Selamat Datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins in the bustling capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Here, you can expect streets lined with colourful food stalls, friendly locals and fast-paced energy. You have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your group leader and travel companions. If you arrive early, why not check out the Petaling Street Market – the vibrant hub of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown – or wander along the River of Life. After your meeting, maybe join your leader for an optional group dinner at Jalan Alor to experience the vibrant food scene in Kuala Lumpur and maybe explore the charming Bukit Bintang together before heading back to the hotel. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning, you’ll take the local metro to the train station for your journey to Butterworth. From here, take a private transfer to George Town – the port city turned UNESCO World Heritage site and the multicultural capital of the island of Penang. When you arrive, head out with your leader for an orientation walk to get your bearings. Then, enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. George Town has some great cuisine on offer, and your leader can always point you in the right direction for some great eats! You might also like to check out some of the hidden temples, Little India or go on a self-paced street art tour. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 to 6 hours.

Hit the streets with your leader for a walking tour of George Town. You’ll notice a certain charm about this city as you wander by the historical building and ancient shopfronts and admire the fascinating street art at every turn. You’ll also explore Pinang Peranakan Museum – home to over 1000 pieces of antiques and collectables. This afternoon is free for you to explore or relax – maybe visit the Kapitan Keling Mosque, Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, The Clan Community of Penang or the Wonderfood Museum.

After a leisurely morning, take a private transfer to Teluk Bahang – a small fishing village in Penang. When you arrive, be welcomed into the homes of your homestay hosts, then tuck into some lunch. Visit a Batik factory where you’ll learn about the art of hand painting Batik patterns onto materials, before enjoying some fun with your group with a selection of traditional games. Then, take a late afternoon walk around the fishing village, learn how the locals make their nets and discover the life of a fisherman. Dinner tonight will be prepared especially for you by your hosts. Watch a cooking demonstration, then enjoy some local cuisine as a group, taking some time getting to know your hosts. Later, sit down for a special Silat (local martial art) performance where you can learn a few tricks from the local masters. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. Your group may be split into different households this evening depending on the group size and composition. Facilities will be shared in the household.

Say goodbye to your homestay hosts this morning after breakfast. Take a private transfer to Ulu Muda Forest – your home away from home for the next two nights. You’ll arrive at the Lake Muda Jetty just in time for a bite to eat, freshly prepared by the locals. Then, you’ll board a boat to Earth Lodge in Kuala Labua – this socially conscious organisation fights for the preservation of the forest with research and awareness, low carbon footprint practices and ecotourism principles. Your accommodation tonight is surrounded by nature, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s the perfect launching pad to explore the nearby jungle trails, winding rivers and lush tropical rainforest. When you arrive, you’ll head out on a river cruise where you’ll have the chance to spot local wildlife (you might even see some elephants if you’re lucky!) before a free evening to settle in and make yourself at home. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. You'll need to have a light pack that can cover for the two nights in Ulu Muda. Please check the packing suggestions in Essential Trip Information for your stay at the eco lodge (Earth Lodge) for the next two days.

After breakfast this morning, you’ll pull on your walking shoes for a trek into Bukit Labu where you’ll be accompanied by an expert guide. Listen carefully as your guide tells you all about the native plants and wildlife that call this lush rainforest home. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants! Enjoy a picnic lunch by the river before trekking back to your accommodation and visiting Salt-lick hot springs, where the local animals, including the elephants, go to get their minerals. In the late afternoon, maximise your chances of seeing wildlife with another river cruise. Your hiking time today will be approximately 6 hours.

Say goodbye to the forest this morning and head back to the jetty, where your private transfer will be waiting for your journey towards the Cameron Highlands. A serene spot, the rolling green highlands are blanketed by tea plantations and boast a refreshingly cool climate. You’ll arrive in the mid-afternoon and have some have free time to wander the local market stalls and tuck into some typical Malay cuisine. Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

Have breakfast just like the locals and treat your tastebuds to some traditional eats straight from a local street stall. This is breakfast on the go – Malay style! After you’ve fuelled up, hit the road to a track of mossy forested area to stretch your legs on a trek through this mist-shrouded spot. Your guide will point out the unique plants living here, under the blanket of rich, green moss. After, you’ll step back into reality and explore one of the local tea plantations to learn more about tea production here and see the endless rows of green shrubs that seem to hug the hillside. This afternoon is free and you might like to visit the Cameron Floral Park or indulge in some high tea at the Jim Thompson Tea Room.

