Sabah Overland

📍 Kota Kinabalu Airport to Kota Kinabalu Hotel (9KM): 20 mins Tour duration: Approx. 4hrs

Upon arrival at the airport in Kota Kinabalu, meet with the guide and driver and receive a private transfer to the hotel for check in.

Today’s tour starts at 16:15. Meet the guide at the hotel and discover Kota Kinabalu’s rich history while strolling along its streets tasting delicious local food.

Kota Kinabalu, formerly known as Jesselton, is the capital city of Sabah. Strategically situated in the Northwest Coast of Borneo Island, this city has one of the most amazing views. With the South China Sea and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on one side, and set against the backdrop of Mount Kinabalu, this beautiful ‘Nature Resort City’ stretches for miles along the coast.

Your walk starts at Gaya Street, known as Bond Street during the British colonial era, and established in 1902 it was considered the heart of Jesselton. All the major business activities were conducted there. As you stroll down the street observe the generations-old family businesses that are still thriving.

Pause for a few minutes at some traditional coffee shops. One of the oldest coffee shops in Kota Kinabalu established in 1896. This coffee shop is popular for its satay. Enjoy a Roti Kahwin or Roti kosong and taste a beef or chicken satay, or another traditional kopi shop famous for its delicious pineapple buns, also known as Polo Buns, and a cup of kopi, this ship is well frequented by locals. 

We also recommend having a refreshing pandan coconut drink, it contains pandan leaf aroma and the smooth sweeten milky taste of its juice. 
Continue your walk towards the seaside. Stop to taste the challenging ‘kings of fruits’ the durian, depending on the season, there are dozens of durian stalls. In case the fruit is not available, taste a treat of chocolate durian.

Having satisfied the taste buds, pass by the Filipino Market, a wet market in which you can find exotic fruits and open fish restaurants and walk down to the waterfront bar area and enjoy the best sunset views the city Kota Kinabalu has to offer, with a cocktail in hand. After sunset and a drink, walk a short distance to taste the delicious butter prawns, a local favorite.  
Return to your hotel.

Note: this tour has been designed following our SOP post-Covid advice. Our guests' wellbeing is our main focus. This food tour does not include the popular Filipino Market, a wet market in which you can find exotic fruits and open fish restaurants on the seaside. In future, it might be considered to include it in this experience. 

Overnight Kota Kinabalu 
 

Inclusions:

📍 Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Kinabalu Park (90km): 2.5 hours Kinabalu Park to Poring (38km): 1hour

07:00 Today head out to the cooler climates of Kinabalu Park, home to between 5000-6000 species of plants and 430 different birds and mammals. An hour in the drive stops at a small Dusun town of Tamparuli for a short walk across a hanging bridge to the local square where you can pick up a quick snack. Continue a further hour up the mountain road to Mount Kinabalu National Park. Take a walk in the Botanical Gardens and learn about the vast array of flora found in this lush park. Admire views of Mt Kinabalu, Southeast Asia’s highest peak before lunch in the park.

After lunch, drive to Poring Hot Springs and take a walk around this beautiful compound which takes its name from the giant bamboo that surrounds it. See Japanese-style outdoor hot tubs which are filled from natural hot springs believed to possess therapeutic effects. 

Continue to the nearby Kipungit Waterfall to admire this spectacular natural wonder. Alternatively, opt for a trek to the canopy walk, a suspension bridge that soars 40-metres above the forest floor. For thrill seekers, this swaying, man-made bridge is an ideal place to enjoy views of the rainforest, tree canopies and distant rolling hills.

Overnight in Poring Hot Springs

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Poring Hot Springs to Sabah Tea Factory(20km) 35 mins Sabah Tea to Sepilok (188km) 3 hours Sepilok to Labuk Bay (22km): 30mins

08:00 After breakfast, a short 30 min drive to Sabah Tea to take a fascinating guided tour of the tea factory and learn how raw tea leaves are processed and packed for export. (Please note the Tea Factory is closed on Sundays& Public Holidays). 

Depart for a 3.5-hour drive to Sepilok to arrive early afternoon.

