Top 11 Borneo Secrets

B ORN EO

S EC REtS Top 11 Must See Spots You Can’t Miss

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HI fellow traveler!

Looks like you’re planning a trip to Borneo, eh?

I have to tell you, when I left the U.S for a quick

How exciting! Whatever your timeline or inter-

vacation I certainly didn’t think I’d end up here

ests are, Borneo will give you a one- of- a- kind

in paradise, sharing my passion for Borneo with

adventure. Whether you’re looking for lazy

travelers like yourself.! But after extensive travels

lounging on a 5-star beach or tough trekking

throughout Asia as a tour leader, I just fell in love

through the wilderness, this is the destination

with the untapped beauty and culture of this

for you. Borneo will absolutely blow your mind,

amazing Malaysian island.

I can promise you that. It blows my mind every

After a while, I noticed a lack of service and

day! I wake up and realize I am lucky enough to

concern for safety for international travelers. So I

be here showing travelers all the amazing places

did what any scrappy adventurer with an entre-

I’ve discovered during my travels.

preneurial spirit would do and founded my own travel agency, Top Peak Travel.

Before we get to must-see spots, let me introduce myself. My name is William and I’m original-

It’s our goal to both educate and entertain our

ly all the way from Alabama. That may surprise

travelers about the many wondrous sights

you after a conversation with me because my

around Borneo. I hope you enjoy The Top 10

southern accent has gotten a bit mixed in with

Must-See Spots in Sabah and Sarawak

all the other cultures I’ve experienced during my many years of travel.

William Bishop

Top Peak Travel, Founder March, 2018

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Mount Kinabalu Mount Kinabalu is one of the highest peaks

It’s a relatively easy climb and the world’s

in the region and the highest mountains in

highest via ferrata. Also of note, this Kinabalu

Malaysia at 4095m above sea level. It also

park was in the first round of Malaysia’s World

happens to be one of the most ecologically

Heritage sites in 2000.

diverse mountains in the world. Couple that with its amazing sunrise views from the summit and you’ll see why it’s a must-see in Borneo.

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Mulu Mulu is a wondrous location with an abundance

caving, witness the nightly mass bat exodus,

of natural beauty. Caves, rivers, equatorial

and even stay at a 5-star Marriott Resort.

rainforest and the sandstone pinnacles

Also, Mulu National Park boasts the largest

are everywhere for you to explore. It was

known cave chamber in the world, the Sarawak

namedone of Malaysia’s first world heritage

chamber - 600 m by 415 m and 80 m high.

sites in 2000 and has something for everyone.

You can choose between easy or adventure

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Kudat Kudat is the most northwestern province on

There you’ll find clear blue seas, diverse man-

the island of Borneo. The “tip of Borneo” joins

grove areas, and you can even go surfing when

the northernmost tip of the island with the the

the waves allow. If you’re hungry after your

South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. Although this

activities, fresh seafood is abundantly available

spot has been popular with locals for a while, it

and cheap.

is only recently seen a surge in popularity with

This is where (KTCS) is located, which is a local

travelers. It’s still relatively quiet and easy to en-

NGO we heavily support.

joy the white sand beaches on your own. Sometimes, without even a single tourist around!

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Danum Valley Danum Valley is a naturalist’s dream with one

You can also find some of the most sought after

of the most complex ecosystems in the world.

wildlife species in this area: Pygmy Elephants,

Some say this 130-million year old forest is the

Orangutan, Gibbon, Civet cat, 100’s of bird spe-

oldest in the world. By comparison, the Amazon

cies and thousands more. Danum Valley also

rainforest is 60 million years old. The habitat

boasts one of the world’s tallest trees, ancient

has some of Borneo’s rarest and most precious

ethnic burial grounds, waterfalls, a magnificent

plant and wildlife. If you like mixing luxury

canopy walk and amazing sunrises.

with adventure, you can choose between two options. Danum has a 5-star resort accommodation option BRL or a more reasonable accommodation at DVFC.

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Deramakot D’kot is Malaysia’s first (and most successful)

This spot is a bit off the beaten path, so you’re

sustainable logging reserve, with worldwide

much more likely to get a more personal and

accreditation to this fact. This area has the most

less crowded experience here than in other

diverse bird life I have ever explored in Borneo.

major wildlife destinations.

The reserve boasts all the major mammals you’re looking for, and in greater numbers than anywhere else! Whether you want to see pygmy elephants, civet cats, orangutans, gibbons, proboscis monkey or birds of paradise, you’ll find them here.

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Kinabatangan River (Bilit) One of the easiest wildlife areas to comfortably

You can do daily river trips here to search for

reach by car is Bilit. It’s only a 1.5 hour drive

wildlife. The area also has a large cave system

from Sandakan. Here you’ll find the second lon-

(the Gomantong Cave), and many villages along

gest river in Malaysia, the Kinabatangan river.

the river.

The 560 km river is a significant wildlife destination for Pygmy Elephants, Proboscis Monkeys, Hornbill Birds and more.

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Batang Ai The Batang Ai excursion includes a long, bumpy

Some still live in traditional longhouses, which

journey, but it’s worth it for the adventurous

you can stay in and observe their way of life.

traveler. The Batang Ai reservoir and surround-

Although there is some wildlife in this area as

ing area are of great cultural significance to Sar-

well, it’s small compared to the places in Sabah.

awak. The primary ethnic tribe here is the Iban.

