Sarawak adventure vacations
When thinking about far-flung places that instantly evoke ‘adventure’, it’s all too easy to bypass lesser known destinations such as Sarawak in favour of ‘big hitters’ – Nepal for trekking perhaps, or Canada for sea kayaking - but those that do are missing a trick. Sarawak, a Malaysian state that stretches along the northwest coast of Borneo, is a place of dense rainforest and vibrant green plateaus snaked across by the toffee-coloured waters of the Sarawak River; without question the luxuriant natural hothouse which British naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace studied and wrote about, and whose work famously inspired Darwin - it’s nothing less than an explorer’s dream.
Our Sarawak Vacations
Sarawak wildlife & beach vacation
Encounter orangutans and hike through virgin rainforest
From
US $1408 to US $1985
10 days
ex flights
Sarawak family vacation
An action-packed vacation got the whole family to enjoy!
From
£1088
9 days
ex flights
Borneo 8 day tour, the wild heart of Borneo
A unique experience in the untouched, beautiful Sarawak.
From
£855
8 days
ex flights
Borneo wildlife vacation, Sarawak
A light trekking and jungle adventure vacation in Sarawak
From
US $2760
13 days
ex flights
Borneo wildlife cycling vacation
Ultimate Borneo wildlife experience on two wheels
From
MYR 8242
9 days
ex flights
The very best of Sarawak’s attractions are natural, and it’s within nature that you’ll find some incredible adventure and adrenalin activity opportunities. So not only are you privy to experiences that only a minority actually find, but you’re pursuing them in an absolutely authentic setting – so dense is jungle in Sarawak that even the trees lose track of whose bright green leaves belong to whom, and man is most definitely bottom of the pecking order.
What isn’t at the bottom of the pecking order, however, is protected land. Because Sarawak plays host to a whopping 30 national parks, opening up trekking infrastructures and jungle adventures to the type of travelers who go nowhere without their hiking boots. Gunung Gading National Park, for example, sprawls across four jungle-clad mountain peaks with a dense primary rainforest that’s traversed by crystalline streams and tumbling waterfalls. There are 16 colour-coded jungle trails in Bako National Park which should keep any hiker happy; proboscis monkey spotters should opt for the Telok Delima trail and follow the grunts, while those with a touch of the Indiana Joneses about them should take on the Telok Limau, a seven-hour trek through rich rainforest, scrubland and swamps. Perhaps leave your leather jacket at home though.
The uplifting experience of walking through rainforest laden Batang Ai National Park is not merely because of the landscape, but because you will feel as if you are walking through time. And space, into the beautifully preserved world of the Iban people, the local community and Sarawak’s largest tribe which, although proudly traditional, is keen to share its living culture with the world. You can take on a day-long trek with community guides in search of orangutans or, for full on immersion in Iban life, stay overnight in one of their stunning longhouses, constructed to house at least 10 families under one roof, with a central space for visitors.
What isn’t at the bottom of the pecking order, however, is protected land. Because Sarawak plays host to a whopping 30 national parks, opening up trekking infrastructures and jungle adventures to the type of travelers who go nowhere without their hiking boots. Gunung Gading National Park, for example, sprawls across four jungle-clad mountain peaks with a dense primary rainforest that’s traversed by crystalline streams and tumbling waterfalls. There are 16 colour-coded jungle trails in Bako National Park which should keep any hiker happy; proboscis monkey spotters should opt for the Telok Delima trail and follow the grunts, while those with a touch of the Indiana Joneses about them should take on the Telok Limau, a seven-hour trek through rich rainforest, scrubland and swamps. Perhaps leave your leather jacket at home though.
The uplifting experience of walking through rainforest laden Batang Ai National Park is not merely because of the landscape, but because you will feel as if you are walking through time. And space, into the beautifully preserved world of the Iban people, the local community and Sarawak’s largest tribe which, although proudly traditional, is keen to share its living culture with the world. You can take on a day-long trek with community guides in search of orangutans or, for full on immersion in Iban life, stay overnight in one of their stunning longhouses, constructed to house at least 10 families under one roof, with a central space for visitors.
