All Inclusive!

February 26th – March 6th, 2020

We’ve created an “out-of-this-world” adventure that will change the way you appreciate the diversity of nature on our planet and her incredible living organisms! Join us on our Best of Borneo small group tours to the towering mountains, lush jungle rainforests, & her wildly beautiful creatures. Creatures like the brilliant, fiery orange, endangered Orangutan (1 of 2 places left on earth where they live in the wild), the proboscis monkey with their massive noses, carnivorous pitcher plants, 500+ species of birds, & the largest flower on earth (also the stinkiest!)

Check out all the highlights below and E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

* 9 nights/ 10 Days throughout the wildest of Borneo

* Charming boutique hotels and jungle lodges fully immersed in nature’s surrounding beauty

* 1 Domestic Flights INCLUDED 

* Privately guided adventures w/ local English speaking guides throughout

* All-Inclusive: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner everyday! (9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners)

CHECK OUT our Borneo Paradise Island Extension at the bottom of this trip page!

Sabah

Sabah is, “the treasure of turquoise-fringed desert islands with coral reefs swarming with marine biodiversity; trekkers’ paradise Mt Kinabalu reaching 13,435 ft into the clouds; and jungles pulsing with a menagerie of bug-eyed tarsiers, gibbons, pythons, clouded leopards and huge crocs…Whether it’s coffee-shop haunting in Kota Kinabalu, watching baby orangutans learning to climb at Sepilok, beach flopping on the northern Tip of Borneo, or searching for pygmy elephants near Tawau, your time here will feel like five holidays condensed into one” – Lonely Planet

Kota Kinabalu (2 Nights)

A compact city of, “friendly locals, breathtaking fiery sunsets, blossoming arts and music scene and a rich culinary spectrum spanning street food to high end. Alongside swanky new malls and expensive condos, old KK, with its markets brimming with sea creatures and fresh produce, and busy fishers shuttling about the waterfront, happily endures. This may be a city on the move with the 21st century, but its old-world charm and history are very much alive.”- Lonely Planet

– Sabah’s Capital: On arrival, discover Kota Kinabalu on your own or head out with our tour leader to some of the cities hidden gems and best restaurants to indulge in local delicacies

Mount Kinabalu National Park

(2 Nights)

Mount Kinabalu National Park is Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site. The park is home to 26 different rhododendron types, 400 different types of fern, 1,200 different types of orchid, rare colorful Jentinck and Prevost squirrels, tree shrews, and 250 species of birds! Discover this lush, mountain rainforest paradise with us. Oh, and did we forget to mention the famous carnivorous pitcher plants straight from a sci-fi movie, which trap and digest insects in cups on the ends of their leaves!

– Botanical Reserve Nature Walk: We’ll enjoy the beautiful trails inside the park’s botanical reserve to discover & photograph the most interesting of the over 400 species of fern and 1,200 orchid species collected for study and conservation. Behind the reserve, a short hike takes us up and across a ridge with endemic trees and plants “posing” for stunning landscape shots.

– Mountain Hikes: Easy & moderate interconnecting trail options on Borneo’s most famous mountain make for an amazing day of landscape and nature photography, not to mention some good exercise!

– Optional Excursion: Discover the Rafflesia: We’ll search for the world’s largest & smelliest flower reaching widths of 3ft across! The Rafflesia is an extremely rare, gigantic, parasitic plant native to this region of Borneo. It’s well worth the time to search for one in bloom! 

Sepilok Sanctuaries:  Orangutans & Sun Bears (1 Night)

“Covering 15 square miles of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, this inspiring, world-famous center welcomes orphaned and injured orangutans for rehabilitation before returning them to forest life. The youngsters you’ll be charmed by are between six and nine years old & at the feeding platforms, watching the trees begin to shake, the ropes vibrating, the first swatch of orange shifting through the branches is a moment you’ll never forget.” – Lonely Planet

– Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, the First Encounter: Here we’ll meet our orange furred cousins for the first time at a scheduled feeding where these rescued apes have been saved from certain death and offer hope for the survival of this highly endangered species. 

– Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center: Another endangered beauty from Borneo, the rescued Sun Bears here have a second chance at life. Currently, 36 rescued bears are on the road to rehabilitation and we’ll learn about this fascinating species while capturing some rare images few are fortunate to take. 

