Borneo Adventure (Jungle Trek)

Borneo Adventure – Jungle Trek

From rare orchids, to the orang utan, nothing quite beats a Borneo adventure for its wealth of natural beauty!

Crave for an experience of an Borneo adventure jungle trekking with the natural beauty and astounding scenery of Borneo’s last great wilderness, is Sabah’s Lost World Maliau Basin.

This awe-inspiring biological wonderland is arduous to reach, and well suited for those who do not mind being away from the city comforts and are adequately fit.

What is so astounding about Maliau is its absolutely untouched rainforest that grows within the Basin areas with its forest vegetation changes composition with altitude, Maliau Basin bounded by escarpment reaching over 1,675 meters above sea level where stands an utterly different health forest structure altogether – what a Borneo adventure.

It is a haven to experience Maliau Basin, trekkers with keen interest in bird watching easily lost track of time with the numbers of birds sighting it has to offer.

Then there is for those who take keen in nature photography, the magnificent beauty of Maliau Fall is the highlight that also offers refreshing cool swim after a tired day trek of borneo adventure time.

Maliau Basin is not a crater or an extinct volcano; it is an uplifted plateau which has eroded in the middle giving it its saucer-like shape. There is only one river draining out of the whole Basin – the Maliau River! Because of its unique geological formation of sandstone & mudstone, Maliau is thought to have the highest number of waterfalls anywhere in Malaysia!

Tour Highlights

Borneo adventure/Jungle Trekking and exploration of Sabah’s Lost World Maliau Basin
Discover untouched rainforest and changing forest vegetation bounded by escarpment reaching over 1,675M above sea level
Breathtaking views of Maliau rainforest in the morning
Visit spectacular 7-tiered Maliau Waterfalls
Experience Amazing Wildlife and Bird Watching
Jungle Night Drive or Night Walk

Itinerary

Day 1 – Kota Kinabalu/ Keningau/ Maliau Basin Studies Centre (MBSC)

0630hrs: Meet and pick up from your hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Depart for 2 hours drive to the small town in Keningau, passing by the scenic mountainous view of Crocker Range.
0830hrs: Arrive at Keningau Town. Visit local coffee shop for a coffee break or do some last minute shopping.
0930hrs: Continue journey to Sabah’s Lost World, Maliau Basin Conservation Area.
1330hrs: Arrive at the Shell Maliau Reception for lunch. Visit the Information Gallery for an overall view and understanding of the Maliau Basin, Sabah’s Lost World.
1400hrs: Proceed to the Maliau Basin Studies Centre (MBSC). Pygmy elephants and wild cattle (banteng) are frequently seen in this area.
1430hrs: Upon arrival, registration and check-in to the accommodation. Free and easy at your own leisure until dinner time.
1900hrs: Dinner at MBSC, followed by video presentation on introduction to Maliau Basin.
2000hrs: Tonight (if weather permits), enjoy a night walk or night drive in search of nocturnal wildlife; species most often encountered are wild boar sambar deer, civet etc.
2130hrs: Return back to MBSC for a good night rest.

Lunch / Dinner Maliau Basin Studies Centre (MBSC)

Day 2 – MBSC/ Agathis Camp/ Nepenthes Camp

0700hrs: Breakfast and pack up
0830hrs: Depart for Agathis Camp (1.5 hours drive) nestled in hill mixed dipterocarp forest. Agathis Camp is 8.82 KM away from Maliau Basin Studies Centre and located at the southern-most edge of Maliau Basin Conservation Area, about 20 KM to the north of the Security Gate and 500 Meters above sea level. Upon arrival, you may leave your main luggage at the store room of Agathis Camp and bring only the necessary.
0930hrs: Let the Adventure begins! From Agathis Camp, trek through the rainforest for 7.5 KM to reach Nepenthes Camp. It is formerly known as Camel Trophy Camp as it was constructed by the Camel Trophy Expedition in 1993. The trek from Agathis Camp to Nepenthes Camp will take about 5-6 hours of trekking over the rim of the Basin. The first 3 KM will be the most challenging uphill trek for this adventure. Rest stop as you consume your packed lunch and dwell in nature filled with rich vegetation.
1500hrs: Arrival at Nepenthes Camp, a two-storey building with basic accommodation such as bunk beds and limited electricity.
1930hrs: Enjoy dinner in Nepenthes Camp and overnight.

