Trekking in the jungles of Borneo is not for the faint hearted; it can be hot and sweaty work! However, the amazing wildlife, flora and people you will meet will make it one of the most unique and enjoyable experiences of your life. With its many National Parks, Borneo is a fantastic place to trek, experience nature and view some wildlife that is not seen anywhere else in the world.
Malaysian Borneo - the eastern states of Sarawak & Sabah - has some amazing places for jungle trekking. Mount Kinabalu is South East Asia’s highest (and the world's fastest growing) mountain at a height of 4095 metres, and it is one of the world’s easiest mountains to climb and has seen people of all ages and all fitness reach the summit.
The large river systems of the Kinabatangan River are a great place to do small treks into the jungle as well as a boat ride down the Kinabatangan river where pygmy Elephants can be spotted from time to time on their yearly migration routes, and the rare proboscis monkey can be seen swinging in the trees above.
The Crocker Mountain Range is another great place for trekking. At an average height of 1800m it is the highest mountain range in Sabah. The Crocker Range contains some flora endemic to Borneo and is home to a large carnivorous plant, the raffelesia.
The park also contains at least five species of primate, including gibbons, orang-utans and the impossibly cute furry tarsier.
Responsible Trekking
In line with our commitment to responsible tourism, all guides and assisting staff on this trip are local Malays. The guide of this expedition has been admitted to the Sarawak Board of Tourism and is actively involved in improving eco-tourism projects for the region.
All of our guides and assisting staff on this trek are committed to the conservation of Malaysia’s primary rainforest and educate each group about the local wildlife, flora and indigenous populations that live in the Crocker Ranges and the surrounding area.
This trek is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint with the majority of the tours using people power such as walking or kayaking. The tours are designed for small groups to ensure minimal impact to the local environment. We also provide clients with a list of things they can do to reduce their impact on the environment whilst in the Crocker ranges such as using biodegradable soaps and packaging.
Accommodation whilst trekking is camping in small villages with the local indigenous inhabitants the Kadazan Dusun. Trekking in this region brings an income to a very remote community. A percentage of the money from the trek goes to support the local communities by using local produce, and a local camping site.
In particular the Miki Survival camp is on native land and is owned by Mr Sadib Miki from Kiau Nuluh Village. As the source of water for the nearby villages are mainly from Mount Kinabalu it is important that the surrounding forests at the foothill are protected. The setting up of Miki Survival Camp helps to conserve this area through tourism related activities in the form of outdoor adventure education. Jungle activities like making campsite, identifying edible fruits, foods and traditional medicines, making traps, jungle navigation etc are conducted. Continued tourism and interest in this project not only has benefits for the conservation efforts in the area but it also ensures traditional survival skills used by indigenous people are not lost.
On all of our tours we employ local staff and are committed to the development and education of our staff providing training sessions, travel opportunities and other opportunities to participate in Community Based Tourism Projects within Cambodia. When clients book a tour with us they are also provided with information about local charities they can support and a guide to local restaurants and crafts.
We have been actively implementing green practices which stretch from our offices to our partners throughout the whole of South East Asia. We have spent 13 years enthusiastically researching socially and environmentally sensitive tourism opportunities in South East Asia.
At a local level we actively participate in reducing our environmental impact by recycling and reducing the amount of paper transactions by providing our information to our clients electronically. We also use fans in the office instead of air conditioning.
Notes
This is a tailor made holiday concept which can be adapted and tailored to meet your dates, preferences and passions. Please contact one of our bespoke holiday planners to create the ideal itinerary for you.
14 Day Crocker Range Trek
Day 1: Arrive in Kota Kinabalu
Upon arrival in KK, you will be transferred to Palace Hotel (3 stars). Check- in to hotel and the rest of the day is free for your own leisure.
Day 2: Kota Kinabalu - Mt. Kinabalu National Park
In the morning after having breakfast at 8 AM, the driver will be at your hotel and escort you to foothill of Mt Kinabalu, from here, you start your trek to Miki Jungle Survival Camp. Here you will be shown various jungle survival techniques whilst also getting an opportunity to explore the rainforest. Dinner and overnight, camping in the forest.
