Day 1 | Kota KinabaluYour 10 Day Borneo Tour begins in Kota Kinabalu.
Arrive anytime on Day 1 and check in at the meeting hotel to find out where and when the evening welcome meeting will be. Ensure you have your local payment ready for the meeting.
Check-in time at our joining point hotel is after 2.00pm. Early check-in is not guaranteed, however if you arrive early, luggage storage can be arranged. Speak to the hotel reception on arrival. Please note that luggage storage in our hotels is at your own risk and generally these areas are not locked or completely secure. Bring your own luggage lock.
Tonight we stay in a centrally located 2 star hotel close to major shopping centres and the Kota Kinabalu waterfront. Accommodation is basic twin share with private amenities.
As we depart Kota Kinabalu early on Day 2, if you wanted to spend more time visiting the sights of Kota Kinabalu, we recommend you arrive a day or two early.
Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is an intriguing city that was born between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Having recovered from World War II bombings, KK now possesses a gateway charm that can only be found in a frontier town. In your free time here, you can immerse yourself in local history at the Sabah State Museum, visit the Monsopiad Cultural Village (once home to a notorious headhunter), or explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu - excellent for swimming or snorkelling. Allow approx. US$10 for an island visit, although please note that costs can vary depending on your negotiating skills/boat availability, the time you wish to spend on the island and the number of people with whom you go.
Back to the top
Days 2-3 | Kinabatangan Jungle Camp/HomestayLeaving the busy city of Kota Kinabalu behind, we travel to the jungle, travelling by local bus through palm oil plantations along Sabah's main highway (approx. 5 hours). We arrive in Batu Putih, a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, where
our programme for the day involves meeting members of a local ecological initiative, MESCOT.
The MESCOT project aims to provide villagers with environmental education and the means of making a living from their forests, without the need for its destruction by chainsaws. Part of the program is to develop an ecologically sound wildlife and eco-tourism centre, owned and operated by the villagers themselves.
After learning about forest rehabilitation, we head by boat (approx. 30 minutes) or on foot (approx. 1 hour, at an easy pace) into the jungle to spend the night. Here we will erect our own hammocks to sleep beneath the stars. This is the best way to experience the true wild Borneo. Wild elephants are rarely seen but we will hopefully find crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutans and freaky-looking proboscis monkeys, while hornbills fly in the skies overhead. Be prepared for an adventure!
On day 3 we are invited into the homes of a local traditional Malay village for a night. Experiencing the ways and traditions of the locals firsthand like this is an amazing privilege and your leader will explain local cultural expectations to ensure that we make the most of our stay. Tonight, we are billeted out into different homes throughout the village, where the sleeping and bathing arrangements are very basic, with cold bathing only available.
During the rainy season (Nov to April) heavy rain can alter the MESCOT programme to 2 nights in the home of a local family.
Back to the top
Day 4 | Sepilok Orangutan ReserveAn early morning wake up call and a bus trip takes us to Sepilok (approx. 1.5 hours). Looking out of the window on the way, you'll get a good idea of the vast areas of rainforest that have been cleared for palm plantations. We should arrive in time for the morning session at the Sepilok Orangutan Reserve.
This reserve was set up to help re-introduce these wonderful ginger-haired creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been orphaned. As we walk into the reserve to watch semi-wild orangutans being fed, it is essential that we follow instructions from the park warden and refrain from interfering with them. This is because in order for these animals to be returned successfully to the wild, it is imperative that human contact must be kept to a minimum.
The afternoon is free for you to return to the reserve for more orangutan viewing or perhaps head into Sandakan, the commercial hub of the district, to explore the local fish market.
Tonight we stay in multishare accommodation with private amenities. Our guesthouse is centrally located, being only a short stroll to Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre.
Back to the top
Days 5-7 | Mt KinabaluToday, we leave Sepilok and head for the base of Mt Kinabalu (approx. 5 hours). We stop off at the park headquarters to organise our permits and store our excess luggage before heading to our accommodation at the base of the Mesilau Trail (approx. 30 minutes).
Please note that a certificate is available to prove that you completed the climb - this can be arranged for RM10.
On night 5 we stay at Mesilau Resort in dormitory accommodation with shared facilities. Nestled amongst the lowland forests, this is the perfect place to relax before tomorrow's climb. Breakfast is provided.
