Sabah Unveiled 12 Days

Arrival in Kota Kinabalu

Welcome to Kota Kinabalu! On arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (advisable to arrive after 1200 hrs), you will be transferred to your tour hotel by our airport shuttle. The timing will be based on your flight arrival time. This afternoon is yours to relax and settle in. Later, meet our representative and fellow passengers for a short briefing about the tour expectations.

KKIA - KK Hotel (Check-in) Van 15 mins 7.8km

Tamparuli + Nabalu + Kinabalu Park + Poring Hot Spring + Canopy Walk + Seafood Dinner

En route to Kinabalu Park, anticipate a quick stop at Tamparuli, a charming small-town with architectural heritage and quaint old wooden shop-houses.

KK Hotel - Tamparuli Van 1 hour 35 km

Another 1 ½ hour scenic drive through a landscape of mountainous roads winding along the Crocker Range leads to Nabalu Market. Arrive at Nabalu Market, where the native residents gather to sell local produce such as hand-crafted souvenirs, home-grown vegetables and fruits. Mingle with the locals and don’t forget to capture some good shots of Mount Kinabalu from the viewing platform!

Tamparuli - Nabalu Town Van 50 mins 40 km

The temperature cools on arrival in Kinabalu Park. Enjoy the breeze as you get to know the blossoms of Borneo along the trails of the Botanical Garden. If the day is clear, you may even spot a majestic view of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain between the New Guinea and Himalaya. Kinabalu Park boasts an estimate of 4,500 species of plants which include 1,500 species of orchids, 77 of which are endemic to Kinabalu. The park also supports a whooping 289 species of birds and 290 different types of butterflies.

Nabalu Town - Kinabalu Park HQ Van 20 mins 13.1 km

Depart for another interesting wonder, the Poring Hot Spring. At approximately 47 kilometers from Kinabalu Park, Poring Hot Spring got its name from the tall bamboo plant that is abundant in that area. At this natural hot spring that is believed to have curative powers, soak your senses in sulfur-rich waters. For a magnificent view of the rainforest, the canopy walk, suspended 43 meters above the lush tropical jungle of Borneo holds a length of 157 meters that will give you plenty of time to take in all the beauty it has to offer. A 30 minute hike is all it takes to witness the natural wonder.

Kinabalu Park HQ - Poring Hotspring Van 1 hour 42 km

Depart back to Kota Kinabalu City for a sumptuous seafood dinner.

Poring - Seafood Dinner KK Van 2 hours 40 mins 125 km

Fun Boat Snorkeling & Island Visit

After breakfast, pick up from hotel lobby and depart to jetty for a day in the sun!

KK Hotel - Marina Office Van 10 mins 3.5 km

Upon arrival at the jetty, hop on to the boat and you will be whisked off for a 20 minutes ride to the first snorkeling point at the cluster of Islands that make up Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Commence your Snorkeling boat session, accompanied by our experienced Dive Master. Proceed to the next Snorkeling point, for a chance to spot more exotic sea life in the beautiful Marine park. Spend a designated time snorkeling.

Marina Office - TARP (1st Session) Boat 15 mins 13 km

All the fun and relaxation will work up an appetite. Upon completion of the second snorkeling session, transfer to Gaya island for lunch. Thereafter, free and easy to relax on golden shores, bask in the sunshine to earn that suntan or explore the short forest trail on your own. If you haven’t got enough of the life in the deep blue sea, snorkel from the shores to say hello to the colorful parade of fishes that reign the underwater world. For those who love an adrenaline rush, jump on the flying fox and zipline between two islands!

TARP - TARP (2nd Session) Boat 15 mins 13 km

In the mid afternoon, pack up and take the boat transfer back to mainland, and drop off back at the hotel.

Marina Office - KK Hotel Van 10 mins 3.5 km

Kiulu White Water Rafting + Ethnic Cooking Class + Rumah Terbalik (Upside Down House)

You will be greeted at your Kota Kinabalu City Hotel Lobby by our charming guides, and then whisked away through a scenic 1 ½ hour drive through spectacular country-side vistas laced with villages and lush paddy fields. Upon arrival, you will be briefed through on safety measures and the various rapids by the River Guide. Proceed to collect your rafting gear. Helmets, check! Paddles, check! Life-jackets, double check!

KK Hotel - Kiulu (Starting Point) Van 1 hour 30 mins 48 km

Time to brave the 9 Kilometer slippery slopes of the Kiulu River! The rafting activity takes about 1hr 30mins depending on rapids and river condition. Paddle on through bumpy river-beds and be literally drenched in adrenaline and excitement as you reach the ending point. Don’t miss amazing sights of the tropical rainforest while you’re cruising through The Wall Rapid and Holy Smoke Rapid. Upon arrival to the ending point, throw some dry clothing on and feast on a lunch by the Kiulu River before transferring to your next adventure.

