Experience Overview
Love lush jungle trails, soothing river rides, and super rare wildlife? This is officially the trip for you! Jump on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the very best of Borneo, while checking out orangutans, sun bears, turtles, proboscis monkeys, and even the world’s smallest elephants in just 9 days. All with a refreshing dose of sandy beaches, spectacular stays & comfy flights.
Highlights
- Dining Summary: 8 Breakfast (B),4 Lunch (L),3 Dinner (D)
- FAQs: Kuching: What items should I pack for this trip? You’re gonna be exploring a tropical jungle, so we recommend that you get insect repellent, a torch, a raincoat, good walking shoes, a sun hat, and of course – binocs (a must-have!). For the beach, you should get sandals, swimwear, personal toiletries, and sun cream (preferably sweatproof!). Plus, you’ll need an overnight bag on some nights of this trip. Pro-tip: Extra-light cotton clothes are perfect for Borneo’s weather.
- Included Experience: Bako National Park: Cruise along the azure coasts for a 30-min ride to Bako Fishing Village, checking out all the show-stopping sea scenery along the way.,Bako National Park: Join an expert for a walk through the rainforest. This is your chance to check out all the wildlife here (some found only in Borneo!) including proboscis monkeys, silvered langurs, bearded pigs and monitor lizards.,Semenggoh: We'll visit the Semenggoh Orangutan Wildlife Centre, where you'll get to meet orphaned & rescued orangutans who were trained by the wardens here to survive in the wild. You'll also get to see the very first feeding of the day!,Kota Kinabalu: Zip through the clouds as we head to Kota Kinabalu for some cosy coastal relaxation.,Sandakan: Sit back, relax and enjoy your second included flight of the trip!,Sandakan: Pay homage to the Australian and British soldiers who were held as prisoners in the Philippines by the Japanese between 1942 and 1945.,Selingan Island: We'll jump on a boat and float over to our next beachy spot of the trip - Turtle Island!,Selingan Island: First, we'll join a Park Ranger to explore the sights on this island. And then head to laying site in small group. You'll get to see a mother turtle laying eggs on the beach firsthand, see the tagging process and even witness the egg collecting before it's planted in the hatchery. And to finish it off, you'll even watch the baby turtles being released to the sea for the very first time! You don't wanna miss this one...,Selingan Island: Snorkel, sunbathe & soak in the scenery on the oh-so-stunning Turtle Island.,Sandakan: Start your day with a mindful visit to this golden and red temple atop a hill,Sepilok: A bear? With a crescent shaped patch of fur? That resembles the rising sun? Get ready for cuteness overload as you see sun bears in this conservation centre.,Sepilok: That's right! This time we're visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to see even more rescued orangutans.,Kinabatangan River: Hop onto a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River to discover wildlife situated along the river where there is a chance to see the Proboscis Monkey, rare bird species of Borneo, Hornbills, Gibbons and maybe even Pygmy Elephants!,Kinabatangan River: Join the birds and other animals of the river for a cruise up stream in search of wildlife as the bathe in the morning sun along the river,Kinabatangan River: Take a nature jungle walk with a local guide who'll fill you in on all the deets of this wonderful riverine forest.,Kinabatangan River: Another river cruise. Even more wildlife. That's what's on the agenda this afternoon. Grab your binocs!
Trip Details
Product Code: 27242
Tour Type:
Accommodation: Budget
Transport:
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: 18 - 35 Year Olds Only
Tour Operator: Contiki (CA)
Supplier Code: 686
Starts: Kuching Metropolitan Area, Malaysia
Finishes: Sandakan, Malaysia
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,819 ($424 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Borneo! Our journey through this pristine island begins here in its Malaysian capital. So, drop your bags at our hotel, and exchange hellos with your crew before heading out for the night.
Morning jungle explorers, ready for your first full day? Yeah, you are! This morning, we’ll head to the Bako Fishing Village and jump on a cruise to the Bako National Park. See those funky-looking giant rocks? That’s how you know we’re in Bako - the perfect spot to check out Sarawak’s forests and wildlife! We’ll hit the lush forest trails with a local guide, checking out all the teeming wildlife along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for the rare proboscis monkeys (there are only around 275 here!). A free evening dawns on us after sunset. And lucky for you, there are plenty of shops, streets and museums to explore.
