kinabalu day trip

20 Best Things to Do in KOTA KINABALU, Sabah

My heart was heavy when I told my friends that I couldn’t come with them. It was our long-awaited barkada trip to Kota Kinabalu, but I needed some adulting to take care. That was 2016. Fast forward to 2022: my heart skipped a beat when I realized my Sabah adventure was finally going to happen. As the saying goes, “There’s a time for everything.” Time I promised myself I would make the most of.

And how Kota Kinabalu surprised me! In a good way, of course. KK, as it is fondly called, offers a variety of sustainable tours — natour, cultour, adventour! Conquer its national parks — both terrestrial and marine. Immerse in the Sabahan culture while you roam around the cultural villages and museums. Get swept away (not literally) by the rapids of its wild rivers. Dive into the colorful underwater world.

Kota Kinabalu might not be on your bucket list, but give it a chance to take your breath away. If you’re wondering what’s in store for you in this part of Borneo, here’s a list of the things to do and places to visit in and near Kota Kinabalu.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

Mt. Kinabalu

Sticking out imposingly from the forested grounds at an elevation of 4,095 meters (or 13,435 feet), Mt. Kinabalu is the tallest peak in Borneo and one of the tallest in Southeast Asia. The most famous tourist attraction in Sabah, it magnets local and international hikers to its lush surroundings and jagged mountainscape. As for me, and many others like me who missed the chance of climbing it the first visit, it’s one of the main reasons to come back.

Cradled within the dense expanse of Kinabalu Park, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ranau District, it nurtures hundreds of species of flora and fauna spread across different zones. Low’s Peak (the highest point) and the textured rocky area leading to it are a geological wonder.

Is reaching Mt. Kinabalu’s Low’s Peak one of your bucket list items? You need to take note of the following:

• Mount Kinabalu is managed by Sabah Parks , under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment. Yes, they have just one unified body overseeing all the projects regarding environment, culture, and tourism
• Sabah Parks climb permits must be secured in advance through licensed and accredited climb operators. Here’s the list provided by the Sabah Tourism Board: Accredited Tour Operators
• Only 150 hikers are allowed per day, so you need to secure a slot in advance.
• All hikers must book accommodations at Panalaban Base Camp in advance (2D1N), too. Here are the current accommodation options: Laban Rata Resthouse, Pendant Hut, Lemaing Hut, Mokodou and Kinotoki. Heated dormitories and rooms are offered by Laban Rata Resthouse.
• Note that One-Day Mount Kinabalu Climb permits are currently NOT available.
• Climbers must be fully vaccinated and must present proof of vaccination via MySejahtera App (Digital Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate)
• Hikers must be accompanied by accredited mountain guides. The number of guides will depend on the size of the group and the age of the climbers. Children below 12 years old must be accompanied by fully vaccinated parents/guardians.
• The jump-off point for all hikers is the Timpohon Gate at Kinabalu National Park.
• Currently, there are two open summit trails, both starting from Panalaban: the Ranau Summit Trail and the Kota Belud Summit Trail.
• Choose your package type: Non-Ferrata or Via Ferrata. Via Ferrata (Iron Road) is recommended only for seasoned mountaineers and rock climbers.
• All hikers must follow the Covid-19 safety protocols and guidelines. Check if you still need to submit a negative result (self-test RTK Antigen) a day before your arrival.

For more info about booking Mount Kinabalu hike to the summit, visit the this website .

Location: Kinabalu National Park, Ranau, West Coast Division, Sabah Kinabalu Park Conservation Fee: RM 15 (Adult); RM 10 (Child) Climb Permit: RM 200 (Adult); RM 80 (Child) Mountain Guide Fee: RM 230 (16 y/o and above, 1 per 5 pax); RM 230 (below 16 y/o, 1 per 2 pax) Porter Rate: RM 65 – RM 80 (10kg, one-way, depending on the route). Routes: Timpohon – Panalaban / Panalaban – Timpohon / Timpohon – Sayat-Sayat / Sayat-Sayat – Timpohon / Timpohon – Summit / Summit – Timpohon Sabah Parks Contact Details: +60 88 523 500 / [email protected] / [email protected]

Kinabalu Park

Covering a total land area of 75,370 hectares, the sprawling Kinabalu Park is a hotspot for terrestrial biodiversity, sheltering over 100 species of mammals, more than 350 species of birds, about 100 species of reptiles, around 80 species of amphibians, more or less 1,000 species of insects (others are yet to be specified), and more.

All these fauna thriving in various green habitats encompassing 5,000-6,000 species of vascular plants in different climactic zones — lowland forest, lower mountain forest, upper mountain forest, ultrabasic rock forest, granitic boulder vegetation, and sub alpine forest.

The most prominent feature is the magnificent Mount Kinabalu, a major tourist and hiking destination in Southeast Asia. Officially declared a national park in January 1964, Kinabalu Park is the first in Sabah. It covers three districts: Ranau, Kota Belud, and Kota Marudu. The national park was established to protect, preserve, and conserve the natural habitat and feature, the water catchment area, and its cultural and historical heritage.

Aside from Mount Kinabalu, other features are the following:

• Mount Tambayukon
• Mount Kinabal Botanical Garden
• Poring Butterfly Farm
• Poring Orchid Conservation Center
• Rafflesia Conservation Center
• Poring Bamboo Garden
• Poring Ethnobotanical Garden
• bird watching activity
• paragliding
• Canopy Walkway
• Natural Hot Sulfur Spring Water

Into forest bathing? Here are eight nature trail options:

• Kiau View Trail
• Bundu Tuhan View Trail
• Liwagu River Trail
• Silau Silau Trail
• Bukit Burung Trail
• Mempening Trail
• Pandamus Trail
• Bukit Ular Trail

Each trail has its own pros and cons, so choose the one that suits your preference and interest. Or take all the trails if you want and you have time to spare.

The park is managed by Sabah Parks , which is under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment. All details regarding the various species of animals and plants were provided by the Sabah Parks management. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2000 and was included in the ASEAN Heritage Parks list in December 2003.

Location: Kinabalu National Park, Ranau, West Coast Division, Sabah Conservation Fee: RM 15 (Adult); RM 10 (Child) Other Fees: Kinabalu Natural History Gallery RM 3; Botanical Garden RM 5 (Adult), RM 2.5 (Child), FREE (6 y/o and below); Guided Walk RM 3 (Adult), RM 1.5 (Child), FREE (6 y/o and below); Audio Visual Display RM 2; Botanical-Guided Walk-Audio Visual RM 8 (Adult), RM 4 (Child) Sabah Parks Contact Details: +60 88 523 500 / [email protected] / [email protected]

Getting There: If you are not climbing Mount Kinabalu and just want to do easy walks along its shorter trails, you can check the shared shuttle services or the private services from Kota Kinabalu city center to Kinabalu Park. The rate ranges from MYR 50 – MYR 90, one-way. But if you are on a budget and you are not in a hurry, you can take the minivan/minibus bound for Ranau at Merdeka Square or a bus bound for Ranau, Sandakan, or Tawau at North Bus Terminal in Inanam. These vehicles will pass by the entrance of Kinabalu Park. The fare is MYR 15-30, one way. The travel time is about two hours.

Tanjung Aru Beach

Located outside the city center, Tanjung Aru is a 2-km beach stretching from Shangri-La Resort & Spa on the northern end and the Kota Kinabalu Meteorological Office on the southern end. Because of its close proximity to the urban core, the beach developed into a popular beach hangout place. Facing the South China Sea, it showcases breathtaking sunsets, painting the sky with splashes of various hues and intensity each day, depending on the weather.

Food stalls offering local fare line the public beach, particularly between Prince Philip Park and the DBKK Carpark (beside Shangri-La Resort), so expect this strip to be crowded on weekends and holidays, especially in the morning and around sunset time.

Popular activities are strolling along the beach, people watching, food tripping, kite flying, having a picnic, and sunset watching, among others.

Aside from Shangri-La Resort, the beach is also home to Kinabalu Yacht Club and Kinabalu Golf Club. While in the area, you might also want to visit Perdana Park along Jalan Mat Salleh (Mat Salleh Street). Your landmark is the Prince Philip Park, located at the end of Jalan Mat Salleh.

Location: Jalan Tanjung Aru, Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Opening Hours: The beach is open 24/7, but the establishments along the beach usually operate from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Entrance Fee: FREE

Mari Mari Cultural Village

Take a peek into old school Borneo at Mari Mari Cultural Village !

