Most Inspirational Moment
seeing the orang u
Reviews
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Reviews
Borneo and the Malaysian Peninsular
A holiday of two different parts-the wildlife of Borneo was amazing and the accommodation at Sepilok was so close to the orang utang sanctuary allowing us to spend lots of time there.To see so much of Malaysia during the second week and take in the diversity as we travelled far exceeded my expectations
Good balanced trip.
I picked the trip as it balanced wildlife and the culture. It was a good mix and highlighted the differences between Borneo and ‘Malaya’ parts. About the right time spent in both areas.
Most Inspirational Moment
Sunset boat ride in the adventure lodge. The War cemetery at Sandakan and the food 'mekan' tour in the peninsula, watching the sunset on Petronas tower at Traders Bar.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The guide Wye in the peninsula was excellent. Would give her 5 stars for organisation, enthusiasm and hard work. Her suggestions for things to do and places to eat were good. I was less impressed with Aldrin, he did not seem to be as well organised, didn't know our flight times, the botanical gardens we had barely 20 minutes and then left us with a "guide" for the 'hike' who went off and left us struggling down the slippery paths without waiting for us. We ended the walk early as we felt unsafe.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take an umbrella as is too hot for rain coats and useful for the sun and frequent rain showers. Take lots of insect repellent as you sweat it off. It is not a 'leisurely' trip so if you don't like getting out of your comfort zone don't do it but for me was a great place to visit. You will be fed every couple of hours on the pensinsula so don't order too much as there will be more to come later!
A varied trip of wildlife, cities, and food!
This was a highly enjoyable trip covering a wide range of different experiences. The first few days in Borneo were particularly excellent at Sepilok and Kinabatangan. We were lucky enough to see a wild orang-utan, a gibbon and proboscis monkeys. KL was also a highlight – particularly enjoyed the food tour and a (optional) trip to the PETRONAS towers. The food markets at night were also a great experience. A relaxing couple of days on Langkawi was (once we got there!) a really nice end to the trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
I particularly enjoyed the wildlife / Borneo section of the trip (and perhaps wished I had chosen a trip with more wildlife)!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both tour leaders were excellent. Aldrin was friendly and organised and an all-round excellent tour leader. Similarly, Jeremy was helpful, enthusiastic and took us to some varied restaurants/eating places!
Advice for Potential Travellers
If the ferry crossing continues to be part of the trip - beware! The Lonely Planet guide warns that the crossing is particularly rough at certain times of year (Jul-Oct) and can be a vomit inducing experience. They are not wrong. I am never sea sick, but on our crossing almost everyone on board was sick. Be prepared!
feedback
Good main guides who knew their stuff. Reasonable accommodation.
Most Inspirational Moment
See all types of monkeys and animals in the wild/boat trips
Thoughts on Group Leader
Group leaders both were excellent and went out of their way to help and support and organised everything even when not part of inclusive package - both brilliant.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't expect nice hot showers anywhere until KL
Fun trip to Malaysia
Our family thoroughly enjoyed this varied trip. The first week in Borneo was great for seeing wildlife. We were lucky to watch a herd of pygmy elephants on and in the river and a wild orangutan make his nest for the night. The cities were fun and the food was good. The food tour of KL was particularly good. Relaxing by the pool and beach at the end was a a good way to finish
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing wild orangutans
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both were excellent. They were fun, organised and knowlegable. Jeremy seemed to have boundless energy and took us to so many different types of restaurants for evening meals.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Wear a jumper and trousers for the train, it's cold. Try not to take too much luggage - with a ferry, a train, a plane and lots of minibuses, you have to move your bag a lot. Most of the time we all wore shorts. You will need long trousers or smarter wear for the roof top cocktail bars. In religious places any extra clothing was provided. Take binoculars for the wildlife. Extra layer at night needed in longhouse, it was colder at night than anywhere else and only a small cotton cover provided. Take an umbrella for downpours in cities. If you like to make drinks in your room all places had a kettle but not all provided tea bags/ coffee. Insect repellent is required but insects are not as bad as other places we have been. Do take up the offer of wellies and leech socks in the rainforest, leeches did try to get us!
A bit of everything
This is a trip of two halves – the first week the focus on the flora and fauna of Borneo and the second week the multicultural nature of Malaysia in the cities on the Peninsula. I enjoyed the variety of the trip and also the chance to try out the different types of Malaysian cuisine.
