Borneo Tour FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

✅ What's Included

📆 Tour Overview

🇲🇾 Travel to Malaysia

🥘 Food

🚐 Motorcycles & Support Vehicle

🏍️ Riding

🏨 Hotels

💰 Pricing & Money

What's Included in Your Tour

✅ All Hotels
Of course, all of the accommodations are included in this tour. And if you look at the Itinerary, you will see that they are really cool! They come with air-conditioning and hot showers, except for one night stay near the Tip of Borneo that is right on the beach. It's rustic, but Tim and I think you will love it because it is so authentic, traditional, and unique. It gives a true feeling for Borneo.

This is that rustic beachside villa. For more details on it, see our trip itinerary for Day 2 - Welcome to the Jungle.

✅ Meals
You're going to love the food in Malaysia! Everyone does. And it's all inclusive! Every breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the price of the tour.

ALL Breakfasts
ALL Lunches
ALL Coffee Stops
ALL Dinners

This includes one appetizer, one main entrée, and one drink of the following - coffee, tea, water, or soda. ***Please note that dessert, alcohol, or specialty drinks are not included.

Questions about dietary restrictions and other food concerns can be found in the food section HERE.

✅ Rental Motorcycle
Your rental motorcycle is included with the tour, of course! All of the motorcycles listed HERE come with the tour package, there is no extra fee for different models. Local basic insurance for the bike is also included in the price.

✅ Support Vehicle
It's an 18 seater van, so plenty of room for all our luggage and it's very comfortable for anyone riding in it. We've had a couple people take the entire tour just by van!

✅ 1 Flight from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu
Although your flights to and from Malaysia are not covered, we'll be dropping off the bikes and flying back to where we started in Kota Kinabalu on Day 9, and that flight is included in the tour price.

✅ All Transport between Day 1 to Day 10
As long as you don't arrive in the middle of the night, we will pick you up at the airport when you arrive and arrange for your drop off on departure day. And all the transport in between is covered, along with any tolls - actually, motorcycles don't pay tolls in Malaysia! AWESOME!

✅ Tim and Marisa as Guides 😁
Yup, you get us as guides throughout. I mean, I might be biased, but I think we're fun to travel with...

✅ All Park Fees, Entrance Tickets
We're going to visit tons of cool places, and it's all part of the tour price. This includes Mari Mari Village, Mahua Falls, Proboscis Monkey Reserve, Bornean Sun Bear Center, Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Gomantong Caves, and the Rainforest Discovery Centre.

✅ All Excursion Costs
We will also be going on some fun excursions, like a jungle night walk and several guided riverboat safaris. They are all included in the tour price.

✅ Gas
All of the fuel for the motorcycles is covered in the price of the tour.

✅ Satellite Phone with S.O.S. and Tracking
We always carry our Garmin Inreach with us no matter where we go. So we can send messages out, or an S.O.S. in an emergency from anywhere. And while we're on the subject of safety, I got re-certified in First Aid!

✅ Visa Assistance
Malaysian visas are very easy, but we'll help you through the new online process. Any visa fees are not included (there shouldn't be any for most people).

💰 For an Extra Fee -

Your Own Documentary Video
As we travel, we'll be making a video of our journey through Borneo together! Won't it be great to come back home and relive your adventure on your own TV screen?

This 40 minute documentary will be at an extra cost. Please let us know if that's something you're interested in before the tour starts.

What's Not Included

❌ Airfare to and from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
You are responsible for getting to and from the city of Kota Kinabalu in East Malaysia. We HIGHLY recommend coming to the region a few days early if you can because jet lag can be tough. More on that HERE.

❌ Visa Fees
There may not be any, and like we said above, we'll help you with the online process.

❌ Travel & Medical Insurance
These are not included in the tour. We strongly recommend that you carry comprehensive insurance that covers medical treatment, emergency evacuation, and motorcycle riding abroad, as many policies exclude that.

❌ Alcoholic Drinks and Specialty Beverages
A specialty drink is anything that's not coffee, tea, water, or basic soda. And Malaysia is a Muslim country, but they still serve alcohol at many tourist locations. More on that HERE.

