East Malaysia is a destination for adventurous travellers - people who enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the jungle, hearing the calls of jungle animals, taking shelter under thick canopies and coming face to face with thousands of years of ethnic culture. On your tour to Borneo, you can explore the plethora of national parks and conservation areas such as Crocker Range National Park in Sabah and Fairy Cave Nature Reserve in Kuching. You can take a cruise on the Kinabatangan River and spot the Proboscis Monkey, Bornean Gibbon and the Maroon Langur, which can all only be seen in 2 places on earth. Afterwards, you can trek into the jungle to the Long Pasia village, which is home to the Lun Bawang and Lun Dayeh tribes, followed up by a trip to the pretty Mengkabong Water Village. When it comes time to leave the mainland, then head to the islands, take a few days to indulge in some diving, swimming and laid back island life, then visit the magical Turtle Island, which is a preserve for turtles, and it is simply charming.
Visiting Borneo during a cultural festival can be a highly rewarding experience - consider the Gawai Dayak festival, which begins at the end of May each year across Sarawak. This is one of the most important festivals for the Iban and other indigenous cultures on the island - expect to see traditional costumes en masse, ritual music and more than enough locally brewed rice wine.
Best Time: Mar–Oct dry season
Tailor-Made: 10–16-day eco-tours
Hotels: Rainforest lodges, beach resorts
Flexible: River cruises, jungle treks
Extensions: Kuala Lumpur & Singapore
Top Places: Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Mt Kinabalu
Best Season: Apr–Sep wildlife viewing
Scenic Routes: Kinabatangan River safaris
Highlights: Danum Valley, Sipadan Island
Extensions: Sarawak & Kuching loops
Best Activities: Orangutan watching, jungle walks
Best Time: May–Sep turtle nesting season
Stay Options: Eco-wilderness jungle lodges
Interests: Wildlife, trekking, eco-adventure
Culture: Dayak longhouses, local markets
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