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Hotels, lodges and resorts

The accommodation on this trip provides an adventurous variety of places to stay. The normal accommodations used on this trip are on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a couple of the notable places we stay.

Sepilok: Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort (nights 1-2)



We stay two nights at a resort in the tranquil Sepilok Rainforest; perfect for nature lovers and just a short drive from the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. The rooms are relatively modest, but include air conditioning, mosquito nets and private bathrooms. The resort also has a restaurant serving a variety of local, Asian and Western dishes in addition to an outdoor swimming pool.

Kuala Lumpur: Santa Grand Signature Kuala Lumpur (nights 8-9)



Spend two nights in the heart of Kuala Lumpur at the Santa Grand Signature. Within walking distance of the Petronas Towers, this modern property has a rooftop swimming pool and fitness centre. There’s also an all-day restaurant serving Peranakan and international cuisine plus a sky lounge for cocktails with stretching city views.

Worth knowing

The accommodations listed in the itinerary are the standard hotels used. However, there may be some departures where groups stay at similar hotels of the same standard and quality.
While the resorts we stay at in Borneo (Sepilok and Kinabatangan) are modest, they have been selected due to their proximity to wildlife activities included on the trip in conjunction with reduced accommodation options in the area.

There are 13 breakfasts, two lunches and four dinners included.

You should allow about 880-1,320 Malaysian ringgits (US$200-US$300) for food not included. You need a little more for beer and other alcoholic drinks as you can expect to pay near Western prices.

Most meals will be basic, based around rice and noodles, although most accommodations have a Western breakfast of beans, toast and eggs. In the bigger hotels and cities, the full range of Western and local foods are available. You can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish.

In Kuala Lumpur, there is a food tour providing an opportunity to experience the diverse culinary heritage of the country.

Vegetarians can be catered for but please be aware that choice may be limited outside the main cities. Please inform your sales representative before departure of any special dietary requests.

In Borneo, the availability of certain products is minimal or non-existent, for example wheat- or dairy-free, please be prepared for this and you may need to bring these from home.

— Casual clothes. As it is generally hot and humid, light cotton clothing is recommended for most of the trip, though it is a good idea to bring a fleece for some evenings
— Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country so modest dress is required on this trip when visiting holy sites such as the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur (ie legs, shoulders and upper arms to be covered as well as a headscarf for women)
— Reasonable walking shoes are advisable for the jungle areas as we may be on trails that can get a bit muddy (even if only short trails)
— A torch (flashlight) may come in handy
— Due to the different seasons in different parts of the country, you can expect sunshine and rain so please be prepared with rain protection as well as sun protection
— Please bring layers/fleece or sweater for the train journey (air conditioned) to Penang
— Insect repellent will be particularly useful during the Borneo section of the trip, though you’ll probably also need it for the peninsula section

Gum boots are normally available to hire for use on days three and four during our visit to Kinabatangan.

Please note, the domestic flights from Sandakan to Kuala Lumpur and Penang to Langkawi have a weight restriction of 33lb (15kg) but it is possible to pay a supplement for additional luggage once your trip commences. If you would like to pay for additional luggage for the internal flights please speak to your group leader on Day 1 who can arrange this in advance – you will then need to pay in cash to your group leader. Alternatively, you can purchase additional luggage when checking in at the airports before each domestic flight. Please ensure you take note of your baggage weight when you board your flight from home so you will know if purchasing additional luggage for the internal flights will be required during the trip.

As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check the airline website for the latest information prior to your departure.

This trip covers two very distinct parts of Malaysia: the Malaysian Peninsula and Borneo. Depending on scheduling and the availability of leaders, we use either two separate leaders for each section or a single leader for the entire trip. If using two leaders, the first leader will meet the group in Sandakan and the second leader in Kuala Lumpur.

— Experience Malaysia’s two faces: the cosmopolitan Malaysian Peninsula and the natural wonders of Borneo
— Get your culture fix in the historic cities of Penang and Malacca
— Witness the great spectacle of feeding time at the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
— Cruise Kinabatangan River at dusk and dawn searching for pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys
— Discover the culinary and cultural diversity of Kuala Lumpur on a foodie tour

Key information
Start hotel: Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort, 1.5KM, Jalan Sepilok, Sepilok, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Phone: +60 16-841 1414
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Sandakan Airport (SDK)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

— Travel insurance
— Single accommodation (available on request)
— Visas or vaccinations

— Casual clothes. As it is generally hot and humid, light cotton clothing is recommended for most of the trip, though it is a good idea to bring a fleece for some evenings
— Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country so modest dress is required on this trip when visiting holy sites such as the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur (ie legs, shoulders and upper arms to be covered as well as a headscarf for women)
— Reasonable walking shoes are advisable for the jungle areas as we may be on trails that can get a bit muddy (even if only short trails)
— A torch (flashlight) may come in handy
— Due to the different seasons in different parts of the country, you can expect sunshine and rain so please be prepared with rain protection as well as sun protection
— Please bring layers/fleece or sweater for the train journey (air conditioned) to Penang
— Insect repellent will be particularly useful during the Borneo section of the trip, though you’ll probably also need it for the peninsula section

Gum boots are normally available to hire for use on days three and four during our visit to Kinabatangan.

Please note, the domestic flights from Sandakan to Kuala Lumpur and Penang to Langkawi have a weight restriction of 33lb (15kg) but it is possible to pay a supplement for additional luggage once your trip commences. If you would like to pay for additional luggage for the internal flights please speak to your group leader on Day 1 who can arrange this in advance – you will then need to pay in cash to your group leader. Alternatively, you can purchase additional luggage when checking in at the airports before each domestic flight. Please ensure you take note of your baggage weight when you board your flight from home so you will know if purchasing additional luggage for the internal flights will be required during the trip.

