malaysia and borneo itinerary

Check out some of the tours you take while in Borneo: Like it? This really is a place that pictures or videos cannot do justice to. After a short flight we arrived in Malaysian Borneo. The best part about this park is that theres no road to it, is literally in the middle of the jungle. This is the reason we sadly couldnt add it to our Borneo itinerary. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Disclaimer: The Family Freestylers are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and its partners. When did you travel to Borneo please? We met some divers who highly recommended, Alternatively do what we did and head to the west coast instead to dive with, The only way to visit Turtle Island is by booking a 2 day/1 night tour direct through Crystal Quest or more expensive tour operators (who buy direct from Crystal Quest). 2. since you went diving, why did you skip sipidan and head to the west coast? By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third party external to A Lovely Planet. Happy days! Please be sure to mention us to Fatima at the Crystal Quest office. Thanks in advance!! Required fields are marked *. It is SOOO eye wateringly expensive to climb that I was in two minds about whether we should bother. Plan also to have warm clothing as its cold there. If youve got 2 or 3 extra days, why not take on a challenge and climb Mt Kinabalu! We had one night in Sandakan before we left for the Kinabatangan so I went down to the jetty in Sandakan (its on the way into the city from the airport so an easy stop off in a taxi if you still need to book tickets) and booked tickets in person. The park doesnt have enough space to let them roam free, so they take turns. Bag your first 4000m with this challenging but achievable 2 day, 1 night trek. If you thought Malaysian Borneo was wild, wait until you check out Kalimantan. 6 reviews 7 helpful votes itinerary advice for Malaysia & Borneo (solo, 4 weeks) Mar 9, 2023, 3:09 AM Save I'm planning on visiting Malaysia & Borneo for a few weeks in June before heading to Vietnam for my cousin's wedding in in July. Semporna, a couple of hours south of Lahad Datu is the port town destination that attracts divers from all over the world to access the islands of Sipidan and Mabul. A two night/three day stay includes; a two night stay in a lodge in the rainforest, five river cruises, two night walks, one trek and all meals. Flores Big Fin was super helpful and responsive. Timor As far as things to do in Sandakan go, its generally considered a gateway to Sepilok, the Kinabatangan or to Turtle Island. The centre is big on orangutan rehabilitation, not providing entertainment for visitors, so (thank goodness) dont expect to be able to pick up baby orangutans. Expect to pull up to a roadside shack advertising the flowering. When to Visit Malaysia for 3 Weeks The roads on this journey are winding but the views are incredible, especially of Mt Kinabalu, and you wont regret a stop in these high altitude villages! For more information on how to book a trip, click here. Get advice. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Wong, the founder, at the centre. You can plan to take two boat tours to be sure to spot the herd. Midwest Your email address will not be published. Settle into your Kinabalu National Park accommodation to acclimatise for the big climb tomorrow. Lucky for you weve done that for you! If you get the chance, between Sukau and Semporna, stop at the Agop Batu Tulug Caves, an ancient burial sites. Nowhere competes with Borneo for serious adventure and getting close to extraordinary wildlife. It was a shame really as she loved it so much and was desperate to do it but she is going to get it this year somewhere . The sub-dealer is Borneo VCE. Dont do this trek alone, three persons are best. It is not in operation as yet but I would love her to get an idea of the willingness of visitors which will hopefully expedite the project into fruition! You can find huge Cuttlefish here along with colourful and interesting nudibranch. In Belaga you arrive in the heart of the jungle, its best to spend two days there if you have time. and do one of the highest via ferratas in the world! Crawl. and choose to return for feeding sessions. All the research I had done from home indicated that it was very hard to book Turtle Island tickets from overseas and indeed, after sending emails to try and book, I received no response. Yes some of the dive companies in Sipidan offer snorkelling tours, and there are some beautiful things to see. Sabah and Sarawak belong to Malaysia, and both have a much better infrastructure than the large southern Indonesian state of Kalimatan. A visit here does require a bit of planning and bookings