Can you please clarify where the trip starts, i.e. Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan. How would I get to the starting point from the airport?

This trip starts in Sandakan, where you will meet your group and tour leader on Day 1 at 6 pm. We can also arrange an arrival transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport, at an additional cost, if you would like assistance getting to your accommodation before the trip begins.

Does this trip include transfers from the airport or can you assist in organising a transfer please?

This trip does not include transfers to and from the airport but can arrange these at additional cost.

What should I do in case of an emergency during the tour?

In case of an emergency, please refer to the Essential Trip Information for contact details of local service providers or reach out to us via the provided emergency contacts.

How long is the trek each day? is it too much hiking? Do we have to carry our luggage while trekking?

On Day 2, the trekking time will be approximately 3 hours, and on Day 3, it will be around 4 hours. The trek is manageable, but it is a good amount of hiking. Throughout the trip, we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible, and you may not be able to check in immediately upon arrival. In such cases, we can store your luggage, and you'll have the chance to explore the new destination before your room is ready.

What type of transport is available from Kota Kinabalu Airport to the hotel?

We can arrange transfer services for you from Kota Kinabalu Airport to your designated hotel. Kindly reach out to us for detailed arrangements and prices.

Are there any specific packing recommendations for this tour?

For the Essential Borneo tour, packing light with an emphasis on hiking essentials like sturdy boots, a hat, sunglasses, and a durable backpack is advised.

Is there a group discount available for the Essential Borneo tour?

Group discounts may be available depending on the size of your group. Please contact us directly for more information on applicable discounts.

Are there any age restrictions for the Essential Borneo tour?

Yes, typically, this tour has an age limit of 18 to 35 years. However, we do offer other itineraries that cater to a broader age range.

Can I leave my luggage at the hotel during the tour?

Most hotels, including your joining hotel, offer luggage storage options for your convenience. Feel free to contact us to confirm details for specific requirements.

How can I prepare for visa requirements for my trip?

It's important to stay updated on the visa requirements for your destination. You can find detailed and relevant information on the Essential Trip Information section on our website.

From

US $1,155 per person

Real Borneo

10 days

•

From Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu

4.2

14 traveler reviews

View all
The trip was made amazing by our leader Manuel, who's passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm for his home country was the highlight of my trip.
M
Matthew B, traveled in September
4.2
View all

From

US $1,155 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Operator: Intrepid Travel
Explorer: Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Medium Intensity: Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Group Size 1 - 16
Ages 18-35

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Sandakan
Optional Activities
- Explore Sandakan Heritage Trail
- Visit Sandakan War Memorial
- Visit Agnes Keith House
- Dinner at a local restaurant
Landmarks
Sandakan War Memorial
Agnes Keith House
Day 2
Sandakan
Included Activities
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre visit
- Sun Bear Conservation Centre visit
Optional Activities
- Rainforest Discovery Centre visit with canopy walkway
Landmarks
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre
Day 3
Sandakan to Kinabatangan River
Included Activities
- Afternoon Wildlife Cruise on Kinabatangan River
Landmarks
Kinabatangan River
Day 4
Kinabatangan River
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning Wildlife Cruise
- Afternoon Wildlife Cruise
- Night Jungle Walk
Landmarks
Kinabatangan River
Day 5
Kinabatangan River to Kundasang
Meals
Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Kundasang War Memorial
Landmarks
Mount Kinabalu
Kundasang War Memorial
Day 6
Kundasang to Kiulu Village
Meals
Dinner (Traditional local food prepared during cooking class)
Included Activities
- Village Trek to Kampung Ratau
- Cultural Activities
- Cooking Class
- Traditional fishing
- Beadwork activity
- Gong class
Landmarks
Kiulu Valley
Kampung Ratau
Day 7
Kiulu Village to Kinarut
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional meal with cultural dance and Dusun martial art show)
Included Activities
- Trek through rural Kiulu to Lokub
- Dusun Martial Art Show
Landmarks
Kiulu Valley
Day 8
Kinarut
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Dinawan Island Snorkeling Excursion
Optional Activities
- Kayaking around Dinawan Island
- Group dinner in Kinarut
Landmarks
Dinawan Island
Day 9
Kinarut to Kota Kinabalu
Optional Activities
- Koisaan Cultural Village visit
- Group dinner in Kota Kinabalu
Landmarks
Koisaan Cultural Village
Day 10
Kota Kinabalu

