PERFECT FOR:
- Active Travelers & Families
- Nature & Animal Lovers
- Mix of Jungle & Beach
- First time and returning visitors of Malaysia or Southeast Asia
An Active & Wildlife Adventure of Malaysia Borneo – Kuala Lumpur, Sandakan, Sukau, Danum Valley, Gaya Island
11 Days / 10 Nights – Tour Code (BAV) – Semi-Private Tour – Depart Daily
Borneo reveals itself through wildlife, water, and movement on this expertly curated adventure, where conservation encounters and active exploration take priority over passive sightseeing. Designed for nature lovers and active travelers alike, the journey flows from Malaysia’s cultural gateways into Sabah’s most biodiverse river systems and deep rainforest interiors—combining orangutan rehabilitation, dawn river cruises, canopy-level walks, and night safaris with a thoughtfully paced coastal finish in Kota Kinabalu.
The experience opens with a brief cultural prologue in Kuala Lumpur, offering context through heritage streets, sacred sites, and Malaysia’s celebrated food culture. Clan houses, mosques, temples, and night markets reveal the country’s multicultural fabric—setting the stage before the itinerary pivots decisively east toward Borneo’s wild heart.
In Sabah, the focus becomes unmistakably nature-led. Sandakan serves as the gateway to conservation and wildlife immersion, beginning at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where rescued orangutans are prepared for life back in the forest. From here, river travel defines the rhythm of the journey. Boat cruises along the Kinabatangan and Menanggol Rivers offer close-range wildlife viewing—proboscis monkeys, hornbills, macaques, and, with luck, wild orangutans—best observed in the cool hours of dawn and late afternoon. Remote jungle lodges place you deep within these ecosystems, where the sounds of the forest replace modern distractions.
Deeper still, Danum Valley delivers the most active and immersive chapter. Guided jungle treks, a 300-meter treetop canopy walkway, and night safaris reveal rainforest life from forest floor to canopy after dark. The journey concludes in Gaya Island, a jungle-clad retreat just off Kota Kinabalu, where coral reefs, hidden coves, and protected rainforest meet in a setting of quiet, natural seclusion, with a gentler tempo—time by the sea to reflect and recharge after days defined by movement, wildlife, and discovery.
Thoughtfully paced and experience-driven, this adventure invites travelers to engage with Borneo not as spectators, but as participants in one of Southeast Asia’s most biodiverse landscapes.
TOUR INCLUDES:
- 10 nights’ superior and deluxe accommodations of your choice
- One way Lahad Datu / Kota Kinabalu Airfare
- Meals as specified per itinerary (food only)
- Combination of private and join activities & transfers per itinerary
KUALA LUMPUR (3 nights)
- 3 nights at Traders Hotel (Superior) OR Pavilion Hotel by Banyan Tree | The Ritz Carlton KL (Deluxe)
- Half day city tour with visits to Chinatown, National Monument, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, and photo stops at King’s Palace and Petronas Towers (outside viewing)
- Half day excusion to Batu Caves
SANDAKAN (1 night)
- 1 night at MY Nature Lodge (Superior / Deluxe)
- Hotel American Breakfast
- Private airport transfers upon arrival and departure
SUKAU (2 nights)
- 2 night at Sukau Rain Forest Lodge (Superior / Deluxe*)
- Full board per itinerary (food only)
- Shared Jungle Safari & Wildlife Excursions (shared basis)
- Land and River Boat Transportation between Sandakan and Sukau (shared basis)
DANUM VALLEY (2 nights)
- 2 night at Borneo Rainforest Lodge (Superior / Deluxe*) in Danum Valley
- Full board per itinerary
- Extensive Jungle Safari including Tree Top Canopy Walk and Night Safari per itinerary (shared basis)
- JOIN Ground Transportation** between Danum Valley and Lahad Datu
GAYA ISLAND (2 nights)
- 2 nights at Gaya Island Resort (Superior) | Gayana Marine Resort (Deluxe)
- Boat transfers between Kota Kinabalu & Gaya Island
- Private airport transfers upon arrival and departure
Remarks:
*Deluxe package feature Borneo Villa, Deluxe Chalet, and Overwater Palm Villa at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Borneo Rainforest Lodge and Gayana Marine Resort, respectively.
Day 1 Arrive Kuala Lumpur (Welcome to Malaysia!)
Upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel for your next three nights. The remainder of the day is at leisure—time to settle in, ease into the rhythm of the capital, or step out for an informal first taste of Kuala Lumpur’s urban energy.
Day 2 Kuala Lumpur (The City Highlights)
This morning, trace Kuala Lumpur’s Heritage Trails—an unfolding portrait of the city’s multicultural identity, shaped by sacred sites, market streets, and colonial-era landmarks. From the ornate Chan See Shu Yuen Clan House and the lively lanes of Chinatown to the color and incense of Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, the city reveals itself in layered contrasts. Continue through Central Market and Sze Yeh Temple, then pause at Jamek Mosque—set at the meeting point of two rivers and noted for its North Indian Islamic design—before ending near the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a Moorish-inspired emblem of the old administrative quarter. Return to your hotel in the early afternoon, with the remainder of the day at leisure. (B)
Day 3 Kuala Lumpur (Discover Batu Caves)
This morning, venture beyond the city for a glimpse into Malaysia’s living traditions. Begin with a visit to a batik workshop, where the country’s iconic textiles are brought to life through pattern, dye, and time-honored technique.