We begin the climb up Mt Kinabalu early in the morning on day 4, carrying overnight packs. It's not an easy walk, being uphill all the way, and you need to be prepared to tackle a trail made up of steep steps that vary considerably in size. Altitude can also affect you, regardless of your fitness level, and it will certainly slow you down a fair bit. However, there's absolutely no rush so take your time and enjoy the pristine environment - this is an area which boasts a remarkable variety of plant life, including some 1,000 species of orchid, the extraordinary carnivorous pitcher plant as well as the rafflesia, the largest flower in the world. We cover 7.6 km today (approx. 5-6 hours) and stop at a resthouse in Laban Rata (3,272 m) for the night. Laban Rata has very basic multishare bunk rooms, additional blankets can be hired from the Park office. Go to bed early, so you're ready for the final climb the following morning.
We rise very early this morning in order to catch the sunrise at the summit of Mt Kinabalu (4,095 m). It is difficult walking, but you'll feel a huge sense of achievement! Also, the view from the summit is stupendous - the jungles of Borneo in one direction, the South China Sea in the other, making every inch of the climb worthwhile. Be warned though, don't underestimate the cold - bring warm clothes! The climb from Laban Rata to the summit takes between 2 and 4 hours. Even if you are very fit you may find this section of the climb difficult because of the altitude. This can make you feel quite nauseous and short of breath. The trail is marked by a white rope that is also useful to help you up some of the steep sections. Gloves are recommended to protect your hands from rope burn (as well as to keep them warm!).
After returning to Laban Rata for breakfast, we descend the mountain via the main trail (3-5 hours) in time for lunch at the park's headquarters.There are some beautiful nature trails you can follow, around the headquarters and through lowland tropical forest. Otherwise, feel free to just relax in the afternoon. Night 7 we stay in a guesthouse at the base of Mt Kinabalu with hot water showers and a great view of the mountain. This guesthouse is the ideal location to celebrate your climbing achievements and rest your weary limbs.
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR CLIMBERS ON MOUNT KINABALU
1. Identify your mountain guide(s) who will display an identification card.
2. Travel together in your own group and stay with the mountain guide(s).
3. Alert your mountain guide(s) if you have any difficulty.
4. Display your climbing permit and show it to park officials at check points in Timpohon Gate, Laban Rata and Sayat Sayat on your way up and down.
5. If, for any reason, you are separated from your group on the mountain, please follow the white rope. If visibility is very low please hold onto the rope and follow it. (There is a thick white rope leading all the way from the vegetation belt above Panar Laban to the summit. This rope is marked with yellow reflective paint every 5ft and is helpful for climbing up while providing safety on walking down. PLEASE FOLLOW AND USE THE ROPE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY.)
6. The weather on the summit can deteriorate in a matter of minutes, with thick mist reducing visibility to 3 m, rain storms and wind up to 120 km/h can occur at times. Please hold the rope, which will lead you to safety.
7. If you are separated from your Mountain Guide or lose sight of the rope, STOP IMMEDIATELY, stay where you are and blow your whistle to attract attention. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO FIND YOUR OWN WAY OUT.
8. When climbing the summit please make sure that you carry with you the following things -
- warm clothes
- a torch light (and spare batteries)
- a raincoat
- some energy food and water
- a whistle
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR NON-CLIMBERS
We consider the Mt Kinabalu trek to be a huge highlight of the trip, but if you decide the trek is just not for you or your travel companion, we can provide alternative arrangements at an additional cost if advised at time of booking.
Back to the top
Days 8-10 | Kota KinabaluFrom the base of Mt Kinabalu - we head back to the coastal city of Kota Kinabalu by minivan (approx. 2 hours) where we spent the next 2 nights in a seaside guesthouse south of the city.
Day 9 we spend the day snorkelling and relaxing in the Tunku Abdul Marine Park. Your afternoon is free to relax by the pool or venture into Kota Kinabalu (approx. 30 minutes by taxi).
There are no activities planned for day 10 and you are able to depart at any time. Check out time is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage. Our beach stay is a short taxi ride from the airport and 20km from Kota Kinabalu town centre.
Back to the top
Itinerary DisclaimerPlease note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research and may change with no prior notice.
Back to the top