please visit the Intrepid Group website -. Hop aboard an adventure tour through the wilds of Borneo's Sarawak region. With most of coastal Borneo falling under the rule of the Javanese Majapahit kingdom in the 14th century, the Sultanate of Brunei extended its rule in the north from the 15th to 17th century. After breakfast youll head upriver to the village where you take a walk around the village to learn more about the life of the local people. WEATHER: Borneo is a tropical country so rain can be excepted at any time. Palm oil plantations have spread rapidly throughout Borneo in the last ten years, mainly due to the decline in the rubber industry. Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more. Borneo has a tropical climate and the temperature tends to stay between 27 and 32 degrees Celsius over the course of the year. Embark on a magical journey to explore the natural wonders of. You will notice the strong Cantonese influence, seen in the lively harbourside market, the many Chinese temples and the local cuisine. Please keep this in mind while traveling. Who is the Guide on an Intrepid Borneo Trip? FOOD: Borneos food is known for being fairly mild, with high reliance on fresh fruit and vegetables. Borneo Family Adventure. Enjoy what you went to see. You will travel through Beringgis Beach Resort, Sepilok, Sandakan and 4 other destinations in Malaysia. We couldnt speak more highly of our guide and the itinerary which made for a fantastic trip. Spend one more night in your lovely accommodation right in the heart of the jungle. Day 9 After dinner we head out on a night walk. Youll also meet the women from Everything Pineapple, a business that's known for its delicious pineapple products. Located within the Kinabalu National Park, these steaming hot pools of water provide a relaxing place to unwind after trekking Mount Kinabalu. When traveling with us in Borneo you may find yourself staying in a: See what Borneo hospitality is all about by sharing a home-cooked meal with a local family. From sipping drinks on the rooftop of a royal haveli in India to taking part in a For a lot of travellers to Malaysia, Mt Kinabalu is the whole reason they visit: From rum tasting in Cuba to spotting orangutans in Borneo, here's your guide to Big birthdays deserve BIG celebrations Sizzling street food. 811 were here. Please check on your own to make sure of the current requirements for entry. Day 1 With all of the essentials included, and plenty of free time to explore at your own pace, you and your family will fall in love with the unique animals, lush ecosystem and sandy islands of Borneo. Also included is a new nursery where you can view young orangutans as they learn how to climb on a specially constructed jungle gym. This afternoon, youll head out on a sunset cruise up the river in search of wildlife, including macaques, wild orangutan and proboscis monkeys. Along the way you'll make friends, try some delicious cuisine and forge some incredible memories. Walk the trails and spot exotic birdlife, interesting plants, flying squirrels, vocal frogs and active gibbons. Stretch your legs and take in the mountain views on any of the numerous walking trails. Travel by private bus to Batu Puteh, a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River (approximately 5 hours). Everywhere you look, this island is brimming with unforgettable memories. Travel to Borneo on an 9-day family adventure and discover the curious wildlife and spectacular landscapes of the region. If you arrive with significant time before the welcome meeting, you can immerse yourself in history at the Sabah State Museum or explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu which are excellent for swimming or snorkelling. Take a guided walk through the lush lower trails of Kinabalu National Park and witness Mt Kinabalu in all its glory at dawn. Book your Borneo Family tour with Intrepid now! Bid farewell to your patch of paradise and head back to Kota Kinabalu. The only dud on the itinerary in my opinion was the visit to Poring Hot Springs. We required resilience but learnt a whole new culture and plenty of new skills. https://www.intrepidgroup.travel/contact-us, Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Museum entrance fee - MYR15, Kota Kinabalu - Mari Mari Cultural Village (Entrance) - MYR100, Mt Kinabalu National Park - Botanical Gardens, Kinabatangan Eco Camp or similar (1 night), Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise, Sepilok - Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sepilok - Sun Bear Conservation Centre - MYR50, Turtle Island - Turtle Night Nesting viewing, Turtle Island - Turtle Nest Adoption Program - MYR150. 10 Days From $3,190 Journey through Borneo on a wild 10-day adventure from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan,. See comparisons of similar tour, adventure trip, and river cruise itineraries. The days were full, but not overwhelming. While the tour wasnt exactly as I would have planned it on my own, it offered all the things I love most about travel nature, adventure and culture. So access to restaurants are limited. Be prepared for an adventure! 