Borneo Race for the Rainforest Challenge with Langkawi

Check-in to Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, a beautiful beachfront hideaway that will be your home for the next five nights. After settling into your room, it’s time to meet your fellow travellers and get ready for the adventures ahead with welcome drinks and island-inspired canapes. The next day, those running the marathon (and those that aren’t if they’d like to!) are invited to enjoy a relaxed group warm-up run to prepare you for the main event tomorrow. The afternoon is yours to enjoy as you please so why not make the most of the fabulous facilities at the hotel? Simply unwind on the three-kilometre-long beach, indulge in a massage at the spa, head for a round at the eco-friendly golf course, or pay a visit to the resort’s very own nature reserve - home to indigenous wildlife and several miles of walking trails.

The big day has arrived… it’s time to test your endurance and tackle the Borneo Ultra-Trail Marathon. Whether you choose to run 9km, 30km, 50km, 100km or 100 miles, get ready for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience which will help to raise vital funds towards protecting the Bornean rainforest and its wildlife – particularly the endangered orangutans. The incredible race route will take you across the Kiulu Valley in Kinabalu National Park, heading through lush jungle and striking foothills, passing the Kiulu River and mighty Mount Kinabalu. Throughout the epic journey, enjoy an indescribable atmosphere, as well as the music and dancing of local troops. For those not racing or who have time to spare afterwards, we recommend a range of excursions that can be arranged by our concierge team for an additional cost. These include a full-day tour into Kinabalu National Park, where you will venture into the canopy walkway and bathe in the hot springs, or a scenic mangrove cruise passing by various wildlife – including Proboscis monkeys and countless birds. Other options include a traditional village visit and a cycling tour to meet the native communities of Kiulu.

While the race might be over, your Bornean experience certainly isn’t, as today you’ll head out to learn a little more about the conservation work carried out in the area. Visit important projects and meet local people, seeing why your incredible fundraising is so important and why it's so vital to protect the future of both the plant life, wildlife and communities. Spend your final evening with your fellow travellers, toasting to your incredible achievements over a delicious barbecue on the hotel’s beautiful beach.

It’s safe to say that after the ultra-marathon, you’ll be in need of a little relaxation. Spend seven nights on the enchanting Malaysian island of Langkawi at The Datai, a natural retreat with a ten-million-year-old rainforest on its doorstep. The Nature Centre is a unique open-air building that has been designed to resemble a tribal bamboo longhouse. Inside, discover a library filled with fascinating books on Langkawi's wildlife, a Tea Corner serving Malay teas with many health benefits, and a lounge in which you can hear the stories of resident naturalist Irshad Mobarak. You can also join Irshad on a nature trail through the treetops, encountering the delicate ecosystems of the Datai's surroundings. Of course, there is also plenty to help you relax here – including an award-winning sandy beach, championship golf course and serene spa.