Does a 5 a.m. yoga session overlooking the crystal clear waters from Borneo tours sound like your style? Or are you a surfer who is laid back, yet always watching the horizon for the next wave? It doesn’t matter if you are a fish out of water or a monkey masquerading as a human, there is something for every type of critter and personality.

At the bottom of the ocean near Malacca, the richest shipwreck ever recorded was found (at a staggering $9 billion!). If that doesn’t make you want to get your scuba diver’s license to explore, I’m not sure what will. With that only scratching the surface of backpacking Malaysia trips, your life will certainly be richer from the experiences ahead. For those wanting to test their mermaid (or mer-man) skills, river kayaking, snorkeling, and rafting is the best way to get both feet wet. Always wanted to try sailing, but never had the opportunity? Land ho, captain!

You’re fearless. Nothing scares you, not even the 91 mountains Malaysia boasts (even though some are glorified hills). Grab your hiking boots and your walking stick, and let’s set out! Backpacking, hiking, mountaineering, and safaris are some of the incredible inland adventures waiting for you. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready for any of the exotic beasts that roam the island freely.

Most of these Malaysia and Borneo tours are already pre-set with the activity, but are flexible in lengths, start and end times, and the nitty gritty details. While your heart and blood pressure might only be able to handle one week, others might be fall in love and be medically cleared for programs that last upwards of three months. If trying to survive your language class in high school was all you could do, fear not! Most tours are offered in English, so you’ll be able to strike up a conversation with just about anyone.

Depending on what adrenaline pumping activity you want to experience in Malaysia, there are definitely great and not-so-marvelous seasons for each. There are two monsoon seasons: May-September, and October-March. That only gives roughly two to three months for the island to “dry out,” so plan and pack accordingly. The weather is pretty humid and hot year-round, both for Malaysia and Borneo travel, so linen and cotton will become your best friend. While it is a very wet climate, there is a silver lining to every cloud, so don’t let a little drizzle dampen your spirits.