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. This trip covers a lot of distance, so be prepared for some long drives of up to 5 hours. The rest of the day is free for you to soak up the island life. Company : Intrepid Travel Countries: Borneo / Malaysia Duration: 1 week to 2 weeks Approx Costs: 1000 to 1000 Pound (UK) Travel to Borneo on a Family Adventure tour through the highlights of this incredible region. Welcome to Malaysia. Consider bringing a portable small neck fan with you to keep you and your family cool. Don't forget to bring enough insect repellent. 12 Reviews. More recently, the Sultanate of Brunei became an independent nation (in 1984). Well thought out trip with brilliant tour guide varied accommodation and wonderful new experiences that young and old can enjoy. Head to the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching for the liveliest celebrations, where parades and other festivities begin a week before the main event on May 31. Human contact must be kept to a minimum and its essential that you follow the instructions of the park, as directed by your leader, but you are free to snap plenty of photographs. Our leader made things so easy and a lot of fun and his knowledge and passion for his country added so much to our trip. Excess luggage will incur extra fees. Kinabatangan - Cooking class There are currently no scheduled departures on our Borneo Family Holiday Comfort trip. The wet period in Borneo runs from November to February. View Trip Borneo Family Holiday 9 Days From $2,105 Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves, but crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutan, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and kingfishers are more easily seen. Today is an exciting day and a favourite with the kids here come the orangutans! keep your eyes open all the time as the wildlife could be right under your nose. What to Pack for an Intrepid Borneo Holiday? First up will be an informative talk about the coral reef ecosystem and the importance of the reef to marine life. "Borneo Family Holiday" is a small group trip which includes accommodation in hotels, transport, meals and others. You will be in awe as they leapt from incredible heights to lower branches. Borneo Family Holiday; Details; Multi-Day Tour Borneo Family Holiday (11 days) Intrepid Travel. They use local transport, sleep in local accommodation . The single supplement excludes Days 02 (Sabah Tea Garden) , Days 3 & 4 (Jungle Camp) and Day 7 (Turtle Island) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. 100% YES! Where should you do your stopover? This NGO empowers local women to reach new heights socially and financially and has some of the best jam youll ever taste. In general however, my must-have items for a trip to Asia in any season include light breathable clothes for the heat and humidity, light layers for cool nights, rain gear, and good water shoes that can be used on the beach and jungle hikes. We visited in April and the weather was hot and dry. DISCOUNT: A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel. Brilliant but eco camp takes a little resilience. Arrive in the afternoon meet your hosts and learn a little more about KOPELs work, before jumping in a boat and heading upriver to your accommodation in the jungle (approximately 30 minutes). Its a 45-minute drive by minibus to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Consider turning your flight change destination into a proper 2-day stopover. Experience the unforgettable Borneo Family Holiday Comfort in to , and work with a Virtuoso travel Advisor to receive exclusive perks. During the war, many British and Australian prisoners of war were sent to Borneo, with the most notorious spots being Sandakan where thousands of Allied soldiers perished due to disease, malnutrition and exhaustion. We also loved our tour group and made friends we hope to have for a long time. Sarawak boasts a population of talented wood carvers -wooden bowls, charms, masks and figurines are all wonderful souvenir choices. For information on careers, PR, marketing or responsible business There is also a boat ride to the jungle eco camp as well as one flight (with a 15kg bag weight requirement). No vaccines are required in order to enter Borneo but some are recommended for protection against disease. Day 2 Keep in mind that the luggage allowance for this flight is only 15 kg, and any excess baggage may incur a further charge. In the evening, take the opportunity to relax, enjoy a drink and look back on the weeks adventures with your family and fellow travellers for your final night. So access to restaurants are limited. Borneo is a tropical country so rain can be excepted at any time. Sitting 13,435 feetabove sea level, Sabah's Mount Kinabalu is the third highest mountain in South-East Asia and a popular trekking spot for active travelers looking for a challenge. Learn how orphaned orangutans are rehabilitated back into the wild, swim among colourful fish, watch baby green turtles take wobbly steps towards the waterfront and relax on sandy beaches. See tropical fish swimming through colorful reefs, learn to scuba dive, laze on the uncrowded beaches or grab a kayak and go exploring this slice of tropical beauty. The cuisine is a mix of Thai, Malay and Indian. Dinawan Island - Day trip A fun way for the entire family to explore this beautiful part of the world. Hit the water again this morning with another snorkelling trip with a local snorkelling guide. The springs are man-made and not all that inspiring, although we did enjoy walking around the grounds and the few hanging bridges. Your