Borneo (Sabah): 7 Days from Kota Kinabalu to Sipadan

Sabah is the most-biodiverse state in Malaysia, the home of the orangutans and the proboscis monkeys, the world-class diving at Sipadan, and the highest mountain in Malaysia. A 7-day trip is the right length for the highlights. This is the plan.

Day 1: Arrive Kota Kinabalu

Land at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI). Drop the bags at the hotel in KK city. The most central hotels: the Hyatt, the Sutera Harbour, the mid-range options in the city center. Evening: the sunset at the Tanjung Aru Beach (the most-photographed sunset in KK), the seafood dinner at the Welcome Seafood or the Filipino Market.

Day 2: Kota Kinabalu + the surroundings

Morning: the KK city tour. The Signal Hill Observatory Platform (the most-photographed view of the city), the Atkinson Clock Tower (the oldest in Sabah, 1905), the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre (the most-photographed Ramsar site in Sabah). The most-photographed city in Sabah.

Afternoon: the Mari Mari Cultural Village (the most-photographed cultural village in Sabah, the 5 ethnic groups: the Bajau, the Rungus, the Lotud, the Dusun, the Murut). The most-photographed 3 hours in Sabah. Half-day trip from KK.

Evening: the KK waterfront (the most-photographed waterfront in Sabah), the seafood dinner at the Centre Point or the Asia City.

Day 3: Mount Kinabalu climb (the highlight)

2 hours drive from KK to Kinabalu Park. The 2-day climb (1 night at Laban Rata at 3,272 m, the summit at sunrise) is the most-photographed in Malaysia. The trail is hard (1,600 m of elevation gain, the trail is steep), the view from the summit is the most-rewarding in Southeast Asia. The climb is achievable for anyone in reasonable shape.

The standard itinerary:

• Day 3 (afternoon): Arrive at Kinabalu Park HQ, register, do the 6 km round trip to the Timpohon Gate. Stay at the park hostel or at the Laban Rata.
• Day 4 (early morning): 2 a.m. start for the summit. Arrive at 4,095 m at sunrise (around 6 a.m.). Descend to Laban Rata for breakfast. Descend to the park HQ. Drive back to KK.

Cost: $400-600 per person including guide, permit, accommodation, food.

Day 4: Fly to Sandakan, Sepilok

From KK, fly to Sandakan (SDK) — 1 hour, $30-50. From Sandakan, drive to Sepilok (45 minutes).

Afternoon: the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (the most-photographed orangutan sanctuary in the world). The feeding time (9 a.m. and 3 p.m.), the semi-wild orangutans, the most-photographed animals in Sabah. The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is next door.

Evening: the Sandakan city. The most-photographed: the Sim-Sim Waterfront (the most-photographed in Sandakan), the Agnes Keith House (the most-photographed heritage house), the seafood dinner at the Sandakan Seafood Restaurant or the English Tea House.

Day 5-6: The Kinabatangan River (the wildlife cruise)

The 560-km river on the east coast, the most-wildlife-dense river in Sabah. The proboscis monkeys, the pygmy elephants, the orangutans, the hornbills, the crocodiles. The 2-day river cruise (the Sukau Rainforest Lodge, the Borneo Nature Lodge, the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge) is the most-photographed wildlife experience in Malaysia.

The standard itinerary:

• Day 5 (morning): Drive from Sandakan to Sukau (2.5 hours). Board the boat. Afternoon river cruise. Night river cruise (the most-photographed, the most-probable wildlife encounter).
• Day 6 (early morning): Morning river cruise (the best wildlife, the most-photographed). Breakfast. Visit the Oxbow Lake (the most-photographed lake in Sabah). Drive back to Sandakan.

Cost: $300-700 per person for 2 days, 1 night including the lodge, the cruises, the food, the guide.

Day 7: Semporna + Sipadan

From Sandakan, drive to Semporna (4-5 hours). The gateway to Sipadan and Mabul.

Afternoon: the Mabul Island (the muck diving, the most-photographed in Sabah). The day-trip diving or the relaxation. The most-photographed day trip in Semporna.

Evening: the Semporna town. The most-photographed: the Semporna Mosque (the most-photographed in Sabah), the seafood dinner at the Scuba Junkie or the Celebes Beach Resort.

Day 8: Sipadan (the world-class diving). Fly back to KK or to the next destination.

What to add if you have more time

• Add Danum Valley (2-3 days): The 438-km² conservation area, the oldest rainforest in the world (130 million years), the most-pristine, the most-photographed primary forest in Malaysia. The canopy walkway (the 300-m long, 26-m high), the wildlife (the orangutans, the gibbons, the hornbills, the clouded leopards), the night safari. 1-2 nights at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. $400-800 per person.
• Add the longhouse in Sarawak (3-4 days): Fly to Kuching, visit the longhouses around the Batang Ai lake. The most-photographed culture in Malaysian Borneo.
• Add the Mulu Caves in Sarawak (2-3 days): The 529-km² national park, the most-photographed in Sarawak, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Deer Cave, the Clearwater Cave, the Sarawak Chamber.
• Add the dive cert at Mabul (3-4 days): The PADI Open Water course is 4 days, $300-400, the most-photographed dive cert in Southeast Asia.

What to skip with only 7 days

• The Tawau Hills Park: The national park near Semporna, the most-photographed in Sabah, the waterfalls. Needs 2-3 days. Skip this trip.
• The Turtle Islands Park: The turtle sanctuary, the most-photographed in Sabah. The day trip is rushed, the overnight is more meaningful. Skip this trip.
• The Crocker Range Park: The 1,400-km² park, the most-photographed in Sabah, the highest point in the Crocker Range. Needs 2-3 days. Skip this trip.

What to know

• Best months: March to October. November to February the rain is heavy, the Sipadan is closed, the mountain is harder to climb.
• Sipadan permits: Limited to 176 divers per day. Book 2-3 months in advance. The most-photographed dive site in Malaysia, the most-restricted.
• Mount Kinabalu permits: The mountain is capped at 130 climbers per day. Book 1-2 months in advance. The most-photographed mountain in Malaysia.
• Vaccinations: Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for the interior (the Danum Valley, the river cruises). The cities are malaria-free.

Total cost (7 days, per person, 2 sharing, mid-range)

• International flights: $800-1500
• Domestic flights (3-4 internal flights): $150-300
• Accommodation (mid-range, 6 nights): $200-700
• Food: $100-200
• Activities (mountain, river, diving, sanctuary): $1,000-2,000
• Transport: $100-200
• Total: $2,350-4,900