Days 1–3
First stop Kuala Lumpur
As Malaysia’s Capital, Kuala Lumpur is renowned for its glitz and glamour. The Asian Super-City features soaring skyscrapers, colonial architecture and up-market shopping malls. This stunning skyline is set alongside vibrant night markets and aromatic street foods, typical to Malaysian culture. In such a vast city there’s a wealth of attractions to see; experience the magnitude of the iconic KL Petronas Towers, or head to the various art galleries and museums to discover the countries hidden heritage.
Top Tip: Don’t Miss out on Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown and Little India! These small sections of the city are cultural hotspots filled with unusual restaurants and captivating museums & art galleries.
Overnight: 2 nights at Hotel Stripes
Days 3-5
Borneo
As an area still riddled in mystery, Borneo is a destination to explore the great outdoors, perfect for nature and wilderness lovers. As well as jungle landscapes generic to the area’s tropical scenery, there are a number of incredible wildlife sanctuaries. The rainforest is steeped in history; Malaysia’s tallest mountain, Mount Kinabalu boasts the World’s highest protected mountain top trail which offers an incredible trekking experience.
Your base in Kota Kinabalu is the relaxing Shangri-La Tanjung Aru for 2 nights
Day 5
Borneo Wildlife Tour
Depart for the airport (around 10 minute drive) for a short flight over to Sandakan. The rest of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the resort and jungle at your own pace.
Dinner included.
Overnight: MY Nature Resort
Day 6
Orangutans and Jungle
Today you will visit the amazing Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, where you’ll explore the feeding platforms and feed an orangutan. A rehabilitation centre for orphaned or injured orangutans, this is a really special experience as you can see the incredible work they do to rehabilitate the orangutans and get them back into the wild.
You’ll enjoy a walk through the Tropical Lowland Dipterocarp Forest of Borneo, plus a visit to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Afterwards, you’ll board a boat to Abai for a delightful lunch at Abai Jungle Lodge. Soon you’ll embark on a scenic cruise to the best part of the Kinabatangan River to watch the sunset and see the fire flies. Dinner will be back at the lodge.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Abai Jungle Lodge
Day 7
Wake early this morning for a cruise up the river to Kelenap Ox-Bow lake to view more birds and wildlife. After breakfast, join the in-house naturalist for an educational tour along the Hornbill boardwalk situated right behind the lodge.
This afternoon you’ll board another gorgeous river cruise to see the wildlife.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Abai Jungle Lodge
Day 8
After breakfast this morning you’ll return to Sandakan overland and enjoy a quick lunch before proceeding to the airport for 14:30pm flight to Kota Kinabalu.
Land at 15:20 and transfer to the Gaya Island lounge before embarking on a 15 minute speedboat transfer over to your home for the next few nights.
Overnight: 5 nights at Gaya Island Resort
Days 9-13
Enjoy your stay on this luscious island set within the beautiful Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, with gorgeous villas tucked away in the hillside, a Spa Village and plenty of snorkelling and marine viewing opportunities - this idyllic resort will certainly take your breath away. Your stilted Villa overlooks the mangrove forests and thick canopies or the South China Sea with the stunning Mount Kinabalu in the distance, and the restaurants here won't disappoint with only the freshest cuisine available caught locally at Fisherman's Cove or try the Omakese restaurant with Japanese delicacies.
The Spa Village is also not to be missed - Rice scrubs and Balinese massages will leave you feeling completely refreshed after spending the day exploring the Marine Centre and learning about the islands conservation programmes, perhaps even take a guided tour of the jungle in search of of proboscis monkeys and giant flying red squirrels. End the day with a Singgah Singgarung Night, where you’ll be given an insight into Borneo’s native arts and activities, alongside tucking into a tribal-style beach BBQ.
Day 13
Departure day – take the speedboat back to the mainland and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
