Sabah Adventure

Day by day

Aerial view of Cherating's lush landscape and coastline, highlighting natural beauty.

Your journey through

Malaysia

Showing Days 1-7

11-day itinerary

Day 1Kota KinabaluSelamat datang! Welcome to Borneo, Malaysia. Your adventure begins in Kota Kinabalu with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe immerse yourself in the history of the city at the Sabah State Museum. You can also visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village or explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu – excellent for swimming and snorkelling. Tonight, perhaps head out with your group for a welcome dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations for local food and drinks.

Kota Kinabalu

Selamat datang! Welcome to Borneo, Malaysia. Your adventure begins in Kota Kinabalu with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe immerse yourself in the history of the city at the Sabah State Museum. You can also visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village or explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu – excellent for swimming and snorkelling. Tonight, perhaps head out with your group for a welcome dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations for local food and drinks.

Day 2Kg Lobong-Lobong VillageTravel by minivan to a Kg Lobong-Lobong, a village that sits in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Be welcomed into the village, take a walk with the locals to learn about the village life and visit the local orchid farm. Enjoy some excellent home-cooked flavors while you are here and rest for a peaceful village night with your host family.

A vibrant close-up of fresh orange carrots ideal for culinary and health themes.

Kg Lobong

Travel by minivan to a Kg Lobong-Lobong, a village that sits in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Be welcomed into the village, take a walk with the locals to learn about the village life and visit the local orchid farm. Enjoy some excellent home-cooked flavors while you are here and rest for a peaceful village night with your host family.

Day 3Kg Lobong-Lobong VillageContinue your exploration of Kg Lobong-Lobong village life today. Check out the rubber farm, pineapple farm and rice paddy, depending on what is in season. And join the fellow villagers in their rice husking, fish fermentation or making tapai (a type of fermented food made from glutinous rice) and other activities for a rare chance to experience the local village life firsthand. Then cook up a storm with your hosts in the village community hall and enjoy a cultural performance prepared by the villagers.

A woman sells fresh produce at a vibrant morning market in Labis, Johor, Malaysia.

Kg Lobong

Continue your exploration of Kg Lobong-Lobong village life today. Check out the rubber farm, pineapple farm and rice paddy, depending on what is in season. And join the fellow villagers in their rice husking, fish fermentation or making tapai (a type of fermented food made from glutinous rice) and other activities for a rare chance to experience the local village life firsthand. Then cook up a storm with your hosts in the village community hall and enjoy a cultural performance prepared by the villagers.

Day 4Kinabalu National ParkEat a good breakfast this morning and say goodbye to your friends in the village as it’s time to drive to Timpohon Gate to begin your trek up Mt Kinabalu. It’s no small feat – prepare for an uphill trail made of steep steps that vary considerably in size – but along the way you can take in the remarkable variety of plant life, including about 1000 species of orchid and the carnivorous pitcher plant (yes, really). After covering 6 km (approximately 4 to 6 hours), spend the night at a hostel near Laban Rata, located at 3,272m (10,735 ft) above sea level. Rest up for the final ascent (very!) early tomorrow morning.

Explore the vibrant tropical rainforest landscape surrounding Mount Kinabalu with trees and stunning mountain peaks.

Kinabalu National Park

Eat a good breakfast this morning and say goodbye to your friends in the village as it’s time to drive to Timpohon Gate to begin your trek up Mt Kinabalu. It’s no small feat – prepare for an uphill trail made of steep steps that vary considerably in size – but along the way you can take in the remarkable variety of plant life, including about 1000 species of orchid and the carnivorous pitcher plant (yes, really). After covering 6 km (approximately 4 to 6 hours), spend the night at a hostel near Laban Rata, located at 3,272m (10,735 ft) above sea level. Rest up for the final ascent (very!) early tomorrow morning.

Day 5Kinabalu National ParkRise at around 2 am this morning to continue your trek – it’s tough, but the sunrise at the summit will be well worth it. At the top, take in the jungles of Borneo in one direction and the South China Sea in the other. After a well-deserved rest and plenty of pictures, return to Laban Rata for breakfast. Then, get started on the descent which can take between 3 - 6 hours. This evening, enjoy your overnight stay at a hostel within Kinabalu National Park.

Capture the magic of Mount Kinabalu's peak against a vibrant night sky filled with stars.

Kinabalu National Park

Rise at around 2 am this morning to continue your trek – it’s tough, but the sunrise at the summit will be well worth it. At the top, take in the jungles of Borneo in one direction and the South China Sea in the other. After a well-deserved rest and plenty of pictures, return to Laban Rata for breakfast. Then, get started on the descent which can take between 3 - 6 hours. This evening, enjoy your overnight stay at a hostel within Kinabalu National Park.

Day 6Kinabatangan RiverJourney by private bus into the steamy rainforest to Bilit – a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River – and then take a short boat ride to the comfortable jungle lodge where you’ll spend the night. Located on the riverbanks, the lodge is a brilliant place to spot wildlife. For even better spotting, head out on a sunset boat ride and look out for macaques, orangutan, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. End your day by searching for nocturnal wildlife like civets, owls and the rare slow loris on a night walk.

A tranquil scene of a palm tree by a calm river in Sarawak, Malaysia, under a clear blue sky.

Kinabatangan River

Journey by private bus into the steamy rainforest to Bilit – a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River – and then take a short boat ride to the comfortable jungle lodge where you’ll spend the night. Located on the riverbanks, the lodge is a brilliant place to spot wildlife. For even better spotting, head out on a sunset boat ride and look out for macaques, orangutan, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. End your day by searching for nocturnal wildlife like civets, owls and the rare slow loris on a night walk.

Day 7Kinabatangan RiverEmbark on another boat safari early this morning – different species come out at different times, so keep your eyes peeled! After breakfast, join the in-house guide for an insightful journey into the historical Kinabatangan community, which thrived long before tourism developed in the area. Explore traditional practices and craftsmanship and actively engage in the crafting of traditional fish traps. This hands-on experience provides a profound understanding of the local culture and heritage, fostering a deeper appreciation for their sustainable way of life. Then, head back on the boat for another river excursion in the afternoon.

A serene river landscape featuring a boat cruising through lush greenery in Malaysia.

Kinabatangan River

Embark on another boat safari early this morning – different species come out at different times, so keep your eyes peeled! After breakfast, join the in-house guide for an insightful journey into the historical Kinabatangan community, which thrived long before tourism developed in the area. Explore traditional practices and craftsmanship and actively engage in the crafting of traditional fish traps. This hands-on experience provides a profound understanding of the local culture and heritage, fostering a deeper appreciation for their sustainable way of life. Then, head back on the boat for another river excursion in the afternoon.

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