One of the least explored areas on the planet, the mention of Borneo conjures up images of primeval rainforest, undiscovered tribes, and rare, exotic species. Comprised mostly of impenetrable jungle, the world’s third-largest island is shared by Indonesia, Malaysia, and the tiny, wealthy Sultanate of Brunei. Home to critically endangered rhino, elephant, leopard, and orangutan – to name but a few – Borneo’s wildlife is its top draw.
Get a taste for Malaysia’s wild side on this adventure through Borneo’s northeastern rainforests. Experience the otherworldly limestone cliffs of Mulu National Park and its famed bat exodus; encounter the orangutans of Semenggoh and Sepilok; and set off on a river cruise in search of elusive Bornean pygmy elephants. Stay at an island resort of the coast of Kota Kinabalu. Discover mysterious and amazing Borneo on this one-of-a kind adventure.
INCLUSIONS & HIGHLIGHTS
- 16 Nights deluxe accommodations
- Airport arrival assistance and transfer
- Breakfast daily, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
- Semenggoh Orangutan Center
- Rainforest Kayaking tour
- Bako National Park day trip
- Cooking Class, with dinner
- Nanga Sumpa Longhouse tour
- Deer and Lang’s Cave tour
- Clearwater and Wind Cave tour
- Mulu National Park Canopy Skywalk tour
- Santubong Wildlife Cruise
- Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
- Visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
- Kinabatangan River Cruise
- Ox Bow Lake Boat Trip
- Internal flights
- Gratuities
- English speaking driver/guide
- Women’s Travel Club Tour Host
ITINERARY
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Day 1 – Welcome to Borneo
Welcome to Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak. You will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy the afternoon to relax or explore. This evening we will have a short meeting and then a welcome dinner together.
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Day 2 – Rainforest Kayaking & Semenggoh Orangutans
The Semenggoh Orangutan Centre provides an excellent opportunity to view semi-wild orangutans in a natural setting. This orangutan rehabilitation center receives orphaned or rescued orangutans and trains them to survive in the wild. Over 20 orangutans live in forest within the nature reserve and they often return to the center to receive supplemental feeding.
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Day 3 – Bako National Park
Bako National Park is one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in a natural setting. Commonly spotted at Bako are the Borneo endemic proboscis monkeys, silvered langurs (monkeys), long-tailed macaques, wild boar, monitor lizards and numerous species of birds.
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Day 4 – Nanga Sumpa
Today we depart Kuching and drive to Batang Ai reservoir. Along the way stop at Lachau Bazaar. Stroll around the shops and the small native market and have an early lunch in a local coffee shop. Then continue your journey, arriving at Batang Ai Lake.
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Day 5 – Enseluai Waterfall
Following breakfast hike the jungle trails along the river. Then continue upriver by longboat. Our destination is the scenic Enseluai waterfall. Along the way (if conditions are suitable) your boatman may stop to demonstrate fishing Iban-style using a jala or throw net. Arrive at the waterfall and have time to relax, swim and enjoy the rainforest surroundings.
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Day 6 – Nanga Sumpa to Kuching
After breakfast in the lodge we travel downriver to the Batang Ai Lake jetty. Then travel overland back to Kuching with lunch en route.
Accommodations: The Waterfront Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch) -
Day 7 – Cooking Class
Enjoy a free morning to relax after your time in the jungle. This afternoon we will depart for our cooking class venue where you will meet your cooking instructor for a genuine Sarawak style cooking course. You will here get the opportunity to experience authentic Borneo cooking culture and learn hands-on how to cook local Sarawakian dishes with your experienced cooking instructor who will share the secrets of local cooking with you in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
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Day 8 – Mulu National Park, Deer & Lang’s Caves
In the morning, transfer to Kuching airport and fly from Kuching to Mulu. Arrive at Mulu airport and transfer to accommodation. Once we arrive to Mulu National Park we will check into our hotel for the next two nights.
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Day 9 – Mulu National Park, Clearwater & Wind Caves
In the morning, proceed by longboat upriver to Wind Cave with its impressive ‘King’s Chamber’. A short walk along a plankwalk next to the limestone cliff followed by a climb up approximately 250 concrete steps and you arrive at the entrance to Clearwater Cave.
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Day 10 – Mulu National Park, Canopy Skywalk – Gaya Island
In the morning, proceed to the impressive Mulu Canopy Skywalk. At 480 meters long, the Mulu Canopy Skywalk is one of the longest tree-based walkways in the world. As you walk among the ferns, epiphytes and vines 15-20 metres above the forest floor and river you will enjoy this unique opportunity to get closer to the rainforest “web of life” viewing it from a whole new perspective.
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Day 11 – Gaya Island
Have breakfast at your resort.
The day is free at leisure to enjoy the resort and it’s facilities. There are several optional activities available including snorkeling either on your own or with a guide and it can be combined with kayaking as well.
