West Malaysia and Borneo Tour

Day 1 - Kuala Lumpur - arrival and orientation tour

Our tour starts with a lunchtime check-in to our small, boutique-style hotel situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. Time to relax after your flight before stretching your legs with a brief orientation tour followed by a local-style welcome dinner.

Airport transfers are included with the flights package

Overnight: Kuala Lumpur Transport: Walk,  Meals: D, 

Day 2 - Kuala Lumpur - walking tour and the Batu Caves

Morning walking tour of some of the city’s famous sites including bustling Little India and the splendid colonial-period architecture of Merdeka Square. In the afternoon we’ll take the local train to the spectacular Batu Caves – a huge and highly prestigious limestone cave temple complex – before an evening food tour of the Kampung Baru district.

Overnight: Kuala Lumpur Transport: Train, Walk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 3 - Malacca - the UNESCO World Heritage Town

Early departure for the coast and the historical port, now UNESCO World Heritage site, of Melaka (Malacca). Introductory walking tour with some time at leisure for you to explore at your own pace followed by a later afternoon rickshaw ride and a boat trip up the Malacca River to visit the scenic old Malay area of Moreton Village.

Overnight: Melaka (Malacca) Transport: Minibus, Boat,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 4 - North by train to Penang

A return drive to Kuala Lumpur to catch the Butterworth express train to northern Malaysia. Late afternoon arrival and transfer to our heritage-style hotel in UNESCO-listed George Town’s jetty quarter. The evening is free for you to explore the area or perhaps check out one of the town’s famous street food, hawker markets.

Overnight: George Town Transport: Train,  Meals: B, 

Day 5 - Penang - George Town Heritage Walking Tour

Morning heritage tour of some of George Town’s varied sites including the vast labyrinth-style Chinatown with its traditional shop houses and family mansions as well as the Victorian architecture of the Fort Cornwallis district. Afternoon free to explore at your leisure, perhaps visit the splendid National Museum or just sample one of the myriad Chinatown cafes.

Overnight: George Town Transport: Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 6 - Penang Hill - ride the funicular up and hike down

Our day trip to Penang Hill involves an ascent by way of the old funicular railway with a return on foot through the lush rainforest of the Moon Gate trail, to the island’s Botanic Gardens. Spectacular views guaranteed while fauna includes dusky langurs and over 100 bird species. After freshening up back in George Town we’ll have an evening guided street food tour.

Overnight: George Town Transport: Train, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 7 - Penang - spice garden tour and cookery class

A morning at Penang’s Tropical Spice Garden includes an explanation of the myriad cultivated herbs and spices followed by a hands-on cookery class. For your free afternoon options are a hike in nearby Penang National Park, a trip to Ferringhi Beach or a return to George Town.

Overnight: George Town Transport: Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 8 - Flight from Penang to Borneo

Transfer to Penang Airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu, capital of Malaysia’s Sabah State on the island of Borneo. Check in to our centrally located hotel, meet your Borneo tour leader and a late afternoon stroll down to the waterfront for perhaps a sundowner before a local-style, welcome dinner.

Overnight: Kota Kinabalu Transport: Taxi, Plane,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 9 - Pulau Dinawan - an eco-project on a tropical island

A short boat trip takes us to the tropical island Pulau Dinawan where we’ll visit a conservation project involved in protecting the unspoilt island as well as its surrounding coral reefs. A guided snorkelling tour, nature hike around the island and barbecue lunch are on the menu with a late afternoon return to KK.

Overnight: Kota KInabalu Transport: Minibus, Boat,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 10 - Kinabalu - the National Park and Tea Plantation

Time to head into the interior where our first stop will be World Heritage Kinabalu National Park for a hike through the forest at the foot of the 4,000m mountain. Continuing east we’ll stop at the moving Kundasang Memorial in remembrance of Allied POWs who died during WW2’s infamous Sandakan Death March and, blooming permitting, the island’s celebrated Rafflesia flowers. Overnight in cottages at the Sabah Tea Plantation.

Overnight: Sabah Tea Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 11 - East to Sepilok and a scenic lakeside lodge

A chance to admire the stupendous views over Mount Kinabalu from the perfectly placed restaurant before a brief tour of the organic tea plantation itself. From here we continue to Sepilok for a stay at a scenic lodge. Afternoon arrival and free time to explore the resort’s very own botanical gardens or perhaps relax on their well-situated terrace.

Overnight: Sepilok Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 12 - Sepilok - the famous Orangutan Sanctuary and Rainforest Discovery Centre

Morning visit to the famous Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary Rehabilitation Centre and the adjacent Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Project. After some time to relax and escape the midday heat, we’ll visit the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre to explore the forest trails and extensive canopy walkways.

Overnight: Sepilok Transport: Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 13 - Gomantong Caves and the Kinabatangan River

Departure for the nearby Gomantong Caves* where we’ll discover the unique ecosystem of the limestone caves including the edible swiftlet nests and, with luck, spot some of the wild orangutans that inhabit the area. On to the Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor for a stay at a beautifully located, riverside eco-lodge. A sunset boat trip on the jungle-lined river and a night trek to spot some of the nocturnal wildlife complete our day’s activities. *(Please note at the time of writing the actual caves were closed due to walkway repairs although, as the entrance area affords good wildlife possibilities, we will continue to include the site as a stop.)

Overnight: Kinabatangan Transport: Minibus, Boat, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 14 - Kinabatangan - river trip and nature hike

Today’s itinerary features a sunrise river cruise and morning jungle hike with some time at leisure to explore the area or sit back and admire the views from your balcony. Proboscis monkeys, langurs, crocodiles, Borneo pygmy elephants and of course orangutans, are just a few of the potential wildlife sightings, whilst rare bird species include Storm’s stork, pitas, broadbills, the lesser adjutant and several species of hornbill.

Overnight: KInabatangan Transport: Boat, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 15 - Morning in Kinabatangan and return flight from Sandakan

Some time at leisure at Kinabatangan before a transfer to Sandakan Airport (depending upon airline schedules) for a short return flight across the island to Kota Kinabalu. Evening farewell dinner. (Note, anyone wishing to take up our Danum Valley extension would depart by road in the morning.)

Overnight: Kota Kinabalu Transport: Minibus, Plane,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 16 - Kota Kinabalu - departure or island extension

Morning is at leisure to explore Kota Kinabalu and perhaps visit one of its museums or markets before either a transfer to KK Airport (depending upon your departure time) or, for those with a few days to spare, a transfer to the ferry for a few days on Manukan Island.

Overnight: Departure Transport: Taxi,  Meals: B,