Maliau Basin - Borneo's Lost World!
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Maliau Basin has earned the nickname “Sabah’s lost world” for good reason. The first expeditions into this remote basin occurred as recently as 1988 and it remains very much “off the beaten path” to this day. Visitors willing to take up the challenge of hiking to it’s numerous stunning waterfalls are rewarded with a rich and diverse habitat of vine-clad old-growth forest. Over 2000 species of plants and animals have been discovered in this remote corner of Sabah but many more remain a secret.
If your main goal is wildlife sightings then trekking in Danum Valley or taking a wildlife cruise on the Kinabatangan river may be more rewarding but for those in search of a truly remote, off the grid, jungle trekking experience, look no further than Maliau Basin. You can expect 5 to 8 hours of trekking per day in hot & humid conditions with steep and potentially slippery terrain. Visitors to Maliau Basin must be physically fit and have travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation. |
VIEW 4D/3N MALIAU BASIN ITINERARY
DAY 1: Kota Kinabalu to Maliau Basin Study Centre
Pick up from Kota Kinabalu (other possible locations include Semporna or Tawau) around 7 am and begin the journey to Sabah's Lost World, Maliau Basin, around 5 to 6 hours from Kota Kinabalu. Along the way, you will pass through the Crocker Ranges scenic winding roads and your driver can make a quick stop at the market in Keningau if needed to purchase last minute supplies. Pass through Maliau Gate with a brief stop for registration, then continue another 30 - 40 minutes to reach Maliau Basin Study Centre, your home for the first night. Enjoy lunch on arrival, check-in and have a brief orientation of the facilities. In the late afternoon, you will embark on an introductory walk of the area surrounding the centre and learn about some of the incredible biodiversity of this rarely visited part of Borneo. After dinner, join an included night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife or add on an optional night drive (subject to weather & road conditions). Meals: L, D
* Night drive RM60 per person based on min 3 pax
DAY 2: Hike to Ginseng camp & explore Ginseng Falls
Wake up early to enjoy your breakfast and re-pack your bag before jumping in a 4WD vehicle to Agathis camp, the starting point for your 5 to 6 hour hike to Ginseng camp. This 9km journey will take you through old-growth forest, including several gentle uphill sections along the way. Rest and have lunch along the way, with some luck, you may also catch a glimpse of one of the Basin’s elusive Borneon gibbons or red-leaf monkeys. Ginseng camp is nestled in very close to Ginseng falls, where you can choose to spend your afternoon and take a refreshing afternoon dip before returning to the camp for dinner and lights out. Meals: B, L, D
DAY 3: Explore Maliau Falls
After breakfast, you will pack your lunch and head for Maliau falls, the highlight of any trip to Maliau Basin! The trek is around 4.5km each way, be warned that final stretch is a steep trail with ropes to assist you in places. It should take you 2 - 3hours each way, leaving time to eat your lunch and enjoy the beautiful area surrounding the falls. In the early afternoon, start your hike back up the hill to Ginseng camp for dinner and lights out. Meals: B, L, D
DAY 4: Hike out and transfer back to Kota Kinabalu
After you have finished your breakfast at Ginseng camp, begin your hike back to Agathis Camp to meet your driver. Today is another 9km and should take around 5 hours with time to have your packed lunch along the way. Once you reach Agathis Camps, it's time to de-leech and begin the 5 - 6 hour drive back to Kota Kinabalu (other finishing locations also available- including Semporna/Tawau). Expected arrival back into Kota Kinabalu is around 7 pm. Meals: B, L
Pick up from Kota Kinabalu (other possible locations include Semporna or Tawau) around 7 am and begin the journey to Sabah's Lost World, Maliau Basin, around 5 to 6 hours from Kota Kinabalu. Along the way, you will pass through the Crocker Ranges scenic winding roads and your driver can make a quick stop at the market in Keningau if needed to purchase last minute supplies. Pass through Maliau Gate with a brief stop for registration, then continue another 30 - 40 minutes to reach Maliau Basin Study Centre, your home for the first night. Enjoy lunch on arrival, check-in and have a brief orientation of the facilities. In the late afternoon, you will embark on an introductory walk of the area surrounding the centre and learn about some of the incredible biodiversity of this rarely visited part of Borneo. After dinner, join an included night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife or add on an optional night drive (subject to weather & road conditions). Meals: L, D
