Sabah holiday, land beneath the wind
“An active adventure in Sabah, including climbing Mount Kinabalu and seeing orangutans, with accommodation in unique, close to wildlife locations.”
Highlights
Kota Kinabalu | Dusun village | homestay | climb Mount Kinabalu | Poring Hot Springs | Kinabatangan River | wildlife cruises | night walks | Sandakan | Turtle Island | Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre | optional: visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre | War Memorial | final evening free in Kota KinabaluDescription of Sabah holiday, land beneath the wind
Discover the fascinating wildlife and beautiful landscapes of Borneo on this Sabah holiday. Known as the Land Beneath the Wind, Sabah is a place of wild landscapes, hot springs, steamy jungles where orangutans live and tribal villages.This 12 day holiday introduces you to all Sabah’s highlights. Spend two days climbing Mount Kinabalu for amazing views, before unwinding in sulphurous hot springs. Visit an orangutan sanctuary and learn how these enigmatic creatures are being protected and watch sea turtles lay their eggs at night on the beaches of Turtle Island. You will also have a cruise on the Kinabatangan River, looking out for the unique wildlife that lives in the surrounding forests and meet the Dusun people, learning about their lives with a fun overnight homestay.
Travel Team
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Check dates, prices & availability
Date
Price per adult
Basis
Status
27 Jul 2019
£1780
excluding flights
Full
03 Aug 2019
£1780
excluding flights
Full
10 Aug 2019
£1620
excluding flights
Full
17 Aug 2019
£1765
excluding flights
On Request
24 Aug 2019
£1650
excluding flights
On Request
31 Aug 2019
£1750
excluding flights
4 spaces left
07 Sep 2019
£1770
excluding flights
4 spaces left
14 Sep 2019
£1685
excluding flights
9 spaces left
21 Sep 2019
£1735
excluding flights
7 spaces left
28 Sep 2019
£1770
excluding flights
4 spaces left
05 Oct 2019
£1835
excluding flights
Full
12 Oct 2019
£1720
excluding flights
8 spaces left
19 Oct 2019
£1685
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
02 Nov 2019
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
09 Nov 2019
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
16 Nov 2019
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
30 Nov 2019
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
07 Dec 2019
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
14 Dec 2019
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
21 Dec 2019
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
28 Dec 2019
£1780
excluding flights
6 spaces left
04 Jan 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
11 Jan 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
18 Jan 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
25 Jan 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
08 Feb 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
15 Feb 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
29 Feb 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
07 Mar 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
14 Mar 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
21 Mar 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
28 Mar 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
02 Apr 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
04 Apr 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
11 Apr 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
18 Apr 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
25 Apr 2020
£1745
excluding flights
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02 May 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
09 May 2020
£1675
excluding flights
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16 May 2020
£1675
excluding flights
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23 May 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
30 May 2020
£1675
excluding flights
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04 Jun 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
06 Jun 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
13 Jun 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
20 Jun 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
25 Jun 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
27 Jun 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
02 Jul 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
04 Jul 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
11 Jul 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
16 Jul 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
18 Jul 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
25 Jul 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
01 Aug 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
06 Aug 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
08 Aug 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
15 Aug 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
22 Aug 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
29 Aug 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
03 Sep 2020
£1675
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
05 Sep 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
12 Sep 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
17 Sep 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
19 Sep 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
26 Sep 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
03 Oct 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
10 Oct 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
17 Oct 2020
£1745
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
31 Oct 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
07 Nov 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
14 Nov 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
21 Nov 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
28 Nov 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
05 Dec 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
12 Dec 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
19 Dec 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
24 Dec 2020
£1805
excluding flights
Departure Guaranteed
26 Dec 2020
£1805
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Vouchers
Accepted
Holiday type
Small group adventure
What is a small group adventure?It's a great way to travel! Whether you are travelling on your own, with a partner or with friends, a small group trip is a fantastic way to see the world. You'll travel on a fixed itinerary that has been designed to help you discover the best of region. From the known highlights, the hidden gems that you won't find in the guidebooks.
Itineraries run on set departure dates, accompanied every step of the way by an English speaking local group leader. You chose the itinerary and the date that suits you best and you book on.
Why travel on a small group adventure?
Small groups allow us to explore where larger tour groups can't. Our maximum group size of 16 travellers allows us to use local transport to get from A to B, to visit rural villages, spend time with the locals and even stay at a local home overnight, and it allows us to give our travellers genuine, real life experiences of the countries we are visiting; what you'll be doing and how you'll travel depends entirely on your chosen itinerary.
Is an adventure right for me?
The word adventure means something different to everyone, and our range of trips reflects that. Whether you want to explore local markets, visit out of the way temples and meet local people or go on an early morning safari drive searching for the 'big five', we'll have a trip for you. If you are looking for a physical challenge such trekking the Kokoda Track or summiting Kilimanjaro, we can help with that too.
