Highlights
- Visit to Sandakan War Memorial
- Visit to Labuk Bay Proboscis Sanctuary
- Visit to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
- Rainforest Walk for up close & personal orang utan viewing
- Visit to the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre
- City tour of Kota Kinabalu including visit to City Mosque and Puh Toh Tze Buddhist Temple
- 3 night leisure stay at beautiful Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort
- Mt Kinabalu National Park Day Tour
- Visit to Pekan Nabalu Markets
- Visit to the Natural History Gallery and Mountain Garden at Kinabalu Park
- 3 night leisure stay on Gaya Island
- Friends for Company!
Inclusions
Personally escorted from Australia – Your tour hostess is on hand to assist with making your holiday a memorable one
Return economy class airfares from Melbourne to Sandakan via Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu to Melbourne via Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines
Economy class airfare from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu with Malaysia Airlines
Meals as per itinerary
Accommodation, transfers and touring as per itinerary
Sightseeing as specified
All Entrance fees
Local English-speaking guides
Gaya Island Conservation Fee
Return scheduled boat transfer from Jesselton Wharf to Gaya Island Resort
Willing to share option (subject to availability)
Pre Departure Meet & Greet subject to minimum numbers
Notice
A minimum level of fitness is required to be able to participate. As a minimum you will need to be able to walk 2km on uneven ground, carry your own luggage and walk up a few flights of stairs.
Note on Camera Use at Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre:
Any camera with zoom lens from 100 to 400mm, video camera or other video recording equipment for personal use is chargeable at RM10.00 per unit.
Any camera (fixed-lens - 400mm and above) or any film-making equipment is chargeable at RM1,000.00 per unit.
Mode of payment is cash only.
Please be advised Shangri La Rasa Ria twin rooms have hollywood twins (so quite close together) however beds are made up separately
Gaya Island is located in a steep hilly area with no cart access to villas. For twin share travellers, please be advised that on Gaya Island they have hollywood twins and there is no real separation of the bathroom
In accordance with the Malaysian Tourism Tax Act 2017, with effect from 1st of September, 2017, all foreign guests will be charged a flat rate of RM10 per room per night for all Tourism Tax registered hotel classification in Malaysia. This has been implemented by the Malaysian Government and this amount will be collected directly from guest upon check-in or check-out.
View Intinerary Map - https://hayleymorris.travelmap.net/borneo
Itinerary
Day 1 - Monday 7 October 2024
Melbourne - Borneo (In flight meals, D)
Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel!
Join your Sisterhood Womens Travel tour hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Airport at the designated time for our flight to Sandakan via Kuala Lumpur.
Our flight departs late night so sit back relax and enjoy the inflight service of Malaysia Airlines as we begin our adventure.
Upon arrival into Sandakan you will be met and proceed to the Sandakan War Memorial; created to commemorate the World War II events that took place in Sandakan and North Borneo. Thereafter transfer to the hotel.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Sandakan is a busy commercial centre at the entrance to a beautiful, island-studded bay. Most activity centres on the docks and wharves that sprawl along the waterfront. Barges, ferries and motorboats of every description buzz around, unloading fish and other produce and taking away rattan, timber, rubber, copra, palm oil and bird’s nests. West of town, passenger ferries shuttle back and forth to Zamboanga in the Philippines. In the bay, container vessels ride at anchor awaiting their turn to unload. Sandakan has character and even a certain downmarket charm, though once the shop shutters come down at night the centre can feel disconcertingly deserted. The real attractions lie outside town, but there’s excellent seafood to enjoy and beautiful views from the hills at sunset.
Accommodation: Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort, Deluxe Room, Sandakan
Day 2 - Tuesday 8 October 2024
Sandakan (B,L,D)
This morning we will be collected from the resort for an early visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre. Take a bird’s view of the centre from the canopy walk and hanging bridge and explore the botanical garden, home to various species of flora. Later, proceed to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Proceed to watch a video show about the plight of the Orang Utans and the rehabilitation efforts ongoing at the Centre. Walk ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orang utans at 1000hrs, and then continue to the newly completed enclosed nursery area for young Orang Uans. Next we visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about the conservation of the world’s smallest bear. Return to the hotel for lunch and free time to enjoy the hotel facilities.
Note on Camera Use at Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre:
Any camera with zoom lens from 100 to 400mm, video camera or other video recording equipment for personal use is chargeable at RM10.00 per unit. Any camera (fixed-lens - 400mm and above) or any film-making equipment is chargeable at RM1,000.00 per unit. Mode of payment is cash only.
