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Borneo & Malaysia Highlights with Orangutan Experience & Rainforest River Cruise
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Borneo & Malaysia Highlights with Orangutan Experience & Rainforest River Cruise
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Borneo & Malaysia Highlights with Orangutan Experience & Rainforest River Cruise

Operated by: Luxury Escapes Tours
7.0
Overview
9 days
6 places
1 country
16 people max.
12 - 65 yrs
moderate
This offer has sold out
About the Tour
Your tour takes you to:
Kuala Lumpur
Malacca
Kuala Lumpur
Sandakan
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Sandakan
Sukau
Kota Kinabalu District
Sukau
Sandakan
Kota Kinabalu District

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.

Overview
9 days
6 places
1 country
16 people max.
12 - 65 yrs
moderate
This offer has sold out
Choose a tour option
Itinerary & map
What you'll see

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.

Inclusions
Verdant Hill Hotel (Superior Room) or similar
Dinner
Personalise your day with optional experiences
Available when booking your tour. Select one per time slot.

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.

Inclusions
Verdant Hill Hotel (Superior Room) or similar
Breakfast and Lunch

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.

Inclusions
Sabah Hotel (Superior Room) or similar
Breakfast

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.

Inclusions
Sabah Hotel (Superior Room) or similar
Breakfast and Lunch

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.

Inclusions
Bilit Rainforest Lodge (Standard Room) or similar
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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.

Inclusions
Bilit Rainforest Lodge (Standard Room) or similar
Breakfast, Lunch and 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.

Inclusions
Horizon Hotel (Superior Room) or similar
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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.

Inclusions
Horizon Hotel (Superior Room) or Melekler Evi or similar
Breakfast

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.

Inclusions
Melekler Evi or similar
Breakfast
Personalise your day with optional experiences
Available when booking your tour. Select one per time slot.
Highlights & inclusions
The following are included in your tour package:

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.

  • Eight nights of handpicked accommodation
  • Two internal economy-class flights
  • 17 meals included – eight breakfasts, five lunches and four dinners
  • A visit to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Wander the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
  • A boat cruise on the Lower Kinabatangan River, spotting wildlife along the way
  • A full day in historical Malacca, learning about the ancient spice trade and visiting mosques and temples
  • Private roundtrip airport transfers and private transportation throughout the tour
  • Expert English-speaking naturalist guides
  • Insider experiences, sightseeing and entrance fees throughout the tour
  • Drinking water and cold towels provided during sightseeing
Dates & pricing
No departures available
Sorry, this offer has sold out!
Give our team a call on 03 8689 8204 for more tour options
No departures available
Sorry, this offer has sold out!
Give our team a call on 03 8689 8204 for more tour options
Things to know

Booking Summary: After you book, please follow the instructions in your booking summary email and ensure you complete your traveller information details in full.

  • Luxury Escapes asks that you please 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.
  • Traveller Details are required in full to confirm all arrangements for your tour. Please complete the Traveller Details form as soon as possible in your ‘My Escapes’ account. Failure to complete the form within 60 days of departure may result in losing your spot on the tour.
  • If your booking is on a non-guaranteed departure, this initial email is not your tour confirmation. Tours often require a minimum number of travellers to go ahead, so your departure may not be guaranteed immediately.
  • Please note that for guaranteed departures, a minimum of two people are required to book. In the event that only one passenger has booked, you will be given the opportunity to move your departure to another date.
  • Once there is an update on the status of your tour, you will be contacted via email by the Luxury Escapes’ Tours Concierge Team, and they will advise if the tour has been confirmed. Please do not book flights or make any non-flexible arrangements until you receive this update.
  • Should you require assistance with your tour, please contact our Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com, who will be happy to assist with any of your queries and who will support you right up until you return from your journey.
  • For tours that allow children, the child must be 12 years or over and must share a room with an adult.
  • Children are the same price as adults.

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

  • All deposits, service fee, and payments are non-refundable.
  • Where Luxury Escapes Tours may allow a cancellation for credit due to exceptional circumstances (and at its sole discretion) and where a cancellation/credit is not otherwise permitted, an additional service fee above and beyond the existing fees in the agreed payment schedules applies for A$300 per person will apply.
  • For Trusted Partner operated tours, additional fees may apply.