Sink your teeth in some culture! Slice and dice local ingredients and get hands-on with Sabah’s culinary tradition. You will be guided by a chef through the flavors and cooking techniques and viola! Your very own ethnic meal is served. Thereafter, complete your cooking course with a visit to Southeast Asia's first Upside Down House, "Rumah Terbalik." Have fun taking pictures at the Upside Down Garden, Upside Down Toilet and Upside Down Car.

Kiulu (Ending Point) - Rumah Terbalik Van 30 mins 17.1 km

Transfer back to Kota Kinabalu.

Rumah Terbalik - KK Hotel Van 45 mins 3.8 km

Mari Mari Cultural Village + North Borneo Cruises - Sunset Dinner Cruise

Meet at hotel lobby. Proceed to Mari Mari Cultural Village, located 25 minutes away from the city. The journey will take you to long roads surrounded by a rich spectrum of greenery and overarched by wild blue skies.

KK Hotel - Mari Mari Cultural Village Van 40 mins 18.5 km

Upon arrival at the entrance of the village, teleport back to the times of ancient Borneo through the magical display of unique ingenious architecture, simulated lives and ritualistic ceremonies. You will be ushered in to the warmth of different homes of the ethnicities of Sabah to get acquainted with each village tribe and experience their rich culture. Each home was built by descendants of the tribes they represent and offer you a truly genuine experience seeing everything in and around the village. Check out the little demonstration huts in the village where daily routines of traditional Sabahan life come alive. Grab the chance to see blowpipe-making demonstration, fire-starting demonstration using bamboo, tattoo-making demonstration, and get an in-depth look at the mystical symbolisms behind them.

You will get a chance to witness the demonstration of cutting tree harks into making a vest and a chance to dance and jump for “prize” on a built-in Lansaran, a traditional trampoline-like floor. Also get a chance to sample Sabahan traditional delicacies from each ethnic group such as the Montoku (rice wine) and witness bamboo cooking. Have fun and enjoy the cultural show performance by the tribes before proceeding for a delectable traditional meal.

Thereafter, return to Kota Kinabalu for a leisure afternoon.

Mari Mari Cultural Village - KK Hotel Van 40 mins 18.5 km

KK Hotel - Marina Office Van 10 mins 3.5 km

4.30 - 4.45PM - Your tropical evening on the North Borneo Cruise begins at Sutera Marina Jetty. Get ready to become acquainted with the charms of Kota Kinabalu on a whole new level.

4.50PM - All aboard! Your evening unfolds along the sultry sun-tinged South China Sea, cruising pass the islands and water villages that dot Sabah’s west coast. You are free to wander around the vessel. Panoramic ocean views, warmth of the setting sun and gentle sea breeze grace the upper-deck while a live band serenades the ethnic themed air-conditioned restaurant below with acoustic favorites.

5:30PM - Dinner will be served buffet style. Time to sink your teeth into Sabah’s most sought after culinary experience. As the sun sets and the stars come out, Kota Kinabalu’s coastline now comes alive with dazzling city night lights. The North Borneo Cruise will glide across the Waterfront as you indulge in dessert or your next glass of wine.

7.00PM - Your rendezvous at sea comes to an end. You will disembark from the cruise at the Sutera Marina Jetty.

Marina Office - KK Hotel Van 10 mins 3.5 km

(Flight) Sandakan + Gomantong Cave + Kinabatangan River Cruise

KKIA - SDK Airport Flight 40 mins

Board your flight and you are on your way to Sandakan, the gateway of wildlife wonders. Explore the intricate chamber system of Gomantong Cave, located within the Gomantong Forest Reserve. It is the largest bird’s nest cave in Sabah, home to millions of bats and swiflets.

SDK Airport - Gomantong Cave Van 1 hour 55 mins 103 km

Hop on a boat and cruise down the river heading to your next overnight destination, Bilit Rainforest Lodge. After settling in, the real adventure starts. A river cruise awaits you, where you can spot endemic Proboscis Monkeys, wild Orang Utans, leaf monkeys, gibbons and macaque, even the rare Borneo Pygmy Elephant.

Gomantong Cave - Kinabatangan River Jetty Van 45 mins 28.9 km

Kinabatangan River Jetty - Kinabatangan Resort Boat 15 mins

At 1900hrs, dinner at the lodge restaurant. After dinner, you can go for a complimentary night safari cruise where you can spot nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds.