The Kinabatangan River

A Sanctuary of Diversity & Natural Beauty (2 Nights)

“Indiana Jones would love the Sungai Kinabatangan (Kinabatangan River). A muddy brown ribbon of water, Sabah’s longest river winds its way through the epic jungles south of Sandakan, bracketed by a riverine forest teeming with civets, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, monitor lizards, hornbills, kingfishers, and hawks.” – Lonely Planet 

– Boat Cruise into the Jungle: Take in the sights and sounds of river life on a one-hour boat cruise into the rainforest for our first taste of Borneo’s truly wild jungles. This is a wonderful ride of discovery which begins from the waters of the Sulu Sea in Sandakan Town, through the magnificent scenery of the instrumental mangrove forests, and into the Kinabatangan River estuary.

– Jungle Wildlife Cruises: Search for wildlife until the sun sets, capturing endless images of the beautiful plants and animals that call this biosphere home. As night falls, our cruise continues so we can witness the ethereal display of a million fireflies lighting the skies and turning the foliage into sparkling “Christmas Trees”. 

– Nature Boardwalk Night Discovery: Experience the jungle at night from a different perspective as our naturalist guide takes us on a guided walk in search of birds, snakes, insects, and other nocturnal wildlife.

– Pitas Oxbow Lake: Our jungle boat takes us to this serene setting to search for more beautiful wildlife. It’s a great spot to try to capture images of proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and if we’re really lucky, pygmy elephants! 

Danum Valley (2 Nights)

“Recognized as one of the world’s most complex ecosystems, a new species of plant is found by scientists here every week. Home to a mind-blowing spectrum of creatures: orangutans, tarsiers, sambar deer, bearded pigs, flying squirrels, king cobras, proboscis monkeys, red-leaf monkeys, gibbons and pygmy elephants, the area is also known for its medium-sized cats, with the beautifully marked clouded leopard spotted on night drives, as well as the flat-headed cat, marbled cat, leopard cat and cartoon-like bay cat. Your alarm clock is the dawn chorus of gibbons, the chainsaw drone of cicadas is the soundtrack for breathless afternoons, and the shrill of crickets is your bedtime cue” – Lonely Planet

– Tree Top Canopy Walk: Experience one of the most spectacular walkways in Sabah, with multiple viewing platforms spanning approximately 1000 ft in length & standing at 85 ft at the highest point. The spacious and sturdy platforms provide a safe and unobstructed up-close view of the 130 million-year-old virgin jungle’s canopy! 

– Guided Safari Night Drive: Our naturalist guide and spotter will take us on a jeep safari into the night to search for the incredible rainforest creatures that come out once the sun goes down. 

– Ancient Burial Sites, Stunning Lookouts, & a Natural Jacuzzi Pool: Our guided trek along “Coffin Trail” takes us to the fantastic viewpoint known as Coffin Cliff, aptly named since it’s also a sacred indigenous burial site. We’ll enjoy and photograph the magnificent bird’s eye view over Danum Valley and the Borneo lowland forest before descending down for a relaxing plunge in the natural “jacuzzi pool” nearby! 

– Optional Danum River Water Tubing: For those interested, enjoy an adventurous ride down the Danum River via water tubes for a refreshing finish to the afternoon! 

* Tour Leader and photographer to help those who want to learn more about using their cameras, take better pictures, etc throughout these Borneo small group tours. *PhotoFly Travel Club adventures are laid back when it comes to photography. (They are not workshop style tours and you do not need to be an avid photographer to join. All are welcome!)

* International Airfare is not included. We are happy to help you find a good flight as always! (Flying into & out of Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)

* All Taxes, Fees, & Transfers Included

E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Borneo Paradise Island

Optional All-Inclusive Extension!

March 6th – March 9th, 2020

Don’t let the adventure end after a week in the jungle. Join us for a refreshing escape on Borneo’s Gaya Island. There’s no better way to recuperate than on an idyllic isle with warm turquoise waters & white sand beaches! Set within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, Gaya Island offers elegant villas with panoramic views of the South China Sea and the rainforest. With an endless array of activities on offer, including world-class snorkeling & diving, luxury spa pampering, yoga, nature walks & hikes, mangrove kayaking, and, of course, good old R&R by the pool & beach!

Check out all the highlights below and E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

* 3 nights/ 4 Days among this protected paradise island with an ancient rainforest & thriving marine sanctuary.

* Stunning Eco-Luxury Resort tucked amidst protected mangroves, sheltered coral reefs, and curled around a pristine sandy coastline!

* All-Inclusive: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner everyday! (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners)

Gaya Island Resort & Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

The island is set within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a group of 5 protected islands located off Kota Kinabalu, each with fringing coral reefs & nestled in Tavajun Bay. 100 beautifully finished villas are set in either lush jungle foliage, atmospheric mangroves, or looking out on the greens and blues of the sea. 5 dining options, a private beach, and an outdoor pool set the stage for our unforgettable escape. All this just a 10-minute boat ride from KK. 