Date Changes

  • Changes can be made on request by contacting the Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com.
  • Tours pricing is dynamic and can change at any time.
  • Additional fees and fare difference may apply.
  • Changes are not permitted after your final payment date.
  • For Trusted Partner operated tours, additional fees may apply.
  • Date change conditions listed above do not apply to flights or pre- and post-tour accommodation booked with us. Flight fulfilment and changes are governed by the airline(s) selected at the time of booking. For your air travel, you are bound by the terms and conditions and fare rules of the selected airline(s). For pre- and post-tour accommodation, these reservations are not directly linked to your tour and may require a separate cost to change, as stated in your ‘My Escapes.’

Itinerary Amendments & Changes

  • Occasionally our itineraries are updated prior to departure. This may be to accommodate changes in weather, public holidays, common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes, and unforeseen circumstances.
  • In the event of a change in itinerary (for safety reasons or due to events outside of our control) that results in cancellation or change fees toward flights (or other parts of your travel) we will notify you as soon as practicable.
  • You will be responsible for any associated costs or will otherwise have the right to a refund (less any costs incurred or paid to third parties).

Surcharges

  • After completing your booking, your tour cost may be subject to additional surcharges due to factors beyond the control of Luxury Escapes.
  • Where the cost of delivering your selected tour materially increases between the time of purchase and delivery, we reserve the right to increase the balance due. Increases may be in relation to, but not limited to, currency fluctuations, taxes, airfares, fuel surcharges, tour costs or government changes due to health and safety restrictions. A material increase will be considered one in excess of 10% of the package price.

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.

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.

  • You can find relevant accommodation details for each day of the itinerary on the Tour offer page, or in your My Escapes.

Please note:

  • Accommodation is subject to availability and may be substituted for a hotel of a similar or higher standard without notice.
  • Rooms will be made available after 3pm on the day of arrival. Checkout is required by 10am. Early check-in and late checkout may be available upon request. Subject to availability. Additional fees may apply.
  • Maximum room capacity (Twin Share) is two adults. Maximum room capacity (Solo) is one adult.
  • All special requests, such as those regarding bedding preferences, are subject to availability and can only be confirmed upon check-in. Room assignments and bedding configurations may vary based on the destination and hotel policies, and are handled directly by the hotel staff.

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.

  • Roundtrip international flights
  • Visas
  • Single supplement
  • Meals/drinks not stated in the itinerary
  • Optional activities/tours, personal expenses/transfers not mentioned
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Transfer surcharge from A$120 per car, for two people maximum incurred for arrival or departure flight between 10pm and 8am
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Camera/photography fee of MYR10 for lens greater than 100mm at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Dining inclusions do not include drinks (unless otherwise stated). Menus are subject to change without notice

Transfers

  • Arrival and departure transfers are available on the first and last day of your tour only.
  • If you have booked your pre- and post-tour accommodation through Luxury Escapes, transfers may be available for select tours (not available for Trusted Partner operated tours).
  • If you have booked pre- or post-tour accommodation outside of Luxury Escapes, you will forfeit your complimentary airport transfers.
  • Please note ‘Private Transfers’ refers to transfers that are exclusive for your tour group and may be shared among other members of your group if arriving on the same flight or another flight arriving within a 30-minute window.
  • Flight information must be provided to Luxury Escapes 60 days prior to departure in order to book transfers. Please see Destination information for airport pick-up and drop-off information.
  • Passengers are permitted one piece of baggage with a maximum weight of 20kg on tour.
  • Passengers are permitted one additional, smaller hand-piece of baggage with a maximum weight of 7kg on tour.

Travel Insurance

  • Travel insurance is required on all our tours, which (at a minimum) covers medical expenses and repatriation. You may not be permitted to join the tour group if evidence of travel insurance is not provided prior to your trip. If you are unable to obtain travel insurance for whatever reason, you may be required to sign a waiver and/or provide a letter from a medical practitioner which confirms you are fit for travel. For any enquiries regarding travel insurance, please call 1300 88 99 00 or email sales@luxuryescapes.com.

