Borneo & Beyond - A journey from Singapore to Bali
Straddling the equator, Borneo is the third largest island in the world and a wildlife wonderland, home to half of all known plant and animal species including some of the rarest and most endangered. It is not one country but shared by the states of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. By far the largest portion of the island is Kalimantan which is part of the island nation of Indonesia, and to the north the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah reside with their tiny neighbour of Brunei. There are distinct differences between the more developed northern states and the larger region of Kalimantan and such differences make our voyage all the more interesting.
In order to get the measure of this extraordinary island with its vast rainforests, endemic wildlife and diverse culture something longer than a few days is required and as with most islands, the best way to explore is by sea. Borneo may be larger than most, but we feel the same rule applies and for this unique small ship adventure we have the perfect vessel. Sailing aboard the all-suite MS Island Sky with just 100 fellow, like-minded travellers, we will be able to use the onboard Zodiacs for some of our explorations enabling us to land in otherwise inaccessible places accompanied by our expert expedition team including naturalists, who will share their knowledge and enthusiasm during forays ashore and whilst on board. We have been fortunate to be able to time our expedition for August, the perfect time for exploring the region with warm sunny days and minimal rainfall resulting in ideal conditions for walking in the rainforest and for wildlife spotting opportunities.
Marvellous experiences are to be had as we explore remote jungle and rainforest on foot or by boat, observe the diverse range of plants, trees and wildlife including the ‘wild man of Borneo’ – the orangutan, snorkel over coral reefs and visit remote offshore islands, returning each evening to the comforts of the MS Island Sky to sail on to our next adventure. If you enjoy immersing yourself in the culture and wildlife you will find our days in Kalimantan endlessly fascinating. By way of contrast the well-run order of the Malaysian States and the riches of Brunei all combine to create an intoxicating mix of cultures rarely found on one island.
Never far from our minds are the writings of Conrad and the adventures of James Brooke and the White Rajahs as we journey around the islands, rivers and jungles of Borneo. The privilege of exploring this remarkable land from a small ship and in the company of knowledgeable speakers, expedition team members and local guides is an opportunity not to be missed. Our voyage will be so much more than a holiday, it promises to be an adventure shared with like-minded travellers.
Fly by scheduled flight.
Arrive and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day and evening is at leisure and under your own arrangements.
After breakfast we will depart the hotel for a guided tour of Singapore which will include the National Orchid Garden. After lunch we will continue to the MS Island Sky and embark. Welcome drinks and dinner will be served as we sail tonight.
Spend a leisurely day at sea as we make our way to the island of Borneo during which our lecture programme will commence.
This morning, we arrive into Malaysia where we will spend the next two days in Kuching, capital of the state of Sarawak. We will spend our time here exploring the city and the natural wonders of the surrounding area. There will be a chance to visit nearby Semenggoh Nature Reserve where since 1975 the wardens have been training young orangutans, who had been orphaned or rescued from captivity, how to survive in the wild. The success of this programme has left the surrounding forest reserve with a thriving population of healthy adolescent and young adult orangutans, who are now breeding in the wild. Besides orangutans, Semenggoh Nature Reserve is also a habitat for rare flora and fauna including the giant squirrel, pigmy squirrel, gibbons and a splendid variety of birds. We will also set out to explore the city of Kuching and learn more about the exploits of the Brooke family who, some 200 years ago, were awarded Sarawak by the former owner, the Sultan of Brunei, in recognition for the aid provided in defeating a rebellion. See Fort Margherita which was built in 1879 to guard Kuching’s River approaches from pirates and the Chinese History Museum which houses many artefacts of past eras and memorabilia of Chinese affairs during the time of Charles Vyner Brooke, also known as the White Rajah in Sarawak history. During our time in Kuching, we will also visit Bako National Park, the oldest national park in Sarawak which is known for its amazing diversity containing almost every type of vegetation found in Borneo. Established in 1957 it occupies more than 27 square kilometres of rainforest, waterfalls, secluded beaches and rocky shorelines. On a series of guided nature walks for all levels we will explore the jungle keeping an eye out for proboscis monkeys, long tailed macaques, silvered langurs, monitor lizards and bearded pigs as well as some of the 190 species of birds that can be found here.
Take some time to relax after a busy couple of days as we continue our journey up the Borneo coast.
We arrive this morning in oil-rich Brunei where our full day excursion will include the immense Kianggeh open air market before taking a scenic boat ride along the Brunei River offering views of the magnificent Sultan’s Palace. The Istana Nurul Iman is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei and one of the largest residential palaces in the world. We will also see the colourful water villages built on stilts and connected by wooden walkways before continuing to the stunning Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Our tour will conclude at the Royal Regalia Building, which is home to the Sultan’s marvellous collection of royal gifts and ceremonial weapons. After a local lunch we will return to the MS Island Sky and sail in the late afternoon.