Accommodation: Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort, Deluxe Room, Sandakan
Day 3 - Wednesday 9 October 2024
Sandakan (B, L, D)
This morning after breakfast we will drive to Labuk Bay Proboscis Sanctuary. Walk to witness the feeding of the entertaining Proboscis Monkeys and silver leaf langurs at the sanctuary. Later continue on to one of the major town markets, see the locals trading a wide array of food items such as fish, snacks, fruits, and other consumer products. Next, we will visit the Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple which is located on the hilltop and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Sandakan Bay. Proceed to visit the St. Michael's and All Angels Church for a brief history of one the oldest buildings in Sandakan. The next stop will be the historical Agnes Keith House, formerly home to the famous American author who penned the book ‘Land below the Wind’. Explore Sim Sim Water Village, a unique floating village with houses built on stilts. This afternoon there is some free and leisure time around Sandakan town before returning to the resort.
Day 4 - Thursday 10 October 2024
Sandakan - Kota Kinabalu (B)
Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for the onward flight.
Upon arrival into Kota Kinabalu you will be transferred to our hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure.
Set amidst a nature reserve overlooking the South China Sea, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa features relaxing stays in elegantly furnished guest rooms. It boasts an outdoor swimming pool, a golf course and 9 dining options.
Offering a vast selection of international cuisines, such as Japanese, Italian, Malaysian and Asian favourites at the award-winning restaurants, this resort also offers a beachside bar and a music lounge for a relaxing drink.
Guests can approach the 24-hour front desk for tour arrangements and outdoor activities, such as horse riding and jungle trekking. . Other facilities on site include daily complimentary shuttle service to and from Kota Kinabalu city centre.
Accommodation: Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu
Day 5 - Friday 11 October 2024
Mt Kinabalu National Park (B, L)
Drive 2 hours overland to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 1500m above sea level. Have a short stop at Pekan Nabalu market to savour local fruits in season. Visit the Kinabalu Natural History Gallery and Mountain Garden in Kinabalu Park Headquarters. Weather permitting, take a guided walk on one of the trails in the cool surroundings to explore the montane forest. Return to Kota Kinabalu and drop off at the resort.
Please bring along drinking water bottle, insect repellent, hat, walking shoes & raincoat.
Accommodation: Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu
Day 6 - Saturday 12 October 2024
Kota Kinabalu (B)
Day is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort.
Accommodation: Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu
Day 7 - Sunday 13 October 2024
Kota Kinabalu - Gaya Island (B, L, D)
Early this morning, after breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel to Kota Kinabalu for a city tour. The tour includes a brief visit to Tanjung Lipat, which offers panoramic scenery of the Gaya Island, South China Sea and Tun Mustapha Tower.
Continue to the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, recognized as one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia. Visit the Puh Toh Tze Buddhist temple before driving to discover Sabah Museum's unique heritage.
Transfer to the Jesselton Point Wharf for the scheduled boat transfer to Gaya Island. Upon arrival a late lunch will be served.
Tucked amidst protected mangroves, sheltered coral reefs and curled around the pristine sandy coast of Malohom Bay rests Gaya Island Resort. Set on an island within the protected Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, discover a sanctuary nestled in the hillside of an ancient rainforest with a stunning outline of Mount Kinabalu on the horizon. With its youthful vibe and sun-dappled moments, this beachfront resort blends harmoniously with the natural environment featuring a collection of hillside villas with views that range from mangrove forests and the surrounding canopy to the outline of Mount Kinabalu.
The resort is committed to ecologically-sustainable practices to minimise its carbon footprint within the environment, therefore it is a walking resort with minimal motorised vehicles used for operational purposes.
Accommodation: Gaya Island Resort, Gaya Island
Day 8 - Monday 14 October 2024
Gaya Island Resort (B, L, D)
Day is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the resort or relax.
Accommodation: Gaya Island Resort, Gaya Island
Day 9 - Tuesday 15 October 2024
Gaya Island Resort (B, L, D)
Day is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the resort or relax.
Accommodation: Gaya Island Resort, Gaya Island
Day 10 - Wednesday 16 October 2024
Gaya Island - Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur - Melbourne (B, in flight meals)
Morning at leisure.
Transfer by boat from the island to Jesselton Point Wharf. Upon arrival, transfer to Kota Kinabalu Airport for the return flight to Melbourne via Kuala Lumpur.
Day 11 - Thursday 17 October 2024
Arrival into Melbourne
Welcome Home, we’ll arrive into Melbourne in the morning. Thank you for joining us for your latest adventure and we look forward to welcoming you back!