Borneo to Bali
14 Days from £2150 PP
Experience the wildlife, rainforest, and rugged beauty of Borneo, the fast pace of Kuala Lumpur, and the beaches and culture of Bali. Start your holiday in Borneo where you can wash away the jetlag in the South China Sea and get your first taste of the rainforest on Gaya Island. Head off the beaten track to the Kiulu Valley to see what life in rural Borneo is like before heading down the Kinabatangan River to look for proboscis monkeys, orangutans, crocodiles, Borneo pygmy elephants, and more as you venture into the jungle. Fly to bustling Kuala Lumpur and see the iconic Petronas Towers and maybe try out some local dishes, the food in Malaysia is unlike anywhere else.
Enjoy the remainder of your holiday on the Island of the Gods, Bali. This piece of paradise is home to colourful, ornate temples, stunning beaches, lush rice paddies, and some of the friendliest people we know. We’ve selected one of our favourite beach hotels for this itinerary but we’re full of more ideas if this one doesn’t suit. There’s time to relax, visits to temples, a sacred monkey forest, a chance to watch a kecak dance at sunset, and see the artists’ haven of Ubud. We’ve even included a private Stand-Up Paddle Board lesson.
This Borneo Bali itinerary is here to inspire you as all of our holidays are tailor-made to suit you. We’re happy to add or subtract days, change hotels, and adjust as you see fit. To learn more about this trip, give us a call at UK 020 7112 0019 or email borneo@fleewinter.com or bali@fleewinter.com to start planning your holiday.
Day 1 - Welcome to Borneo
Touchdown in Kota Kinabalu and transfer to your downtown hotel with views across the South China Sea to the islands. We’ve left this time free for you to settle in. Consider exploring the night market or go for a wander in this small city.
Accommodation
Day 2 - Gaya Island
Get your first taste of the Borneo jungle spending the day on Gaya Island. Trek through the rainforest, have lunch on the beach, and while away the afternoon snorkelling and swimming the clear warm waters of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. It’s a great way to get past the jetlag.
Day 3 - Kiulu Countryside & Culture
Venture into the misty Kiulu Valley today to learn about traditional rural life in Borneo. Visit a local market, stroll through scenic landscapes of rice paddies and river valley on your way to a local village where you may get a chance to hear kulintang music or learn about daily life from the residents. Enjoy lunch made from locally sourced ingredients in customary Sabahan dishes. Consider a post-lunch dip in the Kiulu River before returning to Kota Kinabalu for the night.
Day 4 - Sepilok to Sukau
Take an early morning flight to Sukau and visit the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre before heading down the Kinabatangan River to Sukau. Keep your binoculars and cameras at hand as you look for proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and other wildlife during the transfer.
Accommodation
Day 5 - River Safaris
Enjoy cruises along the Kinabatangan River to look for birds and wildlife. Take a guided tour along the lodge’s Hornbill Boardwalk with an in-house naturalist; attend an Orang Utan talk, and consider adding a night time river cruise. Or if you prefer, try to imitate the sounds of proboscis monkeys from the Ape Gallery.
Day 6 - Search for Wild Orangutans
Take an early morning river cruise along the Menanggol River by silent electric motor in search of wildlife. In the afternoon, proceed 27 km overland to the vicinity of Gomantong Cave. Traverse deep into the forest along a trail in search of wild orangutans in the trees. Witness the exodus of over two million bats as well as raptors.
Day 7 - From the jungle to the city
Return to Sandakan by boat and take an afternoon flight to Kuala Lumpur. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your city hotel. This vibrant city is bursting at the seams with excellent restaurants and bars so think about spending a night on the town.
Accommodation
Day 8 - Kuala Lumpur
Start the day with a visit to the Batu Caves, home to a large Hindu temple and a 140-foot tall statue of Hindu Lord God Murugan. In the afternoon, visit Kuala Lumpur’s many highlights including the Petronas Twin Towers, King’s Palace, and the National Mosque.
Day 9 - Bali bound
This morning your driver will collect you for the ride to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and your direct flight to Bali. Transfer to Ayana Resort. This is one of the best places to stay on the ‘Island of the Gods’. Here you can enjoy the hotel’s private beach, the famous Rock Bar, amazing spa, and more
Accommodation
Day 10 - Dramatic Kecak Uluwatu
Our guide will pick you up from your hotel in South Bali at approx. 16.00hrs. Drive to the beautiful Uluwatu Temple, which is perched 30 meters above the cliff facing the Indian Ocean, offering dramatic views of the surrounding areas. At 18.00hrs the Kecak Dance performance begins on a nearby stage with the setting sun as the background. Accompanied by the chanting of 50 male performers, the dance tells the love story of Rama and Shinta.
Day 11 - The Other side of Ubud
Your driver and guide will pick you up this morning and take you to Singapadu village for a closer look at a Balinese compound with its authentic design and architecture. Explore Pura Desa Batuan, one of the finest and oldest temples in Bali. Continue to the Sacred Monkey Forest, home of long-tailed macaques and the Pura Dalem Agung Padantegal temple, a “Holy Spring” bathing temple, and another temple used for cremation ceremonies. Enjoy lunch with a fabulous view over the Ubud countryside. Walk around the Ubud Market where you can shop for art and souvenirs. Visit Arma Museum, Bali’s cultural centre of traditional and contemporary Indonesian arts.
Day 12 - Private Stand Up paddle board lesson
Try your hand at Stand Up Paddle board, great for fitness, also an easy and exciting way to surf waves with no surfing experience required. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 13 - Ayana
Relax and enjoy the facilities of the resort. It would take weeks to discover them all!
Day 14 - Time for home
At the suitable time your driver will pick you up for the transfer back to the airport for your flight homeward.
Bon voyage!
DETAILS
This itinerary costs from £2150 per person based on two adults sharing excluding peak seasons. The price includes all transfers and flights as shown in the itinerary but not international flights.
International flights tend to cost between £600 and £900 return – do ask us for advice. Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.
INCLUDED:
- Prices start from £2150 per person
- Accommodation on B&B basis
- Full board on days 4-6, lunch on day 11
- Transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle or boat as mentioned
- Internal flights as mentioned
- Local taxes except those which can only be paid locally
- Entrance fees
- All excursions and activities mentioned in the itinerary
- All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
