Let's take this exotic journey together!
PLEASE NOTE: Rotary BORNEO will follow the 2026 Rotary International Convention. As such, it begins in Taipei on Thursday June 18 and ends in Singapore on Monday June 29. Guests should book their flights from Canada accordingly. (However, the 6 regional flights in this tour are included in the Land Package price.)
THIS IS A DEMANDING TOUR: This tour does not include a lot of walking or climbing, but the climate in Borneo is hot and humid, and we will spend time in the jungle. If anyone is concerned about their ability to manage this, please ask Barry for more details.
Just the word "Borneo" conjures up images of steamy jungles, exotic wildlife and maybe even headhunters! Today's Borneo may not be the extreme wilderness of the past, but it remains a fascinating place to visit with much to offer. Borneo is the third largest island on Earth (after Greenland and New Guinea). For context, it is three times larger than Britain.
Borneo is shared by three countries: Indonesia (73%), Malaysia (26%) and Brunei (1%). In terms of tourism, Malaysia is the most popular destination and has the best infrastructure. Indonesia is more 'off the grid', and Brunei doesn't really cater to tourism.
The Malaysian part of Borneo is further divided into two states, Sabah and Sarawak. During our 12 day tour, we will spend 7 days in Sabah, 3 days in Sarawak, 1 day in Brunei and 1 day in Singapore at the end.
For many, the highlight of our visit will be the three days we will spend on river safari at the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort. While there, guests will enjoy multiple trips on the river looking for elephants, monkeys, orangutans and multiple species of hornbill birds.
We will also spend time with local Rotarians. Haliburton Rotary and TravelMaven have already spent time with Rotarians there, and they look forward to seeing us again in Kota Kinabalu, Brunei and Kuching.
In the end, Rotary BORNEO offers a truly exotic once-in-a-lifetime experience for Rotarians attending the International Convention in Taipei in June 2026. Most Canadians don't really know much about this place, but this is the perfect opportunity to learn more. Finally, by ending our tour in Singapore, some may also want to stay a few more days in that fascinating and ultramodern city (ask Barry for details).
TOUR DETAILS
LAND PACKAGE: C$5,480
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: C$1,840
BEGINS IN TAIPEI: Thu Jun 18, 2026
ENDS IN SINGAPORE: Mon Jun 29, 2026
HOTELS: 4 star & 3 star
GROUP: Max 18 guests
DURATION: 12 days (11 hotel nights)
DAILY AGENDA
DAY 1 (Thu Jun 18) Fly Taipei to Kota Kinabalu (D)
Guests will meet at the Taipei airport for a midday direct flight to Kota Kinabalu, the largest city and our first destination in Malaysian Borneo. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our downtown hotel and guests will have time for a swim before our Welcome to Borneo dinner.
DAY 2 (Fri Jun 19) Kota Kinabalu Day (B,L)
On our first day in Borneo we will tour sights around Kota Kinabalu, including a visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village. In the evening, guests will be free to visit one of many restaurants along the waterfront, or find some local food at the nearby night market.
Mari Mari Cultural Village
DAY 3 (Sat Jun 20) Rotary Day (B,D)
Local Rotarians are eager to welcome Canadian Rotarians to Borneo. While final arrangements won't be made until closer to arrival, we will spend the day visiting Rotary projects around the city and seeing the place through local eyes.
DAY 4 (Sun Jun 21) Brunei Day (B,D)
On this day we will fly to Brunei to see the sights in the company of local Rotarians. The most famous site is the palace of the Sultan, Oman Ali Saifuddien III. While we don't expect an audience with the Sultan, we will see many interesting places in his kingdom. In the evening, we will fly back to Kota Kinabalu.
The Abode of Peace, Brunei
DAY 5 (Mon Jun 22) Fly Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan; Orangutan & Sun Bear Centres (B,L,D)
We wil depart Kota Kinabalu for a midday flight to Sandakan, gateway to the Borean jungle. Upon arrival, we will visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre before heading into Sandakan to overnight.
DAY 6 (Tue Jun 23) Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort (B,L,D)
The number one tourism icon in Japan is Mount Fuji, visible from tall buildings in Tokyo on a clear day. We'll take a full day bus tour that provides multiple photo ops and other opportunities to see this majestic peak. In the afternoon, we'll be dropped off at a train station to go to Kyoto.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
DAY 7 (Wed Jun 24) Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort (B,L,D)
We will enjoy a full day in the jungle, beginning with a pre-dawn river safari and ending after dark on another trip up the river.
DAY 8 (Thu Jun 25) Boat to Sandakan; fly to Kuching (B)
After an early breakfast, we'll catch a boat back to Sandakan, transfer to the airport, then fly to Kuching via Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival, Barry will show guests the nearby area filled with restaurants.
Kinabatangan River Safari
DAY 9 (Fri Jun 26) Kuching Day (B,D)
Kuching is a charming and walkable city. We will begin at the Borneo Cultures Museum, an excellent introduction to Sarawak providing centuries of context for this place. After a free afternoon, the group will enjoy a group dinner in a restaurant near the hotel.
DAY 10 (Sat Jun 27) Rotary Day (B,D)
On this day, we will join several Rotarians from Kuching to explore their city, visit some of their projects and end the day with our Farewell Dinner.
Kuching Riverfront
DAY 11 (Sun Jun 28) Fly Kuching to Singapore; Chinatown Walking Tour (B,L)
After breakfast and check-out, we'll head to the airport for the short flight to Singapore, arriving in the early afternoon. After checking in at the Capri Hotel China Square, Barry will lead a walking tour through the nearby neighbourhoods, with casual dinner in a Hawker Centre.
DAY 12 (Mon Jun 29) End of tour; fly home (B)
Our tour ends after breakfast. While many in the group will fly home, some may choose to add a day or two in Singapore. Depending on how many guests want to stay, and for how long, Barry will be happy to book rooms and organize tours of the city.
Marina Bay Complex, Singapore