So what can I expect on this trip?
This is a classic style of small group adventure. You'll find your trip combines a good mix of included activities and free time, with some meals included as per your itinerary. We don't want you to feel chaperoned, it's your holiday not ours. Your group leader will be on hand to assist with organising anything you might wish to do in your free time, but how you spend it is up to you. Anything listed as included in your itinerary will be included in trip price; whereas anything listed as optional will be at an additional cost should you wish to take part.
These trips are great value, including things that you would struggle to organise independently, such as a night at a homestay in a remote village, or local guides around a remote place of interest. Transport will be a combination of private vehicle and public transport, whichever is the most appropriate for the route we are travelling; this might include train, plane, camel, tuk tuk, bicycle, boat…
On a majority of these trips you'll stay in 2-3 star accommodation, locally owned and reflective of the region you are travelling through. All solo travellers will be automatically roomed on a twin share basis with another group member of the same sex, unless you opt to pay for your own room at time of booking. There are no compulsory single supplements for solo travellers willing to share. Single rooms aren't available on camping trips, and you will be expected to help out with camp tasks such as setting up and breaking down your camp.
Can I book my flights with you?
Yes! We are a fully ATOL bonded tour operator meaning that we can book flights from the UK as part of your holiday package. Just ask us for a quote including flights when you make your enquiry.
Responsible tourism
Responsible tourism: Sabah holiday, land beneath the wind
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.
11 Reviews of Sabah holiday, land beneath the wind
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 24 Jun 2014 by Judy Saxon
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the baby turtles being released into the sea
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Dont underestimate how difficult the hike up Mt Kinabalu is. I broke my finger
falling on the way down
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, benefited local people
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Perhaps the climbing is too extreme, and the rest of the holiday not active
enough. Need more of a balance on the trekking
Reviewed on 27 Mar 2014 by Ron Price
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Scrambling to the top of Kinabalu mountain and trying to get a photo taken at the top with over 100 other people.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be aware that Mount Kinabalu is quite a tough walk (11 hours on the second day) and the ascent involves ropes. Be aware the trip to Turtle Island is on a speedboat and for us involved a very bumpy ride and getting drenched with water for most of the 1 hour journey.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I felt we covered everything on the itinerary (saw turtles laying eggs, climbed mountain etc), but most of the holiday felt like tick in a box mass tourism i.e. we we went on a jungle boat trip, but we had to compete with at least 7 other boats at the same spots, the turtle experience felt tacky (sitting in a restaurant potentially for hours until someone shouts "turtle time", comparing the hatcheling release with a grand prix race), the night jungle walk consisted of walking around in circles about 100 yards from the lodge and the mountain climb felt unsafe at times when we were competing with over 100 people for a small space at the top of the mountain.
Read the operator's response here:
We’re sorry that Mr Price felt that elements of the holiday did not meet up to his expectations. Malaysia is a destination that is growing in popularity and as such attracts many travellers to the more popular locations on the tour. This is a tour that at times strays off the beaten track, such as our homestay in Dunsun village at the base of Mt. Kinabalu but it also aims to visit the regional highlights of this amazing country.
Summiting Kinabalu for sunrise is on the wish list for many travellers to this region and while we hope that our group be will be there on a quieter day, we unfortunately have no control over visitor numbers.
The boat trip taken from your jungle lodge base is taken in anticipation of seeing some of the native wildlife in their natural habitat, and as with many wildlife spotting opportunities, this can mean that everyone out looking for wildlife congregates on the same stretches of the river and banks where the animals are known to be found. Again, if it’s a busy period, this can mean that there are other travellers in the same locations.
Ultimately this holiday does visit tourist areas and sites; however we travel throughout in a responsible manner, benefiting the economies of local communities, creating employment opportunities through our use of guides and drivers and staying in accommodation that is locally owned.
Summiting Kinabalu for sunrise is on the wish list for many travellers to this region and while we hope that our group be will be there on a quieter day, we unfortunately have no control over visitor numbers.
The boat trip taken from your jungle lodge base is taken in anticipation of seeing some of the native wildlife in their natural habitat, and as with many wildlife spotting opportunities, this can mean that everyone out looking for wildlife congregates on the same stretches of the river and banks where the animals are known to be found. Again, if it’s a busy period, this can mean that there are other travellers in the same locations.
Ultimately this holiday does visit tourist areas and sites; however we travel throughout in a responsible manner, benefiting the economies of local communities, creating employment opportunities through our use of guides and drivers and staying in accommodation that is locally owned.
