Best of Borneo
Best of Borneo
Best of Borneo
16 Days Starting in Kuching, Malaysia and ending in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Visiting: Kuching, Bako National Park, Semenggoh Nature Reserve, Borneo, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park, Sandakan, Sepilok, Kinabatangan River
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1266
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 28
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Meat, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Borneo with the "Best of Borneo" tour. This wildlife adventure takes you from the charming streets of Kuching to the lush rainforests of Sepilok, offering a unique blend of cultural and natural experiences. Explore the diverse ecosystems of Bako National Park, encounter the majestic orangutans at Semenggoh and Sepilok, and immerse yourself in the rich traditions of the Iban tribe. Enjoy guided hikes in Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and cruise along the wildlife-rich Kinabatangan River. Stay in comfortable accommodations, including eco-lodges, and savor local cuisine throughout your journey. With all domestic transportation and meals included, this tour ensures a seamless and enriching exploration of Borneo's breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 : Days 1-2: Fly To Kuching
Location: Kuching, Kuching
Accommodation Name: The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly overnight to the relaxed and charismatic city of Kuching, Borneo's largest city.
Day 1 - 2 : Days 1-2: Fly To Kuching
Location: Kuching, Kuching
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly overnight to the relaxed and charismatic city of Kuching, Borneo's largest city.
Day 3: Explore Kuching
Location: Kuching
Accommodation Name: The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day enjoying the diverse culture of Sarawak with a walking tour, starting at the Chinese History Museum on Kuching's waterfront. Stroll past the old shop houses of Ewe Hai Street and pay visits to traditional businesses, including a 'sinseh', a Chinese medicine man. Next you'll be introduced to Sarawak's delicious food, with a tasting at a local coffee shop. Continue to the Sarawak Museum, before a sampan ride across Kuching's river to visit a Malay village.
Day 4: Bako National Park
Location: Bako National Park
Accommodation Name: The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel out to Bako before boarding a boat to reach the national park. Explore the park on foot with a guide – one of Borneo's most biodiverse areas, the diversity of flora and fauna here is incredible and easily accessible. Following trails along streams, past caves and across plateaus, keeping an eye out for wild boar, macaques, monitor lizards and, if you're lucky, a proboscis monkey! Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.
Day 5: Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Location: Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you have the opportunity to meet Borneo's most famous native; the orangutan! Semenggoh is a centre dedicated to the rehabilitation of rescued or orphaned young orangutans – here, they are taught how to survive in the wild. Visit the orangutan release area, where they live freely, in search of these beautiful but elusive creatures. After lunch, drive for approximately 4 hours to Sri Aman, where you will be checked into your hotel on arrival.
Day 6: Iban Longhouse
Location: Borneo
Accommodation Name: Iban Longhouse
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will discover more about Borneo's native Iban people, renowned for their former practice of headhunting. After breakfast, drive approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to the jetty, where you will board a traditional Iban longboat for a 45-minute river journey to a tribal longhouse. On arrival, enjoy a tour of the longhouse, meeting the tribe's families. Witness a performance of a traditional dance, in full regalia, and lunch on Iban cuisine.
Day 7: Return To Kuching
Location: Kuching
Accommodation Name: The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey back to Kuching, stopping en route for lunch at a local café.
Day 8: Fly To Kota Kinabalu
Location: Kota Kinabalu
Accommodation Name: Horizon Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to the airport and fly over to Malaysian Borneo's other state, Sabah, and the vibrant city of Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 9: Explore Kota Kinabalu
Location: Kota Kinabalu
Accommodation Name: Horizon Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin your explorations at the Sabah State Museum where you can learn about the state's diverse cultural and natural heritage, before exploring some of the city's beautiful architecture, including the Blue Mosque and Chinese Temple. Browse the piles of wares at the Handicraft Market and spice bazaar, before strolling through the oldest part of the city. Lunch will be at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Tonight, dine on traditional Malay cuisine.
Day 10: Kinabalu Park
Location: Kinabalu Park
Accommodation Name: Horizon Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head out of the city to the foot of Mt Kinabalu, Borneo's highest mountain, where you will spend the day exploring Kinabalu Park, Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Embark on a guided walk along one of the many forest trails to discover some of the unique flora and fauna that calls the area home.
