Days 1 & 2
UK – Koto Kinabalu, Borneo

Our orangutan adventure begins with an overnight flight from London to Koto Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, on the South China Sea coast in North West Borneo. When we arrive in the morning of Day 2, our local ground handler greets us at the airport and we transfer together to our comfortable hotel in the city.

Home to sky scrapers and small seafront markets alike, Koto Kinabalu keeps up with 21st century advances, while holding on to tradition.

Once we’ve checked in to our hotel and freshened up, we meet again for a delicious welcome dinner. Fingers crossed for a clear sky, as the city is renowned for its exquisite sunsets.

Day 3
Koto Kinabalu - Tambatuon - Tanak Nabalu Homestay | approx. 4 hours 30 mins trekking

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer (approx. 2 hours) to the gorgeous village of Tambatuon, nestled in a valley in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. A world away from the busy city, the charming village is surrounded by rice paddies and fruit orchards, with a spectacular mountain backdrop and the lively Kedamaian River.

At this ideal starting point, we enjoy a welcome drink and picnic with a challenge briefing, before commencing our trek.

Together, we venture through lush nature, listening to the chatter of birds and wildlife as we go. Finally, we reach our night’s homestay and jungle camp in Tanak Nabalu. Having had the perfect introduction to life in the jungle, we settle down for dinner and a good night’s rest.

Day 4
Tanak Nabalu Homestay - Kintoki Jungle Camp | approx. 5 hours trekking

Breakfast at camp and a briefing from our fab challenge leader sets us up for an awesome day’s trekking through lush paddy fields, rubber and pineapple farms and tropical rainforest.

We tackle stretches of steep and slippery terrain, both up and down-hill; but the scenery more than makes us up for it. We drink in the sights of the massive variety of plants, including a whopping 1,000 species of orchids, the blooming rafflesia and the extraordinary carnivorous pitcher plant.

Once we reach our gorgeous jungle camp, we have some free time to explore the camp and swim in the river. We meet again for dinner around a camp fire, with the friendly locals playing jungle bamboo music. Tonight, we’ll sleep on mats in comfortable tents.

Day 5
Kintoki Jungle Camp - Nunuk Gompito Jungle Camp | approx. 5 hours trekking

Waking up to another breakfast at camp, we follow an undulating forest trail with beautiful trees towering above us, passing some boulders and a gorgeous stream along the way.

We may have a few exciting river crossings and again, our trail could be slippery, but we take our time and tackle the terrain together.

After dinner at our jungle camp, we have a cosy night’s rest in hammocks!

Day 6
Nunuk Gompito Jungle Camp – Hayo Hayo Jungle Camp | approx. 4 hours 30 mins trekking

More forest and potentially slippery trekking awaits us today, with both sunny open stretches and shady trails. Making our way further through the jungle, we can spot wild jungle fruits, strangling figs, orchids and dipterocarp trees.

Arriving at our jungle camp around mid-afternoon, we set up camp and gain more brilliant insight into the culture, as the locals teach us some survival skills!

Tonight, you also have the opportunity to take a night walk to watch out for the local wildlife, including the Bornean frog, beetles and more.
We finish the day with dinner before kipping down in our comfortable tents.

Day 7
Hayo Hayo Jungle Camp – Guas Nabalu Kiau Nuluh – Walai Tokou Homestay | approx. 4 hours 30 mins trekking

Rise and shine to our last day of trekking! This morning, we may spot giant squirrels and/or hear the local hornbill flying close to our camp, so keep your eyes peeled and ears pricked!

After breakfast and a briefing, we venture up to the stunning Nuluh Lingion View Point. As the name implies, our ascent treats us to breath-taking panoramas of the surrounding mountains and jungle.

We spend some time here to make the most of the view point, with a steaming cup of coffee, served by the locals. Then we’re back on our feet to tackle the final stretch down to our finish line at Guas Nabalu Kiau Nuluh (approx. 1,000m above sea level).

