Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Destinations

Push your body to the limit as you take a challenging trek into the heart of Borneo’s primeval rainforest. You will be one of the only people in the world to venture into this area. Travel into the stunning Maliau Basin and discover a whole new side to nature on this six-day Borneo’s Lost World itinerary. The trip begins in quaint Kota Kinabalu and voyages into the wild in the Maliau Basin, where you will enjoy the trek of a lifetime. 

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

• Trekking: Hike through wild rainforest where few have gone before, deep in the heart of the "Lost World of Sabah."

• Wildlife: See how many of the 150 different mammal species you can spot during day treks and night safaris.

• Waterfalls: Of course, the best reward at the end of a challenging trek is a cascading waterfall. You'll be chasing two during your basin adventures - the 330-foot Takob-Akob Falls and the seven-tiered Maliau Falls.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Kota Kinabalu

Begin your travels in charming Kota Kinabalu. The area is Borneo’s cultural epicenter. The harbor is a stunning sight as it plays host to colorful boats, clear waters and soft, white sand. If you like, explore your surroundings a bit after your journey before tucking in for the night at the luxurious Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This hotel is set in the backdrop of the breathtaking Malaysian gardens and Borneo’s mountainous landscape across crystal-clear sparkling waters, to truly give guests the tropical paradise feel.

History: The Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa is based in a region called Kota Kinabalu, in Borneo, which has a rich cultural heritage of natural wonders and rugged landscapes that have been millennia in the making.

Service: Guests will enjoy the Shangri-La’s famous five-star service, melded with Borneo’s warm and welcoming hospitality.

See Hotel
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Maliau Basin - Agathis Camp

It’s time to step away from everyday comforts and take a leap into unknown territory. Fly to Tawau early in the morning and then drive five to six hours to the Maliau Basin Gate. The Maliau Basin Gate is known as the “Lost World of Sabah,” for its ethereal beauty and remoteness. Do not expect to have a cell phone signal once you’re about an hour outside the park. Overnight at the comfortable Agathis Camp. If you like, embark on a night safari in search of nocturnal animals - remembering, of course, that you have a full day of trekking ahead of you tomorrow.

Hotel Options
About

The magnificent nature of “Sabah’s Lost World” ranges from vine-clad jungle foliage, towering trees, and curious flora and fauna. Insurmountable cliffs that stand like a circular amphitheater separate the region from the rest of Borneo, creating a self-contained ecosystem and producing a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Maliau Basin - Agathis Camp
Maliau Basin - Agathis Camp

Day 3

Maliau Basin - Agathis Camp

Start the day by trekking the near 4.5-mile path to the Camel Trophy Camp. This usually takes about six hours from the rim of the basin. This was the first permanent meeting camp in the area. It sits at the base of the lower montane forest. Enjoy a fresh lunch at the camp. That afternoon, take a two-hour trek to Takob-Akob Falls. The Falls is nearly 330-feet-high and incredibly gorgeous. Sit and enjoy the rushing water before returning to camp.

Day 4

Maliau Basin - Ginseng Camp

After breakfast, trek about 4-5 hours through a montane and heath forest on your way to Maliau Falls Junction. Perhaps you will spy one of the 150 mammal species living among the trees. Lunch at Lobah Camp before continuing on to Maliau Falls, where you will be rewarded with stunning views of this seven-tier waterfall. You will have an incredible view of the massive Basin Rim, which stretches 15 miles in diameter. Spend the evening at Ginseng Camp.

Hotel Options
About

The Maliau basin remains one of the lesser explored rainforests in all of Borneo. Cut off from the rest of the world by steep cliffs that reach up to 1,600 meters high, a rich ecosystem of verdant and lush rainforest that is home to over 2,000 types of recorded fauna and flora lies behind these insurmountable walls.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Maliau Basin - Ginseng Camp
Maliau Basin - Ginseng Camp

Day 5

Maliau Basin - Ginseng Camp

After breakfast begin the beautifulf seven-hour trek back to the Agathis Camp. Watch the treetops and you might spy one of the forest's many varieties of monkeys as your breathe in the fragrant scents of the forest. Once you reach the Agathis Camp, the rest of the day is yours to relax and explore before turning in for a much deserved night's sleep.

Day 6

Departure

Begin your journey back to Tawau by car, arriving at the airport at approximately 14:00. Fly back to lively Kuala Lumpur and begin your travels home.

Suggested Hotel For Day 1

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru
Preferred Hotel

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru

Located just 10 minutes from the center of Kota Kinabalu, the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort’s 492 rooms are divided between two wings – the Kinabalu Wing, with views of the ocean and Mt. Kinabalu, and the Tanjung Wing, with views of the South China Sea. All rooms come with complimentary broadband Internet access and satellite television. Dining options include Café Tatu for breakfast and dinner, where a variety of open cooking stations offer Mongolian, Tandoori, Asian noodles, dim sum, pasta, and more; Coco Joe’s Bar & Grill, a beach barbecue restaurant; Peppino for Italian and Mediterranean in a chic setting; and Shang Palace for gourmet, traditional Chinese. There are also three bar/lounge options. The property’s CHI Spa comprises five individual Island Villas, three Couples’ Villas and an open Yoga Pavilion, all located on Pulau Bayu, the resort’s private island, and there is also a state-of-the-art health club with juice bar and sauna. The Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort is a 10-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu Airport.

Suggested Hotel For Days 2–3

Agathis Camp

Agathis Camp

The magnificent nature of “Sabah’s Lost World” ranges from vine-clad jungle foliage, towering trees, and curious flora and fauna. Insurmountable cliffs that stand like a circular amphitheater separate the region from the rest of Borneo, creating a self-contained ecosystem and producing a truly one-of-a-kind experience. There are several camps within the conservation area. The closest to the rainforest is Agathis camp, named after the Agathis tree, this resting place is well-equipped with hammock-style accommodations for up to 30 visitors. Electricity, toilets and showers are available. The camp is also uniquely accessible by four-wheel drive cars for tourists wishing to conserve energy. On day and night treks through the thick rainforest, tourist can catch glimpses of over 290 species of bird and 80 mammal species, many of which are endangered, along with several spectacular waterfalls.

Suggested Hotel For Days 4–5

Ginseng Camp

Ginseng Camp

The Maliau basin remains one of the lesser explored rainforests in all of Borneo. Cut off from the rest of the world by steep cliffs that reach up to 1,600 meters high, a rich ecosystem of verdant and lush rainforest that is home to over 2,000 types of recorded fauna and flora lies behind these insurmountable walls. Dubbed “Sabah’s Lost World,” day and night wildlife spotting trips through the jungle present travelers with the opportunity to stumble upon magnificent waterfalls hidden amongst towering trees. Ginseng camp is one of several camps located within the conservation area. Named after the Ginseng plant that is used for fostering energy and vitality, the large camp can accommodate up to 20 visitors on hammock-style beds and is equipped with toilets and showers. The camp is a short walk from the impressive Ginseng Waterfall.

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