Continue to the dramatic limestone cliffs of Batu Caves, a revered Hindu sanctuary dedicated to Lord Murugan. Climb the 272 steps to the Temple Cave, then visit the Museum Cave, where murals and deity figures depict scenes from Hindu scriptures. Return to the city in the early afternoon, with the remainder of the day at leisure. (B)
Day 4 KL / Sandakan (From Bright Lights to Quiet Rainforests)
Fly to Sandakan, where you’ll be met and transferred into the Sandakan Nature Reserve—trading city buzz for rainforest calm. The remainder of the day is at leisure to settle in or explore the lodge surroundings, and as dusk falls, keep watch for flying squirrels gliding through the canopy. It’s an atmospheric first encounter with Borneo’s wildness before the adventure deepens. Overnight at My Nature Lodge in Sandakan. (B)
Day 5 Sandakan / Sukau (Orangutans & River Safari)
Begin the day at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, set within protected rainforest, for an inspiring look at the region’s conservation work. During feeding time, orangutans emerge from the forest canopy before returning to roam freely in their natural habitat. Continue overland to Sukau, where the journey shifts to the Kinabatangan’s river corridors. In the late afternoon, head out on a river safari along the Menanggol River into the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary—one of Southeast Asia’s most important wildlife corridors—where primates and birdlife often appear at the forest’s edge as the light softens. Lunch, dinner, and overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 6 Sukau (Into the Wild at Oxbow Lake)
Rise early and travel by river to the Oxbow Lakes, when mist lingers and the rainforest stirs to life—one of the best windows for wildlife observation. Return later in the morning for breakfast, then enjoy time at leisure to relax and absorb the surrounding landscape. In the late afternoon, set out again along the Kinabatangan as the day cools, continuing the search for wildlife and birdlife before returning for dinner. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Sukau / Danum Valley (Canopy Walk & Night Safari)
After breakfast, travel overland toward Danum Valley, passing through Lahad Datu and stopping en route for registration and a short briefing before continuing into the rainforest interior. Arrive late morning or early afternoon, with lunch served and time at leisure to settle into the lodge’s secluded jungle setting. Later, join a guided trek through nature trails and experience the renowned treetop canopy walkway—spanning 300 meters and rising up to 26 meters—for a striking perspective across the rainforest ecosystem. After dinner, head out on a night safari by open-top vehicle in search of nocturnal wildlife. Overnight at the award-winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Danum Valley (Jungle Treks & River Fun)
Set out on a morning trek to the Kadazandusun burial site known as “Coffin Cliff,” followed by a viewpoint offering a sweeping bird’s-eye perspective across the forest. Descend to the natural “Jacuzzi Pool” for a refreshing dip, then return for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure, with the option to go tubing down the Danum River. Later this evening, join a guided night walk to discover the rainforest’s nocturnal life at close range. Dinner and overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. (B,L,D)
Note: All overland and boat transfers, as well as excursions in Selingan and Sukau, are shared with fellow nature and wildlife enthusiasts.
Day 9 Danum Valley / Gaya Island (From Rainforests to Island Paradise)
After breakfast, depart Danum Valley by shared transfer to Lahad Datu Airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, continue by boat to Gaya Island, where Sabah’s wild interior gives way to turquoise water and jungle-clad hillsides. Check in to your island resort and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure—an easy, well-timed pause to unwind after days shaped by trekking and wildlife. (B)
Day 10 Gaya Island (At Leisure by the Sea)
Settle into a full day on Gaya Island, designed to be enjoyed at your own pace. Spend time along the shoreline, swim in calm tropical waters, or wander forest trails through protected rainforest. The surrounding marine reserve invites unhurried exploration—whether snorkeling above coral gardens or taking to the water by kayak or paddleboard. For a slower rhythm still, opt for spa time or simply linger in the island’s quiet, nature-led setting. (B)
Day 11 Depart Kota Kinabalu (Fairwell Malaysia)
At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport by boat and by private car for your onward flight, departing Sabah with the rainforest and sea still fresh in memory. (B)
| 2026/27 Price Chart (Price valid through March 31, 2027) | ||||
Hotel | Twin Sharing | Single Supplement | ||
| LS | HS | LS | HS | |
| Superior | 5,725 | 5,925 | 2,125 | 2,275 |
| Deluxe | 6,975 | 7,275 | 3,025 | 3,275 |
Low Season (LS): Jan – Jun., Sep – Nov. High Season (HS): Jul -Aug., Dec. | ||||
| Tour requires 2 passengers to operate | ||||
- Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
- Price includes all entrance fees, hotel taxes & service charges
- Price excludes personal expenses, beverages during included lunches and dinner, gratuities to guides, drivers & bell persons
- Low season (LS): January – June; September – December 19th
- High Season (HS): July – August
- Black out dates, holiday surcharges and/or compulsory gala dinners apply between Dec 20 – Jan 10. Contact us for details.
- All services are subject to availability at time of reservation.
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HIGHLIGHTS
- KL’s Bright lights , Big City Vibes & Food Scene
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center
- Riverboat trip in Sukau
- Wildlife Viewing on Menanggol River
- Danum Valley’s 300m Treetop Canopy Walk
- Jungle trekking & Night Safari
- Gaya Island Escape
Price Starting From:
$5,725
RELATED TOURS
ACCOMMODATIONS
KL – Traders Hotel
Danum Valley – Rainforest Lodge
