Route Sipandan/Bario/Perhentians

Tawau-KK-Miri-Bario is the right route. The only thing that surprises me is your stopover in Bario, because not many people go there.

Regarding bario-miri-kutching-KL-Berhut-Besut-Perhentians: the flights are bario-miri-kuching (perhaps there are direct flights from miri to KL) - KL - Kota Bharu - Kuala Besut, from there the ferry to the Perhentian islands. There is no such thing as Berhut.

By the way, you'll be spending some money on the flights. Check if there are AirAsia connections.

From Kl you have to go to Kota Bharu airport if you take flight and get taxi to kuala besut jetty to get boat transfer to perhentian.. Kota Bharu is the nearest airport to Kuala Besut (1 hour journey, RM67/taxi/way) and if flight to Kota bharu airport is fully booked you can get flight to Kuala Terengganu airport (1 1/2 hour journey, RM90/taxi/way)..

Arriving on Kota Bharu airport you can go to travel agency counter there.. just in front the arrival hall. they can help you how to get taxi or boat transfer or other information.. or may be you can try contact him directly - Mr. Zul, 019 9410000. His counter (Anjung Holidays) just in front the arrival hall.. he can give you information that you want..

I used to simply go by taxi to the jetty in Kuala Besut and there buy the boat ticket and book the accomodation on Perhentian.

Hi everyone, many thanks for your help.
Any recommandations for the kelabit islands???
Thanks!

The Kelabit Highlands are in the Bario Sarawak region.

The ebario website has information on accommodation.

I stayed at Gem's quite a few years ago and was please with my visit.

Thanks Bitingbums.
As I see you have been there, do you think the surroundings of Bario are really worth to be in "authentic jungle" if this is this the only place you woul visit apart from Sipadan for diving?
Thanks in advance.

If you are looking for jungle, go to Danum Valley where you can experience amazing primary rainforest and wildlife.
The Kinabatangan River has secondary rainforest and wildlife. Both the Kinabatangan and Danum Valley are within a few hours of overland travel from Semporna. Semporna is the town that you access Sipadan Island from.
Either Danum Valley or the Kinabatangan are better choices than Bario for jungle.

P.S. The Perhentians underwater scene will be anti-climatic after you dive Sipadan. Perhentians have a better beach/island vibe, but the diving just doesn't compare to Sipadan.