
Borneo - Amazing Malaysia
Come with us on an unforgettable adventure through the coral reefs, jungles and mountains of Borneo. See orangutans, cruise the rainforest rivers, raft the rapids, and explore the islands of Sabah; the jewel of southeast Asia.
This tour offers challenges, sights that wow, and some adrenaline. We’ll guide you to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, 4,095 metres (13,435 ft) above a rainforest which is the most biodiverse on the planet.
You’ll take a jungle river cruise, with a chance to see orang-utans, monkeys, elephants, crocodiles, and exotic birds. Limestone caves, night hikes through the buzzing jungle, white water rafting, and time in the sun soaked islands will complete your tour, where snorkelling, scuba or just relaxing is all included.


Example Itinerary with included meals - (B/L/D)
Day 1 - Arrival, check in and relax (D)
Pick up from Kota Kinabalu airport, meet your guides, and take a drive to Pekan Nabalu, where you can get various local products, fruits, home grown vegetables and handmade souvenirs. Continue on to Kinabalu Park for pre-climb registration.
Check in Kinabalu Park at 3pm. Free & easy. Dinner will be served at the lodge restaurant.
Day 2 - Mount Kinabalu Ascent (B/L/D)
After breakfast, check out and gather at Kinabalu Park HQ, collect your packed lunch and meet your guide. Transfer to Timpohon Gate and start your adventure of 6 km trekking to Panalaban.
Arrived and overnight at Laban Rata Resthouse. Dinner at Laban Rata Restaurant. Get an early night!
Day 3 - Kinabalu Summit and trip to Sandakan (B/L/D)
Early start for a sunrise summit. Get some breakfast/supper at Laban Rata restaurant and, with your guide, start your journey towards Low’s Peak the 4095m summit of Mount Kinabalu. Experience the glorious sunrise and take the best selfie of your life before descending to Laban Rata for a well earned second breakfast.
Check out and trek down to Timpohon Gate for a shuttle transfer for a late lunch at Liwagu Restaurant.
CONGRATULATIONS! You can now collect your Certificate of Achievement from our team. Overland transfer form Kinabalu park to Sandakan.
Check in to Sepilok Nature Lodge
Day 4 - Sepilok and Kinabatangan River Cruise (B/L/D)
Visit the orangutan sanctuary at Sepilok, and see how these amazing creatures are rehabilitated and returned to the forest reserve. The sun bear sanctuary is nearby too.
On to Kinabatangan rainforest reserve, and a river cruise to spot orangutans, macaques, monkeys and birds. Crocodiles and pygmy elephants can also be seen at the water’s edge. Evening is spent in air conditioned huts, but don’t miss the chance for a night-time walk in the jungle.
Day 5 - Kinabatangan to Kota Kinabalu (B)
Another chance this morning for a cruise, this time at dawn, to spot the precious wildlife on the river.
8am check out from the resort, we will take in the sights of a limestone cave; Goomantong, with incredible bats, and eerie wildlife thriving in the gloom. Travel back to Kota Kinabalu by an internal flight (included) in the afternoon, and free time to hit the beach, the shops, or just relax.
Day 6 - Kiulu White Water Rafting (B/L)
Hotel pick up in Kota Kinabalu and drive to Kiulu River’s starting point, passing through Kiulu Town. Along the journey, you will pass through traditional villages and green rice fields. Upon arrival, get yourself prepared. You will be kitted out with a life vest, helmet, and paddle! Safety briefing session will be conducted by the river guide before the rafting commences.
Start rafting down 9km of the Kiulu River passing through tropical rainforest. You can even take a zip line over the river itself. Change into dry clothes, enjoy your lunch and a transfer back to your hotel.
Day 7 - Island Hopping (Manukan & Sapi Island) (B/L)
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to jetty. The crew will distribute your life jacket and snorkelling equipment. Then, take a 20min speedboat ride to the first island, Manukan. Start your diving and snorkelling here, explore and experience this tropical paradise. There are lots of fun water sport activities available on the island also. BBQ buffet lunch before proceed to the second island, Sapi.
Here, you will have the whole afternoon, for swimming, sunbathing, and beach activities or simply continue with snorkelling. In the late afternoon, pack your things and take a boat ride to the mainland and transfer back to your hotel.
Day 8 - Onward Travel (B)
Pick up from hotel and transfer to airport
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COST - £1895 pp
DEPOSIT - £350 (followed by three interest free payments of £515)
DATES:
May 2026 (15 spaces left)
June 2026 (15 spaces left)
FAQs
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Generally we have 8-12 people on a trip, sometimes more and sometimes less.