Returning to Malaysia we have a full day to explore the city and surroundings of Kota Kinabalu. Our tour will take us to Kinabalu Park located beneath the jagged granite peaks of Mount Kinabalu. This UNESCO World Heritage Site provides a glimpse into the fascinating plant life of the region. We will walk through the montane oak and chestnut rainforest at park headquarters to view some of the 700 species of orchids, nine species of carnivorous pitcher plants and 27 species of rhododendrons found here. Next, we will visit the botanical gardens where a diverse collection of unique flora is gathered from the entire park and transplanted here for conservation and educational purposes. We will enjoy lunch in the park before returning to the ship later in the afternoon. Alternatively, there will be the opportunity to explore the myths and legends of Borneo and delve into the history of the ‘headhunters’ with a visit to an ancient burial site and the memorial dedicated to the legendary headhunter Monsopiad, here we will learn more about the Kadazan community and the descendants of Monsopiad.
After a morning at sea we arrive in the city of Sandakan, our base for the next day and a half. For keen nature lovers there will be an excursion to the Rainforest Discovery Centre, one of the most accessible natural rainforests in Sabah. It sits by a lake at the edge of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve and is managed by the Sabah Forestry Department which has been in operation since 1996 for the purpose of environmental education. A wonderful park for nature lovers and birdwatchers, we can discover the unique flora and fauna of Borneo. Our walk along the forest trails will lead to the canopy walkway where the centre boasts a pristine lowland dipterocarp forest with an astounding 300 species of birds recorded in the area. Alternatively, a guided tour of Sandakan will include a visit to the lively market and the old-fashioned stone building of St Michael Church, one of the few surviving pre-war stone buildings built in 1893 and we will also visit Newlands, the former home of author Agnes Newton Keith. In addition we will learn about the rehabilitation of the orangutans at the Sepilok Centre and hear about their threats to survival. We will visit the Sepilok Forest Reserve feeding platform and see orangutans in the third stage of their rehabilitation programme where the orphaned and injured orangutans are brought to Sepilok to be rehabilitated to return to forest life. Sepilok is a primary lowland forest and the nearest place to visit the virgin jungle of Borneo and one of the few remaining rainforests in Sabah. We can observe the fascinating diversity of plants, trees and wildlife as Sepilok is known to have more than 450 species of trees and over 250 species of birds whilst we also have a good chance of sighting macaques, leaf monkeys and other mammals. Close by is the Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Opened in 2014 this centre provides rehabilitation to the smallest bears in the world which are at risk from deforestation and poaching. Our exploration today will end at the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. These distinctive primates, endemic to Borneo, live mainly in the mangrove and lowland forests near fresh water and rivers.
Enjoy a leisurely day at sea as we continue our journey around the Borneo coast and make our way to Indonesia.
This morning we arrive in the tropical and idyllic Derawan Islands. The islands are part of the Coral Triangle which contains some of the richest marine biodiversity on earth. We will spend the day on nature walks, snorkelling over the colourful coral reefs or enjoying Zodiac cruises.
Today we sail over to Sulawesi and the charming township of Toli-Toli. Few tourists and even fewer cruise ships visit here. We will be collected by local becaks (cycle rickshaw) to explore the town including the local church, mosque and the small market to see the trading of local crops. At the traditional house ‘Rumah Adat of Toli’ we will be treated to a welcome ceremony.
Today we enjoy the benefits of our small ship as we spend a day of exploration well off the usual cruise ship and tourist routes. Spend the morning at the Menumbar River where we will launch the Zodiacs. This remote river, flanked with pristine mangrove forest is a haven for birds and crocodiles and offers the opportunity to see an unexplored part of Borneo. Over lunch we position to the small island of Birahbirahan where our onboard naturalists will lead a series of nature walks in the rainforest. We will keep an eye out for kingfishers, sunbirds and Pacific swallows and learn about the flora.
From our berth in Balikpapan we enjoy a full day excursion to Samboja Lestari, an area of restored tropical jungle. This once barren area has seen a remarkable regeneration with the planting of over a million trees. Wildlife has returned and the density of the forest has increased cloud cover, lowered temperatures and increased rainfall. The great work by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation has profoundly changed the lives of the local people and the wildlife. We will have the opportunity to see the great work being carried out by the foundation where 200 orangutans live in its protected environments as well as over 50 Malayan sun bears. We enjoy lunch at the lodge overlooking the jungle before returning to Balikpapan and sailing later this afternoon.