Borneo family adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. The centre was set up to help re-introduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been orphaned. We endeavour to provide travelers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and . Poring Hot Springs Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Bottle of beer = USD 3 Rainfall tends to be in short, heavy bursts followed by sunshine. In Borneo this was just the same as I experienced in China all those years ago. Wherever possible, you'll make stops in interesting locations to break up the trip. To see more of Borneos creatures, theres the option to visit the newly opened Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Borneo Family Adventure was a FANTASTIC and AMAZING experience - we had the most wonderful time and it totally exceeded all our expectations. Its also easy to combine family travel in Borneo with a very different type of holiday a stay in colourful and chaotic Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore for example giving you a chance to experience city and jungle in the same trip. ARRIVAL TRANSFER: A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. Intrepid has come a long way since then, now giving over 100,000 travelers a year the opportunity to experience small group travel . The afternoon is free to relax, enjoy some boardgames or keep spotting wildlife, before heading back on the boat for another trip on the river. The start of our trip was a little rocky as this was Nostslyas first family tour and it took a minute for her to adjust to the differences between families and the 20 somethings she was used to, but ultimately we had an amazing trip and it was in part thanks to her great guidance. Internet is easy to access in large cities and tourist areas, though it can be quite slow. OUR HOTELS: HOTEL LOCATIONS: Many hotels outside of the big cities of Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan have been built so travellers can enjoy the countryside, forest/mountain views, where people can wake up to nature sounds not cars. The climb, while strenuous, is filled with beautiful flora, interesting animals and beautiful vistas - making this majestic mountain a true natural highlight of Borneo. We aim to inspire families to explore where and when they can even if its in their own city! The latter two may be a little more basic than our standard hotels. After breakfast, head out to Dinawan Island. Having survived WWII bombings, KK (as it's commonly known) has a charm unique to the frontier town. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Expect Dayak drums, Malay songs, Chinese dragon dances and lots of mouth-watering cultural eats. Stay overnight among the birds and beasts of the jungle, right next to an oxbow lake, at Kinabatangan Eco Camp. Check the ages of other children on the trip as there is a host of different experiences between 5 year old boys and 14 year old girls. Best suited for kids up to approx 14 years. Staying in a longhouse, the traditional dwellings of many ethnic groups in Borneo, is an immersive and fascinating experience. Classic Borneo, a 10 days tour from Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu National Park, Kundasang and 4 destinations. Crawl Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Traveling with Intrepid is a little bit different. Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and, if you're lucky, watch baby orangutans learn to swing in a special enclosure. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel. Meet the patients at the centre which rehabilitate injured and orphaned orangutans before returning them to the forest. If You EnjoyedThis Post, Sign Up To Receive Posts By Email or, I was excited to learn more about Intrepids mission and your blog gave me such a beautiful insight for it. Check the Essential Trip Information section of the itinerary for more information. Learn how orphaned orangutans are rehabilitated back into the wild, swim among colourful fish, watch baby green turtles take wobbly steps towards the waterfront and relax on sandy beaches. After breakfast youll head upriver to the village where you take a walk around the village to learn more about the life of the local people. This was our first Intrepid trip, made with our daughters 9. Peregrine Adventures is coming to the end of its journey. The South-East Asian island of Borneo sits just south of the South China Sea, with the Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, Makassar Strait, Java Sea and Karimata Strait also surrounding the island. Kites of all shapes, colors and sizes fill the sky for stunning displays and kite flying competitions. Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. My insurance is not valid, so I always purchase coverage throughWorld Nomads. 