Trek Borneo
Trek through the mountains and rainforest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. You start in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu and finish at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
Over five days of trekking you pass rice paddies, rubber and pineapple farms and tropical rainforest. The trails are steep and can be slippery, with a few river crossings. Look out for orchids, pitcher plants, hornbills and giant squirrels.
You sleep in a village homestay and three jungle camps, on mats on covered wooden platforms. Local hosts share their culture with you through bamboo music, survival skills and a night walk. In Kundasang you watch a cultural show of traditional music and dance.
The trip ends with a visit to the orangutan centre and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre. An optional extension to Mabul Island is available if you want to add beach time.
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- Trek through the mountains and rainforest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
- Start in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu
- Sleep in jungle camps and learn survival skills from local hosts
- Walk the canopy walkway at Poring Hot Springs
- Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Day 1: Arrive in Kota Kinabalu
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and make your way to your hotel. Meet your trek leader and the rest of the group.
Join the group for a welcome dinner in the evening. The city is known for its sunsets, so keep an eye on the sky.
Meals: Dinner
Stay: Citadines Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu
Day 2: Kota Kinabalu to Tanak Nabalu
After breakfast, you transfer to the village of Tambatuon in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. The village sits in a valley surrounded by rice paddies and fruit orchards.
You have a welcome drink and picnic with a trek briefing, then start walking. The trail takes you through lush forest to your homestay in Tanak Nabalu.
Drive: 2 hrs | 70km
Trek: 4.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Tanak Nabalu Homestay, Kota Belud
Day 3: Tanak Nabalu to Kintoki Jungle Camp
After a briefing, you trek through paddy fields, rubber and pineapple farms and tropical rainforest. Some stretches are steep and slippery, both uphill and downhill.
Look out for orchids, pitcher plants and, if you are lucky, a blooming rafflesia. At camp you have free time to explore and swim in the river. Dinner is around a campfire with local bamboo music. You sleep on mats on covered wooden platforms.
Trek: 5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Kintoki Jungle Camp, Kota Belud
Day 4: Kintoki to Nunuk Gompito Jungle Camp
Today you follow an undulating forest trail beneath tall trees, past boulders and a stream. You may have a few river crossings and the trail could be slippery, so you take it steadily as a group.
Dinner is at camp, followed by a night on covered wooden sleeping platforms.
Trek: 5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Nunuk Gompito Jungle Camp, Kota Belud
Day 5: Nunuk Gompito to Hayo Hayo Jungle Camp
More forest trekking today, with sunny open stretches and shady trails. Look out for wild jungle fruits, strangling figs, orchids and dipterocarp trees.
You reach camp around mid-afternoon. Local hosts teach you some jungle survival skills. After dark you can join an optional night walk to look for frogs, beetles and other wildlife.
Trek: 4.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Hayo Hayo Jungle Campsite, Kota Belud
Day 6: Hayo Hayo to Kundasang
This is your last day of trekking. Listen for hornbills and watch for giant squirrels near camp. After breakfast and a briefing, you climb to the Nuluh Lingion Viewpoint for views over the surrounding mountains and jungle. Local hosts serve coffee at the top.
You then walk down to Guas Nabalu Kiau Nuluh, at about 1,000m above sea level, where the locals prepare lunch. Afterwards you transfer to Kundasang. In the evening there is dinner and a cultural show of traditional music and dance.
Trek: 4.5 hrs
Drive: 50 mins | 25km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Perkasa Hotel, Kundasang
Day 7: Kundasang to Sandakan
Enjoy a later start after several early mornings. You transfer to Poring Hot Springs and walk the canopy walkway, suspended 40m above the forest floor. If time allows, you can bathe in the hot sulphur pools.
You stop at the Sabah Tea Garden for lunch and tea sampling, then continue to Sandakan for a group dinner.
Drive: 1 hr | 40km, then 3.5 hrs | 187km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Ormond Sandakan, Sandakan
Day 8: Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Today is the highlight of the trip. You visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, which was founded in 1964 and protects 43 square kilometres of forest. It cares for orphaned orangutans and other rescued wildlife. Feeding times are at 10am and 3pm, and your ticket is valid for the whole day.
You then visit the nearby Sun Bear Conservation Centre. After lunch you have the afternoon free. You can add an optional visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre, payable locally. In the evening you share a celebration dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Ormond Sandakan, Sandakan
Day 9: Depart
After breakfast, your trip ends. You can make your own way to the airport or start your extension.
