While Borneo is not the first thing people think of when they think of Malaysia, G Adventures says it should be!  A journey to Borneo brings your clients close to some of the most fascinating flora and fauna in the world — in the company of some of the most welcoming people. Here are 10 things your clients can do on their first trip to the region:

 

1. Visit Kota Kinabalu city (where G Adventures starts and ends most of our tours)

It’s a cool little metropolis whose proximity to many beaches and to Mt Kinabalu makes it an ideal starting point for travellers.  Your clients can spend time in the city by going to the street markets, strolling along the vibrant waterfront, and indulging in plenty of fresh seafood.  

2. Hike up to the summit of Mt Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia

The mountain is a revered place of the dead, and is supposedly protected by the spirits of the locals’ ancestors. It is no easy feat to hike up the mountain, but the views from the summit are well worth it. To protect the paths from overuse, the government has strict rules and regulations about who can climb the mountain and how many can climb per day.

 

3. Learn about the history

The story of Borneo is an extremely interesting and intricate tapestry of human trade and exploration. After centuries as an important trading post for the Indian and Chinese, it later came under Dutch and British control. Present-day Borneo belongs to Malaysia, but the states of Sarawak and Sabah, which are located on Borneo, are independent.

4. Visit a mud volcano

Palau Tiga was formed as part of a volcanic eruption, and the island is home to a myriad of mud volcanoes. A visit is an absolute must: your clients can soak in the mineral-rich muds, which are reputed to have skin-beautifying properties. Besides the beautiful beaches on the island, they can also visit the nearby Snake Island (very appropriately named) and Sand Island (also appropriately named).

 

5. Meet the people of Sabah at Tambatuon village, and hunt for durian in the wild

Through a hands-on cooking class with locals, travelers can learn to make the simple but flavourful cuisine of Sabah. The dishes come from Sabah’s Indigenous roots, and are influenced by Chinese cuisine, due to a long trading relationship with Sabah.

 

6. Spot an orangutan

While a sighting of an orangutan in never guaranteed, the likelihood of seeing one increases when visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Orangutans are critically endangered and they continue to be threatened in Borneo, as their habitat is encroached upon by the palm oil industry. 

7. Visit Mulu National Park

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, protected for its extensive cave systems and karst rock formations, and is home to a rich equatorial forest. The cave systems at Mulu are incredibly impressive; they are already thought to contain the largest cave in the world (by volume). Exploring the caves gives you a real sense of adventure as you try and avoid all the bats flying overhead (and guano — a.k.a. bat poop — lying underfoot).

 

8. Embark on a hike of the Headhunter’s Trails

Headhunting was a practice for several warring Indigenous tribes in Sarawak, the Iban people in particular. The practice was not so much a way to conquer enemies: The ritual of headhunting stemmed from spiritual beliefs that involved absorbing the characters of the deceased person. Following along the original headhunter’s trail, one gets a deep sense of the remote lifestyle of Borneo’s Indigenous people.

 

9. Stay at an Iban Longhouse

The Iban people of Sarawak live together in large family units in a longhouse (quite literally, a long house). Being welcomed into the familial atmosphere gives one a unique look at the lives of this group of Indigenous people in Sarawak. The families are extremely welcoming, and will go to great lengths to envelop you in their culture.

Spending the night at a longhouse, surrounded by people, roosters, cats, and a multitude of other animals gives you a sense of being part of the family. But don’t go there without a present: it’s customary to present the Iban people with gifts of food when asking for shelter.

 

10. Check out Libarian Island

Here, travellers will have the chance to see baby turtles hatching on the beach. The preservationists who live at Libarian Island do their utmost to ensure that the baby turtles hatch safely and make their way into the sea to hopefully grow into mature adults. The people who dedicate their lives to ensuring as many baby turtles make it to the sea as possible are as inspiring as witnessing the birth of the turtles themselves.

For more information, visit gadventures.com