* Night drive RM60 per person based on min 3 pax
DAY 2: Hike to Ginseng camp & explore Ginseng Falls
Wake up early to enjoy your breakfast and re-pack your bag before jumping in a 4WD vehicle to Agathis camp, the starting point for your 5 to 6 hour hike to Ginseng camp. This 9km journey will take you through old-growth forest, including several gentle uphill sections along the way. Rest and have lunch along the way, with some luck, you may also catch a glimpse of one of the Basin’s elusive Borneon gibbons or red-leaf monkeys. Ginseng camp is nestled in very close to Ginseng falls, where you can choose to spend your afternoon and take a refreshing afternoon dip before returning to the camp for dinner and lights out. Meals: B, L, D
DAY 3: Explore Maliau Falls
After breakfast, you will pack your lunch and head for Maliau falls, the highlight of any trip to Maliau Basin! The trek is around 4.5km each way, be warned that final stretch is a steep trail with ropes to assist you in places. It should take you 2 - 3hours each way, leaving time to eat your lunch and enjoy the beautiful area surrounding the falls. In the early afternoon, start your hike back up the hill to Ginseng camp for dinner and lights out. Meals: B, L, D
DAY 4: Hike out and transfer back to Kota Kinabalu
After you have finished your breakfast at Ginseng camp, begin your hike back to Agathis Camp to meet your driver. Today is another 9km and should take around 5 hours with time to have your packed lunch along the way. Once you reach Agathis Camps, it's time to de-leech and begin the 5 - 6 hour drive back to Kota Kinabalu (other finishing locations also available- including Semporna/Tawau). Expected arrival back into Kota Kinabalu is around 7 pm. Meals: B, L
VIEW 5D/4N MALIAU BASIN ITINERARY
DAY 1: Kota Kinabalu to Maliau Basin Study Centre
Pick up from Kota Kinabalu (other possible locations include Semporna or Tawau) around 7 am and begin the journey to Sabah's Lost World, Maliau Basin, around 5 to 6 hours from Kota Kinabalu. Along the way, you will pass through the Crocker Range’s scenic winding roads and your driver can make a quick stop at the local market in Keningau if needed to purchase last minute supplies. Pass through Maliau Gate with a brief stop for registration, then continue another 30 - 40 minutes to reach Maliau Basin Study Centre, your home for the first night. Enjoy lunch on arrival, check-in and have a brief orientation of the facilities. In the late afternoon, you will embark on an introductory walk of the area surrounding the centre and learn about some of the incredible biodiversity of this rarely visited part of Borneo. After dinner, join an included night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife or add on an optional night drive (subject to weather & road conditions). Meals: L, D
* Night drive RM60 per person based on min 3 pax
DAY 2: Agathis Camp to Nepenthes Camp
Wake up early to enjoy your breakfast, re-pack your bag then transfer to Agathis camp to begin the Full Maliau Basin Trekking loop! The 7.5km trail leading to Nepenthes camp starts with a steep incline that may have you wishing you had packed a lighter than you did! The average time to reach Nepenthes camp is around 5 hours, you will have rest stops along the way, one of which will also be your lunch break (packed lunch). Once you reach Nepenthes camp, you can drop your pack, enjoy some refreshments and explore the area. Time-depending, there is an optional 2-3 hour return trek to nearby Takob Akob falls. Return for dinner at Nepenthes camp and lights out. Meals: B, L, D
DAY 3: Nepenthes camp to Ginseng camp & explore Ginseng falls
Get the day started with an early breakfast, then continue the trekking loop toward Ginseng camp (around 7km / 5 hours). This will be your least challenging and most varied of the trekking days, bringing you through lower dipterocarp, lower montane and heath forests. Different pitcher plants and rafflesia can be seen, along with Borneon gibbons and red-leaf monkeys with some luck. Ginseng camp is nestled in very close to Ginseng falls where you can choose to spend your afternoon, and take a refreshing afternoon dip, before returning to the camp for dinner and lights out. Meals: B, L, D
DAY 4: Explore Maliau Falls
After breakfast, you will pack your lunch and head for Maliau falls, the highlight of any trip to Maliau Basin! The trek is around 4.5km each way, be warned that final stretch is a steep trail with ropes to assist you in places. It should take you 2 - 3hours each way, so you will get plenty of time to relax, eat your lunch and enjoy the beautiful area surrounding the falls. In the early afternoon, begin your hike back up the hill to Ginseng camp for dinner and lights out.
