Kota Kinabalu Holidays

A unique mix of the rich variety of Malaysia: from it’s vibrant capital Kuala Lumpur, highland tea plantations and the Victorian architecture of historic Georgetown to the fantastic flora of Borneo’s steamy jungles and rivers and from bustling Chinatown and Penang’s Little India to tranquil Sabah fishing villages and remote, indigenous tribal villages deep in the jungle.

Discover a vibrant mix of cultures: spectacular and varied scenery, exotic flora and fauna, delicious local food and plenty of friendly people.

Itinerary

• Day 1: Departure from London for Kuala Lumpur.

• Day 2: Morning arrival in KL and transfer to out hotel in the heart of the Capital’s bustling Chinatown. Afternoon to relax, get over your jet-lag or explore the area’s lively markets.

• Day 3: Walking tour of some of the very varied sites of the fascinating Malaysian capital: Little India, the fabulous Victorian era architecture of Merdeka Square and the Central Mosque.

• Day 4: Scenic morning drive to the old British hill station and tea growing region of the Cameron Highlands – an area famed for its spectacular jungle-clad mountain scenery and mild temperatures. Afternoon to discover the lush tropical vegetation as well as a visit to one of the famous tea plantations.

• Day 5: Drive up the West Coast to Penang where we’ll stay in the heart of old Georgetown, the Island’s capital. Afternoon to relax, or explore this truly fascinating town; - a bewildering mix of Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Hindu religions with Thai and Indonesian influences thrown in for good measure!

• Day 6: Walking tour of this well preserved, historical town in collaboration with the ‘Penang Heritage Trust’: temples, Chinese clan houses and British colonial period architecture.

• Day 7:Visit Penang Hill with its Victorian era cable car, graceful villas and spectacular views and hike down the forested slopes to the famous Botanical Gardens.

• Day 8: Head off into the rarely visited interior; through the jungle-clad, hills to tranquil Banding Island in Temengor Lake. Accommodation at an eco lodge situated on one of the lake’s forested islands.

• Days 9 & 10: Expedition into the surrounding Belum Forest, hike through pristine rainforest to mountain streams and waterfalls, visit a village of the indigenous, forest-dwelling Orang Asli tribe, an exciting night hike through the forest and camping overnight in the jungle. With luck we’ll see monkeys and maybe even elephants - spectacular scenery guaranteed!

• Day 11: Transfer to Kota Bharu or Penang for a flight to Kota Kinabalu – state capital of Sabah in East Malaysia’s Borneo.

• Day 12: Day relaxing in an idyllic beach resort just north of KK, with a bike ride of the surrounding area and fishing villages for the energetic.

• Day 13: Off into the interior with a short, but scenic, drive to Mt Kinabalu National Park. Nature hike in the Park with some spectacular views over the 12,000 ft. mountain itself, before continuing on to a nearby tea plantation for our over night accommodation in a traditional style long house.

• Day 14:Early start to see dawn rise over Mt Kinabalu with an unusual and fun, ‘stream hike’, as our morning’s activity. In the afternoon we’ll continue our journey to historic Sandakan Town on the East Coast. .

• Day 15: Morning visit to the fascinating Sepilok orang-utan rehabilitation centre and after lunch transfer to Bata Puti for a boat trip up river to our day’s destination - a beautifully located, lake side jungle eco lodge. Sunset boat trip on the jungle lined Kinabatangan River.

• Day 16: Day in this stunning location. On offer; dawn river cruise, night hike, jungle nature trail or relaxing by the lake side. Proboscis monkeys, macaques, orang-utans, crocodiles, elephants and otters are just a few of the possible wildlife sightings you may make, whilst rare bird species found here include; lesser adjutant, Storm’s Stork, pittas and several species of hornbill!

• Days 17 & 18: Time to head into the heart of the jungle to the remote and unspoilt Danum Valley protected area, for a 3 day, 2 night stay at the superb Borneo Rainforest Lodge: - mist shrouded rainforest, limestone cliffs and caves, fantastic flora and fauna and the sounds of the jungle! Canopy walkway, night safari, nature trails with expert local guides or just relax on your chalet balcony and watch the hornbills swoop though the tree tops. An awesome experience in an incredible setting.

• Day 19: Morning in Danum valley and after lunch return drive to the east coast for a visit to the Madai Caves, famed as a bird’s nest collecting site, and on to Tawau Hills Park for our overnight accommodation.

• Day 20: Opportunity to check out the park’s hot springs and waterfalls before a return flight from Tawau to London via Kuala Lumpur.

• Day 21: Morning arrival in London.

Highlights

• Kuala Lumpur
• Cameron Highlands
• Penang
• Jungle Expedition
• Banding Island
• Mount Kinabalu
• Sabah Tea plantation
• Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre
• Jungle Eco-Lodge
• Danum Valley
• flora and fauna
• Malaysian food

Accommodation

• hotel
• beach resort
• jungle camp
• eco-lodge
• traditional longhouse.
  
  

  Transport

  • Minibus
  • Boat
  • local bus
  • 4WD
  • Internal flight
  Fitness level: easy – maximum trekking 3 – 4 hrs on day 9 .

  Useful information:

  Currency:ringgits

  Language:Malay; English is widely spoken

  Visa:Not required for British/EU passport holders

  Time difference:Approximately 7 hours

  Price includes: Flights, local transfers, accommodation, meals (full board except for lunch on days 2, 11 & 20 and dinner on days 6, 12 and 14, activities, guides and tour leader.

  Single supplement: No single supplement - single people are most welcome.

  Ticketing information: You will be contacted by the tour operator after making your booking

  1. Your confirmation email from us is notification that the tour operator has received your request and is processing it. The availability of this holiday is checked on a regular basis, however as the carrier is a scheduled airline we are regrettably unable to provide an instant confirmation.

  2. If the holiday is available
     1. the tour operator will automatically process your booking and your credit card will be debited accordingly;
     2. once done the holiday will be ticketed and you will be invoiced, at this moment there is a binding contract between you and the tour operator for the holiday;
     3. if you wish to cancel the holiday after his stage you will be liable to cancellation charges as per the tour operator's booking conditions. These terms and conditions can be accessed via the link at the bottom of the page; and
     4. you will be contacted by the tour operator within 6* hours from the time the booking was requested. The tour operator will be able to answer any questions you may have.
  3. If the holiday is not available
     1. the tour operator will contact you within 6* hours from the time the booking was requested to inform you of the nearest available alternative; and
     2. if the tour operator is unable to offer you an alternative which meets your approval you can cancel your request for a holiday without having to pay a cancellation fee.
  4. Once you have purchased a holiday, any amendments or cancellations can only be processed through the tour operator directly. There may be a charge to effect these amendments.
  5. The following extra charges will apply when booked by credit card: Visa/Mastercard - 1%, Amex – 1%. *This applies between the working hours of 9am - 6pm Monday - Friday - if your booking is received outside these hours you will be notified as soon as possible.

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