16 Day Borneo Adventure
Women Only
Max group 12
Lifetime Deposit
Solo traveller friendly
5 Good Reasons To Do This Trip!
ORANGUTAN ENCOUNTERS:
Meet the locals – the fuzzy, orange, tree-swinging kind. Get up close and personal with these amazing creatures and watch them feed. Learn about the vital protection and rehabilitation work being done. Warning: you might fall in love!
THERE’S NO BETTER ALARM CLOCK!
From the moment you touch down, you’ll dive head-first into the wild to experience the real, raw jungle. Sleep in a traditional longhouse, discover one of the most biodiverse places on earth and wake up to the sounds of the rainforest.
FABULOUS FRIENDS:
Travel is fun, but it’s the friends you make along the way that make it unforgettable. That’s why we’re giving you 11 like-minded instant besties to join you on this journey of a lifetime!
FLOAT DOWN THE KINABATANGAN:
Swap solid ground for a bamboo raft and glide down the Kinabatangan River – the longest in Sabah. As you ooh-and-aah at the pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys and exotic birds, you won’t even want to blink.
OFF THE MAP:
Here at Patch, we skip the cookie-cutter trips. That’s why we’re taking you deep into the wilds of Malaysian Borneo, where few tourists ever make it. Our Patchies say, “it doesn’t feel touristy at all!”.
Trip Details
| Dates | Price AUD (per person twin share) |
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Price
- $1,650 AUD deposit per person.
- 2-week cooling-off period applies.
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Twin Share: we’ll match you with a roomie if you’re travelling solo.
- Private supplement available (max 4 spots) for those who would like to pay extra for their own private room.
Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs.
Trip length
16 days, 15 nights
Meeting point
Hotel Puri, Melaka
Ending point
Verdant Hill Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Group size
Maximum 12
Participation requirements
Please see our “Is this trip right for you?” section under the Participation Tab.
Included
- Meals: 15 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 8 dinners
- 2 domestic flights (Kuala Lumpur – Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu – Kuala Lumpur), private vehicle transportation
- River cruises, snorkelling on Gaya Island
- 13 nights boutique and premium accommodation
- 2 nights homestay
- A top-rated and English-speaking Tour Leader
- Local guides as needed
- All listed activities and more!
Not included
- International Flights and travel insurance (necessary)
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Drinks and other other personal expenses
- Tip kitty Note: as Aussies, we are not used to tipping! However, guide and driver tipping is customary for tours in Malaysian Borneo.
Click the tabs to find out more
Day 1: WELCOME TO MALAYSIA
The adventure begins as soon as your plane touches down at Kuala Lumpur airport. Your trip of a lifetime is finally here! We’ll make your arrival a breeze by picking you up from the airport and dropping you off right at your hotel’s door, so you won’t have to worry about anything.
Here’s the twist, though – the first stop on this tour isn’t Kuala Lumpur. We’re actually kicking things off in the gorgeous city of Melaka, around two hours away from Kuala Lumpur. You’ll be even more grateful for that airport transfer now!
This evening, you’ll meet the rest of your fellow Patchies and you’ll share dinner and conversation during a mouth-watering welcome meal. By the end of the night, you’ll feel like you’ve already known each other for weeks. But it’s only day one!
Accommodation: Puri Hotel (or similar)
Included: Dinner
Day 2: MELAKA
Well-rested after a full night’s sleep, you’ll be bursting out of your room to explore Melaka from top to bottom. This city is so gorgeous and historical that even UNESCO has given it a nod of approval – impressive, right?!
Joining a local guide, you’ll get a crash course on Melaka’s top sights, marvelling at the intriguing blend of Chinese and Malay cultures that have been influenced by the city’s colonial past. Then, you’ll arrive somewhere that’ll knock your socks off – the Red Square. Any idea what it’ll look like?
In the afternoon, you’ll head out to a traditional Malay village nestled right in the heart of the city. You won’t believe your eyes – what a contrast between the charming wooden houses and the gleaming skyscrapers towering above them! This is a city that truly knows how to blend the old with the new!
Accommodation: Puri Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast
Day 3: SANDAKAN
A local guide will be waiting to whisk you off to your Sandakan resort after your three-hour flight across the sea. Can you believe you’re actually on the island of Borneo? You’re close to town and all of the action here, but also tucked away in a forested enclave. It’s the best of both worlds!
