Explore Borneo & Malaysia

Time to travel to Borneo & Malaysia! Let’s begin our South Eastern Asian adventure with an overnight flight to Malaysia’s bustling capital Kuala Lumpur.

This evening we will arrive in into Kuala Lumpur. Let’s meet our local expert guide who will be accompanying us throughout our journey and head to our hotel.

 You will have the remainder of the evening at leisure to settle in to your new surroundings. Kuala Lumpur is a lively city combining colourful street food stalls with giant shopping centres, and ancient temples with soaring skyscrapers. We recommend exploring the bustling Bukit Bintang area during your stay, which is filled with bars, restaurants and shops, the ideal part of town if you are interested in culture, shopping and nightlife.

3 star hotel in Kuala Lumpur (2 nights)

This morning let’s embark on a Kuala Lumpur city tour with a difference. Enjoy a cycling tour taking in the iconic highlights such as KL City Gallery, Kuala Lumpur’s downtown area, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Petaling Street. We will have the chance to sample a traditional Hainanese coffee before exploring the nooks and crannies of this bustling city by bicycle. Let’s get to grips with the fascinating sights, sounds and smells as we discover some of the hidden gems that lie within Kuala Lumpur’s labyrinth of secluded alleyways. Let’s cycle past local junk markets, interesting architecture and see how the locals go about their daily lives. Our local expert guide will show us the side of Kuala Lumpur that we do not often find in guide books, sharing with us not only the history of the area, but also a glimpse into the daily rituals and cultural insights of the area.

The total distance covered by bicycle this morning will be 10km on mostly flat terrain with some inclines. This cycling tour will be at leisurely pace with a maximum of 20 minutes cycling at a time between sightseeing stops. You should have a reasonable level of fitness for this cycling tour.

You will have the remainder of the day at leisure in Kuala Lumpur. This is the ideal time to do some independent sightseeing or shopping. Your local expert guide will be happy to suggest activities to suit your taste.

Kuala Lumpur is a foodie’s paradise, an inspiring city, which is home to some of the finest food produce in the world. Your expert guide will take you on a walking tour through the city, using public transport to get from place to place, so you can travel like a local as well as eat like one. Sample savoury and sweet delicacies at local restaurants, the Central Market, and the night market on Petaling Street, the biggest Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur. Culinary guide and food tastings included. (Please note: This excursion is subject to minimum numbers)

Today let’s leave Kuala Lumpur behind and travel north to the Cameron Highlands. En route let’s visit the famous Batu Caves, a limestone hill that has a series of caves and cave temples, and is home to the shrine of Lord Murugah, a Hindu deity. 272 steps must be climbed in order to reach the temple cave. (Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highland : 210km / 3.5 hours)

After climbing the winding mountain road from Tapah we will arrive in the Cameron Highlands. This rural region of Malaysia is named after William Cameron, a British surveyor who stumbled across the plateau in 1885 during a mapping expedition. Sitting at 1524 metres above sea level, Cameron Highlands is well known for its emerald green tea plantations.

Upon arrival to our hotel we will have the chance to sample some local afternoon tea and have the rest of the evening to settle into our hotel and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

3 star hotel in the Cameron Highlands (2 nights)

This morning let’s explore the picturesque rolling tea gardens of Cameron Highlands at Gunung Brinchang. We will drive up the highest mountain accessible by road in South East Asia, which on a clear day will give stunning views over the magnificent area below. Following a “tea-talk”, while enjoying breathtaking view of a tea planation, let’s continue on a guided walk through the Mossy Forest. Let’s discover the exotic flora, such as the pitcher plant and orchids, as well as spices and medicinal plants, as we walk along an elevated platform and experience nature from upon high. (Approximate duration 45 minutes / 2km)

In the afternoon we will have a guided tour of the BOH Tea Factory. BOH is a Malaysian owned tea business that has been in operation for over 80 years. Let’s start with a tea bush walk at the planation before learning from the tea experts how tea is made during a tour of the factory. The visit will end with time to sample some of the teas as well as local snacks at the cafe.