Launched in December 2008, this vast open-air museum showcases the roots and soul of Sabahans. It features different traditional houses of the five major ethnic groups in Sabah — the agricultural Dusun and Rungus, the hunters and fisherfolk Lundayeh, the herdsmen and sea gypsies Bajau, and the headhunters and warrior tribe of Murut.

Each traditional house exhibit also presents the costumes, traditional skills, customs, and daily activities in the olden days such as bamboo cooking at Dusun House, fire starting and traditional craft at Rungus House, tree bark craft at Lundayeh House, congkak and kuih jala at Bajau House, and lansaran at Murut House.

Two sessions of guided tour are offered daily — morning and afternoon. Each tour lasts about three hours, with the morning session starting at 10:00 AM and the afternoon session at 2:00 PM. Visitors need to register 15 minutes before the official tour starts. Here’s the flow of the tour:

• Registration and Briefing at the Reception Area
• Start Tour: Crossing the Suspension Bridge
• Visit Five Tribal Houses with Demonstrations/Food Tasting
• Cultural Performance at the Performance Hall
• Lunch (Morning Sesion) or High Tea (Afternoon Session)
• End of Tour

The cultural village’s key landmarks also include the Main Dinner Hall, Souvenir Shop, Dining Hut “Leka-Leki”, and the Performance Hall, where a spectacular indigenous dance show is staged.

Restrooms are located at the reception area, the performance area, and the dining hall area. It is located 20-30 minutes northeast of the city center.

Location: Jalan Kionsom, Inanam, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily); 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Morning Session Tour); 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Afternoon Session Tour). The schedule might change, so check the official website and Facebook page before going. Guided Tour Package Rates: RM 100 (Adult); RM 90 (Child, 5-11 y/o). These rates include entrance fee, in-house guide, visit to 5 ethnic traditional houses, traditional demo & activities, cultural performance, and lunch/high tea. Check the official Facebook page for updates and promos. Booking/Reservation Contact: +60 13-881 4921 / Mari Mari Cultural Village Facebook Page (@marimariculturalvillageborneo)

By the way, it’s best to get connected to the internet to help you navigate the city more conveniently. The most budget-friendly option is purchasing a traveler-friendly local SIM card.

Check out Tune Talk ‘s Traveller SIM . During our trip, we used its Lite Plan covering 15 GB data plan with seven days validity upon activation. This allowed us to chat with our friends and families and update our social media accounts as we explored Sabah!

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Spanning 4,929 hectares, the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park harbors five islands and their surrounding waters and reefs in Gaya Bay. It was declared a protected area in 1974, making it Sabah’s second national park after Kinabalu Park. Originally, the marine park only included Gaya Island and Sapi Island. Later on, Manukan Island, Mamutik island, and Sulug Island were added in 1979.

The park boasts pristine islands, white-sand beaches, snorkeling spots, and diving sites. Popular activities are swimming, island hopping, beach bumming, water sports, boating, diving, snorkeling, and the Coral Flyer zipline (linking Gaya Island and Sapi Island). Accommodations are also available on the islands, particularly in Gaya Island and Manukan Island.

Jesselton Point Jetty Terminal is the jump-off point to the marine park (and its islands), which is about three kilometers off the Kota Kinabalu mainland. You can book your island hopping tour from one of the many tour operators ticketing booths/counters at the Ticketing Hall located at the entrance of the jetty, right after the old wooden welcome arch. The rates depend on the inclusion and add-on activities. If you want to go scuba diving, it’s best to book in advance with accredited dive operator.

Also under the jurisdiction of Sabah Parks, its headquarters can be found on Manukan Island, but each island has its own satellite office. The park aims to protect and maintain the marine ecosystems, including the underwater flora and fauna.

Location: Gaya Bay, Sabah Conservation Fee: RM 20 (Adult); RM 15 (Child, below 18 y/o); RM 15 (Seniors, 60 y/o and above); RM 10 (below 6 y/o); FREE (PWDs) Island Transfer Rates: 1-Island RM 35 (Adult), RM 30 (Child); 2-Island RM 45 (Adult), RM 40 (Child); 3-Island RM 55 (Adult), RM 50 (Child); 4-Island RM 65 (Adult), RM 60 (Child). The rates are inclusive of island terminal fee — RM 7.20 for adults and RM 3.60 for children. The island transfer service for Tunku Abdul Rahman Park covers only four islands — Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi, and Gaya. Other Fees: Camping Fee RM 5 (Adult), RM 2 (Child); Diving Fee RM 50/head Jump-Off Point: Jesselton Point Jetty Terminal Sabah Parks Contact Details: +60 88 523 500 / [email protected] / [email protected]

JSK Borneo Reef – Pontoon

Touted as the largest reef activity pontoon in South East Asia, the JSK Borneo Reef , often simply called “pontoon” measures 12 meters high, 24.5 meters wide, and 37.5 meters long. This two-level fun center can accommodate up to 300 people, who can enjoy a plethora of activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and sea walking (aka helmet diving), in which you could walk on the sea floor while wearing an underwater helmet.

Because it is within the protected Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the management conscientiously implements strict policy that will help maintain and preserve the surrounding marine environment. In an effort to help conserve and restore Sabah’s coral reefs, the company sets up its own coral farm where the sea walking activity takes place.

If sea walking is too adventurous for you (because it isn’t for everyone), you can still catch a glimpse of the underwater world by descending into their underwater tunnel.

If you prefer to stay above the water but still want your share of thrills, take on the inflatable island obstacle course!

The pontoon is stationed over a hundred meters off the southwest coast of Gaya Island, but you can also have a great view of nearby Sapi Island.

From Jessselton Point Ferry Terminal, the speed boat will take visitors to the pontoon in 15-20 minutes. Check the official website and Facebook page for the complete list of package options and promos. You can find the JSK Borneo Reef kiosk at the Ticketing Hall.

Location: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Sabah Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Daily); 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM (Registration); 8:45 AM (Boarding); 9:00 AM (Departure). The schedule might change, so check the official website and Facebook page before going. Ocean Escapade Package: Monday to Thursday RM 149 (Adult), RM 99 (Child); Friday to Sunday, Holidays RM 169 (Adult), RM 109 (Child); FREE (0-3 y/o). The package includes meal, boat transfers, all pontoon amenities ECXEPT sea walking (separate fee). Ocean Escapade + Sea Walking Package: Monday to Thursday RM 229 (Adult), RM 179 (Child); Friday to Sunday, Holidays RM 249 (Adult), RM 189 (Child); FREE (0-3 y/o). The package includes meal, boat transfers, all pontoon amenities. Jump-Off Point: Jesselton Point Fery Terminal

Manukan Island

The crescent-shaped Manukan Island is a 1.5-kilometer island paradise blessed with willowy Casuarina Pine trees (Agoho trees), fine white-sand beaches (especially on the southeastern coastline), and turquoise waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. It is the second largest and the most developed in the protected area, featuring 20 units of cabins, a few restaurants, shops, a diving center, a museum, a clubhouse, a swimming pool, and sports grounds — football, volleyball, and sepak takraw.

Beach attractions and water-related activities are concentrated on the eastern side. The heavily forested Manukan has hiking trails for those who want to commune with nature and further explore the island.

The cabins are managed and operated by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges . If you are planning to stay here, you need to book in advance.

Location: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Sabah Conservation Fee: RM 20 (Adult); RM 15 (Child, below 18 y/o); RM 15 (Seniors, 60 y/o and above); RM 10 (below 6 y/o); FREE (PWDs) Other Fees: Camping Fee RM 5 (Adult), RM 2 (Child); Diving Fee RM 50/head Jump-Off Point: Jesselton Point Jetty Terminal Boat Transfer: Refer to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park section. Again, the island transfer service for Tunku Abdul Rahman Park covers only four islands — Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi, and Gaya.

Gaya Island

With a total land area of almost 1,500 hectares, Gaya Island is the largest of the five islands. The name came from the Bajau word gayo , meaning “big”. It is also the closest to downtown Kota Kinabalu via Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal.

Its lush hilly landscape reaches an elevation of 300 meters, featuring ridges stretching across the island and a 20-kilometer hiking trail, which also includes a plank-walk through a mangrove forest.

