West Malaysia and Borneo Tour

Day 1 - Kuala Lumpur - arrival and orientation tour

Our tour starts with a lunchtime check-in to our conveniently located 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 - Batu Caves and city sights

In the morning we’ll take the local train to the spectacular Batu Caves – a huge and highly prestigious limestone cave temple complex – followed by a walking tour of some of the city’s famous sites, including the National Mosque and the splendid colonial-period architecture of Merdeka Square. An evening street food tour of bustling Jalan Alor completes the day.

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

Day 3 - Malacca - the UNESCO World Heritage Town

Morning departure for the coast and Melaka (Malacca) with an afternoon orientation tour by rickshaw of the historic, UNESCO-listed city. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed town displays Portuguese, Dutch and British influences and we’ll allow you time in the late afternoon and evening to explore at your leisure.

Overnight: Melaka (Malacca) Transport: Minibus, Walk, Tuk Tuk,  Meals: B, 

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 by ferry 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, Boat, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 5 - Penang - George Town Heritage Walking Tour

Penang’s capital, George Town, reveals a bewildering mix of Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures; Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Hindu religions. Our walking tour of this well-preserved town takes in exotic temples, Chinese architecture, colourful Little India and impressive British colonial-period buildings. The afternoon is free to explore the fascinating and friendly town at your leisure, check out the local markets or museums, while an optional visit to the historic Cheong Fatt Tse ‘blue mansion’ can be arranged.

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

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

An ascent of Penang Hill by the famous jungle, funicular jungle railway – originally dating back to the Victorian era – for some spectacular views across the island and a visit to the Habitat Park to check-out their canopy walkway and ‘tree-tops’ trail. In the afternoon, we return down the hill for a short drive to the island’s picturesque Botanical Gardens.

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

Day 7 - Penang - spice garden tour and cookery class

A food-orientated morning with a visit to the island’s Tropical Spice Garden. An explanation and tour of the garden’s myriad herbs and spices are followed by a hands-on cookery lesson where you’ll prepare your own lunch. Short afternoon hike to unspoilt Pantai Kerakut in nearby Penang National Park.

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 - Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

An island-hopping boat tour of some of the sites of the nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Discover the underwater flora and fauna on a morning snorkelling tour before lunch and some time to relax and swim on one of the park’s scenic islands. Late afternoon return to Kota Kinabalu with an evening at leisure to perhaps check out the town’s vibrant night market.

Overnight: Kota KInabalu Transport: 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. Overnight in cottages at the Sabah Tea Plantation.

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

Day 11 - East to Sepilok and a scenic lakeside lodge

Admire the stupendous early morning views over Mount Kinabalu from the plantation’s perfectly placed restaurant, followed by some tasting opportunities and the chance to learn about the plantation’s organic tea production. From here we drive to Sepilok for a 2-night stay at a well-situated eco-lodge. Afternoon arrival and free time to explore the area or just kick back on your balcony.

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 riverside eco-lodge. A sunset boat trip on the jungle-lined river and an optional night trek to spot some of the nocturnal wildlife complete our day’s activities.

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

Day 14 - Kinabatangan - river trip and nature hike

Today’s programme includes a dawn river cruise and a morning jungle hike or village tour. Proboscis monkeys, langurs, orangutans, crocodiles and pygmy elephants are just a few of the possible wildlife sightings you may make on your boat trip, whilst rare bird species found here include the lesser adjutant, Storm’s stork, pitas, broadbills 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 Gaya Island.

Overnight: Departure Transport: Taxi,  Meals: B,