A 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.
Pricing
$10,885 per person based on double occupancy
$12,935 per person based on single occupancy
Dates - 11 days/10 nights
Destinations
Sandakan
Kinabatangan River
Danum Valley Rainforest
Kota Kinabalu
Malacca
Join an all-inclusive trip to Malaysia!
You deserve to fully immerse yourself in the experience without any distractions. With our truly all-inclusive trip to Malaysia you’re free to be present and connect deeply with the people and places around you. Focus on what really matters: making memories that last a lifetime.
✓ 4-5* Boutique Accommodations
✓ Airport meet & greet with private transfers
✓All ground transportation (including domestic flights)
✓ All meals listed in the itinerary
✓ All activities, experiences, tours, and sightseeing
✓ 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
Imagine yourself…
walking with the monkeys on a canopy walk in the rainforest, navigating undiscovered streets of colonial towns, and savoring the most exquisite foods and tropical fruits from local markets.
"It was so nice to not have to think about logistics, hotels, money, tips, or any of the normal travel issues. We could trust that everything was taken care of and our focus was on enjoying Malaysia and all it had to offer. Which we did!" - Tom H.
"You put together a fantastic trip full of once in a lifetime experiences. I felt that my trip was a combination of an Anthony Bourdain program, a chapter out of the “Crazy Rich Asians” book and some jungle movie." - Janelle B.
Trip to Malaysia Itinerary
Day One - Sandakan
Upon your arrival our driver will be waiting to take you to our hotel. Enjoy the scenery of your rainforest surroundings as you settle into your chalet.
Our 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 our first experience of local flavors and dishes.
Included meals: dinner
Day Two - Sandakan
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 have a special educational visit to the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Center where we'll talk with the founder about his mission to educate the world about the beloved Sun Bear.
We’ll rest in the afternoon before meeting a local chef who is known for her boutique restaurants, beloved 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!
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Three - Kinabatangan River
We will start our day with a 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.
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.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Four - Danum Valley Rainforest
Today we set off on a sunrise river cruise, once again keeping our eyes peeled for the abundant wildlife. After breakfast, we journey through one of the world’s oldest rainforests until we reach our eco-lodge in a small town.
Upon arriving we'll settle in and then meet 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.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Five - Danum Valley Rainforest
After breakfast, 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.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Six - Danum Valley Rainforest
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.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Seven - Kota Kinabalu
In the morning we take a short flight to Kota Kinabalu and then settle into our city hotel.
After some exploring, we’ll sit down to a spectacular tasting menu at a fine dining restaurant, merging modern techniques and flavors with an appreciation for locally sourced ingredients.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Eight - Kota Kinabalu, Malacca
Alongside our local friends, we will explore the town’s central market and taste some local tropical fruits before wandering through the downtown area for a quick stop at a Kopitiam or "coffee shop." Finally, we’ll have lunch at our local friends’ home before bidding farewell to Borneo.
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 and the rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy. We recommend having dinner at the on-site restaurant with a pleasant view of the river.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Day Nine - Malacca
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. After some free time in the afternoon, we’ll visit one of our local friends and have dinner in their home.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Ten - Malacca
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.
At our farewell dinner, we’ll enjoy a multiple-course menu showcasing local ingredients sourced from surrounding areas.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Eleven - Departure
On our day of departure, we will have an optional group breakfast at the hotel. Then you will have a private driver take you to the airport in Kuala Lumpur (KUL).
Our detailed itinerary is always subject to change as we constantly research, update our trip, and coordinate with our friends in Malaysia to work with their schedules. This itinerary is a great resource for getting an idea of what kind of experiences you’ll have when you travel with us to Malaysia.
Meet your tour host, Annie! Send her a message if you have any questions about the trip.
Questions? Ask me anything!
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Travelers should be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces, including dirt and gravel paths (sometimes at night). You must be able to step down and up from a small electric boat for our river cruises, and should be comfortable walking and standing for up to 4 hours at a time.
If you have any specific questions you’d like to discuss with the tour host, contact us!
-
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.
-
There are only 6 - 12 travelers on this group trip. With fewer travelers, we can explore unique, off-the-beaten-path spaces that larger groups can't access, such as family-owned kitchens, bustling markets, and private homes.
This small size also fosters meaningful connections - whether it’s sharing stories over a meal with a local host or bonding with fellow travelers, our trips feel more personal.