Tonight is ANZAC Day Eve, so drop your bags and head to the Sandakan Memorial Park. This important site was once a prisoner-of-war camp established by the Japanese during WWII. Now, it’s been transformed into a place of solemn reflection to honour the brave troops who lost their lives during imprisonment and the Sandakan Death March to Ranau. Enjoy the peace, relax and unwind for the rest of the afternoon. Tomorrow you’ll rise at the crack of dawn to attend the ANZAC Day service.
Accommodation: Sabah Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4: SEPILOK ORANGUTAN REHABILITATION CENTER
As dawn peeps over the horizon, the bugler’s Last Post will break the morning’s silence for you, as you take a moment to pay your respects to the fallen ANZACS at the memorial site. It’s a reflective and moving start to the day, one that you will agree was totally worth the wake up call.
Next, it’s time for a complete change of pace, so you’ll go somewhere that’ll have you smiling from ear to ear – an Orangutan rehabilitation centre! Get ready to fall head-over-heels for these fuzzy orange creatures as they wander through the forest. And guess what? You’re in for a treat because it’s feeding time! From your front-row view watching the orangutans gobble down their lunch, you’ll agree that experiences like these are part of why you travelled to Malaysian Borneo. It’s been an incredible day, but checking into your riverside jungle lodge for the night is the cherry on top!
Accommodation: Sepilok Nature Lodge (or similar)
Included: Breakfast
PEOPLE OF THE FOREST
Training your eyes to the canopy above your head, you suddenly see it. A graceful mass of bright orange hair moving through the rainforest. An orangutan! The word orangutan is Malay and translates directly to “person of the forest”. Often solitary creatures, orangutans are elusive and prefer their jungle homes, high in the trees. There are three species of orangutans, Sumatran, Tapanuli, and Bornean. With just over 104,000 Bornean orangutans left in existence, being in their presence is the thrill of a lifetime.
Day 5: KINABATANGAN RIVER
Munch on a hearty breakfast this morning, the perfect fuel for a day that will be filled with ‘pinch me’ moments with your fellow Patchies. Check out from your Sepilok nature lodge and begin making your way two hours by road to the Kinabatangan River.
This afternoon, you’ll already be on the water on a safari cruise, exploring the wildlife that’s hidden all around you. Surrounded by tweeting birds and rustling leaves, you’ll feel a million miles away from your everyday life at home. Keep your eyes peeled for head turning creatures along the way. Quick! Look over there… is that a…?!
Accommodation: Proboscis Lodge Bukit Melapi (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 – 7: RIVER SAFARIS
Today will slip by like the lazy flow of the Kinabatangan River. Take a deep breath and sink into this feeling of calm, choosing how you want your day to unfold. There will be two cruises, slinking along the river banks in search of wildlife. Each is timed in rhythm with the most active feeding times at 6am and 4pm,
If you’re a fauna fanatic, choose to fill your day with both cruises, or hide away in your jungle retreat for an afternoon. You might even catch a glimpse of proboscis monkeys or a flurry of rainbow hued birds from your balcony that overlooks the river. When do you get the chance to simply while away the day as a merry band of exotic animals march outside your window? All of your meals are taken care of and there’s plenty of downtime to crack a good book too. What a luxury!
Accommodation: Proboscis Lodge Bukit Melapi (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: KINABALU PARK
After chilling out for two wonderful days, you’re in for a journey to get to your next destination. We won’t sugarcoat the six hour drive, but we’ll promise that the end point is well worth the ride! The legendary Kinabalu Park is where you’re headed, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and heaven on earth for the plant-savvy of the group. Home to thousands of rare plant species, you’ll spend your time here ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ at the impressive slipper orchids and giant ferns.
The rest of the afternoon is free for you to settle into your new home – a mountain lodge. Take a deep breath of the cool mountain air and really scrub behind your ears tonight, savouring your shower. Tomorrow you’re going wild!
Accommodation: Kinabalu Pine (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: KIULU VILLAGE
Check out of your hotel bright and early this morning. You’ll have the chance to visit the official Botanical Garden. Even if you’re not a die-hard botany lover, prepare to have your mind blown by the sheer amount of plant species – over 5,000 of them – that call the park home.
You’ll head closer to the coast in the afternoon, weaving through mountain roads to reach Kiulu Village. This will be your home for the next two nights – and what a home it is! You’ll be greeted by the locals who are eager to have you participate in their cultural activities like rubber tapping and blow pipe making. When you get a chance to look up from your work, you’ll draw a long breath at this rice paddy paradise! As the sun begins to fade, gather together for dinner. By the light of the crackling fire, you might feel like you’ve been transported to another era.
