This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Enjoy the comfort of having your travel arrangements all to yourself. From the exclusivity of having your own transportation to your own expert English-speaking guide who in most cases will accompany you throughout the entire tour unless stated.
✓ Private tour, enjoy the comfort and personalised service of private touring
✓ Private in-depth sightseeing
✓ Private air-conditioned transportation
✓ Adventure through the tropics, including Dinawan Island, visiting endangered orangutans and sun bears in Sepilok, viewing native birds and wildlife on a safari cruise along the Kinabatangan River, staying at a Selingan Turtle Island and more
✓ Fully escorted by a professional, English-speaking tour guide
✓ 6 nights staying in 4-star accommodation
✓ 2 nights immersed in nature at a rainforest lodge
✓ 1 night in a chalet on Selingan Turtle Island
✓ Breakfast daily, 8 lunches including a cooking class, 3 dinners and a high-tea experience
✓ Domestic flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan
✓ Group departure transfer to Sandakan Airport (SDK)
✓ Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Malaysia.
On arrival into Kota Kinabalu, please make your own way to the hotel and meet with your group.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Just a 30-minute boat trip from Kota Kinabalu, is a tiny gem of an island with secluded beaches and clear waters to snorkel or explore on a kayak. Ara Dinawan Island is an exquisite addition to Sabah's natural marvels, boasting untouched and pristine beauty that is exclusive to its location. It is now considered one of the most stunning islands in Sabah, unspoiled and untainted by human interference.
Your boat will take you directly to the coral reefs where your experienced snorkelling guide will point out the best spot to see what’s underwater. Alternatively, you can choose to take a kayak for a paddle through the crystal clear waters. This is the perfect island getaway for a day or a weekend for those looking for some peace and tranquillity to totally unwind and rejuvenate the senses.
Return to Kota Kinabalu by boat and spend the evening at your leisure.
After breakfast, we will drive approximately 2.5 hours to the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. En route, we’ll stop at local shops for refreshment breaks and to also sample the local produce.
Continue onto Kinabalu National Park where you will meet an experienced guide who will take us along trails in Malaysia’s first world heritage site. There are a few different options depending on your fitness level and interest. The mountain and its surroundings are among the most important biological sites in the world, with over 800 species of orchid, 600 species of ferns, 326 species of birds, and is the richest place in the world for the nepenthes insectivorous pitcher plants (five of the thirteen are only found here). Afterwards, we will visit the Botanical Garden and Kinabalu Geopark Gallery at Kinabalu Park Headquarters.
Return to Kota Kinabalu where the evening is at leisure.
Today we will head into the countryside, approximately 1 hour from Kota Kinabalu, to explore the local customs.
Embark on a captivating excursion to explore the local community and their rich cultural heritage, fully immersing yourself in their customs and way of life. Experience a profound sense of tranquillity as you embrace the serene allure of Kiulu, with its breathtaking vistas of vibrant paddy fields, picturesque farms, rejuvenating woodlands, and undulating verdant peaks. stop by a local market to buy basic ingredients, before proceeding to the location of our cooking class, guided by a local chef. The chef will teach you how to prepare traditional Sabahan dishes. You will also have lunch, enjoying your culinary masterpieces, along with other traditional Sabahan delicacies.
After lunch, feel free to dip into the cool river before we return to Kota Kinabalu.
After breakfast and check out, you will be transferred from Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinabalu International Airport where you will board a 45-minute flight to Sandakan. After take-off, you will see the stunning pinnacles of Mount Kinabalu on a clear day.
From the airport, we will visit the Sandakan Memorial Park, which is adjacent to the site of the Sandakan Prisoner of War (POW) camp. The park commemorates the sacrifice and suffering endured by both Australian and British soldiers who were held here by the Japanese as prisoners of war, between 1942 and 1945.
