Borneo International Award Gold Expedition

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Borneo as you trek across the lush hills, valleys and rural farmland surrounding Camp Bongkud. From winding jungle trails to spectacular hilltop views, this expedition will challenge and inspire you while developing the key skills needed to complete the Qualifying Venture of your Adventurous Journey section of the Gold International Award.

  • Location Borneo, Asia
  • Duration 8 days
  • Expedition Type Adventures By Camps

Over four days, you’ll trek through the Geluing Valley, rural farmland and remote hilltop trails, camping under the stars. With every step, you’ll build resilience, teamwork and confidence. To round off your trip, you’ll visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which offer an inspiring insight into Borneo’s conservation efforts.

Asia - Borneo - round map with Camp Borneo logo
Travellers trekking through the jungle in Borneo
Sunbear in Sepilok in Borneo
Orangutan with its baby in the jungle in Borneo

*Flights and Travel Insurance are excluded from this trip. However should you wish to include them, then we can quote accordingly.

  • Expedition Leader
  • All meals
  • Unlimited drinking water
  • All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for all sights mentioned in the itinerary
  • All transfers mentioned are in private vehicles
  • Project costs and management
  • 24 hour support throughout expedition

This sample itinerary will give you an insight into what you’ll be getting up to. Please note, the exact projects, activities and camps may change closer to the time of your expedition.

Day

Activities

More details
Day 1 Arrive and head to Camp Bongkud Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by one of our local staff members, who will accompany you to our flagship camp, Camp Bongkud. After settling into your home away from home, there will be a safety orientation and briefing on what you can expect from your expedition, followed by a traditional dinner and a restful evening in camp. You will have the opportunity to look over the preparation work you should have completed prior to the expedition and make plans for possible obstacles you may face.
Day 2 Key skills Today you will spend time familiarising yourself with the equipment and techniques you will be required to use on your expedition. These include setting up a ‘bare earth’ camp, cooking on open fires and learning important emergency procedures.
Day 3 Planning and preparation Preparation is key, and today you will set out to explore the local town and markets in order to purchase food required for your trip. In the afternoon you will work in teams with your route maps to finalise your journey. You will also have a chance to practice putting up your hammocks and cooking with the local equipment provided.
Day 4 Trek begins in Namaus (6hrs) After starting the morning with a hearty breakfast, you will be transferred to Namaus, where you trek will begin. You will then spend the day walking through pastures and undulating low and high hills to the first night at Camp Tupil, where you will put your preparation into practice and cook your first meal under the jungle canopy before heading to sleep in your hammock.
Day 5 Trek to Camp 1 (6hrs) Following a breakfast cooked by yourselves, you will head off on today’s route. This will head to undulating terrains through the jungle before ascending to Camp Nunuk, where you will spend the night.
Day 6 Final day of trekking (6hrs) Once you have packed up all your gear and enjoyed your last campsite breakfast you will head to the high ground of the Belian hills. Here you will enjoy spectacular views over the plains below before descending and looping back to complete your journey. Once back at Camp Bongkud, you will get to enjoy a celebratory dinner.
Day 7 Wildlife at Conservation Sanctuary After three days of walking, you will get to spend today enjoying a walk to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and Bornean Sunbears Conservation Centre. These two neighbouring wildlife sanctuaries in Sepilok offer a unique glimpse into Borneo’s conservation efforts. Elevated boardwalks offer excellent viewing while supporting education and wildlife protection.
Day 8 Departure Depending on your flight times you may have the opportunity to buy souvenirs at a local curio shop before your transfer to the airport for your journey home.
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See what life is like on expedition

Check out the photos from our previous travellers for a first-hand view into life on expedition.

Two travellers in the sunset
Borneo Trek camping in the jungle in hammocks
Macaque on a tree in the jungle
a group of travellers looking at the vista in bongkud hill, borneo
Teapots camping Borneo trek
A group of travellers walking on a trek in Borneo
Two travellers in the sunset
Borneo Trek camping in the jungle in hammocks
Macaque on a tree in the jungle
a group of travellers looking at the vista in bongkud hill, borneo
Teapots camping Borneo trek
A group of travellers walking on a trek in Borneo

For more of our travellers’ best photos visit our photo competition gallery. See more

Fantastic experience, really felt our expedition to Borneo was worthwhile. Camps International have really well-trained and helpful staff, both at home and abroad. Would highly recommend a trip with Camps.

Jacob, Camp Borneo, 2023

Our local camp legends

Our camps are staffed by members of the community who will make you feel like a local in no time. These legends will make your expedition spectacular and will show you the very best of their home country.

Evelyn Binti Thomas

As a Camps traveller, you’ll get to learn about our rich Bornean culture and experience its spectacular beauty – from mountains to coasts and jungles full of flora and fauna. Many people in rural villages in Sabah don’t have the opportunity to travel to other countries, so having travellers come to stay at camp is an amazing opportunity for cultural exchange (both ways!) and inspires the younger generations to study hard and see the world.

Meet our Crew

Interested in this expedition?

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