Enjoy a day at leisure as we cross from the Makassar Strait and into the Java Sea sailing towards Bali. Maybe join the lecture programme in the lounge or find a spot on deck to relax with a book.
We arrive in Bali this morning but are well away from the main tourist hubs as we land on the northeastern coast from where there will be a choice of two full day excursions. You may wish to visit the West Bali National Park which comprises of 19,000 hectares of land with an additional 7000 hectares of coral reefs and coastal waters. Here we can take a gentle trek to the protected mangrove and monsoon forest and hope to see grey monkeys, black monkeys, giant lizard and some of the 160 species of birds that live here. Afterwards we take a short boat ride to Menjangan Island to snorkel in beautiful coral reef gardens and hope to also see electric clams, scorpion fish, starfish, eels and reef fish. Alternatively drive inland to the Munduk Highlands. Passing through Singaraja, the former capital city of Bali, we continue to the mountainous area of Bedugul to see the three lakes, Bratan, Buyan and Tamblingan. Alongside Lake Bratan is Pura Ulun Danu, an important Hindu-Buddhist temple dedicated to the water goddess and a site of pilgrimage. The scenery is stunning and we will have time to take in the surroundings before continuing to the appealing town of Munduk which is set amongst hillsides full of fruit trees, jungles and rice fields.
Disembark in Benoa and transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London.
Arrive this morning.
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Magellan Deck Standard Suite
Columbus Deck Superior Suite
Marco Polo Deck Premium Suite
Marco Polo Deck Corner Suite
Magellan Deck Standard Single
Columbus Deck Superior Single
Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
Explorer Deck Island Suite
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship
Length: 90 metres
Passenger Capacity: 116
Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2010 / 2017
The MS Island Sky offers an intimate and luxurious cruising experience, designed for travelers who appreciate peace, high-quality service, and a relaxed atmosphere. The ship features elegant public spaces, including a main lounge for daily briefings and talks, The Club with a pianist and a 24-hour tea and coffee station, and a well-stocked library with internet access. Guests can enjoy al fresco dining on the Lido Deck, a walk-around promenade for scenic views, and a top-deck observation area ideal for relaxation and wildlife spotting. The ship also includes a small hair salon, a doctor on board, and a lift serving all decks for added convenience. Complimentary satellite Wi-Fi is available, though signal strength may vary.
Accommodations include 59 spacious and well-appointed suites, all with outside views, seating areas, and en-suite bathrooms. Some suites offer private balconies or sliding glass doors for enhanced ocean views. Amenities include a mini-fridge, flat-screen TV, Molton Brown toiletries, air-conditioning, and a safe. The Island Suite boasts an extended balcony, complimentary minibar, and laundry service. Dining is a refined yet relaxed affair, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a single open seating. Guests can enjoy buffet-style breakfasts, à la carte lunches and dinners, daily afternoon tea, and included wines. The ship’s culinary team creates exceptional meals, often incorporating local specialties, while the friendly staff ensures a welcoming and social dining experience.
Life onboard is serene, focusing on enriching experiences rather than organized entertainment. Guests can enjoy informative talks, port briefings, and casual evening music rather than large-scale shows or games. The ship is equipped with modern safety and navigation technology, including roll stabilizers for a smooth journey. The atmosphere is akin to a private yacht or boutique hotel, where like-minded travelers can immerse themselves in nature, history, and culture.
Inclusions
• Voyage on board in selected cabin category
• House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board
• Expedition team
• Shore excursions as per the itinerary (Note: Some itineraries have optional excursions as per the specific exclusions)
• Gratuities
• Port Charges/ Taxes
• Transfers as per the itinerary (Note: Transfers are offered in conjunction with group flights only when booked together, both can be taken off if included in the itinerary and credited - if the trip shows no flights then none are included)
Exclusions
• Passport and Visa costs where applicable
• Travel insurance
• Beverages other than those listed in inclusions
• Meals when not on board the ship unless otherwise stated
• Pre and post voyage accommodation unless otherwise stated
• Optional excursions as per specific itinerary
• Any items of a personal nature
Luxury Small Ship Cruise
Highlights
• Semenggoh Nature Reserve: Observe thriving orangutans in their natural habitat at this renowned rehabilitation center near Kuching, surrounded by rare flora and fauna.• Kinabalu Park: Explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site beneath Mount Kinabalu’s jagged peaks, home to diverse orchids, pitcher plants, and rhododendrons.
• Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre: Witness the vital conservation efforts for orphaned orangutans in Sandakan’s pristine lowland forest, alongside sun bears and proboscis monkeys.
Our Associates Include
