Rickshaw Travel

ABTAATOL Protected

  • Destinations
  • Family holidays
  • Travel guides
  • About us
  • Blog
My Travel Plan
Loading...

Your travel plan is empty!

Add your favourite trips or an itinerary to your travel plan. Click on 'My Travel Plan' to see what you've added and send it to us. Our travel specialists will piece your holiday together (including transport & accommodation) and send you a quote within one working day.

Get started!

Added so far...

We'll create your dream holiday

    Next, review & send us your travel plan for your quote

    Request your quote

    Or view/email a copy of your travel plan

    View your travel plan
     Your next steps

    1. Add your favourite trips or an itinerary to your travel plan
    2. Click the Request your quote button to send it over to us
    3. Our travel specialists will piece your holiday together (including transport & accommodation) and send you a quote within one working day

     Your next steps

    1. Add your favourite trips or an itinerary to your travel plan
    2. Click the Request your quote button to send it over to us
    3. Our travel specialists will piece your holiday together (including transport & accommodation) and send you a quote within one working day

    • Destinations
      • Asia
        • Bhutan
        • China
        • India
        • Japan
        • Nepal
        • Sri Lanka
        • Tibet
      • South East Asia
        • Borneo
        • Cambodia
        • Indonesia
        • Laos
        • Malaysia
        • Myanmar
        • Thailand
        • Vietnam
      • North America
        • Canada
        • USA
      • Central America
        • Belize
        • Costa Rica
        • Cuba
        • Guatemala
        • Mexico
        • Nicaragua
        • Panama
      • South America
        • Argentina & Antarctica
        • Bolivia
        • Brazil
        • Chile
        • Colombia
        • Ecuador & Galapagos
        • Peru
      • Europe
        • Greece
        • Iceland
        • Italy
        • Lapland
        • Portugal
      • View all destinations
    • Family holidays
      • Asia
        • India
        • Sri Lanka
      • South East Asia
        • Borneo
        • Cambodia
        • Indonesia
        • Thailand
        • Vietnam
      • North America
        • Canada
        • USA
      • Central America
        • Costa Rica
        • Cuba
      • South America
        • Peru
      • Europe
        • Iceland
        • Italy
        • Lapland
        • Portugal
    • Travel guides
      • Travel guides by destination
        • Borneo
        • Canada
        • Costa Rica
        • Cuba
        • Ecuador
        • Galapagos
        • India
        • Indonesia
        • Japan
        • Peru
        • Sri Lanka
        • Vietnam
      • Family Holiday Guides
        • Borneo
        • Canada
        • Costa Rica
        • Cuba
        • India
        • Indonesia
        • Malaysia
        • Peru
        • Sri Lanka
        • Thailand
        • USA
        • Vietnam
      • Inspiration
        • Beaches
        • City stopovers
        • Diving and snorkelling
        • Food & drink
        • Honeymoons
        • Self drive
        • Trekking
        • Unique experiences
        • Wildlife & safari
      • Where to Go When
        • January
        • February
        • March
        • April
        • May
        • June
        • July
        • August
        • September
        • October
        • November
        • December
    • About us
      • Discover more
        • Our values
        • Meet the team
        • How we work
        • Work with us
        • Customer reviews
        • In the news
        • Contact us
      • Responsible travel
        • Responsible travel
        • Animal welfare
        • Population Matters
        • Our Meaningful Travel Policy
        • How to be a responsible traveller
      • Travel Advice
        • Accommodation
        • Covid-19
        • Flexible booking
        • Flights
        • LGBTQ+ travellers
        • Refer a Friend
        • Travel insurance
        • Visas & passports
    • Blog
    AsiaSouth East AsiaNorth AmericaCentral AmericaSouth AmericaEuropeView all destinations
    BhutanChinaIndiaJapanNepalSri LankaTibet
    BorneoCambodiaIndonesiaLaosMalaysiaMyanmarThailandVietnam
    CanadaUSA
    BelizeCosta RicaCubaGuatemalaMexicoNicaraguaPanama
    Argentina & AntarcticaBoliviaBrazilChileColombiaEcuador & GalapagosPeru
    GreeceIcelandItalyLaplandPortugal
     
     
    AsiaSouth East AsiaNorth AmericaCentral AmericaSouth AmericaEurope
    IndiaSri Lanka
     
