Borneo 13 Nights (JNY-BOR-13-1A)

BORNEO - TEA, CONSERVATION & TRIBAL COOKERY IN SABAH (13 NIGHTS)

WORLD DIFFERENTLY! SEE THE

We believe in the power of extraordinary experiences. They allow us to see ourselves, others and the world differently, and develop our confidence, independence and resilience.

13 NIGHT JOURNEY BORNEO

Join us on an incredible journey through Sabah, on the island of Borneo. Learn how to cook with the Dusun tribe, stay on a tea estate, contribute to a conservation initiative and meet orangutans. It’s a journey that sparks learning, growth and greater possibility. A journey that resonates forever.

STARTHERE

DAY 1 ARRIVE IN KOTA KINABALU

Sleep: Hostel

Touch down in the coastal city of Kota Kinabalu. We’ve arrived in Borneo – an island of rainforests, orangutans and mysterious tribes.

Make sure you get some rest after your flight. You’re about to dive into local culture and experience the places you’ve been dreaming about.

Steamy jungle, welcoming communities and sparkling seas – it’s all here, waiting to be explored.

TRAVELLING RESPONSIBLY

REMEMBER, YOU’RE MORE THAN A TOURIST IN THIS PLACE. YOU’RE PART OF A TEAM OF GLOBAL CITIZENS, EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND COMMITTED TO LIFELONG LEARNING.

STAY OPEN TO OPPORTUNITIES, CONTRIBUTE WHERE YOU CAN, AND CONNECT WITH THE MANY PEOPLE YOU MEET ALONG THE ROAD.

DAY 2 DISCOVER KK

Sleep: Hostel

Wake up and feel the tropical heat. Get the lowdown on our exciting cultural journey ahead – then it’s time to explore.

The capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu is also known as ‘KK.’ A blend of old and new, this multicultural city has fiery sunsets, friendly locals and a busy fishing industry.

Discover the most important landmarks – places like the War Memorial, Australia Place, the Jesselton Hotel and the Pillars of Sabah. Cool off with some refreshing flavoured ice, then climb 267 steps for the panoramic view from Signal Hill Observatory Tower.

Feeling hungry? Tuck into fresh seafood, Indian roti (pancakes), Malay curries and more.

When evening falls, we’ll watch the sun sink behind the offshore islands. Cameras at the ready!

PLAN AHEAD

NOW’S THE TIME TO BOOK ANY OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES. CHAT WITH THE GROUND TEAM AND GET PLANNING!

DAY

3

COOKING WITH THE DUSUN TRIBE

Sleep: Hostel

Travel: Day trip from KK

DAYS 4-5 KK & AROUND

Sleep: Hostel

Get creative in the kitchen and learn first-hand about traditional cuisine from the Dusun tribe. We’ll travel to the Kiulu Valley in the rural District of Tuaran (about an hour from KK). Agriculture is the main livelihood here, so you’ll see rubber plantations, orchards, rice paddies and vegetable gardens as we journey into the hills. Roll up your sleeves and learn how to cook the Dusun way – you could be working with local ingredients like leaves, bamboo and raw fish.

Chow down on your homemade lunch, then learn more about tribal life as we explore the village. Have a go at everyday chores like rubber tapping, vegetable farming and tending the rice paddies.

MEET THE DUSUN TRIBE

ONE OF SABAH’S LARGEST ETHNIC GROUPS, THE PEACEFUL DUSUN TRIBE MOSTLY LIVE IN THE UPLANDS. THEY’RE KNOWN FOR THEIR HOSPITALITY AND HARD WORK.

Discover more of KK and its incredible surroundings.

Delve deep into KK culture at the floating mosque, visit the Sabah Art Gallery or wander through beautiful orchid gardens.

Fancy white water rafting through the lush jungle scenery? Head to the Kiulu River, then grab a paddle and navigate the rapids – this one’s a real team effort, so you’ll need to dig deep and pool your strengths.

Got a head for heights? How about getting a bird’s-eye-view of the jungle from a zip wire?

