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Bored of simply watching wildlife on your TV? Why not take a trip to Borneo to get up close and personal with the animals yourself? This trip is the perfect introduction to Borneo for those who have never been, and even those who have experienced Borneo before will surely spot some new sights. You'll go from exploring rainforest environments and soaking in hot springs to the rush of vibrant Kota Kinabalu, staying in comfortable accommodations along the way. There's a ton to see and do on this trip, and you can look forward to finishing off your adventure with some much deserved relaxation on a tropical beach...perfection.
All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues 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. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.
Max 16, Avg 12.
Minibus/van, jeep, taxi, boat, plane, walking.
It is customary in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your CEO will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $1.5-$3.5 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $20-25 USD per person, per week can be used.
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.
You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent.
**Please note, the arrival transfer included occurs on Day 1 of the tour. If you plan to arrive prior to Day 1, you will be required to arrange pre-tour accommodation through G Adventures to be eligible for the transport from the airport. Due to customer experience and quality considerations, all services related to the tour must be continuous.
We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10-15kg/22-30lb. Hard suitcases are not recommended for G Adventures trips! Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!). You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones.
All departure taxes should be included in your international flight ticket.
All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
There may be a weight restriction for the internal flight on this tour. Each passenger is allowed to carry one checked bag with a maximum weight of 15 kg (33lbs). Additional bags or excess weight charges may apply. These charges are the responsibility of the passengers.
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Wellness Moment: Poring Hot Springs Visit, Poring Hot Springs. Arrival transfer. Wildlife excursions in Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Kinabatangang River area by boat and foot. Visit Mt Kinabalu National Park and the Poring Hot Springs. Visit an Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Participate in a beach cleanup program. Excursion to the tip of Borneo for sunset. Orientation walk in Kota Kinabalu. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.
1. CAMERA FEES
Please note there are camera fees at Sepilok (RM10)
2. ITINERARY CHANGES
The order of visiting places on this trip may change according to the availability of accommodation. This does not affect the activities included and travel times are only minimally altered.
3. LUGGAGE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
There may be a weight restriction for the internal flight on this tour. Each passenger is allowed to carry one checked bag with a maximum weight of 15 kg (33lbs). Additional bags or excess weight charges may apply. These charges are the responsibility of the passengers.
4. RAMADAN
Depending on the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between June 18th and July 17th, 2015. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan in Muslim areas, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can't at that time.
Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. Included breakfasts in some places may be asian style consisting of noodles or congee (rice porridge) or bread and eggs. Vegetarians will be able to find a range of different foods, although in some areas the choice maybe limited. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.
Health & Safety:
• Face masks (required)
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
• Quick Covid Test/Antigen Test
**Note: The standard of accommodation that we have at the Kinabatangan Jungle Camp if rustic and there is no air conditioning available. The location and hospitality however more than compensates for a bit of roughing it.
During this tour the local currency you will use is the Malaysian Ringgit. As currency exchange rates in South East Asia do fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for the most up to date daily exchange rates: www.xe.com for each of the above mentioned currencies. The best way to carry your money is in debit cards, withdrawing cash in local currencies from ATM machines. ATMs are found throughout South East Asia and will generally accept cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. It is a great idea to travel with both a Visa and Mastercard if at all possible in case of loss or problems with one card, you will have a back up. Please note, your bank will charge a fee for overseas withdrawals. USD Cash is recommended for times when ATMs are not accessible. You should bring some cash with you for emergency situations (please refer to our trip dossier) but carrying only cash is a high safety risk. ATM card/s and some cash is the ideal mix. Travellers cheques can be tricky, timely and expensive to exchange. While we do not recommend that you bring them as your primary source of funds, it is great to have one or two cheques in case of emergency. Thomas Cook or American Express travellers' cheques in US currency are the easiest to exchange. Cash advances can also be made with some banks but are time consuming and tend to have high fees attached.Credit cards can be used at some upmarket restaurants, and at some larger stores if shopping for big items. If you are bringing US Dollars, please make sure that the notes are new and in good condition. Notes older than 2003, or with any tears or blemishes may not be accepted. Be fussy with your bank when buying cash!
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
- Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak
Mount Kinabalu
- Canopy Walk
Kudat
- Kayaking
- Jungle Trekking
- Snorkelling
- Turtle Hatchery Seasonal Visit
Kota Kinabalu
- Night Market Visit
Comfort hotels (3 nts), jungle lodges (4 nts), beach resort (4 nts).
Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.
You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our CEO's are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In Asia pharmacies tend to stock the same western drugs as you get at home but they are usually produced locally so please bring the full drug name with you when trying to purchase a prescription drug. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. G Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our CEO they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.
In April of 2006 G Adventures became one of four new full members in IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators). IAATO was founded in 1991 to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic and now includes 80 members that carry about 95% of all annual tourists to Antarctica. In 1996 IAATO developed an independent Onboard Observer program to ensure that companies applying to become members meet their detailed and extensive regulations for visiting Anatarctica. This past Antarctic season G Adventures carried one such observer onboard the Explorer and we met IAATO standards. Subsequent to this, G Adventures was voted in as full member to IAATO at their 17th annual meeting.
