Trip to Malaysia that is anything but ordinary.
“A fantastic trip to Malaysia full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Never in my wildest imagination did I think I would be floating down a jungle river in Borneo with the blood moon out, listening to the sounds of the wild animals, and seeing a tree lit up like it was Christmas because of the thousands of fireflies that lived in it.” - Janelle B.
Dates - 11 days/10 nights
TBD
Destinations
Sandakan
Kinabatangan River
Danum Valley Rainforest
Kota Kinabalu
Malacca
Indulge in a bucket-list trip of a lifetime
Walk in the rainforest among the monkeys on a canopy walk, and navigate undiscovered streets of colonial towns, all while savoring the most exquisite foods and tropical fruits from local markets.
Sample Detailed Itinerary
Our detailed itinerary is currently under construction as we’re researching and updating our trip! This itinerary is a great resource for getting an idea of what kind of experiences you’ll have when you travel with us on a trip to Malaysia.
Day One
Upon your arrival on the island of Borneo our driver will be waiting to take you to our hotel, an approximately 30 minutes drive from the airport. Enjoy the scenery of your rainforest surroundings as you settle into your chalet. After you’ve settled in, you will meet your tour leader and tour group in the hotel lobby for a short introduction. And then the adventure begins! We’ll join our local guide for an introductory dinner at a local fishing association, with an authentic home-cooked meal full of fresh seafood & vegetables for your first experience of local flavors and dishes.
Day Two
Rise and shine as we discover the wonders of Borneo’s wildlife. Our first stop is the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center where you'll enter the reserve at feeding time to see orangutans and learn how Malays are fighting to protect these endangered animals and their natural habitat. We will also have a special educational visit to the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Center where we'll talk with the founder, Dr. Wong, about his mission to educate the world about the beloved Sun Bear.
Take a pause to rest in the afternoon before meeting a local chef who is known for her boutique restaurants, favorites among residents and travelers alike. She’ll walk us through her favorite techniques in a cooking class before dining on the fruits of our labor!
Day Three
We will start our day with a 2-hour boat ride, entering the second-longest river in Malaysia through the Sulu Sea. Accessible by boat only, we will arrive at our eco-lodge where we will spend one night in a secluded, quiet area of the lowland rainforest. All our meals will be provided by the lodge. Around sunset we will set off cruising the river, looking for proboscis monkeys, birds, crocodiles, and a multitude of other wild animals with our naturalist guide.
Day Four
Start your early morning with a sunrise river cruise, once again keeping our eyes peeled for the abundant wildlife that is very active around sunrise. After breakfast, we depart by boat to the town of Sukau. From there we will travel by air-conditioned private van through one of the world’s oldest rainforests until we reach our eco-lodge in a small town about 2 hours away. Don't worry - the drive is never boring as the scenery changes from village to thick, dense, lush rainforest where we might even spot some animals along the way. Upon arriving we'll have an opportunity to settle in before our introduction meeting with our naturalist guide where we'll learn about the history of the area as well as the activities in which we'll be participating over the next few days. Enjoy a fabulous dinner at the in-house restaurant, where fresh food is brought in daily from town. We’ll join our guide for a relaxed night safari drive, spotting nocturnal animals who are on the move.
Day Five
After breakfast we will prepare for an optional hike up to a beautiful viewing platform, passing waterfalls and a tribal coffin built into a cliff. The hike is approximately 3 hours roundtrip and upon return, we'll head straight to lunch. Alternatively, if you're not up for a hike you can always stop off for a swim with the fish or dip your feet for "nature's pedicure." We'll take it easy for the rest of the day with optional walks around the lodge grounds. Although dinner is included in your tour package, you are welcome to arrange for your own table and time this evening if you’d like to eat separately from the group on your own schedule.
Day Six
Start your morning early with a cup of coffee or tea before we explore the canopy walk with our guide. We'll watch the mist rise above the rainforest, getting a bird's eye view of the morning wildlife activity. And if you're a birder - this is the perfect time to bring your binoculars and enjoy the quiet opportunity to spot some rare species. We'll return to the lodge for breakfast and additional leisure activities before coming together for dinner as a group in the lodge restaurant.
