Wildlife of Borneo

After relaxing with included airport lounge access, depart the UK on an overnight flight, via Kuala Lumpur, to Kuching on Malaysian Borneo's northwest coast.

You'll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in the city centre. Spend the rest of the day exploring Kuching on the banks of the Sarawak River. Wander through the city's narrow streets where you'll discover traditional Chinese shop houses, ornate temples and a wonderful riverfront park. Sarawak Museum offers an insight into the city's past and if you're there at the weekend, the Sunday market is a great place to people watch and pick up a souvenir or two.

Stay: The Ranee Boutique

From your base in Kuching you'll visit the Semenggoh Nature Reserve of Sarawak, a sanctuary for orangutans who have been rescued from captivity or taken in as orphaned primates. You'll have the opportunity to observe the animals during their feeding times – if you're lucky you might get to see a mother and baby interacting together. You'll return to Kuching for a city tour, taking in the melting pot of cultures and exploring everything from the Gambier spice streets to the oldest Chinese temple in Sarawak, before a gentle cruise along the river past colonial buildings and rural Malay villages. The following day, you'll visit Bako National Park, a peninsula famed for its diverse wildlife and rainforest ecosystem. A hike among the hilltop trails might reveal proboscus monkeys, flying squirrels or wild boar. Lunch is included on day four only.

Stay: The Ranee Boutique

Today you'll check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Mulu. On arrival, you'll enjoy lunch at the national park before a gentle walk through a lowland limestone forest. You'll explore the stalagtites and stalagmites of Lang's Cave and the longest cave passage in the world at Deer's Cave – home to around three million bats, best viewed from a designated bat observatory platform. You'll have dinner at your resort this evening before retiring for a well-earned night's rest.

Stay: Mulu Marriott Resort

This morning after breakfast, you'll take a boat ride to Wind Cave, via a short stop at a nomadic Penan settlement. Once at the cave, you'll explore the incredible King's chamber before a short walk to the Clearwater Spring. After a 200-step climb, you'll be rewarded with the most impressive cave in the region – Clearwater Cave. A picnic lunch and a swim at the spring are the perfect way to cool off after your walk. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure around the resort, perhaps with a waterfall trek or a canopy walk, before another included dinner.

Stay: Mulu Marriott Resort

After breakfast at your hotel, take your included transfer to the airport and board your flight to Kota Kinabalu. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps dipping into the city's culinary scene, which ranges from street food stalls to high-end restaurants. There are also an abundance of markets to explore while the excellent Sabah Museum offers an interesting introduction to Sabah's indigenous cultures. Meanwhile, back at the hotel, there are swimming pools with sea views and a spa for a spot of indulgent relaxation.

Stay: Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Fly to Sandakan this morning and head to the nearby Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre - Borneo's flagship conservation project, which rescues and rehabilitates orangutans with the aim of releasing them back into the wild. After a fascinating video highlighting the work of the centre you'll head to the feeding platform in the neighbouring lowland rainforest where you'll see the young orangutans inhabitants enjoying their morning meal. From Sepilok you'll transfer to the town of Sukau by road where you'll check into the Borneo Nature Lodge for a two-night stay. The afternoon, you'll head out into the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary to observe all manner of wildlife including colourful hornbills, macaques, kingfishers and proboscis monkeys – a species endemic to Borneo.

Stay: Borneo Nature Lodge

Rise early to the sounds of the jungle for a river cruise to Oxbow Lake and the chance to see more wildlife. The region is home to several wild orangutans and if you're lucky you may just spot one making its way through the jungle canopy. Another rare species that inhabits this region is the Borneo pygmy elephant that can sometimes be seen drinking from the banks of the river. Another boat cruise in the late afternoon lets you see more of the flora and fauna of the rainforest, while optional night tours and tree planting experiences can be added on to maximise your experience.

Stay: Borneo Nature Lodge

After breakfast at the lodge you'll transfer by road to the town of Lahad Datu in Sabah's southeast corner. After a short briefing and registration at the Borneo Nature Tour office you'll drive for two and half hours deep into the virgin rainforest of the Danum Valley to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, your home for the next two nights. Enjoy a welcome drink and check into your cabin - we recommend upgrading to a deluxe cabin with gorgeous river views and a private balcony with its own bathtub, perfect for relaxing to the sounds of the forest after a day exploring the jungle. Your two days in the Danum Valley will be packed with activities, making the most of the abundant wildlife of this stunning protected rainforest. You'll enjoy nature walks, tubing down the Danum River, spotting wildlife from the 300 metre-long canopy walkway, visiting the historic burial site at "Coffin Cliff" and taking a refreshing dip in the "Jacuzzi Pool". Your expert guide will take you along a series of nature trails deep in the rainforest where, if you're lucky, you'll see gibbons, orangutans, red and silver leaf monkeys and a host of bird, reptiles and insects that make the Danum Valley their home.

Stay: Borneo Rainforest Lodge

After a relaxing morning and lunch at your lodge you'll transfer by road back to Lahad Datu and board a flight to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah's capital, checking into the Shangri-la Rasa Ria with sweeping views north across the South China Sea. You'll have three nights here to relax and enjoy the resort, explore the city with its bustling markets, restaurants and shops or perhaps take a trip to Kinabalu Park - home to Malaysia's highest peak, Mount Kinabalu. A relaxing day at the Poring Hot Springs or a trip to the coral-fringed islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park are other worthwhile options. Lunch is included on day 12 only.

Stay: Shangri-la Rasa Ria

Transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for your overnight flight to the UK, arriving on day 15. Daytime flights are also available, speak to our Asia specialists to discuss your options.