    BorneoCambodiaIndonesiaThailandVietnam
     
    CanadaUSA
     
    Costa RicaCuba
     
    Peru
     
    IcelandItalyLaplandPortugal
     
    Travel guides by destinationFamily Holiday GuidesInspirationWhere to Go When
    • Borneo
    • Canada
    • Costa Rica
    • Cuba
    • Ecuador
    • Galapagos
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Japan
    • Peru
    • Sri Lanka
    • Vietnam
    • Borneo
    • Canada
    • Costa Rica
    • Cuba
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Malaysia
    • Peru
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
    • USA
    BeachesCity stopoversDiving and snorkellingFood & drinkHoneymoonsSelf driveTrekkingUnique experiencesWildlife & safari
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
    Discover moreResponsible travelTravel Advice
    Our valuesMeet the teamHow we workWork with usCustomer reviewsIn the newsContact us
    Responsible travelAnimal welfarePopulation MattersOur Meaningful Travel PolicyHow to be a responsible traveller
    AccommodationCovid-19Flexible bookingFlightsLGBTQ+ travellersRefer a FriendTravel insuranceVisas & passports

    Rickshaw Ramblings

    • Browse by Destination
    • Argentina & Antarctica
    • Bhutan
    • Bolivia
    • Borneo
    • Borneo for Families
    • Brazil
    • Brighton
    • Cambodia
    • Cambodia for Families
    • Canada
    • Canada for Families
    • Chile
    • China
    • Colombia
    • Costa Rica
    • Costa Rica for Families
    • Cuba
    • Ecuador & Galapagos
    • Family
    • Greece
    • Iceland
    • India
    • Indochina
    • Indonesia
    • Indonesia for Families
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Lapland
    • Malaysia
    • Mexico
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Nicaragua
    • Panama
    • Peru
    • Portugal
    • Sri Lanka
    • Sri Lanka for Families
    • Thailand
    • Thailand for Families
    • Tibet
    • USA
    • USA for families
    • Vietnam
    • Vietnam for Families
    • Browse by Theme
    • 24 hours in...
    • Competition
    • Cultural
    • Customers stories
    • Family travel
    • Food and drink
    • Friends of Rickshaw
    • History
    • Responsible travel
    • Top tips
    • Wellness
    • Wildlife

    1st November 2016 by Friends of Rickshaw • 6 min read

    Four ways to have an authentic Borneo adventure

    MeaningfulTravel Responsible travel pin Borneo

    Share:

    Miles

    Speak to our Borneo specialist!

    Enquire now

    Borneo is stuffed to the brim with amazingly exotic flora and fauna – a visit here is definitely a once in a lifetime experience but not just because of the monkeys, parrots and turtles. Here at Rickshaw we are committed to meaningful travel, we want you to have unique experiences that bring you closer to the people in the country you’re visiting. Getting close to nature and living with the local community gives you an emotional connection with country you’re visiting. You’ll immerse yourself in the local way of life and get a real understanding of what makes them tick.

    So without further ado let us tell you about four of our favourite things to do in Borneo for a truly authentic holiday experience.

    Stay in a longhouse

    Staying in a longhouse isn’t just about having a place to sleep, it is about being welcomed into a way of life, a community, a family. The host families are so friendly and genuine that you may want them to adopt you and stay forever! One of our customers (aka Rickshaw Ramblers) visited an Iban Tribe in Sarawak and told us that the village chief and his wife were the most welcoming of all. In the longhouse your meals are prepared by the host family who then sit down to have a drink and a chat while you eat – you’ll be sure to hear some colourful stories of life in the jungle.

    borneo-batang-ai-sarawak-activity-longhouse-trekking-washing-feet-jetty

    You may even be asked if you’d like to learn how to prepare local specialties – be sure to jump at the chance if you do. Our Rickshaw Ramblers are often invited out trekking, an absolute must as following the locals around is like no walk anywhere else in the world. You’ll find the welcome is just as friendly for children as the local children really embrace their new playmates and let them join in. You may even have the privilege to witness a wedding or religious ceremony while you’re there – an incredibly meaningful thing to see.

    borneo-batang-ai-sarawak-activity-longhouse-trekking-chloes-mum600x450

    Come face-to-face with an Orangutan

    A trip to Borneo isn’t complete without spending some time with “the people of the forest” or Orangutans as they are better known. At the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre you can get really close and watch these majestic animals feed and play. The island is teeming with monkeys; you’ll also see Proboscis, Gibbons and Macaques during your trip.

    Indonesia-sumatra-orangutans-medan-bukit-lawang-by-chloe

    Many Rickshaw Rickshaw Ramblers choose to join us on the Tabin Expedition, a trip through an untamed jungle protected as a National Park. One described meeting wild an Orangutan in Tabin as the highlight of his whole holiday thanks to the knowledge and skill of his guide Mohamed who helped them find it. Keep your eyes peeled as you can also spot bats, lizards and birds with rainbow coloured feathers as you trek through the jungle.

