16-Day Borneo Adventure
5 Good Reasons To Do This Trip!
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!
From the moment you touch down, you’ll be knee deep in the wild. Sleep in nature lodges, wake up to the sounds of the rainforest and discover one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
Travel is adventure, but it’s the friends you make along the way that make it unforgettable. That’s why we’re giving you 13 like-minded instant besties to join you on this trip of a lifetime.
Swap solid ground for a boat on the Kinabatangan River – the longest in Sabah. Eyes peeled for pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys and exotic birds, you won’t even want to blink.
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 visitors 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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$1,559 AUD
Private Supplement: +$306
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$1,559 AUD
Private Supplement: +$306
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Details
- 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 6 spots
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 14
Participation requirements
Please see our “Is this trip right for you?” section under the Participation Tab.
Included
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Meals: 15 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 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
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Drinks and other other personal expenses
- Tip kitty (See FAQs for more information)
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 and dropping you off right at your hotel’s door, so no need to worry.
But there’s already a twist – the first stop on this tour isn’t Kuala Lumpur. We’re actually kicking things off in beautiful 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 break the ice over a welcome meal. By the end of the night, you’ll feel as if you’ve already known each other for weeks. And it’s only day one.
Accommodation: Puri Hotel (or similar), Melaka
Included: Dinner
Day 2: MELAKA
After a full night’s sleep, you’re ready to explore Melaka from top to bottom. This city is so pretty and historical that even UNESCO has given it a nod of approval – no surprises there!
Join your local city guide for a crash course on Melaka’s top sights while your head spins, keeping up with the many rulers and colonialists that have made this city so different to any other in Malaysia. . Then, you’ll arrive somewhere that’ll knock your socks off – the Red Square. Any guesses as to how it will look?
This afternoon, head out to a traditional Malay village going about its business, right in the heart of the city. It’s time to pull out the camera! Your eyes will likely do a double take of this time capsule – what a contrast between the simple houses and the gleaming skyscrapers towering above them.
Accommodation: Puri Hotel (or similar), Melaka
Included: Breakfast
Day 3: SANDAKAN
Catch a three-hour flight to Borneo where a local guide will be waiting to whisk you off to your hotel. Can you believe you’re actually here? 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.
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: Ormond Hotel (or similar), Sandakan
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4: SEPILOK ORANGUTAN REHABILITATION CENTER
On the April departure your day begins with gratitude, but on a more solemn note, with the annual ANZAC Day dawn service at Sandakan Memorial Park. Unite with others here in a moment of reflection, and remembrance.
Then, it’s time for a complete change of pace that’ll have you smiling from ear to ear, at an Orangutan rehabilitation centre. Get ready to fall head-over-heels for these fuzzy orange creatures as they wander through the forest. 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.
Your wildlife adventures continue this afternoon, climbing up to the rainforest canopy for a treetop walk… 28 metres off the ground! Eyes up. Bird enthusiasts among you may spot a few exotic-winged wonders, including the ‘trophy’ for birdwatchers – the Bornean Bristlehead – before capping your day at tonight’s 4-star, jungle paradise. Sound too good to be true? We didn’t even mention the adorable midday surprise!
Accommodation: Ormond Hotel (or similar), Sandakan
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 of your jungle resort and begin making your two-hour trip 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! Over there… is that a…?!
Accommodation: Bilit Rainforest Lodge (or similar), Sukau
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 & Day 7: RIVER SAFARIS
The next two days 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 are two cruises each day, 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, fill your days 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 riverview balcony. Feeling adventurous? Join an optional, easy jungle trek or two to really get to know what hides in the trees – weather conditions and animal safety permitting.
Over the two days, all of your meals are taken care of and there’s plenty of downtime to crack a good book too. What a luxury!
Accommodation: Bilit Rainforest Lodge (or similar), Sukau
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 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 away from home. Take a deep breath of cool mountain air and start to get used to it.. Tomorrow you’re going into the wild!
Accommodation: Kinabalu Pine Resort (or similar), Kundasang, Kinabalu Park
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9: SABAH TEA PLANTATION & KIAU VILLAGE
Wake early to the sounds of a 130-million-year-old rainforest and step through the lingering mist to watch the sun rise over Mount Kinabalu. Wandering through the plantation, you’ll learn all about the tea-making process, stopping to pick leaves of your own. You’ll take these leaves through the whole process until they steep in your own, well-earned cuppa. The DIY deepdive continues as you try your hand at another cherished local tradition: creating your own batik.
The morning’s activities are the perfect way to ease into a more nature-tuned lifestyle. Waiting at the end of a short drive, the Dusun peoples of Kiau village wait to greet you, welcoming you into their traditions, daily life, and deep connection with the land. You’re right in the middle of it all!
Accommodation: Guas Nabalu Homestay (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: KIAU
A real down-to-earth-gourmet moment is in store for you today. You’ll start the day in the best way, meeting Ginsos, the last Arabica coffee farmer in the area. Learn about the region’s coffee while – naturally – sampling a brew. Your visit to a honey farm will be sweet, but watching a skilled craftsman make a traditional machete may be the morning’s sharpest memory.
The day continues as a celebration for tastebuds, meeting the women who run the Everything Pineapple Project, a socio-economic development project that helps build financial security. Is it inspiring? Yes. Is it also delicious? You’re about to find out!