❌ Some Desserts
Although we cover all meals, a "meal" constitutes one appetizer, one main entrée, and one drink of the following - coffee, tea, water, or soda. So that means if you're interested in dessert, it will have to be ordered separately. Of course this does not apply to buffet meals where you can absolutely eat as much as you want (with dessert 😁).

❌ Snacks and Souvenirs
Save room in your luggage for awesome souvenirs!

❌ IMPORTANT - Helmets are not included! (as well as other motorcycle gear)
I know that flying with helmets is no fun, but you're really going to want to bring your own helmet for this trip. That's because the helmets here in Southeast Asia are small (they may not fit you), and they are possibly not up to your standards. We want you to be comfortable and safe. Plus if you bring your own helmet, you can have your Cardo or Sena with you for listening to music!

❌ Motorcycle jackets, pants, boots, gloves, and rain gear are also not included. Please bring your own motorcycle gear, and make sure it is for hot weather only (mesh gear). No need for goretex here (you might boil inside it like a lobster)!

Rain gear is essential to have, because when it rains on Borneo, it pours. We recommend having both a removable jacket and pants (it's simply too hot otherwise). For more information, please see our Packing List.

❌ All Tips for Local Guides
Many people went into making this trip possible for you, not just us. And the people of Malaysia are so warm, smiling, and welcoming that when they do a good job, we believe they are more than deserving of a tip (and our money goes a long way out here). So please note that gratuity for guides, drivers, our sweeper rider, and anyone else who assists us along the way is not included.

Tour Overview

How many spots are available?

We like to keep all our tours as intimate as possible and therefore at a maximum of 10 people per tour. Our minimum is 5 people. If you have a big group that wants to join, Let Us Know.

If this tour sells out, will you add more dates?

We can't always do that, but some years we absolutely can and do! Contact Us for more.

These dates don't work for me. How can I choose different dates?

Contact Us, and we’ll see what we can do.

How can I make my reservation?

Simply fill out our Contact Form, and we’ll get in touch with you to set up a one-on-one phone call. We love this part of the process because we really get to know you, and are able to tailor the tour to better fit your needs. Then once you pay your deposit, your spot on our tour will be reserved.
Important – Please do not purchase airfare or any other non-refundable travel expenses related to the tour until after your spot has been confirmed by paying the deposit.

What if I want to sit out some activities?

For most activities, you totally can. The only obligation is that if you rented a motorcycle, you ride it from one location to the next. See our Itinerary for more details on what we'll be doing.

What are your terms and conditions?

Because we encourage everyone to read through our T&Cs carefully, we've made it easy with a short and sweet, plain English version that can be read HERE.

It does not replace the real ones though, which you can find at the bottom of the Contact Form.

Travel to Malaysia

What is the weather like on Borneo? How hot is it really?

VERY HOT. Borneo is on the equator, and it has two seasons – hot and rainy, and hot and more rainy. There is no fall, and no winter, but once you get over the heat aspect of it, it’s pretty nice. The sun shines all year round, and between rain storms it’s gorgeous. Actually, even the rain can be gorgeous. You just have to get used to the heat. It’s not dry heat, even the temperature gauge doesn’t look so bad. But it’s the humidity that will get you. Think Florida in the summer. We will be taking lots of breaks while riding to stay well hydrated.

If I'm coming from far away, how bad is the jet lag?

For people coming from North America, I'm not going to lie, it's as bad as it gets since you'll be coming from the complete opposite side of the globe. And even from Europe jet lag can be pretty brutal. Don't think jet lag won't affect you, because it can sneak up at the worst moments (think riding a bike in the heat 🥵). So we highly recommend you get here early. Check out our guide below:

Coming from Nearby: 3 hours (time zones) or less away - You may arrive to the region on the start date or earlier.
Coming from Fairly Far: 4-8 hours (time zones) away - Consider 1 day of rest in the region prior to the start date.
Coming from Very Far: 9-12 hours (time zones) away - Consider 2 days of rest in the region prior to the start date.
Age 50+: Jet lag effects often worsen with age. Consequently, if this is you, consider adding a day to the above.