Kuching Today’s the day, folks. It’s time to see Orangutans in the wild! So tick that bucket list, and let’s head out to Semenggoh Orangutan Wildlife Centre. Semenggoh Kicking off with a short walk through the rainforest, where you’ll hope to see these rescued orangutans jumping across branches, playing with their little ones and even grabbing a banana or two from the feeding centre (who’s gonna say no to a free meal?!). Then, we’ll make our way to the airport and catch a flight to our next stop. Kota Kinabalu Back on land, there are only two things left to do - enjoy dinner & catch all the epic waterfront sunset views from our hotel.
Pristine beaches? Check. Crystal clear water? Yep. Free time to explore 'em all? You bet. Coastal relaxation or countryside expeditions (on a bicycle) - it's a DIY today!
Kota Kinabalu Look at you, rising & shining even before the sun! With no time to waste, we’ll zip through the skies once again, this time to Sandakan. SandakanWe’ll head to the Sandakan Memorial Park for a sombre dose of history & war, before swerving through the sea onto our next stop. Selingan Turtle Island It’s time for some well-deserved R&R - on this beautiful island that's a safehaven for green and hawksbill turtles. So, drop your bags off at our resort, and get ready for a very special experience tonight. After dinner, you’ll have the chance to see a turtle laying eggs, and even see baby turtles heading into the sea for the very first time. Awww!
Selingan Goodbye Selingan, you’ve been lovely. But we’ve got so much more to explore! Sandakan Kicking off the day, you’ll visit the lantern-lined Puu Jih Shih Buddhist temple. (Hope you're ready to witness some of the best hilltop views of your life!). Then we’ll stop by at a nearby English Tea House where you’ll have time for lunch. Sepilok This afternoon, you’ll have the chance to explore the Sepilok Forest and its Rainforest Discovery Centre. (Think classroom vibes, but amidst a tropical jungle). For dinner, we’ll take a stroll around town & grab some local eats.
Sepilok Guess what? This morning, we’re heading out to meet the cutest-ever (also the world’s smallest!) sun bears at a conservation centre. Then we’ll visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to see rescued orangutans at a beautiful rainforest reserve. What’s next? We’ll make our way to catch a jetty to our next stop - where you’ll get to see even more wildlife. (Don’t say we don’t spoil you…). Kinabatangan River:Drop your bags. Sip some tea. Grab your binocs. Then, come along for a soothing boat ride along the Kinabatangan River. This is your chance to spot some of the rarest wildlife - even the smallest elephants in the world!
Kinabatangan RiverWake up with coffee & brekkie and join us for an early morning river safari for wildlife watching (think rare monkeys, hornbills, gibbons and pygmy elephants - bathing in the morning sun!). Then, we’ll ditch the boat for a jungle walk before tucking into a delicious lunch. And the final act of the day? Another river cruise! It’s your last one here, so - Keep. Those. Eyes. Peeled.
Don’t wanna say it but...our journey through Borneo's luscious forests has come to an end. Grab your final meal of the trip and hop on for a transfer back to the airport. Don’t worry, there are plenty more destinations waiting to be explored, and plenty more memories to be made with your crew.
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Tour Operator
Contiki (CA)
Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds, offering over 350 different tours in over 75 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[1] It is a subsidiary of The Travel Corporation. Its tours historically had a reputation for partying;[2][3] however, it also operates wellness trips culturally immersive experiences that focus less on alcohol, which are more popular with Generation Z.[4] The company owns lodging facilities in Europe, including the Chateau De Cruix, a 16th century castle in the Beaujolais wine region, and the Gasthof Schoneck in the Austrian Tyrol. The name "Contiki" comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; from the Māori referring to the first man, often symbolised as a pendant known as hei-tiki. It can also be attributed to the New Zealand slang 'Tiki-tour' describing taking a longer route to a destination in order to explore.[5]
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
John - Traveled, April 2024
Stupendous tour manager. She’s inclusive, understanding, respectful, intelligent, charismatic, and loves her job. Anyone would be lucky to have a tour with Rhi.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/23/2024
Kathleen - Traveled, April 2024
She was very friendly and felt so comfortable talking and asking her question. She has such a good energy and positive vide that made my everyday just wow.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/23/2024
Chloe - Traveled, April 2024
Rhi was a fabulous guide She worked hard it was clear she is passionate about giving her guests a great time but also a real experience of the culture and countries we visited. I don't think i would have experienced the same had I gone without her. She is funny, kind and a fantastic human being. Nothing is too small for her and she feels like your best friend and trip mum all rolled into one. She is professional and knowledgeable and an absolute credit to contiki. The trip itself was amazing and i think about it all the time!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/23/2024
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