As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check the airline website for the latest information prior to your departure.

— Accommodation: 6 Superior nights (4 hotel, 2 beach resort), 7 Classic nights (4 resort, 3 hotel)
— Travel by minibus, boat and domestic flights
— Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Malaysia is not as cheap as many other Southeast Asian countries and you can expect to spend 880-1,320 Malaysian ringgits (US$200-US$300) on meals not included. In addition to this, alcoholic drinks prices are similar to Western Europe. There are some souvenirs and T-shirts available throughout the trip and there is good shopping in Kuala Lumpur.

Optional excursions

Please note, all prices listed below are ‘prices from’ and are subject to change.

Sandakan (only available if arriving in Sandakan pre-tour as no time is spent here once the tour has started)

— Agnes Keith House: 15 ringgits (US$3.50), entrance fee only
— St Michaels and All Angels Church: Free entrance
— Puu Jih Shih Chinese Temple: Free entrance
— Fireflies/mangrove cruise/fishing village tour (dinner): 396 ringgits (US$92.15)

Sepilok

— Rainforest Discovery Centre: 38 ringgits (US$8.85)
— Rainforest Discovery Centre night walk: 50 ringgits (US$11.65), minimum two people
— Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre: 50 ringgits (US$11.65)
— Return transfers for additional optional visit from Sepilok accommodation to the Rainforest Discovery Centre or Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary: 30-42 ringgits (US$7-US$9.80)

Malacca

— Riverboat trip: 30 ringgits (US$7)
— Baba Nonya Heritage Museum: 25 ringgits (US$5.85), tours only available 10am-1pm (last morning tour: midday) and 2pm-5pm (last evening tour: 4pm)
— Menara Taming Sari, a 360-degree viewing tower: 26 ringgits (US$6.05)

Kuala Lumpur

— Petronas Towers skybridge: 98 ringgits (US$22.80)

You only have Sunday afternoon (Day 8) on this tour to visit the Petronas Towers sky bridge as it is closed on Mondays (Day 9). Please book online and pay in advance at least a few months before departure; this is a popular site and there are limited slots. Tickets sell out well in advance. The recommended visiting time is 5pm-7pm on Day 8 of the tour. https://www.petronastwintowers.com.my

— KL Tower: 80 ringgits (US$18.65) for the observation deck, 140 ringgits (US$32.60) for the sky deck
— KLCC Aquaria: 79 ringgits (US$18.40)
— Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia: 20 ringgits (US$4.65)

Penang

— Blue mansion: 25 ringgits (US$5.85), tours are only available daily at 11am and 2pm
— Funicular railway: 30 ringgits (US$7), plus 80 ringgits (US$18.65) for fast lane
— Eastern & Oriental Hotel: Entrance free
— Chulia street food walk (7pm-9pm): 290 ringgits (US$67.50) - price and duration may differ at time of booking
— The Habitat Penang guided walk (45 minutes, available between 9am and 5pm): 18 ringgits (US$4.20). For a one-hour privately guided tour (maximum 10 people) it's an additional 200 ringgits (US$46.55) for the guide

Langkawi

— Four-hour mangrove boat trip, including hotel transfers and lunch: 205 ringgits (US$47.70)
— Four-hour mangrove sundowner cruise, including transfer and al fresco dinner: 210 ringgits (US$48.90)
— Langkawi sky bridge: 6 ringgits (US$1.40)
— Langkawi sky glide: 16 ringgits (US$3.75)
— Langkawi cable car: 85 ringgits (US$19.80)
— Langkawi half-day tour: 180 ringgits (US$41.90) - price differs by itinerary
— Four-hour nature cycling trip, including hotel transfer and refreshment stop: 205 ringgits (US$47.70). Morning session: 8.30am to 12.30pm; afternoon session: 3.30pm to 7.30pm

Tipping is customary in Malaysia but is entirely at your own discretion.

The trip is divided into two parts, the Malaysian Peninsula section and the Borneo section and we may have separate tour leaders for both sections. A recommended amount for tipping the leaders is 13 ringgits (US$3) per person per day. This comes to about 110 ringgits (US$25) per person for each of the two leaders.

The tour leader will collect local currency to contribute to a tipping kitty, which will be used to tip local guides and staff so you don’t need to worry about it. This is not compulsory but should make it easier for you. Each leader will collect approximately 30 ringgits (US$8) per person in Sandakan for the Borneo portion of the tour, and 65 ringgits (US$15) in Kuala Lumpur for the Malaysian Peninsula portion for this purpose.

We use a variety of transport on this trip including minibuses, riverboats, an electric train, and two internal flights (from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and from Penang to Langkawi) and even rickshaws.

This trip is rated as Activity Level 1 (Easy). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Weather and seasons: Malaysia has a tropical climate, which means it can be quite hot and humid year-round. Due to the wide range of geographical zones visited there is no best time to visit; different parts of the country will be going through dry or wet seasons at different times of the year. Even if a region is in the wet season, it normally gets a mixture of rain and sun.

Walks: We go on several leisurely walks in Borneo, including along canopy walkways in Sepilok and to a viewpoint in Kinabatangan. While these are not challenging, the trails can be muddy.

Travel: We travel by minibus, motorised canoe, train and two internal flights. Most drives are relatively short, with the longest being around five to six hours, but most are under three hours. The train ride from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth is four hours.

Malaysia generally has a tropical climate, which is fairly standard year-round. Different parts of the country experience wet and dry seasons at different times of the year and you can expect to have sunshine and rain at any time. In the lowlands, temperatures tend to vary from lows of 20C (68F) to highs of 30C (86F), while the highlands generally have lows of 15C (59F) with highs of 25C (77F). Temperatures can get very cold on top of Mount Kinabalu where it can even freeze at night.