Some people come with a friend or partner, but many come alone and make the experience of meeting new people part of their trip.
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We are committed to personal experiences, that are an extension of our own passion for the places and nature of our trips. So, we create trekking tours, with local partners, that we go on and are both responsible for and part of.
When you book with us, you are literally booking with the people who will be meeting you at the airport, transferring your bags, and guiding you on the trek from start to finish.
Big travel companies have much bigger design, marketing and sales budgets than we will ever have. But, we started Epic Escapes because we want to do less, better. A limited number of trips, with a limited number of people, to a few special places.
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Flights are not included in your booking price.
People want to come on an epic escape from different cities, countries and time zones. So, the cost and timing of your flight is unique to you, and cannot be specified so far in advance.
By allowing you to book your own flights we can keep the overall costs to a minimum for you, and allow you maximum flexibility.
We can help to select the right flights though, one of us will be travelling - so you can always decide to hop on the same one as us.
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This depends entirely on a combination of the destination, and your passport.
For our current planned trips, a UK passport grants visa-free travel to Morocco, Peru and Malaysia.
Nepal offers a visa-on-arrival, which means you don’t need to pre-arrange anything, and can get your visa in the airport.
Before you book your escape with us we will let you know all of the requirements and costs, and help with any arrangements well ahead of time.
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We include almost all of your meals and accommodation as part of your booking price. You'll usually want a little cash for tips, and souvenirs only.
In the schedule of activities for your trip, we break down each day, and which meals are included, and what accommodation is arranged.
Where a meal - such as lunch on some days - isn't provided, we will be sure to take you to excellent quality and value locations, where shopping and browsing for local foods is a pleasure.
Before you book your trip, we will ensure you are 100% clear on any extra costs, and the best way (cash, card etc) to manage your money.
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Currently you pay us a deposit - usually £250-350 - which allows us to secure the in-country guides, accommodation, taxes etc. This is why it’s non-refundable.
You pay us using either a payment card, or bank transfer. We can supply a booking confirmation beforehand, with our address and company number.
We then arrange for the remainder of your balance to be paid in 3 payments, which we’ll send you reminders for. You can, of course, pay all in one go, but you can spread the cost, at 0% interest.
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Our trips have different levels of fitness required although, in general, if you are regularly walking, and can take on hours of consistent walking, then you’ll be ok.
Spending time in the Lakes, Brecons or Peaks is good training for any of our walks. There are hours of walking every day, but this is a holiday, not a route marchWe stop and take in the sights, get refreshments, and pace to the whole group.
However, this is a trek, not an afternoon walk. Be ready to strap on decent, worn-in boots, but a bag on your back, and put one foot in front of the other for most of each day of your epic escape.
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There’s a lot of nervousness about high altitude, but it’s really just a case of acclimatising. In the Andes you are very high above see level, and the air is literally thinner.
However, you’ll arrive a day before any walking, and a good night’s sleep and some gentle exploring, is plenty to get you used to it.
We are experts at taking you to altitude and managing any symptoms you may have, plus we are fully trained first aiders and responders.
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We'll give you specific information well ahead of time for your chosen trip, but our general kit list is;
BAGS
Soft zip up holdall approx 100 Litre (For travel/horse)
30 Litre or similar rucksack (your day bag)
ESSENTIAL
2 x1L Water bottle or Camelback water system.
Sunglasses with SPF protection
3 season sleeping bag
Sun hat with neck protection or wide brim
Warm hat
2-3 wicking, sports or trekking t-shirts (not cotton)
Warm fleece or Down jacket
Waterproof jacket - Goretex or similar (Must fit over warm layers)
Trekking trousers
Worn in walking boots - water repellent and ankle supporting
Soft shoes/flip flops for evenings
3 pairs woollen walking socks
Casual clothes for city/sights/travel
Head torch (with spare batteries)
Sun cream (SPF30 and above recommended)
1st Aid kit (Painkillers, Dioralyte and Antihistamine)
Anti-Bacterial gel
Toilet roll
Toothbrush & paste
Warm gloves
Bin liners or plastic inliners for bags to keep rain out.
Passport plus a copy of photo page
Travel insurance printout
Cash to change into local currency, as required
Credit card for emergencies
Emergency contacts
OPTIONAL
Shorts
Swimming costume
Camera
Smart phone and charger
Battery pack
Adaptor plug
First Aid extras: Imodium, Antiseptic wipes, Vaseline and medication you need from GP etc
Trekking poles
Feminine hygiene as required
Waterproof gloves
Snacks (we’ll provide some)
Travel towel / pillow