Today it’s back to Kuala Lumpur by a local express bus, then a metro back to your hotel. You’ll arrive in the mid-afternoon, then the rest of the day is free to explore this energetic city. Maybe head to the observation deck on the 451-m tall Petronas Twin Towers or see the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Tonight, maybe head out to an optional farewell dinner to celebrate your adventure. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Today, you’ll have a private transfer taking you to KL airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, your driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel. Enjoy some free time and tonight you’ll have a group meeting at 6pm to meet your new group member. You may not be escorted for your flight today. You’ll have a private transfer dropping you off and picking you up at respective airports. Although this is a domestic flight, please make sure that you go through check points and have your passport properly stamped when travelling between mainland Malaysia (peninsula), Sarawak and Sabah (Borneo) as they all have their separate immigration checks. You will be asked to present your return flight ticket as well so please have it ready for checking. As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today.

Travel by minivan to a Kg Lobong-Lobong, a village that sits in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Be welcomed into the village, take a walk with the locals to learn about the village life and visit the local orchid farm. Enjoy some excellent home-cooked flavors while you are here and rest for a peaceful village night with your host family. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. To ensure every family in the community benefits economically from tourism, your group will be split up to stay in different family homes. All homes are within walking distance and you’ll likely have other group members staying with you. The facilities will be shared in your homestay.

Continue your exploration of Kg Lobong-Lobong village life today. Check out the rubber farm, pineapple farm and rice paddy, depending on what is in season. And join the fellow villagers in their rice husking, fish fermentation or making tapai (a type of fermented food made from glutinous rice) and other activities for a rare chance to experience the local village life firsthand. Then cook up a storm with your hosts in the village community hall and enjoy a cultural performance prepared by the villagers.

Eat a good breakfast this morning and say goodbye to your friends in the village as it’s time to drive to Timpohon Gate to begin your trek up Mt Kinabalu. It’s no small feat – prepare for an uphill trail made of steep steps that vary considerably in size – but along the way you can take in the remarkable variety of plant life, including about 1000 species of orchid and the carnivorous pitcher plant (yes, really). After covering 6 km (approximately 4 to 6 hours), spend the night at a hostel near Laban Rata, located at 3,272m (10,735 ft) above sea level. Rest up for the final ascent (very!) early tomorrow morning. Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour. The Mt Kinabalu trek is considered a huge highlight of the trip. Porters are available (at an extra cost) and are recommended. If you decide the trek is not for you, we can provide alternative arrangements if advised at the time of booking. For more information on the trekking alternative, please see the 'Itinerary Disclaimer' section in the Essential Trip Information. On this trek, altitude can affect you regardless of your fitness level, so everyone will take the trek at their own pace. It's important that you have educated yourself about the dangers of altitude sickness and its symptoms prior to the climb so you know what to look out for. Ensure you have warm layers, waterproof gloves, a hat, a head torch, a waterproof jacket, and good walking shoes/boots. The hostel has very basic, mixed-gender, multi-share bunk rooms. If you are feeling the chill, additional blankets can be hired from the park office, and ear plugs are recommended for light sleepers. Dinner tonight is filling but relatively simple. Vegetarian options will be vegetables, eggs, rice, and noodles. We totally understand that sometimes things don't go as planned, and your safety and comfort are our top priorities. However, if you choose to opt out of the climb or head back to the Kinabalu National Park HQ on your own accord, please note that you will need to cover any extra expenses that arise, such as accommodation and compensation for your mountain guides and porters.

Rise at around 2 am this morning to continue your trek – it’s tough, but the sunrise at the summit will be well worth it. At the top, take in the jungles of Borneo in one direction and the South China Sea in the other. After a well-deserved rest and plenty of pictures, return to Laban Rata for breakfast. Then, get started on the descent which can take between 3 - 6 hours. This evening, enjoy your overnight stay at a hostel within Kinabalu National Park. The window for reaching the summit trail is quite narrow, so you must make it to Sayat Sayat checkpoint by 5:30 am and follow the mountain guide's instructions about continuing. The mountain guide’s decision regarding safety on the mountain is final. After Sayat Sayat, a rope marks the trail to the summit. Waterproof gloves are recommended to protect your hands from rope burns and to keep them warm. The temperature can change very quickly up on the mountain, so bring clothes for all weather conditions. The climb from Laban Rata to the summit takes 2 to 4 hours. Due to the altitude, it can be hard going even for the very fit. The first section from Laban Rata is along man-made steps through vegetation. When you’re clear of the tree line, you’ll be walking up a series of wooden steps all the way to the final check point at Sayat Sayat. Descents can sometimes take longer than expected and we strongly encourage you to trek at a pace that feels comfortable for you. However, please note that if your descent from Panalaban to Timpohon Gate extends past 4 PM, you will need to cover an overtime allowance of MYR 15 per hour per guide. If you are unable to make the hike this morning, there are other alternatives that you may consider doing today. Please talk to your leader in advance about the possible alternatives.