Or you could go snorkelling – blow bubbles off KK’s coastline and spot the full cast of Finding Nemo.

LEARN THE LINGO

GREET LOCALS WITH ‘SELAMAT PAGI’ IN THE MORNING, AND ‘SELAMAT PETANG’ AFTER LUNCH.

DAYS 6-7 SABAH TEA GARDEN

Sleep: Longhouse

Travel: Transfer 3hrs to the garden

DAYS 8-11 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Sleep: Lodge dorms

Travel: Transfer 4.5hrs to the site

Strike east to Sabah Tea Garden. On the way, we’ll discover nature trails and rare orchids at Kinabalu Park –Malaysia’s first World Heritage site. At the tea garden, we’ll explore our new home-from-home, settle into a traditional longhouse and gather round for a talk about tea. It’s been a long day, so climb into bed, tuck in your mosi net and doze off.

Wake up for a sunrise walk through the plantation. See the morning mists rolling over the fields, with a backdrop of Mount Kinabalu – Malaysia’s

highest peak. Get immersed in life on a tea estate when we harvest some leaves and learn about the withering process.

Decide whether to make oolong or green tea, then toss your leaves into a wok or steamer. Hand-roll them and leave to ferment before drying them out in an oven. Finally, it’s time for a brew. Take a sip – it tastes even better after all that work.

Before we leave, we’ll try another local tradition – the art of batik painting.

Spend the next few days living alongside a rural community beside the Kinabatangan River, the longest river in Sabah.

This lush landscape is home to orangutans, pygmy elephants and more. But much of it has been earmarked for agriculture and development, or damaged by logging and plantations. Learn about the efforts to protect this special place.

Help out with tree planting and maintaining reforested areas. Prepare saplings in the nursery and clear areas ready for planting.

Dive deeper into community life by eating with local families and experiencing their homeland on a boat trip.

This is a side of Borneo that few tourists see. Rural life can be tough, and you’ll have none of the comforts

you’re used to back home. Grab this opportunity to connect with the locals and learn about their lives.

LIFE ON LAND

CONTRIBUTE TO AN INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO REVERSE BIODIVERSITY LOSS AND PROMOTE THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF ECOSYSTEMS.

DAYS

12-13 ORANGUTANS & SUN BEARS

Sleep: Hostel

Travel: Transfer 1hr to Sepilok

DAY 14

DEPART FROM SANDAKAN

Nothing quite prepares you for Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (SORC). It’s one of the few places in the world where you can see orangutans in their natural habitat.

These endangered great apes are only found in Borneo and Sumatra. SORC cares for injured orangutans and helps them to survive. We’ll aim to arrive at feeding time, as it’s the best chance of seeing them up close.

Next to SORC, we’ll visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). Meet the sun bears and

keep an eye out for the orangutans, macaques and squirrels that also thrive in this protected forest.

Next up is the Rainforest Discovery Center. Learn more about Borneo’s forests, stroll along the canopy walkway and view the jungle from above.

When the sun sets on our last day in Borneo, gather the team for a big team meal. Tuck into your favourite cuisine, share your memories and set your friendships in stone.

All too soon, it’s time to fly home. Cram everything into your backpack and head to the airport.

Check in, sit back and let it all sink in. You’ve just experienced something incredible. You’ve been immersed in Sabah culture, you’ve engaged with communities and you’ve seen this beautiful country through local eyes. Return home with a whole new perspective of the people we share our planet with, and the stunning

WE CARE ABOUT EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES.

Students will gain a greater understanding of how to act for a more sustainable future, at both local and global levels.

Students will be immersed in different cultures and experiences, growing to understand their role within our global community.

Students will be challenged to think critically about topical issues that affect our past, present and future around the world.

Students will be empowered to build on their self-care strategies, enhancing their physical and mental wellbeing.

Students will experience and reflect on the power of being pushed outside of their comfort zone, allowing the development of initiative, confidence, and resilience.

Students will build a deeper connection to their own identity & personal values, developing their independence and sense of self.

SERVICE LEARNING