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 5: Ginseng camp to Agathis camp and return to Kota Kinabalu
After you have finished your breakfast at Ginseng camp, begin your hike back to Agathis Camp to meet your driver. Today is another 9km and should take around 5 hours with time to have your packed lunch along the way. Once you reach Agathis Camps, it's time to de-leech and begin the 5 - 6 hour drive back to Kota Kinabalu (other finishing locations also available- including Semporna/Tawau). Expected arrival back into Kota Kinabalu is around 7 pm. Meals B, L
Pick up from Kota Kinabalu (other possible locations include Semporna or Tawau) around 7 am and begin the journey to Sabah's Lost World, Maliau Basin, around 5 to 6 hours from Kota Kinabalu. Along the way, you will pass through the Crocker Range’s scenic winding roads and your driver can make a quick stop at the local market in Keningau if needed to purchase last minute supplies. Pass through Maliau Gate with a brief stop for registration, then continue another 30 - 40 minutes to reach Maliau Basin Study Centre, your home for the first night. Enjoy lunch on arrival, check-in and have a brief orientation of the facilities. In the late afternoon, you will embark on an introductory walk of the area surrounding the centre and learn about some of the incredible biodiversity of this rarely visited part of Borneo. After dinner, join an included night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife or add on an optional night drive (subject to weather & road conditions). Meals: L, D
* Night drive RM60 per person based on min 3 pax
DAY 2: Agathis Camp to Nepenthes Camp
Wake up early to enjoy your breakfast, re-pack your bag then transfer to Agathis camp to begin the Full Maliau Basin Trekking loop! The 7.5km trail leading to Nepenthes camp starts with a steep incline that may have you wishing you had packed a lighter than you did! The average time to reach Nepenthes camp is around 5 hours, you will have rest stops along the way, one of which will also be your lunch break (packed lunch). Once you reach Nepenthes camp, you can drop your pack, enjoy some refreshments and explore the area. Time-depending, there is an optional 2-3 hour return trek to nearby Takob Akob falls. Return for dinner at Nepenthes camp and lights out. Meals: B, L, D
DAY 3: Nepenthes camp to Ginseng camp & explore Ginseng falls
Get the day started with an early breakfast, then continue the trekking loop toward Ginseng camp (around 7km / 5 hours). This will be your least challenging and most varied of the trekking days, bringing you through lower dipterocarp, lower montane and heath forests. Different pitcher plants and rafflesia can be seen, along with Borneon gibbons and red-leaf monkeys with some luck. Ginseng camp is nestled in very close to Ginseng falls where you can choose to spend your afternoon, and take a refreshing afternoon dip, before returning to the camp for dinner and lights out. Meals: B, L, D
DAY 4: Explore Maliau Falls
After breakfast, you will pack your lunch and head for Maliau falls, the highlight of any trip to Maliau Basin! The trek is around 4.5km each way, be warned that final stretch is a steep trail with ropes to assist you in places. It should take you 2 - 3hours each way, so you will get plenty of time to relax, eat your lunch and enjoy the beautiful area surrounding the falls. In the early afternoon, begin your hike back up the hill to Ginseng camp for dinner and lights out.
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 5: Ginseng camp to Agathis camp and return to Kota Kinabalu
After you have finished your breakfast at Ginseng camp, begin your hike back to Agathis Camp to meet your driver. Today is another 9km and should take around 5 hours with time to have your packed lunch along the way. Once you reach Agathis Camps, it's time to de-leech and begin the 5 - 6 hour drive back to Kota Kinabalu (other finishing locations also available- including Semporna/Tawau). Expected arrival back into Kota Kinabalu is around 7 pm. Meals B, L
Accommodation
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Part of the beauty of Maliau Basin is that there are no high end resorts here. For the first night at Maliau Basin Study Centre you will stay in a private fan-cooled Standard twin-room (other options on request) but from the second night onwards, basic accommodation & meals are provided at jungle camps throughout the trek, immersing you further into the green heart of the basin.
