Sabah holiday, land beneath the wind
| country: | Malaysia, Borneo |
| location: | Sabah & Sarawak |
| trip type: | High altitude, strenuous trekking holidays |
| departures: | Departs every Saturday throughout the year |
| price: | From £640 (13 days) excluding flights. Local payment MYR RM1000 (approx £160). We can arrange flights from the UK. All departure dates are guaranteed |
read 3 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
Sabah, the land beneath the wind, is simply breathtaking.
An air of adventure looms in this land, once feared for its wild headhunters and impenetrable jungle.
Join us as we meet orangutans and sea turtles on a trip that will have you lazing on beaches, soaking in hot springs, exploring tribal villages and climbing the mighty Mt Kinabalu.
An air of adventure looms in this land, once feared for its wild headhunters and impenetrable jungle.
Join us as we meet orangutans and sea turtles on a trip that will have you lazing on beaches, soaking in hot springs, exploring tribal villages and climbing the mighty Mt Kinabalu.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Kota Kinabalu. Arrive early to check out nearby Pulau Gaya - a lush island of undisturbed forest surrounded by abundant marine life and tropical corals. |
| Day 2: | Kiau. Experience a village homestay with the local Dusun people, learning all about their spiritual and social ties to the imposing Mt Kinabalu. |
| Day 3-4: | Mt. Kinabalu. Fuelled by fresh mountain air and stunning views, we ascend Mt Kinabalu. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and gaze at the region's incredible variety of flora. |
| Day 5-6: | Poring Hot Springs. Soak in the invigorating waters of the Poring Hot Springs. Later, enjoy a whole new outlook from the canopy walkway above the lowland forest. |
| Day 7-8: | Jungle camp & Malay home stay. Discover how locals are contributing to forest conservation before camping out amid exotic birdcalls and jungle nightlife. We then head into a traditional Malay village for a privileged view of a unique culture. |
| Day 9: | Sandakan. Bask in the liveliness of this busy commercial centre, home to historic Chinese temples and a charming, island-studded bay. |
| Day 10: | Turtle Island. Be moved by the beauty of birth as we witness giant green turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. |
| Day 11: | Sepilok Orangutan Reserve. The impish smiles and soulful eyes of Borneo's 'wildmen' will melt your heart on our visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. |
| Day 12-13: | Kota Kinabalu. Appreciate the impressive collection of tribal artefacts at the Sabah Museum or marvel at a fine example of Islamic architecture at the State Mosque. |
travellers' tales
The guides were excellent and very flexible, willing to change schedules if possible to suit our needs, the transport always turned up exactly on time, the accommodation was exactly as described and the places visited were all breathtaking in their beauty and animal and plant life. (more)
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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During our trip, our group leader and local guides take active steps to ensure our groups behave in an environmentally responsible manner, such as sticking to established trails, not leaving anything behind and not removing any plants in rural areas. They are also always eager to share information about their country and culture, and help you break down barriers in your interactions with local people.
In an effort to support conservation in Borneo, we visit the Sepilok Orang-utan Reserve and Turtle Island in the Seligan National Park where we learn about these fragile environments and their inhabitants. On the Kinabatagan River you will be welcomed into the lives and homes of local villagers for the night. The families will prepare an amazing dinner and you will have the chance to get a better insight into life in Borneo. We sponsor the placement of an English teacher in Kiau as well as supporting several other projects in the region. Travellers are encouraged to donate to any of these and at the end of our journey, any unwanted clothing, medicines and bandages will be collected for distribution to local villages. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |