Borneo round trip and swimming

We recommend visiting Borneo between March and September for the best conditions. Do note that there are climatic differences between the Sabah and Sarawak regions. Sabah is relatively dry during this travel time, while Sarawak is more tropical with some brief rainfalls.

Welcome to Borneo! Upon arrival at Kuching Airport, a partner agent will greet you and take you to your first hotel.

Kuching is the capital of the Sarawak state in northern Borneo. The metropolis boasts colonial charm and is the gateway to the natural wonders of the world’s third-largest island and its dense rainforest.

Flight time Kuching airport - hotel: about 20 minutes / approx. 9 km

3 nights with breakfast in Kuching, Borneo, Malaysia

In the morning, you’ll be picked up in the hotel lobby. Embark on a short city tour that will take you to the most beautiful sights of the charming city. The city tour includes a visit to the 19th century Tua Pek Kong Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in Sarawak.

In the heart of the city, you’ll find Astana, the palace of the White Rajahs of Sarawak. The Brooks dynasty rules the sultanate on the island of Borneo for about 100 years. Today, Astana is the governor’s seat of Sarawak. The tour's highlight is a visit to the Sarawak Museum, whose collection is one of the best in Southeast Asia. The museum is a veritable treasure trove of artifacts from the region — discover exhibits of great archaeological and cultural value.

Today's destination is Bako National Park, about an hour and a half drive from Kuching. The national park comprises seven different rainforest ecosystems that offer a remarkable variety of animal and plant species. In addition to Bako's most famous residents, the bizarre proboscis monkey, you’ll find langurs, long-tailed macaque monkeys, wild boars, flying squirrels, monitor lizards, and hundreds of different species of birds.

The fascinating plant life includes mangroves, strangler figs, carnivorous pitcher plants, and symbiotic ant plants. You can expect dense jungle with well-marked hiking trails and secluded beaches on the coast.

Today you’ll leave the Sarawak region to experience the second Malaysian state in Borneo — Sabah.

After a short flight from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu, a partner agent will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.

Flight time Kuching - Kota Kinabalu: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes

2 nights with breakfast in Kuching, Borneo, Malaysia

About an hour’s drive from Kota Kinabalu is the Kiulu Valley and the Kiulu Farm. Embedded in rice fields, the Kiulu River, and its lush green nature, the Eco-Farm, offers the best conditions for an unforgettable experience far away from the urban jungle.

Upon arrival, your tour guide will warmly welcome you and inform you about your current farm stay program. Enjoy a delicious lunch cooked and served by the farm.

Then, it’s time to immerse yourself in the local culture and tradition by participating in local games and activities, such as handicrafts and traditional fishing. Let the community show you their favorite games and musical instruments! Afterward, take a walk around the village, through the pristine valley, and past the rice fields, plantations, and orchards. If the weather permits, we recommend taking a dip in the excellent Kiulu River.

In the late afternoon, drive back to your hotel in Kota Kinabalu.

Travel time Kota Kinabalu - Kiulu Valley: about 1 hour 15 minutes / approx. 54 km each way

Getting up early today will be worth it! Your hotel will prepare a breakfast box for you before you fly early in the morning to Sandakan. Once you arrive, you will continue to the jetty and board a speedboat to take you to Turtle Island Selingan.

After arriving, you will settle into your accommodation and use the rest of the afternoon at your disposal.

During the day, white sandy beaches, azure blue sea, and swaying palm trees await you on the tropical island. And Selingan Island isn’t called “Turtle Island” for nothing — sea turtles come here almost every day to lay their eggs.

After dinner, you will watch the magical spectacle together with a ranger. With a bit of luck, you’ll witness how the tiny, newly hatched turtles make their seemingly endless path into the sea.

Flight time Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan: about 45 minutes / continue by boat to Selingan Turtle Island

1 night with full board on Turtle Island, Malaysia

Today’s destination is the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation. After a 30-minute drive to Sepilok, you’ll experience another encounter with the warm-hearted forest people.

Afterward, you’ll board a boat and go to the largest river in Borneo, the Kinabatangan, to the Abai Jungle Lodge. On this river cruise, you’ll experience many animals and plants you’ve never seen before. Listen to the hornbills’ songs, hear the calls of the monkeys, and watch the tropical flora on the shore.

When you arrive in Abai, you’ll first settle into your accommodation before setting off again into the dense rainforest. This fascinating region attracts relatively few tourists, so you’re more likely to see a wild orangutan, so don’t forget your binoculars!

You then spend the night in the rustic, cozy chalets in the middles of the rainforest.

Travel time Sandakan - Sepilok: about 30 minutes / approx. 25 km

1 night incl. full board in the Kinabatangan River, Malaysia

Awakened by the omnipresent calls of the birds and monkeys, you’ll get your day started nestled in nature. After lunch at the lodge, you’ll return to Sandakan by boat and fly to Kota Kinabalu.

You will be met at the airport and taken b a short boat ride to your beach hotel on Gaya Island, where you’ll have the next few days to relax or for further excursions on land or water.

Flight time Sandakan - Kota Kinabalu: approx. 45 minutes

5 nights with 5x breakfast, 1x lunch on Gaya Island

Spend the next days as you wish! Discover the underwater world during a snorkeling adventure or pamper yourself with one of the lush spa treatments. You can also arrange for a picnic basket to find a lovely spot on the beach for some seclusion and relaxation.

The last day of your trip begins today! Relaxed and with countless experiences in your luggage, you’ll head back to the airport by boat and land transfer. We are happy to organize an extension of your stay on-site or in another region. Contact us today!

itravel - for that moment.

