becomes necessary then accommodation of a similar standard will be used.
Book with Dee-Luxe Journeys
For more information, all enquiries and to book a tour with Dee-luxe Journeys, please contact us today.