30 Days Malaysia and Borneo Expedition.

Meet at Masjid Jamek Exit Face KK Store and embark on a half-day heritage trail through Kuala Lumpur's rich history, encompassing diverse landmarks. Begin at Medan Pasar, the old market, marvelling at the sole remaining three-story colonial shophouse.

 Take a brief walk to Central Market, also known as Pasar Seni, a modern market under British city planning. Explore Sze Ya Temple, a hidden heritage spot, and proceed to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, passing a heritage school on the way to the sky train station. Enjoy stunning city views during a short skytrain journey to Brickfields, once a brick manufacturing hub, now renowned as Little India. Stroll through Little India's main street and the surrounding district, stopping at the Buddhist Maha Vihara, a vital temple. Conclude the trail with a visit to a pay-as-you-wish restaurant for delightful vegetarian cuisine (the restaurant does not open on Monday).

Accommodation: The Chow Kit - The Den King, or something similar.

Meet at the Pasar Seni LRT Entrance and embark on an unforgettable gastronomic journey exploring Kuala Lumpur's morning culinary delights. Begin at Pasar Seni LRT Station, delving into Chinese meals and snacks and discovering Michelin-rated dishes in old neighbourhoods. Walk through history at Guan Di Temple, then dive into Chinatown for authentic street food. Taste century-old Chinese pastries and explore fine teas at an antique shop. Conclude with Bak Kut Teh, savouring Chinese herbal soup and succulent pork ribs.

End the tour in Bukit Bintang's lively shopping district.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Begin the enriching journey to Malacca from Kuala Lumpur, a two-hour drive that transports you to a city steeped in history and culture. Arriving around 10am, our first destination is the civic area, where remnants of the oldest Western Settlement in East Asia await exploration—A Famosa and the evocative St. Paul Church. Dutch Square beckons next, its colonial architecture adorned in vibrant hues, leading to the 300-year-old Dutch Church. Crossing the river, we stroll through the street of harmony, encountering cultural landmarks such as Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Kampung Kling Mosque, and Arulmiku Poyyatha Vinayaga Moorthy Temple, each offering a glimpse into Malaysia's diverse heritage.

A delightful Peranakan lunch awaits, showcasing the rich flavours of Malacca's cuisine. Post-lunch, a 40-minute river cruise unveils scenic vistas of bridges, shophouses, and perhaps even the occasional monitor lizard. Exploration continues with a visit to Kampung Morten, home to Villa Sentosa—a living-history museum encapsulating early 20th-century Malay life. Before departure, a stop at Malacca's oldest bar adds a final touch of authenticity to our journey. Returning to Kuala Lumpur by 4pm.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Depart at 8 a.m. and take a short interpretative trek to top of the hill. Along the journey, observe the fragile and precious exotic plants such as moss, ferns, and pitcher plants before being rewarded by beautiful panorama view at the hill top. A short drive down from the mountain will bring you to the Sungai Palas ‘BOH’ Tea Plantation. In this scenic spot, guide will explain the tea-making process on the spot.

* Entrance fees MYR 30 per adult are not included

Accommodation: Strawberry Park Resort - Studio Room, or something similar.

Meals: Breakfast

Take a 4-hour private transfer from Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands. Greet by the friendly host and his family and enjoy a short walk around the village. At night, attend the traditional Malay dining ceremony by wearing the beautiful batik sarong.

Accommodation: Sukasuka Lake Retreat - Village House, or something similar.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy your free & easy time around the village. You may rent a kayak to see the sunrise in the middle of the lake. Later, the driver will send you to Penang.

Penang has become Southeast Asia's unofficial street art capital, as evident in this half-day tour. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown, awarded in 2008, showcases a vibrant fusion of East and West. Led by a locally born guide, the walking tour highlights the city's impressive diversity and creativity.

Witness colourful murals, like 'Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur' and 'Children on a Bicycle', along with masterpieces like 'This Old Man'. Comfortable shoes are a must for exploring these iconic works. After the artistic exploration, unwind at a traditional Chinese coffee shop with mouthwatering local fare like Char Koay Teow, Lor Bak, and Penang Laksa, then coffee and dessert.

Accommodation: The George Deluxe Room, or something similar.

Take a 2 1/2-hour flight from Penang to Kuching. Hotel transfers are included in Penang and Kuching. Please be ready 2 hours before the flight time.

(I dont think this flight is included in the price, so not sure how this works exactly) 

Accommodation: Riverside Majestic Astana Wing - Superior Room, or something similar.

Depart Kuching on a 2-hour drive for a day visit to Mongkos Longhouse. Upon reaching Serian, the nearest town there, we visit its farmer’s market. We continue our journey and upon arrival, we proceed with a tour of the longhouse. Learn about the old history of the village. Walk around and enjoy its surroundings and daily routine. Afterwards, enjoy a locally prepared lunch at the village’s homestay cafe . After lunch, we depart for Kuching.