IAATO developed a set of Guidelines for tourists to Antarctica, which were subsequently adopted by the Antarctic Treaty parties as part of their Environmental Protocol. It educates the passengers on how to approach, observe and relate to the Antarctic animals and their environment.
It is both G Adventures's and IAATO's hope that our passengers will return home with a basic understanding of the continent and will be ambassadors for the Great White Continent.
Due to its remote and isolated environment, Antarctica remains a pristine wilderness home to rare flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. As a responsible tour operator, G Adventures is committed to the conservation of Antarctica by minimizing the impact on the region's wildlife and fragile environment. We follow all internationally agreed regulations of conduct onshore, and ensure that the ship and Zodiacs are operated in an environmentally responsible manner.
When packing be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout Asia. Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means covering shoulders and no short shorts. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate. Shorts should be knee-length. Singlets and tank tops are not acceptable. One piece bathing suits are recommended and topless sun bathing is unacceptable.
Max 16, avg 12
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Your tour evaluation will be e-mailed to you 24 hours after the conclusion of your trip. If you do not receive the tour evaluation link in the days after your tour has finished, please drop us a line at customerservice@gadventures.com and we will send it on to you.
11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your group trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your CEO. If this is unsuccessful, please refer to our Emergency Contact. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please contact your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.
Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Meet the 'old man of the forest' at an Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, head into the rainforest in search of unique wildlife, explore lush jungles by boat and on foot, help protect sea turtles on a beach cleanup, sample delicious local fare and seafood
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $250 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
Arrive at any time and transfer to hotel.
Travel to Tabin Wildlife Reserve and stay in a jungle resort for 2 nights. Nestled within the rainforest beside the Lipad River, this lovely setting is home to a surprising variety of birds, insects, and small mammals.
Catch an early flight to to Lahad Datu, then continue by land and boat to our rainforest lodge in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Activities over the next 2 days include a trek to the active Lipad mud volcano, which provides a mineral salt lick for wildlife, lectures on local wildlife and ecology, a nighttime wildlife drive, a rainforest walk to visit Lipad Waterfalls, a visit to a bird watching tower, and an evening jungle walk.
Note: All activities are subject to weather conditions/departure time, and may be re-organized to best meet operational situation.
Join an early morning bird walk to discover some of the almost 300 bird species that call Tabin home. After breakfast, drive to the the bird watching tower, then trek through the lush rainforest to visit Lipad Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a refreshing shower under the waterfall.
After lunch, enjoy free time to relax or opt to try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak, made with a natural blend of herbs, to loosen tired muscles after long jungle treks. In the evening, take a dusk drive for more wildlife viewing, then go for a night walk in search of nocturnal wildlife.
Travel by bus and boat to our rustic jungle lodge. Enjoy various wildlife excursions by boat and on foot in search of proboscis monkeys, long and short tailed macaques, exotic birds, and the famed Borneo pygmy elephants. In our down time, relax at the lodge bar while enjoying jungle views.
This is Sabah's longest river and home to an incredible variety of wildlife. Stay in the jungle and observe an vast array of insects, birds, and animals in their native environments. Walk along jungle trails and travel by boat on the river to regularly see kingfishers, hornbills, macaques, and proboscis monkeys. On occasion, you may get lucky and spot elephants, wild boar, otters, orangutans, and other reclusive species.
Just behind the lodge is the main track for pygmy elephants, so we have a good chance to spot these unique creatures.
Enjoy a variety of wildlife activities on foot and by boat through the lush jungle and river.
The proboscis monkey can only be found on the island of Borneo. On our river boat excursions, we have the chance to see these elusive monkeys in their natural habitat. The male has a huge nose and oversized stomach and is often accompanied by a harem of females, drawn by his "good looks." These monkeys are energetic climbers and often leap from tree to tree. They can also dive and swim and are very entertaining to watch. We may get to see wonderful pygmy elephants in the wild during their migration, as well as other wildlife under the canopy of the rainforest.
Travel to the Poring Hot Springs for a soak and opt to traverse the canopy walkway through the lowland rainforest or visit a butterfly farm. Visit the Australian war memorial before arriving at our lodge near Mt Kinabalu.
Stay at the foot of the mountain and opt to stretch your legs by exploring the trails around the park, or check out the visitor centre. There are also some beautiful nature walks around the headquarters and at Poring Hot Springs, through lowland tropical forest on well marked trails.
Spend the morning at the national park, walking the trails and catching excellent views of Mt Kinabalu. Later, drive to Tuaran on the coast and enjoy the beach, pool, or an optional jungle walk.
In the morning, visit an orangutan rehabilitation centre to learn about and observe these beautiful creatures. Later, drive to Kudat, our home for the next 3 nights and famed for its stunning beaches and turquoise water.
Participate in a beach cleanup program organized by the Kudat Turtle Conservation Society, then enjoy a beach BBQ dinner.
Enjoy this tropical paradise with free time to snorkel, bike, kayak, trek, or visit a turtle hatchery (seasonal). In the evening, visit the tip of Borneo for spectacular sunset views and an optional dinner at a beachside restaurant.
Travel back to Kota Kinabalu and opt to visit the night market and enjoy local delicacies for a farewell dinner.
Depart at any time.
Details
Duration: 12 Days
Service Level: Upgraded
Physical Grading: 2 - Light
Trip Type: Small Group
12 day tour
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