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Borneo Adventure : Oct 7th to 14th' 2023


Travel to Borneo and leave urban life behind. Head into Borneo’s lush jungles to embark on a magical journey to explore the natural wonders of tropical Sabah. Travel down scenic rivers, into thick jungles and through the vibrant villages of beautiful Borneo making friends with local villagers and trying delicious cuisine. Swim among colorful fish and spot unique wildlife in Borneo’s steamy jungles, found only in this part of the world like the Borneo Pygmy Elephants, Proboscis Monkeys and Orangutans among other animals and birds, see the iconic Mount Kinabalu and walk through the trails in the Kinabalu National Park. Last but not the least, explore the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of multi-cultural and vibrant Kota Kinabalu. There’s no doubt that this adventure in Borneo will find its way into your heart and leave you with unforgettable memories.

Essential Info

Cost: Rs 54500/-  
Country: 
Malaysia

Start: Kota Kinabalu
End: Sandakan
Start Date: 7th Oct’ 2023
End Date: 14th Oct’ 2023
Duration:  8 Days
Group Size :  Min 5 / Max 10
Theme: Culture, Adventure, Wildlife, Experience

Highlights

– Explore the markets and food scene in multi cultural Kota Kinabalu.
– Visit Kinabalu National park and stay at a mountain lodge.
– Go cruising on the Kinabatangan River searching for Borneo Pygmy Elephants, Proboscis Monkeys and Orangutans among other animals
and birds.
– Visit Manukan and Sapi islands and go snorkeling to see the beautiful marine life.
– Stay at a homestay in Kinabatangan and experience the life of the locals.
– See the lifestyle of the different tribes of Borneo at the Cultural village.

ITINERARY

Day 1 : Oct 7th – Kota Kinabalu
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and transfer to hotel. Rest and later explore the town walking through the streets and taking a food tour. Kota Kinabalu is a melting pot of cuisines and it’s no surprise since there are a lot of nationalities and cultures mixing. We can visit the Night Markets (Pasar Malam) that are famed for its Malaysian and Chinese eats, and the Sunday market at Gaya Street (Old Town). Overnight at Kota Kinabalu.

Day 2 : Oct 8th – Manukan island and Sapi island
After breakfast, a short 20 mins boat ride from Kota Kinabalu brings you to Manukan Island. Manukan island and Sapi island are located in the famous Tunku Abdul Rahman Park in Sabah and great for exploring the island and beaches and snorkelling. An array of coral and brightly coloured marine life reveals itself. Soak up the turquoise vistas for another few hours as you stroll or swim. After lunch relax on the beach and later by late afternoon we get back to Kota Kinabalu. Evening free to relax or you can explore The Puh Toh Tze Buddhist temple, Sabah Mosque or Filipino market. You can also opt to go on a sunset cruise in the south china sea. Overnight at Kota Kinabalu.

Day 3 : Oct 9th – Cultural village and Kinabalu National Park
After breakfast, we visit the Tanjung Aru beach and later visit Mari Mari Cultural Village to see the lifestyle of the different tribes of Borneo. Located in beautiful surroundings, Mari Mari Cultural Village offers glimpses into the lives of Sabah’s rich culture with its distinctive houses, costumes and traditional skills of five major Sabah’s ethnic groups. After lunch, we drive to Kinabalu National Park. You can stretch your legs and soak up the mountain scenery with a stroll through Kinabalu National Park. There are many walking trails from which you can birdwatch, or spot an animal or two. The Mountain Botanic Garden is an excellent showcase of the diverse plant life on the mountain, as flora from all over the park has been replanted here. Later we drive to our homestay around Kinabalu National Park ( Ranau / Kundasang ) for an overnight stay.

Day 4 : Oct 10th – Ranau to Kinabatangan River ( Sukau )
After breakfast, we head to Kinabatangan River. Your jungle homestay, located near the river, is ideal for taking in the lush surrounds. At 560 kilometres, the Kinabatangan River is the second longest river in Malaysia. It’s also a protected forest reserve, containing some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo. Later in the afternoon, you have the option to take a river cruise, hopefully spotting some of the more exotic local creatures. Borneo pygmy elephants ( the smallest species of elephants in the world ), crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutan, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, kingfishers and bird life are seen. After this short adventure, you’ll head back to the lodge to enjoy dinner. Overnight at Kinabatangan homestay.