Keep in mind that Thailand is in UTC+7 time zone year round (does not change for daylight savings). Contact Us for our recommendations on other places to visit as you get acclimated (Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Thailand...)

Malaysia is a Muslim country. Can I drink alcohol there?

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, but it actually operates as a secular state since Malaysian society is full of different religions. There are Buddhists from China, Hindus from India, and tons of Christians all over, especially on Borneo. So to answer the question, yes, alcohol can be purchased, especially at the tourist places that we will be going to. Every once in a while it may be hard to find, and in general it can be pricy compared to everything else.

And speaking of Muslim countries, does Malaysia have a certain dress code we must follow?

No, there is no official dress code. In general, women may dress somewhat modestly in Malaysia, especially at the beach, and I try to follow the local norms so as not to offend anyone. That means that at a public beach with lots of other people, I may wear a sarong, or in town I won't wear a low cut shirt or show my midriff. But no one in Malaysia seems to be too uptight about these things. And when we're staying in areas with prominent indigenous populations, such as at the Kinabatangan lodge, we may be asked to wear a sarong to certain dinners, which they will provide.

What should I pack?

Great question! We've got a whole Packing List!

How can I get phone service while in Malaysia?

If you want to have phone service while in Malaysia, we suggest purchasing an eSIM or getting a temporary international plan with your phone carrier for your trip. You can also get a local SIM card at the airport, and they can be quite affordable.

Am I going to have to use a squat toilet?

Probably. We try to make stops at places with Western-style conveniences, but sometimes we cannot avoid a squat toilet. I can give tips on using them once you're here, otherwise, you can do some reading up (and maybe practicing) beforehand. If Tim can figure it out without falling in... then you should be just fine!

Is Malaysia safe?

Although "safe" is a relative term, Tim and I have been genuinely impressed with how safe Malaysia feels. Yes, crime can happen, and we must always keep our wits about us, but in general, we have only ever felt warmly welcomed everywhere we've gone in Malaysia. No one tries to cheat us out of money, and we've never felt threatened. I'm pretty sure you're going to love it here.

Will I need to obtain any visas ahead of time?

Malaysia has just introduced a new online visa system for many people who previously came visa-upon-arrival. Now you must complete an online form 3 days or less prior to arrival in Malaysia, but we will help you with the process before you come. It's very simple and instantaneous.

Are there any specific Malaysian laws I should know about?

Before coming to Malaysia, you should be aware that all marijuana/cannabis products are illegal to bring in, including medicines with CBD oil in them. Additionally, as of mid-2026, all vape products will be illegal, meaning you also cannot carry them into the country.

Food

I'm sensitive to spicy food. Will I survive Malaysia?

I don’t want to say Malaysia will be a death sentence for you, because it won’t. But at the same time, there is a good chance you’re going to encounter food that might be too spicy. One good thing about Malaysian food is that unlike Indian or Thai, Malaysians often put their sambal (chili sauce) on the side so it's not incorporated. Also, we'll be mostly going to places that serve Western food. So let us do the ordering for you and we’ll try our best to order non-spicy food, but I cannot guarantee it'll always work.

I'm vegetarian / vegan. Will that be ok for this tour?

As in most Asian countries, eating vegetarian or vegan is a challenge, but possible. Rice is the basis for most dishes, and Malaysia makes amazing tofu, tempeh, and vegetable stir fries. But when it comes to salads... it's lacking. And chicken, fish, and seafood is their pride and joy in life. We'll simply have to be a little creative when ordering food for you.

I have a dietary allergy such as gluten intolerance / lactose / peanut / shellfish, etc. What will I be able to eat?

All of these things should be avoidable, but some are easier than others. Gluten isn't usually a problem since most dishes are based on rice, but if you have a very strict intolerance, keep in mind that many soy sauces are made with a tiny bit of wheat. Lactose and dairy is simply non-existent in most Malaysian dishes, and peanuts are usually found in the satay sauce, or sometimes sprinkled whole over bubur (rice porridge) or soups. Shellfish, or fish in general, is probably the hardest to avoid since tiny anchovies and shrimp are hiding in almost everything! Tim hates fish or even the whiff of it, so we have experience with avoiding this... let us know if this is you.

