Price based on tours starting:

• 27 April 2026
• 18 May 2026
• 8 June 2026
• 22 June 2026
• 31 August 2026
• 21 September 2026
• 19 October 2026

Travel Seasons for This Itinerary:

April to May:

April and May in Borneo brings warm, tropical weather, perfect for exploring its lush rainforests and vibrant wildlife. While occasional rain showers refresh the landscapes, they only add to the island’s stunning beauty, making it a great time for outdoor adventures and sightseeing.

June to August:

Borneo’s dry season offers sunny days and lower humidity, creating ideal conditions for beach escapes and marine adventures. With less rainfall, the island’s trails and national parks are easily accessible, providing excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife and exploring diverse ecosystems. This is considered the best time to travel.

September to October:

September and October in Borneo mark the transition from the dry season to the wetter months, bringing warm temperatures with occasional rain showers. This mix of sunshine and refreshing rainfall enhances the island’s lush landscapes, making it a great time for cultural experiences, river cruises, and exploring vibrant rainforests.

Price based on departing from Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Extra charges apply for:

• Brisbane ($400pp)
• Adelaide ($400pp)

Malaysia Tourism Tax

Please note: The mandatory Malaysia Tourism Tax of 10 MYR (approx. $3 AUD) per room, per night is payable locally to your hotel upon check-in and is not included in your tour price.

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card

Effective December 2023, all foreigners entering Malaysia will be required to complete the “Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)” at least 3 days prior to their arrival. This applies to all travellers, except for those transiting or transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance, Malaysian permanent residents, and Malaysian Automated Clearance System (MACS) holders. For more information regarding the MDAC, please visit https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main

Pace

The pace of this tour is medium paced. The tour covers several areas of Borneo and can involve some early starts and long travel days – see the itinerary for an indication of the distances travelled by the coach. The on-the-go nature of tours rewards you with maximum sightseeing opportunities. One to two nights at each destination is standard.

Fitness

A moderate level of fitness is required. You are required to move about unassisted, including boarding and alighting vehicles and other forms of transportation, walking up and down flights of stairs, and navigating occasional uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to carry your own baggage to and from hotels, terminals and stations.  This trip is not suitable for travellers requiring a wheelchair, walking frames, mobility scooters or facilities for disabled guests. Please note that there will be a fair amount of walking on uneven terrain on tour and some locations will have stairs. For advice on whether this trip is suitable for you, you must disclose physical ailments at the time of booking.

Transfers

Arrival and departure group tour airport transfers are included providing you are arriving on the first and last day of the tour. Transfers are not included for early arrival into Kota Kinabalu, or extending your stay in Sandakan.

Baggage

Each person is entitled to a strict maximum of one bag not exceeding 20kg on tour, superseding any other baggage allowance. You are strongly encouraged to pack lightly. A light day bag or backpack is permitted on the coach. Porterage is not included, and you are required to carry your own bag.

Refer to Important Info for further details.

Hotel names referenced are to be used as an indicative guide for the standard of accommodation to expect. Actual hotels may differ and will be confirmed on your final documentation sent no later than two weeks prior to departure.

• Kota Kinabalu: Horizon Hotel or similar
• Kinabalu Park: Zen Garden Resort or similar
• Sandakan: Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort or similar
• Sukau: Sukau Rainforest Lodge

*Please note: Non-Malaysian travellers and foreign passport holders are obligated to pay the Malaysia Tourism Tax (TTx). The TTx is collected by your hotel/lodge upon your arrival and may request to photocopy your identification documents such as your passport. Malaysian Tourism Tax is 10 MYR per night, per room. Approximately $3 AUD. This is a standard practice to ensure compliance with the Tourism Tax regulations.

A single supplement from $1,200*pp is payable in addition to the twin share price for solo occupancy. Please note that sometimes single rooms are typically smaller than twin rooms in Borneo.

Important Information 

Exclusions

Meals not stated, drinks on meals, optional tours, travel insurance (strongly recommended), visas (if required), Malaysia Tourism Tax (paid to hotels directly), tipping, personal expenses and anything not explicitly specified are at your own expense.

Payment

A first deposit from $499 per person is required to secure your booking. A second deposit (partial payment) is due 10 months before departure – the amount to be advised at the time of booking. The final balance will be due 5 months before departure. Full payment is due at the time of booking for departures within 5 months.