Accommodation: Kiulu Village – Homestay (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: KIULU VILLAGE
After a hearty breakfast, lace up your runners for a walk through the jungle, enjoying a delicious homemade lunch at a villager’s home, followed by some handicraft making and traditional games. It’s hot, that’s for sure… so come prepared for a refreshing dip in the river!
As the afternoon unfolds, return to the village feeling like a true local by now. This is your final night in Kiulu, so make the most of it! As the stars twinkle overhead, hang out with your newfound friends and share stories of your different cultures. This is the real Malaysian Borneo.
Accommodation: Kiulu Village Homestay (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: KOTA KINABALU
After two full days in Kiulu Village, you’ll start to feel like a local. That’s why this morning might be a bit heart wrenching, saying goodbye to your friends who no doubt feel like family. But doesn’t a few days by the coast sound refreshing right about now? Your destination is the seaside city of Kota Kinabalu, a hub for tourism with all the modern facilities you could dream of. What a treat after those rainforest days with no running water!
Embrace the wifi, warm showers and air conditioning, reflecting on how quickly you’ve slipped back into modern life, a stark contrast to the remote reaches of Borneo. The rest of your time is free to spend however you’d like, so pick a couple of sights you’d like to tick off your bucket list and get exploring.
Accommodation: Jesselton Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast
Day 12: SNORKELLING OFF SABA
You’ve only seen Malaysian Borneo from above ground so far, so let’s rectify that. On today’s snorkelling trip to Gaya Island, you’ll get to peep into the hidden world of Borneo’s marine life. Never snorkelled before? That’s ok – there will be an instructor on hand making sure you get the most out of your day.
Lunch is served in the shade, before heading back out into the water. We hope you remembered your beach towel because you’ll also have the opportunity for some restful time in the sand. Sure – this is a spot popular with tourists, but the water is clear as glass and you’re surrounded by soft sand and colourful fishes darting through the waters – that more than makes up for not having it all to yourself!
Accommodation: Jesselton Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 13 – KUALA LUMPUR
Today’s a travel day – it’s not glitzy, it’s not glamorous, but it is the perfect opportunity to catch up on some much-needed rest. After breakfast this morning, you’ll say goodbye to the coast, check out of your hotel, and head to the airport for an afternoon flight back to Kuala Lumpur. It’s (mostly) cosmopolitan from here! While it might be bittersweet leaving Malaysian Borneo behind, but, as they say, it’s better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all!
From the silent depths of the jungle, to the hustle and bustle of the capital city all in one day, this adventure continues to mix it up and challenge your senses right until the end.
Accommodation: Verdant Hill (or similar)
Included: Breakfast
Day 14 – BIG CITY CULTURE
No more back to roots, you’re a city gal now! Today’s itinerary is short and sweet so you’ll have the afternoon free to jaunt around Kuala Lumpur however you wish. Kick off your morning of discovering the Malaysian capital’s eclectic mix of heritage and history at Independence Square. This space tugs at the heart strings of many locals as the location where the flag was first raised on a free Malaysia in 1957.
Your stomach’s probably rumbling by now so the next stop will be much appreciated. Chinatown is waiting to delight all your senses, but none more so than your tastebuds. Stroll the lantern-strewn streets in search of goodies like hokkien mee and assam laksa, a testament to the city’s diversity. Overgrown buildings, colourful temples and steaming hawker stalls all live in harmony here.
Accommodation: Verdant Hill (or similar)
Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 15 – ORANG-ASLI VILLAGE
We’ve snuck in one more village highlight for you, and that’s visiting the Orang Asli people. Indigenous to mainland Malaysia, they’re traditionally jungle dwellers and to this day many still practise their animist heritage. After stopping by the museum for a deeper look into their history and culture, you’ll be welcomed by the village chief. Go on tour, visiting ladies who are busy weaving reeds and other villagers carving, farming, caring for the orchard, and, of course, someone smoking a wild pig – caught the night before! Sit down for a traditional banana leaf lunch to share with your gracious hosts.
Don’t be surprised if those intimate bonding moments you experienced during your village life in Borneo come flooding back in a rush of emotion! Tonight, your farewell dinner is just around the corner from the hotel – so when the belly laughs flow following reminiscent trip stories, it’s ok to stay up late because you don’t want the night to end!
Accommodation: Verdant Hill (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 16 – FAREWELL FRIENDS!
