Sarawak, Sabah and Trekking Kinabalu

Get closer to nature with a 16-day tour through Malaysia where you'll roam where the animals do and trek up challenging but rewarding terrain. Explorations through jungles, along crocodile-infested rivers, and to animal sanctuaries provides endless animal encounters (proboscis monkey, pygmy elephant) before you embark on a trek up Mt Kinabalu, making it to the summit by sunrise for an experience like no other.

Day 1 Kuching
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Kuching/Bako National Park
Depart Kuching in the morning, passing through mangrove forest before arriving at Bako village. Continue along the coast by motorized boat to reach Bako National Park. Hike through the park and experience amazing plant and wildlife. Be sure to keep an eye out for the proboscis monkey. Return to Kuching in the evening.

Day 3 Kuching/Batang Ai
Drive through the scenic countryside, passing plantations, rivers, rainforest to reach the Batang Ai jetty, stopping en route to visit a trading town and a local farmhouse. We'll also make a stop to visit the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and with some luck, spot a wild orangutan passing through. From the jetty transfer via boat to a local Iban longhouse and enjoy a stay with this welcoming community while learning more about their culture.

Day 4 Batang Ai
Witness a blowpipe demonstration before setting off by longboat for a trip across the lake. Disembark and enjoy a hike through the forest and a local lunch at a scenic locale. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the water before heading to our hotel for the night.

Day 5 Batang Ai/Kuching
Return to the jetty by boat and continue overland to Kuching.

Day 6 Kuching/Kota Kinabalu
Fly from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy some free time in the evening.

Day 7 Kota Kinabalu/Kundasang
Travel to the luscious and welcoming Mesilou Village tucked in the mountainous highlands. Stop at a local family-run farm to enjoy the views of Mt Kinabalu and see the different types of cold-climate vegetables and fruits. Afterward, meet the villagers and get to know each other over a traditional lunch. In the afternoon, visit two local farms before learning to cook custom recipes with the community. In the evening, enjoy a sumptuous dinner followed by a traditional Sabahan dance performance.

Day 8 Kundasang/Sungai Kinabatangan
Travel towards Sandakan and continue to the immersive jungle lodge on Kinabatangan River, Sabah's longest. After settling in, head out on a river cruise to experience the serenity of evening river life (keep your eyes peeled for birds and monkeys and crocodiles, oh my!). Enjoy dinner then opt for a guided night walk through the jungle.

Day 9 Sungai Kinabatangan
Begin the day with a river safari to witness the morning wildlife activity. After breakfast, visit the nearby oxbow lake with a professional guide and seek out proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, and gibbons. Enjoy another river cruise for a second chance to spot more wildlife (you never know what you may see) before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Day 10 Sungai Kinabatangan/Sepilok
Depart in the morning and travel to Sepilok - a wildlife haven. Enjoy a visit to the orangutan rehabilitation centre and the adjacent sun bear conservation centre.

Day 11 Sepilok/Pulau Libaran
Transfer to Sandakan and continue by boat to Libaran Island, also known as Turtle Island because thousands of sea turtles return to nest each year. Take a guided tour of the island's turtle hatchery and learn about the turtle conservation program. Later, visit the local village and experience what life is like on the island. Opt to go snorkelling or kayaking with some free time.

Day 12 Pulau Libaran/Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast, depart Libaran Island and travel back to the Sandakan jetty. From the jetty, transfer to Sandakan airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Day 13 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.

Day 14 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.

Day 15 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.

Day 16 Kota Kinabalu
Depart at any time.