Wild Sabah between jungle and islands

You will then have free time to discover Kota Kinabalu at your own pace. Depending on your arrival time, you can take a stroll along the waterfront, admire the sunset from the Esplanade or head to the Jesselton Point district, the departure point for the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The numerous cafés and restaurants in the city center are also an excellent opportunity to taste local cuisine. The driver is not at your disposal during your free time.

Free day in Kota Kinabalu, which you explore at your own pace. The driver is not available. Take the opportunity to stroll through the craft market, also known as Filipino Market, where the night market atmosphere is pleasant once evening arrives. If you enjoy local atmospheres, treat yourself to a walk in Pasar Besar, literally the "big market", to observe the daily life of the residents.

The rest of the afternoon is free. You can relax at your accommodation or take one of the accessible trails to continue discovering the park's landscapes at your own pace.

At the end of the day, check-in at your hotel.

Upon your arrival at Laban Rata, you settle into your guesthouse.

The rest of the afternoon is free so you can rest and acclimatize before the final ascent the next day.

Very early wake-up: around 2 a.m., you begin the final ascent to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. The climb takes approximately 3 hours and allows you to reach the summit at dawn, in order to witness the sunrise around 6 a.m.

You then descend to the Laban Rata guesthouse for breakfast, then continue the descent to the arrival point. You retrieve your climbing certificate before heading back towards Kota Kinabalu.

Night at The Jesselton Hotel. Included: site entrance(s), local guide, lunch, transport, room and breakfast.

The rest of the day is free. The resort is set on 25 acres of tropical rainforest, on the edge of the protected Sepilok Forest Reserve, which is rich in wildlife. You can relax, enjoy the swimming pool or take the 1,050-meter-long wooden walkway through the heart of the complex.

Please note: giant red flying squirrels live within the grounds of MY Nature Resort. They come out almost every evening, but sightings cannot be guaranteed. They typically leave their nests between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM. If you prefer a quieter time, you can choose to stay at the resort rather than visit the canopy walkway at the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre.

You then continue towards the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) 500 meters away, a center dedicated to Malayan sun bears, committed to conservation, rehabilitation and awareness. More than 30 bears live there, divided between the bear house and outdoor enclosures.

At 4:30 PM, you depart for a cruise on the Kinabatangan River to the Menanggul River, in search of proboscis monkeys, birds, reptiles and other wildlife.

Early wake-up call today: at 06:30, you board for a boat outing on Ox Bow Lake. In the gentleness of the early morning hours, you set off in search of the many bird species that populate the banks of the Kinabatangan. With a bit of luck, you may also observe monkeys, monitor lizards or even crocodiles. Return to the lodge in the morning.

You then peacefully enjoy the resort's facilities.

In the late afternoon, you set off on a new boat excursion on the Menanggul River. As sunset approaches, the forest comes alive and offers beautiful opportunities to observe proboscis monkeys, hornbills, macaques, and many other emblematic species of Borneo.

In this complex located in the middle of the tropical rainforest, along the Lipad River, you will be able to observe a wide variety of birds, insects and small mammals. You will also discover a rich diversity of jungle plants, some of which are endemic, used for generations by local populations for their medicinal properties.

In the afternoon, you set off to discover the Lipad mud volcano, a true source of mineral salts highly appreciated by wildlife. After a twenty-minute walk through the jungle, you reach this natural clearing where it is often possible to identify the numerous footprints left by animals that come to feed there.

After dinner, you attend a presentation on the unique ecosystems of Tabin, before setting off on a night safari in search of animals and birds that become active once night falls.

If you wish, you can start the day at dawn by taking part in a birdwatching walk. Tabin Reserve is home to nearly 300 species, making this site a true paradise for bird enthusiasts.

After breakfast, you set off on a hike through the tropical rainforest, renowned for the extraordinary diversity of its flora and fauna, to reach Lipad Waterfall. You can swim in its natural pool, enjoy a moment of relaxation under the waterfall and take time to explore the surroundings.

Walking time: approximately 2 to 3 hours

In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to try the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak, a foot bath prepared from a natural blend of herbs, ideal for relaxing your muscles after jungle walks.

In the evening, you set off on a new vehicle excursion in search of wildlife awakening at nightfall. A wonderful opportunity to observe the discreet species that inhabit the reserve.

Free morning at the resort to rest at your own pace.

The rest of the day is free. You can enjoy the beach, practice water activities, go hiking in the jungle or, for a more cultural approach, visit Gayana's marine ecology research center.

Enjoy your free days as you wish. On the agenda: relaxation, water sports or jungle trekking for those who want to stay active. For a more cultural touch, you can also visit Gayana's marine ecology research center.

We wish you an excellent journey and hope to have the pleasure of accompanying you again for your next adventure in Asia.