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

6D5N On The Road Less Traveled

6 days
5 nights
Departs Kota Kinabalu
Basic
Price fromRM 6,700
per person, based on min 2 pax
Duration6 days
5 nights on the road
DepartsKota Kinabalu
Groupmin 2 pax
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About this trip

Adventurous travellers looking to get off the beaten path, this itinerary is for you! The first part of this trip will take you to Sapulot to experience the hospitality of the Murut people, scale the impressive limestone pinnacle known as Batu Punggul and explore the mysterious caves and refreshing rivers the area has to offer. Next you will head to the jungle for 3 nights in Maliau Basin, otherwise known as "Borneo's lost world" and famous for it's dense unexplored jungle and stunning waterfalls. Be prepared to trek for up to 8 hours per day and accommodation during this trip is in simple stretcher hammocks & jungle camps – no luxury option here folks!

Highlights

  • Longboat transfer to Pungiton Camp & cave exploration
  • Climb to the top of Batu Punggul pinnacle
  • Swimming at the Hidden Kabulongou Waterfall
  • 9km trek from Agathis camp to Ginseng camp
  • Trek to Maliau Falls, the basin's highlight

    • Trip facts

    Maliau Basin, Sapulot
    Caves, Cultural, Homestay, Jungle walks, Multi-day hikes, Night Drive, Night Walk, Wildlife
    6 days of travel
    Physical difficulty 5 / 5
    Departs from Kota Kinabalu
    Minimum 2 pax per departure
    Rates: Pricing valid until 31st Dec 2026
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    Day by day

    Day 1

    Kota Kinabalu - Pungiton caves - Pungiton camp

    Morning pick up from your hotel or airport in Kota Kinabalu and begin the 2 hour drive to Keningau town to meet you guide and continue your journey to Labang Village by 4x4. Other starting locations also available- including Semporna/Tawau. From here it is a short boat transfer on the river to Pungiton Camp, interior Sabah. Refreshments will be served upon arrival, settle in and then embark on trip to discover the unexplored Pungiton Caves. Walk through a cave with an underground stream and wonder at the formation of stalactite and stalagmite. Return to the camp for a refreshing swim by the river. Enjoy dinner and watch the night sky from the eating area before falling asleep to the sounds of the jungle.

    Day 2

    Pungiton camp - Batu Punggul - Romol village

    Early wake up for breakfast. Check out of the camp and transfer to Tataluan for your excursion to Batu Punggul, the 250meter limestone pinnacle, rising out of the jungle. For the adventurous, scramble and climb up to the top for a magnificent view of the jungle canopy below. Upon your descent, enjoy picnic lunch by the riverbank before your transfer to a Modern Village House at Romol Village. The longhouse sits above a valley, overlooking the forest and surrounding areas. Evening is spent feasting on Murut food, wine and local dancing.

    Day 3

    Romol village - Kabulongou waterfall - Maliau Basin Study Centre

    Wake up early for breakfast. Get transferred to the Hidden Kabulongou Waterfall with some jungle trekking involved. Spend the morning swimming at the multi levelled waterfalls. Light refreshments will be served at the waterfall. Closer to midday you will set off for Sabahs lost world, Maliau Basin. Once you reach the Maliau gate, usually early in the afternoon, it is just another 30 - 40 minutes to reach the study centre, stretch your legs, 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, you have the option to either join a night drive or night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife, both options included.

    Day 4

    Maliau Basin Study Centre - Ginseng camp

    Wake up early to enjoy your breakfast and re-pack your bag, around 8 am you will head to Agathis camp to begin the trek to Ginseng camp. The trek to Ginseng camp is 9km, comprised of mixed trails, several gentle uphill sections and a journey time of around 5 - 6 hours. Lunch will be had along the way, and with some luck, you may get the chance to glimpse a variety of different animals including Borneon Gibbons or Redleaf Monkeys. Ginseng camp is nestled in very close to Ginseng falls, this is where you can choose to spend your afternoon and take a refreshing afternoon dip before returning to the camp for dinner and lights out.

    Day 5

    Ginseng camp - Maliau Falls - Ginseng camp

    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 on a steep trail with ropes to assist you in places. It should take you around 2 - 3hours each way, so you will get plenty of time to swim, eat your lunch and enjoy the beautiful area surrounding the falls. In the early afternoon, begin your hike back up the hill to Ginseng camp for dinner and lights out.