are essential in the peak season so check out our destination guide andthe national park website for more information. Most of the wooden coffins are still there, and its a unique site. One of our best tips for travelling to Borneo was giving you a heads up that you can book cheaper accommodation inside Kinabalu National Park directly through Agoda. Our Borneo itinerary covers just 2-3 weeks in Sabah, one of the best regions to explore ancient rainforest, encounter incredible wildlife, discover world class dive sites and bag a 4000m peak. You can also do this itinerary in reverse by flying into Tawau first which is three hours from KL. The bus should cost around 40 MYR and will take around 4 - 5 hours. Borneo Malaysia Tours & Travel Information - Malaysia - Asia Tours Caribbean Have a fabulous time. See the best. Summiting this peak at sunrise will be one of the highlights of your Borneo trip. hoping a dive site will clarify that for me. We promise not to spam you. Check out the following services we use! 3 Week Itinerary for Malaysia - The Happy Days Travels The currents are strong there, so its not fit for beginners. Borneo Itinerary - How to Spend 3 Weeks in Eastern Malaysia! did you think to visit the turtle island at all? An Awesome Two Week Malaysia Itinerary (For First Timers) Spend the first few days wandering around the city, visiting places like the beautiful Masjid Bandaraya City Mosque and taking in the views from the Signal Hill Observatory. A trip to Turtle Island was a highlight of our Borneo itinerary. 2 Weeks Itinerary for Borneo and Brunei. Boats depart from Jetty to Palau Selingan (Turtle Island) early around 7.30am. After your visit to the orangutan centre, we would highly recommend taking the time to visit the Sun Bear sanctuary which is literally next door. Timor Leste Theres no pressure to dive and plenty of time to snorkel, chill in a hammock or play board games with other travellers. * Required fields are marked *. Here stay in a lodge and get up close and personal with incredible wildlife such as pygymy elephants and wild orangutans. Sukau is a small village in a rural area, surrounded by jungle (and a lot of palm tree fields too) with a layback vibe. South 1. why did you decide to do turtle island after kinabatangan river? This town is bursting at the seams with seafood restaurants! Why not head south to the Indonesian side! Southeast Asia To be honest Poring Hot Springs was very average and not something Id recommend on your Sabah itinerary if time is short. For more on Kota Kinabalu, check out our location guide! The owner is also responsible for destroying the nearby rainforest for his palm oil business. Sipidan is more famous but as well more expensive and remote. If not, you can spend the night in Miri, arrive early morning in Mulu and leave with the last flight the next day. Couple Getaways It only grows in a few locations, however one of the best places in Borneo to see them in bloom is near Poring, a short drive from Kinabalu National Park. and watch the sun go down. Borneo Rainforest Tours at the Kinabatangan River 6. love your blog and read all of it. You cannot go to Borneo without a pair of binoculars, especially if you intend to do any kind of wildlife watching. Tucked away in the jungle, its only a short (but not walking) distance to the Orangutan Centre. BORNEO ITINERARY Orang-utan and long-nosed monkeys. Explore the meandering waterways and get the chance to see all kinds of wildlife including some that can only be found in Borneo! One of the best things to do in Borneo is wildlife spotting on a Kinabatangan River tour. This incredible centre has been instrumental in keeping the sun bear from the brink of extinction. The island formed from coral growing on an extinct volcano. Read our Privacy Policy for more information. It didnt disappoint, delivering what felt like fish soup..everywhere! Find travel buddies. Food Travelling solo with my 10 year old, the infinity swimming pool, fabulous breakfasts and luxurious rooms at the Four Points was a no brainer for us after staying in the jungle for a week and climbing a 4000m mountain. Ahmad Maslan: Sumbangan Asas Rahmah recipients can make purchases at Book into Sukau Rainforest Lodge (one of National Geographics top 30 lodges in the world) for an unforgettable stay on the river. Tip: if youve got more time, pay a visit to The Kelabit Highlands or take the 15 hour bus between Miri and Kuching, with a stop off in Sibu the gateway to the Upper Rajang River along the way to break up the journey. Learn how your comment data is processed. A spectacular lodge in the heart of the rainforest. Its impossible to book the climb independently and now the one day climb option is no longer possible, climbing Mount Kinabalu