Sabah holiday, land beneath the wind
| country: | Malaysia, Borneo |
| location: | Sabah & Sarawak |
| trip type: | High altitude, strenuous trekking holidays |
| departures: | Departs most Saturdays and Mondays throughout the year |
| price: | From £985 (13 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
check out similar holiday ideas...
introduction to Sabah holiday, land beneath the wind
Explore a mystical land of headhunters and rare wildlife on our journey into Sabah. With its collection of exotic animals, ancient traditions, hot springs, tribal villages, loveable orangutans and incredible views, Sabah has something for everyone. Experience the very best of this part of Borneo - climbing Mt Kinabalu, watching elusive sea turtles lay their eggs, sharing laughs with local village hosts - every minute of this incredible adventure will stay with you for life.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Kota Kinabalu. Experience the frontier charm of Kota Kinabalu, a city sandwiched between Palm Oil plantations and the sultry South China Sea. |
| Day 2: | Dusun Village. Learn about the spiritual and social ties that the locals have with the imposing Mt Kinabalu at a village homestay. |
| Days 3-4: | Mt Kinabalu. Fuelled by fresh mountain air and stunning views, scale the slopes of Mt Kinabalu. It's a challenging climb but take time and enjoy the region's remarkable array of flora and fauna. |
| Days 5-6: | Poring Hot Springs. Wake early to catch sunrise at the summit - the final ascent is tough, but the view from the top is awe-inspiring. Scramble down to Poring for a well deserved soak in hot springs. |
| Days 7-8: | Kinabatangan Jungle Camp/Homestay. Enter the steamy rainforest of Kinabatangan and see how the locals contribute to its conservation. Spend a night in the jungle amid hornbills, macaques and proboscis monkeys. Also stay in a traditional Malay village to get a privileged view of their 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 touched by the sight of giant green turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. |
| Day 11: | Sepilok Orangutan Reserve. The soulful eyes of Borneo's 'wild men' will melt hearts on a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. |
| Days 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. |
traveller reviews for Sabah holiday, land beneath the wind
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.
award winner
This tourism business won an Award in our 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society. The central tenet of the Awards, in which winners are nominated by tourists, is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people.
how this holiday makes a difference
|
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. |
check out similar holiday ideas...