Check in at the hotel.

Today’s tour starts at 15:45. Meet your guide and drive and transfer to the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. This is one of the best places to encounter Borneo’s unique and endemic monkey species. Also known by locals as the Orang Belanda, this monkey hilariously was nicknamed Belanda after the Dutch colonisers at the time, who were said to bear an uncanny resemblance with their large noses and red cheeks. It primarily eats fruit and leaves, and lives in groups of up to 19 individuals. 

As you wait at the feeding platform you have the opportunity to see a number of other species that come in to see what food has been offered to them that day. Amongst which you’ll likely see squirrels, silver leaf monkeys, and oriental pied hornbills. Note that the feeding time is at 16:30, so it is important to start the tour on time.

Having spotted enough bizarre and interesting creatures, return to the hotel in Sepilok.

Overnight in Sepilok

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Standard & Superior Option: Sepilok to Sukau by land (110km)2.5hrs (join in basis) Deluxe Option: Sandakan Yacht club Jetty to Sukau Rainforest lodge by boat: 2 hours (join in basis) Cruise time: PM 16:00 (join in basis) Cruise duration will depend on wildlife spotting: approx. 2 hours

Today’s tour starts at 08:30. Have your luggage ready for the vehicle and depart for the Sun Bear Conservation Centre nearby. This centre aims to increase awareness of this endearing, but little-known bear species – named after the crescent shaped patch of fur on their chests that resembles the rising sun. From here walk to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in time for the morning feeding session at 10:00. 

Note: Sun Bear & Orangutan activities are on a join in basis.

Depart to Sukau by land transfer (standard & superior option) or by boat (deluxe option). Join in basis.

On arrival take a river cruise using an electric motor in search of wildlife and birds. 

Overnight at Sukau

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Distances and journey time Cruise times: AM – 06:30, PM – 16:00. (Join in Basis) Cruise duration will depend on wildlife spotting: approx. 2 hours

Rise early in the morning at 06:30 along with the birds and other animals of the jungle for an unforgettable river cruise to Kelenanap Oxbow Lake, a crescent shaped lake that formed when the river’s meander became so wide that it cut itself off. The stillness of the lake and relative protection provides a haven for animals and plants making for an ecosystem that’s completely distinct from that of the active river.

Return to the resort for breakfast and spend the rest of the day at leisure before heading out in the late afternoon to watch the river activities of many primate species that become active during this time. The afternoon is a particularly advantageous time to spot wildlife and the light is perfect for photography.

Overnight at Sukau

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Sukau to Sandakan land (Join in Basis): (110km) 2hrs Kota Kinabalu to Jesselton / Sutera Jetty: (8km) 20min Boat from Jesselton Pier to Gaya Island: 20 minutes Boat from Sutera Harbour Pier to Manukan Island: 20 minutes

After breakfast, return to Sandakan by land (standard & superior option) or boat (deluxe option). After lunch we will proceed to airport for the 1430hrs flight to Kota Kinabalu 

Recommended Flight Schedule: AK6495 SDK BKI 15:00 15:50

On arrival transfer to the jetty to leave to Manukan (Standard option) or Gaya Island (Superior & Deluxe Option)

Leave by boat to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park. Enjoy the tropical ambience of one of Sabah’s most idyllic islands. Covered in tropical forest, enjoy its hiking trails, marine life, crystal blue waters and the sound of nature. 
 
PLEASE NOTE: Onward flights to be booked from 1400hrs onwards

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Day at leisure to enjoy the beach, swim in the clear blue waters. Take a snorkel and enjoy the marine life or simply relax by the pool. 

Overnight at Manukan or Gaya Island

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Boat from Gaya Island to Jesselton Pier: 20 minutes Boat from Manukan Island to Jesselton Pier: 20 minutes Transfer from Jesselton / Sutera Pier to Kota Kinabalu Airport (10km) 20minutes

Check out and depart Gaya Island for a 20-minute boat transfer back to Kota Kinabalu.

Please Note: Departures earlier than 0900 will need Private Boat transfers

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast