Borneo's Wildlife Exploration with Singapore

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival - Kota Kinabalu

  Welcome to Malaysia.

  Start your journey in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah state on the northern shores of Borneo Island. Arrive at the airport and meet your personal guide, who will accompany you to the hotel for check-in.

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  • Kota Kinabalu

• Day 2: Kota Kinabalu

  After breakfast, gather at the hotel lobby for the full-day Kinabalu National Park and Poring Hot Spring tour. A 2-hour scenic drive will bring you into the unspoiled wilderness of the UNESCO-recognised Kinabalu Park, with a stop at the lively Nabalu Market. Led by your private guide, take a leisurely walk along the Botanical Garden's nature trails to see some of the park's rare plant species. If the weather is fine, hopefully, you will be able to capture fantastic views of Mount Kinabalu, the country's highest peak rising to 4095 meters.

  This afternoon continues with 1-hour road transfer to Poring Hot Spring. As you like, soak yourself in the Japanese-style bath of restorative sulphurous water. Following this, try a challenging walk along the 157-metre-long and 43-metre-high Canopy Walkway.

  After the tour, transfer back to your hotel for the night.

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  • Kota Kinabalu

• Day 3: Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan - Abai Village

  This morning, say goodbye to Kota Kinabalu as you board an early 50-minute flight to Sandakan. Upon landing, you will be collected by your new guide and transferred directly for about 30 minutes to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Here you'll enjoy a nature walk through the Tropical Lowland Forest and observe semi-wild Orang Utan roaming freely at the feeding platform (around 10 am). At the adjoining Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, meet the world's smallest bears and learn about their natural behaviours.

  Next, continue driving to the jetty for a scheduled boat departing at 12:00 noon. You will cruise upriver for about 1 hour through a magical mangrove forest to the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary. After lunch at Abai Jungle Restaurant, check in to Abai Jungle Lodge right on the riverbanks and enjoy some leisure time to refresh. In the late afternoon, venture on a river cruise alongside your nature guide to search for wildlife until sunset. As the night falls, you may witness twinkling fireflies on the mangrove like Christmas trees.

  After this boat safari, return to your lodge to enjoy dinner. To close the day, head out on a guided night walk along the lodge's nature boardwalk to spot birds, insects, and other nocturnal wildlife.

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  • Abai Village

• Day 4: Abai Village - Sukau Village

  Arise early to take another boat safari to the nearby Pitas Oxbow Lake. In the morning light, see what creatures come out to play. Once back to your lodge, enjoy breakfast and gather for a briefing about the philanthropic Tree Planting Project. You will then be invited to join "The Most Beautiful House Competition", followed by a simple lunch arranged by the villagers.

  This afternoon, check out of your lodge and continue cruising upriver to Sukau Village. As different species pop up at different times of the day, keep your eyes peeled for incredible wildlife along the way, such as primates, birds, and even pygmy elephants. After settling into Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge, you are then free to relax before embarking on one more boat safari to Menanggul River, a small tributary of the Kinabatangan. Return to the lodge for dinner and the night.

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  • Sukau Village

• Day 5: Sukau Village - Lahad Datu - Danum Valley

  After an early breakfast, check out of your lodge and drive for about 2 hours to Borneo Nature Tours office in Lahad Datu town. After registration and briefing, another 2-hour overland journey on the gravel road will take you to Danum Valley Borneo Rainforest Lodge, where you will spend two nights in the heart of Sabah's largest protected rainforest.

  As you check in at the lodge, receive an exotic welcome drink and a brief orientation. This afternoon, watch a slide presentation about Danum Valley in the conference room before venturing on a jungle excursion. Alongside your guide, you will trek through the nature trails and challenge the 300-metre-long and 26-metre-high treetop canopy walkway for a close-up observation of the pristine rainforest.

  Get back to your lodge for dinner. Closing out the day, you will jump aboard an open-top vehicle to track nocturnal wildlife.

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  • Danum Valley

• Day 6: Danum Valley

  Start the day with a morning trek through the lush rainforest to the "Coffin Cliff", an ancient Kadazan-Dusun tribal burial site. Here your guide will point out remains of wooden coffins dangling from limestone caves. Next, climb up to a lookout point for stunning views of the forest below.

  Return to your lodge for lunch. This afternoon, take another jungle trek in search of wildlife (alternatively, a relaxing session of tubing down the Danum River). After dinner, go for a night walk to spot nocturnal animals.

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  • Danum Valley

• Day 7: Danum Valley - Lahad Datu - Kota Kinabalu

  This morning, enjoy some leisure time at the lodge or opt for a refreshing walk in the surrounding rainforest. After lunch, check out of your lodge and drive for about 2 hours to Lahad Datu Airport, where you will board the flight back to Kota Kinabalu.

  Upon arrival, be greeted by the local guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of today is free to relax or explore at your own leisure. You may like to stroll around the vibrant Chinatown (popularly known as Gaya Street), immerse yourself in history at the Sabah State Museum, or browse the local handicraft market on the waterfront.

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  • Kota Kinabalu

• Day 8: Kota Kinabalu - Singapore

  Your adventure in Borneo comes to an end after breakfast this morning. At the appointed time, your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to Singapore, an ultra-modern island nation off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula.

  As you touch down, meet the local guide for the transfer to your accommodation, with the remainder of today to relax.

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  • Singapore

• Day 9: Singapore, Half-day City Discovery

  This morning, you will be collected by your guide and driver to begin the half-day introductory tour of Singapore, exploring some of the city's essential sights. Kick-off with a scenic drive for sightseeing around the Civic District, passing by the Padang, Singapore Cricket Club, historic Parliament House, and National Gallery Singapore. Move forward to the iconic half-lion and half-fish Merlion statue with the backdrop of the world-class cityscape in Marina Bay. You will then visit the Taoist temple of Thian Hock Keng for the worship of the Chinese Sea Goddess, Mazu. As you stroll around the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens, soak up the verdant green landscape along with a colourful orchid display at the National Orchid Garden. At the lively ethnic district of Little India, you are free to sample authentic and exotic Indian food for lunch.

  Finally, head back to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of today to relax or further explore the city on your own.

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  • Singapore

• Day 10: Singapore, Departure

  Conclude your journey in Malaysia and Singapore today. After enjoying breakfast, take some leisurely time, and your guide will wait for you at the lobby of the hotel and take you to the airport for your flight.

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