Best of Borneo
![Inspiring Vacations Untamed Borneo & Sarawak](/file/resize/c920x485-cc/16328_inspiring_vacations_untamed_borneo_sarawak.jpg)
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Snapshot
- 16 days
- Guided Tour
- Flights Included
- Adelaide to Borneo return
- Multiple departures
From
$6,780*
per person twin share
BOOK NOW
Overview
Tour departs from August to September 2024 & March - September 2025
Borneo is one of the world's greatest natural wonders, with an all encompassing biodiversity. It is a remarkable place where the great outdoors thrive with miracles and spectacles. Encounter a treasure trove of flora, wildlife, landscapes and indigenous customs. Borneo is also the home of the last wild orangutans, sadly under threat from habitat destruction.
Why Wendy Wu?
As Australia's leading touring specialist, they pride themselves on over 25 years experience in organising group and private tours across Japan, Southeast Asia and India. Offering diverse experiences, from vibrant markets in Vietnam, to serene Indian backwaters and the futuristic streets of Japan's cities. Explore picturesque towns, spectacular landscapes and discover new cultures, knowing that all of the details have been taken care of so you can truly enjoy these captivating destinations.
Classic Tours
These tours are designed for those who wish to see the iconic sites and magnificent treasures of Southeast Asia on an excellent value group tour whilst travelling with like-minded people. The tours are on a fully-inclusive basis so you’ll travel with the assurance that all your arrangements are taken care of. You will be accompanied by our dedicated and professional National Escorts and local guides, whose unparalleled knowledge will turn your holiday into an unforgettable experience.
Travel Solo - But Never Alone
Choose the way you travel solo!
Whether you’re after a solo escapade, your usual travel companion couldn’t join this time, or you simply want to make new friends – Wendy Wu's range of tours suit any and all of these options. You have a variety of choices: opt for dedicated solo departures, enjoy a single room on the entire collection of tours, or explore the ‘Happy to share’ option. Whichever option you choose, you can rest easy knowing that the expertly crafted tours will take you to all the iconic attractions, immerse yourself in local culture, savour authentic cuisine and stay in conveniently located hotels. The solo traveller tours are all about carefree and unforgettable experiences! Get ready for a journey of a lifetime and the lifelong friendships, you’ll make along the way.
Highlights & Inclusions
Highlights
- Cruise the Kinabatangan river
- Experience life in a traditional longhouse
- Spot magnificent Orangutans in Semenggoh Nature Reserve
- Stand in the shadow of the majestic Mount Kinabalu
Inclusions
- Return international economy flights from Adelaide, taxes and current fuel surcharges (unless a land only option is selected)
- 13 nights in 3 star + accommodation
- All meals; 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 13 dinners
- Tour guide, all sightseeing and entrance fees
- All transportation and transfers
*Exclusions apply, personal expenditure may be required for the following: e.g. drinks, optional excursions or shows, insurance of any kind, customary tipping, early check in or late checkout and other items not specified on the itinerary.
Itinerary
Days 1-2 - Fly to Kuching
Fly overnight to the relaxed and charismatic city of Kuching.
Meals: Dinner
Day 3 - Explore Kuching
Spend the day enjoying the diverse culture of Sarawak with a walking tour, starting at the Chinese History Museum on Kuching's waterfront. Stroll past the traditional Chinese shop houses of Ewe Hai Street and pay a visit to a 'sinseh', a Chinese medicine man. Next you'll be introduced to Sarawa's delicious food, with a tasting at a local coffee shop. Continue to the Sarawak Museum, before a sampan ride across Kuching's river to visit a Malay village.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Bako National Park
Travel out to Bako before boarding a boat to reach the national park. Explore the park on foot with a guide – one of Borneo's most bio-diverse areas, the diversity of flora and fauna here is incredible and easily accessible. Following trails along streams, past caves and across plateaus, keeping an eye out for wild boar, macaques, monitor lizards and, if you're lucky, a proboscis monkey. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Semenggoh Nature Reserve
This morning you have the opportunity to meet Borneo's most famous native; the orangutan! Semenggoh is a centre dedicated to the rehabilitation of rescued or orphaned young orangutans – here, they are taught how to survive in the wild. Visit the orangutan release area, where they live freely, in search of these beautiful but elusive creatures. After lunch, drive for approximately 4 hours to Sri Aman, where you will be checked into your hotel on arrival.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Iban Longhouse
Today you will discover more about Borneo's native Iban people, renowned for their former practice of headhunting. After breakfast, drive approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to the jetty, where you will board a traditional Iban longboat for a 45-minute river journey to a tribal longhouse. On arrival, enjoy a tour of the longhouse, meeting the tribe's families. Witness a performance of a traditional dance, in full regalia, and lunch on Iban cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Return to Kuching
Journey back to Kuching, stopping en route for lunch at a local café.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Fly to Kota Kinabalu
Transfer to the airport and fly over to Malaysian Borneo's other state, Sabah, and the vibrant city of Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Explore Kota Kinabalu
Begin your explorations at the Sabah State Museum where you can learn about the state's diverse cultural and natural heritage, before exploring some of the city's beautiful architecture, including the Blue Mosque and Chinese Temple. Browse the piles of wares at the handicraft market and spice bazaar, before strolling through the oldest part of the city. Lunch will be at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Tonight, dine on traditional Malay cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Kinabalu Park
Head out of the city to the foot of Mt Kinabalu, Borneo's highest mountain, where you will spend the day exploring Kinabalu Park, Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Embark on a guided walk along one of the many forest trails to discover some of the unique flora and fauna that calls the area home.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Fly to Sandakan
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Sandakan. Visit the Sandakan Memorial Park, which commemorates the suffering of British and Australian POWs held here during the WWII Japanese occupation. Continue into Sandakan itself, passing the William Pryer and Sandakan Liberation Monuments before a relaxing lunch at English Tea House. Later stop by the Agnes Keith Museum to learn about colonial life here during the pre-WWII British Administration. Head inland and check in to your hotel in Sepilok - an eco resort at the edge of the rainforest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - Sepilok Orangutan Centre
Sepilok offers another chance to see orangutans in their natural habitat – like Semenggoh, this is a centre for the rehabilitation of former captive and orphaned orangutans. Around 60 to 80 orangutans live free within the centre's forest and there may be young orangutans to visit in the nursery. Head across the road to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to visit the world's smallest bear and learn about the conservation efforts to protect them. Journey to Bilit and enjoy lunch at your lodge. Later, board a cruise along the Kinabatangan River to spot some of the abundant wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 - Kinabatangan river
Embark on an early morning cruise to the Oxbow Lake, where you can spot wildlife and soak up the peaceful ambience. Returning to the lodge, the rest of the day is at leisure until the late afternoon, when you'll head out for another cruise, searching for wildlife once more. You could spot anything from horn-bills to pygmy elephants!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 - Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu
Return to Sandakan for lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the airport to fly back to Kota Kinabalu. This evening, dine on local flavours and enjoy a cultural dance performance.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 15-16 - Fly Kota Kinabalu to Australia
Fly to Australia, arriving home the following day.
Meals: Breakfast
Dates/Prices
Depart | Twin Share | Solo |
---|---|---|
31 August 2024 | $6,780pp | $8,160pp |
21 September 2024 | $7,180pp | $8,560pp |
19 July 2025 | $7,580pp | $7,580pp |
*Advertised price based on per person twin share on 31 August 2024 departure.
* Term and conditions apply:
All pricing subject to change and availability.
Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise.
Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change.
Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies.
Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.