Untamed Borneo

Price from
US$ 3,100
Duration
11 Days / 10 Nights
Distance
248 km
Tour Code
MYS-UBO
Next departure
31-Mar-2024
Number of Cycling Days9
Average Distance Per Day: 30
0
150 Km
Average Climbing Per Day: 482
0
2,250 m
Accommodation
Basic
5 Star
Total Cycling Distance248 kilometres
AccommodationIncluded
Bike HireMountain Bike: US$ 260
Single SupplementUS$ 560
Client Rating (based on 6 reviews)

About this Cycle Tour

Borneo, Asia’s largest island, is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Within its ancient tropical rainforests thrives an astonishingly rich array of wildlife, featuring unique species not found anywhere else such as orangutans, long-nosed monkeys, and pygmy elephants. On this 11-day mountain biking tour across Sabah, a Malaysian state in northeastern Borneo, we set forth in pursuit of these frontiers of untamed wilderness. Beyond these wilds, we also discover Sabah’s hinterlands, highlands, mountains, and coast!

Beginning in Sabah’s capital city of Kota Kinabalu we fly east and cycle into Tabin Wildlife Reserve, a vast protected area teeming with life. Here we spend two nights at a jungle lodge and explore the surrounding forests by bike, hike & safari! We then continue onwards to the Kinabatangan River where we cruise on the meandering waterway,on the lookout for scenes of monkeys swinging in the trees and elephants coming to bathe. We then turn our attention fully to Borneo’s iconic primates, visiting a world-renowned orangutan rehabilitation center and a sanctuary for proboscis monkeys on the northern tip of Borneo. Our initial forays into the jungles are followed by a deeper exploration of rural Borneo. We cycle through extensive palm-oil plantations and rattle over dirt trails in tea fields before we reach Poring, known for its thermal hot springs and treetop walkway. From here we climb into the highlands and are greeted by the sight of majestic Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain. We cap off the tour with a ride to the western coast, treating ourselves to a stay at a lovely beach resort overlooking the South China Sea. The tour ends with a transfer back to Kota Kinabalu.

Join us in hitting the roads and trails of northern Borneo and discover a world at the edge of untamed wilderness!

Book Your Cycling Holiday

Itinerary

Day 1

The tour meets in Kota Kinabalu (“KK" for short), the capital city of the Malaysian state of Sabah. We will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to our tour hotel in the city. In the evening we convene for a trip meeting and welcome dinner.

Day 2

We fly to Sabah’s east coast and begin our cycling journey. Our inaugural ride takes us past palm oil plantations to the edge of civilization at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. We’ll have our first chance to spot wildlife during an afternoon jeep safari.

Day 3

This morning we head into the jungle by bike, visiting a mineral-rich mud volcano and a cascading waterfall. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a complimentary herbal foot soak and mud facial before we embark on a night safari for a chance to spot nocturnal wildlife.

Day 4

We cycle out of Tabin Wildlife Reserve and then transfer west to the village of Bilit. In the afternoon we enjoy a cruise down the meandering Kinabatangan River to (hopefully!) spot long-nosed monkeys and other wildlife along the banks.

Day 5

In the morning we cycle on paved roads through the countryside filled with palm oil plantations. In the afternoon we visit a world-renowned orangutan rehabilitation center for a hopeful chance to see these endangered primates eat & play.

Day 6

Another day and another chance to see more primates in the wild! This morning we’ll visit the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary for a chance to see these blobby-nosed creatures up close. After a transfer to Telupid, we enjoy a late afternoon ride through the rural heart of Sabah.

Day 7

Our morning ride takes us along trails of an infamous WW2 death march while, in the afternoon, we cycle amidst terraced tea fields in the highlands of Ranau. We spend the night at an organic tea estate.

Day 8

Participate in a tour of the Sabah organic tea factory before cycling through the countryside to the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. We spend the afternoon in Poring, a natural area renowned for its thermal hot springs and rainforest canopy walkway.

Day 9

After a mostly uphill 15 km ride to the hill station of Kundasang, we enjoy views of Mount Kinabalu. Standing at 95 meters (13,435 feet) above sea level, this is Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain, and we’ll see it from its most photogenic side.

Day 10

We trade the cool, misty mountains for the balmy, sun-kissed coast! After the tour’s final 25 km ride through the countryside the afternoon is at leisure to relax at Pantai Dalit Beach, take a dip in the resort pool, or treat yourself to a massage.

Day 11

Transfer to Kota Kinabalu Airport or stay onwards to discover more of Borneo.

Elevation Profiles

Day 2 - Kota Kinabalu – Lahad Datu – Tabin Wildlife Reserve Ride 26km. +477m / -423m.
Day 2 - Kota Kinabalu – Lahad Datu – Tabin Wildlife Reserve Ride 26km. +477m / -423m.

Reviews

Although the distance per day doesn't seem like much the heat, humidity and the hills can make it challenging. Besides the biking we got a great overview of what Sabah has to offer whether wildlife, food, history, and nature.Team was absolutely fantastic. Ending up at a nice resort is the reward for all the sweating.

Debra Rae Friezner BlancSeptember 2023

A real adventure! A wonderful way to see the country and its flora and fauna. Fantastic guides and some great company. But be prepared to sweat!

Kim and the other staff in the support vehicles were excellent - enthusiastic, friendly and helpful. Kim's knowledge was outstanding (he was able to answer every question we asked, even on the most obscure topics!) - we have been on many guided cycling trips and Kim was the best guide we have had.

Caroline Coleman-DaviesOctober 2019

Amazing grounds team, nothing was too much trouble. Incredible local and historical knowledge.

Joanne Gourley FroomeSeptember 2018

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