12 Day Sabah on a shoestring (SB/LT_12SoaS) - 12 days / 11 nights
An affordable long tour designed for backpackers and budget travellers! This trip combines the flexibility to explore many of Sabah's landmarks (especially Sabah's capital Kota Kinabalu (KK)) on your own within a general set itinerary so you don't miss out on the best attractions with the leadership of a knowledgeable guide.
What do I get to do?
Explore many parts of Sabah on your own, longhouse stay, cycle along remote long houses and villages, stay and explore the trails at Mount Kinabalu park, see some of Sabah's unique wildlife such as orang-utans, birds, monkeys and many more and some thrilling whitewater rafting.
Accommodation
Borneo backpackers hostel, park dormitory accommodation, longhouse.
Cost
From RM 2384 per person
What does it include?
Tours and transfers, accommodation and meals specified, life jackets and helmets for whitewater rafting, entrance fees and English speaking guide.
What does it exclude?
Camera fee at Sepilok Orang-utan rehabilitation centre and items not mentioned. Extension available at Borneo Backpackers @ RM25 per person / night. Single Supplement RM200.00. Please arrange and pay for the following flights on your own: MH2042 etd 0700hrs KK - Sandakan, MH2065 etd 5.20pm Sandakan - KK)
Itinerary
Day 01 - KK
Arrive Kota Kinabalu International Airport, meet and transfer to Borneo Backpackers. Rest of day at own leisure to explore city centre. Overnight at Borneo Backpackers.
Day 02 - KK
Free at own leisure or do you own optional trip to nearby island for sunbathing and snorkelling. Overnight at Borneo Backpackers. (Breakfast)
Day 03 - KK to Kudat
Depart from your hotel for a scenic 2 ½ hours journey to Kudat, land of the last long houses in Sabah. Stop at Mengaris Village to observe the Dusun Tabilung community selling local handicraft and medicinal plants. Proceed to Bavangazo Longhouse for a short rest. Late noon, we cycle 8 km through scenic villages, oil palm estates and farms to Mompilis Village Longhouse. Enjoy fresh coconut drink with banana fritters while mingling with the friendly local folks and children. Cycle back to Bavangazo Longhouse for shower. Witness colourful cultural performance by local Rungus community. Have a good night sleep in a Twin Share room. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 04 - Kudat to Kinabalu Park
Wake up to the calls of roosters and tranquillity of the village. Today we trek to the nearby rubber estate. Test your skill at rubber tapping. Have some fun by trying optional buffalo riding at Tinangol village. Proceed to Kudat town for lunch before we visit the ‘Tip of Borneo”, a breathtaking and picturesque view of the point where the South China Sea meets the Sulu Sea. We continue our journey to Kinabalu Park Headquaters at Kundasang, approximately 3 hours drive from Kudat. Free at own leisure upon arrival. Overnight at dormitory hostel. (Breakfast)
Day 05 - Kinabalu Park
Free at own leisure at Kinabalu Park to explore the many trails on your own. Overnight at dormitory hostel.
Day 06 - Kinabalu Park to KK
In the afternoon, meet and transfer back to Kota Kinabalu. Overnight at Borneobackpackers.
Day 07 - KK - Sandakan - Sukau
Transfer to airport for flight MH2042 etd 0700hrs to Sandakan (arrange and purchase this flight on your own). Upon arrival at 0740hrs, proceed to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden plank walks to watch the feeding of the Orang-utans at 10am and video show. Continue to Sandakan jetty for an estimated 2.5 hours boat journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, the Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. Late afternoon take a river cruise using electric motor in search of some of the 10 primate species including Proboscis monkeys as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River. Return for solar heated hot shower, candle light dinner and slide show conducted by naturalist guide. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 08 - Sukau
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. A 6:00 morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to view more birds and wildlife. Proceed to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk (if weather permits) to taste some of the wilderness of the jungle. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. After dinner an optional (at a surcharge of RM 35 per person) night safari cruise spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 09 - Sukau - Sandakan - KK
After breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat journey. Lunch at Sandakan before proceed for a short tour of Sandakan town including water village, The Agnes Keith House (closed on Friday) and The Australian War Memorial. Transfer to airport for departure flight MH2065 etd 5.20pm (please arrange your flight). On arrival, transfer to Borneo Backpackers for overnight. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Day 10 - KK to Padas
Leave Kota Kinabalu for 1.5 hours journey to Beaufort and another 1.5 hours by train to Pangi for some whitewater rafting action. After suiting up and safety instructions by the guide, embark on a 2 hour exhilarating adventure shooting through rapids (Headhunter, Padas Cyclone, Cobra Rock, Roller Coaster, Jacuzzi Pool). In moments of respite, body raft down
the river and soak in the tranquillity of the virgin rainforest followed by a sumptuous lunch before we return. Overnight at Borneo Backpackers. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Day 11 - KK
Free at own leisure. Overnight at Borneo Backpackers. (Breakfast)
Day 12 - KK
Departure transfer to airport or extension of stay. (Breakfast)
Best time to visit
This trip is available all year. The peak season in Sabah is from June to August.
Getting here
KK can be easily reached via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Kuching or certain international destinations. From KLIA, catch a flight by either MAS (www.mas.com.my) or AirAsia (www.airasia.com). There are daily flights.
Responsible Tourism (RT) practices
The Sukau Rainforest Lodge is built on stilts using different Borneo hardwood species and is completely self sufficient in water and power supply, utilising rainwater and solar energy. Electric motors are used for river safari tours to wildlife areas to minimise air and noise pollution and reduce stress to the wildlife. Every room has an attached bathroom with solar hot water shower. Energy is reused for lighting such as cooking oil.
Multi-award winner Sukau Rainforest Lodge was named British Airways “Tourism for Tomorrow Award 1997” for the Pacific Region, and has received runners-up for "Green Hotelier of the Year 1999" and "IH&RA Environment award 1999" by the International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA). It is a low impact Eco-Lodge with in-house “green policies” and Code of Practice. The grounds of the resort also includes two elephant 'passes' that allows a corridor for elephants to migrate.