Maliau Basin Study Centre
Nepenthes & Ginseng Camp Bunk beds / stretcher hammocks with mosquito nets and sheets provided. Basic bathroom facilities. |
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Pricing
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The Taster 4D3N
RM4750 per person Based on 2 pax booking RM3600 per person Based on 3-4 pax booking |
Full Loop 5D4N
RM5500 Based on 2 pax booking RM4200 Based on 3-4 pax booking |
Above rates are valid till 31st Dec 2026 and based on staying in a private Standard twin room for your first night at Maliau Basin Study Centre (twin-share)
Upgrade to Deluxe room at Maliau Basin Study Centre RM50 per person
Please enquire for special rates on bookings of 5 pax or more
Upgrade to Deluxe room at Maliau Basin Study Centre RM50 per person
Please enquire for special rates on bookings of 5 pax or more
Maliau basin treks operate on the principle that you will be in a small group with a maximum of 8 people per guide. You will also be accompanied by a Maliau Basin ranger..
Trips can be arranged to Maliau Basin for any dates throughout the year subject to accommodation availability. A minimum of 5 days notice is required to organise a trek but as the accommodation can fill up well in advance, we recommend booking as far ahead as possible.
Solo travellers are welcome to join our existing departure - please drop us an email to check which dates we already have a trip to Maliau departing. Your first night at Maliau Basin Study Centre will be in a dormitory, or upgrade to a single Standard room for an additional RM150.
Trips can be arranged to Maliau Basin for any dates throughout the year subject to accommodation availability. A minimum of 5 days notice is required to organise a trek but as the accommodation can fill up well in advance, we recommend booking as far ahead as possible.
Solo travellers are welcome to join our existing departure - please drop us an email to check which dates we already have a trip to Maliau departing. Your first night at Maliau Basin Study Centre will be in a dormitory, or upgrade to a single Standard room for an additional RM150.
Additional info
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Included
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Excluded
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getting to maliau basin
Our trips are inclusive of transport from Kota Kinabalu (approx 6 hours drive per way). If you would prefer to depart from Semporna or Tawau or start your trip from Kota Kinabalu and finish in Tawau please just ask for a quotation.
who is this trip suitable for?
- On a typical trekking day in Maliau basin you will cover around 9km. Whilst the distance isn't that great, the terrain and humidity make this a challenging trek recommended for physically fit travellers.
- We don't recommend that children below 12 years old attempt this trek, please ask us about alternative options for families that include multiple nights at Maliau Basin Study Centre with shorter hikes.
- The accommodation at the camps is very basic dormitory-style jungle camps, there are no private room options.
- This a very remote trek and all visitors to Maliau must have travel insurance that covers them for helicopter evacuation in the event of an emergency. All evacuation costs are at your own expense.
what to pack
Here are the recommended items for packing to go to the jungle-
- Insect repellent (deet is best)
- Comfortable hiking backpack
- Sleeping bag (can be rented, pls advise us in advance)
- Light raincoat
- Sun hat
- Binoculars (not essential but good if you have them)
- Torch
- Sunscreen
- Comfortable shoes ("Adidas Kampung" the perfect trekking shoes for Borneo, available in KK market)
- Long sleeve shirt and long/short trousers (for mosquitoes)
- Basic first aid kit
- Money (there are no ATMs in the jungle but there isn’t really anything to buy)
- Light travel towel
- Light sweatshirt or fleece for evenings as it can get slightly cold in the huts
- Water bottle/s for 1 days trekking (3 litres recommended, can be refilled each morning)
- Some high energy snacks (chocolate, nuts etc.)
Honest Pricing
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At River Junkie, we like to keep our pricing as fair, honest and transparent as possible. If you find the exact trip that we are offering for a lower price, we will either match it or beat it - this is our guarantee in providing you with honest pricing.
*Our price guarantee is for published rates only and not applicable to flash deals or last-minute promotions
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To book |
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