Day 5 : Oct 11th- Kinabatangan River ( Sukau )
Today is full of jungle and activities. Rise early for the morning cruise along the river to spot more wildlife. Later back for breakfast. After breakfast, we go for a 2-hour jungle trek. After lunch, relax and in the evening you can go for another river safari if interested or walk and explore the riverside and villages. Overnight at Kinabatangan.
( 1 River cruise safari and 1 jungle trek included in the tour. If you are interested you have the option of taking more safari cruises ).
 Overnight at Kinabatangan.

Day 6 : Oct 12th – Sukau to Sandakan
After breakfast, we leave for Sandakan, on the way stopping at the Gomantong Cave to see the nests of the swift bird. Its nest is made of solidified saliva and is used to make bird’s nest soup which is sought after and prized in many parts of Asia. Reach Sandakan by late afternoon. After lunch rest and in the evening go for a Sandakan Heritage walk taking in the sights of Sandakan and stopping at the English tea house. Overnight at Sandakan.

Day 7 : Oct 13th – Sandakan
Day free to explore Sandakan and its surroundings. You can visit the Sepliok Orangutan Sanctuary. The centre was set up to help re-introduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been orphaned. To see more of Borneo’s creatures there’s the option to visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. You can also visit the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you can watch up close the amazing bachelor proboscis lazing and feeding. There few other places in Sandakan to explore like the Sandakan Memorial Park, Central Market, Puh Jih Syh Buddhist Temple and Agnes Keith’s House. Overnight at Sandakan.

Day 8 : Oct 14th – Departure
After breakfast end of tour and drop to Sandakan airport. 

Trip Info

Kota Kinabalu
Renau
Kinabalu National Park 
Kinabatangan
Sandakan

INCLUSIONS
-2 Night stay in Kota Kinabalu, 1 Nights stay around Kinabalu National Park, 2 Nights stay in Kinabatangan, 2 Night stay in Sandakan 
– Breakfast on all days
– Private Car / Van for mentioned internal travels
– Airport transfer’s and city sightseeing by private car / van
–  Kinabalu National Park, Gomantong Caves
– One Kinabatangan River cruise Safari and One trek / Jungle walk ( Easy to Medium level ) 
– Munakan & Sapi Island tour 
– Service charges

– Taxes

EXCLUSIONS
– India to Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan to India ( we can advise you which flights to book ) 
– One month single entry Malaysian visa
– Any extra excursions and tours other than mentioned
– Entry tickets and camera charges at sightseeing points ( wherever not mentioned )

* See ” DAY WISE STAY AND INCLUSION DETAILS ” tab for detailed inclusion and exclusions

Day 1 : Oct 7th – Kota Kinabalu
Hotel : Check Inn KK / Fat Rhino or similar
Included Activities : Market & Town walk
Included Transport : Airport pickup
Meal : None

Day 2 : Oct 8th – Manukan island and Sapi island
Hotel : 
Check Inn KK / Fat Rhino or similar
Included Tour : 
Munakan Island & Sapi island visit 

Optional Activities ( Excluded ): Snorkeling,  Sunset Cruise
Included Transport : 
Boat to Munakan & Sapi Island

Included Entry tickets : Munakan & Sapi Island 
Meal : 
Breakfast
 

Day 3 : Oct 9th – Cultural village and Kinabalu National Park 
Hotel :
Kinabalu Poring vacation Lodge / Nikgold Garden Resort or similar
Included Activities : 
Tanjung Aru beach, Mari Mari Cultural village, Kinabalu National Park
Included Transport : 
Full day tour 
Included Entry tickets :
None
Meal : 
Breakfast
Distance : 
120 kms | 4 hours | By car or van

Day 4 : Oct 10th – Ranau to Kinabatangan 
Hotel : Sukau River Homestay / Greenview or similar
Included Activities: 
None
Optional Activities: Kinabatangan evening river cruise.
Included Transport: 
Kinabalu National Park to Kinabatangan
Included Entry tickets: 
None 
Meal : 
Breakfast
Distance : 
250 kms | 5 hours | By car or van

