Original
Sabah Adventure
4.9
Excellent
263 reviews
11 days
Start
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Finish
Sandakan, Malaysia
Trip Code
TMSC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Transport
Private mini van, River boat, Speed boat
Accommodation
Chalet (1 night), Resort (1 nights), Homestay (2 night), Hostel (2 nights), Hotel (2 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights)
From £1,421(11 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Climb Mt Kinabalu – the literal pinnacle of all treks in South East Asia – with local guides whose families have trekked the mountain for generations. Watch the sunrise at the peak after a morning hike and spot diverse flora and fauna along the way.
Spend time getting to know the unique wildlife of Borneo at conservation sanctuaries for orangutans and sun bears.
Join a local ranger to witness the life cycle of sea turtles, who come ashore on Turtle Island to lay their eggs on the beach. At night, you’ll watch the hatchlings make a dash down the beach on their way to their new life.
Cruise down the Kinabatangan River and search for wildlife in this rich and unique jungle ecosystem – if you’re lucky, you may see wild pygmy elephants!
Spend two nights in a Dusun village in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea. Spend time with your friendly hosts, explore a local vegetable farm and watch a cultural performance.
Is this trip right for you?
Summiting Mt. Kinabalu is an exhilarating challenge that should not be underestimated. On the second day of the trek, we begin our ascent at 2 AM to witness the breathtaking sunrise from the summit. Standing at approximately 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) above sea level, it promises an unforgettable experience but requires an excellent level of fitness to complete successfully.
Read our blog here for everything you need to know about climbing Mt Kinabalu: https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/guide-to-climbing-mt-kinabalu-borneo/ https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/guide-to-climbing-mt-kinabalu-borneo/ (https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/guide-to-climbing-mt-kinabalu-borneo/)
You'll need to pack some specific items for this trip. Check the ‘Packing List’ in the Essential Trip Information for more details so you are prepared.
On this trip, you will experience a wide range of accommodation types: shared dormitory rooms in hostels, a homestay, a resort, a jungle lodge, and hotels. Some may be a little more basic than our standard hotels, but their unique locations and close proximity to nature are what make them special.
Summiting Mt. Kinabalu is an exhilarating challenge that should not be underestimated. On the second day of the trek, we begin our ascent at 2 AM to witness the breathtaking sunrise from the summit. Standing at approximately 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) above sea level, it promises an unforgettable experience but requires an excellent level of fitness to complete successfully.
Read our blog here for everything you need to know about climbing Mt Kinabalu: https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/guide-to-climbing-mt-kinabalu-borneo/ https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/guide-to-climbing-mt-kinabalu-borneo/ (https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/guide-to-climbing-mt-kinabalu-borneo/)
You'll need to pack some specific items for this trip. Check the ‘Packing List’ in the Essential Trip Information for more details so you are prepared.
On this trip, you will experience a wide range of accommodation types: shared dormitory rooms in hostels, a homestay, a resort, a jungle lodge, and hotels. Some may be a little more basic than our standard hotels, but their unique locations and close proximity to nature are what make them special.
Itinerary
Explore the lush wildlife paradise of Sabah, Borneo
Get to know a land of natural beauty and rare wildlife on this Borneo adventure through Sabah. With its collection of unique animals, ancient traditions, tribal villages, rescued orangutans and scenic views, Sabah has something for everyone. You’ll experience it all over 11 days in Borneo – climbing Mt Kinabalu at sunrise, watching sea turtles lay their eggs with an expert local ranger by your side and sharing laughs with your local hosts in a remote village. Visit conservation sanctuaries, search for local wildlife at different times of day and night along the Kinabatangan River (including pygmy elephants if you’re lucky) and explore the wilderness of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park.
