9-Nights Borneo: Land of the Orangutan - Luxury Small Group Journeys from $11,195

Abercrombie & Kent: Borneo: Land of the Orangutan

DAY 1 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Arrive in Kuala Lumpur, the bustling modern capital ofMalaysia, where you are met and privately transferred toyour luxurious hotel.

Start your exploration of the city from an incredible vantagepoint: the soaring Petronas Twin Towers. Next, discoveranother facet of Malaysia’s cultural mix with a visit to theIslamic Arts Museum, the largest of its kind in southeastAsia. Peruse the city’s Central Market, where local artists and craftsman sell their goods. After lunch at a local restaurant,your afternoon is at leisure for relaxing or exploring on yourown. Tonight, gather for a welcome dinner.

Fly to Sandakan, your gateway to the fabled island of Borneo.The third largest island in the world, Borneo is shared bythree nations, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. It straddles theequator and is home to some of the world’s oldest rainforestas well as amazing wildlife and diverse, friendly people. Beginyour discovery of Borneo with a visit to the Sepilok OrangutanRehabilitation Centre, the best place in Southeast Asia to seethese gentle giants outside of a zoo. Witness the afternoonfeeding, and meet with a center employee to learn how thereserve takes orphaned orangutans and teaches them to be self-sufficientin the forest. This evening, enjoy dinner along witha talk by a palm oil expert to understand how the industry hasimpacted the island.

Start your day with a visit to the Bornean Sun BearConservation Centre and enjoy a talk by the founder to learn more about the smallest species of bear. Then, you may opt tocontinue observing the sun bears or return to the OrangutanRehabilitation Centre to observe a morning feeding. Afterlunch at a local restaurant, board a speedboat for a ride upthe Kinabantangan River to your award-winning lodge. Afterdinner on site, embark on a night cruise to spot nocturnalwildlife.

Rise early to explore this exotic wonderland inhabited by 10species of primates, four of which are endemic to Borneo, on a cruise on the Kinabatangan River. Meander up the river,spotting wildlife along the way, to an oxbow lake. Uponarrival, keep an eye out for wildlife and simply enjoy theserene setting with a coffee or tea before returning to yourlodge for breakfast. Afterward, set out on a nature walk alongthe lodge’s boardwalk, with the forest alive with sights andsounds. Enjoy lunch, followed by a talk by a naturalist aboutBorneo’s most famous resident, the orangutan. Then, set outon another cruise along the river, perhaps spotting coloniesof proboscis monkeys, keeping an eye out for the male’stelltale nose. Also watch for orangutans, some of whom may be making nests for an afternoon nap. Look to the treetopsto spot some of Borneo’s eight species of hornbill, whilesaltwater crocodiles patrol the riverbank. Lastly, with luck,catch sight of pygmy elephants. Throughout your visit here,also keep your camera at the ready for sightings of silveredlangurs, macaques, kingfishers, monitor lizards and reticulatedpythons. Stay vigilant for glimpses of otters and turtles. Returnto your lodge for dinner. Later, relax to the sounds of thejungle or enjoy an optional guided nature walk to seek outnocturnal species.

Bid farewell to the Kinabatangan River, and traveloverland to Lahad Datu, the gateway to the DanumValley Conservation Area. Switch to 4x4 vehicles for anadventurous ride overland to your lodge, nestled in oneof the last remaining preserves of primary rainforest inAsia and the only accommodation found in the valley.This sanctuary is home to over 110 mammals, includingorangutans, gibbons, pygmy elephants, and cloudedleopards. The valley is also home to countless reptiles,amphibians, and insects. After check-in, enjoy anintroductory nature walk with the lodge’s expert guides. Following dinner, enjoy a jungle drive, unveiling creatures ofthe night such as Malayan and palm civets and flying lemurs.

Immerse yourself in the Borneo wilderness, starting with awalkway through the rainforest canopy, looking out fromplatforms and bridges built at treetop level to let you observethe diverse flora and fauna. Return to your lodge for lunch.This afternoon, enjoy our choice of two activities. Selectone of the lodge’s many trails, varying in difficulty, with anexpert guide. Alternatively, relax at the lodge, perhaps witha treatment at the award-winning spa (at an additional cost).Tonight, gather for dinner at your lodge.

Emerge from the forest as you are driven to Lahad Datu foryour short flight to Kota Kinabalu, the modern capital ofSabah state. Upon arrival, transfer to your accommodations,and enjoy an evening at leisure to explore the city or simplyrelax after your long journey, looking out at the luminescentemerald-green waters of the South China Sea.

Venture just outside the city to visit the Mari-Mari CulturalVillage, the perfect place to savor the soul of Sabah.View homes built by the varying ethnicities found in thisstate, each constructed by descendants of the tribes theyrepresent, for an authentic insight into the diverse localculture. Discover the individual architectural style of thesedistinctive dwellings and how their builders adapted to the environments they inhabited. Later, return to your resort,where you have the rest of the day to relax or explore KotaKinabalu. Tonight, gather with your fellow guests for afarewell dinner. If you have arranged to do so, transfer to theairport for your departing flight.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departingflight.