Borneo and Malaysia small group vacation
Highlights
Malaysian Borneo | Sepilok | Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary | Gomantong Caves | Wildlife watching cruise on River Kinabatangan | Sabah Tea Plantation | Mt. Kinabalu | Kinabalu Botanical Gardens | Malacca | Kuala Lumpur | Penang | George Town | Langkawi
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
Toll free 1-866-821-6866 Calling from outside the US? rosy@responsibletravel.com
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Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your vacation will help support conservation and local people.
Wildlife:A portion of this trip is dedicated to observing the abundance of diverse wildlife in Borneo. Our care for the natural environment and indigenous species in the area extends even beyond careful briefing, meticulous waste disposal and payment of National Park fees which help to protect the wildlife. This particular trip directly supports the Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary which rehabilitates injured, orphaned and captured Orang-utans into the wild. At 43 square kilometers, Sepilok is the largest sanctuary of its kind in the world and so this is a great place to find out more about these loveable monkeys and to make a donation or buy souvenirs.
Food & Drink:
Malaysian cuisine is quite varied with influences from India, China and Malaya. We visit local markets and go on a food tour of Kuala Lumpur. Our passengers are also encouraged to try the many varied local dishes available along the way. Places where we eat will be sourcing their produce locally. A number of accommodations we use provide drinking water which can be used instead of having to purchase plastic bottles of water.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
The Impacts of this Trip
Community:
We use locally owned hotels, restaurants and employ local guides and operators. This keeps our tourist money in the host countries by providing income for people in the area. Often there is the chance for clients to enjoy and participate in cultural entertainment such as traditional dancing and music. We are keen to emphasise that interaction with indigenous groups should not be a one-way street and so our guides will teach some Bahasa Malay so those traveling can interact with local people.
A Fair Deal:
We work closely with our local operator and ensure that all of our guides are local and that in exchange for their expertise that they are paid and treated fairly. Our leaders and guides have been trained in responsible travel and actively encourage our suppliers, drivers, and other members of our team to respect the environment, protect the culture and support the local economy. They have also completed Child Safe training which enables them to take positive action should they encounter children at risk as well as educating clients re child protection within tourism.
Wildlife:A portion of this trip is dedicated to observing the abundance of diverse wildlife in Borneo. Our care for the natural environment and indigenous species in the area extends even beyond careful briefing, meticulous waste disposal and payment of National Park fees which help to protect the wildlife. This particular trip directly supports the Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary which rehabilitates injured, orphaned and captured Orang-utans into the wild. At 43 square kilometers, Sepilok is the largest sanctuary of its kind in the world and so this is a great place to find out more about these loveable monkeys and to make a donation or buy souvenirs.
Food & Drink:
Malaysian cuisine is quite varied with influences from India, China and Malaya. We visit local markets and go on a food tour of Kuala Lumpur. Our passengers are also encouraged to try the many varied local dishes available along the way. Places where we eat will be sourcing their produce locally. A number of accommodations we use provide drinking water which can be used instead of having to purchase plastic bottles of water.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
The Impacts of this Trip
Community:
We use locally owned hotels, restaurants and employ local guides and operators. This keeps our tourist money in the host countries by providing income for people in the area. Often there is the chance for clients to enjoy and participate in cultural entertainment such as traditional dancing and music. We are keen to emphasise that interaction with indigenous groups should not be a one-way street and so our guides will teach some Bahasa Malay so those traveling can interact with local people.
A Fair Deal:
We work closely with our local operator and ensure that all of our guides are local and that in exchange for their expertise that they are paid and treated fairly. Our leaders and guides have been trained in responsible travel and actively encourage our suppliers, drivers, and other members of our team to respect the environment, protect the culture and support the local economy. They have also completed Child Safe training which enables them to take positive action should they encounter children at risk as well as educating clients re child protection within tourism.
1 Reviews of Borneo and Malaysia small group vacation
Reviewed on 01 Mar 2018 by John Roy Dewell
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing the orang-utans, especially in wild when taking the morning river cruise. Second best was the foodie tour of Kual Lumpur.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Relax on the trip. Every thing promised is delivered, but some times you have to just accept there will be delays.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. Local guides, hotels, restaurants and traders all gained from my spend. This supported conservationism by entrance fees, and donations to Orangutans.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Really enjoyable. Well organised. Excellent guides from Exodus, plus they selected really good local tours for us.
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