Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Malaysia – Indonesia – Borneo
100% customisable for you
Have your bags packed, passports at the ready and work phone switched off: your luxury sabbatical begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy a celebratory tipple in the lounge before boarding your overnight flight to Sandakan, set in Malaysian Sabah on the northeast coast of Borneo. With a quick stopover, the journey will take around 19 hours, so make sure to have a holiday read or eye mask on hand to pass the time before you arrive tomorrow afternoon.
When you touch down, you’ll be met and privately transferred to your charming nature lodge, where you’ll be staying for the night. Drop your bags and spend the rest of the day soaking up the sounds of the jungle before enjoying a tasty dinner and a good night’s sleep, ready for the real adventure to begin tomorrow.
The next three days are all about discovering the best of Borneo’s natural landscapes. After a tasty breakfast, begin the five-and-a-half-hour journey into the Deramakot Forest Reserve, one of the best spots in Sabah for wildlife watching. Along the way, stop at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre for close encounters with these incredible animals.
First certified in 1997, over 75% of Sabah’s mammals call Deramakot Forest Reserve home. Today, ten per cent of its 137,000-acre area is dedicated to conservation, so expect to see orangutans, pygmy elephants, banteng (wild cattle) and many more rainforest-dwelling species.
Spend your mornings enjoying sunrise treks through the reserve, keeping your eyes peeled for tropical birds and graceful deer, before heading back to your lodge for leisurely breakfasts surrounded by forest scenery. When dusk falls, you’ll be treated to evening wildlife drives. As the sun sinks and the temperature cools, the animals begin to stir, meaning you’ll have a greater chance to spot the forest's inhabitants, from bumbling gibbons to the elusive clouded leopard.
After one last early morning wildlife drive, it’s time to make the five-and-a-half-hour journey back to Sepilok, where you’ll be spending the night.
The next morning, you’ll be transferred to Sandakan Pier for an exciting boat trip along the Kinabatangan River. The river basin's immense biodiversity and exposed banks provide the perfect opportunity to spot species otherwise hidden in the thick rainforest, so stay on the lookout for wild orangutan, leaping proboscis monkeys or a herd of pygmy elephants congregating for a cooling drink.
The next few days on the river will be filled with gentle cruises and exciting wildlife watching. With a peaceful lodge on the edge of the river as your base, set off on morning sailing trips along the river, enjoy exhilarating wildlife drives in a comfortable 4x4, and hike through lush rainforest, learning all about the local species or how to take professional-looking wildlife photos from your expert guides.
After one last sunrise wildlife cruise, you’ll be privately transferred south to your new rainforest lodge in the heart of the Danum Valley, a four-and-a-half-hour drive away.
The Danum Valley is one of the largest areas of protected rainforest in Malaysian Borneo, and is home to around 250 species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians and 340 species of tropical birds. As if that wasn’t enough, new species are still being discovered on a regular basis, making it a must-see for any wildlife enthusiast.
Set out on guided treks and 4x4 tours, keeping your eyes peeled for orangutan, gibbons, pygmy elephants, hornbills and the adorable, doe-eyed slow loris. Break up the wildlife watching with a sunrise trip to ‘Coffin Cliff’, a 200-year-old Kadazandusun burial site, for jaw-dropping views over the sprawling jungle, or enjoy a relaxing ride down the Danum River in a rubber ring before cooling off with a dip in the jacuzzi back at the lodge.
Evenings bring tasty dinners and even more exciting wildlife treks to spot the nocturnal members of the forest family: think samba deer, civet cats and leopards, along with a glittering array of insects and frogs.
It’s time to swap jungle for beach as you’re privately transferred to Lahad Datu Airport for your one-hour flight to Kota Kinabalu. When you touch down, another private transfer will whisk you to Jesselton Point ferry terminal, where you’ll board a speedboat for the ten-minute ride to Gaya Island.
The next few days are yours for the taking. Spend your time lazing on the sand, relaxing in the spa or enjoying a beachfront picnic, soaking up views over the pristine beach and lush rainforest. If you finish your holiday read, don’t worry: the on-site library boasts a range of books perfect for lounging poolside.
Fancy something a little more adventurous? Explore the island on a guided walk through the jungle and mangrove forest, looking out for the amazing flora and fauna. Thrill seekers can even whizz through the forest on an exhilarating zipline ride, soaring over the canopy at high speeds.
Travelling with an ocean enthusiast? Try your hand at watersports on the beach or go diving along the island’s colourful reefs, home to groupers, clown fish, turtles and, occasionally, majestic whale sharks. You can also visit the nearby Marine Ecology Research Centre for an insight into their coral and giant clam conservation projects.