In the afternoon let’s continue exploring more of Cameron Highlands with visits to the local vegetable, fruit and flower markets. Our local guide will also take us to the Butterfly & Insect Farm, which is designed to teach visitors about the dynamic balance among the biodiversity of flora in the Malaysia. We will also visit a local Strawberry Farm, the Sam Poh Buddhist Temple and the Time Tunnel mini museum, a collection of memorabilia from Cameron Highlands. We will then return to our hotel in the early evening where you will have the remainder of the day at leisure to relax after our busy day of sightseeing.

Let’s discover more of Malaysia as we travel to the island of Penang. Our journey will take us down the winding road roads to  Simpang Pulai, before continuing the journey up north to the state of Perak. We will then cross the famous Penang Bridge, measuring 13.5 kilometres, before arriving into Penang Island in the early afternoon. (Driving time approx. 4 hours// 250km)

Penang Island is a location that offers historic charm and a kaleidoscope of cultures. At the heart of Penang Island is the diverse UNESCO Heritage Site of George Town, a colourful urban centre with a strong street art scene. Beyond George Town there is a mix of past and present, with British colonial buildings, Chinese shop houses as well as impressive mosques and towering skyscrapers. You will have the remainder of the evening at leisure to settle in to your new surroundings. Our local expert guide will be happy to suggest nearby local restaurants so you can sample some Malaysian cuisine in your free time.

3 star hotel in Penang (2 nights)

This morning let’s experience a world of Asian flavours with a culinary walking tour of Penang. Let's immerse ourselves in local life by visiting local coffee shops, spice markets and food vendors as we explore historical streets with preserved heritage buildings and hidden back lanes. Listen as our foodie guide describes Penang’s diverse street food culture along the way. Of course, we will have the opportunity to taste various delicacies such as assam laksa (rice noodles in sour fish soup), char kuey teow (fried flat rice noodles) and murtabak (bread with meat fillings) in one of Penang’s oldest Indian Muslim restaurants.

After a tour of Pinang Peranakan Mansion and its collection of Chinese antiquities, let’s discover more with a trishaw tour through the streets of Georgetown. The trishaw, a light three-wheeled vehicle with pedals, is the city’s oldest mode of transportation and there is no better way to get to know this charming, colourful UNESCO World Heritage Site

On our tour let’s visit the much talked about Street of Harmony, where centres of worship for the four main religions fall on the same street,  St. George’s Church, Goddess of Mercy Temple (Kuan Yin Temple), Sri Maha Mariamman Temple and Kapitan Keling Mosque. We will also stop at the Khoo Kongsi – a large Chinese clanhouse with elaborate and highly ornamented architecture, and the Clan Jetty, where houses are built on stilts and still inhabited by locals to this day.

You will have the remainder of the day free to continue exploring Penang Island independently. You may shop, sightsee or sample local cuisine at your leisure. The choice is all yours. Your local expert guide will be on hand to make suggestions to suit your taste.

Let’s discover more of Penang on this optional tour to Penang Hill, admiring the panoramic views over George Town and the Mainland.

First let’s climb the hill by the Funicular Train dating from the colonial days of Penang. Next let’s visit the Habitat Penang Hill. This world class rainforest discovery centre sits on the fringes of a rainforest reserve and consists of a 1.6km nature trail that was built by the British East India Company in the early 1800s. Apart from the myriad of flora and fauna to discover along the trail, we can enjoy its breath-taking views of Penang and its surrounding areas atop the  13-meter high Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk, the highest public viewing point on the island (800m above sea level). Finally we have some time for tea at a colonial style teahouse (at own expense) before taking the funicular back down the hill again and returning to our hotel.

Early this morning it will be time to say goodbye to mainland Malaysia as we take a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, on what is sure to be a highlight of our holiday, the island of Borneo, a rugged island in Southeast Asia’s Malay Archipelago. It is well known for its beaches, its ancient biodiverse rainforest, and its native orangutans.

