River Junkie – fuel the addiction
River Junkie – fuel the addiction

River Junkie Tours Sdn. Bhd. — licensed Kota Kinabalu tour operator (KPL/LN5696), MATTA member, running wildlife safaris, Mount Kinabalu climbs and cave trips across Sabah and Sarawak since 2008.

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Maliau Basin

Maliau Basin The Taster - 4D3N trek

4 days
3 nights
Departs Kota Kinabalu
Basic
Price fromRM 4,950
2 pax booking, per person, private Standard twin room at MBSC first night then jungle camps
Duration4 days
3 nights on the road
DepartsKota Kinabalu
Trips can be arranged to Maliau Basin for any dates throughout the year subject to accommodation availability (minimum 5 days notice)
Groupmin 2 pax
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About this trip

Maliau Basin has earned the nickname “Sabah’s lost world” for good reason. The first expeditions into this remote basin occurred as recently as 1988 and it remains very much “off the beaten path” to this day. Visitors willing to take up the challenge of hiking to it’s numerous stunning waterfalls are rewarded with a rich and diverse habitat of vine-clad old-growth forest. Over 2000 species of plants and animals have been discovered in this remote corner of Sabah but many more remain a secret. If your main goal is wildlife sightings then trekking in Danum Valley or taking a wildlife cruise on the Kinabatangan river may be more rewarding but for those in search of a truly remote, off the grid, jungle trekking experience, look no further than Maliau Basin. You can expect 5 to 8 hours of trekking per day in hot & humid conditions with steep and potentially slippery terrain. Visitors to Maliau Basin must be physically fit and have travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation.

Highlights

  • Introductory & night walk at Maliau Basin Study Centre
  • 9km hike through old-growth forest to Ginseng camp
  • Trek to Maliau Falls, the basin's highlight
  • Chance sightings of Bornean gibbons & red-leaf monkeys
  • Dorm & stretcher-hammock camps with a forest ranger

    • Trip facts

    Maliau Basin
    Jungle walks, Multi-day hikes, Night Drive, Night Walk, Wildlife
    4 days of travel
    Physical difficulty 5 / 5
    Departs from Kota Kinabalu
    Minimum 2 pax per departure
    Rates: Above rates are valid till 31st Dec 2026
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    Day by day

    Day 1

    Kota Kinabalu to Maliau Basin Study Centre

    Pick up from Kota Kinabalu (other possible locations include Semporna or Tawau) around 7 am and begin the journey to Sabah's Lost World, Maliau Basin, around 5 to 6 hours from Kota Kinabalu. Along the way, you will pass through the Crocker Ranges scenic winding roads and your driver can make a quick stop at the market in Keningau if needed to purchase last minute supplies. Pass through Maliau Gate with a brief stop for registration, then continue another 30 - 40 minutes to reach Maliau Basin Study Centre, your home for the first night. Enjoy lunch on arrival, check-in and have a brief orientation of the facilities. In the late afternoon, you will embark on an introductory walk of the area surrounding the centre and learn about some of the incredible biodiversity of this rarely visited part of Borneo. After dinner, join an included night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife or add on an optional night drive (subject to weather & road conditions). Meals: L, D * Night drive RM85 per person based on min 3 pax

    Day 2

    Hike to Ginseng camp & explore Ginseng Falls

    Wake up early to enjoy your breakfast and re-pack your bag before jumping in a 4WD vehicle to Agathis camp, the starting point for your 5 to 6 hour hike to Ginseng camp. This 9km journey will take you through old-growth forest, including several gentle uphill sections along the way. Rest and have lunch along the way, with some luck, you may also catch a glimpse of one of the Basin’s elusive Borneon gibbons or red-leaf monkeys. Ginseng camp is nestled in very close to Ginseng falls, where you can choose to spend your afternoon and take a refreshing afternoon dip before returning to the camp for dinner and lights out. Meals: B, L, D

    Day 3

    Explore Maliau Falls

    After breakfast, you will pack your lunch and head for Maliau falls, the highlight of any trip to Maliau Basin! The trek is around 4.5km each way, be warned that final stretch is a steep trail with ropes to assist you in places. It should take you 2 - 3hours each way, leaving time to eat your lunch and enjoy the beautiful area surrounding the falls. In the early afternoon, start your hike back up the hill to Ginseng camp for dinner and lights out. Meals: B, L, D

    Day 4

    Hike out and transfer back to Kota Kinabalu

    After you have finished your breakfast at Ginseng camp, begin your hike back to Agathis Camp to meet your driver. Today is another 9km and should take around 5 hours with time to have your packed lunch along the way. Once you reach Agathis Camps, it's time to de-leech and begin the 5 - 6 hour drive back to Kota Kinabalu (other finishing locations also available- including Semporna/Tawau). Expected arrival back into Kota Kinabalu is around 7 pm. Meals: B, L