Accommodation: Riverside Majestic Astana Wing - Superior Room, or something similar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Feel free to explore the city on your own.

Accommodation: Riverside Majestic Astana Wing - Superior Room, or something similar.

At 1500 hours, meet your guide at the hotel lobby before we start the gastronomical tour. The food trip tour highlights some local dishes and what locals in Kuching enjoy during the morning, afternoon or at night.

Depart from your hotel and start your street food adventure to Lau Ya Keng at Carpenter Street for Sarawak Laksa with ice-cold drinks. Across the food court, a humble hawker stall sells the traditional Lek Tau Suang, a porridge-like dessert that is good to reduce body heat. Walking down the lane towards Black Bean Coffee. This small cafe´ offers aromatic Sarawak Gourmet Coffee, blended from fresh coffee beans.

Your journey continues towards the Waterfront, where you will catch a sampan, also known as Penambang, to cross the Sarawak River. This northern part of the city is inhabited by mostly Malay kampongs and unique to their identity, the famous Sarawak Layer Cake or Kek Lapis, can be easily found here, fresh out of the oven. Continue the food adventure to a local coffee shop that has multiple stalls operating and each offers its own specialty, such as Kolo Mee, Tomato Kueh Tiaw (stir-fried noodle with port & vegetables in a special tomato soup originating from Kuching), & Cha Kueh.

Take a 10-minute drive to the next stop for Bintawa Kueh Chap. This tasty broth with generous filling of pork meat and organs is always a favourite among Kuchingites (non-halal). Return to the city centre and make the final stop for a sweet dessert, the Gula Apong Ice Cream. Enjoy the fresh, cold ice cream with palm sugar, which will wrap the whole food journey.

(This is an optional tour that i think we should add in at an extra cost of  100 usd per person.)

Accommodation: Riverside Majestic Astana Wing - Superior Room, or something similar.

After breakfast transfer by longboat, proceed to Batu Bungan-Penan Settlement, to observe the tribe lifestyle and to select handicrafts on display for sale at Penan Settlement. Continue your journey by longboat to Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave. Picnic lunch at Clearwater summer huts, and later on, you can enjoy swimming at Clearwater spring. Late afternoons, return back to your accommodation & overnight.

Accommodation: Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa, Deluxe Room, or something similar.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Have a leisurely breakfast and be free at your own leisure until transfer to Mulu Airport for flight departure.

Accommodation: Horizon Hotel Superior Room, or something similar.

The day begins with a morning pickup from the hotel lobby for a 1.15-hour drive to Kiulu Countryside, from the hustle and bustle of the city to the small villages with quaint huts along the roadside and street markets selling local produce, which is a source of income to compliment the livelihood of the villagers here.

Upon arrival, attend a safety briefing on dos and don'ts, and you will be assigned to your bicycles. Start this exciting leisure activity by cycling through the village terrain, which is a mixture of gravel roads and hilly slopes. Balance yourself by crossing as many as four hanging bridges along the journey. The break-stop point is at Native Dusun House in Tombung Village, where you will be met by your friendly host and relax with light refreshments. While here, visit the surrounding farms, experience rubber tapping, and learn the process involved. The journey continues through villages, street markets selling local produce, and ends at the riverside of the Kiulu River, where lunch is served. After lunch, relax, cool off, and refresh in the clear, flowing river until your transfer back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Horizon Hotel - Superior Room, or something similar.

You are free to explore the city on your own 

Accommodation: Horizon Hotel Superior Room, or something similar.

A 2-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu will lead you to the hidden village on the hillside of Mount Kinabalu. One of the ancient villages that still worships the Mountain God has been around for hundreds of years. Upon arrival, our friendly host will guide you for a walk around the village. Get to taste some of the authentic but simple food inside the villager’s house. Later, a walk to pineapple factory. The factory is a local setup to give out working opportunity to the locals. In the late afternoon, a guided walk was taken to the pineapple farm and to the border of the village to search for herbs. Enjoy tasteful dinner from the host while watching the traditional dance from the locals (min. 3 people to start the dancing session).

Accommodation: Kiau - Homestay With Breakfast * Twin sharing is not available

After breakfast, get a walk to the primary school in the village to see the student life and learn how to play the “gong,"  the traditional instrument in Sabah. Later, the host will drop you off at the junction for the tour. Embark on a scenic 2-hour drive to Kinabalu Park, passing through charming villages and picturesque paddy fields. Stop at Nabalu Market to browse local produce and handicrafts. Explore the Botanical Garden and catch a glimpse of Mount Kinabalu. Enjoy lunch before visiting the healing Poring Hot Spring and experiencing the thrilling Canopy Walkway. Return to Kota Kinabalu after approximately 3 hours. Note that Poring Hot Spring can be crowded on weekends and public holidays.