Inclusions
Meals
10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Transport
Private mini van, River boat, Speed boat
Accommodation
Chalet (1 night), Resort (1 nights), Homestay (2 night), Hostel (2 nights), Hotel (2 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights)
Included activities
Dusun Village - Guided village walk
Dusun Village - Cultural performance
Dusun Village – Local Vegetable Farm Visit
Kundasang - Market Visit
Mt Kinabalu National Park - Mt Kinabalu Climb
Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise
Kinabatangan River - Night jungle walk
Kinabatangan River - Fish Trap Making & Story Telling
Kinabatangan River - Dawn Wildlife Cruise
Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Turtle Island - Turtle Island Marine Park
Turtle Island - Turtle Hatchery Visit
Optional activities
Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Museum entrance fee - MYR15
Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul National Marine Park Snorkeling Trip (min. 2 - without transport) per person - MYR345
Kundasang - War Memorial (Entrance Fee) - MYR15
Poring Hot Springs - Hot Springs (Open Bath Tub) - (3 hours) - MYR10
Poring Hot Springs - Canopy Walk - MYR10
Poring Hotspring (Entrance Fee) - MYR50
Poring Hot Spring (Slide Pool) - MYR5
Poring Hot Spring (Entrance) - MYR50
Walai Tokou Day Trip Package (Min 2 people) - MYR260
Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre - MYR30
Sepilok - Sun Bear Conservation Centre - MYR50
Sandakan - Agnes Keith House - MYR15
Sandakan - St Michaels and All Angels Church - MYR10
Sandakan - Puu Jih Shih Chinese Temple - Free
Sandakan - War Memorial - Free
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. Please provide passport details at the time of booking, as these are essential for booking services on this trip, including your Mt Kinabalu permit.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 2 and 3 (Dusun Village), 4 and 5 (Mt Kinabalu), and 9 (Turtle Island), where you will be in shared accommodation. It is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Some governments may have increased travel advice levels in place for parts of Eastern Sabah, including Sandakan and Turtle Island. Ensure you check your government’s foreign travel advice for the most up to date information before you travel. If you have any questions about whether the current advice level affects your travel insurance coverage, please contact your insurance provider. Travel insurance is compulsory for all Tuuur traveller and must cover all destinations and activities on the itinerary. In addition to the increased security presence in the region, we have additional safety measures in place on our trips to comply with local regulations, including not travelling by boat at night and only travelling on approved routes and vessels.
Reviews (262)
5 stars
242
4 stars
15
3 stars
5
Samantha
Sep 06, 2025
What a wonderful way to experience so much of Borneo! From the chilly peak of Mount Kinabalu to the steamy rainforest of the Kinabatangan River, we got to explore so much of this island, see so many animals, immerse ourselves in the culture, and have an incredible variety of experiences along the way. If this kind of adventurous itinerary speaks to you, this trip is an excellent choice!
Christine
Sep 01, 2025
Excellent trip. Wildlife was amazing and the hike was a standout. Turtle Island was also incredible. Aswad was our leader and he made the trip wonderful for our group. If you are considering this trip and are up for tackling a tough mountain, go for it!
Dylan
Sep 01, 2025
Trip was fantastic. We were able to see all the highlights of Sabah in a very short window of time. Would recommend for a person who wants a bit of everything and has some previous travel experience. It's worth it.
Nicholas
Aug 31, 2025
A spectacular journey through the ecologically rich and diverse saba region of Malaysia. A rewarding experience which will not be forgotten. Highly recommended for people with a moderate level of fitness and an appetite for adventure!
Christine
Aug 31, 2025
This is a wonderful trip. I loved Borneo and was fortunate to be travelling with a great group and a fantastic leader. The mountain climb is hard. But if I can do it, at 69 years old, you can do it too. Make sure you train well for quite a few months beforehand. Very rewarding.
Kaitlin
Aug 31, 2025
My time in Sabah would not have been as special without the amazing Aswad as our guide and the group i travelled with. Thanks Intrepid for making this possible. I highly recommend Sabah Adventure for those with at least a moderate level of fitness, who would like to experience Borneo's diverse wildlife and scenery and have a sense adventure.
Melissa
Aug 31, 2025
I have absolutely loved my Sabah Adventure! This trip has been incredible. I came to Borneo for the Orangutan, but my highlights ended up also including reaching the summit of Mt Kinabalu, river cruising the Kinabantan, and the turtle islands experience. Our guide Aswad was amazing! He helped make this trip perfect. I loved everything about it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an adventure and experience to remember for ever!
Kelly
Aug 25, 2025
Great trip - action packed but not completely exhausting. Don’t underestimate altitude sickness! Brings great likeminded people together.
Danielle
Aug 13, 2025
This was an excellent and well organised trip exceeding all expectations. The leader was extremely knowledgeable, professional, organised but also very friendly making it very memorable, highly recommend.
Vanessa
Aug 11, 2025
This trip is not for the faint hearted! If you want to test your mental and physical capacity and resilience, then definitely hike Mt Kinabalu. It is utterly rewarding. After that epic mountain, enjoy the awesome animal encounters! Adventure awaits you - reach out and grab it!!
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