Overnight at Gayana Marine Resort. -
Day 12 – Gaya Island – Sandakan – Sepilok
In the morning, depart from Gaya Island by boat to Kota Kinabalu. Then transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport. Fly Kota Kinabalu – Sandakan. Upon arrival in Sandakan, meet and transfer to MY Nature Resort at Sepilok for check in. The reminder of the day is free at leisure.
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Day 13 – Sepilok – Kinabatangan River
Depart from your resort after breakfast and visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where captive orangutans are reintroduced into the wild. You will be able to observe them at their feeding stations in the rainforest and at the nursery (if open). Watch the morning feeding session.
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Day 14 – Oxbow Lake – Menanggul River
Early morning take a boat trip for bird watching and wildlife viewing at the nearby Ox Bow Lake. Then return to the lodge for breakfast. Relax at the resort for the day and later in the afternoon venture on another river cruise down the Menanggul River in search of wildlife. Return to the lodge at dusk.
Accommodations: Kinabatangan Riverside lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) -
Day 15 – Sukau – Lahad Datu – Tabin Wildlife Reserve
After breakfast depart the lodge and travel overland to Lahad Datu (about 2 hours). In Lahad Datu, change vehicle and depart for a private transfer to Tabin Wildlife Resort at Tabin Wildlife Reserve.
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Day 16 – Lipad Waterfall
You may opt to join the early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of almost 300 bird species. After breakfast, embark on a trek through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit the Lipad Waterfall.
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Day 17 – Depart Lahad Datu
After breakfast, stroll to the nearby rock pool or riverside where groups of macaques and other small mammals can sometimes be seen. Time to take a dip in the river or simply listen to the sound of nature before saying goodbye to Tabin. Lunch at the resort before returning to Lahad Datu for your departure flight in the late afternoon.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
**Prices are subject to change and availability. Space is limited and activities and specific hotels are subject to change. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
IMPORTANT DETAILS & PRICING
Rates
Double Occupancy – $6499 CAD per person (sharing a room)
Single Occupancy – $7979 CAD per person (your own room)
If you would like the double occupancy rate but don’t have a roommate we will match you with a suitable roommate. The single occupancy rate will give you your own room. Single occupancy may be limited. CAD = Canadian dollars. USD = United States of America dollars. Conversion to USD is approximated by current exchange rates and subject to change. You will be charged in CAD and your bank may charge a slightly different rate or fees.
Payment & Cancellation Schedule
Payment of $300 due at time of booking.
Payment of $1000 due on September 27, 2024
Final payment due – January 25, 2025
*All payments are non-refundable Please see full terms and conditions. Prices are subject to change and availability.
Upgrade at Gayana Marine Resort
Upgrade to an Ocean Villa (over water villa).
Offering uninhibited views of the azure waters of the South China Sea, the 120m² Ocean Villa presents a feast for the eyes whichever way you look. The room features a private balcony with stairs that lead straight into the sea.
Double Occupancy – $215 CAD per person (sharing a room) – approx. $165 USD
Single Occupancy – $425 CAD per person (your own room) – approx. $325 USD
Activity Level
Moderate to high Activity
There are walking tours and hikes on this tour. You should be able to walk on uneven ground for a couple of hours at a relaxed pace. This is also a kayaking excursion.
Group Size
Minimum – 8 members
Maximum – 16 members
Exclusions
- International Airfare
- Visa/passport handling fees
- Meals not listed in itinerary
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities on personal purchases
- Optional Activities
- Expenses of a Personal Nature
- Early check-in and late check-out of hotel
- Tourism Tax in Malaysia – payable at the hotels directly (approx. CA$3 per room per night)
Tour Host
Women’s Travel Club tours are hosted tours. Your tour host is in addition to local tour guides. Your Women’s Travel Club tour host is your tour concierge and there to make sure every part of the tour runs smoothly. Our trained hosts are seasoned travelers who are with you every step of your tour so that you only have to worry about enjoying yourself and having fun.
The Women’s Travel Club Tour Host for this tour is TBA.
Roommate Matching Policy
Roommate matching is done as a courtesy and while most matches result in wonderful friendships, success is not guaranteed. If during the tour you decide you would no longer like to share a room with your roommate you will need to request (and pay for) a single room at all accommodations. This can be shared between the two people in the room if it is a mutual decision. If you are a very light sleeper or snore you may want to consider getting your own single room.
Flight Information
The Women’s Travel Club recommends booking flexible/refundable air tickets when possible.
Arrive to Kuching International Airport – KCH at any time on or before first day of tour.
Depart from Lahad Datu Airport – LDU – anytime after 2 PM on the last day of the tour. .
If you would like assistance booking international flights for your tour please use the form below. The Women’s Travel Club Flight Desk will work with you to arrange the best options.
Our Flight management fee is CAD 100.00 + HST, per tour.
Flight Quote
Travel Insurance:
Out of country medical insurance is required. We strongly recommend that you obtain cancellation and interruption insurance to protect your investment.