After such an enriching, hands-in-the-earth kind of day, there’s no better way to spend the evening than returning to your homestay. Lean back with a glass of local rice wine and chat with your hosts and neighbours. If you’re lucky, you may hear a story or two from their rich folklore.
Accommodation: Guas Nabalu Homestay
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: MOUNT KINABALU
Saying goodbye to your new friends may be hard, but this day’s wow moments will heal what ails you. See Mount Kinabalu from afar before driving to Kinabalu National Park, a marvel so splendid that UNESCO put its stamp of approval on it! Your guide will help you explore the trails, while you keep your eyes locked in on birds and snakes – trying not to fall into the meat-eating pitcher plants! (Don’t worry, they prefer insects.)
Then snag one more sight of the towering mountain from Pekan Nabalu village. The markets here are a must – your perfect chance to stock up on snacks and memorabilia.
Rolling into Kota Kinabalu will be quite a change of pace, so the rest of the day is yours. Plop down on the crisp sheets of your historic hotel or walk down to the waterfront for a pink-purple-boat-filled sunset.
Accommodation: Jesselton Hotel (or similar), Kota Kinabalu
Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 12: ISLAND SNORKELLING
So far, you’ve spent a lot of time gazing upwards, into trees and mountains. But what lies below the surface may be just as enchanting, so let’s see it today! A short boat ride brings you to Tunku Abdul Rahman Island Marine Park, reef-ringed islands dropped like jewels in the turquoise sea. Get your snorkelling gear on – the glassy-clear water is warmed up, waiting for you to float among grazing sea turtles and eye-catching fish. An instructor will make sure you get the most out of your day, including knowing the right reef for spotting some truly goggle-fogging wildlife.
Today’s pro tip is to bring a beach towel and sunnies: after a beach-side lunch, you’ll have time to relax on the blindingly white sand. Does it get any better than this? Once back on the mainland, you have the rest of the day to yourself. Time to compare the day’s pictures with your Patchie crew.
Accommodation: Jesselton Hotel (or similar), Kota Kinabalu
Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 13 – KUALA LUMPUR
Today’s a travel day – not so glamorous, but it is the perfect opportunity to catch up on some much-needed rest. After breakfast, say goodbye to the coast, check out of your hotel, and head to the airport for your flight back to Kuala Lumpur. While it might be bittersweet leaving Malaysian Borneo behind, as they say, it’s better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all!
Besides, you’ll be starting your foray into the cosmopolitan bustle in the best possible way – this very evening, we have lined up the ultimate arrival to this multi-cultural hotpot. What it is will remain our secret for now, but it’s sure to be a treat for all your senses!
Accommodation: The Chow Kit by Ormond Hotel (or similar), Kuala Lumpur
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 14 –KUALA LUMPUR CULTURE AND BATU CAVES
Kuala Lumpur is a confluence of rivers – and of cultures, with Malay, Chinese, and Indian traditions woven into the city’s grid. Lace up your walking shoes and meet them street-level, walking through the lantern-strewn streets of Chinatown, gazing up at Merdeka Square and feeling the Moorish winds influencing the Jamek Mosque. Can you fit the whole Old Railway Station into one picture?
Catch your breath on a short train ride to the Batu Caves. Here, nature and faith converge into a spiritual show-stopper, leading you on a rainbow bridge into the cave. Is it a lot of stairs? Sure! But the banana-leaf lunch, full of smoky biryani and warming rasam, will make it worth it. Lean back and let the meal – and the day – simmer in your senses. Sedap!
Ready to hit the town on your own? Make the most of your free evening with a spot of shopping or another photo op – or just rest up in your 4-star digs.
Accommodation: The Chow Kit by Ormond Hotel (or similar), Kuala Lumpur
Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 15 – ORANG-ASLI VILLAGE
Your last day offers one more off-the-map highlight: visiting the indigenous Temuan Orang Asli people. Walk with your host through the forest, an immediate immersion into their way of life. There’s no missing out if your feet feel all walked out – have a seat next to one of your hosts to learn about their lives in harmony with nature.
This connection continues through an authentic, earth-appreciating lunch. You can pitch in, making a traditional kuih, the perfect treat to end your meal. We won’t reveal just what you’ll learn today (or what you’ll bring home with you), but we can say that you won’t want to miss this evening’s BBQ! It’s a farewell dinner to your new-new Orang Asli friends and your old-new Patchie friends, a jumble of emotions, laughter and appreciation for this now-familiar country. Returning to KL, you may not want the night to end – grab a nightcap with your Patchies and squeeze the last out of your Malaysia memories.
Accommodation: The Chow Kit by Ormond Hotel (or similar), Kuala Lumpur
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 : 2.796 MYR (Malaysian Ringgit).
A deposit of 25% of the total trip price is required to secure 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 at least 120 days before trip departure.)
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.
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.
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
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:
100 MYR Malaysian Ringgit ($36 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 ($90 AUD) per person to your guide.
(Exchange Rate used – 1 AUD : 2.77 MYR)
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
Try to arrive before midday on the start day, although earlier would be recommended. If possible, come one day early to settle in. We can organise additional hotel nights for you at cost.
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.