    Where you'll stay

    Overview of Maliau Basin Studies Centre, Sabah

    Maliau Basin Studies Centre

    Maliau Basin, Sabah
    Part of the beauty of Maliau Basin is that there are no high end resorts here. For the first night at Maliau Basin Study Centre you will stay in a private fan-cooled Standard twin-room (other options on request) but from the second night onwards, basic accommodation & meals are provided at jungle camps throughout the trek, immersing you further into the green heart of the basin. There is no private accommodation once you leave the Study Centre and bathroom facilities are basic.
  • Twin fan roomAt Maliau Basin Studies Centre.
  • Stretcher hammockAt the satellite camps.
    • FacilitiesReception and information building, gallery and laboratory, conference room, nature discovery centre, suspension bridge, canteen and an observation tower. There is no wifi and limited phone reception. Electricity is available at Maliau Basin Study Centre from 7am to 5pm and again from 6pm to 11pm.
    Good to knowTrekking in Maliau Basin requires a good level of fitness. You must have insurance that covers you for helicopter evacuation in the unlikely event it should be required. Bring a waterproof pack, raincoat, head torch, trekking poles, insect repellent, a first-aid kit, three litres of water capacity, a sleeping bag and leech socks.
    A closer look

    What's included

  • Accommodation in dorm at study center and stretcher hammocks at satellite camps
  • Full board meals and snacks
  • coffee, tea & drinking water
  • Entrance fees
  • Return transfers from Kota Kinabalu
  • Nature guide
  • Maliau Basin forest ranger.
  • Leech socks

    • Not included

  • Personal porter: 168RM per day for up to 12kg, additional weight charged at RM14 per kg.
  • Sleeping bag (optional - RM50 per person)

    • Prices

    The Taster 4D3N - Based on 2 pax bookingRM 4950per person
    The Taster 4D3N - Based on 3-4 pax bookingRM 3750per person
    Pricing notesUpgrade to Deluxe room at Maliau Basin Study Centre, per person — RM 50 Solo traveller upgrade from dormitory to single Standard room at MBSC — RM 150 Optional night drive on day 1, per person based on min 3 pax — RM 85 Personal porter, per day for up to 12kg (additional weight RM14 per kg) — RM 168 Sleeping bag rental (optional), per person — RM 50
    ChildrenWe don't recommend that children below 12 years old attempt this trek, please ask us about alternative options for families that include multiple nights at Maliau Basin Study Centre with shorter hikes.
    Rate validityAbove rates are valid till 31st Dec 2026

    Frequently asked questions

    How difficult is the Taster trek?
    On a typical trekking day in Maliau Basin you will cover around 9km, and whilst the distance isn't that great, the terrain and humidity make this a challenging trek recommended for physically fit travellers. You hike 9km to Ginseng camp on day two (5 to 6 hours) and 9km back out to Agathis camp on the final day (around 5 hours). The trek to Maliau Falls is roughly 4.5km each way and takes 2 to 3 hours in each direction, with a steep final stretch where ropes are in place to assist you.
    Is there a minimum age for this trek?
    We don't recommend that children below 12 years old attempt this trek. Please ask us about alternative options for families that include multiple nights at Maliau Basin Study Centre with shorter hikes.
    Is there electricity in Maliau Basin?
    Generator, electricity and air-conditioning are available at Maliau Basin Study Centre from 7am to 5pm and again from 6pm to 11pm. The jungle camps are far more basic, so pack a torch and a light sweatshirt or fleece for the evenings, as it can get slightly cold in the huts. There are small generators at the camps to recharge devices.
    Do I need travel insurance?
    Yes. This is a very remote trek and all visitors to Maliau must have travel insurance that covers them for helicopter evacuation in the event of an emergency. All evacuation costs are at your own expense.
    What should I pack?
    We recommend insect repellent (deet is best), a comfortable hiking backpack, a sleeping bag (this can be rented, please advise us in advance), a light raincoat, sun hat, torch, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Bring a long sleeve shirt and long or short trousers for the mosquitoes, a basic first aid kit, a light travel towel, a light sweatshirt or fleece for the evenings, water bottles for a day's trekking (3 litres recommended, refillable each morning) and some high energy snacks. There are no ATMs in the jungle, though there isn't really anything to buy.
    How far in advance should I book?
    A minimum of 5 days notice is required to organise a trek, but as the accommodation can fill up well in advance we recommend booking as far ahead as possible. Trips can be arranged for any dates throughout the year subject to accommodation availability. Treks operate on the principle that you will be in a small group with a maximum of 8 people per guide, and you will also be accompanied by a Maliau Basin ranger.
    Are discounts available for larger groups?
    Yes we offer group discounts for 5 or more trekkers, please contact us for rates.
    Can I go to Tawau or Semporna after my trek?
    Yes we can arrange this but additional costs apply, please ask at the time of booking.

    Photos from this trip

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    Ready to book, or still deciding?

    Tell us your dates and we will come back with availability, the total cost and honest advice — including when a different trip would suit you better.

    Getting between destinations: we also run private van and 4X4 transfers across Sabah and a daily Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan shuttle — ask us to add either to your trip.

    WhatsApp / phone: +60 11 1265 8581
    Email: info@river-junkie.com
    Hours: 8am–5pm, Monday to Sunday
    Office: Wisma Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

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