Borneo & Gaya Island Paradise

Day 1 - Saturday 7 October 2023

Melbourne - Borneo (In flight meals)

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel!

Join your Sisterhood Womens Travel tour hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Airport at the designated time for our flight to Sandakan via Kuala Lumpur. 

Our flight departs late night so sit back relax and enjoy the inflight service of Malaysia Airlines as we begin our adventure.

Day 2 - Sunday 8 October 2023

Sandakan

Upon arrival into Sandakan you will be met and proceed to the Sandakan War Memorial; created to commemorate the World War II events that took place in Sandakan and North Borneo. Thereafter transfer to the hotel.

Remainder of the day is at leisure.

Sandakan is a busy commercial centre at the entrance to a beautiful, island-studded bay. Most activity centres on the docks and wharves that sprawl along the waterfront. Barges, ferries and motorboats of every description buzz around, unloading fish and other produce, and taking away rattan, timber, rubber, copra, palm oil and bird’s nests. West of town, passenger ferries shuttle back and forth to Zamboanga in the Philippines. In the bay, container vessels ride at anchor awaiting their turn to unload.  Sandakan has character and even a certain downmarket charm, though once the shop shutters come down at night the centre can feel disconcertingly deserted. The real attractions lie outside town, but there’s excellent seafood to enjoy and beautiful views from the hills at sunset.

Accommodation:  Sabah Hotel, Superior Room, Sandakan 

Day 3 - Monday 9 October 2023

Sandakan (B, L)

This morning you will be collected from the resort and driven to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre.  Proceed to watch a video show about the plight of the orang utans and the rehabilitation efforts ongoing at the Centre. Walk ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orang utans at 1000hrs, and then continue to the newly completed enclosed nursery area for young orang utans. 

Note on Camera Use at Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre:

Any camera with zoom lens from 100 to 400mm, video camera or other video recording equipment for personal use is chargeable at RM10.00 per unit. Any camera (fixed-lens - 400mm and above) or any film-making equipment is chargeable at RM1,000.00 per unit. Mode of payment is cash only.

Visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about conservation of the world’s smallest bear. 

After lunch, proceed to Labuk Bay Proboscis Sanctuary.  Walk to witness the feeding of the elusive proboscis monkeys and silver leaf langurs at the sanctuary. 

Please bring along sun block lotion, personal toiletries, torch light, insect repellent, drinking water bottle, walking shoes, binoculars, camera, hat & raincoat.

After sunset, you’ll be taken on a guided night walk to search for nocturnal animals at the Rainforest Discovery Centre before returning to the hotel. 

Accommodation:  Sabah Hotel, Superior Room, Sandakan 

Day 4 - Tuesday 10 October 2023

Sandakan - Kota Kinabalu (B)

Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for the onward flight.

Upon arrival into Kota Kinabalu you will be transferred to the hotel.

Remainder of the day at leisure.

Accommodation:  Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu 

Day 5 - Wednesday 11 October 2023

Mt Kinabalu National Park (B, L)

Drive 2 hours overland to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 1500m above sea level. Have a short stop at Pekan Nabalu market to savour local fruits in season. Visit the Kinabalu Natural History Gallery and Mountain Garden in Kinabalu Park Headquarters. Weather permitting, take a guided walk on one of the trails in the cool surroundings to explore the montane forest. Return to Kota Kinabalu and drop off at the resort.

Please bring along drinking water bottle, insect repellent, hat, walking shoes & raincoat.

Accommodation:  Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu 

Day 6 - Thursday 12 October 2023

Kota Kinabalu (B)

Day is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort.  

Accommodation:  Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu 

Day 7 - Friday 13 October 2023

Kota Kinabalu - Gaya Island (B, L, D)

Early this morning, after breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel to Kota Kinabalu for a city tour. The tour includes a brief visit to Tanjung Lipat, which offers panoramic scenery of the Gaya Island, South China Sea and Tun Mustapha Tower. 

Continue to the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, recognized as one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia. Visit the Puh Toh Tze Buddhist temple before driving to discover Sabah Museum's unique heritage.  

Transfer to the Jesselton Point Wharf for the scheduled boat transfer to Gaya Island.  Upon arrival a late lunch will be served.

Tucked amidst protected mangroves, sheltered coral reefs and curled around the pristine sandy coast of Malohom Bay rests Gaya Island Resort. Set on an island within the protected Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, discover a sanctuary nestled in the hillside of an ancient rainforest with a stunning outline of Mount Kinabalu on the horizon. With its youthful vibe and sun-dappled moments, this beachfront resort blends harmoniously with the natural environment featuring a collection of hillside villas with views that range from mangrove forests and the surrounding canopy to the outline of Mount Kinabalu. 

The resort is committed to ecologically-sustainable practices to minimise its carbon footprint within the environment, therefore it is a walking resort with minimal motorised vehicles used for operational purposes.

Accommodation:  Gaya Island Resort, Gaya Island 

Day 8 - Saturday 14 October 2023

Gaya Island Resort (B, L, D)

Day is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the resort or relax.

Accommodation:  Gaya Island Resort, Gaya Island 

Day 9 - Sunday 15 October 2023

Gaya Island Resort (B, L, D)

Day is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the resort or relax.

Accommodation:  Gaya Island Resort, Gaya Island 

Day 10 - Monday 16 October 2023

Gaya Island - Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur - Melbourne (B, in flight meals)

Morning at leisure.

Transfer by boat at 3pm from the island to Jesselton Point Wharf. Upon arrival, transfer to Kota Kinabalu  Airport for the return flight to Melbourne via Kuala Lumpur.

Day 11 - Tuesday 17 October 2023

Arrival into Melbourne

Welcome Home, we’ll arrive into Melbourne in the morning.  Thank you for joining us for your latest adventure and we look forward to welcoming you back!