will without doubt put a hole in your wallet. Take the metro or airport coach to the city centre or book a private transfer direct to your hotel > You can also stroll through the market and visit the Hock Leong Tieng temple. We stayed in a traditional long house at Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat (photo above) which we would highly recommend. A perfect place for a lovely surface interval in their relaxing pool, bliss! You cant walk to the Orangutan centre from Paganakan Tropical Retreat no, its too far but not far in the shuttle. From this part of Malaysia, you can easily get to Indonesia and continue your Borneo itinerary in Kalimantan. If youre tight on time, by-pass staying in Sandakan altogether. If you have one more day to spare on your Borneo itinerary, you can visit and spend the night at the Bawang Assan Longhouse Village, youll need to arrange a tour with one of the travel agency in Sibu, or you can try to find the phone number for the Bawang Assan Homestay Programme and contact them directly (once again you cannot show up uninvited). The rainforest is so dense that river travel is the best way to spot the incredible wildlife that lives along this fragile stretch of rainforest called the Corridor of Life, Leave the Kinabatangan River & return to Sandakan. Generally, you will only be served in high-end bars or hotels. You have the opportunity to adopt an orangutan for around 30 a year. Itinerary. The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is privately owned, and they do the best they can with the few resources they have. Pulau Selingan, otherwise known as Turtle Island! Detailed itineraries and foodie guides for the adventure loving traveller. Many visitors make a bee line for Poring Hot Springs on their Borneo itinerary. If you wish to contribute, visit the MMA website or check out its Give.Asia campaign . East Coast Kuching is the final stop in Borneo and its a great place to end your trip! Malaysia Guatemala For more information on how to book a trip, click here. Neighbouring Mabul and Kapalai islands are mostly for the macro (small) critters. In neighbouring Indonesia and Malaysia, infrastructure is not the issue, given Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium that can hold some 77,000 people, while the National Stadium Bukit Jalil . Plus internal and international flights. Because the Annah Ray Longhouse is one of the easiest longhouses to access from Kuching, its also touristy, and people there turned it into a business. 2. If you have time in your Borneo itinerary, consider booking for longer here to partake in additional tours such as a night time boat tour or guided hikes. On day 3, finish exploring Kota Kinabalu, hop on your chosen method of transport and head north east towards Kudat. Its not the only trek you can take there. The Kinabatangan is one of the best places in Borneo to spot wildlife. Make sure youve installed the GRAB app on your mobile (this app is similar to Uber and will save you so much money in Sabah read our other top tips to travelling Borneo here) and catch a taxi to Kota Belud. If time is short on your schedule, definitely go straight to Sepilok from the airport. There are still people alive in Borneo who used to cut heads when they were young. France Book a return ticket to KL and then book your other flights in and out of Borneo separately. We had heard that its really expensive to. Ask the driver to stop in Kundasang, the nearest town to Kinabalu National Park, to withdraw cash from the ATM and stock up on cheaper snacks and fruit. I have mixed feelings about the owner, hes nice, but hes also after your money, always ask him the price of things, and dont hesitate to negotiate. "Jakarta . Whilst there, check out the history of the city at the Sandakan Memorial Park. Spotting the worlds largest flower the rafflesia. Unsubscribe at any time. You can also subscribe without commenting so you can read replies as they come in. I've added a trip to unmissable Borneo at the end, should you have the time to fully explore this country. 