Trips

Kota Kinabalu

Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1. If you arrive early, you can immerse yourself in history at the Sabah State Museum, visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village, or perhaps explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu, which are excellent for swimming and snorkelling. Notes: This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Health’ section of the trip notes for more important information on this.

Kiulu Homestay

Travel out of Kota Kinabalu by private mini van (approximately 1 hour), then enjoy a day of cycling approximately 35KM . There will be a support van that you can hop in if you get tired or need a rest. Pack a small bag for the day (which can travel in the support van), as you will leave your large luggage in the mini bus. The first 20KM is along mainly asphalt roads through villages and rubber plantations. You will cycle into nearby Tuaran town where it’s possible to visit the Chinese pagoda before cycling onwards. Most of the ride will be on backroads but there are some short distances on main roads as well. Before your lunch stop in Tamparuli town there will be 3 hills to get your blood pumping. After a local lunch you will hit the trails and go off road – there are a few hanging bridges and rough tracks that will require careful riding. Towards the end of the off road section there is one large winding hill that will prevent a challenge even to the fittest cyclist (there is no shame in pushing your bike on this stretch) Afterwards you descend to a river that you cycle alongside before arriving at your homestay. Weather dependent you can cool off in the nearby river. It can be a hot day so we recommend using sweat resistant sunblock and covering up. Tonight is your first homestay of the trip. Bedding is provided and rooms are multi-share with a shared toilet and cold-water bucket showers.

Tanak Nabalu Homestay

In the morning travel by private mini van to Tanak Nabalu Homestay, (approx 1.5 hours) Nestled amid picturesque hills in the shadow of imposing Mt Kinabalu, the the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea, this rural homestay is a great place to relax and prepare for your next 2 days of adventure.. The Dusun people, the ethnic group of our guides on Mt Kinabalu, are wonderfully warm and friendly people, and while here you'll have the opportunity to learn about their way of life and spend a night in traditional accommodation. Lunch will be provided in the family home and then you have the afternoon to do some short walks around the rural homestay. Take a refreshing dip in the river and visit 'Mini Kinabalu', a natural rock formation that locals say looks like the peak of the real thing. Late in the afternoon you can repack your bags and prepare yourself for the climb tomorrow. Accommodation here is multi-share with a shared toilet and cold water bucket showers. Bedding is provided. An optional activity tonight is a traditional cultural performance in the village.

Mt Kinabalu

Drive to the base of Mt Kinabalu and begin your climb which starts at Timpohon Gate (and takes approximately 5–7 hours). The trek passes by different vegetation zones, from oak and chestnut trees to moss covered rocks and eventually only alpine vegetation. It's an intense but scenic and rewarding trek to the Laban Rata rock slab where the lodges that accommodate climbers are situated. We will stay in the Pendant hut, which is around 100 metres away from the Laban Rata hut. We need to arrive by 3 pm for a compulsory safety briefing (otherwise you will not be able to participate in the via Ferrata). After a delicious buffet dinner at the nearby Laban Rata hut, settle in for an early night. Notes: The Mt Kinabalu via ferrata (or 'iron road' in Italian) is devised to give climbers with little or no climbing experience access to rock faces normally reached by mountaineers and rock climbers. You will need to be at least 1.3 m tall, of good fitness level (able to hike up to 3,200 metres in 6 hours) and not have a fear of heights (or are willing to conquer your fear!). National Park regulations also state that you must not be older than 70 or weigh more than 100 kg to embark on this route. Gloves are necessary for the via ferrata. Climbers are accommodated in unheated, bunk bedded dorms with sleeping bags, sleep sheets and pillows; no towels are included. As it is only a short night's sleep here, most people will sleep in the clothes they will trek in the next day – it's all part of the adventure! Bathroom facilities are shared and have cold water only.