In general, how much do meals on Borneo cost?

Every meal on this tour is INCLUDED! YAY! But if you're interested in buying meals outside of the tour, the food is very reasonably priced in East Malaysia. You can get a full meal of delicious street food for as little as $2 USD! That being said, at more upscale establishments your meal may cost anywhere from $5 to $15 dollars on average for lunch, and perhaps more for dinner.

Keep in mind that alcohol is not included in the tour.

Motorcycles & Support Vehicle

Can I put my luggage in the support vehicle?

Yes, you can!

Can I hire riding gear, or do I have to bring my own?

I'm afraid most of the gear available out here may not be in your size or to your standards. Therefore you should bring all your own riding gear, including your helmet. Also, do not forget a removable rain suit. See our Packing List for more information.

Can I bring my own motorcycle?

If that’s something that’s possible for you (Borneo is tricky), you can. I’m not sure bringing a bike over to this island is worth it financially. Contact Us if you'll have your own motorcycle on Borneo.

I want to ride 2up. Will these motorcycles be suitable for a passenger?

Since we are 2Up and Overloaded, you have definitely come to the right place with this question! In our experience, the motorcycles provided on this tour are a bit smaller than what you’ll find on a tour through Europe, for example. A smaller bike is typical here in Southeast Asia though, and it has its advantages, but even the KTM 250 was a little cramped when we rode it. But for riding with a pillion, we do offer some bikes that are GREAT for it. See our Motorcycle list for our 2up recommendations.

I'd also recommend packing an Airhawk or another type of cushion for your seat. Most motorcycles do not have the passenger in mind when they made the seat.

If I'm a passenger, can I ride in the support vehicle on any given day?

Yes, you absolutely can! This is a great perk of being a passenger. And who doesn't want some nice air-conditioning every once in a while?

Riding

Are all the roads on this tour paved? Can I ride off-road?

95% paved. There are some off-road opportunities that you can take if you’d like, or you can skip them (nothing is super technical, but for those who like it, it's fun). But there will be some spots with construction, gravel sections, or even… sand. Being comfortable in these situations is important. See our Difficulty section for more details.

Will we be riding every day?

No. The first five days or so are pretty intense for riding, but then it will get easier and more relaxing as we go along. And days 7-10 there is no riding at all because we’ll be deep in the jungle doing riverboat safaris. See our Itinerary for more.

What happens if it rains?

Because this is Borneo, it very well might rain. Storms are usually short, but powerful. In this situation we will pull over, put on our rain gear, and then continue riding carefully. Once the rain is over, we’ll stop to take the rain gear off.

What is the most we will ride in a day?

Our longest day is over five hours, which is a lot. We normally don't like very long days, but this one was unavoidable. We will take frequent breaks, and we also recommend packing a seat cushion like an Airhawk.

What are the rules for your group riding style?

At our orientation meeting, we will go over all the rules and answer any questions you may have. If anything changes, we'll let you know at that time.
1) Roles & Formation - Though this can change, usually Tim and I are in the front, then everyone else, then the sweeper is the last rider, and we will all be trailed by the support vehicle. As always in group riding, we ride staggered.

2) Prepare for the Day - Every morning, we will send you the day's waypoints and itinerary. Though you don't have to follow your phone (you'll be following the person in front you), in case of an emergency, please have your phone charged at all times and with offline Google Maps downloaded (we'll show you how).

3) Ride Comfortably - The pace is set by the group, and we highly encourage you to go at the pace that feels most comfortable for you. If you would like to go faster, simply let Tim in the lead know. If you would like to slow down, you can do so and the sweeper and support vehicle will stay with you.
4) If Something's Wrong, Stop - If you ever lose sight of the person behind you, or if you feel like there is something wrong (with the motorcycle or you're not feeling well), please stop immediately and stay right where you are. We will all eventually stop and come back to make sure you're ok. This way, no one is ever lost or left behind. And remember, the sweeper and van will always be behind you.

If you have any questions, feel free to Contact Us.

What if I get into an accident?