Fitness

A moderate level of fitness is required. You are required to move about unassisted, including boarding and alighting vehicles and other forms of transportation, walking up and down flights of stairs, and navigating occasional uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to carry your own baggage to and from hotels, terminals and stations. Airport transfer services may not arrive directly at the hotel reception and a short walk between the station and hotel may be required. This trip is not suitable for travellers requiring a wheelchair, walking frames, mobility scooters or facilities for disabled guests. Other small walking aids may be permitted if you are able to move about unassisted at the required pace. Please note that there will be a fair amount of walking on uneven terrain on tour and some locations will have stairs. For advice on whether this trip is suitable for you, you must disclose physical ailments at the time of booking.

Pace

The pace of this tour is medium paced. The tour covers several areas of Borneo and can involve some early starts and long travel days – see the itinerary for an indication of the distances travelled by the coach. The on-the-go nature of tours rewards you with maximum sightseeing opportunities. One to two nights at each destination is standard.

Triple Share

Triple share is not available.

Extra Accommodation

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation for this tour is not available.

Child

This tour is best enjoyed by adult travellers and is not suitable for children under 10 years of age. Children 10 years and above are subject to the adult price and must be accompanied by an adult.

Price

Surcharges may apply for select travel periods and departure cities. Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to availability, change, cancellation or withdrawal without notice. All prices are in Australian dollars per person twin share unless stated otherwise.

• 0-29 days before departure 100% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 30-60 days before departure 65% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 61-99 days before departure 50% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 100-180 days before departure 30% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 181+ days before departure 10% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply

Deviation

Any request to deviate from the original dates or routing, including early arrival and stay behind, is subject to a flight deviation fee from $150 per person plus applicable airfare and tax difference. Packaged tour extensions are not subject to the deviation fee (applicable airfare and tax difference may still apply) if booked according to the original advertised dates and routing.

Passport

For international travel, each customer must provide a copy of the passport photo page at the time of booking. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure all names are full names exactly matched to the passport with six months validity beyond trip completion. The customer is liable for all fees due to incorrect names, invalid passport information and expired passports.

Visa

A visa is generally not required for Australian passport holders visiting Borneo/Malaysia for the purpose of short-term tourism; however, this policy is subject to change without notice. Visa requirements for each origin and destination country are the responsibility of the customer to check and obtain (if required) with the local consulate or embassy. The customer is liable for all visa application costs and fees due to the failure to obtain the required travel documents. Please visit Smartraveller for up-to-date information:

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/malaysia

Passengers who are not Australian citizens must also check with the respective consulate or visa agency to determine what their visa requirements are and what personal identification is required.

Effective December 2023, all foreigners entering Malaysia will be required to complete the “Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)” at least 3 days prior to their arrival. This applies to all travellers, except for those transiting or transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance, Malaysian permanent residents, and Malaysian Automated Clearance System (MACS) holders. For more information regarding the MDAC, please visit https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main

Health

It is the responsibility of the customer to check and comply with the health, vaccination, COVID-19 and immigration requirements of each origin and destination country, and health requirements imposed by air, tour, cruise and accommodation providers. Vaccinations, testing and quarantine costs are the expense of the customer. Comprehensive travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage is strongly recommended. It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking on your travel. We recommend checking Smarttraveller for further advice: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/malaysia. We also recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it’s essential to check your government’s foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.

Baggage

Each person is entitled to a strict maximum of one bag not exceeding 20kg on tour, superseding any other baggage allowance. You are strongly encouraged to pack lightly. A light day bag or backpack is permitted on the coach. Porterage is not included, and you are required to carry your own bags. Luggage and personal effects are your own risk, and we hold no liability for lost or damaged belongings.

Transfers

Arrival and departure group tour airport transfers are included providing you are arriving on the first and last day of the tour. Please note on Day 10, your flight from Sandakan must depart after 2pm otherwise surcharges will apply. Transfers are not included for early arrival into Kota Kinabalu, or extending your stay in Sandakan. Airport transfers may operate at designated times and may be group or independent services using private or public transportation. A short walk to the hotel carrying your own luggage may be required from the drop-off point.

Meals

All breakfasts are buffet style and included as part of the tour. For other meals included in the itinerary, we aim to cater to a wide range of tastes, providing food that is not too spicy or unusual but still represents the delicious local cuisine. Any dietary requests should be specified at the time of booking. We endeavour to pass on your dietary requirements but cannot guarantee that they can be met as certain choices may be limited or not catered for. You are required to reconfirm dietary requests with your tour guide whilst on tour. Your patience and understanding are appreciated.

