Essential Sabah

Arrival at the airport & check in to the hotel

Arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. You will be received by THO representative who will assist at the airport and take you to hotel. Check - in & relax.

Poring Hot Spring & Kinabalu Park

In morning at 0700 hours pick up from city hotel. Depart Kota Kinabalu for the 3-hour drive to Poring Hot Spring. En route, make a stop at Nabalu village to savour local fruits and to shop for local handicrafts. There is also a look out tower providing views of the surrounding area and of Mount Kinabalu. Upon arrival at Poring proceed to the canopy walkway for a chance to observe wildlife and the trees from 100 feet above the forest floor. Afterwards take a dip in one of the soothing, hot mineral springs set in beautifully landscaped gardens. Poring also has an interpretive centre with information on the local flora and fauna. Proceed to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kinabalu Park. Explore the mountain gardens – home to many species of orchids, pitcher plants, birds, insects and butterflies – with your guide before returning to Kota Kinabalu in the late afternoon.

Transfer to board flight to Sandakan

After breakfast, transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for your flight to Sandakan.

Check - in & rest of the day in leisure.

Arrive in Sandakan airport in the afternoon. Meet and transfer to the MY Nature Resort for check-in. MY Nature Resort is set in 25 acres of rainforest bordering the Sepilok forest reserve, a protected area rich in wildlife. The afternoon is free at leisure. Relax, swim in the pool, go for a walk on the resort’s own 1,050 metre long boardwalk or walk to the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre and experience the canopy walkway, one of the best in Malaysia.

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and Rainforest Discovery Centre

Breakfast will be taken in the resort. After lunch, depart the Resort and proceed to Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. This privately run sanctuary is located within an oil palm estate and offers a unique chance to see proboscis monkeys. These monkeys are wild but habituated and often get very close to visitors. Labuk Bay offers a unique opportunity to get close to these normally shy creatures. Silver leaf monkeys and hornbills are also sometimes seen at Labuk Bay. 1530 hours depart Labuk Bay for Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). The Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), an education centre located within the Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve. Arrive at the RDC and have a quick look at the visitor information centre before walking to the centre’s 147 metres long canopy walkway, which is up to 28 metres above the forest floor in places.

Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary & travel to Abai

Pick up from MY Nature Resort and visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where captive orangutans are reintroduced into the wild. You will be able to observe them at their feeding stations in the rainforest and at the nursery. Watch the feeding session at 1000 hours. Then proceed to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). This centre rescues captured sun bears and is involved in sun bear conservation, welfare rehabilitation and education. Over 30 sun bears live at the centre in the bear house and outdoor enclosures. Later depart Sepilok and proceed to a boat jetty in Sandakan. 1200 hours depart for a 1-hour boat cruise along the Lower Kinabatangan River, passing pristine mangrove forests and searching for wildlife.

Check -in and later proceed by boat along the Kinabatangan which is best places to see wildlife

After settling in, proceed by boat along the Kinabatangan, this River is Sabah’s longest river and arguably one of the best places to see wildlife. Evening will be in leisure.

Excursion to Pitas Lake & Abai Village

Early morning take another boat trip for bird watching and wildlife viewing at the nearby Pitas Lake. After breakfast at the lodge visit the nearby Abai village and participate in a tree-planting project. Enjoy a local-style lunch prepared and served by the villagers. Rest and relax before another cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of wildlife.

Cruise upriver to Sukau

After breakfast morning is free at leisure to relax or explore the boardwalk. After lunch, cruise upriver to Sukau, searching for wildlife along the way.

Check in & Cruise up the Kinabatangan River

Arrive Sukau, check-in to Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge and have lunch. Later in evening, go on a river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to the Menanggul River in search of proboscis monkeys, birds and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner.

Excursion to Ox Bow Lake & Menanggul River

Early morning, take a boat trip for bird watching and wildlife viewing at the nearby Ox Bow Lake. Then return to the lodge for breakfast. Free at leisure to relax. In the evening venture on another river cruise down the Menanggul River in search of wildlife. Return to the lodge at dusk. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge (non-air conditioned).

Downriver journey to Sandakan

After an early breakfast transfer to Sandakan by boat. The 2½ hour journey offers another chance to see wildlife. Stop at Abai Jungle Lodge for a short break before continuing your journey downriver to Sandakan jetty and dropped off at your resort for check-in.

Check - in & rest of the day in leisure.

Upon arrival transfer to your hotel, rest of the day in leisure for own activities.

Departure transfer

After breakfast, tour finishes with a transfer to the Sandakan airport where you board a flight for your onwards journey.