Hold back the tears – it’s departure day. Share one last breakfast with your new team of travel besties and one last round of hugs before saying your final goodbyes. We’ll arrange for a driver to transfer you to the airport in plenty of time for your flight, so all you’ll need to think about is what movies you’re going to watch on the plane.
Until next time!
Included: Breakfast
Trip Map
Is This Trip Right For You?
You love travelling and enjoying most of your time in a country.
You don’t like being rushed or herded around B-grade attractions, but you also understand that some places are worth the wait in line.
You’re open-minded and open-hearted. You try to embrace the little things. You understand that even in the best vehicles, the air-con sometimes breaks. Even in the best restaurants, the service sometimes is a little slow. This is just part of the adventure, and you choose to be gracious.
You also know that a ‘great trip’ doesn’t have to mean sprinting from place to place. The best moments so often come when you hit the pause button, sit still, and just take it all in.
You’re young enough at heart to know that sometimes the best opportunities come when you’re least expecting it. You understand that doing things right doesn’t always mean following a strict routine.
You enjoy trying new food, visiting new places, and making new friends. You make a great travel buddy and you love to share experiences with others. You understand that to fit in with local cultures, sometimes that involves trying something you haven’t tried before, or sitting on the floor to eat with a nomad family.
Does that sound like you? We’d love to invite you to travel with us!
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD:MYR exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.
The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD:3.178 MYR (Malaysian Ringgit).
A deposit of $1,650 is required to hold your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made 110 days in advance.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
This is the most frequently asked question we get!
Nearly everyone is in their 50s and 60s, with some people above and below (but of course, everyone is welcome!)
Most Patchies come alone and are matched with a room-mate. Remember, you don’t need to pay for a single supplement if you come solo. We will place you with a similarly-aged roommate.
The typical Patchie has travelled a LOT, is a well-seasoned adventurer, and is not easily thrown by small things. However, many Patchies tell us that this is their first ever group tour. Many of our guests have avoided tours to this point as they’re not attracted to being herded around in large groups.
Oh, and one last thing:
Patchies are warm, generous, and kind. We knew it would be like this, but we weren’t expecting it to be *quite* like this. We’re so blessed as a business to have the customers we do; we consider ourselves to be some of the luckiest people in the world.
There are several non-stop and 1 stop flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from Australian and New Zealand cities. Arrival and departure for this trip is through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Included in the price of this trip are 2 domestic flights:
Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan
Kota Kianabalu to Kuala Lumpur
Australians and New Zealanders don’t need a tourist visa to visit Malaysia. You’ll need evidence of an onward flight ticket and at least 6 months on your passport.
Before entering Malaysia, you must complete and submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) three days before arrival. The MDAC should be submitted through the Malaysian immigration website here: https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
The domestic flights during this trip (2), including to/from the Island of Borneo, are included in the trip price. International flights to/from Kuala Lumpur are not included.
Solo travellers will be matched with a room-mate. Of course, if you prefer to have your own space, you can reserve the private room supplement.
Please contact us for more information.
Two nights are spent at village homestays in bamboo huts. It’s more comfortable than bush camping and we’re sure you’ll feel your sacrifice of amenities is well worth it by the connections you’ll make with locals.
Day 9 and 10 – Two nights in Kiulu Village, Sabah.
Kiulu Valley is home to an idyllic farming community and you’ll stay in a twin share bamboo hut with off-the-ground beds and mosquito nets. There is electricity and an oscillating fan, but electricity supply may not be reliable 24 hours a day. Toilet facilities are shared, squat-type and not ensuite.
Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have interesting and diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.
For your Borneo adventure, we ask your contribution be:
100MYR Malaysian Ringgit ($33 AUD) and given to your guide on Day 1. The kitty will be managed by your guide and distributed along the way to your drivers.
What is not covered is a customary tip at the end of the trip for your guide. If they’ve ensured that your trip is memorable, we recommend the following guidelines:
250 MYR ($84 AUD) per person to your guide.
(Exchange Rate used – 1 AUD : 3 MYR)
Airport transfers are included. You can plan to arrive at any time, but we recommend arriving in the morning to give yourself time to settle in.
Level 2 or Moderate
You’ll need a moderate level of fitness for this trip. If you can walk 3 – 4 hours at an easy pace on undulating and uneven ground, you’ll be fine. There will be days where you’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet and times when you’ll need to get on and off different types of transport, including boats. From time to time, you must be ok with using a squat toilet – we do our best to accommodate what you’re used to (all hotel rooms have sit down toilets) but when you’re on-the-road, sometimes it’s the only choice available.
In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.