Breakfast / Packed-lunch / Dinner Nepenthes Camp

Day 3 – Nepenthes Camp/ Takob Akob Falls or Giluk Falls or Fausi Falls/ Nepenthes Camp

0700hrs: Breakfast. Visit the 33 Meters high Observation Tower, which provides a platform to enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding forest canopy and observe birds at close range.
0800hrs: Pack up your stuff and collect the packed lunch. Proceed for another 2 hours walk to the beautiful Takob Akob Falls / Giluk Falls / Fauzi Falls. If time permits, you may be able to visit 2 or 3 falls. Relax and enjoy the surrounding rich vegetation or simply take a dip in the waterfall. Trek from the falls along the lowland Dipterocarp Forests to Nepenthes Camp.
1500hrs: Expected arrival at Nepenthes Camp. Free and leisure at your own time.
1930hrs: Dinner & overnight at Ginseng Camp.

Breakfast / Packed-lunch / Dinner Nepenthes Camp

Day 4 – Nepenthes Camp/ Maliau Falls/ Ginseng Camp

0600hrs: Breakfast.
0700hrs: Pack up your stuff and collect the packed lunch. Trek 12 KM along the lowland Dipterocarp Forests to Maliau Falls.
1200hrs: Expected arrival at Maliau Falls. The awesome Maliau Waterfalls, the most famed and undisputed jewel in the crown of Maliau Basin. Maliau waterfall is a spectacular seven-tiered waterfall cascading over and over into Maliau River, the highest fall of which is a magnificent 28 Meters fall. Stop for lunch and rest.
1300hrs: Proceed trekking for 5.5 KM back to Ginseng Camp.
1600hrs: Expected to arrive at Ginseng Camp.
1630hrs: Depart to Ginseng Falls.
1730hrs: Trek back to Ginseng Camp.
1930hrs: Dinner & overnight at Ginseng Camp.

Breakfast / Packed-lunch / Dinner Ginseng Camp

Day 5 – Ginseng Camp/ Agathis Camp/ Kota Kinabalu

0700hrs: Breakfast and pack up.
0800hrs: Depart Ginseng Camp and drop by the 4‐storeys Maliau Basin Observation Tower which offers a spectacular morning views of the rainforest.
1300hrs: Estimated arrival at Agates Camp for your own lunch and proceed to the main gate.
1700hrs: Estimated arrival at Kota Kinabalu and onward transfer to your hotel.

Breakfast / Packed-lunch

Fine Detail

Meals

4 Breakfasts
1 Lunches
4 Packed lunches
4 Dinners

Inclusions

Hotel Pickup & Drop off
Land Transportation (Seat-In-Coach)
Meals as Stated
4 Nights Accommodation
Permits & Conservation Fees
User Fees (Campsite)
VHF Radio Rental
Forest Ranger cum Radioman
English Speaking Guide

Accommodation

Day 1: MBSC (Hostel – Bunk Bed)
Day 2: Nepenthes Camp (Hostel – Bunk Bed)
Day 3: Nepenthes Camp (Hostel – Bunk Bed)
Day 4: Ginseng Camp (Hostel – Bunk Bed)

Exclusion

International Airfare
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic & Carbonated Drinks
Personal Expenses
Tips, any expenses of personal nature, client’s insurance
Porters (to carry personal belongings), Camera and Video fees
Porter services can be engaged at guest’s own personal account and to be settled in cash on the spot to the porter. Advance booking (1 week before trip) is recommended and subject to availability of porter. Personal Porter will assist guests and provide general help around the camp.- Maximum of 12kg = USD 24 Per Day Per Porter.
– Additional 5kg = USD 10 Per Day Per Porter.
– Additional 6-10kg = USD 24 Per Day Per Porter

Fitness level

You must have a very good level of fitness for this tour as you are required to be outdoors the entire time and be prepared to trek for up to 7-8 hours at each time. The camp is very basic and you must be prepared to rough it out. However your meals will be well-taken care of.

The tour can be done throughout the whole year. That being said, dry season is usually between March to October. This trek is not suitable for the faint-hearted as there are four vertical ladders to traverse. Humidity is high in the jungle, hence you must drink enough water to prevent dehydration throughout the trekking.