Additional charges apply for the Japanese bathtub.

Accommodation: Sabah Tea Resort, Cottage Room, or something similar.

Meals: Breakfast

Wake up in the scenic tea highlands. Make a land transfer from Sabah Tea to Sandakan.

Accommodation: Sabah Hotel, Deluxe Room, or something similar.

Pickup is at 9am. At 10:00 AM, the boat departs for Turtle Island. It takes about an hour to reach Selingan Island, which lies 40 kilometres north of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea off Sabah's east coast. Selingan Island is the main nesting area for the green turtles. A day of relaxation for you to swim or snorkel at the island. After dinner, prepare to wait for the Park Ranger to inform us of the sighting of a turtle laying eggs. Learn about the conservation of these turtles; witness the collection of eggs from the nesting site; plant them in the hatchery; and see baby turtles scrambling to the open sea upon being released on the shore. Overnight stay at the island chalet, room with attached bathroom.

Accommodation: Selingan Island Chalet - Standard Room, or something similar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner

After leaving the island, we’ll head straight to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. There, you’ll get to learn about the rehabilitation effort done at the centre through a short video screening. Make your way to the feeding platform to witness the feeding of orangutans and other monkeys around. You can also spend time observing the cheeky little younglings in an enclosed nursery area. After lunch, embark on a 2-hour speedboat journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

Right after checking in, we’ll go on board for a late afternoon cruise in search of Borneo’s wildlife and birds. After a delectable dinner at Melapi restaurant, head back to the lodge for a slide presentation and interpretation by a naturalist guide.

Accommodation: Sukau Rainforest Lodge - Superior Room, or something similar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner

Rise and shine for the morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap Oxbow Lake to view more birds and wildlife. After breakfast, join in the nature walk along the lodge’s Hornbill Boardwalk with the in-house naturalist. After lunch, it will be free at leisure. In the afternoon, proceed for another river cruise to check off your wildlife sightings.

Accommodation: Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Superior Room, or something similar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner

Take an early morning river cruise along the Menanggol River in search of wildlife. In the late afternoon, proceed on a 27-kilometre overland journey to the vicinity of Gomantong Cave. Traverse to the Gomantong Caves on a 15 minute boardwalk trail through the rainforest, and we might be able to sight the “Man of the Jungle”! Witness the exodus of over two million bats as well as raptors. Return to Sukau Rainforest Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Superior Room, or something similar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner

Leaving Kinabatangan and being transferred by road to Tabin Wildlife Reserve (1:30PM). Check into an attractive timber lodge at Tabin Wildlife Resort, which comes complete with private balcony, air conditioner, ceiling fan and hot water shower, a welcome luxury in the forest. Nestled within the rainforest beside the Lipad river, this lovely setting is home to a surprising variety of birds, insects and small mammals, even right beside the buildings of the resort.

Discover the rich variety of jungle herbs, some endemic, used for generations by local folks for the treatment of various ailments. Visit the Trogon Hall gallery for information about the conservation of Tabin Wildlife Reserve and a briefing on birds, insects, and animals that are found in this area. (For guests, check in before 11:00 ). In the afternoon, visit the active Lipad mud volcano, which provides a mineral salt lick for wildlife. After trekking through the rainforest for 20 minutes, arrive at the elevated, bare area of the mud volcano, which is frequented by wildlife and birds. Try to identify the multitude of animal footprints here. The adventurous can try the effects of the volcanic mud, which is said to be responsible for a fine complexion. Trek back to the resort along the elephant trail. After dinner, enjoy a CD or slide presentation on Tabin’s natural wonders, followed by a night safari to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds. Remember to look up at the clear, dark sky of Tabin, identify the constellations above you, and make a wish or two.

Accommodation: Tabin Wildlife Resort - Chalet, or something similar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner

Join the early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of more than 300 species of birds. After breakfast, a drive to the core area for animal spotting and a photo session before trekking through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a natural and refreshing shower under the waterfall. Alternatively, explore the surrounding vegetation or just relax. In the afternoon, try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of herbs, to relax tired muscles after long jungle treks. In the evening, take a dusk drive to look out for more nocturnal wildlife & birds coming out to look for food during this time of the day. After dinner, go for a night walk along the trail nearby the resort in search of sleeping birds, frog and nocturnal wildlife.

Accommodation: Tabin Wildlife Resort - Chalet, or something similar.

Say goodbye to this tropical country. Please wait at the hotel at least 3 hours prior to the departure flight time.

Meals: Breakfast