Uncover the natural and cultural wonders of Sarawak on this unforgettable journey through Borneo. Explore wildlife-rich Bako National Park, encounter semi-wild orangutans at Semenggoh and stay overnight in a traditional Bidayuh longhouse. Walk rainforest trails, swim by jungle waterfalls, cruise through mangroves and venture into Mulu's vast cave systems. Along the way, gain rare insight into daily life in Borneo's remote communities and the fragile ecosystems that surround them.
Breakfast: 7
Lunch: 3
Dinner: 2
Explore Tour Leader
Boat Crew
Driver(s)
Local Guide(s)
Bus
Boat
Flight
Minibus
1 nights simple homestay
4 nights comfortable hotel
2 nights simple lodge
Full on
Trip maximum 16 Explore average 11
Frequent wildlife encounters alongside other experiences
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Our tour starts today in Kuching. The capital of Borneo's Sarawak region is a riverside city where culture, food and nature come together. It's the perfect jumping-off point to explore Borneo's wild side.
For those arriving on time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Kuching International Airport (KCH), which is a 20-minute drive from the hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will catch you up over breakfast on day 2.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, why not visit the waterfront for a bite to eat or drop by the fruit market to watch local life unfold.
Meritin Hotel (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
We'll set off early this morning to travel to Bako National Park. Our journey involves a 45-minute drive, followed by a 30-minute cruise along the coast.
The oldest of Sarawak's national parks, Bako is the perfect introduction to the region's forests and wildlife. It's home to 275 rare proboscis monkeys, found only in Borneo, and we'll have the chance to spot them, as well as silvered langurs, bearded pigs and monitor lizards. Despite its small size, Bako contains varied terrain, from swamp forest to scrub-like padang vegetation, mangrove forest to dipterocarp forest and delicate cliff vegetation to sandy beaches.
We'll head out on walking trails to explore the rainforest, walking past the dipterocarps and dense mangrove forests. Bako is also home to many bird species such as the rufous-backed kingfisher, stork-billed kingfisher, red-crowned barbet, white-bellied woodpecker and many more. During low tide, you can spot the mudskippers and blue-fiddler crabs coming out from their hideout for feeding on the beaches, too.
After a simple lunch at the park café, we'll return to Kuching.
After breakfast, we'll depart for a 45-minute transfer to the Semenggoh Orangutan Wildlife Centre.
Established in 1975 and located just outside Kuching, Semenggoh Nature Reserve is home to a population of semi-wild orangutans. For over two decades, the wardens here rehabilitated young orangutans that had been orphaned or rescued from captivity, helping them learn to survive in the wild. Today, the centre focuses on research into orangutan biology and behaviour, though the rangers also care for other species, including crocodiles and hornbills.
On arrival, we'll take a short 15-minute walk through the rainforest to the feeding platform, where rangers put out fruit for the orangutans. Although these animals live freely in the surrounding forest, they often return for feeding, offering us the chance to observe them in their natural habitat.
We'll then continue to Serian Bazaar to visit the local market, before travelling on to Mongkos Longhouse, a traditional Bidayuh settlement, where we'll be welcomed with a home-cooked lunch. To follow, we'll take a guided tour of the longhouse, where a collection of exhibits and preserved artefacts provides insight into Bidayuh culture and daily life.
The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the village at our own pace. You might take a stroll, chat with local residents, observe traditional farming or fishing, or enjoy a swim in the river.
In the evening, we'll share another traditional Bidayuh meal before settling in for the night at our village homestay.
Mongkos Longhouse (or similar)
Grade: Simple Homestay
After breakfast, we'll go on a guided walk along the village's farming trails. The walk takes approximately one hour each way and it's on mostly flat terrain. This nature walk through the Bornean countryside takes us past small rainforest plots where local farmers cultivate a wide variety of produce, including durian, rubber, rambutan, mango, oil palm, rice, pepper, bananas, coconuts and jackfruit, along with many other colourful local crops.
Shortly before lunch, we'll arrive at a picnic spot near a small waterfall. There'll be time to cool off with a refreshing dip in the water before enjoying a simple yet delicious lunch of rice, bamboo-cooked chicken and jungle ferns.
After lunch, we'll make our way back to the village to say farewell to our hosts before beginning the return journey to Kuching.
We'll arrive back in Kuching in the late afternoon and check in to our hotel.
Today we fly to Mulu, our home for the next two nights. Depending on our arrival time, we have several optional activities to choose from: wander to the Tree Top Tower for views across the Mulu National Park, stroll along the boardwalk to Pukau Waterfall or walk on the Nature Heritage Trail.