Enjoy one last beachfront breakfast before being transferred back to Kota Kinabalu Airport, where you’ll board your two-and-a-half-hour flight to Kuala Lumpur. When you touch down, head to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the night.
After an afternoon of relaxing, the next day is dedicated to exploring. Two days isn’t long enough to truly take in this buzzing city, but to help you get your bearings, we’ve arranged a whistlestop tour of its highlights. After a fuelling breakfast, head out alongside a private guide, who’ll point out Kuala Lumpur’s hotspots, from giant skyscrapers and grand temples to bustling markets and sprawling parks.
Begin at the Chow Kit covered market, wandering past stalls piled high with textiles and fresh fruits, before heading to the Indian district to soak up the smell of fragrant spices and the brightly coloured architecture. For a touch of history, visit the city’s oldest mosque, Taoist temple and Hindu temple, before rounding off the tour in Chinatown with a pillowy char siu bun and a perfectly sweet egg tart.
It’s time for the Indonesian leg of your sabbatical to begin. This morning, transfer back to the airport for your one-hour flight to Kualanamu, where you’ll be met and transferred three hours to Bukit Lawang, the gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park.
Spend the next few days exploring this iconic national park, which sprawls across almost two million acres of Northern Sumatran jungle.
Cameras at the ready: your time here will be spent trekking through the lush forest, keeping an eye out for orangutans, Thomas’s leaf monkeys, black gibbons, monitor lizards and even the occasional elephant or tiger. Refuel with tasty jungle picnics before drifting lazily along rivers on tubing trips or exploring spooky bat caves, catching the reflection from a thousand glittering eyes as your torches cast a golden glow over the ceiling.
Once you’re suitably shattered (and wowed), cool off in the afternoons with a dip in the river and spend your evenings listening to the canopy's chorus.
After three days in the jungle, you’ll be privately transferred back to Medan for an overnight stay before boarding an early morning flight to Denpasar via Jakarta. The journey will take between six and eight hours, and when you arrive, you’ll be privately transferred to Ubud, a one-and-a-half-hour drive away.
Over the next few days, dive into Ubud’s history and traditions. For a taste of the local cuisine, we’ve arranged a cookery course with a friendly chef. Beginning at Tampaksiring Market, pick out fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs before heading back to learn about Indonesian cooking techniques. Put your newfound skills to use as you prepare some traditional dishes, then sit down to taste your creations.
You’ll also have time to explore Ubud at your own pace. Wander along the narrow streets, visiting small shops, local galleries and grand temples. If you haven’t had your fill of trekking, head out on a walk through the sprawling rice fields, soaking up the scenic views and stopping to enjoy local dishes at traditional warungs (small family-run eateries). For a taste of culture, enjoy a traditional performance, featuring vibrant dances and music that highlight Bali’s rich heritage.
Wave goodbye to Ubud this morning as you’re transferred back to Denpasar for a one-hour flight to Labuan Bajo and a 35-minute transfer to Seraya Kecil Island.
Set in Indonesia’s Komodo region, Seraya Kecil is a remote paradise, boasting pristine beaches and crystalline waters. Spend the next four days relaxing on the sand, taking a dip in the sea or trying your hand at a range of watersports with an expert guide. Come evening, kick back and enjoy sundowners and small plates at the beachfront restaurant.
Missing jungle life? Fear not. On one of the days, we’ve arranged a trip to Komodo National Park. Established in 1980, the park comprises over 550,000 acres of volcanic islands, including Komodo itself. Thanks to the region's dry climate, sandy beaches and coral-rich waters, it’s home to a huge range of wildlife – including around 5,700 Komodo dragons.
Spend your day on Komodo Island trekking through the jungle with a ranger, stopping to spot buffalo, deer, monkeys and endemic bird species. You’ll also have the chance to dive beneath the waves at Pink Beach and Manta Point, swimming alongside manta rays, whale sharks, sea turtles, dolphins and over 260 species of coral.
The final stretch of your luxury sabbatical is upon you. This morning, transfer back to Labuan Bajo for the one-hour-and-15-minute flight to Denpasar, where you’ll be transferred to Jimbaran, a 30-minute drive away.
Spend a couple of days in this charming coastal resort town soaking up the last of the Indonesian sun. Relax on the beautiful beach, lounge by the pool or enjoy a coffee in a local café, holiday read in hand. One morning, rise bright and early to visit Jimbaran’s iconic fish market. After securing a good price for the freshest fish in town, head to a local warung, where they’ll cook the catch right in front of your eyes.
Once the time comes to begin your journey home, you’ll be privately transferred back to Denpasar Airport for your overnight flight home. With a quick stopover, the journey will take about 19 hours, and you’ll touch down in the UK the next day, armed with a suitcase full of souvenirs and a camera roll full of wonderful wildlife shots.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