Police Beach is the most popular beach, nestled on the northwestern coast, facing Bulijong Bay and fronting one of the three secluded five-star hotels on the island — the Bunga Raya Island Resort . The clear calm waters kissing the 400-meter sandy stretch of white sand is ideal for swimming. The other two upscale resorts are the Gaya Island Resort and the Gayana Marine Resort.

Gaya Island is bejeweled with colorful coral reefs, making it one of the best snorkeling and diving destinations in Sabah. The local settlement took over the eastern side of the island.

Location: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Sabah Conservation Fee: RM 20 (Adult); RM 15 (Child, below 18 y/o); RM 15 (Seniors, 60 y/o and above); RM 10 (below 6 y/o); FREE (PWDs) Jump-Off Point: Jesselton Point Jetty Terminal Boat Transfer: Refer to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park section. Again, the island transfer service for Tunku Abdul Rahman Park covers only four islands — Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi, and Gaya.

Mamutik Island

Just a kilometer south of Manukan, the triangular Mamutik Island is the smallest of the five islands. Its western side is characterized by a rocky shore, while the rest of the island is fringed with sandy beaches. Not as crowded as the others, it offers an alternative beach experience for those who prefer a more rugged but quieter spot.

Swimming and snorkeling are the popular activities here, so be prepared to meet some of these marine wonders — clown fish, rainbow fish, anemones, surgeon fish, zebra fish, and stingray among others. The surrounding waters are mostly deep, so keep an eye on your kids and companions who are not good swimmers. It’s also best to wear beach footwear to protect your feet from broken shells and corals.

Amenities on the island include changing rooms, toilets, benches, picnic huts, a restaurant, and rental shop for snorkeling, diving, and camping.

Mamutik is only three kilometers off the mainland, so tourists can view the city from the sandy eastern side of the island on a clear day. The main jump-off point is at Jesselton Point, but other terminals, such as Sutera Harbour Marina Jetty and Tanjung Aru Beach, have access to Mamutik Island.

Sapi Island

Sapi Island is like a remora fish swimming beneath its partner shark — the larger Gaya Island. Situated about two meters southwest of Gaya Island and covering an area of over 10 hectares, this densely forested island is definitely dwarfed but not really overshadowed by its bigger sister. Come low tide, the sisters link arms, creating sandbar in between.

The thick vegetation provides shades for visitors. Plenty of picnic huts and tables are scattered around the main beach area. Popular activities are swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The best spot to go diving is on the southeastern tip of the island. Some of the marine life found around the coral garden are stingrays, cuttlefish, zebra fish, clown fish, and moray eels.

Note that it can get crowded on weekends and holidays, particularly the main beach; however, you can explore further and find one of the few hidden beaches when you traverse the five-kilometer nature trail. Be sure to wear comfortable beach footwear when exploring the island. The trail will lead trekkers to the highest point of the island.

Sapi is also home to the wild macaques and two-meter long monitor lizards. Considering the wildlife thriving here, be extra careful. As much as possible, do not feed them, keep your distance, and just let them be. The macaques might grab some of your stuff to look for food. Always look where you are going to avoid stepping on a monitor lizard.

Kadamaian White Water Rafting

Mild or Wild? But it doesn’t really matter because the rapids will decide for you. This will delight thrill-seekers who are always on the lookout for extreme activities that will make their adrenaline pumping.

Enjoy the rough ride as the raging waters from Mount Kinabalu take you on a bumpy rafting experience along the Kadamaian River in Kota Belud, a town tucked about two hours north of Kota Kinabalu city center.

The whole rafting stretch is about 10 kilometers with rapid classification of Grade 1-2, so this is perfect for first timers. Our team had experienced white water rafting in Davao and Cagayan de Oro, both reaching the Grade 4 classification, which is the ceiling for leisure white water rapids.

Speaking from personal experience, both Yosh and I got tossed into the water here at Kadamaian, and I had a blast getting carried away for a moment before I was pulled back up onto the raft immediately. But that’s just me. Yosh got snatched by the rapids for three (long) minutes, and for better or worse, I’m sure it’s now one of his most unforgettable travel experiences.

The whole white water rafting activity lasted almost two hours. Once at the jump-off point, you will have safety briefing first. Depending on the package you book, it usually includes light snack or lunch buffet. Don’t forget to bring the following: extra clothes, dry bag, waterproof camera or GoPro, aqua shoes or sandals with straps, rash guard or comfortable rafting outfit, towel, and sunscreen.

Location: Kadamaian River, Kadamaian, Kota Belud, Sabah Getting There: The most convenient way is to book a package tour with roundtrip transfer between Kota Kinabalu and the jump-off point in Kadamaian.

Seafood Galore

When in Kota Kinabalu, don’t pass up any opportunity to stuff your face with scrumptious seafood!

KK is surrounded by the richest waters on the planet, providing delicious bounty to city’s popular restaurants and food meccas like the Waterfront Seafood Night Market along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens and Api-Api Night Food Market at Gaya Street. You can enjoy them grilled, deep-fried, steamed, or topping your favorite noodle dish.

Another popular culinary brand is Welcome Seafood Restaurant with three spacious branches: Asia City (KK City Center), Inanam (North KK), and Penampang (South of KK). We dined at Asia City branch and the place was really packed with diners, locals and tourists alike. Outdoor and indoor seating are available.

We had their bestselling kam hiong crab (kam heong crab), a popular Malaysian dish that combines Malay, Chinese and Indian influences. Kam heong literally means “golden fragrance”, referring to the sweet, aromatic scent that steams out from its sauce, which is cooked with chillies, curry, and other spices. Welcome takes pride in their special sauce, which is a great blend of salty and spicy.

We also had their dry butter prawns, deep-fried squid (calamari), and fried fish in sweet-and-sour sauce.

Kota Kinabalu serves as a key gateway to the North Borneo regions, welcoming people from various cultures. This made Sabahan cuisine eclectic, but mostly mixing local with other Southeast Asian and Chinese flavors.

But the most intriguing delicacy is probably sinalau bakas , a native Kadazandusun treat. The name translates to “smoked wild boar”. Many roadside eateries and stalls can give you a taste of this meaty goodness, but most tour operators let guests try it at one of the stalls on the way to or from Kinabalu Park. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try this ourselves as the stalls were closed when we dropped by.

Bak kut teh is a staple dish, more like a comfort food, that is usually served at dinnertime. But in the past, farmers usually consumed the steaming hot light broth early in the morning before they go to the fields. Literally means pork rib tea, the pork is cooked or added (when meat are already partially cooked) in a cloudy herbal broth. Some restaurants offer chicken, seafood, and beef aside from pork. Innards and dimsum balls can also be added.

Malaysian bak kut teh is served with you char kway (fried dough). Locals usually eat the meat by dipping them in a soy sauce with chili and minced garlic. Chinatown (or Gaya Street area) is dotted with restaurants serving bak kut teh, and one of them is Sin Kee , which we had the pleasure of trying when we visited.

You’ll also find Filipino food spots throughout the city including Tambayan at Kainang Pilipino at Api-Api Center. Owned and run by a Pinay immigrant, this 24-hour-open restaurant has a menu that boasts a number of Pinoy favorites from sizzling plates of sisig to icy desserts like halo-halo.

Gaya Street

Immerse in the Sabahan culture and experience the lifestyle of the locals here!

This bustling strip of commercial establishments, both old and new, dates back to 1902. Originally named “Bond Street” during the British colonial period, the street evolved from an industrial trading railway track — transporting rubber between Tenom and the wharf in Jesselton Harbour, which was then the main gateway to North Borneo before commercial flights were made available — into a busy commercial street where many shops and dining places flourished.

Spanning from Lintasan Deasoka near the Kota Kinabalu City Hall and Mandarin Hotel all the way to the old Jesselton Post Office, Gaya Street is home to old family businesses passed from generation to generation, most of them are coffee shops and restaurants operated by Chinese families; hence, the area is also dubbed as the Chinatown of Sabah. The end of the street near the KK City Hall is marked by a Chinese arch gate erected in 2005.

On Sundays, it transforms into a pedestrian-only street where regular market fair is held, particularly in the morning. Local merchants, as well as foreign traders (Indonesians, Filipinos, etc.), sell various kinds of items and products: agricultural produce, local snacks and street food, arts and craft, flowers, souvenirs, footwear, clothes and textiles, and many others.