In the afternoon, we'll head to Mulu National Park Headquarters. Here, we'll take the elevated plank walk to Lang Cave, the longest cave passage in the world. We'll explore its magnificent stalactites and stalagmites before carrying on to the adjoining Deer Cave. Deer Cave is famous for its colony of thousands of free-tailed bats and at dusk, you can watch them emerge from their cave in formation to forage for insects in the rainforest.
Our exploration doesn't stop after dark. Next, we'll head out for a night trek through the jungle. The way is dotted with luminescent fungi and blinking fireflies giving us the chance to see creatures not visible in daylight.
Mulu Park HQ (or similar)
Grade: Simple Lodge
This morning, we'll have breakfast accompanied by a jungle chorus before taking a short boat trip up the Melanau River to see two more of Mulu's caves - Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave.
These two form part of the Sarawak Chamber, the largest connected cave system in the world. If water levels are low, we'll reach the caves on foot along a short trail. We'll explore the King's Room in Wind Cave before moving on to Clearwater Cave via plank walkways built on the sides of the limestone cliffs and a set of steep steps carved into the side of the hill. Once inside, we'll take some time to admire the limestone formations.
Later today, we'll return to Mulu National Park Headquarters and take to the treetops on a canopy walkway. The rest of the afternoon is free - you might like to head out on one of the self-guided walking trails to explore more of the national park.
This morning we bid farewell to our Sarawak tour leader and take a short flight to Kota Kinabalu (KK as it is affectionately known by the locals). The small capital is a cultural tapestry - its inhabitants are a mix of Chinese, Indonesian, Filipino, Indian and of course Malay. This blend of influences makes KK a foodie's dream, with fusion restaurants popping up all over town and street-food stalls serving classics like Nasi Goreng (fried rice with spices) and satay alongside curries and kimchi.
Here we'll be met by our Sabah tour leader who will assist us with checking-in at the hotel for our final night in Borneo. The rest of the day is free to explore the city's vibrant foodie scene.
Some members of your group may have booked a longer version of the tour, which includes an additional 10 days in Sabah. For them, this evening marks the start of the next stage of their journey, and new travellers joining for the Sabah-only section will be arriving today. You're very welcome to join the group for dinner, or if you'd prefer to make your own plans, your tour leader will be happy to recommend the best places to eat in town.
Howard Johnson by Wyndham (or similar)
Our trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Kota Kinabalu.
There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Kota Kinabalu at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), which is a 20-minute drive from the hotel.
Temperatures are high all year round, between 23°C at night to 32°C during the day. Borneo is tropical and only lies a few degrees north of the equator. Rainfall can be expected at any time of year though will be greater between November and January. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable.
+8
3 Pin Flat
Islam, Christian
Malaysian
Pack essentially for hot conditions as there is year-round humidity in the lowlands. Lightweight rainwear/umbrella is essential all year. Plastic ponchos can be purchased locally. Long sleeves, long trousers and sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended for the jungle walks.
20Kg
One main piece of baggage and a day pack.Remember you may be expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself. Hard suitcases are not suitable for this trip.
- Reusable water bottle - Hat & sunglasses - Torch (preferably a head torch) - Suncream - Binoculars - Towel - Insect repellent (at least 50% DEET) - Light weight quick drying clothing - Long sleeve lightweight tops and trousers - Breathable waterproof lightweight walking shoes
Bus, Boat, Flight, Minibus
During this tour, we stay in a mix of comfortable and traditional accommodations. In Kuching, we stay in a centrally located comfortable hotel offering en-suite rooms, WiFi, and modern amenities. In Serian, accommodation is simpler and more authentic, with a night spent in a traditional Bidayuh longhouse featuring basic facilities, a mixed gender shared sleeping area and facilities. The accommodation is simple, typically featuring shared rooms with communal sleeping arrangements on bamboo floors. Toilets and cold showers are shared with the family. At Mulu National Park, we stay in comfortable lodges with en-suite bathrooms, fans, and easy access to the park's facilities. In Kota Kinabalu, our accommodation is more comfortable, with spacious, air-conditioned rooms and amenities such as a pool, bar, and restaurant. Please refer to your final documents for the confirmed accommodation details on your departure.
Food in Malaysian Borneo is varied and family-friendly, drawing on Malay, Chinese and indigenous influences. Meals often feature fresh seafood or meat, fragrant rice, noodles and tropical fruit. While local dishes can be spicy, there are plenty of mild and familiar options available, making it easy to cater for fussy eaters or those with simpler tastes. Vegetable-based dishes like stir-fried greens, tofu, rice, noodles, and tropical fruits are avaialble but the choice may be limited.
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page. If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page. The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
Malaysia: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. All passports must have at least 6 months validity after departure from Malaysia. You must also fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card to enter Malaysia - https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main You should complete this before you travel as it may be requested at check-in. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom. Read more information about what travel insurance is required.
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, infectious hepatitis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.