Our visit to the Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple includes spectacular views. Located on a steep hilltop, take in the views of Sandakan Bay and the town centre. Then, continue to one of the oldest churches in Sabah, St. Michael's Church, which is over a century old.
We’ll then move onto an insightful visit to the two-storey colonial villa, Agnes Keith House, to learn about the life of Harry and Anges Keith. Harry, a Brit, was the first conservator of the Forestry Department in Sabah, while Agnes, Keith’s American wife, was the author of the three books: Land Below the Wind, Three Came Home and White Man Returns. The couple lived in Sandakan from 1934 to 1952 with their son, George.
After this interesting visit, we’ll stop at the nearby English Tea House where you can enjoy spectacular views of Sandakan Nature City and have lunch before checking into your hotel. This afternoon can be spent at leisure – enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the town.
This morning we’ll depart for Turtle Island where we’ll stay overnight. You will be able to leave your luggage with the hotel concierge and be sure to bring along a light overnight bag, only containing items you need for this evening.
We will travel by private speedboat for approximately one hour, past small fishing villages and bamboo fish traps, to our very special destination: Turtle Island Marine Park.
In the afternoon, there will be plenty of time for swimming and snorkelling, or just relax on the beach and experience this beautiful tropical island. In the evening, we will observe giant green turtles come ashore to lay their eggs under the moonlight and watch the researchers as they release protected hatchlings, guiding them in their frantic dash to the ocean. It's a moving, once-in-a-lifetime experience. As you are a guest in this very delicate environment, please be sure to follow instructions from your leader and the local rangers to ensure minimal impact on the turtles. Enjoy this magical overnight experience on the island!
NOTES:
After breakfast, we will check out and your luggage will be picked up at 7am before proceeding to The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The centre was set up in 1964 to help re-introduce orangutans back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been orphaned. We’ll also watch a short film about the orangutan rehabilitation process. The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, within walking distance, is our next stop. Here we’ll learn how sun bears, who have spent many years mistreated and locked away in cages, are rescued and rehabilitated. The centre opened in 2008 and is currently home to 43 rescued ex-captive sun bears.
We’ll then travel to Kinabatangan. The 560km-long Kinabatangan River flows through a floodplain that is teeming with wildlife including large mammals, primates, birds, reptiles, and insects. Once we have checked into our hotel, we’ll enjoy lunch. This afternoon we will board our cruise, which provides plenty of opportunities to view wildlife and birds in its virgin rainforest home. This evening you will be treated to a delicious dinner.
Spend today fully immersed with Borean nature on our early morning and evening river safaris.
The Kinabatangan River wildlife includes rarities such as the Bornean gibbon, Borneo pygmy elephant, orangutan, and proboscis monkey and a myriad of birds that will keep you glued to your binoculars.
Enjoy breakfast with the beautiful morning view of the Kinabatangan River before heading back to Sandakan.
Today you will journey into the heart of Borneo at Gomantong Cave. At this massive limestone cave, you can walk along the boardwalk in one of the two main cave complexes, observe skilled harvesters, and marvel at the rich wildlife, including bats, kingfishers, and wild orangutans. This adventure is packed with natural beauty and intriguing discoveries.
The rest of the day is at leisure.
Today, we say farewell to Borneo as you are transferred to Sandakan Airport (SDK), arriving at approximately 11am, in time for your departure flight.
Note:
Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
The island is a natural habitat for green and hawksbill turtles. Both species are currently endangered, however the island serves as a safe haven for laying their eggs. Whilst here, you will need to adhere to the strict rules and regulations dictated by the staff.
It is necessary to travel light to the island for various reasons including capacity of the boat and the island having no permanent jetty. We strongly recommend taking an overnight bag with only necessities - your remaining luggage will be securely stored and returned to you upon arriving back into Sandakan.
Due to limited capacity of accommodation, solo travellers will be roomed with other solo travellers of the same gender whilst staying at the chalet.
This is a Land Only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”3”
Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $645.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Group Size
Minimum of 2 people
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