There are two things to consider here - your personal safety, and the condition of the motorcycle. If you are injured in an accident, we will immediately get you to the closest and best medical facility available. The good news is, Malaysia's health services are fantastic and usually quite affordable. Still, we highly advise you to have medical and travel insurance for this trip. We are not responsible for any of your medical costs.

Now for the bike. You are covered up to $200 USD worth of damage (at the time of writing). Anything over that, and you will be responsible for the cost. Fortunately, we have found that repair costs in Malaysia are very reasonable. That $200 price is part of the local limited liability insurance coverage which is arranged through the motorcycle rental company.

In the situation that your bike is inoperable for whatever reason, we will switch it out with the sweeper's bike so you'll always have something to ride. We try to do our best to make sure you can continue the tour in a comparable manner.

If at any point you feel as if you can't or don't want to ride anymore, we will leave your bike behind (tow charges may be applied), and you are welcome to continue the tour with us in the van 😁! You will not be refunded the cost of your motorcycle rental, but you will still be able to enjoy the rest of the tour with us.

Hotels

What type of hotels will we stay in?

A range of luxurious and rustic, with some very fancy places and some more humble ones. Overall, we want to be sure that this tour is both fun and comfortable. See our Itinerary for more details on every hotel we will stay at (note: it may change).

Will I be sharing a room with another rider?

No. Everyone on our tour gets a private room. That means the room is either all for you if you signed up alone, or it's for you and your partner if you are attending the tour as part of a couple's package. You will not need to share a room with a stranger. See all our prices HERE.

Will all the rooms have air-conditioning?

All but two, but one of those you will NOT need it since we'll be high up in the mountains. And the beach house near the Tip of Borneo is very simple and does not have AC (See Day 2).

Pricing & Money

How much is this tour?

You can see all our price packages HERE.

How much is the deposit?

The deposit is $1,000 USD per person to reserve your spot on the tour. Nothing is reserved until the deposit is paid.

How do I pay?

We accept multiple forms of payment and will discuss your options prior to payment. But to sum up, if you are based in North America, there are specific methods that might be best for you. Otherwise, wire transfers and Wise work well, and we also accept payments by credit card or PayPal, just note that any fees are your responsibility.

What is your return and cancellation policy?

We have arranged for your tour to take place at the best time of year, but this means hotel rooms and motorcycle rentals book up fast. So we've done our best to make our cancellation policy fair and in line with industry standards while also covering the irrecoverable costs for reserving your spot with the motorcycle and hotel rooms. Take a look below:

If You Cancel MORE Than 3 Months Before – You will get a full refund of all money paid minus a $500 cancellation fee per private room. This means if you are two people sharing a room, the cancellation fee is $500 for the two of you.
If You Cancel LESS Than 3 Months Before – You will get a full refund of all money paid minus a $1,000 cancellation fee per person.
If You Cancel LESS Than 1 Month Before - All funds paid will be forfeit.

Before booking, please see all our Terms & Conditions. You can find the full legal version at the bottom of the Contact Form when you sign up, and you can also read a shortened plain English version HERE.

How much cash should I have, or will credit cards be good enough?

In general, cash is king on Borneo. We recommend going to an ATM right away (at the airport) so that you always have some local currency on hand. Some places along the route do not have ATMs easily accessible. I think $100 USD to $200 USD should cover you depending on how much of the following you want to purchase:
- Alcohol & Specialty Drinks
- Desserts
- Souvenirs
- Binocular Rentals (40RM x 3 boat trips)
- Gratuity Tips for Guides/Staff
We also recommend keeping a tiny stash of US Dollars / Euros and an extra credit card somewhere on you in case of an emergency (wallets sometimes get lost, cards could get eaten by ATMs).

Will I need to tip on this tour?

It is very much appreciated. Many people went into making this trip possible for you, not just us. And the people of Malaysia are so warm, smiling, and welcoming that when they do a good job, we believe they are more than deserving of a tip (and our money goes a long way out here). So please note that gratuity for guides, drivers, our sweeper rider, and anyone else who assists us along the way is not included.

I'm excited! Sign me up!