Location: Kota Kinabalu Central Business District, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Street Fair Hours: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Sundays). The schedule might change, so check first with Sabah Tourism Board before going. Contact Detail: +60 88 212 121 (Sabah Tourism Board)

Plaza 333 is a commercial complex housing entertainment and food establishments, from homegrown restaurants to fast-food chains to bar and restaurants.

Although located outside Kota Kinabalu, over six kilometers south of the city center, it still draws people, both young and old, to its various food establishments. It is also one of the favorite hangout spots for nightlife among locals.

Location: Kobusak Commercial Centre, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Opening Hours: The whole complex is open 24/7, but each establishment has its own operating schedule. Check the official Facebook page or website of the establishment you wish to visit. Getting There: It’s quite challenging to go here if you re taking the public transportation, so the best way is to take a Grab service from Kota Kinabalu. The travel time is about 20 minutes.

Handicraft Market

This place is THE souvenir haven! Also known as the Filipino Market , it is composed of shops managed mostly by residents originating from the Philippines.

With stalls flanking a portion of Tun Fuad Stephens Street , this waterfront market is a popular shopping destination for locals and tourists looking for specific items and even interesting pieces that they “suddenly need”. Wink wink. With seemingly endless array of options, it’s impossible to leave empty handed. Practice your bargaining skills and learn helpful phrases in their local language for better chances of getting discounts.

Some of the products sold here are local handicraft, musical instruments, clothes, fabrics, traditional clothes, jewelry, accessories, key chains, and more. Should you get hungry, food stalls and seafood pop here and there.

Location: Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen, Pusat Bandar, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Daily). The schedule might change, so check first with Sabah Tourism Board before going. Contact Detail: +60 88 212 121 (Sabah Tourism Board)

Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

“The Floating Mosque”

Ensconced in a diamond-shaped manmade lagoon, Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (aka Kota Kinabalu City Mosque) covers an area of about six hectares on Pasir Street along the shores of Likas Bay. The mosque is attached to the southeastern side of the lagoon where the entrance is also located.

Officially opened in February 2000 after Kota Kinabalu acquired its city status, the mosque attracts not only worshipers but also tourists with its blue and gold dome and four minarets. The modern Arabic architectural style was inspired by the second holiest site in the Islam religion, the Nabawi Mosque in Medina. It is also one of the popular photography subjects in Kota Kinabalu.

Non-muslims are welcome to visit the mosque outside prayer times and must wear proper attire — no sleeveless and shorts. Cover up clothing can be rented from the management. All visitors are also required to register at Kota Kinabalu City Mosque Tourism Management. Follow the rules and respect the place.

Note that this is not the city’s main mosque. That title belongs to Sabah State Mosque (Masjid Negeri Sabah) in Sembulan.

Location: Jalan Pasir, Kampung Likas, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (Saturday – Thursday); CLOSED (Fridays). The schedule might change, so check first with Kota Kinabalu City Mosque Tourism Management before going. Entrance Fee: RM 5/head Cover Up Rental: RM 5 – RM 10 Contact Details: +60 88 435 891 / [email protected]

Sabah Museum

From its humble beginnings at a shophouse along Gaya Street in 1965, the Sabah State Museum now sits on a 17-hectare land at Bukit Istana Lama, where the former palace of the British North Borneo Governor was situated.

From the collection of photographs and diaries of George Cathcart Woolley, the museum’s treasured possessions burgeoned into a massive assemblage of artifacts, installations, and exhibits housed in several galleries by category — history, arts, ceramics, brassware, natural history, archaeology, ethnography, and Islamic civilization among others.

From the devoted hands of Sabah Society, the administration duties of the museum was bequeathed to the State Ministry of Community Services in 1981 before it was handed over to the State Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. Finally, in April 1984, the museum transferred to its new home where it is presently located. The current museum complex dates back to 1985.

Aside from the museum’s main building, the complex also hosts a zoo, a botanic garden, and a heritage village with a few of Sabah’s indigenous groups’ traditional houses. The museum is located near Sabah State Mosque.

Location: Sabah Museum Complex, Bukit Istana Lama, Jalan Muzium, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily). The schedule might change, so check the official website before going. Entrance Fee: RM 15/head

Signal Hill Observatory

‼️ The Signal Hill Observatory Platform is under renovation until September 2023, but people can still trek to the top and still get good views from different spots around the hilltop.

As the highest point in Kota Kinabalu, Signal Hill is one of the best places to take in panoramic views of the city, Gaya Bay, and some of the islands of TAR Marine Park.

Benches are provided by the sidewalk should you get tired or you just want to spend more time admiring the breathtaking scenery.

Padang Merdeka and Gaya Street are the two entry points to the trailhead. Padang Merdeka mainly caters to visitors who opt to drive, while Gaya Street caters to those who want to go there on foot.

The trailhead from Gaya Street is on the side where the Sabah Tourism Board office is located. It is at the end of the street between the Old Town Coffee shop and Jesselton Hotel. You’ll spot the trail sign from the Kota Kinabalu Community Hall (Dewan Masyarakat DBKK). You’ll reach the top in more or less 10 minutes.

Location: 78, Jalan Asrama, Signal Hill, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Trail Head Jump-Off Point: Kota Kinabalu Community Hall near Gaya Street Opening Hours: 24/7 (Hilltop Area); CLOSED for Renovation (Observatory).

Monsopiad Heritage Village

Dedicated to Monsopiad , the legendary headhunter warrior of the Kadazandusun people, the largest ethnic group on this side of Borneo.

Privately owned and managed by the direct descendants of Monsopiad, the heritage village was built on the very site where the renowned warrior lived about 300 years ago. Aiming to highlight the life and time of Monsopiad and the rich ancient culture of the Kadazandusun, it was opened to the public in 1979, featuring cultural activities like the Sumazau dance, the Kadazan cuisines, and the traditional bamboo fire lighting.

The most popular attraction is the House of Skulls (Siou Do Mohoing), where 42 skulls hang on display as trophies and proof of Monsopiad’s strength and power as a warrior and defender of his village. Other features are the massive monolith, the suspension bridge, the traditional restaurant, the Grainery (Tangkob), and Monsopiad’s Main House (Kotos di Monsopiad) where some items including padi grinders, ceramic jars, bamboo tools, and costume, are showcased.

The heritage village is located in Penampang , just a few minutes’ drive south from Kota Kinabalu city center.

Location: Kampung Kuai Kandazon, Jalan Putatan Ramayah, Penampang, Sabah Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Monday, Wednesday – Sunday); CLOSED (Tuesdays). The schedule might change, so check the official website or Facebook page before going. Cultural Performance Schedule: 11:00 AM (Morning Session); 2:00 PM (Afternoon Session) Package Tour Rate: RM 55 (Adult); RM 50 (Senior Citizen, 60 y/o and above); RM 35 (Child, 4-12 y/o); RM 30 (PWD). These are international rates inclusive of guided tour, tour guide, cultural activities, cultural show, complimentary drinks, and complimentary gift. Contact Details: For booking and inquiries, contact +6011-14196484 / +6011-14196488 / [email protected]

Mantanani Island Snorkeling + Cruise

Nestled off the northwestern coast of Sabah, this group of three islands is a quick day trip from Kota Kinabalu, providing alternative beach destination option for tourists who want to soak up the sun and swim in an uncrowded tropical paradise. Aside from swimming and beach bumming, the common activities are diving, snorkeling, and birdwatching.

Mantanani Besar , the largest of the three and the most popular, houses a few scuba diving resorts. Nature trails also scribble across the island. The other two islands are Mantanani Kecil , housing a small dive lodge, and Lungisan , the smallest of the three. The waters surrounding the islands are home to coral reefs, dugongs, and other marine creatures.

Getting There: The jump-off point is Kota Belud, which is about an hour’s drive north of Kota Kinabalu. From Kota Belud mainland, particularly Kuala Abai Jetty, the travel time by speedboat to the islands is almost an hour. You can book a tour package inclusive of roundtrip transfers from Kota Kinabalu, boat transfers, lunch, snorkeling gear, jetty and entrance fees. Two options are available — Snorkeling Only or Snorkeling + River Cruise.

How to Get to Kota Kinabalu

As countries continue to ease their COVID-19-related travel restrictions, many airlines are also reopening routes for commercial flights. AirAsia Philippines has recently resumed its Manila-Kota Kinabalu service twice a week. Travel time is over two hours.