Oxbow Lake or Jungle Trekking

Wake up to the call of Gibbons and Hornbills at 6am. Relish in an early morning cruise on the Ox-bow Lake for some bird-watching and tranquil moments amidst the lush wilderness. You will return back to your forest lodge in the late morning for lunch and leisure time on your own. More wildlife spotting in the evening at the Sukau Kinabatangan River Bank.

Oxbow Lake Cruising/Trekking Boat/Trekking 1 hour

Selingan Turtle Island

After breakfast, depart at 0700hrs to return to the Sandakan seafront jetty. At 09:30hrs, speed boat departs for Selingan Island, the main nesting area for green turtle, which lies 40km north of Sanadakan in the Sulu Sea off Sabah's east coast. Boat journey is approximately 1 hour. Check into simple accommodation facility and then it is time to relax. Stretch out on white sandy shores or go for a snorkel with the marvelous marine life that roam the underwater world.

Kinabatangan River Jetty - Selingan Jetty Van 2 hours 15 mins 121 km

Selingan Jetty - Selingan Island Boat 1 hours 15 mins

After dinner, Park Ranger will signal the appropriate time to view huge Green turtles coming ashore to lay eggs. Witness the eggs being transferred to hatchery from the nesting site. Offer help to release baby turtles onto the shore and be overwhelmed by the emotion of seeing the turtles scrambling to the open sea by some natural instinct. Since the introduction of a conservative program in Selingan Island in 1967, a large number of turtles are now returning to lay their eggs and the chance to see the sea creature is almost certain every night.

Sepilok Orangutan + Sandakan City Tour

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (2.5hrs journey) situated in the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. To learn more about their Orangutan rehabilitation mission and vision, we insist you watch a short documentary at the Nature Education Centre. Feeding time! Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden plank walks to witness the feeding of the orangutans at 10:00hrs.

Selingan Island - Selingan Jetty Boat 1 hours 15 mins

Selingan Jetty - Sepilok OrangUtan Van 50 mins 26.9 km

Next up, a tour of Sandakan City. The first stop offers panoramic views of Sandakan Bay. The Puh Jih Syh Buddhist Temple is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Sandakan coast.

Sepilok Orangutan - Puh Jih Syh Temple Van 30 mins 23.4 km

After taking in the sights, enter the delectable depths of Sandakan Central Market, fresh seafood galore and the best of Sabah agriculture produce.

Puh Jih Syh Budhist Temple - Sandakan Central Market Van 18 mins 5.6 km

Next up the Sim Sim Water Village. Houses painted with the most vibrant colors are built on stilts just above the water’s surface, home to a tiny local population which main income derives from fishing.

Sandakan Central Market - Sim Sim Water Village Van 15 mins 5.5 km

After lunch, transfer to Sheraton Four Points Hotel for check-in.

Sim Sim Water Village - Sheraton Sdk Van 10 mins 3.2 km

Overland to Lahad Datu, Danum Valley + Borneo Rainforest Lodge + Nature Trails + Tree-Top Canopy Walk + Night Drive

In the early morning, take the overland drive to Lahad Datu, and on to Danum Valley. Arrival at Danum Valley, check in at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Once you ’ve settled in, hit the nature trails scattered around the area. Proceed to the Tree-top Canopy Walk 300m in length, 26m at the highest point, to witness the lush rainforest that envelopes that area.

Return back to lodge for dinner. After your meal, hop on an ‘open-top’ jeep for a night drive in search of nocturnal animals.

Sheraton Sdk - Danum Valley Van 5 hours 15 mins 156 km

Jungle Trek + Coffin Cliff + Jacuzzi Pool + Night Walk

Have breakfast at the lodge before the start of day’s exciting adventures. Enjoy a morning jungle trek, where the jungle is most pristine and lush. Trek further to the Kadazandusun Burial Site, witness the coffin cliff before proceeding to the “view point” to feast your eyes on a bird’s eye view of Danum Valley. Make your descent for a refreshing dip in the natural “Jacuzzi Pool”.

Return to Lodge for Lunch. Get on more nature trails as you wish, or go for a relaxing ‘tubing’ activity down the Danum River. Dinner at Lodge. After your meal, explore the surrounding area as you go for a night walk, in search for some nocturnal animals. Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

Departs Lahad Datu (Or Extend Tour)

Pack-up, check out from Borneo Rainforest Lodge and take the overland transfer back to Lahad Datu.

Transfer to the airport and take your flight out from Sabah.

Danum Valley - LDU Airport Van 2 hours 30 mins 81.3 km