Day 3: Trekking to Miki Village (B,L,D)
Today, you will lean more jungle survival activities and then trek to Miki village to stay in a Miki home stay.
Day 4: Miki Village - Kinabalu Park & Poring Hotspring - Tambunan Village (B,L,D)
Leaving Miki village, visit Kinabalu Park and Poring Hotspring. Gunung Kinabalu National Park, home to the tallest mountain in South East Asia and the fastest growing mountain in the world. Take a guided tour in the National Park to the foot of the mountain, which has one of the richest diversity of flora and fauna in Asia. There are many trails in the foothills to explore. Poring Hot Spring, first developed by the Japanese during World War II, the sulphuric hot waters of the spring are piped into open air Japanese-style baths where you can soak away your aches and pains after long treks. Poring also has a suspended walkway where you can get a glimpse of wildlife in the rainforest canopy.
After visiting the springs, you will go to Tambunan and stay at Tambunan Village Resort Centre Bamboo lodge. The Tambunan District covers an area of 134,540 hectares and has a population of about 24,000. The rich plain of Tambunan was almost totally isolated from the west coast of Sabah by the knife-edged mountains of the Crocker Range. It is now easily accessible from the capital, Kota Kinabalu, about 1 hour by a sealed road which crosses the Crocker Range at Sunsuron Pass (1,649m).Only 1 ½ hours by road from Kota Kinabalu.The road to Tambunan passes through Penampang before starting to climb the Crocker Range about 18km outside of Kota Kinabalu. Scattered farming communities grow hill rice, pineapples, bananas, mushrooms and other vegetables which are sold at roadside stalls, where wild and cultivated orchids can also be found.
Day 5: Tambunan - Tikolod Village: Trekking SALT trail
Transfer to Polotikon Village and then trek to Tikolod Crocker Range Park office to register. Later trek up long Tikolod Hill-primary forest. About 5 hours of trekking and camping in the primary forest alongside Polotikon River.
Day 6: Trekking SALT trail: Polotikon River - Kionob
Today you will trek downhill in the primary forest to kionob village and stay in local native community center (camping). About 5 hours trekking.
Day 7: Trekking SALT trail: Kionob - Buayan
You will trek through villages crossing river, to Buayan village. Stay in community center (camping). About 5 hours trekking.
Day 8: Trekking SALT trail: Buayan - Terian Village
You trek through villages, rice fields, crossing suspension bridges to Terian village. Stay in community center (camping). About 5 hours trekking.
Day 9: Terian village - Inobong - Seaside Traveller Inn
You will be climbing up Terian Hill in primary forest, descending to Inobong Crocker Range sub station and end the trek here. About 6 hours trekking. After that you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Seaside Traveller Inn.
Day 10: Seaside Hotel - Tempurong Seaside Lodge
You will be drive to Tempurong Seaside Lodge, in the evening go on the Klias River Cruise to see proboscis monkeys and wetland wildlife.
Day 11: Tempurong - Beaufort: White Water Rafting
You will be transferred to Beaufort for Padas River Whitewater rafting. The Padas River is the start point of your white water rafting adventure, as you float with the current downstream, the guides will shout instructions above the roar of the river to help you through the rapids which cover a distance of about 5 kilometres. You will return to Tempurong Seaside Lodge for overnight
Day 12: Tempurong - Kota Kinabalu
In the morning is free day for your own leisure. In the afternoon (after lunch), you will drive to Kota Kinabalu for the evening. Seaside Traveller Inn.
Day 13: Manukan Island
You will spend your time at your own leisure. You can snorkel or swim, the choice is yours. After lunch; at 2 or 3 PM you are heading back by speed boat to Kota Kinabalu for the night at Palace hotel.
Day 14: Depart Sabah
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or onward journey.
Notes
Price above based on a minimum of 4 people. If you have less than 4... or have a larger group, please enquire for customised itinerary and quote.