Each booking is inclusive of a complimentary 7kg carry-on baggage allowance. For a hassle-free and more comfortable journey, you might want to check its Value Pack , which covers 20kg check-in baggage allowance, standard selection, a meal, and Tune Protect insurance (for baggage delay & 1 hour on-time guarantee protection). Meanwhile, their Premium Flex option allows you to change the date and time of your flight up to two times.

For convenience, seamless booking of flights and hotels, and great deals, you may want to download and check the company’s fully-integrated platform, the airasia Super App , offering flight booking and other supplementary services and products such as online shopping, insurance, and ride-hailing and delivery services (when applicable/available).

Written by Asta Alvarez Photos and additional words by Yosh Dimen

Our recent trip to Kota Kinabalu was made possible by AirAsia Philippines.

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I’ve been to Kota Kinabalu  twice for short visits and maybe I didn’t give it a fair chance. Getting bitten by a bot fly is one of my issues and taking my life in hand just trying to get across the street seemed an issue. After your article maybe I need to try for a third visit?

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The Best 11 Day Trips from Kota Kinabalu

The coastal town of Kota Kinabalu is a great place to base yourself in Malaysian Borneo. There’s not only a heap of places to stay and eat, but it puts you in a great place to explore this part of Borneo and to come back to your hotel at night.  There are some great hikes to take here, including the incredible Mount Kinabalu, there are some lovely islands just off the coast, and some fabulous wildlife opportunities too.  You’ll be spoiled for choice!  Here are our 11 best day trips from Kota Kinabalu.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION IN  OUR DISCLAIMER

#1 DAY TRIP

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Whether you choose to snorkel, dive or just visit, this is the best thing to do in Kota Kinabalu – visit the Marine Park of Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Head out for a fabulous time – but book early.

While you’re making KK your base in this part of Sabah, there are some fabulous places to explore just a little further afield, These are longer trips and you will need the full day from Kota Kinabalu to enjoy them.  Most of these day excursions from Kota Kinabalu feature outdoor activities and the natural landscape that Sabah is very (rightfully) proud of.

The Best 11 Day trips to take from Kota Kinabalu

You have a lot of choices when it comes to taking trips from Kota Kinabalu.  There are wildlife options, seeing orangutans for instance, or you can take a boat trip and head out to the islands.  If gardens are your thing, then there are tea gardens and a botanical garden too. 

1.     Visit the Klias Wetland Mangrove Forest Reserve

The Klias Wetland Mangrove Forest Reserve is located about a 90-minute drive south of Kota Kinabalu and it makes for a perfect day trip from Kota Kinabalu .

We all know that Borneo has some of the most diverse forests and wildlife in the world.  And coming to this Mangrove Forest Reserve is an amazing way to see it.  A safari cruise to the Klias Wetland Forest is one of the best things to do in Kota Kinabalu. To see the reserve properly is an entire day’s adventure. You’ll want to start with hiking to spot monkeys that can only be found in this region, include a boat cruise, and take some lunch featuring local dishes.  The easiest way to see the Klias Wetland Mangrove Forest Reserve is on a trip from Kota Kinabalu, as for the perfect experience you’ll be driving back in the dark.  As there’s a surprise here.  You get to see the famous Sabah fireflies and they’re amazing ( we also saw them in Mulu ).  At the end of the day it’s a great thing to do here, to enjoy the sunset and then see the unique fireflies lighting up the entire mangrove. If all of that isn’t enough, then signing up for white water rafting is also an option where you will have great fun on a 9.2 miles (15 km) long stretch of the river. Check out these options for visiting the Klias Wetland Reserve.

Or if you want to see the fireflies, then this is magical

• Address of Klias Wetland Mangrove Forest Reserve: Klias River Cruise, Kampong Kota Klias, 89800 Beaufort, Sabah, Malaysia

2.     Have an Island Away Day from Kota Kinabalu

Going to a coastal town means island hopping and finding the best beaches in the area. Apart from Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, there are other islands to explore such as Dinawan Island and Sepanggar Island.

You should be able to book an island hopping tour that will visit popular islands and other spots for snorkeling and diving.  Dinawan Island is just an hour from the city and is a world away.  There’s kayaking, snorkeling, and paddle boarding available (and on this tour all equipment is provided).   Come and chill out on Dinawan Island , a perfect day trip from Kota Kinabalu.

3.     Climb Mount Kinabalu

Now, this is the biggy when it comes to Kota Kinabalu Day Trips, although you may need a little longer than a day!  Mount Kinabalu is just 2-hours from Kota Kinabalu.  This mountain is 13,435 feet (4,094 m) tall and is rich in flora, fauna, and orangutans. It’s a nature preserve and is managed by the local government.

During the rainy season (June to August), it’s not possible to summit the mountain, so plan carefully. There are accommodations throughout the trail and the hike is advised to be done in 2 or more days depending on your physical fitness. This is a hike that needs all the right equipment, you’ll need a good pair of hiking boots and a set of hiking poles too.

TOP HIKING POLES PICK

Most Popular Trekking Poles

These fabulous budget trekking poles are the best buy and the most popular poles for hiking.

This hike might also require a day to acclimatize yourself.  Outside of the climbing season, you can hike lower altitudes on the mountain and even have camping experiences.  You can check what is possible in terms of hiking Mount Kinabalu during your visit to Sabah here.

If you like hiking, then you should head to the Cameron Highlands, there are some spectacular hikes there – and I wrote about the 7 best hikes in Cameron Highlands.

4.     Go to Poring Hot Springs

Poring Hot Spring is 3-hours away from Kota Kinabalu and is situated just past Mount Kinabalu Mountain. An outdoor pool with mineral-rich hot spring water. Apart from enjoying the fresh and warm spring from the mountain, you can also enjoy a canopy walk, a butterfly house, unique flowers and plants, and even water slides. A perfect place to visit after climbing the mountain.

The water here comes from a series of springs and contains high levels of sulfur, which is said to have medicinal properties (plus the water helps with aching muscles too).  The pools actually date from when the Japanese occupied during World War II. (There’s more on World War II in Malaysia in our post on Sandakan to Ranau here )

As well as the hot springs there are also canopy walkways and waterfalls to visit here.   You may even get a chance to see the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia here.

• Address of Poring Hot Springs: 89300 Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia
• Opening Hours of Poring Hot Springs: 8 AM to 3 PM daily
• Entry Fees for Poring Hot Springs: Depending on which attraction you want to do, price ranges from RM5 ($1) and up

5.     Go White Water Rafting near Kota Kinabalu

There are two main places to go white-water rafting near Kota Kinabalu.  The prettiest is the Kiulu River, about an hour from Kota Kinabalu, in Tamparuli.  Or if you want something more challenging, then you’ll find Grade 3 and Grade 4 rapids at the Padas River, which is 2 hours from Kota Kinabalu.

At Kiulu River, there are activities even for children, however, the place is closed during typhoon season for safety reasons. Apart from white rafting, you can also go camping and hike around the area.

• Address of White Rafting at Kiulu River:  Kiulu Town, 89250, 89250 Tamparuli, Sabah, Malaysia
• Opening Hours of White Rafting at Kiulu River: 8.30 AM to 6 PM

6.     Explore the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park offers more than a snorkeling and diving spot. There are other things to do here through exploring the islands that make up the marine park which include Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manuka, Pulau Sulug, and Pilau Mamutik.

In these areas, you can find eco-resorts, golden sand beaches, fine white sand beaches, sea urchins, monitor lizards, and monkeys. For serenity, head to Pulau Sulug. Spending an entire day here will not be wasted.

7.     Visit Sandakan from Kota Kinabalu

Sandakan is on the other side of Sabah, in fact, the exact opposite side. It is about 6 hours away (or a 50-minute flight), and so the only way to visit Sandakan on a day trip from Kota Kinabalu is to fly.  (But if that’s all the time you have, I seriously recommend it).  Many of the places you can visit from Sandakan include tours and trips where your local guides will pick you up at Sandakan airport and take you back for your return flight! Travel distance aside, Sandakan is home to incredible caves and the endangered proboscis monkeys, and it is pretty much the gateway to Sabah’s diverse nature and wildlife animals. If you’re looking to visit the Sepilok Orangutan Center, you should get to Sandakan first.  Our guide to Sandakan is here – and you can explore further into the Kinabatangan River area here.

