Borneo Expedition: Maliau Basin - Sabah's Lost World Trek
TMXS
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu
First Class
8 days
15+ Years Old
12 people
5 - Challenging
Dates & Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Offers | Brochure Land Price | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Apr 19, 2025 | Saturday, Apr 26, 2025 | $1,634 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
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Deep in the heart of Borneo's Sabah lies a land so wild, rugged and isolated that its beauty has been seen by few people. Welcome to the glorious Maliau Basin, a circle of lush forest and waterways rimmed on all sides by steep cliffs and embankments. Our 8-day trekking expedition takes you into this protected, restricted-access area to discover wild orchids and cascading waterfalls set in forest so green it seems to glow. With a homestay in a historic village and a well-earned night in a hotel bookending a three-and-a-half-day trek, this trip is for people seeking active adventure, natural splendour and a personal challenge.
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Day 1
Kota KinabaluSelamat Datang! Welcome to Borneo, Malaysia. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening. If you arrive early, you can immerse yourself in the history of this intriguing city between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea at the Sabah State Museum.
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Day 2
TambunanYou'll wake with excitement for your first full day of Intrepid adventure today. And, if it's the right time of season, we'll kick things off with a walk near the Tambunan Rafflesia Centre in search of the famous Rafflesia Flower, the largest flower in the world, with a local guide leading the way. Then, we'll bid farewell to the modernity of Kota Kinabalu and make your way to tonight’s homestay, located in the district of Tambunan. You'll arrive in Sunsuron Village and meet your Dusun hosts. While the government counts the Dusun people as part of the larger Kadazandusun indigenous group, they have a culture distinct from the Kadazan people. In the afternoon, you'll join a walking tour of the village and explore a local bamboo house and skull house. After some time discovering the sights here, you'll get a chance to cool off with a refreshing dip in a local river. This evening, feast on delicious home cooked treats.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 3
Tambunan - Maliau Basin Conservation AreaAfter breakfast this morning, depart for the Maliau Basin Conservation Area by private vehicle. Today's journey is on the longer side, so it’s a good idea to have a book, podcast, or some questions ready for your leader about the history of the area to pass the time. Arrive in the basin in the late afternoon and settle in at the Study Centre, a research base where you will spend tonight in dormitory-style accommodation. Later head to the Maliau Observation Tower. From here you’ll enjoy panoramic views over the area you’ll spend the next several days exploring.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 4
Sabah's Lost World trekAfter breakfast, make the drive to the starting point for your trek in Agathis camp and then listen to a briefing from a local trekking guide or ranger before starting the hike to Nepenthes Camp. Your trekking adventure begins with the most difficult portion, a seven-and-a-half-kilometre hike, uphill to the rim of the basin (elevation 1300 metres). Depending on the conditions, the time spent hiking today will be around 6 hours. You'll hike over dense detritus while surrounded by towering trees, looking out for the incredible insects, flowers and mammal species that live among them. Today you'll encounter your first set of metal ladders, there will be quite a few of these over the next couple of days. These are not for the novice trekker, you will need to have an adventurous spirit. These ladders are fixed to the ground, rock or tree trunks which help you to climb the steep terrain. Some ladders along the trail can be almost at a 90 degree angle. There are also fallen tree trunks used to cross the rivers. But don't worry, while the going will be tough, you’ll be rewarded by the immense beauty of the environment. If time permits, it may be possible to stop at terraced Giluk Falls or cascading Takob Akob Falls. You'll arrive at Nepenthes Camp in the late afternoon or early evening.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 5
Sabah's Lost World trekToday you’ll get the chance to check out not one, not two but three stunning waterfalls. And what's best is you’ll hike your way to each one, making the cascading reward at the end even more worth it. After about 2 hours of trekking you’ll reach the first falls, Takob-Akob Falls, which plunge 38 metres into the rainforest below. Next up, hit the trail towards Fowzi Waterfall where you’ll sit down for a picnic lunch and enjoy the views. Finally, you’ll discover Giluk Waterfall, with an easy trek to finish the day. This evening you’ll head back to your camp at Nepenthes Camp to relax and rest your weary legs before another big day on the trails tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 6
Sabah's Lost World trekToday’s trek is to Maliau Waterfall, continuing to Ginseng Camp in the evening. This 10-kilometre hike follows a relatively gentle trail to the seven-tiered falls. Listen out for the calls of Borneo gibbons, which are plentiful in the area (though hard to spot). Depending on recent rainfall, you may hear the thunder of the falls before you see them. The highest tier is 28-meters-tall, with each section set a fair distance forward from the last, making this a captivating sight.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 7
Sabah's Lost World trek - Kota KInabaluSet off in the morning and begin the final leg of the nine-kilometre trek to Agathis Camp (approximately 5—6 hours). Arrive at the camp hut at around 1 pm. Make the return drive by private vehicle to Kota Kinabalu and arrive at the hotel by 7 pm. Treat yourself to a shower, then choose whether to join your group for an optional final dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 8
Kota KInabaluYour adventure comes to an end after breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
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- Tambunan - Tambunan Rafflesia Center
- Tambunan - Kampung Sunsuron village tour
- Maliau Basin - Maliau Rim Observation Tower
- Maliau Basin - Stargazing activity
- Maliau Basin - Takob Akob Falls, Fowzi Falls & Giluk Falls trek
- Maliau Basin - Trek to Maliau Falls & Ginseng Camp
- Maliau Basin - Stargazing activity
- Maliau Basin - Trek from Ginseng Station to Agathis Camp
Meals
7 Breakfast(s) Included
5 Lunch(es) Included
5 Dinner(s) Included
Style: Original
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Questions & Answers Ask A Question
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Everything was wonderful but the Itinerary spelled out we would be staying in Refugio Domo Francis and Refugio Torre Central, but we ended up staying in the tents. We did not hear that until the night of the tour meeting. That is a mis-representation of the accommodations and cost. I understand why they might not have been available because those accommodations are limited, but you should put in the itinerary that the tour most likely stays in tents (with a photo). The itinerary also does not say that the dinner at the Camping Francis will be a box dinner sitting on the floor. The experience was wonderful but you should not promise a refugio if it is not available. The Camping at Francis was wonderful.
Intrepid is awesome. Our guide was superb. Everything went smoothly!
Our tour guide was wonderful. She was knowledgeable, fun, energetic, and made our week run very smoothly. The trip itself was fantastic! We saw a lot and the islands are absolutely beautiful. Great food, great new friends made on the tour, and would absolutely book with Intrepid again.
Intrepid tour is great company. Will use this company again.
The trip was both both educational and exciting. I very much enjoyed the sights and culture.
The itinerary was just as I expected! The guide was very good as were the accomodations
Intrepid did such a great job. I never had to worry about where I was supposed to be and it felt so good not to worry about a thing but just to enjoy myself. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about culture and history.
Taiwan people very friendly. Accommodation were centrally located and easily accessible. Did extra activities then in brochure which was greatly.
Larus our tour guide did an excellent job and was very attentive to our needs. He is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor.
Our guide Tarang chandola was exceptional. Courteous, knowledgeable, organized, polite, professional and went above and beyond taking care of our needs and requests offen anticipating what that might be. He made sure we all had the best possible time and offered suggestions to meet the needs of everyone on the tour. This made the trip even more enjoyable.
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Operator: G AdventuresStarts
Kota KinabaluEnds
Kota KinabaluDays
8From
$1311.75 -
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