    Day 6

    Ginseng camp - Agathis camp - Kota Kinabalu

    After you have finished your breakfast at Ginseng camp, begin 9km hike back to Agathis Camp to meet your driver. Today is around 9km and should take around 5 hours with time to have your final 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. Expected arrival back into Kota Kinabalu is around 7 pm. Other start / finish locations also available - including Semporna/Tawau.

    Where you'll stay

    Orou Sapulot

    Orou Sapulot

    Sapulot, Sabah
    A community tourism project run by Murut villagers in the Sapulot area of Nabawan district, deep in Sabah interior near the Kalimantan border. Visitors travel by road to Keningau, then by 4WD to Labang Village and on by longboat to riverside camps and a village guesthouse. Days combine caving, waterfalls, the climb up the Batu Punggul limestone pinnacle, and Murut hospitality, music and food.
  • Pungiton campStretcher hammock With mosquito net.
  • Vangkaakon Eco-Camp (4D3N tour only)Tent on a raised platform - jungle camping
  • MunorAulai guesthouseSimple guesthouse room in Romol Eco Village
    • FacilitiesFacilities in all locations are simple, there are no jungle resorts here!
    Good to knowElectricity is available in common areas only at the jungle camps, so do not expect power at your bed. There is no ATM in the area, so bring cash. Fitness needs to be moderate to high, as the trip involves scrambling and climbing. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a raincoat, toiletries, a hat, trekking shoes with grip, leech socks, a torch, swimwear and sandals.
    A closer look
    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

  • All land transfers, meals, accommodation, transfers and activities as mentioned in itinerary
  • guides
  • coffee & tea, drinking water
  • community fee

    • Not included

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

    • Prices

    6D5N Road Less Travelled (Orou Sapulot & Maliau Basin)RM 6700From RM6700 per person, based on min 2 pax
    Pricing notesPersonal porter: 168RM per day for up to 12kg, additional weight charged at RM14 per kg (optional) ​Sleeping bag (optional - RM50 per person)
    ChildrenChildren 12 and above are welcome to join this tour.
    Rate validityPricing valid until 31st Dec 2026

    Frequently asked questions

    Where does this trip go?
    Starting and finishing in Kota Kinabalu, you head first into the Sapulot region for the Pungiton caves and Pungiton camp, then on to the limestone pinnacle of Batu Punggul and a night at Romol village, before trekking to the hidden Kabulongou waterfall and continuing to Maliau Basin Study Centre. The final three days take you into Maliau Basin itself, trekking from Agathis camp to Ginseng camp and out to Maliau Falls. Other start and finish locations are also available, including Semporna and Tawau.
    How demanding is the trekking?
    The trek from Agathis camp to Ginseng camp is 9km of mixed trails with several gentle uphill sections and takes around 5 to 6 hours. The following day you trek to Maliau Falls, around 4.5km each way on a steep trail with ropes to assist you in places, taking roughly 2 to 3 hours in each direction. On the last day you hike the 9km back to Agathis camp, again around 5 hours, before the drive out.
    What is the accommodation like?
    All accommodation is on a basic or shared basis — jungle camps, homestay, stretcher hammocks and the like. You'll stay at Pungiton camp, in a modern village house at Romol village overlooking the forest, at Maliau Basin Study Centre, and for two nights at Ginseng camp close to Ginseng falls.
    What is included in the price?
    The trip is from RM6650 per person based on a minimum of 2 people, with pricing valid until 31st Dec 2026. That covers all land transfers, meals, accommodation, transfers and activities as mentioned in the itinerary, your guides, coffee, tea and drinking water, and the community fee.
    Do I need special insurance?
    Yes — all participants must hold valid personal emergency evacuation insurance to join this trip. Given how remote the Sapulot region and Maliau Basin are, this is a firm requirement rather than a recommendation.
    Is there a single supplement for solo travellers?
    There is no single supplement for solo travellers on this trip. Tours will depart with a minimum of 2 people.
    What should I bring?
    Pack sunscreen, insect repellent, a raincoat, toiletries, a hat, trekking shoes, leech socks, a headlamp, swimming attire and sandals or flip flops. Do bring cash as well, as there is no ATM along the route.
    What time do the first and last days start and end?
    Day one begins with a morning pick-up from your hotel or the airport in Kota Kinabalu, followed by a 2-hour drive to Keningau town to meet your guide, a 4x4 transfer to Labang Village and a short boat ride to Pungiton camp. On the last day you hike back to Agathis camp, de-leech, and begin the 5 to 6 hour drive back to Kota Kinabalu, with expected arrival at around 7pm.

    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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