Day 5 : Oct 11th – Kinabatangan 
Hotel : Sukau River Homestay / Greenview or similar
Included Activities : River cruise safari, Jungle Trek, Traditional dance
Included Transport : Boat for river cruise
Meal : 
Breakfast

Day 6 : Oct 12th – Kinabatangan to Sandakan
Hotel : Nak Hotel / San Bay Hotel or similar
Included Activities : Gomantong Cave, Sandakan Walk
Included Transport : 
Kinabatangan to Sandakan
Included Entry tickets : 
None
Meal : 
Breakfast

Distance : 130 kms | 3 hours | By car or van

Day 7 : Oct 13th – Sandakan 
Hotel : Nak Hotel / San Bay Hotel or similar
Included Activities : None
Optional Activities : Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, Sun Bear Rehabilitation Center, Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Sandakan Memorial Park.
Included Transport : 
None
Included Entry tickets : 
None
Meal : 
Breakfast

Day 8 : Oct 14th – Departure 
Included Transport : 
Drop to airport 
Meal : 
Breakfast

  • Rs 2500/- Discount ( For repeat travellers ) 
  • Rs 2000/- Discount ( For 3 or more people booking together )
  • Stay will be in Standard category hotels and Bed n Breakfast places with good reviews on double/twin sharing basis.
  • Asian, Western and Malay food is available at all places. Some places also have few Indian restaurants
  • Breakfast ( Included ) will be mostly Malay and western breakfast at most places
  • Private car/van  for Airport transfers
  • Private car/ van  for Kota Kinabalu to Kinabalu National Park and Kinabatangan
  • Group mini van  for Kinabatangan to Sandakan
  • Malaysian visa can be made online. Check with us if you need more info on getting the visa done. 

For this trip
This trip is for the wildlife enthusiasts, adventure seekers and experience hunters, to experience the culture life style of Borneo and witness the flora and fauna of the last remaining wildernesses in Asia.  

For all our trips
Our small group tours also allow enough time for yourself  ( mostly in the evenings ) and the group leaders will assist you too if you need to do your own thing.
Stay and food is a big part of the travel and we make sure you are made comfortable and therefore we choose some of the best-reviewed places to stay and eat. 
We try to incorporate more local experiences on our tours with the help of our experienced tour leader and local guides to make your experience even more memorable.
Our tours are not standard sightseeing package tours, it’s more experience-oriented so as to give a real travel value to the guests. 

Who are we?
Exotic Expeditions is an experiential based travel company founded in 2010. We are based out of Bangalore and Mumbai and we create uniquely designed tours that have high travel value. We include activities, local interactions, and offbeat destinations so that the guests go back with experiences to remember for a long time.

What are all included in our tours?
A comprehensive list of inclusions and exclusions is mentioned on the respective trip page, but across all our trips, we have these in common: exclusive private transfers, breakfast on most days, good accommodation, unique experiences, expert guides and an experienced trip leader who’s there to assist you around the clock.

Are flights & visas included in your costs?
No.We don’t include flights and visa costs in our prices unless specified. We, however, will help you with booking flights and getting the visa done.

What is the typical group size?
We believe that a small group is can enjoy the journey better and have closer interactions with the group members, therefore, we restrict our group size to a maximum of 15. Group size typically between 5 and 15. Our travelers are friendly, open-minded, well traveled and we have a good gender mix on our tours.

Who can join this trip?
Anyone above 18 years of age can join our trips. Participants below the age of 18 must be accompanied by an elder.

Which cities do travelers come from?
Our travelers come from all over India. Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad and Calcutta are the cities where most of our travelers come from.

What are the payment options?
You can make payments through credit and debit cards, net-banking, cash or cheque. Installment options are also available.

Can solo travelers join one of the tours?
Yes. On most of our tours, we have a high turnout of solo travelers seeking a different travel experience. Many of them even end up becoming friends after the tour.

How safe is it to travel with you?
Your safety is our number one priority and we design our travel journeys keeping this in mind.

What do our guests say about our tours?
Please check out the reviews on our facebook page to know what our guests think about our tours. 

  • You can contact us at contact@exoticexpeditions.org / exoticexpeditions@gmail.com 
  • Call / whatsapp us at 9986450370 
  • Bookings can be done by online bank transfer / cash/ cheque or credit / debit card
  • Installment options are also available 

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