Riverside Majestic Hotel****, Kuching, Malaysia

Overlooking the coast of Kuching and located next to the Kuching Riverside Complex, the Riverside Majestic Hotel welcomes you with 241 modern rooms. Each of the air-conditioned rooms has WiFi, a minibar, and a safe. For culinary experiences, Café Majestic serves both regional and international dishes. You can also enjoy Chinese cuisine in the River Palace Restaurant or Thai specialties in the Coca Thai Restaurant. The Club Lobby Lounge offers drinks and live entertainment. End your day at the outdoor pool or with a game of tennis on the hotel's courts. A fitness studio is also at your disposal.

Horizon Hotel****, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Horizon Hotel is only a short walk from the Central Market and, thanks to its modern architecture, is one of the best addresses in town. The contemporary hotel offers a reception, a lobby, a bar, an outdoor pool, a spa and wellness area, several restaurants, and a concierge service. The 180 modern and stylishly furnished rooms have a private bathroom, telephone, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, safe, and minibar.

Selingan Turtle Island Resort, Selingan Turtle Island, Malaysia

Accommodation on Selingan Turtle Island is in simple bungalows that belong to the headquarters of the national park. All rooms are appropriately furnished.

Borneo Nature Lodge , Kinabatangan, Malaysia

Borneo Nature Lodge is on the banks of the Kinabatangan River amid tropical surroundings and wildlife. All rooms are air-conditioned, equipped with a mosquito net, and offer views of the tropical jungle. The lodge has a freely accessible lounge as well as fishing and barbecue facilities. Guests can enjoy a selection of Asian and international dishes in the restaurant and bar.

Gaya Island Resort****, Gaya Island, Malaysia

Off the coast of Borneo, the eco-friendly Gaya Island Resort nestles in the middle of the Tunka Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The villas were built from local materials and have a desk, safe, TV, heating, tea and coffee making facilities, and free WiFi. The Fest Village offers Asian and international dishes, and Fisherman's Cove serves fresh fish dishes with views of Mount Kinabalu. For Japanese specialties, head over to Omakase. Unwind at the in-house spa area, outdoor pool, or on the golden sandy beach. You can also discover the species-rich underwater world on diving and snorkeling trips.

Hilton Kuching****, Kuching, Malaysia

Hilton Kuching is on the banks of the Sarawak River, about 30 minutes from Semenggoh Wildlife Park. The rooms are spacious and have luxury amenities, such as an LDC television, free internet, a desk, and a marble bathroom. The suites have a separate living room, an outdoor pool, a gym, and six restaurants and bars.

Magellan Sutera Resort*****, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

The luxury resort Magellan Sutera in Kota Kinabalu has 456 rooms and suites. In the majestic longhouse style, the main entrance is an architectural homage to the Rungus natives of the Sabah region. The luxury resort is close to Sutera Marina and Sutera Harbor Golf & Country Club. The rooms offer garden or sea views and a private balcony. In the bathroom, you will find high-quality care products. Numerous leisure activities such as golf, tennis, bowling, and billiards leave nothing to be desired.

Selingan Turtle Island Resort, Selingan Turtle Island, Malaysia

Accommodation on Selingan Turtle Island is in simple bungalows that belong to the headquarters of the national park. All rooms are appropriately furnished.

Abai Jungle Lodge, Abai, Malaysia

Abai Jungle Lodge nestles in the middle of the rainforest and can only be reached by boat along the Kinabatangan River. The drive from Sandakan takes about an hour. The 24 rooms are traditionally built bungalows with heating, mosquito nets, and a private bathroom with a shower. The wooden veranda offers beautiful views of the jungle at any time of the day. Enjoy local delicacies such as freshly caught fish and prawns in the open-air restaurant.

Bunga Raya Resort*****, Gaya Island, Malaysia

Surrounded by a white sandy beach and a centuries-old jungle, Bunga Raya Resort is on a hidden bay near Kota Kinabalu. The 47 villas are spread out over the hills and furnished with materials typical of the country. You can arrange your stay according to your wishes: Relax in the Hilltop Spa or get to know the fascinating underwater world while diving. Or how about a trekking tour through the jungle? The Bunga Raya Resort also leaves nothing to be desired in culinary terms: The Pantai Grill is directly on the beach and serves first-class grill specialties, while The Koi serves bistro food with a view of the pool. You can find an excellent selection of wines in The Gua wine cellar.

Closest airport: Kuching International Airport

Duration of the trip: 13 days / 12 nights

Including

• 12 nights in the accommodations mentioned above or similar.

  • 3 nights at the Riverside Majestic Hotel**** with breakfast in a Superior Riverview Room in Kuching

  • 2 nights at the Horizon Hotel**** with breakfast in a Superior City View in Kota Kinabalu

  • 1 night at the Selingan Turtle Island Resort with full board in a standard chalet on Turtle Island

  • 1 night at the Borneo Nature Lodge with full board in a standard bungalow in Kinabatangan

  • 5 nights at Gaya Island Resort**** with breakfast in a Bay Villa on Gaya Island

• 12x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner

• Transfers and tours in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu according to the program on a private basis with an English-speaking guide (boat tours are on a group basis)

• Transfer and tours in Sandakan (Selingan Turtle Island, Abai, Gaya Island) on a group basis

• Boat transfer from Jesselton Point Jetty to Bunga Raya Resort/Gaya Island Resort and back

• Visits according to the program, including entrance fees

• Domestic flights (Kuching - Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan, Sandakan - Kota Kinabalu)

Excluding

• International flights

• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the scope of services

• Optional excursions (visits, admissions, etc.)

• Tips and personal expenses

• Travel insurance

• Tourism tax (tourism tax between 20 MYR and 10 MYR per room/night, depending on the hotel category)

• Visa, entry, and/or exit fees if required

Notes

• Please note that lunch on day 10 is only included in the price of a booked flight after 13:50.