Most Inspirational Moment
In Borneo, seeing an orangutan in the wild and a heard of Pigmy elephants from a boat on the Kinabatangan River. We had seen a number of the animals in the sanctuary's and rehab centre in Sepilok but very special to see them in their own habitat. On the Peninsula I really enjoyed exploring Malacca and all the steet art and the food tour in KL was great fun
Thoughts on Group Leader
We had two group leaders, one for Borneo and one for the Peninsula, Johmin (J) and Jeremy respectively. Both were well organised and easy to get along with and had good knowledge of their country as well as a good senses of humour. This is the first time on a trip I have had 2 tour leaders but due to the varied nature of the trip it worked very well in this case
Advice for Potential Travellers
I would recommend taking a sheet sleeping bag and lots of deet for the longhouse as the blankets provided are very short. I took mine and felt quite cosy and protected from the bugs! take binoculars for the wild life - monkeys climb quite high up trees! take light comfortable clothing for the humid weather
2 holidays in one
A great holiday or rather two in one. The first week was getting close to nature – basic accommodation but that’s what you need if you want wildlife on your doorstep. The second week was a good mix of different cities.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing truly wild Orangutan that had never been in in a sanctuary as we cruised from out river lodge.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Best ever - great sense of humour, totally committed to making our holiday truly memorable.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Think twice before you sign up - we loved it but one of our trip didn't like the idea of bugs and "roughing it" in slightly lower standard accommodation near the nature parks. If you want to get close to nature expect nature to get close to you!
Exceptional!
I initially booked this trip on a bit of a whim… I’d always fancied seeing the Orangutan’s and had been looking online for various trips. This itinerary stuck out a mile – the promise of nature, culture and vibrant cities instantly sucked me in.
Just prior to booking I called the Exodus team to ask if anyone else had booked to travel alone, this would be my first holiday of this kind by myself; so needless to say I was a bit apprehensive. After the team confirmed there were other solo travellers, I bit the bullet and I’m so glad I did.
The leisurely nature of this trip was perfect, not only did we visit key sites in all locations but the time we had to ourselves provided the opportune moments to explore areas further.
Most Inspirational Moment
I absolutely loved the Orangutan visit and the river in Borneo. We visited so many places though so it's really hard to pin down inspirational moments - I had so many in every place we visited.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The exodus leaders were brilliant. Highly organised, sociable and kept us all engaged throughout. Their knowledge was tremendous and they really did go out of their way to ensure the group were well catered for. We also had a few additional people lead tours for us - the river boat, night walks and the food tour in KL. I found them all to be professional and fantastically enthusiastic.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you're considering a solo holiday, especially if you haven't done this before - just go for it! It's the best thing I've done! This trip is IDEAL for all age groups - the variety of nature, city and country life, lively night life and quiet group meals, jungle walks, river cruises and beaches, is just the start. Malaysia is truly stunning!
Three vacations in one
This trip was excellent. For those wanting variety, it was three trips in one. The jungles and wildlife of Borneo, the culture and history of Melaka and George Town, and the beachs and swimming pools of Langkawi to finish it off.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing an organgutang in the wild!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Aldrin did a super job. He was efficient and friendly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Beware of the Borneo section. If basic jungle lodges and rain and mud are not your thing, this might not be the trip for you. The accomodation is sparse and the food limited and plain on the Borneo section.
A great 2 week adventure in Malaysia
I truly enjoyed the 2 weeks that I spent in Malaysia, on Borneo at the beginning and on the Malay peninsula at the end. Accommodation was of a high quality with the possible exception being the long house for 1 night in Borneo. There were separate guides in the 2 halves of Malaysia, and both were simply excellent: Aldrin in Borneo and Ant on the peninsula. The trip was mostly at a leisurely pace which is what I like, and there was an ample amount of free time on some days, and that includes 1 total free day at the end on the island of Langkawi. This trip is a new one, and I think it’s excellent. I highly recommend it.
Most Inspirational Moment
It was great to be with the orangutans at Sepilok.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both Aldrin and Ant were excellent.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring lots of sun screen! I found mosquito bug bites to be a relatively minor almost non existent issue, but other people might have different experiences.