Destinations: Kota Kinabalu District, Sukau, Sandakan, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Labuk Bay Proboscis Mo...
Destinations: Penang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Ipoh
Be captivated by the natural beauty of Borneo and experience Malaysia’s vibrant mosaic of culture on this nine-day small-group tour. Get up close and personal with treasured wildlife at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, plus observe Malaysian Proboscis Monkey families in their natural habitat at Labuk Bay. Stay among the rich green rainforest in Sukau, taking in the natural scenery during a river cruise. Wander hidden alleys, taste the multitude of Kuala Lumpur flavours and revel in the sights of Malacca, including ancient Chinese temples and the bustling Jonker Street.
From picturesque scenes in Borneo to Malaysia’s diverse cities, you’ll enjoy unique, handpicked accommodation, private tour-group transport, 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, immerse yourself in the multi-faceted Malaysia and the biodiverse forests of Borneo.
Destinations: Kota Kinabalu District, Sukau, Sandakan, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Labuk Bay Proboscis Mo...
Destinations: Penang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Ipoh
Selamat Datang: welcome to Kuala Lumpur! Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), you will be met by your driver and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in the heart of Kuala Lumpur (or KL, as it’s commonly known). As the capital of Malaysia, the colourful cultural hub is the largest city in the country, with dizzying high-rise buildings, glitzy shopping malls and a multitude of local and international cuisines. The city is defined by its 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest twin buildings in the world, and home to the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia, the Sri Mahamariamman.
Later this afternoon, set off on a walking tour of Kuala Lumpur, before sitting down for a welcome cocktail and dinner.
Today, enjoy breakfast at your hotel before travelling to Malacca, a former colonial outpost and a true melting pot of cultures and influences. Spend a full day exploring the city’s remarkable 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 and the earliest surviving example of European architecture in Asia. Learn about the Chinese influences here with a visit to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, dedicated to the Buddhist deity of mercy, Guan Yin. Not far from the temple is Jonker Street, brimming with antique shops that recall more than 300 years of Malacca’s fusion of influences.
After returning to KL, the rest of the evening is spent at your leisure.
This morning, explore the hidden alleys and shops of Kuala Lumpur, trying traditional street food along the way. Walk the old streets of KL, exploring beyond the tall buildings with their luxe exteriors, and get to know the Malaysian way of life and the city’s history from a local perspective. Return to your hotel to freshen up, before your transfer to the airport for your flight to Sandakan in Borneo.
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. This port city is also a culinary paradise with amazing seafood and local delicacies unique to the cultural mix of people who have settled here over the centuries.
Enjoy the evening at your leisure as you settle into your hotel.
After breakfast, set off to enjoy a full day among nature. Venture to the centre of the Labuk Bay mangrove forest situated on the coast of Sandakan, and get up close and personal with some unique primates. The Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey 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 lunch, visit 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 (147 metres long) in Sandakan. Your guide will highlight the varied birdlife and the vast diversity of flora that is endemic to this region. Then, return to your hotel for a restful sleep.
Today, the first stop is 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.
Afterwards, take a short walk to 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. It also works to educate about the plight of sun bears and the importance of working to conserve this highly endangered species.
Take a two-hour journey to Sukau for lunch and check-in at the Bilit Rainforest Lodge. Embark on an afternoon river cruise to Menanggul River in search of wildlife and birds, before retiring to your accommodation.
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 sun rise. Cruise to the nearby Pitas Oxbow Lake to explore the area and admire the natural surroundings. Return to the lodge for breakfast where you will spend the rest of the morning.
After lunch, you will be free to enjoy an afternoon at your leisure relaxing on the sun deck, exploring the area or enjoying the view, before meeting early evening for another river cruise along the Kinabatangan River. Return to the lodge for dinner.
After enjoying your breakfast, return to Sandakan to be transferred to the airport for the 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.
Settle into your room, and spend the rest of the evening at your leisure before indulging in a buffet dinner at the hotel.
Enjoy a full day at your leisure in beautiful Kota Kinabalu. Wander a short distance from your hotel and explore parklands, take a stroll along the relaxing waterfront, or shop at one of the many nearby shopping malls. Marvel at the ornate mosque or immerse yourself in Sabahan culture at the Muzium Sabah, full of pottery and natural history.
Reconvene for a sumptuous afternoon tea at the hotel’s Deco Cafe.
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.
Witness the remarkable journey of the critically endangered orangutans being cared for at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. In the vast expanse of lush, protected rainforest, around 70 orangutans live independently, while 25 orphaned orangutans are housed in nurseries until they are well enough to be released. Learn about the efforts of the centre and the plights of these extraordinary primates in an unforgettable visit.
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.
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Update [4 July, 2024, 9.57AM AEST]: Itinerary for Days 3 & 4 accommodation updated to include Hotel Cura. Itinerary for Days 8, 9 & 10 accommodation updated to include Melekler Evi.
Accommodation for the duration of your tour is included in the Tour package.
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
Travel Insurance
Passports & Visas
Traveller Details
Tour Pace
Travel Styles
Fully Guided Tour: You’ll have a tour director and driver with you throughout the entire trip, from start to finish.
Partially Guided Tour: You’ll have a tour driver and local guides at specific locations or portions of the trip, but not the entire time. There might be different local guides for different regions.
Self-Guided Tour: You will not have a guide for your trip. You will be provided detailed trip notes with elements, such as accommodation and transport, pre-booked for you.
Health and Fitness Acknowledgement:
Your tour begins at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and ends at Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI), with roundtrip airport transfers. The extended tour ends at Kuala Lumpur Aiport (KUL).
Roundtrip 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.
Please book your flights to arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) at 11am on Day 1 and depart from Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) after 10am on Day 9. For the extended tour, depart from Kuala Lumpur Aiport (KUL) after 10am on Day 14.
Roundtrip airport transfers are included in your tour on the first and last day only, unless you have booked your pre- and post-accommodation with Luxury Escapes. If you have booked your pre- or post-accommodation with us, please advise our Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com to arrange your transfer.
You must complete your Traveller Details form within 7 days of booking. Following its completion, our Tours Concierge Team will be in touch to assist with any additional arrangements – including flights.
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).
Optional experiences