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 as well as numerous wildlife spotting opportunities. It’s worth noting that the forest and jungle in Maliau Basin are so dense that larger wildlife will be harder to spot than in areas such as the Kinabatangan River but there will still be plenty of unique flora & fauna on display! Much of the area is still unexplored and whilst over 2000 species of plants and animals have been discovered, many more remain a secret.
Maliau Basin can be reached from either Kota Kinabalu or from Tawau, our standard itineraries are inclusive of transport from / to Kota Kinabalu but alternative arrangements can be made on request (extra costs may apply). The journey into the basin and to the field centre where you will spend the first night is by 4X4 and you will also get a chance to join a night 4X4 safari on your first evening. Subsequent days you will be trekking 5 to 8 hours per day between camps deep in the heart of the basin with your forest ranger and nature guide. Visitors must be physically fit and must also have travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation. Part of the beauty of Maliau Basin is that there are no high end resorts here, basic accommodation & meals are provided at jungle camps throughout the trek immersing you further into the green heart of the basin. This truly is a stunning and unique trip for the adventurous traveller – a not to be missed opportunity of a lifetime to visit somewhere truly off the grid! |
The taster 4day 3night Itinerary
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Day 1
Pick up from your hotel in Kota Kinabalu at 7am for Maliau Basin via Keningau (please pack breakfast because this is not included). Enjoy the scenery of Crocker Range as you climb over the pass to Keningau and at about 11am, arrive at the Shell Maliau Basin Reception and Information Building (Maliau Security Gate), and continue on to Maliau Basin Study Centre (MBSC) for another hour. Upon arrival, stretch your legs, register and enjoy lunch. Check-in and relax before embarking on an introductory walk surrounding the centre. Along the way, learn about the biodiversity of this amazing area and proceed on a longer walk if you wish. Return to centre before dark and enjoy dinner at 7pm. After dinner, go on 4x4 night drive to spot nocturnal wildlife. Day 2 Wake up early for breakfast at 7am and at 8am, depart for an hour drive to Agathis Camp on 4x4. From here, you will embark on your 9km journey to Ginseng Camp (average duration 5-6hours), stopping for lunch along the way. Expected arrival around 2-3pm, settle in and proceed to Ginseng Falls that is about 15 minutes walk away. Return to camp before dark and enjoy dinner at 7pm. Lights out at 8pm after a long day. Day 3 Wake up early for breakfast and at 8am, depart to Maliau Falls on a 4.8km hike per way (average duration 2-3hours). Spend the entire afternoon at Maliau Falls, the most famed and undisputed jewel of all the waterfalls in the Maliau Basin – swim, eat lunch and take in the beautiful surroundings. At about 2pm, return to Ginseng Camp on the same trail, arriving back before dark. Relax and enjoy dinner before lights out. Day 4 Early breakfast at 7am before hiking 9km (average duration 6hours) back to Agathis Camp, enjoying pack lunch along the way. Upon arrival at Agathis Camp at about 1-2pm, hop onto 4x4 for the 1 hour transfer back to the centre before switching vehicle for the remainder of the drive to Kota Kinabalu. Expected arrival in Kota Kinabalu is at about 8pm. |
The full 5day 4night
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Day 1
Pick up in Kota Kinabalu or Tawau at around 7am for Maliau Basin via Keningau (please pack breakfast because this is not included). Enjoy the scenery of Crocker Range as you climb over the pass to Keningau and at about 11am, arrive at the Shell Maliau Basin Reception and Information Building (Maliau Security Gate), and continue on to Maliau Basin Study Centre (MBSC) for another hour. Upon arrival, stretch your legs, register and enjoy lunch. Check-in and relax before embarking on an introductory walk surrounding the centre. Along the way, learn about the biodiversity of this amazing area and proceed on a longer walk if you wish. Return to centre before dark and enjoy dinner at 7pm. After dinner, go on 4x4 night drive to spot nocturnal wildlife. Day 2 Wake up early for breakfast at 7am and at 8am, depart for an hour drive to Agathis Camp on 4x4. From here, you will embark on your 7.5km journey to Nepenthes Camp (average duration 5hours), stopping for lunch along the way. Upon arrival at Nepenthes Camp, settle in and relax before exploring the surroundings - climb a 33metre high observation platform for a different perspective of the area. At about 2pm, you have the option to hike a further 3-3.5km per way (average 2-3hours) to the Giluk and Takob Akob Falls for a refreshing dip in its water. Return to Nepenthes Camp before nightfall for dinner. Day 3 After an early breakfast, continue today’s 7km trek to Ginseng Camp (average duration 5hours) along lowland Dipterocarp forests, lower montane forests and heath forests on undulating trails. Discover the different forest areas including the amazing pitcher plants in the heath forests areas and fan palms in the montane forests. Enjoy lunch along the way or upon arrival at Ginseng Camp. Relax and settle-in, and proceed to Ginseng Falls that is about 15 minutes walk away if you wish. Return to camp before dark and enjoy dinner before lights out. Day 4 Wake up early for breakfast and at 8am, depart to Maliau Falls on a 4.8km hike per way (average duration 2-3hours). Spend the entire afternoon at Maliau Falls, the most famed and undisputed jewel of all the waterfalls in the Maliau Basin – swim, eat lunch and take in the beautiful surroundings. At about 2pm, return to Ginseng Camp on the same trail, arriving back before dark. Relax and enjoy dinner before lights out. Day 5 Early breakfast at 7am before hiking 9km (average duration 6hours) back to Agathis Camp, enjoying pack lunch along the way. Upon arrival at Agathis Camp at about 1-2pm, hop onto 4x4 for the 1 hour transfer back to the centre before switching vehicle for the remainder of the drive to Kota Kinabalu. Expected arrival in Kota Kinabalu is at about 8pm. |
Additional info |
Included
Excluded
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Tour Dates |
Trips can be arranged to Maliau Basin for any dates throughout the year but it is normally best to give at least a few days notice. Current tour dates that we groups going are as follows:
13th June (4D3N) 26th June (4D3N) 22nd July (4D3N) 16th October (4D3N) Please just send us an email if you would like to join any of these dates. |
Price per person |
The Taster 4D3N
RM3450 Based on 2-3pax booking RM2850 Based on 4-6pax booking |
Full Loop 5D4N
RM4100 Based on 2-3pax booking RM3500 Based on 4-6pax booking |
To book |
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