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Untamed Borneo
Duration
11 days
Site savings
$93
From
$3,007 USD
This trip starts off where the wild things are. You'll cycle to, and spend two nights in, the midst of Malaysia’s largest wildlife reserve, where you are sure to sight monkeys and teeming bird life. Next it’s on to a boat to cruise through the mangroves of the Kinabatagan River and hopefully sight proboscis monkeys, found only in Borneo. The tour will visit two different sanctuaries to see proboscis monkeys and orangutans up close before switching tracks and cycling off road. Then, from a position up high with spectacular views of Mount Kinabalu, you'll descend to the stunning coastline and are rewarded for all your efforts with a night at a luxurious resort.
- CategoryAdventurous
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration11 days
- Culture LevelOut There
- Skill Level3 - Intermediate
- Activity Level3 - Active
- Elevation2 - Moderate
- TerrainForested
- Distance165.9 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance18.6 miles
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Quick Stats
- Duration11 days
- Main DestinationMalaysia
- Distance165.9 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance18.6 miles
- Elevation2 - Moderate
- TerrainForested
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Arrive Kota Kinabalu
Welcome to Kota Kinabalu, the capital of the State of Sabah. After transferring from the airport, check in and rest before meeting with the rest of the group for a welcome dinner and trip briefing at a local restaurant.
- Palace Hotel
- Dinner
- Day 2Kota Kinabalu – Lahad Datu – Tabin Wildlife Reserve
A morning flight takes the group across Sabah to Lahad Datu, and once back on terra firma, have breakfast before you start cycling. It’s a quick drive to the starting point, and after making sure the bikes fit, you can begin the ride on a rolling dirt road to the Tabin Wildlife Reserve.
Spend the night in the middle of 123,000 hectares of tropical flora and fauna. This rainforest is also home to more than 220 species of birds, the three largest mammals of Sabah -- Borneo Pygmy Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros and Tembadau, nine species of primates, as well as three species of cats. You can take an evening jungle trek (weather permitting) and have a glimpse into the nocturnal life around you.
- 16.2 miles
- 98.4 ft
1,565 ft
1,466.5 ft - Tabin Wildlife Resort
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 3Tabin Wildlife Reserve
If you wish, wake up early to join a morning walk to discover some of Tabin's exotic bird species. After breakfast you'll cycle on dirt roads to active and mineral-rich mud volcanoes that attract local wildlife. You'll have time for a quick dip in the nearby Lipad waterfall before riding back to the resort for a late lunch.
The afternoon is free to enjoy on your balcony, go for a swim in the nearby rock pool or indulge in a foot soaked spa and mud facial. Once the sun has set there is a night drive to spot more wildlife.
- 6.8 miles
- 9.8 ft
754.6 ft
744.8 ft - Tabin Wildlife Resort
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 4Tabin Wildlife Reserve – Bilit
After waking up to the sounds of the jungle, cycle on a gravel road out of the reserve, hoping to catch one last glimpse of some primates or a horn bill. You'll then transfer about two hours to Bilit and arrive early enough to savour a late afternoon boat ride on the Kinabatagan River, where you’ll see the rambunctious proboscis monkeys in their element. If lucky, you might see other wildlife such as orangutans and pygmy elephants.
- 16.2 miles
- -108.3 ft
1,479.7 ft
1,587.9 ft - Myne Resort
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 5Bilit – Gomantong Caves – Sepilok
Following breakfast is a ride to the Gomantong Caves. Here locals come to collect birds' nests, a prized delicacy among the Chinese. After this visit the group transfers to Sepilok to visit the orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. After watching these mischievous apes eat and play you'll check in to the nearby resort.
- 30.4 miles
- 16.4 ft
1,597.8 ft
1,581.4 ft - Sepilok Jungle Resort
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 6Sepilok – Kg Dusun – Telupid
After breakfast, take a short drive to the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. Arrive in time for a feeding and a chance to see these unique monkeys up close.
There will be time for a 14 km (8.6 mi) cycle through palm plantations before you transfer for two hours to Telupid. Here you'll check into the hotel and have lunch. After a siesta to beat the heat, you'll go for a late afternoon scenic ride through the district of Tongod, literally, the Heart of Sabah.
- 41.6 miles
- -3.3 ft
2,860.9 ft
2,864.2 ft - IPS Rethouse
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 7Telupid – Sabah Tea Garden
Begin the day with a short transfer to the Sandakan Death March track. It is a mix of tarmac and off-road tracks, though palm plantations have since replaced much of the jungle that the prisoners struggled through in World War II. Today’s riding will be quite hilly and off the beaten path. You'll cross quite a few small streams and earn your lunch after 18 km (11 mi) of riding. You'll transfer to the overnight destination for lunch at the Sabah Tea Garden. After a short rest, head back out for some great off-road cycling around the tea plantation, following the route of the Sabah Tea Adventure Race and taking in great views of Mount Kinabalu.
Tonight, you’ll experience what it’s like to sleep in a traditional Rungus Longhouse. Each room has its own sink; however, hot showers are shared.
- 14.9 miles
- 36.1 ft
1,509.2 ft
1,473.1 ft - Sabah Tea Garden
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 8Sabah Tea Garden – Ranau
After breakfast, you'll have the opportunity to tour the tea factory, learn how tea is grown without fertilisers and how it goes from plant to processed tea. You'll have a short transfer to avoid the highway, and then it’s an undulating ride on a mix of tarmac and off road that will take you to Poring Hot Springs. Here, you can go for a dip in the therapeutic waters, go for a canopy walk, or hike to a small waterfall. And if you are lucky, a Rafflesia will be in bloom nearby.
After lunch, you'll transfer to Tanah Merah and visit a POW memorial where you can take a break before enjoying more quiet country roads as you cycle through orchards to your charming home stay. You have the afternoon free to check the internet, do some laundry, or relax on the wonderful porch built over a stream. Dinner will be a treat, with local specialties made by your hosts.
- 16.2 miles
- -105 ft
1,410.8 ft
1,515.7 ft - Slagon Homestay
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 9Ranau – Kundasang
Following a traditional local breakfast, you'll transfer 20 minutes to Kibbas to start the adventure. Today's ride is tough, because as soon as you go down it's back up again, and all on dirt roads. You'll ride through small farms beneath the shadow of Mount Kinabalu, which rises to 4,095 metres (13,432 feet) and dominates the landscape. Head for Kundasang where you'll spend the night at a hotel with spectacular views of the peak.
- 9.3 miles
- 2,263.8 ft
2,808.4 ft
544.6 ft - Perkasa Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 10Kundasang – Rasa Ria
You are now leaving the cool mountain air behind for the heat of the coastal plains. Transfer to the district of Tamparuli to start cycling through the countryside and villages. Crossing a magnificent suspension bridge and visiting a Chinese temple with pagoda tower will be some of today's highlights.
After lunch, you have an option to cycle to the resort or be transferred so that you spend more time to relax and leisure in the swimming pool or at the beautiful beach in front of South China Sea. You'll arrive early afternoon so you can enjoy the resort before meeting up for a farewell dinner.
- 14.9 miles
- -19.7 ft
692.3 ft
711.9 ft - Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 11Transfer to Airport