Our first destination will be the city of Kota Kinabalu. The capital of Malaysia’s Sabah state, Kota Kinabalu located in the northern part of the island of Borneo. A coastal city partly surrounded by rainforest, Kota Kinabalu is well known for its bustling markets, modern boardwalk, beaches and waterfront area. It is a melting pot of cultures and while the city has moved in to the 21st century, the old-world charm is still very much alive here.

This afternoon after some free time for lunch, let’s visit the Mari-Mari Cultural Village, with the aim of getting a unique insight into the cultural diversity and soul of Sabah. The journey from the city to this village will take us along roads that are surrounded by rich greenery. Upon arrival at the village, we will be greeted by the Chief of the village who will lead us across a suspension bridge towards the homes of the villagers. Let’s enjoy a tour of the various homes, which represent the different ethnicities of Sabah, and were built by descendants of these Sabah tribes. Giving the feeling of stepping back in time, let’s learn how each tribe lived in the olden days. Learn about blow piping, traditional tobacco cutting, starting a fire from bamboo trees and the symbolism of tattoos within the tribe. We will have the chance to witness the locals as they prepare Jala, a traditional Sabah cake, and Pandan juice for us to try as well as some cultural performances and learn more about the fascinating culture of this area.

3 star hotel in Kota Kinabalu (1 nights)

Let’s continue our adventure in Borneo as we head to Kota Kinabalu airport for our internal flight to Sandakan.

Upon arrival in Sandakan we will travel to our lodge accommodation and will have the remainder of the day at leisure to unpack and unwind. Located at one of the oldest tropical forest in the world, this lodge is a perfect base for outdoor enthusiasts. During your free time you may independently explore the lodge’s boardwalk nature trail or simply relax and soak up the calming atmosphere in the heart of nature.

Lodge in Sandakan (1 night)

This morning let’s learn more about Borneo’s most famous resident, the orangutan, during a wildlife excursion to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. The Centre was founded in 1964 to rehabilitate orphan orangutans. Located on protected land at the edge of Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve, it is home to over 60 orangutans. Stroll along the walkways and watch from the platform as the Rehabilitation Centre’s staff feed the orangutans. Afterwards let’s visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, a wildlife conservation and research centre for improving animal welfare and rehabilitation of the Malayan sun bear. Next up is a 1 hour boat cruise up to the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary, passing through magnificent Mangrove forests.

Let’s enjoy lunch at a jungle restaurant before continuing to our lodge accommodation. We will have some free time to settle in before a late afternoon wildlife cruise. Head out in search of proboscis monkeys, birds and other animals, before returning to the jetty to sample a cup of coffee over sunset. Afterwards cruise back to our lodge in time for dinner. After dinner we will experience the jungle by night during a guided walk along the nature boardwalk trail. Keep our eyes peeled for birds, snakes, insects and other wildlife!

Lodge in Abai (1 night)

Early this morning, let’s take a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River towards Pitas Oxbow Lake. This is the perfect time of the day to observe local wildlife, which can include proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and crocodiles, as they come out from their night time hideaways in search of food and water. Afterwards, we will return to our lodge for breakfast.

After breakfast let’s visit a local village to get an insight in to daily life in Borneo. Listen as our guide tells us about a local community initiative, the Tree Planting Project, which was designed to help the people of Abai Village. 

After checking into our lodge and some lunch let’s head out in search of more wildlife especially the wild orangutan, birds, pygmy elephants among others before returning to our lodge for our last night in Borneo.

Lodge in Kinabatangan (1 night)

This morning you will have a boat transfer from your lodge, travelling along the Kinabatangan River, back towards Sandakan. You will have some free time for lunch before continuing the journey to the airport for your flight to Kuala Lumpur and then onwards overnight flight home.

Arrive home to Dublin following your once in a lifetime adventure to Borneo & Malaysia