9 of the best places to go in Malaysia: Big city culture, sandy beaches, and pristine jungles. Turtle Island Borneo The Ultimate Guide to BORNEO Diving Kota Kinabalu Big Fin Divers. This sanctuary is the best place to see orangutans near Kuching. Borneo is known for its Palm Oil. You can either book your trip up the mountain to start from the city, or while youre on your way through the mountainous villages of Ranau or Kundasang (see below). New England Staying here youre surrounded by dive shops, and after lots of research and only two roads away from our hotel, we chose to dive with Billabong Scuba. The app Grab is widely used in Malaysia and Indonesia, so get a local SIM and you can travel all over the city easily and cheaply. Palau Selingan is one of three islands making up the Turtle Islands National Park in the Sulu Sea, a 40 minute speed boat ride from Sandakan, is one of the best places in Borneo to turtle watch. Stay overnight in Sandakan before catching a flight from here to Sarawak and the town of Miri. The Sepilok Edge Lodge is a beautiful stay amongst the trees. In fact, we didnt end up summiting because she found it really hard going on the second day with the altitude so we ended up stopping at the check point before the summit. Sukau, a tiny village on the Kinabatangan River is a base for visitors wanting to encounter incredible wildlife experiences. Read my, As far as things to do in Sandakan go, its generally considered a gateway to Sepilok, the Kinabatangan or to Turtle Island. You should stay at Daniel Levohs Guesthouse, theres only one other hotel in town, and hes the only one offering activities around Belaga. This does not affect the price you pay but helps me to run this site. Take a six-hour coach from KK to Sepilok. Malaysia and Borneo Itinerary for 4 weeks - Malaysia Forum Also, are there hikes or places to meander around there with kids, or is is super dense except for the road? Expect to pay 120RM for a taxi from Big Fin Divers direct to Kinabalu National Park (2 hours). The nearby Sipadan National Park is a world-renowned dive site, and the marine life there is just incredible. We would highly recommend any family eager to teach their kids about our fragile ecosystems to volunteer on this project. It cost us around 800 for the climb package for me & my daughter plus extras such as a nights accommodation in the park the night before. . Consider staying outside of town for a more off the beaten track experience! If you are doing things like diving you have the security of the dive shops etc.. but if not I would suggest getting in with a group or planning ahead definitely. Spend the day snorkelling the crystal clear waters of the Sulu Sea and learning about Borneos green and hawksbill turtles in the conservation centre. Packing List Ive yet to visit Borneo and living so close makes it all that much more tempting. Borneo itinerary: 1 - Kuching - 2 days 2 - Bako National Park - 2 days 3 - Cruising along the Rajang river - 4 days 7 - Mulu National Park - 2 days 8 - Mount Kinabalu - 2 days 10 - Sepilok - 1 day 11 - Sukau: wildlife encounters - 1 day 12 - Semporna: Diving in Paradise - 2 days What to pack for Borneo: Borneo itinerary: 1 - Kuching - 2 days Add 1 day here if you want to explore Sabahs capital city, Kota Kinabalu. Apart from this, its a great trek; if youre lucky youll see hornbills. Its easy to visit independently by staying in a guesthouse and booking transport, river cruises and jungle walks flexibly through them. It was October/November time. This content will be available if you accept Google privacy policy. Book into, Many visitors push deeper into the rainforest from the Kinabatangan to, A word of warning though, a stay in the Danum Valley does not come cheap, unless you are well prepared and book early with the, Accommodation around Sipidan ranges from upmarket resorts or basic dive operations on Mabul island or more affordable accommodation in less desirable mainland Semporna. Read our whole review on Big Fin Beach Resort here. Take a boat to the park from Sematan (about 2.5 hours from Kuching) or join and organised tour. Big Fin only has 4 cabanas and a row of tents so make sure you book well ahead of time on booking.com. We highly recommend hiring a torch so you can experience these in all their colourful beauty. Read more about the Kelabit highlands here. Start in Kuala Lumpur and end in Kota Kinabalu! Thank you to Downbelow Adventures for hosting A Lovely Planet. His single handed conservation efforts have earned him a raft of international recognition and awards, and his hands on approach, enthusiastically showing visitors a better view of this tiny bear (which Winnie the Pooh was based on) through his telescope was amazing to see. Updated on 11/17/20 TitoSimon / Getty Images The Derawan Islands in East Kalimantan are one of the most exciting, biodiverse places to travel in Borneo. Sipidan is one of the worlds top 10 dive spots. Family Travel You can choose to opt out if you prefer to Yes that's fine Read More, FACT: Borneo is the third largest in the world Borneo is made up of, TIP: If Palau Selingan (Turtle Island) is high on your list to visit, and you havent managed yet to secure tickets (its often hard to book outside of Borneo) then its a good idea to ask your taxi driver to stop at the Crystal Quest office which is located on a jetty 5 minutes before Sandakan.
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