Borneo, Australia & Dubai multi-centre holiday

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Sandakan
• 2 nights Kinabatangan River
• 2 nights Danum Valley
• 3 nights Gaya Island
• 2 nights Melbourne
• 2 nights Mornington Peninsula
• 2 nights Apollo Bay
• 3 nights Dubai

Day 1: Depart UK

You will depart the UK today from your chosen airport.

Included: International flight

Day 2: Arrive Sandakan

On arrival in Sandakan you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel where you’ll check in for two nights. 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Sepilok

Enjoy an early breakfast before visiting the central market to see the local produce and fresh seafood being sold. After exploring the market you’ll continue to the Sepilok Orangutan Reserve and at 10am the first feeding of the day occurs, so make sure you have a front row spot to get the best views of these magnificent animals. Later you’ll visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre where you can learn about the plight of these endemic creatures and meet some of the resident bears.

After lunch, you will visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre where you can embark on the Plant Discovery Walk to find out about the medicinal and traditional uses of herbs and leaves. Next, you can stroll along the 87-metre-high canopy walkway, where you can spot colourful birds and maybe even a wild orangutan amongst the rainforest tree line.

Return to your hotel to spend the afternoon at leisure.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Sepilok to Kinabatangan

After breakfast, you’ll leave the lodge and travel back into Sandakan. You’ll visit the Labuk Bay Proboscis Sanctuary for the morning feed, a fantastic opportunity to view a troop of these endemic monkeys up close. In Sandakan, you’ll visit the Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple which sits atop a steep hill with magnificent views overlooking Sandakan Bay.

In the afternoon, you’ll begin the 2.5-hour journey down the Kinabatangan River. Eight species of hornbills, Bornean pygmy elephants, orangutans and proboscis monkeys make their home on the river, making it one of the most diverse habitats on the planet. On arrival at the river lodge you’ll check in for two nights. Later in the evening you can go with a local guide along the Kinabatangan looking for nocturnal activity.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* jungle lodge

Day 5: Kinabatangan River

The dawn chorus will wake you early today in time to take a cruise to Kelenanap oxbow lake, a haven for animals and plants away from the river ecosystem. After returning to the lodge for breakfast you’ll take a guided tour along the Hornbill boardwalk, learning about the plants around you and looking out for the swooping colourful birds.

Spend your day at leisure enjoying the lodge before heading out on the river later in the day to look for primates – the afternoon is the best time to find them and the light makes for great photos!

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* jungle lodge

Day 6: Kinabatangan to Danum Valley

After breakfast, you’ll travel to the Gomantong Caves. This intricate limestone system is surrounded by a thick rainforest where you might spot a wild orangutan and the two main caves – Black and White Caves – are home to around two million bats as well as a few opportunistic bat-hawks.

Continuing on you’ll begin your journey into the virgin rainforest area of Danum Valley, one of the world’s most complex ecosystems. Around 30km of this 85km journey is on sealed roads, and the last two hours is along a gravel road – it is bumpy but worth the effort!

On arrival at the lodge you’ll check into your hotel for two nights before enjoying a late afternoon walk along the trails and up to the canopy walk, 130 metres up in the trees where you can hear the jungle humming with life. After dinner, you’ll board of the open top 4WD vehicles for an exhilarating night spotlighting tour – you can look out for nocturnal animals including samba deer, civets, leopards and a dizzying array of insects and frogs.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* jungle lodge

Day 7: Danum Valley

A symphony of sound will wake you today - gibbons calling, birds chirruping and insects buzzing. Taking a packed breakfast, you’ll travel to a 200 year old burial site, known as “Coffin Cliff” where you will see the hanging coffins that the tribes hung from the cliffside to get their loved ones closer to heaven. The end of the trail results in spectacular views over the million year old jungle and on the return walk you can take a refreshing dip in the waterfalls.

This afternoon is at leisure; however, there is a range of optional activities available, such as private trekking, tubing on the Danum River and specialized guided tours. There is also a series of tracks leading around the Canopy Walk that you are free to discover at your leisure. This evening you’ll enter the forest on foot with a guide who will help you identify some tiny species of insects and frogs that usually go unnoticed in the jungle.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* jungle lodge

Day 8: Fly to Kota Kinabalu 

After breakfast you’ll spend your morning at leisure before being transferred to the airport for the short flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to Jessleton Point Jetty where you will catch a boat to your hotel on Gaya Island, checking in for three nights.

Included: Breakfast, internal flights, transfers, ferry, Gaya Island Resort

Days 9 & 10: Gaya Island

You’ll have two days of relaxing on the pretty beaches of Gaya Island; swimming, snorkelling or enjoying water sports from the hotel. We’ve included a snorkel tour to the Marine Park – you’ll take a speedboat over to Manukan Island where you can snorkel amongst the hard-coral gardens looking out for spiny sea urchins and colourful clouds of butterflyfish in the turquoise water.