Endless Options & Open-Ended Discovery

Our time here is set up for everyone to get the most out of this one-of-a-kind paradise. While our tour leader will always be on hand to help with anything & coordinate activities with the resort, we’re free to choose from the diverse set of experiences at hand. Each day our tour leader will pick an activity which everyone is welcome to join but we can always choose something else to enjoy on our own. Check out some of the best options below…

• Guided Nature Walks: Two trails have been crafted by the resort with varying difficulty levels leading through a dense tangle of vines, looping rattans, palms, shrubs, and massive hardwood trees with camouflaged wildlife all around. The walks offer an environmental education adventure with our Resident Naturalist. *Limited guests are allowed daily to minimize human impact on the wildlife and their habitat.

• Coral Garden Snorkeling: Explore the hidden wonders of the marine world guided by our Resident Marine Biologist. Discover the beauty and intricate life beneath the sea without the use of fins to avoid damage to our house reefs. Snorkeling equipment included. *Small Additional Fee Applies

• Borneo Culinary Journey: Explore the depths of Sabahan cuisine with a cooking class hosted by our skilled chef. Experience an introduction to local ingredients and fresh produce followed by an interactive cooking session to provide insights into authentic recipes handed down over generations from various ethnic groups. *Additional Fee Applies

• Guided Mangrove Kayaking: Mangroves are large, extensive types of trees that grow up to medium height and thrive within saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and sub-tropics. Blessed with a 100-year-old rare mangrove jungle here at Gaya Island Resort, our Resident Naturalist shares this wonder of nature on a kayak excursion into the mangrove forest. Keep your eyes peeled for mangrove crabs, the oriental pied hornbill, monitor lizards, & many more beautiful creatures.*Small Additional Fee Applies

• Sunset Cruise: Cruise to neighboring islands onboard our yacht as the evening beckons. Enjoy free-flowing soft drinks, wine, beer, & hors d’ oeuvres as we photograph & admire the golden sunset fill the sky with color and watch the city skyline light up like glittering jewels in the distance.*Additional Fee Applies

* Please see the daily itinerary for a full list of activity options and pricing

* Tour Leader and photographer to help those who want to learn more about using their cameras, take better pictures, etc throughout these Borneo small group tours. *PhotoFly Travel Club adventures are laid back when it comes to photography. (They are not workshop style tours and you do not need to be an avid photographer to join. All are welcome!)

* Round Trip Boat Transfers Included

* All Taxes & Fees Included

Join Us!

Best of Borneo (Main Program)

*For our solo travelers, we will pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.

Price: $3195.00

Single Supplement: $525.00

*Notice: Payment online incurs 3.2% processing fee (automatically added to shopping cart). Payments from outside the USA incur a 4.5% processing fee. Please mail payment to avoid fee.

*ROOM UPGRADE OPTION: While on the Kinabatangan River & in Danum Valley (4 nights total) our standard rooms do not have air conditioning (fans only). The additional cost to upgrade to a premium room with air conditioning for all 4 nights is:
Sharing AC Room Upgrade: 425.00 USD per person
Single AC Room Upgrade: 560.00 USD per person

* Limited AC room category upgrades available. Please e-mail michelle@photoflytravel.com to request AC room upgrade. 

OR

*Refundable Deposit: $600.00

*Notice: Payment online incurs 3.2% processing fee (automatically added to shopping cart). Payments from outside the USA incur a 4.5% processing fee. Please mail payment to avoid fee.

Paradise Island Extension

*For our solo travelers, we will pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.

Price: $995.00

Single Supplement: $298.00

*Notice: Payment online incurs 3.2% processing fee (automatically added to shopping cart). Payments from outside the USA incur a 4.5% processing fee. Please mail payment to avoid fee.

OR

*Refundable Deposit: $600.00

*Notice: Payment online incurs 3.2% processing fee (automatically added to shopping cart). Payments from outside the USA incur a 4.5% processing fee. Please mail payment to avoid fee.

Local Planet Travel
325 Rocky Slope Road, Suite 104-240
Greenville, SC 29607

Cancellation Policy & Refunds

*There is a $100.00 administrative fee for all cancellations. Cancellations made 120 days or more prior to trip departure date are fully refundable except for the $100 fee. Cancellations less than 120 days prior to the trip departure date will receive no refund of the full amount due. No refunds on unused portions of the tour. Credit card fees and paypal processing fees cannot be refunded. After airline tickets are issued, airline cancellations are per the airline’s policy and are usually non-refundable and changeable with a fee plus new ticket price. Travel insurance strongly encouraged (ask us about policy options).

*Hotels subject to change based on availability

CST # 2101181-40