{"id":8201,"date":"2019-05-02T08:00:19","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T08:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nohurrytogethome.com\/?p=8201"},"modified":"2024-01-04T20:20:28","modified_gmt":"2024-01-04T20:20:28","slug":"borneo-itinerary-malaysia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nohurrytogethome.com\/borneo-itinerary-malaysia\/","title":{"rendered":"Borneo Itinerary: Two Weeks In Sarawak & Sabah"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I loved Borneo, guys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know that’s a weird way to start a blog post, but I really felt so hard for part of the world that I’m already cooking up plans to return next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you might know, I had really bad luck during my trip to Asia earlier this year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catching dengue fever in Sri Lanka was not fun and the three weeks I spent in Borneo after recovering were a reminder that, while travel might be rough sometimes, it’s those little moments that make your heart skip a beat that make it all worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, well, Borneo was full of those moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Borneo Itinerary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I’m convinced Borneo is the most underrated destination in Southeast Asia and I’m making it a mission to convince everyone to make it part of their Malaysia itinerary<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you love nature and wildlife but are also a sucker for quirky cities and incredible food – this is the place for you to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I spent a total of three weeks on the island, I narrowed down this introductory Malaysian Borneo itinerary for those who might not have that much time but still wish to see the highlights of Sabah and Sarawak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is so much to do here that I doubt an entire year would be enough to fully get to know the place, but this itinerary covers the main highlights while still allowing you to explore a bit of everything: from the fun capital cities to the rugged jungle as well as a few white-sand beaches here and there, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s dive in!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1: Kuching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The city seems small at first, but it’s an incredible hub for culture, historical temples, incredible street art, and mouth-watering food that will leave your taste buds begging for more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Orangutan<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Also,\u00a0Kuching translates into Cat City and the numerous cat statues scattered all over the city do justice to the name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make it a mission to find all the statues in the city! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kuching<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They’re really cool in a, um… really tacky way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay in Kuching: <\/strong>I stayed at Imperial Riverside<\/a> Hotel<\/a>. <\/strong>I generally prefer staying at small guesthouses or hostels when I travel because they tend to have a bit more personality, but in Kuching, I was still recovering from Dengue and for just $40, a night in a 5-star hotel was just what I needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Days 2 – 3: Bako National Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If I were to choose a highlight of my Borneo itinerary, it would be my visit to Bako. For me, it was definitely one of the best things to do in Borneo<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Being the oldest national park in Sarawak, I was really amazed to see how untouched it feels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bako covers the northern tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula and although it’s relatively small, it contains an incredible variety of vegetation and wildlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In fact, Bako is one of the few places in Borneo where you are almost guaranteed to see animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I loved the most about this place is the freedom visitors have to explore at their own pace. There are several well-marked trails that you can follow without the need for a tour guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t forget to get travel insurance for your trip! As always, I recommend Safety Wing<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> for great prices and coverage abroad. It starts at only $45 USD per month and will have you covered with everything you may need during your trip! Check them out here<\/a>.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bako is also home to almost 300 Proboscis monkeys and although I encountered them again in Sabah, I loved being able to see them in Bako more than I did elsewhere. They are known to roam around the park’s headquarters before sundown, so make sure you keep an eye out during dinner! The highlight for me was getting to see them while hiking – it was an amazing feeling being all alone in the jungle and suddenly realized I was surrounded by more than thirty of them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay in Bako National Park: <\/strong>There’s only one place to stay in Bako – the park’s headquarters. There are accommodation options for every budget, from camping starting as low as 5 RM, hostel dorm rooms at 15 RM, and private rooms starting at 50 RM. I highly recommend booking online<\/a> in advance as space is limited!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get to Bako:<\/strong> From Kuching, catch Bus No. 1 near the Open Air Market (right behind Elektra House). A ride costs 5 RM and they depart every hour starting at 7 am. The ride to Bako village takes one hour. Once there, take a boat to Bako National Park for 20RM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Days 4 + 5: Kota Kinabalu + Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Ah, Kota Kinabalu<\/a>! The city is replete with stunning mosques, turquoise-water beaches, and a killer food scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll want to make sure you include a day island-hopping around Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0in your Kota Kinabalu itinerary. The park is a set of five islands just off the coast of the city where you can spend the day chilling out at some of the best beaches in Borneo<\/a> or snorkeling your way through paradise-like waters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting to most islands is a breeze, with public boats leaving every few minutes from Kota Kinabalu’s jetty station. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you make it to the first island, you can catch another boat to any other island you pick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n