Destinations: Sandakan, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Sukau, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Kota Kin...
Destinations: Penang, Ipoh
Embrace the natural beauty of Borneo and experience vibrant Malaysia on this nine-day deluxe tour. Get up close and personal at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, then observe Malaysian Proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay. Stay among the rainforest in Sukau and cruise the Kinabatangan in search of wildlife. Wander the alleys of Kuala Lumpur and explore the sights of Malacca on guided tours.
From picturesque scenes in Borneo to Malaysia’s diverse cities, enjoy handpicked accommodation including a Kinabatangan riverside lodge in a spacious villa surrounded by mangroves. Stay in five-star bliss at the Parkroyal Collection Kuala Lumpur with a rooftop pool overlooking the city and at the beachfront Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, a sprawling oasis with ten bars and restaurants and a golf course.
Your tour is made even more seamless with internal flights, roundtrip airport transfers and naturalist guides to help you make the most of each destination. Whether you’re travelling solo or with family, magnificent Malaysia and the biodiverse forests of Borneo await.
Destinations: Sandakan, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Sukau, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Kota Kin...
Destinations: Penang, Ipoh
Today, enjoy breakfast at your hotel before travelling to Malacca, a former colonial outpost. Spend a full day exploring the city’s history and its most significant buildings. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the ruins of St. Paul’s Church and A Famosa, the remains of a Portuguese fortress. See the Porta De Santiago gateway and the Red Square, then learn about the area’s Chinese influences with a visit to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple. Not far from the temple is Jonker Street, brimming with antique shops.
After returning to KL, the rest of the evening is spent at your leisure.
This morning, meet your guide and set out to explore Kuala Lumpur’s key landmarks on a city tour. See the grand King’s Palace, pass by Parliament House and visit the National Monument at Lake Garden. Continue past the National Mosque and the historic Railway Station before stopping for photos at Independence Square. Take a scenic drive through Chinatown before heading to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) for your flight to Sandakan Airport (SDK).
Welcome to Sandakan, the gateway to Borneo’s wildlife. The city was once the capital of British-administered North Borneo and today is a busy port on the east coast of Sabah, East Malaysia. On arrival, a transfer will bring you to your hotel, where you’ll enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Travel time: Flight – approx. three hours
After breakfast, set off to visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). Founded in 2008, this wildlife conservation centre and research facility aims to improve the welfare and rehabilitation of the Malayan sun bear, a reclusive bear species standing just 70 centimetres tall. Continue to the Rainforest Discovery Centre and learn about the native flora and fauna. Take a stroll over the suspension bridge and finish with the only Canopy Walk in Sandakan, running 147-metres long.
After lunch, visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (SORC). Get up close and witness these playful creatures in their natural habitat as your naturalist guide gives you an understanding of the plight of orangutans in today’s world, and the initiatives the rehabilitation centre has in place to ensure their ongoing survival and successful release back into the wild.
End the day at the Sandakan War Memorial, a tribute to British and Australian prisoners of war before returning to your hotel for the evening.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre visit
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre visit
Today, visit the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, an ideal spot for observing these distinctive primates up close. Located in the mangrove forest near Samawang Village, the sanctuary is home to three families of the endangered species, who live harmoniously with other species such as the silver leaf monkey, pig-tailed macaque, otters and kingfishers.
After the tour, transfer to Sandakan Yacht Club Jetty for a leisurely boat ride to your accommodation. Later, embark on a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River to spot wildlife along the banks. If weather permits, stay out to witness fireflies illuminating the trees before returning to the resort.
Enjoy dinner in the heart of the jungle, followed by a nature documentary screening at the resort.
Kinabatangan River cruise
Rise early to the calls of gibbons and hornbills before embarking on an unforgettable morning cruise to observe the area’s wildlife while watching the sunrise. Return to the lodge for lunch, and choose to join another afternoon river cruise along the Kinabatangan River to spot more of the area’s wildlife.
After dinner, seize the opportunity to spot some of Sukau’s nocturnal inhabitants on a night safari.