Day Seven
Pack up and say goodbye to the rainforest as we exit in our 4x4 vehicles once again, for a short flight to Kota Kinabalu. We will settle into our city hotel and freshen up before experiencing a delightful tasting menu at a fine dining restaurant, merging modern techniques and flavors with an appreciation for locally sourced ingredients.
With some local friends, we will explore the central market of the town, filled with new sights, sounds, and smells. We'll pick out some local tropical fruits to try before wandering through the downtown area for a quick lunch stop at a Kopitiam or "coffee shop." Have no fear, your guides and new friends will help you pick the best dishes and introduce you to a variety of coffee, tea, and drink options. We’ll have lunch at their home, before bidding farewell to Borneo and preparing for a long afternoon of travel.
Day Eight
We’ll board our 2-hour flight to Kuala Lumpur, followed by a 2-hour drive to the small town of Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll check in to our colonial-inspired hotel along the river before dinner. Since we will spend most of the afternoon traveling, after we check in to our hotel you'll have dinner on your own to rest and relax. We recommend the on-site restaurant with a pleasant view of the small town’s river.
Day Nine
Our guide will meet us in the morning to walk us through Jonker and Heeren streets and to have a private tour of the Baba Nyonya Museum. You'll learn how immigrants from China created their own local culture which has endured through modern times. For lunch we'll stop in to one of our favorite Peranakan restaurants, trying this unique cuisine and finishing off with a cooling, refreshing iced dessert.
Day Ten
Our local guide will explain the significance of this port city once colonized by the Portuguese and Dutch. Let the town's streets come alive with stories as we make our way to explore cooking classes and artisan works in this small town.
Day Eleven
Our departure day begins with 2 hour transfer from our hotel. We will coordinate a private driver and transfer to the airport in KLIA airport on your behalf.
*Itinerary, hotels, activities, and modes of transportation are subject to change based on availability and/or weather conditions. In the event a hotel is unavailable, another comparable 4-5 star hotel will be substituted. All Terms and Conditions will be sent upon inquiry and must be agreed upon during booking.
Trip Inclusions
✓ 4-5* Boutique Accommodations
✓ Airport meet & greet with private transfers
✓All ground transportation (including domestic flights)
✓ All meals (except for 2 dinners)
✓ Select alcoholic beverages with most meals
✓ All activities, experiences, tours, and sightseeing
✓ English-speaking local guides
✓ Accommodate dietary restrictions
✓ All taxes and tips for all drivers, guides, restaurants, and more
✓ 24/7 Tour Host
Exclusions: transportation or airfare to/from the arrival and departure points, travel protection and trip cancellation protection, hotel room incidentals, and premium alcoholic beverages
Pricing
$10,885 per person based on double occupancy
$12,935 per person based on single occupancy
Meet your tour host! Send her a message if you have any questions about the trip.
Questions? Ask Annie!
Frequently Asked Questions
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As of June 2023, travel restrictions and entry requirements to Malaysia may vary based on the evolving COVID-19 situation. We recommend checking the latest travel advisories and guidelines issued by the Malaysian authorities and your country of residence before planning your trip. If you have any specific questions, contact us!
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Malaysia is a vibrant and diverse country with a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural landscapes. Here are some highly recommended places to visit in Malaysia that we go to on our trip:
Kuala Lumpur: The capital city offers a captivating blend of modern skyscrapers, historic sites, and bustling street markets. Don't miss iconic landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves, and Merdeka Square.
Malacca: Step back in time in this UNESCO World Heritage city. Explore the well-preserved colonial architecture, visit historic sites like St. Paul's Church and A Famosa Fort, and sample the local Nyonya cuisine.
Borneo: Experience the wild side of Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Discover the ancient rainforests of Kinabalu National Park, encounter orangutans at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, or go diving in the stunning underwater world of Sipadan.
These are just a few highlights of the many incredible destinations Malaysia has to offer.
If you’re interested in traveling to any of these places on your own trip, let us know and we can help you make arrangements through our Travel Consulting services.
