Borneo, Malaysia
The most physically adventurous Seven Skies trip, Borneo is one for travellers eager to climb South East Asia's highest peak and conquer the world's highest, and Asia's only, via ferrata. Island hop by sea kayak in tropical waters and explore the coral-fringed and forested islands of Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Observe orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, and Borneo pygmy elephants up close on a Kinabatangan River safari. An adventurer's playground, in the lap of luxury.
Luxury adventure
Following energetic days spent sea kayaking, on river safari, or climbing, retire to Borneo's best luxury digs, ranging from an island eco-resort to Alpine-inspired huts to beachside resorts. Discover what makes Borneo's seafood famous and experience a rich melting pot of cuisines.
Most days of your Borneo luxury adventure will include a moderate or higher level of kayaking or hiking, and ample time for snorkelling, swimming, relaxing, and wildlife spotting. The climb to Mount Kinabalu and optional via ferrata make this our most adventurous trip. A via ferrata ("iron road" in Italian) is a mountaineering activity – most common in Europe – that involves climbing on iron rungs, rails, and cables fixed to the rock face. Whatever your level of fitness, these latter activities can be challenging – but, ultimately, are incredibly rewarding.
Mount Kinabalu climb and optional via ferrata
Swapping kayaks for hiking boots, we ascend South East Asia's highest peak, Mount Kinabalu (4095m). While we're up there, we also have the option to conquer the world's highest via ferrata (3776m) – a certain highlight of this trip for adventure addicts. One of the most accessible peaks in the world to climb, it requires no technical climbing skills, just determination. Located in Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area is renowned for its tremendous diversity of botanical and biological species. We overnight on the mountain at Laban Rata and rise early the next morning to make the summit and take in sunrise on top of Borneo before descending to Sayat Sayat to complete the via ferrata. Climbing on iron rails fixed to the rock face and traversing cable suspension bridges, we experience parts of Mount Kinabalu usually only accessible to mountaineers.
Wildlife and rainforest
Few regions on earth can match the immense variety of wild animals and plants that are found in Sabah, Borneo – the world's third largest island. Its magnificent tropical forests are home to some extraordinary species of animals and plants that you will not find anywhere else in the world.
Sea kayak Abdul Rahman Marine Park
We travel by sea kayak and explore the warm tropical waters which are home to the five islands of Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Sea kayaks allow us to glide through the shallow waters, explore coral reefs, and spot the marine life below. Along the way there is ample time for snorkelling, swimming, or just relaxing on the beach. Each afternoon we land our kayaks on an island beach and then check into our resort, unwind, and enjoy a delicious dinner.
Kinabatangan River safari
Stretching for 560km, the Kinabatangan River is one of the world's richest ecosystems, providing five distinct habitats along its banks and the largest concentration of wildlife in South East Asia. It is home to the orang-utan and is one of only two places in the world where 10 primate species are found. Borneo pygmy elephants, Sumatran rhinoceros, and all eight species of hornbills found in Borneo inhabit the area. We explore the river by boat to make the most of the incredible wildlife spotting on offer and retire at night to the comforts of our riverside lodge.