8.     Visit Sepilok Orangutan Centre in Sabah

I’m taking a bit of a leap here, but I’m guessing that one of the reasons that you’re in Sabah is to see the glorious Orangutans.  And this means that you’re truly going to have to leave Kota Kinabalu.  So this is no longer part of things to do in Kota Kinabalu but it must be added to your itinerary. Sabah is the home of many wild orangutans.

This also means that there are people taking advantage of them and harming them. This is why the work that Sepilok Orangutan Center does, is fantastic and so important for these animals.  There’s more about the Sepilok Orangutan Center here , but briefly…. At this orangutan rehab center, orangutans who are injured or found abandoned or orphaned are nursed to health before being released to the wild.  It is an amazing place to visit.  But please do watch out and keep your belongings close because some orangutans can be naughty and might steal your possessions. Don’t get too close to them (remember you are in their living space, this isn’t a zoo), to avoid startling the apes and causing any distress or hostility.

• Address of Sepilok Orangutan Centre: Sabah Wildlife Department, W.D.T. 200, Sandakan, Jalan Sepilok, Sepilok, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
• Opening Hours of Sepilok Orangutan Centre: Every day, 9 Am to 11.30 AM then again from 2 Pm to 4 PM
• Entry Fees for Sepilok Orangutan Centre: RM 5 ($1) toRM30 ($6.83), RM10 $2.28) for camera fee

You can also see Orangutans from Kuching, Sarawak, at the Semenggoh Orangutan Rehab Center, our guide to visiting is here.

9.      Visit the Botanical Gardens/Taman Botani

Located 2-hours from Kota Kinabalu, this botanical garden is worth a visit especially if you love being around nature, learning about different plants, and trees, and even seeing some birds. It sits right at the foot of Mount Kinabalu.   You can walk around the garden in about 30 minutes depending on your speed. You can park right near the entrance.

• Address of Taman Botani: Kinabalu Park, 89300 Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia
• Opening Hours of Taman Botani: 7.30 AM to 4.30 AM every day
• Entry Fees for Taman Botani: RM5 ($1.14) or RM15 ($3.41) which includes a parking fee

10.  Visit the Sabah Tea Garden/Ladang Tea Sabah

For tea lovers, a visit to this out-of-the-city destination is worth your time. It’s about 75 miles (120 km) or 2 hours drive from KK. They serve really great tea, and desserts, and offer an amazing view.

There are some information boards and posters about the area, however, there are no tours about the tea plantation or educational tours about the tea from Sabah.

• Address of Ladang Tea Sabah: KM 17, Jalan Ranau/Sandakan Kampung Nalapak, Beg berkunci, No.2, 89309 Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia
• Opening Hours of Ladang Tea Sabah: 7 AM to 8 PM daily

11.  See the World’s Largest Flower from Kota Kinabalu.

This flower is one of the strangest and rarest in the world.  It weighs up to 22 pounds (10 kilos!) and is only found in Sumatra, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and the Philippines.  The Rafflesia flower isn’t a flower, but a parasite that lives on a type of vine.  Rafflesia flowers only bloom for between 3 and 5 days and at the end of their blooming, they smell like rotten meat.  Rafflesia blooms between November and April. 

If you’re here in Sabah during that time, ask at your hotel and check signs around the city, it tends to be publicized when there is a Rafflesia in bloom.

The best place to have a chance to see Rafflesia is at the Rafflesia Information Center, about 2 hours from Kota Kinabalu.  The center is open from 8 am until 3 pm Monday to Saturday and it’s in Tambunan.  You can either take a car, or taxi or get on a bus from Merdeka Field in Kota Kinabalu to Tambunan.  Just tell the driver where you’re going and he’ll stop there.

• Address of Rafflesia Information Center: Rafflesia Information Centre, Tambunan, Sabah, Malaysia
• Opening Hours of Rafflesia Information Center: 8 am to 3 pm Monday to Saturday

Malaysia Travel Tips

• Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.
• Get online immediately with an eSIM for Malaysia.
• Complete your Malaysia Digital Arrivals Card – this replaces the paper based card as of November 2023.
• Arriving by air? Book your airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.
• Download and install a VPN BEFORE you travel to Malaysia > discount coupon here
• Book the best Malaysia tours and guides on Klook
• Save money in Malaysia with a Wise debit card
• Book Buses in Malaysia with BusonlineTicket
• Book accommodation in Malaysia with Booking

Final Words on the 11 Best Day Trips from Kota Kinabalu

Staying put in Kota Kinabalu and enjoying the nightlife, and the fabulous food options available here means that you can head out for the day and return to the same great hotel each night.  These day trips from Kota Kinabalu really do explore some of the best of this part of Borneo.  And, you have so many options too!

We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using our affiliate links. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

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Sarah Carter

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Top 10 Best Kota Kinabalu Tour Options – Fireflies, Night Cruise And More

Looking for Kota Kinabalu tours? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve written this article to help you select the top Kota Kinabalu tours package for you.

As the capital of the state of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu has so much to offer visitors. From jungle walks to exotic islands, to fireflies and Mount Kinabalu (its namesake), this small capital has much to see and do.

How do you make the most of all that Kota Kinabalu has to offer? With a tour!

Whether you’re looking for a Kota Kinabalu jungle tour, a Kota Kinabalu private tour or just a Kota Kinabalu one day tour, you’ll find an option below.

Travelling to Malaysia? Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip!  

Have any questions?  Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now!  It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired.

Why Book Kota Kinabalu Tour Packages?

Kota Kinabalu is not a big city but it does have a lot of attractions. Doing a tour to Kota Kinabalu is an easy way to see the best of the attractions and to explore further afield.

A Kota Kinabalu tour itinerary will fit multiple activities into one day or half a day, making it possible to see more. Also, the planning is all done for you! Kota Kinabalu day tours will take you to the top spots around town, and guides can share their insider tips to help you make the most of your visit.

A Kota Kinabalu travel package is also a great way to visit the islands and fireflies – some of the top attractions Kota Kinabalu offers. There’s also quite a few unique experiences which are best done by tour.

Compare All The Best Kota Kinabalu Tours Package

Here’s a quick comparison of all your Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia tours

You can read more about each of these options below.

Best Day Tour Kota Kinabalu Options

Kota kinabalu city half day tour – best kota kinabalu city tour package.

If you’re only visiting Kota Kinabalu for a short amount of time, or you’re new to town and want to see the city’s highlights, this tour is a great way to explore some of the top attractions.

This 4 hour Kota Kinabalu half day tour includes hotel pick up and takes you to some of the most visited spots around town. This is a small intimate tour with a friendly guide sharing their city’s history and story.

Two mosques are visited as part of this tour, including the City Mosque. Also known as the floating mosque, it makes for a beautiful photo opportunity. This tour also includes a visit to the Sabah State museum, and the 30 storey tall Tun Mustapha Tower.

End your tour by shopping for souvenirs at the Handcraft Market where guides can help you haggle!

This tour departs at 9am and there is a 4 person minimum. You can have an optional private vehicle for 300 MYR extra if you’re looking for a private tour guide in Kota Kinabalu.

Click here to see the latest prices and tour options.

Sunset and City Night Dinner Cruise With Complimentary Drinks

For one of the more unique tours of Kota Kinabalu, this sunset and dinner cruise offers a great way to see the city from a different perspective – the water!

These cruises include live music and an international buffet filled with many delicious options. Drinks are also included which makes this a popular tour Kota Kinabalu offers!

One of the highlights of this tour is the views. You’ll pass city sites and islands located in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and also enjoy a beautiful sunset – one of the highlights of this tour! The vessel is modern and spacious so there’s room to walk around and grab the best views.

This is a 2 hour trip mostly departing around 8pm, but the Kota Kinabalu tour operators will advise you of the exact time when booking.

Kota Kinabalu City Night Tour with Seafood Dinner

Take a city tour in Kota Kinabalu at night and see the city from a different perspective.

Kota Kinabalu is just as alive at night as it is during the day time, and this tour will take you to some of the best highlights of Kota Kinabalu after dark.

Highlights of this city tour Kota Kinabalu offers include seeing the views from Signal Hill, visiting the Filipino and Handicraft markets, walking along the beautiful Tanjung Aru Beach and enjoying a big seafood dinner. You’ll also have the chance to sample some of the unique fruits and produce from this area.

Round trip hotel pickup and drop off is also provided by the tour company in Kota Kinabalu as well as some beautiful sunset picture opportunities.