Reviewed on 02 May 2013 by Penny Earle
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Climbing Mt Kinabalu. Staying in the jungle. Seeing local, unique wildlife.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It says you'll get an adventure and you do. Don't expect your home comforts here.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The homestay keeps alive local traditions and we must have given work through using local guides and facilities. I hope the visits up river and to the orangutan sanctuary helps the animals and local people enough to be sustainable and allay further development of the land for oil palm.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The holiday was absolutely fantastic. Our guide was superb, especially as he stepped in at the last minutes. Activities were full-on but worth every minute. The group was friendly and fun. My only criticism was the total lack of contact by the operator regarding major itinerary changes due to insurgency, thereby not giving time for an individual change of plan/part refund if wanted. The only time they contacted me was 3 days before, when I was already on the road and not reading my mail.
Reviewed on 29 Dec 2012 by Heidi Hosgood
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Orangutans, Turtles, Mt Kinabalu...
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go with an open mind. Take it all in... there's so much to see!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes and no... I think it benefited local people. Not sure about reducing environmental impacts... Turtle Island had a huge amount of rubbish from nearby floating villages. I know this is not from our holiday, but not sure how it is being dealt with and sure it is affecting the turtles!
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent!! Amazing experience...
Reviewed on 09 Aug 2010 by Michael Almond
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Climbing Kinabalu
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring a brolly
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Wonderful
Reviewed on 01 Jul 2010 by David Clegg
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Climbing mount Kinabalu and seeing the orangutans and turtle island plus proboscis monkeys feeding.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You need to be fit to climb mount Kinabalu. You also need to be well sprayed.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The holiday benefited the local people by putting some of the money into the community.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very enjoyable and interesting. Met the local people.
Reviewed on 24 Nov 2009 by Tez Kurwie
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Most memorable was the mountain climb, most exciting was Sepilok.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't underestimate the preparation for the mountain.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Most definitely.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent.
Reviewed on 28 Jan 2009 by Edell Morrow
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The highlight of the trip was climbing the mountain. It was a tough climb but was well worth it to see the beautiful sunrise, not to mention the spectacular scenery every step of the way. The sense of achievement on returning made the pain of it all pale to insignificance.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't expect luxury on this trip. Remember your on holiday so go with the flow, the guides are excellent and will look after everything. People in Sabah have a very laid back attitude so patience is required, especially in restaurants. Don't forget to take your sense of humour with you! If intending to climb the mountain its best to increase fitness beforehand and be realistic about your own limitations, it’s not a stroll in the park, but definitely worth an attempt.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The trip did benefit local people. This is most evident in Sandakan where it seemed like the entire community showed up at some stage to either entertain, guide or feed us! Also the homestays obviously benefit from tourists.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Overall this was a great holiday. There was a very good balance between activities and time to relax. There was endless fresh air, wildlife, scenery and fantastic people. I recommend this holiday for people who love nature and don't mind being right in the thick of it... there is a night in a hammock in the jungle after all!
Reviewed on 18 Apr 2008 by Mark Tutton
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Climbing Mount Kinabalu.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do some fitness training to make the ascent of the mountain more enjoyable and less painful. Pack light as there are laundry opportunities.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes I think local people would have benefitted but as far as minimising the impact on the environment I am not sure. That would partly depend on the attitude and knowledge of the traveller/holiday maker.
Reviewed on 08 Nov 2007 by Tanya Carey
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the Turtles laying eggs, and climbing up Mount Kinabalu.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for some tough work getting up the mountain; be prepared to be flexible, and don't expect the food to be all that great! But the experience more than makes up for the bad food!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - we used local transportation where possible, stayed in small local hotels and people's houses, and ate in small local restaurants. The downside is the long-haul flight - but obviously unavoidable.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent - we had a great leader and were lucky to share the trip with some great people.
Reviewed on 27 Jul 2006 by Lyn Crowlesmith
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Difficult to say, climbing mount Kinabalu or seeing the orang-utangs and proboscis monkeys, I think.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Rent warm clothing for Mount Kinabalu, as it all takes up a lot of luggage space. Leave the tour on the road back from Sukau (i.e. don't return to Sandakan for the flight back to KK) and go to Borneo Rainforest Lodge in the Danum Valley and experience the rainforest with your own personal guide. Go from there to Semporna and dive and see the turtles in the water. Buy the Insight Pocket Guide to Sabah.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Difficult to tell, but the guides were well aware of how fragile their environment was, and the delicate balance between tourism and conservationism.
4. Any other comments?
First of all I would like to thank "David" , who I think was French, from the operator's on-line telephone service - he was more than helpful and got us sorted our quickly and efficiently after we had been let down by Vantage Tours, an American organisation who cancelled our Borneo tour less than a month before we left.
The trip was organised via a Malaysian tour operator, part of the big Mayflower group. They were superb, we can hardly fault them. 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. Once again, both operators could not be faulted. Thanks for a great holiday!
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