Mt Kinabalu – Via Ferrata - Poring Hot Springs

Today it's time to summit. Wake up at around 2:30 am, in time to leave for your trek to the top. Summit Low's Peak (4,095 m) and, if it's clear, catch the gorgeous sunrise. The climb from Laban Rata to the summit takes 3–4 hours. The trail starts from directly behind the Pendant hut and is a series of man made steps and wooden steps. There is also a rope section zig-zagging around 250 metres up the steep slabs of granite. The final check point is Sayat Sayat hut, and from there it’s a steady climb towards Low's Peak. Descend from the peak and meet your via ferrata guide at Sayat Sayat Hut (3,668 m) to prepare for your via ferrata experience. You'll need to arrive back at Sayat Sayat no later than 7.15am to do the via ferrata. Here you will put on our harnesses and helmets and split into small groups (6 people maximum). This may mean you have to wait for other climbers to come back from the summit trail. Once ready, you'll descend the rope section to the starting point of the via feratta below. The via feratta is an adventurous circuit, about 390 meters long. You will be roped together for safety and you will have carabiner clips that attach to a static wire. The first part is a descent with bolted-in metal steps and hoops to aid climbers. There is an adventurous descent over a hanging ladder and a wire bridge before you ascend back to where you started. Afterwards, descend the steps back to Pendant Hut where there's time for a well-earned second breakfast. Then you'll check out and trek back down the mountain. The aim is to arrive back at Timpohon gate around 5 or 6 pm. Once everyone is down from the mountain, continue to Poring Hot Springs by bus (approximately 1 hour). Tonight you will stay at a hostel in Poring Hot Springs. Some rooms have bunk beds or multiple beds and the bathroom is shared. Rooms are fan cooled and hot water is usually available. The hostel is located right inside the springs complex itself and has a light and airy lounge room to relax in. Notes: Even if you are very fit you may find the summit climb difficult due to the altitude. It can make you feel quite nauseous and short of breath. The trail is marked by a white rope that's also useful to help you up some of the steep sections. Waterproof gloves are recommended to protect your hands from rope burn (as well as to keep them warm) and you will need a head torch as you ascend in the dark. While the via ferrata route is straightforward and suitable for beginners, it's by no means an easy feat. Our guides will be there to give you a full safety briefing and train you on the proper use of the safety devices. They will also climb with you, providing tips on negotiating difficult obstacles and pointing out spectacular sights along the way.

Poring Hot Springs

Poring Hot Springs is a great place to relax those weary limbs or to continue the adventure exploring beautiful tropical jungle. After a well-deserved sleep in, enjoy a late morning hike to Laganan Waterfall located in Poring Hot Springs Park which takes approx. 1.5 to 2 hours each way. Be rewarded with a beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail and perhaps enjoy a picnic style lunch by the river by taking a packed lunch with you on the hike. Watch out for butterflies along the way, if you take the time you just might see some. The trek can be slippery when wet so please wear shoes with a good grip. In the afternoon you will have free time to soak in the basic thermal pools or take a swim in the pool onsite. There is also an optional walkway in the tree canopy which provides magnificent views.

Kota Kinabalu

After breakfast this morning there's a little more time to spend enjoying your surroundings before driving back to Kota Kinabalu (approximately 3 hours). The evening in Kota Kinabalu is yours to spend as you please. You will stay tonight in your start-point hotel.

Sulaman Bay - Kota Kinabalu

Leave from your hotel in the morning and travel by private mini van to the countryside of Tembara in Tuaran (approx. 45 mins). Today you will kayak for approximately 3-4 hours in Sulaman Bay. Tembara is where your kayaking will begin and you will pass many places of interest. Learn about the local villages living in houses on stilts above the water, understand the importance of mangrove forests as you pass them by and learn about an important industry of fish farming in the area. Stop by a remote beach for a picnic lunch, a chance to relax and swim before kayaking back to Tembara. A support boat will be with you the whole time, should you need a break from paddling. You will then drive back to your hotel in Kota Kinabalu arriving late in the afternoon. Join your group for an optional final night dinner in town to celebrate the end of your Borneo adventure. Notes: This activity is dependent on weather conditions. If kayaking is not possible due to storms or high winds, your leader will discuss with the group what alternatives are on offer.

Kota Kinabalu

Your trip ends this morning after breakfast. There are no activities included today and you are free to depart at any time. If you are staying in Kota Kinabalu longer, then there are some additional activities that your leader can assist with booking. It’s best to pre book these activities with your leader on Day 1. There’s a scuba dive trip from Manukan Island to see the wonderful underwater world of Borneo, or an optional fun, interactive and educational visit to Mari Mari Cultural Village to see how indigenous ethnic groups of Borneo used to live. Please also remember Most Scuba Diving companies would recommend you don't fly for at least 24 hours after your last scuba dive.