Mari Mari Cultural Village Tour with Klias River and Fireflies Cruise

If you’re looking for culturally enriching day tours Kota Kinabalu Malaysia then this day tour is great as you’ll visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village and meet with local ethnic tribes. These tribes live in their traditional way away from city life, and you’ll get to enter and explore the tribal houses, have lunch and enjoy and partake in a cooking demonstration.

This tour starts at 9am with pickup from your hotel where you’ll take a 2 hour drive to the village. Lunch and dinner are both included on the tour, and this is also an excellent tour for spotting the proboscis monkey.

This is also one of the best day tours from Kota Kinabalu for spotting fireflies as it includes a firefly cruise. The beautiful Kota Kinabalu firefly tour is really the cherry on the top of this tour.

You’ll return to your hotel around 9:30pm. This is a full day but an enriching, interesting and scenic one. Just be sure to bring mosquito repellent on this firefly tour Kota Kinabalu.

Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring

If you want to explore Kota Kinabalu Park, this tour is one of the best options available.

The tour starts at 8:15am with hotel pick up where you’ll head to Nabalu Market and see displays of handicrafts and sample local fruits. Then you’ll take a Kota Kinabalu walking tour through Kinabalu Park and the Botanical Gardens.

The park is home to over 300 bird species, over 100 mammals and a great diversity of plant life, meaning there is much to see. This tour also enjoys a visit to the Canopy Walk and Poring Hot Spring, where you can take a dip and rejuvenate yourself.

You’ll then choose between visiting the butterfly garden or the Desa Cattle Dairy Farm where you can feed the animals.

You will return to your hotel around 5:30pm. This is a tour complete with beautiful views and some phenomenal picture opportunities – just be sure to wear the right walking shoes!

Mount Kinabalu Farm Day Tour – Best Kota Kinabalu Day Tour Package

This is the best day tour in Kota Kinabalu if you want to see the sites around Mount Kinabalu.

The tour commences at 8:30am with hotel pickup and concludes at 5:30pm. It starts with a visit to Nabalu Town where you can visit the market and buy some of the delicious fresh fruits.

This Kota Kinabalu 1 day tour also includes a Ranau Rabbit Farm visit, a stop at Marakau Fish Spa and Tamparuli to try local (and famous) snacks at roadside stalls.

This Mount Kota Kinabalu tour package is great for exploring the rural life of Kota Kinabalu.

Lohan Paragliding Adventure with Desa Dairy Cattle Farm and Fish Spa

If you’re looking for a day tour that packs a lot in, this may be the one for you.

This is a long day tour starting around 7am and finishing at 6pm. It includes a visit to Pekan Nabalu for fruits and handicraft souvenirs and then an awesome paragliding experience in nature where a professional guide will help you soar high above the ground.

After this, you’ll feed the sheep and cattle at Desa Cattle Dairy Farm and enjoy the lovely surroundings, as well as taste some of the freshly made milk and ice cream. You’ll then visit the big fish spa – a natural fish spa for some relaxation time.

Both lunch and paragliding are included in the fare, and it’s inclusive of return hotel pickup and drop-off. This is a great tour for both adrenaline junkies and first time paragliders!

Best Kota Kinabalu Day Tours For Water Adventures

Sunrise & sunset stand up paddle boarding experience with private transfer.

Another unique tour is this stand up paddle board experience where your Kota Kinabalu tour guide takes you to the Tanjung Aru beach coast for either a sunrise or sunset paddle.

This is an inexpensive tour and there are two options – a sunrise or sunset tour, either with or without hotel pickup and drop off.

This tour is suitable for people who have never paddle boarded before – guides are super supportive and make this activity suitable for even first timers. They have all the equipment you need and can aid in taking an awesome Instagram worthy photo on the water. There is no better way to see the sunset in Kota Kinabalu!

There are also shower rooms to freshen up after the trip on the water. This is a fun experience. However, it can be subject to the weather.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Island Visit & Boat Snorkeling Experience – Best Kota Kinabalu Island Tour Package

Among the most popular tours is an island hopping tour Kota Kinabalu, and this option is the best Kota Kinabalu hopping tour.

The tour includes return hotel pickup starting at around 8:15am for guests staying in central Kota Kinabalu, and reaches the jetty at 9am. From here, you’ll hop on a 2-storey catamaran and head to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park to experience Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi and Gaya Island.

This Kota Kinabalu island hopping tour is excellent for those looking to snorkel. The tour takes you to some of the best spots for snorkeling, and the double decker boat is great for jumping off into the water.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, as well as water, snacks and lunch on Gaya Island.

You’ll have ample free time on Gaya Island where you can choose to go for a walk or partake in other water activities, such as parasailing.

The tour concludes around 1:30 where you’ll head back to Kota Kinabalu jetty and return to your hotel.

4D3N Kota Kinabalu Tour Package

4d3n sepanggar island dive trip – best tour package to kota kinabalu.

If you’re looking for the ultimate Kota Kinabalu package tour, this might be it! This Kota Kinabalu snorkeling tour includes 3 nights in a 4 star hotel on the island paradise of Sepanggar Island.

This is the best option if you’re looking for a multi day Kota Kinabalu local tour package. The tour includes return airport transfers from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, where you’ll be taken to the jetty for your boat ride to Sepanggar Island.

The reefs around Sepanggar Island are uncommercialised making them some of the best spots to dive and spot marine life. You’ll enjoy multiple dives with this island tour with all equipment included. As full instructions are provided, this diving tour is also suitable for beginners.

The only thing not included with this tour is dinner, but with many inexpensive local vendor stalls available, you’ll have plenty of options.

Final Words

We hope this Kota Kinabalu tour guide has given you plenty of ideas for your trip. There’s so much to see in Kota Kinabalu, and whether you experience the city highlights, the island paradises or the rural side of this city, you’ll no doubt have an awesome time!

You can also check out more things to do in Kota Kinabalu here and exactly where to stay in Kota Kinabalu here . Or find our full Kota Kinabalu travel guide here .

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions?  Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now!  It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

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By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

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Discover Kota Kinabalu Day Trip

Kota kinabalu, or more fondly known as kk, is a vibrant metropolis that calls out to intrepid explorers. its breathtaking sunsets, warm-hearted locals, and captivating cultures make it an irresistible destination for every traveller..

from MYR 224 / person

Kota Kinabalu

Embark on a 3.5-hour adventure exploring the enchanting city of Kota Kinabalu! Experience breathtaking panoramic vistas from Signal Hill and Tanjung Lipat, which offers a panoramic scenery of Gaya Island, the South China Sea, and Tun Mustapha Tower. Thereafter, visit the magnificent floating City Mosque and the colourful Puh Toh Tze Buddhist Temple. Dive into the rich historical tapestry of Australia Place and conclude your day with an in-depth exploration of Kota Kinabalu's captivating history, people, and heritage at the Sabah Museum.

Price Remarks

• Validity Rates are valid for travel by 31 March 2025.
• Availability This tour runs every day. Prior booking required.
• Transfer Inclusion This tour package rates include pick-up and drop-off from Kota Kinabalu International Airport or hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Additional charge per person applies for pick-up and drop-off outside this area and pick up time may vary.

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Our Borneo Specialist can tailor this itinerary for you.

Notes [ Expand All ]

Tour includes.

• Transfers (Pick-up and drop-off from Kota Kinabalu International Airport or hotel in Kota Kinabalu)
• English-speaking guide

Tour Excludes

• Items not mentioned

Things to Bring

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• NOTE Remove shoes before entering mosque. Girls/ladies need to wear a headscarf, long skirt and long-sleeved blouse when entering mosque. You can rent a headscarf if you forget to bring one along.
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• Travel Insurance Customers are encouraged to purchase their own travel insurance before traveling to Borneo. We recommend you to select a travel insurance policy that covers not only your medical expenses (including emergency repatriation) but also personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage. Doing so can prevent major disruptions and additional costs.

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The PERFECT 3-Day Itinerary For Kota Kinabalu (If You’re Not Into Mountain Climbing)

September 12, 2023 by Bino 5 Comments

Kota Kinabalu has become synonymous to its namesake mountain, one of the tallest in Southeast Asia. While Mt. Kinabalu often overshadows the city, this cosmopolitan hub stands as an increasingly popular gateway to the exotic island of Borneo, the world’s 4th largest. It’s quite apparent that this destination offers plenty for those with a knack for outdoor pursuits but few realize that KK works just as well even for those not planning to climb a single step up the well-trodden peak. Every time I tell my friends that I’m going to the state capital of Sabah, they ask me if I’m climbing – leaving them with a perplexed expression when I tell them I’m not.