Rise early for one last chance to spot wildlife around the resort. After enjoying your breakfast, check out for your return river cruise to Sandakan for lunch. After your meal, a transfer will take you to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. This bustling waterfront city is surrounded by off-shore coral islands, forest-covered hills, scenic rivers and, of course, Mt. Kinabalu – the highest peak in Southeast Asia.
En route to your hotel, stop at a local seafood restaurant for dinner before checking in for a restful evening.
Travel time: Flight – approx. 45 minutes
Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort stay
Enjoy a full day at your leisure in beautiful Kota Kinabalu. Take full advantage of your sprawling resort’s facilities – relax on the private beach, practice your putt at the 18-hole golf course, drink and dine your way around 10 restaurants and bars (at own expense), or step out to explore the gorgeous surrounding forest reserve.
After breakfast, say goodbye to the beautiful Kota Kinabalu and reminisce on the time spent in Malaysia and Borneo. Your private transfer will bring you to the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) for your flight home.
Booking Summary: After you book, please follow the instructions in your booking summary email and ensure you complete your traveller information details in full.
Update 19 December 2024: Amendments & Cancellations section updated, please see below.
Please note, our 7-Day Change of Mind ‘No Questions Asked’ Refund Guarantee and Date Change policy does not apply to Tours
Date Changes
Itinerary Amendments & Changes
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Fine Print and package inclusions are accurate at the time of purchase and not subject to change, unless updates or corrections are specifically noted in the latest Fine Print with a timestamp. Please check the Fine Print prior to departure for any updates.
We reserve the right to modify prices for marketing and commercial reasons. Please note that full terms and conditions apply. Refer to website’s terms and conditions.
Accommodation for the duration of your tour is included in the Tour package.
You can find relevant accommodation details for each day of the itinerary on the Tour offer page, or in your ‘My Escapes’.
Please note:
Pre- & Post-Tour Accommodation Pre- and post-tour accommodation can be booked to extend your stay before or after your tour by contacting our Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com.
Luxury Escapes uses a range of accommodation partners. For pre- and post-tour accommodation options where we can offer the same hotel as the start and end of your tour, your pre- and post-tour accommodation will be booked independent of your tour. If the hotel for your tour changes, this will be independent of your pre- or post-tour accommodation booking. In this instance, change fees may apply on your pre- or post-tour accommodation, if you choose to change; change fees can be found in your ‘My Escapes.’
For pre- and post-tour accommodation bookings, you may be required to check out of your room and check in again on the first or last day of your tour. You will need to confirm these details directly with hotel.
Please contact the Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com for further information.
Transfers
Tipping
Tipping and gratuities are not included in the package and are at your own discretion. As a guide, approximately US$10 per person, per day, for guides, US$3 for drivers and hospitality staff, and US$5 for porters is the industry standard.
Please Note:
Travel Insurance
Passports & Visas
Traveller Details
Tour Pace
Travel Styles
Health and Fitness Acknowledgement:
Your tour begins at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and ends at Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI), with return airport transfers. The extended tour ends at Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL).
Return flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. If your chosen tour departure date is guaranteed at the time of booking, you may be able to purchase flights immediately. If your tour departure date is not yet guaranteed (still pending minimum numbers), flights should not be booked until you receive an update on the status of your tour.
Return airport transfers are included in your tour on the first and last day only. Transfers between the hours of 10pm to 8am will incur a surcharge, see Important Information for details.
Important: Please allow for travelling time from international countries. International flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements and ensure that you arrive at your starting location on your chosen tour start date.
A visa may be required for the destination you are visiting. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website, Visas Direct, to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa, please let us know and we will be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit the website.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with all your flight requirements (subject to availability). Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
Important Destination Information:
Malaysia
Time zone: GMT+8
Telephone: +60-8
Currency: Malaysian ringgit (RM)
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city. Cash is advised when visiting rural areas.
Language: Bahasa Malaysia
Climate: Straddling the equator, Borneo is subject to an intense tropical climate. In the lowlands, temperatures range between 25°C and 35°C, while at higher elevations things can get a lot cooler. Borneo has 2 monsoon seasons: the ‘dry’ monsoon (May–October) and the ‘wet’ monsoon (November–April).