Gunung Mulu National Park also became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, because of its spectacularly dramatic karst limestone landscapes. And with karst comes caves. Not just poke your head in and shout for echoes caves, but seriously wacky 'Sarawackian' caves. Such as Clearwater, where only 12 people at a time are guided through 1.5km of subterranean scapes, with crabs, snakes, bats and all. Or Deer Cave which is one of the largest cave passages in the world, where your otherworldly expedition finishes with you not only coming back out for air, but the huge colonies of bats that inhabit them joining you, in search for their almost by clockwork evening feast of flying insects. Another gem is the Sarawak Chamber, accessible after a three hour hike, wading down a river canyon, then up a bouldered slope to one of the largest enclosed spaces on earth. Now that is a trip.
Our top Sarawak Vacation
Sarawak wildlife & beach vacation
Encounter orangutans and hike through virgin rainforest
From
US $1408 to US $1985
10 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 16 Jun, 7 Jul, 28 Jul, 4 Aug, 1 Sep, 22 Sep, 6 Oct, 20 Oct, 17 Nov, 1 Dec, 15 Dec, 22 Dec
2023: 12 Jan, 26 Jan, 2 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 4 May, 18 May, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 17 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 21 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 16 Nov, 14 Dec, 21 Dec
2022: 16 Jun, 7 Jul, 28 Jul, 4 Aug, 1 Sep, 22 Sep, 6 Oct, 20 Oct, 17 Nov, 1 Dec, 15 Dec, 22 Dec
2023: 12 Jan, 26 Jan, 2 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 4 May, 18 May, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 17 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 21 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 16 Nov, 14 Dec, 21 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Sarawak or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Swapping paddle for saddle, the Sarawakian jungle covered mountains, ancient trails and back roads are all part of a cycling expedition into the Penrissen Highlands. Although mountain biking trails, in particular, are also popping up now in places like Bau, such as the Bratak and Kampung Opar Trails where old forest tracks, roots and rocks, bends and boulders proffer perfect terrain for MTB’ers to do their grunts and grinds. Because adventurers love a challenge or two on their travels. And Sarawak certainly raises the bar, enabling hikers to explore and summit, bikers to pump, paddlers to put in and climbers to conquer challenges. All off the beaten track. Because that, fair adventurers, is Sarawak.
Responsible Travel would like to thank the Sarawak tourist board for their sponsorship of this guide
More about Sarawak
Learn the best time to visit Sarawak in terms of the weather with our month by month guide.
Make the most of your time with our map of highlights and suggested itineraries.
There's lots to do in Sarawak from trekking in national parks to tribal homestays.
The culture and heritage of the Lun Bawang people is at the core of Sarawak community tourism.
There are some 30 Sarawak national parks, all extraordinary, all very different.
The Rainforest World Music Festival is one of Sarawak's greatest cultural events.
Community led conservation projects in Sarawak offer life affirming experiences for visitors.
With over 20 Important Bird Areas and plenty of national parks too, Sarawak is birdwatching bliss.
Batang Ai National Park is a superb place to see endangered orangutan in the wild.
Exploring the culture in Sarawak is one of the key reasons to visit the Land of the Hornbills.
Discover the picturesque riverside gateway to Sarawak and Malaysian Borneo - Kuching.
The joys of a short tour to Sarawak are as clear as the waters of its many dive sites.
The fascinating heritage of the Brooke dynasty can be seen across Sarawak.
Sarawak wildlife ranges from endangered orangutans to proboscis monkeys and sea turtles.
Sarawak multi activity vacations let you experience stunning natural landscapes and tribal culture.
Sibu is the gateway to the Rajang river basin, which offers a distinct tribal culture.
Narrowing our Sarawak trips down to just 10 was a tricky business, but we managed...just.
Traveling in Sarawak with kids involves activities they'll enjoy and learn from at the same time.
If you’re searching for Sarawak travel advice , check out these tips from our friends.
Wildlife issues are integral to responsible tourism in Sarawak - read on to learn more.