Landmarks
Sandakan War Memorial
Agnes Keith House

Landmarks
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre

Landmarks
Kinabatangan River

Landmarks
Kinabatangan River

Landmarks
Mount Kinabalu
Kundasang War Memorial

Landmarks
Kiulu Valley
Kampung Ratau

Landmarks
Kiulu Valley

Landmarks
Dinawan Island

Landmarks
Koisaan Cultural Village

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Operated by

Intrepid Travel

4.5

(12,037 reviews)

Number of tours

891

Age Range

5 to 99 years old

Response time

6 hours

Response rate

88%

Back in 1989, two guys from Melbourne, Australia by the names of Darrell and...

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Other

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

4.2

Overall rating based on 14 Reviews

Transport
4.4
Guide
4.7
Accommodation
4.2
Food
4.3
Tour Operator
4.5

V
Verena
September 13th, 2024
3.0
Automatically translated. View in Original Language Rate this translation
Automatic translation available in English. View in English
There were basically only 7 real travel days, for two 18 year olds the other travel companions were quite old....
Show more
Traveled in September 2024
Reply from: Intrepid Travel
Hi Verena, thank you for your review. We are surprised there were not more people who were similar in age, but there is always someone/some people who will be the youngest. We do hope you managed to connect with some of the other travellers during your tour. The included meals are outlined in the online itinerary, please reach out to your booking agent if there were any that were missed and we will be happy to take a look. We are pleased to know that you enjoyed your trim with the elephants and while at the village- we do hope you made some wonderful memories of Borneo!
Show more
A
Rachel
September 18th, 2019
4.8
I have done a number of group tours in the past, however this was my first intrepid tour. I did not know what to...
Show more
Traveled in February 2019
A
Piper
September 18th, 2019
4.8
Well managed, a fantastic guide (thanks Hasif!!) and a great way to get around Borneo without feeling too much like a...
Show more
Traveled in February 2019
A
Michael
September 18th, 2019
4.0
Great itinerary and awesome guide. Hasif shared a lot of his knowledge about Sabah. The mountain climb was stunning.
Traveled in February 2019
A
Flynn
September 18th, 2019
4.8
Had great fun on this trip, saw lots of wildlife and met great people! Our tour guide Hasif was a major reason for...
Show more
Traveled in February 2019
A
Michael
September 18th, 2019
3.8
The trip was very good with many experiences included.
Traveled in February 2019
A
William
September 18th, 2019
4.5
Manuiel Gidiun was an excellent guide with exceptional knowledge about the wildlife, culture, history and geography...
Show more
Traveled in December 2018
A
Matthew
September 18th, 2019
4.2
The trip was made amazing by our leader Manuel, who's passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm for his home country was the...
Show more
Traveled in December 2018
A
Georgia
September 18th, 2019
4.2
Whilst we experienced some itinerary changes and weather concerns, our guide was very good in adapting to the changes...
Whilst we experienced some itinerary changes and weather concerns, our guide was very good in adapting to the changes well and ensuring our time and money were well spent. Our guide was full of knowledge regarding both the sites we visited and additional questions asked about a very wide range of topics. The tour was well adapted to the age group, although free time could be more carefully allocated as some locations did not have enough activities available to fill the time. Despite this, I would highly recommend the tour and Manuiel. He was exceptional!Show more
Traveled in December 2018
A
Kaitlyn
September 18th, 2019
3.8
I gave this score because of my excellent trip leader. He was happy, accommodating, and always sought to ensure we...
I gave this score because of my excellent trip leader. He was happy, accommodating, and always sought to ensure we were having a great time. What was lacking was the value for money and itinerary. We had a fair bit of free time that could have resulted in the trip being compressed. I’d skip the hot springs entirely as everything was closed on the day we were there, and it was so busy with locals that we could barely enjoy the springs. We were also stared at the entire time so it wasn’t particularly enjoyable.Show more
Traveled in December 2018

