Top of the list of Borneo adventure tours is trekking. Trekking tours can range from daily strolls into the rainforest up to week-long survival expeditions for those who want to really test themselves. Trekking tours are offered all year round though it can get wet at certain times.
Hard core trekkers head for Maliau Basin. Known as the Lost World of Sabah, it covers an area of 590 square kilometers of mainly virgin rainforest. If you’re fit and ready for some adventure in a real wilderness setting, take a six-day trek through varied terrain staying overnight in camps along route. One highlight of the trek is visiting the awesome 7-tier Maliau Fall. These treks are in small groups and a professional guide is vital.
Another Sabah trekking experience features a four-day guided jungle trek through the Crocker Range. Located in Tambunan and accessible by road from Kota Kinabalu, the Crocker Range is the highest in Sabah and includes Mount Kinabalu.
On this trek you’ll pass through a challenging landscape of villages, rice fields, mountain streams, rivers and montane forests. Accommodation is in basic village houses.
Other rugged adventure pursuit in Borneo is mountain climbing. Sabah is home to Mount Kinabalu, one of the highest peaks in Southeast Asia. The two day trip covering the eight kilometers to the top is suitable for novice climbers. There are two trails to the summit.
The shortest and most popular starts from the Timpohon Gate near Park HQ via the Kinabalu Summit Trail.
A newer and more challenging routes start from Mesilau Nature Resort some 15 kilometers away. The Mesilau trail start from the Tambang Gate and the route to the summit is two kilometers longer and more scenic. It winds its way through montane forest, past mountain streams and over ridges.
The third type of adrenalin pumping Borneo adventure experience is whitewater rafting. The Kiulu and Padas rivers are easily accessed from Kota Kinabalu.
The Kiulu River offers a gentler experience and is situated in Kampung Pukak Kiulu, some 42 kilometers from KK. It’s rated 1 to 2 which means it’s suitable for adventurers aged from 6-60. The length of the run depends on the water level; the full distance is 15 kilometers at high water, with normal water level allowing runs of seven kilometers.
Advanced rafters craving a higher octave experience can head for the Padas River in the Crocker Range. Rafting starts from Pangi village, the domain of former headhunters. This is a class 3-4 river and the full run covers 23 kilometers and features seven rapids with names like Headhunter, Cobra Point, Snake House, Merry-go-Round and Adrenaline Flow for a white knuckle ride.
Borneo rafting tours include a guide and provide all accessories such as life jackets.
If maneuvering a vehicle through Borneo’s rugged landscape is your idea of adventure, you can choose from a range of self drive tours around many parts of the country.
You can set up an itinerary with accommodation bookings along your route which offers you the freedom to sample Borneo at your leisure and at your own pace. Car rental is easily arranged via reputable agencies in Borneo.
Borneo adventure tours offer you the thrill of testing yourself against the wildest forms of nature. Whether you choose trekking, climbing, rafting or driving you’ll encounter an unique and challenging experience.