Guide

All Intrepid Family trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to assist your family to take the hassle out of your travels and help you have the best trip possible. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for fun things to do and see - for both kids and parents, recommend great local eating venues that will even get the kids trying new things, and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. Our leaders are not babysitters on this trip - we leave that to you (the experts), but they will make sure that group members of all ages are able to explore their destination safely and with as much fun as possible. Our group leaders are not responsible for looking after children at any time and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times throughout this itinerary.

Others

Complimentary Arrival Transfer Mt Kinabalu National Park - Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden Dusun Village - Guided village walk Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting Cruise Sabah Tea Plantation - Tea factory tour Kinabatangan River - Dawn wildlife cruise Kinabatangan River - Night wildlife Spotting cruise Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Sepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Dinawan Island - Marine Ecosystem Program Dinawan Island - Snorkeling Trip

Meals

9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Accommodation

GENERAL ROOMING CONFIGURATIONS: Family of two - All family groupings of two will be put into a twin room. Family of three - Wherever possible we will put you in a triple room. Please be aware that in a handful of places triple rooms are in short supply. This means that, in practice, a triple room will often simply be a twin room with a mattress on the floor or a further bed squashed in. Where it is impossible to provide a triple room, you will have to decide which of your party takes the single room. Family of four or more - You will most likely stay in two twin rooms. If and wherever possible we will aim put you in a quadruple room. Whilst we will do our very best to ensure that families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little to no control over where you will be put. You need to come prepared for this. Tented Villa (2 nights), Guesthouse (1 night), Resort (2 nights), Hotel (4 nights)

Transport

We believe that the vehicles you use pay an important part in your holiday so where possible we include a wide variety of vehicles from local remorks or tuk tuks in Asia to feluccas on the Nile as well as the ubiquitous air conditioned minibus. Private Minivan , Boat , Plane

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance not included.

Flights

Flights not included.

Optional

Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Museum entrance fee - MYR15 Sandakan - War Memorial - Free

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Kota Kinabalu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu

Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 5pm. If you arrive early, you can immerse yourself in history of this intriguing city between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea at the Sabah State Museum. You can also visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village, or perhaps explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu, excellent for swimming and snorkelling.
Day 2 Day 2: Kinabalu National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Kinabalu National Park

Leaving Kota Kinabalu behind, head for the hills and the unspoilt wilderness of the World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park. Stop off en route at a local home in a Dusun village. The Dusun people are wonderfully welcoming, and here you’ll have the chance to learn about their culture as you sample local dishes at a home cooked lunch. If you are lucky, you may get to sample linopot, a tasty snack featuring rice tightly wrapped inside a leaf. Join a guided half day village walk that includes a visit to the local bee farm and see coffee being produced at a local factory. You’ll also meet the women from Everything Pineapple, a business that’s known for its delicious pineapple products. This NGO empowers local women to reach new heights socially and financially and has some of the best jam you’ll ever taste. Later, soak up the mountain scenery with a leg-stretching stroll through Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden. Late in the afternoon, travel by private bus to Sabah Tea Plantation. Tonight you will stay among the grounds of a lush tea garden
Day 3 Day 3: Kinabatangan River
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Kinabatangan River

After breakfast take part in a tour of the tea factory. From here, head to Kinabatangan River in a private mini van (approximately 5 hours). Arrive at your jungle lodge, located beside the river, which is ideal for taking in the lush surrounds. The Kinabatangan River is a protected forest reserve, containing some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo. In the afternoon, board a river cruise, hopefully spotting some of the more exotic local creatures. Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves, but crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutan, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and kingfishers are more easily seen. After this short adventure, return to the lodge to enjoy dinner.
Day 4 Day 4: Kinabatangan River
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Kinabatangan River

Be woken by the the call of a Bornean gibbon, or perhaps a hornbill, before a morning cruise down the river. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, Borneo gibbons, long tail macaques and pig tail macaques and see if you can spot the differences between each species. In the evening you get your last chance to take as many photos as you can on a final river cruise. Spend one more night in your lovely accommodation right in the heart of the jungle.
Day 5 Day 5: Sandakan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Sandakan

This morning, travel to Sandakan (approximately 2.5 hours). On arrival, settle down in your home for the next two nights. Sandakan, once the capital of British North Borneo, the city has traditionally strong ties with Hong Kong. The Cantonese influence is palpable in the lively harbour-side market, the many Chinese temples and the local cuisine. You will have time this afternoon to visit the Sandakan War Memorial (optional - additional cost for transport). The memorial was originally a Japanese Prisoner of War Campy and also marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, of which 2,400 POWs were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo. Of this number, only 6 survived, owing to courageous escapes.
Day 6 Day 6: Sandakan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Sandakan

Today, we head to Sepilok (30 min drive) for a day of monkey business and encounters with some of the region’s prized orangutans. Please be mindful that human contact must be kept to a minimum and it’s essential that you follow the instructions of the park, as directed by your leader. Also included is a new nursery where you can view young orangutans as they learn how to climb on a specially constructed jungle gym. To see more of Borneo’s creatures, you will also visit the newly opened Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Here rescued Sun Bears that have spent many years being mistreated and locked away in cages are cared for, with hopes of rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild. Back in Sandakan you will have to relax by the pool or head into town to do a spot of shopping.
Day 7 Day 7: Dinawan Island
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Dinawan Island

Catch a transfer to Sandakan Airport today for a flight to Kota Kinabalu. Keep in mind that the luggage allowance for this flight is only 15 kg, and any excess baggage may incur a further charge. After touching down we will take a private transfer 25minutes south to the jetty before boarding a boat out to Dinawan Island (10-15mins). Check into your villa tents and explore the island. Note: Accommodation on Dinawan Island is on a twin share basis in a tented villa. All villas have air conditioning with toilet and shower facilities located inside the tent.
Day 8 Day 8: Dinawan Island
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Dinawan Island

After breakfast you and your family will learn more about the Marine Ecosystem on the island with a programme which will give you insight into the importance of the coral to marine biodiversity. First up will be an informative talk about the coral reef ecosystem and the importance of the reef to marine life. Then we swap the indoor classroom to the outdoor classroom a one hour snorkelling trip with a marine biologist. Take a boat out to the nearby house reef to have a closer look at the types of corals, the habitat, signs of damages and healings, observing and identifying marine life with your specialist. A fun way for the entire family to explore this beautiful part of the world. Heading back to shore the afternoon will be free to enjoy at your own pace. Perhaps soak up the turquoise vistas for another few hours or if you are keen you can take out kayaks (free) for some more fun on the water.
Day 9 Day 9: Kota Kinabalu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Kota Kinabalu

Hit the water again this morning with another snorkelling trip with a local snorkelling guide. After lunch you will have goodbye this piece of paradise and head back to Kota Kinabalu around noon by boat and minivan (just over 1hour of travelling time). After checking into the hotel you will have time to relax before perhaps heading out for a final meal (optional) with your group to celebrate your Borneo adventure.
Day 10 Day 10: Kota Kinabalu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Kota Kinabalu

Your Borneo family adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. Spend the final day shopping for memorable trinkets in the city’s many markets.

10 days tour

Borneo Family Holiday Comfort

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Borneo Family Holiday Comfort

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu

Day 2: Kinabalu National Park

Day 3: Kinabatangan River

Day 4: Kinabatangan River

Day 5: Sandakan

Day 6: Sandakan

Day 7: Dinawan Island

Day 8: Dinawan Island

Day 9: Kota Kinabalu

Day 10: Kota Kinabalu

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