Accommodation

While you will not spend much time in the hotels, each has been carefully selected to suit the size and needs of the group. Our accommodation is generally of a quality 3 to 4-star or higher local rating. All bedding requests cannot be guaranteed however all special requests should be made known at time of booking. All rooms are lead-in category or run of house unless otherwise specified. All hotel rooms will be requested as nonsmoking. Hotel names referenced are to be used as an indicative guide for the standard of accommodation to expect. Actual hotels may differ and will be confirmed on your final documentation.

Tourism Tax

Non-Malaysian travellers and foreign passport holders are required to pay the Malaysia Tourism Tax (TTx). The TTx is collected by your hotels/lodges upon check-in and they may request to photocopy your identification documents such as your passport. Malaysian Tourism Tax is 10 MYR per night, per room. Approximately $3 AUD. This is a standard practice to ensure compliance with the Tourism Tax regulations.

Tipping

Tipping for the tour guides as well as the drivers is a customary element of the tourism and strongly recommended as a gesture of appreciation for the service provided. The suggested tipping amount is the equivalent of AUD$5 per person each day is recommended.

Wildlife

Borneo’s “Big 5” — the orangutan, pygmy elephant, proboscis monkey, rhinoceros hornbill, and crocodile — live wild in their natural habitats. Sightings cannot be guaranteed due to factors like weather and animal behavior. We appreciate your understanding that wildlife viewing is unpredictable and part of the authentic Borneo experience.

Supplier Plastic Free Commitment

Our local supplier – Borneo Eco Tours is committed to reducing single-use plastics. We encourage all guests to bring their own refillable water bottles to help us protect Borneo’s environment. The suppliers vehicles are equipped with water containers for easy refills throughout the tour. Thank you for joining us in this important effort!

Flights

The outbound flight may depart one day prior to day 1 shown on the itinerary. The inbound flight may arrive one day after the final day shown on the itinerary. Flights are booked approximately 8 to 10 months prior to departure. The flights included in your package are based on a specific predetermined airfare allowance. Should there be a significant increase in airfares, fuel levies, taxes or government fees at the time of booking flights, then an airfare supplement may be imposed. The flight team will discuss options with you prior to ticketing, should this situation arise. Flights may not operate daily or directly to your destination. No show of any flight sectors will result in the automatic cancellation of all onward flights by the airline.

Fuel

In the unlikely event of a significant increase in fuel costs levied by third-party air, land and cruise transportation operators before travel, a fuel supplement may be passed on to the customer.

Group Size

You will meet like-minded travellers on tour and may even make lifelong friends. This holiday will proceed with a minimum group size of approximately 10 passengers and a maximum group size of approximately 20 passengers. If the tour does not operate, you will be offered a credit. The operation of optional programs is subject to a minimum group size. If the minimum number for optional programs is not reached, you will be refunded.

Itinerary

The operating schedule and itinerary may be impacted without notice by adverse weather, seasonal factors, closures, local conditions, COVID-19 or other factors beyond our control including force majeure. If attractions are not available due to reasons beyond our control such as closures or adverse weather, alternatives will be provided where possible. The itinerary and its order, sightseeing and transportation may be adjusted as deemed appropriate by the operator for optimum safety, enjoyment and operation. Any reference to ‘optional’, ‘not included’ or ‘exclusions/excluded’ means at your own expense.

Breakaway

Customers must remain with the tour group at all times and must not leave the tour unless written approval is provided before departure.

Documentation

Final documentation will be emailed within two weeks of departure. For packages consisting of multiple tours or countries, documentation will be emailed individually within two weeks of departure of each respective tour.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not included and is strongly recommended. Ask our holiday experts for great coverage options.

Force Majeure

Force majeure means any natural disaster, accident, fire, act of God, act of war, terrorism, legally binding judgment, injunction, action of a court or other relevant authority, emergency, unplanned repairs, maintenance, strike, industrial dispute, work ban, blockade or picketing, travel ban, pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of infectious disease, or other event beyond our reasonable direct or indirect control. In case of force majeure or other extraordinary event that prevents safe travel, the supplier reserves the right to adjust, postpone or cancel the trip.