Shining with an awesome sense of achievement, we tuck into a delicious lunch prepared by the locals, before transferring to our homestay in Kundasang (approx. 50 mins/ 25km).

This evening, we celebrate having conquered our challenge with dinner at the homestay and a cultural show of traditional music and dance. Then it’s to bed for a very good night’s sleep.

Day 8
Walai Tokou Homestay – Poring Hot Springs (optional) – Kinabalu Pine Resort

After several fairly early mornings on our trekking days, we can enjoy a lie-in today, with a late check-out and a chance to enjoy the homestay and its stunning mountain panorama.

Alternatively, you can take an optional tour in the morning to the nearby Poring Hot Springs (approx. 1 hour/40km transfer) and stroll along the awesome canopy walkway, suspended between trees at a height of 40m!

The walkway gives you an enchanting bird’s eye view over the tropical rainforest – an unforgettable experience.

You can also take the chance, if time permits, to bathe in the hot sulphur pools, renowned for their therapeutic properties.

After the optional tour and lunch at camp, we’ll say goodbye to the locals and transfer (approx. 50 mins/ 31km) to a resort in Kinabal, where we stay for the night.

Day 9
Kinabalu Pine Resort – Sepilok

As if our challenge couldn't get any more exciting, today is the real highlight!

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer (approx 4 hours/218km) to Sepilok and visit the invaluable Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.

Founded in 1964, this sanctuary spans a beautiful 43 square kilometres of protected forest land, minimising deforestation and giving a safe home to not only orphaned orangutans, but a variety of rescued wildlife, such as sun bears, gibbons, Sumatran rhinos and elephants.

Along with providing medical care for the animals, the centre staff are dedicated to raising and rehabilitating the animals. Through a fantastic buddying system, the young orangutans are paired with older ones, so that their buddy can raise them as their mother would have done and teach them to live in the wild. 

Why not help protect orangutans yourself and choose the Orangutan Appeal UK as the charity you fundraise for? This charity is a partner of the Sepilok Orangutan Centre, dedicated to the rehabilitation and preservation of orangutans and the conservation of their habitat

Bidding the centre a fond farewell, we transfer to our hotel in Sepilok and end the day with a group dinner.

Days 10 -11
Sepilok – UK OR optional extension to Mabul island

Day 10 sees us transferring to Koto Kinabalu, to catch our flight back to the UK. Touching down in London on Day 11, we part ways at the airport and you make your own way home.

Alternatively, you can jump on the awesome chance to extend your stay in Malaysia and fly instead to Tawau for access to the paradise island of Mabul.

There will be an optional later flight back to the UK on Day 13 – Day 14, (following the internal flight from Mabul to the Koto Kinabulu International Airport. We can arrange for you upon request (at an additional cost) – please get in touch and let us know if you’d like to do this at least 14 weeks before the challenge.

Days 10 – 14
Optional extension and stay in Mabul (not included in challenge costs)

There is an optional extension to stay in Malaysia a little longer and experience the ridiculous beauty of Mabul Island.

If you choose to do this, Day 10 will see you transferring by air, land and boat to the island, followed by an approx. 90-minute transfer to a gorgeous resort in Semporna.

You’re then free to spend your time on the island as you wish, with opportunities to go snorkelling and spot the schools of tropical fish and even turtles, if you’re lucky!

On Day 11, you’ll enjoy a delicious farewell dinner on the island, before travelling back to a hotel in Kota Kinabalu the next day (Day 12).

You can then catch the optional later flight from Kota Kinabalu back to the UK on Day 13, arriving in London on Day 14.

The optional extension package price covers:

• Transport to and from the island
• Your international flight back to the UK on Day 13 - 14
• Accommodation on the island (2 nights) and in Kota Kinabalu (1 night)
• All meals on Days 10 and 11
• Breakfast on Days 12 and 13

If you’d like to join this optional extension, please get in touch at least 14 weeks before the challenge and we can arrange this for you.