Use this link to request an insurance quote.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Waterfront Hotel
Perched on top of Plaza Merdeka Shopping Center, The Waterfront Hotel is located in the heart of Kuching City, where decades-old heritage buildings sit side by side with modern buildings. With one of the best views of the Padang Merdeka and the Sarawak River, the hotel is not only a place to rest, but a start of your adventures in Kuching City.
Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa
Surrounded by rainforest and overlooking the Melinau River, this elegant hotel is 3 km from both the storied Mulu National Park and Mulu Airport.
Nanga Sumpa Lodge
Nanga Sumpa Lodge is located on the banks of the Delok River, approximately 1½ hours longboat ride from the Batang Ai Lake. Borneo Adventure’s tours and activities at Batang Ai are centred on the Lodge. This award-winning operation was established in 1987 in partnership with the people of Nanga Sumpa longhouse. The lodge includes a dining area, kitchen and guest rooms.
Nanga Sumpa Lodge operates as a type of “village stay”. The accommodation is separate from the longhouse so guests and longhouse residents have their own space and privacy. However, guests are able to visit the longhouse, gain an insight into the Iban way of life and experience a range of activities focused on the clean rivers and pristine rainforest of the local area.
Gayana Marine Resort
Nestled on Gaya Island’s crescent Malohom Bay off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia Borneo, Gayana Marine Resort is a picturesque destination that strikes a balance between ecology and indulgent luxury. At the heart of the resort is the protection and regeneration of the island’s precious marine environment – the on-site Marine Ecology Research Centre, the only of its kind on an island resort, propagates endangered giant clams and coral reefs. The resort’s dining venues present palate-pleasing and soul-satisfying local and international cuisine, while the spa beckons with an array of pampering treatments.
Rainforest Villa – The 102m² Rainforest Villa faces green rolling hills of dense tropical forest. Enjoy cool jungle breeze and be lulled to slumber by the gentle song of cicadas.
(Upgrades to overwater bungalows available).
MY Nature Resort
MY Nature Resort is a 24-room lodge located two kilometres from the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and 500 metres from the Rainforest Discovery Centre. The resort is surrounded by rainforest and is the perfect base to discover the various nature-based attractions of the wider Sepilok area.
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is one of the lodge that has been set up in 1994, by S.I. Tours who works with the locals by paying monthly for land rental fee until today, hiring locals to take care and manage the lodge. To maintain the ambience of the river and rainforest, we hire local service to send out the rubbish from Kinabatangan until today.
The Kinabatangan River, Sabah’s longest river and Malaysia’s second longest river, is one of the most exciting and easily accessible places to explore the rich biodiversity of Sabah. From Kampung Abai near the river mouth of Kinabatangan River, on to the major village of Sukau and further up river, the lower Kinabatangan offers an incredible opportunity to see a large range of wildlife including Borneo’s unique proboscis monkeys, the wild Orang Utan, Bornean Pygmy elephants, crocodiles, otters, bears, wild cats and countless rare and beautiful birds such as hornbills and the Oriental Darter.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
We are Tabin Wildlife Resort, the exclusive rainforest resort located within Tabin Wildlife Reserve, the largest wildlife reserve in Malaysia with a total land area of 300,000 acres. If you are a traveller drawn to the beauty of exotic Borneo island, then Tabin Wildlife Reserve, winner of the “Most promising tourist attraction” award, is one of the places you should not miss.
Tabin Wildlife Resort complements visitors stay at the wildlife reserve by providing facilities including charming timber lodges built and blended within the natural surrounding, and a comprehensive range of nature-based activities.
** Occasionally, due to situations beyond our control, specific hotels may change. Any accommodation changes will be to a similar hotel.
FAQ's
Through our own clients and networking clubs we have realized a general desire for women to travel but they don’t always have a companion. We developed the Women’s Travel Club for these women to have a fun and safe group to travel with. We offer a wide range of destinations, so that there is something for everyone.
We have women of all ages, with the average being 45 to 65 years. However, we do have regular travelers anywhere from 30 years to over 80 years of age.
We do not include international flights in the price of our tours. Not including the cost of international flights in the cost of the tour allows members the flexibility to get the flight schedule, price and class of service that best suits them. The Women's Travel Club flight desk will be happy to help arrange your international flights.
Yes, we always negotiate the best possible single supplement rate for our trips. Single spots fill quickly and may be limited so we suggest you book early for a single spot.
Yes, each of our booking forms has an area for you to request to be matched with a roommate. We get some general information that will help us match you with a great new friend.
No, at this time a travel visa is not required by Malaysia for Canadian or US Citizens. However, travel requirements may change at any time. Please visit your governments travel recommendations page. Canada - Canada Travel Recommendations & Information USA - USA Travel Recommendations & Information
March and April is an excellent time of year to visit Borneo. Days are typically warm and dry, with minimal rainfall and light winds. You can expect a maximum temperature of 92°F (34 C) and minimum temperature of 79°F (26 C).
Mar 09 - Mar 20, 2025 