Day 11: Sandakan & Sepilok
Location: Sandakan
Accommodation Name: Sepilok Nature Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Sandakan. Visit the Sandakan Memorial Park, which commemorates the suffering of British and Australian POWs held here during the WWII Japanese occupation. Continue into Sandakan itself, passing the William Pryer and Sandakan Liberation Monuments before a relaxing lunch at English Tea House. Later stop by the Agnes Keith Museum to learn about colonial life here during the pre-WWII British Administration. Head inland and check in to your hotel in Sepilok - an eco resort at the edge of the rainforest.
Day 12: Sepilok And The Sun Bear Centre
Location: Sepilok
Accommodation Name: Abai Jungle Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sepilok offers another chance to see orangutans in their natural habitat – like Semenggoh, this is a centre for the rehabilitation of former captive and orphaned orangutans. Around 60 to 80 orangutans live free within the centre's forest, and there may be young orangutans to visit in the nursery. Pop over the road to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to visit the world's smallest bear and learn about the conservation efforts to protect them. Journey to Bilit and enjoy lunch at your lodge. Later, board a cruise along the Kinabatangan River to spot some of the abundant wildlife.
Day 13: Kinabatangan River
Location: Kinabatangan River
Accommodation Name: Abai Jungle Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Embark on an early morning cruise to the Oxbow Lake, where you can spot wildlife and soak up the peaceful ambience. Returning to the lodge, the rest of the day is at leisure until the late afternoon, when you will head out for another cruise, searching for wildlife once more. You could spot anything from hornbills to pygmy elephants!
Day 14 Return To Kota Kinabalu
Location: Kota Kinabalu
Accommodation Name: Horizon Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Return to Sandakan for lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the airport to fly back to Kota Kinabalu. This evening, dine on local flavours and enjoy a cultural dance performance.
What's Included
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Domestic Transportation
The tour includes all domestic transportation, including internal flights, ensuring seamless travel between destinations. Airport transfers at the destination are also provided for your convenience.
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Accommodation
4-star accommodation and eco lodge stays are included in the tour package.
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Meals
All meals are included during the tour.
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Guided Tours and Entrance Fees
Touring with guides and entrance fees to various attractions are included.
What's Not Included
Tipping and GratuitiesTipping and gratuities are not included in the tour package.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes all domestic transportation, including internal flights, ensuring seamless travel between destinations. Airport transfers at the destination are also provided for your convenience.
Accommodation
Experience a blend of comfort and nature with stays at the Horizon Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, the art-themed Waterfront Hotel in Kuching, the rainforest-adjacent Sepilok Nature Resort, and the rustic Abai Jungle Lodge on the Kinabatangan River, each offering unique amenities and stunning views.
Experiences
Iban Longhouse
Be guests at a traditional Iban longhouse, where the tribespeople will perform a traditional war dance in full regalia and serve a traditionally prepared lunch.
Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Visit Borneo's best-known residents at Semenggoh Nature Reserve, a centre for rescued orangutans who, in the process of being rehabilitated, roam freely through the reserve's lush forest.
Kinabatangan River cruise
Float down the Kinabatangan River as the sun sets, keeping an eye on the jungle-filled river banks for a chance to spot hornbills, pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides 4-star accommodation and eco lodges, including stays at the Horizon Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, The Waterfront Hotel in Kuching, Sepilok Nature Resort, and Abai Jungle Lodge.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, all meals are included in the tour package.
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?
You can expect to see a variety of wildlife including orangutans at Semenggoh and Sepilok, proboscis monkeys, wild boar, macaques, monitor lizards, hornbills, and possibly pygmy elephants during the Kinabatangan River cruise.
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Is transportation between destinations included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes all domestic transportation, including internal flights and airport transfers at the destination.
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What cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes cultural experiences such as visiting a traditional Iban longhouse, where you can witness a traditional dance and enjoy Iban cuisine, and exploring the diverse culture of Sarawak with a walking tour in Kuching.
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Will there be opportunities to learn about local history during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes visits to the Chinese History Museum and Sarawak Museum in Kuching, the Sabah State Museum in Kota Kinabalu, and the Sandakan Memorial Park and Agnes Keith Museum in Sandakan.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.
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Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?
Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.
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What is 'Happy to Share'?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance in line with our normal booking conditions. Either way, our Operations Team will contact you around 75 days before departure to let you know whether a share partner has been found or not. We regret that Happy to Share requests cannot be accepted within 75 days of departure. Wendy Wu Tours reserves the right to change or withdraw this arrangement at any time.
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Do you allow children on your tours?
We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.
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Low Deposit
Wendy Wu requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wendy wu charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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