They are farmers and hunters who were known to practice headhunting before it was banned by the “White Raja,” James Brooke in the 1800’s.

Today, they are communal people.

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Pulau Tiga This island is so famous it’s been on a TV show! Its

The island has picturesque beaches, natural sul-

nickname is “Survivor Island” because it was the

phuric mud springs to bathe in, a coral reef that’s

setting for the first season of the television show

perfect for snorkeling just off the beach, and wild-

Survivor. Pulau Tiga (pulau=island, tiga=three) is a

life who call the island home. It’s also one of the

postcard tropical island only 3 hours by car/boat

best places in Sabah to enjoy our world famous

from Kota Kinabalu. The island also has diving

sunsets!

courses available - including an introductory open

Click to watch Video

water course. From here you can also enjoy day trips to snake island with a 20 minute boat ride or explore one of the self-guided walking trails.

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Long Pasia Long Pasia is one of the few “still original” villages

Here you’ll get a chance to experience life as it

in Sabah mainly due to its limited accessibility.

was decades ago. Strangely enough, the village

Here you’ll find the Crocodile Dundee of Sabah.

still doesn’t have electricity, but they somehow

His name is Nooh Bin Dawa (King of the Jungle).

have cable TV! At any rate, this is one of my

He’s a real jungle guide who even has a book

absolute favorite places in Borneo. The food,

written about him! The surrounding jungle is still

hospitality, and surroundings are all amazing.

fairly pristine as the villagers have fought loggers to stay away from the area. The village is located in a valley bowl with very fertile soil for farming.

Click to watch Video

If you decide to take one of our trips up to Long Pasia, you’ll see multiple waterfalls, river crossings and pristine jungle.

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Tambunan Tambunan is my pick, along with Kudat, to

Because of that, you’ll find many local activities

be the next major tourism area to explode in

to enjoy like traditional homestays, rice

development in Sabah. Tambunan, nicknamed

cultivation, swimming at the waterfall, climbing

Switzerland of the East, has plenty of natural

Trus Madi, mountain biking and more. They are

beauty waiting for you to discover. From

famous for their quality rice production, and

picturesque, neon green rice paddies to jungle

you can also enjoy the locally made rice wine.

waterfalls, the views here are fantastic. It’s still a rural area, and is not as heavily developed as other places in Sabah.

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Sipadan Although that’s the Top 10 we promised,

Regularly touted as one of the top three

I wanted to give you one more spot as an

international dive sites for its 600m sheer wall

‘Honorable Mention.’ There aren’t many

drop that creates a wild diversity of marine life.

locations on the planet more diverse and

You can get to and from Sipadan easily from

accessible for diving than in Sipadan, off the

the airport in Tawau.

East coast of Sabah. It’s a diver’s absolute paradise.

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what people have SAId “Had only one week on Sabah and wanted to ex-

“One of the best tours and experiences I’ve

perience as much as possible, so William made a

done! We stayed in an amazing resort, went

wonderful customised trip for me! One day topics

on river cruises and jungle hikes and saw so

in and around Kota Kinabalu, a lovely day trav-

many animals including orangutans and long

eling to Mount Kinabalu, one day climbing this

tail macaque monkeys. We also saw exotic

beautiful (but tough) mountain and on the day

birds, crocodiles, snakes, owls and weird in-

coming down we drove to a tropical beach! Kay-

sects. Highly recommend doing the night cruise

aking, snorkeling, swimming, stunning sunsets

for a bit extra as I’ve never seen the stars look

and the best part… A bamboo hut (low profile)

so bright – even saw a planet and shooting

right on the beach! In general; the people with

star and felt so magical. Top Peak Travel are

their beautiful history, viewing the orangutan

fantastic to go with, very helpful, transparent,

and proboscis monkey in their free habitat, great

good value, well-organised and everything ran

food and activities made me fall in love with this

smoothly from start to finish. The rep Bren-

beautiful part of Malaysia. Thanks again William,

da and our driver were extremely helpful and

for giving me this wonderful experience. Will let

always on hand for anything we needed. The

you know when I come back!”

accomodation was beautiful, good food and we are booking another tour to the hot springs with them next. Thank you Top Peak!”

Anouk G, Hong Kong

Suzia via Trip Advizor

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thank You! Thank you for your interest in Borneo! We hope these recommendations were helpful to plan your trip. If you need our help in any way, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about your Borneo trip. My company, Top Peak Travel, strives you give you the absolute best experience while you’re in Borneo.

Our team of American and Malaysian staff guarantees you the best mix of western service and local knowledge. With our combined 20 years of tourism experience you can be sure that you won’t find a better travel agency to take you around Borneo to experience your one-of-a-kind adventure!

We give you the best of both worlds: 1. An expat owned agency with Western understanding and hospitality.

2. Expert locals that can show you all the hidden gems of Borneo in both Sabah and Sarawak.

If you’d like to enjoy the same experience as our previous travelers, please contact us today and we’ll put together a custom package for you. Whether you want a taste of culture or venture into the wilderness, we can help you organize the trip of a lifetime. From the plain to the preposterous, there’s no Borneo question our expert guides can’t help you with.

C lick to Contact

088-251-254 info@toppeaktravel.com

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