Meals: Breakfast
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Accommodation in hotels, a village homestay and jungle camps as described in the itinerary
- Transfers as described in the itinerary
- Entry fees as described in the itinerary
- Dream Challenges leader and local guides
- Medical support during the trek
- Full support from the Dream Challenges office before and during your trip
I'm worried about signing up on my own…
Please don't be! Many participants sign up for Trek Borneo solo, and it's a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded adventurers. Once you've registered, we'll send you a link to a private Facebook group where you can connect with fellow trekkers, share training tips and swap travel plans.
You may also want to reach out in the group to find training partners in your local area.
Is there a minimum/maximum age limit?
Everyone aged 18 and over by the departure date is welcome to join this trekking adventure. If you would like someone under the age of 18 to participate, please contact us at least 17 weeks before departure to discuss options. You can reach us at 01590 646410 or bookings@dream-challenges.com.
What's included?
Your deposit secures your place on the trip and goes towards your trip cost.
Your trip cost covers:
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Accommodation in hotels, a village homestay and jungle camps
- Transfers as described in the itinerary
- Luggage transportation on every day of the trek
- A team of English speaking local trek guides and a Dream Challenges leader
- Medical support during your trek
- Full support from the Dream Challenges office in the lead-up to and during your trip
Accommodation is based on twin-sharing. If you'd prefer a room to yourself, a single supplement is available for £225. Please email bookings@dream-challenges.com at least 17 weeks before departure to arrange this.
Do I need special equipment?
Good quality hiking boots with ankle support are essential. We also recommend quick-dry clothing and warm layers for cold mornings and evenings. You'll need to bring your own water bottles or a hydration system.
What other costs will I pay?
In addition to your trip cost, you'll need to budget for:
- Your international flights
- Airport transfers
- Personal travel insurance
- Malaysia tourist visa (if required for your nationality)
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Any meals not included in the itinerary
- The optional Rainforest Discovery Centre visit
If you'd like a single supplement, please contact us at bookings@dream-challenges.com or call 01590 646410 at least 17 weeks before departure.
Where will we sleep overnight?
You'll stay in hotels in Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang and Sandakan. On the trek you stay in a village homestay and three jungle camps, where you sleep on mats on covered wooden platforms. Accommodation is based on twin-sharing, but if you'd like a private room, we can arrange a single supplement for £225. The homestay and jungle camp nights are shared, so the single supplement covers the hotel nights only.
Can I pay for a single supplement?
Yes! If you prefer your own room, you can book a single supplement for £225. Please email bookings@dream-challenges.com or call 01590 646410 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) at least 17 weeks before departure to arrange this.
Can I extend my stay at the end of the trip?
Yes. You arrange your own international flights so you can arrive in and leave Malaysia when you like. There will be an extension package available to book by 6 months before your trip start date.
What will the group size be?
The trip requires a minimum of 9 participants to run and is limited to 20 participants for an intimate and well-supported experience.
What about insurance and visas?
Travel Insurance
You must arrange personal travel insurance that covers health, accident, loss, cancellation and repatriation. We strongly recommend purchasing insurance as soon as you register to ensure coverage from the moment you book.
Dream Challenges provides details of a recommended insurance policy that covers adventure trekking and cancellation due to medically diagnosed COVID-19. You can find more information here: Dream Challenges Preparation Site (https://www.dream-challenges.com/preparation).
You are also welcome to arrange your own insurance, but it must cover trekking in Malaysia. Please check with your insurer to confirm.
Visa
It is your responsibility to obtain a tourist visa for Malaysia if required. Please apply well in advance to avoid any delays. Currently a visa is not needed for UK citizens visiting for tourism up to 90 days. You will also need to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before you travel.
How will you support me?
The Dream Challenges team will support you every step of the way, from signing up to completing the trek. Once registered, you'll receive regular email updates starting six months before departure, covering everything from the itinerary and training plans to kit lists and travel advice. For preparation tips, check out: Dream Challenges Preparation Site (https://www.dream-challenges.com/preparation).
Can you offer travel vaccination advice?
As we're not medical professionals, we can't provide direct vaccination advice. We recommend consulting your GP or a travel clinic for the latest health recommendations. For general travel health guidance, visit the NHS Fit for Travel website: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.
Choose your style
Selected: Challenger 2027
Available dates: 9th October 2027
Duration: 9 days | 5 trekking
Grade: 4 out of 5
Daily trekking: 4.5 - 5 hours per day
Total distance: 23.5 hours
Elevation gain: approx. + 2,350 m
£2,950 pp
Deposit: £295 pp