Journey by private bus into the steamy rainforest to Bilit – a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River – and then take a short boat ride to the comfortable jungle lodge where you’ll spend the night. Located on the riverbanks, the lodge is a brilliant place to spot wildlife. For even better spotting, head out on a sunset boat ride and look out for macaques, orangutan, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. End your day by searching for nocturnal wildlife like civets, owls and the rare slow loris on a night walk. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. Rubber boots and leech socks are recommended and available to hire.

Embark on another boat safari early this morning – different species come out at different times, so keep your eyes peeled! After breakfast, join the in-house guide for an insightful journey into the historical Kinabatangan community, which thrived long before tourism developed in the area. Explore traditional practices and craftsmanship and actively engage in the crafting of traditional fish traps. This hands-on experience provides a profound understanding of the local culture and heritage, fostering a deeper appreciation for their sustainable way of life. Then, head back on the boat for another river excursion in the afternoon.

Say goodbye to your jungle lodge after breakfast and hit the road in a private minivan to a guesthouse located near the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Established to help reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or being orphaned, this sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to witness conservation in action. From the viewing platform, watch and photograph the orangutans as they swing into view onto the feeding platform. Observe young orangutans as they learn how to climb a specially constructed jungle gym in a new nursery. To see more of Borneo’s creatures, there’s the option to visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Here, rescued sun bears, many of whom have endured years of mistreatment, are given a second chance at life. Learn about the rehabilitation process and how they are reintroduced back into the wild. You can also opt to visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre, where you can roam the treetop walkways while you learn more about the flora and birdlife of Borneo. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

This morning, transfer to Sandakan to leave your large bags at the hotel and walk with your overnight bag to a nearby jetty. Travel by speedboat, past small fishing villages and bamboo fish traps, to Turtle Island Marine Park. In the afternoon, there will be some time for swimming, snorkelling or lazing about on the beach. In the evening, you’ll join an expert local ranger and a select group of visitors to watch giant green turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs under the moonlight. Watch the rangers as they release protected hatchlings and guide them in their frantic dash to the ocean. This is a moving experience that will stay with you long after your trip is over! Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour. The accommodation on Turtle Island is very basic. Be ready for a late night as often the nesting turtles don't come to the beach until after 10 pm. You will wait together in the dining hall until your group is called by the rangers. We recommend bringing games, cards, books or other items to help pass the time. Artificial light can disrupt the natural behaviour of female turtles and their young hatchlings. To avoid disturbing the turtles, we encourage you to bring red-light headlamps to witness the full experience. November – February is monsoon season in Borneo, and the journey to Turtle Island can be rough. On rare occasions, we may need to alter your itinerary if the boat journey becomes too dangerous. Please be aware that Sabah Park has temporarily suspended the rental of snorkelling equipment, including masks, snorkels, fins, life jackets, and related gear. If you plan to snorkel during your trip, we recommend bringing your own gear. Alternatively, snorkelling sets are available for purchase at the jetty before departure to the island (approx. RM50). As part of the park’s requirements, guests who wish to swim but do not have a life jacket will be required to sign an indemnity form acknowledging the associated risks before entering the water.

After breakfast, return to the mainland and take a short city tour visiting local market before heading to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore Sandakan as you wish – perhaps you’ll call into Agnes Keith House, the restored home of an American writer best known for her accounts of life in Borneo during WWII. Or you could visit the Sandakan War Memorial, built on the site of a Japanese Prisoners of War camp. Learn about the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, when 2400 prisoners of war were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo and only six survived. Another great option is St Michaels & All Angels Church, a rare stone building in Sabah that managed to avoid major damage in the war.

Your adventure ends today after breakfast. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Borneo - just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.