Passports & Visas

  • A visa may be required. It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure they’re holding a current visa for the countries they’re visiting. If the traveller is on a non-Australian passport, a valid re-entry visa may be required.
  • You are responsible for visas, entry, health and other requirements, and any documents required by laws, regulations, orders and/or requirements of countries visited. Luxury Escapes and/or its servants and agents are not responsible for passport and visa requirements or for any loss you sustain for failing to comply with laws, regulations, orders and/or requirements of countries visited.
  • A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months beyond your return travel date is required for all passengers (including children and infants).

Traveller Details

  • Traveller Details must be completed for each individual traveller. This information can be added directly to your ’My Escapes’ account.
  • Travellers must advise of any medical conditions or dietary requirements. Failure to provide such information in advance of your tour may result in an inability to cater to your requirements.
  • We work with exceptional local tour providers to present uniquely crafted packages that encompass sightseeing tours and excursions. Our tour provider partners are dedicated to making every effort to accommodate specific requirements. However, it should be noted that the extent to which they can address mobility and accessibility needs may vary, depending on the nature of the sightseeing tour and activities involved. Please contact tours@luxuryescapes.com so we can advise whether your specific needs can be accommodated.
  • Special dietary requirements can be catered for in most cases, however, on occasion this may not be possible due to location, lack of availability of unique ingredients, and other extenuating circumstances. It is always advised to carry any necessary supplies with you.
  • Passport details are required for all bookings. In some cases, a digital copy of your passport may be requested by Luxury Escapes to book certain elements of your trip.
  • If a photo of your passport is requested, failure to provide valid photo ID will result in your booking being cancelled and all monies paid remaining non-refundable. When requested, a digital copy of your passport must be provided for each guest at least 90 days prior to your tour departure.
  • Should you require any assistance with your Traveller Details, please contact our Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com.

Tour Pace

  • It’s important to note that specific activities and intensity levels may vary between different tour operators and destinations. When selecting a group tour, it’s advisable to carefully review the itinerary, activity descriptions and fitness requirements to ensure a suitable match for your preferences and physical capabilities.
    • Relaxed: Leisurely pace with limited walking or physical demands. Opportunity for ample free time and leisure activities. Suitable for individuals seeking a laidback experience.
    • Moderate: Usually more than one day in a location. Balanced mix of exploration and physical engagement. Suitable for participants with a reasonable level of fitness. Exploring cities on foot, visiting landmarks and guided excursions. Requires a moderate level of stamina and physical activity.
    • Active: Activities most days. Generally, not staying in a location for two days or more. Suitable for participants with high fitness levels and a sense of adventure.

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:

  • Travellers acknowledge that they are required to have a good level of health and fitness to undertake the activities in this tour.
  • There are limitations to the degree of accommodations that can be made if travellers are unable to partake in the included activities on this tour. Please consider suitability as additional costs could apply.
  • Travellers also acknowledge and agree that neither we nor the tour provider will be able to provide medical or other assistance in the event that they are unable to complete any aspect of the tour as a result of their health or physical condition (nor are we liable for any loss, damage, expense, injury or death arising from such).

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

  • Optional experiences may be cancelled if minimum numbers to operate are not met. Final confirmation of your optional excursions and activities will be provided while on tour.
  • Optional experiences can only be booked up to either 60, 90 or 120 days prior to departure depending on each departure.
  • Optional experiences may be updated prior to departure to accommodate changes in weather, common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes, and unforeseen circumstances.
  • Optional experiences are non-refundable within 60 days of departure, unless cancelled due minimum numbers on tour not being met or unforeseen circumstances on tour.
  • Optional experiences can be organised in advance by contacting our dedicated Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com.
  • Optional experiences that require flight bookings are on a request basis, subject to availability until booked and confirmed, and may incur surcharges.
  • Bookings for optional experiences can be made via My Escapes. After this time, optional experiences can be booked through your tour guide on the tour.
  • All optional extras are subject to availability.
  • Please note: For complimentary transfers to be fulfilled outside of arrival and departure date, all pre- and post-tour accommodation bookings must be booked through Luxury Escapes no later than 60 days before departure. After this time, any pre- or post-tour accommodation bookings made will not be eligible for complimentary transfers.
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