Guide

All Intrepid Family trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to assist your family to take the hassle out of your travels and help you have the best trip possible. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for fun things to do and see - for both kids and parents, recommend great local eating venues that will even get the kids trying new things, and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. Our leaders are not babysitters on this trip - we leave that to you (the experts), but they will make sure that group members of all ages are able to explore their destination safely and with as much fun as possible. Our group leaders are not responsible for looking after children at any time and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times throughout this itinerary.

Meals

9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Accommodation

GENERAL ROOMING CONFIGURATIONS: Family of two - All family groupings of two will be put into a twin room. Family of three - Wherever possible we will put you in a triple room. Please be aware that in a handful of places triple rooms are in short supply. This means that, in practice, a triple room will often simply be a twin room with a mattress on the floor or a further bed squashed in. Where it is impossible to provide a triple room, you will have to decide which of your party takes the single room. Family of four or more - You will most likely stay in two twin rooms. If and wherever possible we will aim put you in a quadruple room. Whilst we will do our very best to ensure that families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little to no control over where you will be put. You need to come prepared for this. 4-star Hotel (2 nights), Cottage (1 night), Resort (4 nights), Tented Villa (2 nights)

Transport

We believe that the vehicles you use pay an important part in your holiday so where possible we include a wide variety of vehicles from local remorks or tuk tuks in Asia to feluccas on the Nile as well as the ubiquitous air conditioned minibus. Private Minivan , Boat , Plane

Others

Complimentary Arrival Transfer Dusun Village - Guided village walk Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting Cruise Kinabatangan River - Dawn wildlife cruise Kinabatangan River - Night wildlife Spotting cruise Kinabatangan River - Elephant grass planting activity Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Dinawan Island - Marine Ecosystem Program Dinawan Island - Snorkeling Trip

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won’t be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank’s name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Kota Kinabalu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu

Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 5pm. If you arrive early, you can immerse yourself in history of this intriguing city between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea at the Sabah State Museum. You can also visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village, or perhaps explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu, excellent for swimming and snorkelling.
Day 2 Day 2: Dusun Village
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Dusun Village

Leaving Kota Kinabalu behind, head for the hills and the unspoilt wilderness of the World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park. Stop off en route at a local home in a Dusun village. The Dusun people are wonderfully welcoming, and here you’ll have the chance to learn about their culture as you sample local dishes at a home cooked lunch. If you are lucky, you may get to sample linopot, a tasty snack featuring rice tightly wrapped inside a leaf. Join a guided half day village walk that includes a visit to the local bee farm and see coffee being produced at a local factory. You’ll also meet the women from Everything Pineapple, a business that’s known for its delicious pineapple products. This NGO empowers local women to reach new heights socially and financially and has some of the best jam you’ll ever taste. In the afternoon, travel by private bus to Sabah Tea Plantation where you will spend the night in a beautiful cottage nestled among the grounds of a lush tea garden
Day 3 Day 3: Kinabatangan River
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Kinabatangan River

After breakfast, drive to Kinabatangan River in a private vehicle where you will arrive at your jungle lodge, located beside the river, ideal for taking in the lush surrounds. The Kinabatangan River is a protected forest reserve, containing some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo. In the afternoon, board a river cruise, hopefully spotting some of the more exotic local creatures. Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves, but crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutan, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and kingfishers are more easily seen. After this short adventure, return to the lodge to enjoy dinner.
Day 4 Day 4: Kinabatangan River
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Kinabatangan River

Be woken by the the call of a Bornean gibbon, or perhaps a hornbill, before a morning cruise down the river. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, Borneo gibbons, long tail macaques and pig tail macaques and see if you can spot the differences between each species. This afternoon you will make a special visit to our Intrepid Foundation partner, RESPonsible Elephant Conservation Trust (RESPECT) to learn about the important work they are doing and help plant some grass for the Borneo pygmy elephants. In the evening you get your last chance to take as many photos as you can on a final river cruise before the final night in your lovely accommodation right in the heart of the jungle.
Day 5 Day 5: Sepilok
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Sepilok

This morning, travel to Sepilok where you will spend the next two nights in a beautiful rainforest resort. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy how you would like. You may choose to take a nature walk in the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre, swim in the resort pool or visit Sandakan, once the capital of British North Borneo (additional cost for transport applies). The Sandakan War Memorial was originally a Japanese Prisoner of War Campy and also marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, of which 2,400 POWs were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo. Of this number, only 6 survived, owing to courageous escapes.
Day 6 Day 6: Sepilok
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Sepilok

Today is a highlight for many, visiting the region’s prized residents at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. In the nursery you can view young orangutans as they learn how to climb on a specially constructed jungle gym. Human contact must be kept to a minimum and it’s essential that you follow the instructions of the park, as directed by your leader, at all times. To see more of Borneo’s creatures, there’s the option to visit the newly opened Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Here rescued Sun Bears that have spent many years being mistreated and locked away in cages are cared for, with hopes of rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy by the pool or perhaps head into town for a spot of shopping.
Day 7 Day 7: Dinawan Island
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Dinawan Island

This morning head to Sandakan Airport for a short flight to Kota Kinabalu. After touching down we will take a private transfer south to the jetty before boarding a boat out to the beautiful Dinawan Island. After checking into your villa tents, you will have time to explore the island, relax or enjoy one of the many activities offered by the resort.
Day 8 Day 8: Dinawan Island
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Dinawan Island

After breakfast you and your family will learn more about the Marine Ecosystem on the island with a programme which will give you insight into the importance of the coral to marine biodiversity. First up will be an informative talk about the coral reef ecosystem and the importance of the reef to marine life. Then we swap the indoor classroom to the outdoor classroom a one hour snorkelling trip with a marine biologist. Take a boat out to the nearby house reef to have a closer look at the types of corals, the habitat, signs of damages and healings, observing and identifying marine life with your specialist. A fun way for the entire family to explore this beautiful part of the world. Heading back to shore the afternoon will be free to enjoy at your own pace. Perhaps soak up the turquoise vistas for another few hours or if you are keen you can take out kayaks (free) for some more fun on the water.
Day 9 Day 9: Kota Kinabalu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Kota Kinabalu

Hit the water again this morning with a local guide for another snorkelling trip.. Then after lunch, it’s time to say goodbye to this piece of paradise and head back to Kota Kinabalu. After checking into the hotel you will have time to relax before the option of a final group dinner to celebrate your incredible Borneo adventure.
Day 10 Day 10: Kota Kinabalu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Kota Kinabalu

Your Borneo family adventure comes to an end after breakfast today and you are free to leave anytime.

10 days tour

Borneo Family Holiday Comfort

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Borneo Family Holiday Comfort

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu

Day 2: Dusun Village

Day 3: Kinabatangan River

Day 4: Kinabatangan River

Day 5: Sepilok

Day 6: Sepilok

Day 7: Dinawan Island

Day 8: Dinawan Island

Day 9: Kota Kinabalu

Day 10: Kota Kinabalu

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