Trekking & Safari Journey into the Maliau Basin

You will be welcomed to Borneo at Tawau Airport by your guide and driver, who will accompany you on the long journey to the entrance of Maliau Basin. The journey will take around 4-5 hours on fairly rough roads as you travel well off the beaten path and into one of the most biodiverse and untouched areas of rainforest in Borneo. Arrive at the Information Centre at midday before transferring to a 4x4, which you’ll use to travel a further hour into the forest with your ultimate destination being the Maliau Basin Studies Centre (MBSC). You will have time on arrival to check in to your accommodation and relax in your room, before heading out on an optional exploration of the nearby trails in search of birds and pitcher plants. After dinner back at the centre, enjoy an introduction to the Maliau Basin Conservation Area by the staff of the study centre before embarking on a night drive or night walk in search of nocturnal wildlife (weather dependent).

Rise early for breakfast before heading off on your 4x4 journey to Agathis Camp. The journey will take around an hour as you travel through the Maliau basin. On arrival at Agathis Camp, you will begin your 7.5km trek to Nepenthes Camp, walking through the basin for around 4-5 hours. The trekking is quite challenging and involves both uphill and downhill climbing. Along the route you will stop at a rest area for a packed lunch. You will be expected to arrive into your next camp, Nepethes, in the mid-afternoon. Settle in to your basic forest camp dormitory before setting off for a trek to the upper Giluk Falls (a 1.5-hour trek). After dinner back at camp, have an early night in preparation for tomorrow’s hike to your next camp, and fall asleep to the sounds of the forest.

Another early start as you enjoy a hearty breakfast before the long trek to Maliau Falls. The trek covers approximately 12km (4-5 hours) and will pass the Nepenthes Trail where you can find six species of colourful pitcher plant. Stop for lunch along the way before proceeding downhill to Maliau Falls, passing by Lobah Camp and its breathtaking panoramic views of the basin rim. Take in the spectacular seven-tiered waterfall cascading down into the Maliau River and explore the area before trekking down to your next camp, Ginseng, arriving in time for dinner and another peaceful night.

Today you’ll enjoy your last day of trekking in the basin. Make your way to Agathis Camp (a 9km trek that will take 3-4 hours), enjoying the flora and fauna along the way. You will arrive into Agathis in the mid-afternoon where you will have time for a short break before being driven by 4x4 back to the Study Centre for your final night in the Maliau Basin.

This morning your adventure into the Maliau Basin comes to an end, as you transfer back to Tawau Airport from the Basin Gate (4-5 hours’ drive) where you’ll catch your onward flight.