10 Style Comfort From 2000 USD Go to dates Add to wishlist Home Asia Malaysia Borneo Family Holiday Comfort Hang out with orangutans and snorkel in pristine waters on this unforgettable family escape Pack up the troupe and head into Borneo's lush jungles on a family adventure. The island is split in three with Indonesia taking a large portion of the southern half of the country, Malaysia controlling the top half with a small bit for the the country of Brunei. please visit the Intrepid Group website -. Spice market tours. Not visiting this World Heritage-listed area would mean missing out on canopy walks and treks that reveal exotic creatures, spectacular caves and stunning limestone karst formations. The downside for us tourists is that they don't necessarily come out to be watched when it suits us. The afternoon is free to relax, enjoy some boardgames or keep spotting some wildlife. The Maliau basin is possibly one of Sabahs best-kept secrets. Witness the island researchers release protected hatchlings and guide them in their frantic dash to the ocean. The kids ages ranged from 7-12 years old. Kota Kinabalu Langkah Syabas Each September, the seaside town of Bintulu shows us how cool kites can be. Re: Joseph Skovron, 1894-1937, Poland>Buffalo,NY (Correction) Judy Ponichtera 5/21/02. **Save up to 20% on Intrepid Family Adventures** From Bali to Borneo, Scotland to Sri Lanka, discover the world with Intrepid and enjoy great savings when you book now for 2022. Having survived WWII bombings, KK (as its commonly known) has a charm unique to the frontier town. The island is surrounded by reefs and sandbanks, and has pristine beaches, crystal clear water and unexplored forests to discover. Most visitors from the US, Canada, Europe and Australia do not need visas in advance. Hang out with orangutans and snorkel in pristine waters on this unforgettable family escape. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below. We loved it. 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. I took a tour with Intrepid to China in 2001 and have gushed about the experience ever since, so I was excited to give it a go again with my son in tow. This Adventure tour through Malaysia will truly capture your imagination. It now takes families to the Chinese village of Sandakan, Turtle Island and to a beach resort outside of Kota Kinabalu where guests will take a day trip to an island off the shore for snorkeling. They take care of all the logistics of the trip, offering suggestions on places to eat and optional activities in each destination. Home to such rare species as the Asian elephant, the proboscis monkey and the Sumatran rhinoceros, a visit to the jungle here will guarantee some wildlife viewing thrills. What Will You Do on This Borneo Family Holiday? Then we swap the indoor classroom to the outdoor classroom aone hour snorkelling trip with a marine biologist. Keep in mind that the luggage allowance for this flight is only 15 kg, and any excess baggage may incur a further charge. On this tour we had two families with only one parent and one family with both parents. Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more. The Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and British were soon to follow. KOPEL are responsible for a reforestation project in which the community are actively involved in growing seedlings and replanting back degraded forested areas. From here, head to Kinabatangan River in a private mini van (approximately 5 hours). Youll find ATMs in Borneos large cities and urban areas, though they are less easy to find in rural and remote parts. Since Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei all have claim to Borneo, different parts of the island celebrate different public holidays. Over the span of 11 days, we visited quite a few destinations on this Borneo family holiday tour. The 'wet season' runs from November through to February but it does rain throughout the year, although our itineraries are rarely affected. This isn't a trip about engaging with the local people so much so don't count on gaining a great cultural understanding. Sandakan Intrepid Travel ist stolzes Mitglied der Intrepid Group, dem weltweit fhrenden Anbieter fr nachhaltige Reiseerlebnisse. On most Intrepid Family tours, there is plenty of time for families to relax poolside or choose activities of their own interest, however this trip is pretty packed most days. Your hosts for the night are the local community-run conservation organization KOPEL whose aim is to provide villagers with the means of making a sustainable living from the forest. Kinabatangan River This was super fun for the kids and for us grownups to have some quiet time! Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is an intriguing city located between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. If you ask my son, his highlight was the jungle lodge with no electricity and the longhouse where we had shared bathrooms. Today is an exciting day and a favourite with the kids here come the orangutans! So you want to visit Malaysia? Witness the island researchers release protected hatchlings and guide them in their frantic dash to the ocean. Last chance to save up to 30% off 2022 trips! Japan took control of Borneo during World War II, resulting in a high number of deaths for the local population. Discover Borneo on a wild family adventure. Learn about a bygone era with an eye-opening visit to a Dusun village and wander through vast tea plantationsin Ranau. Rather the itinerary was filled with plenty of opportunities for the kids to explore, get energy out and experience Borneo. Arrive at your jungle lodge, located beside the river, which is ideal for taking in the lush surrounds. Intrepid was born. West Seneca is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. ), Orchid Conservation Centre atPoring Hot Springs. Travel Bloggers Influencer Network #TBIN, Know Before You Go on an Intrepid Borneo Family Holiday.