Included: Breakfast, snorkel tour, Gaya Island Resort

Day 11: Fly to Melbourne

Enjoy breakfast and some lunch on the island, before your private transfer to the airport for your flight to Melbourne. You'll fly overnight, arriving in Australia the next morning.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, ferry, international flights 

Day 12: Arrive Melbourne 

On arrival in Melbourne, you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel, checking in for two nights. 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 13: Melbourne

Spend the day exploring Melbourne. Wander through the Laneways as you hop between coffee shops, tasting the famous flat white. Sample local craft beers, drool over the array of boutique cake shops and head out to dinner to one of Melbourne incredible array of restaurants. Take a ride up the Eureka Sky deck to experience uninterrupted 360-degree views of the skyline, you can even enjoy a cocktail at the top! Explore Chinatown for delicious dim sum and stop into Queen Victoria Market for the iconic hot jam donuts.

Included: 4* hotel 

Day 14: Drive to Mornington Peninsula 

This morning you'll pick up your hire car and head down to the Mornington Peninsula. Why not stop in to enjoy Puffing Billy on your way into Yarra - hop onto this iconic steam train for epic views through the Dadenong Ranges and lush temperate rainforest. On arrival in the Mornington Peninsula, you'll check into your hotel for two nights.

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 15: Mornington Peninsula 

We've planned a magical morning exploring the area on a Stand Up Paddleboarding and snorkel safari. Start with a peaceful paddle on a secluded lake surrounded by bushland, followed by a tasty lakeside breakfast. Finish with a visit to a hidden beach for an ocean paddle and guided snorkel, looking for dolphins and rays.

The rest of the day is yours to relax in the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. Whether you want to chill at the hotel, enjoy long lunches at local vineyards or explore a little further, it's your choice. If you do want to explore, there is so much to do - whether you enjoy a walk along the coast or explore the national parks.

Included: Snorkel and SUP safari, car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 16: Drive to Apollo Bay

Leaving the Mornington Peninsula behind, hop on the ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff to start your journey west. Discover the charming Bellarine Peninsula, stopping to admire the art at Geelong Gallery, sip cold white wine at Terindah Estate and taste Portarlington’s famous mussels. Driving south along the Great Ocean Road, you can admire the spectacular coastal views as you head toward Torquay, the surfing capital of Australia. Watch the surfers taken on the waves before carrying on to Apollo Bay, where you'll check into your hotel for two nights.

Included: Car hire, ferry, 4* hotel 

Day 17: Great Ocean Road 

From Apollo Bay, you have the whole day to explore the Great Ocean Road. It’s up to you how you time your drive today, the Twelve Apostles are located along the route approximately an hour from Apollo Bay, these iconic rocks are an amazing place to stop and take some pictures - we recommend early morning to avoid the crowds but it's also beautiful at sunset. 

Why not stop in at Bay of Islands Coastal Park for views of the pretty rocks - it's often a lot quieter than the Twelve Apostles. Beach hop along the coast, enjoying the relaxed coastal towns and villages whilst tucking into some fresh seafood for lunch. In the evening you could head out to Wildlife Wonders to enjoy a dusk wildlife spotting tour - looking for potoroos, bandicoots and pademelons as they wake up their day time snoozing. It's a fascinating insight into some of Australia's lesser known but just as adorable wildlife.

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 18: Fly to Dubai 

Take your time heading back to Melbourne, dropping your car at the airport before catching your overnight flight to Dubai.

Included: Car hire, international flights

Day 19: Arrive Dubai

On arrival you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel, checking in for three nights. 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel 

Days 20 & 21: Dubai

Relax in the luxury of your hotel. After breakfast each day you have free time to spend as you wish. Squeeze in some shopping at one of the many malls, or if your stay includes a Friday, why not indulge in the famous Dubai brunches at any one of the deluxe hotels? 

If you want to escape the glitz and glamour - head to Dubai Creek, where you can wander amongst small galleries and shops selling beautiful Middle Eastern art, pottery, ceramics and textiles. The low rise traditional buildings are lovely and cool, and there's a museum to dip into if it's culture you're seeking.  Finish with a creek cruise and dinner in the evening (not included).

We’ve included a desert safari with a BBQ dinner for a completely different experience of Dubai. Head out onto the sand dunes on a land cruiser for a rollercoaster ride up and down the sand before visiting a camel farm for a short visit. Once you reach the camp you will experience a traditional Arabian welcome with coffee, tea and dates. Relax in the tent furnished with carpets and cushions or take a camel ride before enjoying a 3 course BBQ meal alongside an exotic belly dancing performance.

Included: Breakfast, desert tour, 4* hotel 

Day 22: Dubai to UK

After breakfast you will be taken by private transfer to the airport for your final flight back to the UK. You'll arrive back the same day after an incredible holiday exploring Borneo, Australia and Dubai.

Included: Breakfast, international flights