    Splash around in a longboat

    In Borneo amazing moments come thick and fast, they don’t come much more intense than crashing through the waves on the way back from Bako in traditional boats. Just as amazing is a meandering ride through the jungle waterways, just a little more peaceful. The concentration and skill the boats men have on the water is something to behold.

    borneo-batang-ai-sarawak-activity-longhouse-trekking-longboat

    Their knowledge is fantastic and they absolutely love sharing it with their passengers – you’ll learn a lot about the wildlife that surrounds you whilst you enjoy the ride. Make sure you take a splash-proof or waterproof camera to Borneo as you’ll want to take photos everywhere you go.

    Get up close and personal with sea turtles

    Away from the steamy jungles Borneo is also blessed with beautiful beaches and islands. Many of our Rickshaw Ramblers head to Lankayan Island to snorkel and swim with sea turtles. The ocean is teeming with colourful fish so you’ll be needing that waterproof camera again! If you are there at the right time of year and have a good dollop of luck you may even see the sea turtles lay their eggs.

    Some of our favourite Rickshaw Rambler memories of Borneo involve turtles; one saw a lone female turtle laying her eggs in the middle of the afternoon with nobody else in sight. Another described her trip to Reef Guardian (our local project marine conservation project) and the unforgettable feeling of watching adopted turtles hatch and then letting them free into the sea.

    Borneo-swimming-turtle-hayley-brown

    You can donate £5 to Reef Guardian when you book your holiday, the money is then used to help manage 46,317 hectares of conserved marine habitat. Our local guides will help you see these majestic creatures without disturbing them or their habitat, giving you amazing memories with a responsible twist.

    Create my Borneo travel plan

    Discover Borneo using our support and local knowledge. Build your own Borneo holiday by mix-and-matching our bite-size trips, or check out our pre-made beaches and islands itinerary.

    View our Borneo Trips
    BorneoMeaningful travelOrangutansSepilokTrekking
    Image of Friends of Rickshaw

    Written by Friends of Rickshaw

    Here you can read posts from travel bloggers, chums who have previously worked with us and our local guides and drivers from across the globe.

    Comments

    Next Article

    Doing our bit on Orangutan Awareness Week 2016

    Previous Article

    Planning your Thailand holiday

    Other articles you may like

    Responsible travel

    How You Can help Save Endangered Species In The Rainforest

    27th April 2021

    Rainforests are being eliminated at an alarming rate, here are some of the things that we can do to help save endangered species that call these places home.

    6 min read

    Read More - How You Can help Save Endangered Species In The Rainforest

    Top tips

    September Travel: Best Places to go in September

    17th March 2021 by Meaningful Travel Product Specialist

    Looking ahead to travel returning, find out some of the best places to go in September.

    5 min read

    Read More - September Travel: Best Places to go in September

    Undiscovered Borneo | Emma’s Sarawak Trip

    29th December 2014 by Emma T

    Our own Emma T ventured to the less-visited part of Malaysian Borneo: Sarawak. Read about her adventures, from orangutans & river boats to a bat cave visit.

    4 min read

    Read More - Undiscovered Borneo | Emma’s Sarawak Trip
    Back up

    As featured in

    • the guardian logo
    • wanderlust logo red
    • Lonely Planet
    • National Geographic Traveler
    • Psychologies
    • The Daily Telegraph

    Information

    • Contact us
    • Booking conditions
    • Financial protection
    • Health and safety
    • Your Package Holiday
    • FCDO travel advice
    • Blog
    • Coronavirus travel advice

    Get in touch

    We're a friendly bunch and always ready for a chat so feel free to get in touch.

    Call us: 01273 322 398

    Email us: hello@rickshawtravel.co.uk

    Contact us

    Connect with us

    FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTubePinterest
    ATOL Protected ABTA Travelife

    © 2008 - 2022 | Rickshaw Travel

    Privacy Policy  |  Cookie Policy  |  Sitemap

    Call us Phone us

    Please give us your consent to use cookies

    We use cookies to ensure our website works, to give you an enhanced experience while browsing, and to enable us to use 3rd party tools that are connected to us. Read our Cookie Policy for more information.

    What are your holiday plans?

    • Our travel specialists know everything there is to know about your chosen destination. Please tell us what you're looking for below and we’ll get back to you very soon (usually within 24 hours).

    • Hidden
      This field is only shown to Rickshaw Admins, and is used for routing the form to the correct destination inbox
    • Hidden
      This field is only shown to Rickshaw Admins, and is used for routing the form to the correct destination inbox
    • If you'd prefer us to call you, please enter your phone number here
    • If you can, please share with us how many people are travelling, when you’d like to go, what you’d really like to experience, what you love doing on holidays, your rough budget, and when's best to contact you.
    • Hidden
      By signing up to the email newsletter you consent to receive promotional emails from us. You can unsubscribe at any time. We genuinely care about you and treat your data securely and respectfully. We tell you all about it in our Privacy Policy.
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.