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

We couldn't find results

Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts

A
Alex
Asked on September 19th, 2025
Can you please clarify where the trip starts, i.e. Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan. How would I get to the starting point from the airport?
Flights / Transfers
Tour Details
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written September 2025
  This trip starts in Sandakan, where you will meet your group and tour leader on Day 1 at 6 pm. We can also arrange an arrival transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport, at an additional cost, if you would like assistance getting to your accommodation before the trip begins.
S
Sophia
Asked on February 18th, 2025
Does this trip include transfers from the airport or can you assist in organising a transfer please?
Flights / Transfers
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written February 2025
  This trip does not include transfers to and from the airport but can arrange these at additional cost.
- S
  Sophia
  Traveler•Written February 2025
  I have a conference in Thailand between 29 May and 3 June so would need a tour to fit around those dates.
D
Danièle
Asked on February 9th, 2025
What should I do in case of an emergency during the tour?
Travel Support
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written February 2025
  In case of an emergency, please refer to the Essential Trip Information for contact details of local service providers or reach out to us via the provided emergency contacts.
J
Judy
Asked on January 26th, 2025
How long is the trek each day? is it too much hiking? Do we have to carry our luggage while trekking?
Tour Details
Transport
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2025
  On Day 2, the trekking time will be approximately 3 hours, and on Day 3, it will be around 4 hours. The trek is manageable, but it is a good amount of hiking. Throughout the trip, we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible, and you may not be able to check in immediately upon arrival. In such cases, we can store your luggage, and you'll have the chance to explore the new destination before your room is ready.
I
Isabelle
Asked on January 26th, 2025
What type of transport is available from Kota Kinabalu Airport to the hotel?
Transport
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2025
  We can arrange transfer services for you from Kota Kinabalu Airport to your designated hotel. Kindly reach out to us for detailed arrangements and prices.
J
Jan
Asked on November 17th, 2024
Are there any specific packing recommendations for this tour?
Other
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written November 2024
  For the Essential Borneo tour, packing light with an emphasis on hiking essentials like sturdy boots, a hat, sunglasses, and a durable backpack is advised.
M
Magdalena
Asked on November 7th, 2024
Is there a group discount available for the Essential Borneo tour?
Group size
Price / Availability
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written November 2024
  Group discounts may be available depending on the size of your group. Please contact us directly for more information on applicable discounts.
S
Sandra
Asked on September 17th, 2024
Are there any age restrictions for the Essential Borneo tour?
Age Range
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written September 2024
  Yes, typically, this tour has an age limit of 18 to 35 years. However, we do offer other itineraries that cater to a broader age range.
I
Iris
Asked on June 11th, 2024
Can I leave my luggage at the hotel during the tour?
Accommodation
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written June 2024
  Most hotels, including your joining hotel, offer luggage storage options for your convenience. Feel free to contact us to confirm details for specific requirements.
V
Vera
Asked on June 9th, 2024
How can I prepare for visa requirements for my trip?
Visa
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written June 2024
  It's important to stay updated on the visa requirements for your destination. You can find detailed and relevant information on the Essential Trip Information section on our website.

From

US $1,155 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 16388

Currency
RM
Malaysian Ringgit
Malaysia
Plugs & Adapters
As a traveler from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type G.
Type G
Malaysia
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Cholera - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Malaysia. Ideally 10 days before travel.
- Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 1 month before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before June 17th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after June 17th, 2026, a minimum payment of $400 is required to confirm your booking with Intrepid Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Intrepid Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Intrepid Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Intrepid Travel. Please familiarize yourself with the Intrepid Travel payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Real Borneo

Itinerary

Sandakan

Optional Activities

Sandakan

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Sandakan to Kinabatangan River

Included Activities

Kinabatangan River

Included Activities

Kinabatangan River to Kundasang

Optional Activities

Kundasang to Kiulu Village

Included Activities

Kiulu Village to Kinarut

Included Activities

Kinarut

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Kinarut to Kota Kinabalu

Optional Activities

Kota Kinabalu

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What's Included