Believe me, there are a lot of things to see and do in Kota Kinabalu whether or not you choose to spend a few days to scale Mt. Kinabalu. I have been to the city twice and still feel that there’s much more to do. Here is my suggested itinerary for a short trip to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia.

Day 1 – Explore the City

Kota Kinabalu, previously known as Jesselton, is one of Malaysia’s most pleasant cities. Sitting on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the mountains, the city has in recent years expanded around the coast leaving plenty of majestic sea views to go around. This relatively small-sized city is walkable although the sweltering heat may deter some. In any case, most rides within the city won’t cost more than MYR 5 or less than US$2 so there’s really no excuse to stay in one place. Obtain your bearings at the city center and visit the local handicraft market which is known as the Filipino Market (daily 9AM to 10PM) due to the foreign origin of most sellers there. In this covered bazaar, you’ll find sarongs, woodwork, jewelry as well as plenty of souvenirs to bring back. The most interesting items in my opinion are the tools and instruments being used by the local headhunting tribes such as the Murut or blowpipe. If you are feeling adventurous, take your pick among the seafood stalls next door and have your fresh crabs, prawns and fish cooked just as you like.

signal hill observation deck

Late morning is just the right time to climb up to Signal Hill for a bird’s eye view of the city. Admission here is free and you can spend some time with a cup of coffee – there is a cafe up there – while admiring the view. Make your way back to the city via the stairs adjacent to the observatory tower and you’ll find yourself at Lorong Dewan – Kota Kinabalu’s burgeoning hipster area. Here, you’ll find plenty of cafes, interesting eats and backpackers’ hostels housed in heritage buildings. Visit Nook Cafe (daily 8AM to 7PM; til 9PM on weekends) for their specialty coffee or Biru Biru (daily 12pm to midnight) for their poke bowls. At the end of the street, you’ll see the Atkinson Clock Tower . Built in 1905, it’s the oldest standing structure in the city. It will be around noon by this time so stop by one of the eateries here for lunch.

Tip: If you are in Kota Kinabalu on a Sunday, don’t miss out visiting the Gaya Street Sunday Market. This market is a bit more interesting than the typical Malaysian bazaars. This particular market starts early at 5AM and lasts until around 2pm. Here, you’ll find plenty of antiques, local handicrafts, coffee beans and even pets. Remember to bargain.

Stop by the Sabah State Museum (daily 9AM to 5PM) to understand the city and the region better. The 3-storey museum contains exhibits related to science, art and even has a heritage village within. From here, the Sabah State Mosque is just next door. Its bulbous dome which is decked in real gold may immediately catch one’s fancy. Do note that the mosque is generally open from 8AM to 12nn and then from 2PM to 5pm daily except for Fridays when it is only open during the afternoon from 2PM to 5PM.

sunset view from the yacht

After a tiring first day exploring the city, you can spend the late afternoon catching the sunset either at the Tanjung Aru Beach or if you’re feeling luxurious you can also charter a yacht which is a popular activity in Kota Kinabalu. North Borneo Yacht Charter offers different types of itineraries including a sunset cruise in the late afternoon with visits to Manukan and Gaya islands. Alternatively, you can also visit the relatively secluded Dinawan Island which offers clear waters for snorkeling, kayaking and even diving.

d’place kinabalu

Try some local Sabah food for dinner at My Native Sabah (Plaza 333 in Lorong 333, daily except Sunday, 11:30AM to 8:30PM). When I say local, I don’t just mean the usual Malaysian food. They serve some pretty exotic meals that come from the indigenous  Kadazan Dusun tribe. These are served in a set so you can try different dishes without necessarily having to overload yourself. Alternatively, you can join a tour that takes you to an actual Dusun tribal village and you can participate in a cooking class there.

Day 2 – Cultural Village & Island Hopping

kota kinabalu city mosque

Start the day early with a visit to the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque . The place of worship which sits next to a pond is best visited in the early morning or late afternoon when the purplish sky is reflected through the still waters. Highly recommended for architecture buffs.

mari mari cultural village

From here, proceed to Mari Mari Cultural Village (MYR 175 per adult) for a quick run through of Sabah’s indigenous people. The place can feel a bit touristy but it’s undeniably fun. There are also few other places in Malaysia that give visitors the same ease to witness local life. Choose one of the two available daily sessions for your visit – 10AM or 2PM. The tours are highly interactive and allow visitors the opportunity to taste local snacks and sample certain elements of local culture.

Mari Mari Cultural Village can be done as a half-day trip which leaves your afternoon free assuming you do it in the morning. The afternoon can be spent on an excursion to Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park . Comprising 5 islands, the park is popular for snorkeling, diving, para-sailing or simply lounging by the beach. 

As mentioned previously, the park comprises of 5 islands. Namely, these are Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Mamutik and Sulug. Gaya is the largest one and is situated closest to Kota Kinabalu. Depending on where you dock, you can reach Gaya Island in as little as 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu. 

manukan island by amrufm

The most popular among the 5 islands is arguably Manukan Island . The eastern part of the island offers some pristine beaches while the coral reefs offshore are ideal for snorkeling. 

Another well-visited island within the marine park is Sapi . It is considered to have some of the nicest beaches among the 5 islands and it also possesses better facilities for daytrippers. 

You can visit Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park by hiring your boat and crew for the day or if you are traveling as a small group/solo, you can sign-up for a join-in tour here .

If you are not climbing Mt. Kinabalu but have a desire to at least see it or breathe the fresh mountain air, head over to the mountain town of  Kundasang and spend the night there in one of the chalets. Alternatively, you can choose to rest in your Kota Kinabalu hotel and do Kundasang as a day trip in Day 3.

Day 3 – Kundasang

Wake up early when the chances of clear weather are at its highest. You’ll see Mt. Kinabalu directly in front of you as you enjoy the cool weather at 2,000 meters above sea level.

There are many ways to get to Kundasang but a car hire is definitely the most convenient. A popular day tour involves a morning departure from Kota Kinabalu where you will be taken to Desa Cattle Farm for a glimpse of the alpine life. After lunch and some other activities such as a canopy walk and a soak in the hot springs, you return to Kota Kinabalu just before dinner time. You can book such tours here .

Afterwards, head back to Kota Kinabalu and spend your last few hours wandering around town before catching your flight back.

Other Tips for Kota Kinabalu

• Travel Insurance: If you reside in Singapore, check out this aggregator here for a list of travel insurance promotions. They have a promotion running until 1st July that comes 4x KrisFlyer miles plus lucky draw of 125,000 miles and free lounge access in the event of flight delay.  
• Weather: The wettest time of the year is usually in the later months like November and December. That being said, you won’t find it raining all day but plans for outdoor activities may be dampened by strong winds, flash floods and other inconveniences.
• Practicalities: Kota Kinabalu is not a particularly dense city with few tall buildings. As such, if you walk outdoors during the day; you’ll most likely be baked under the sun. It’s wise to put sunblock even if you’re just staying within the city.
• Farther afield: Kota Kinabalu serves as a hub for Northern Borneo so if there’s an interest in exploring more, you can fly or take the ferry to Brunei and Labuan . Sandakan and Tawau  are also reachable by air.

Where to Stay in Kota Kinabalu

hyatt centric kota kinabalu (source: the hotel)

Tourism has boomed in recent years in Kota Kinabalu with a plethora of new hotels to cater to every budget. One of the most established hotels in the city is the Hilton Kota Kinabalu which is just next to the Star City Mall. Rooms come well-appointed and are among the most tech-forward in the city. If you prefer a hotel with panoramic sea views, you can’t go wrong with the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu . Among cheaper options, the Hotel Sixty3 in Gaya Street is situated close to the Sunday market and comes with a family room category.

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Hi, my name is Bino and I started I Wander around 15 years ago with the aim of sharing about some of my personal journeys and experiences, hoping that the information may benefit readers like yourselves. Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Alternatively, you can also email me at b i n o (at) iwandered.net. You can follow I Wander on Facebook , Telegram , or Instagram . Also, if you liked this article, please feel free to SHARE or RETWEET

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Older posts.

June 11, 2018 at 10:29 am

Sounds like the perfect itinerary!

August 26, 2018 at 1:39 pm

Great posts and beautiful photos you got there! Kota Kinabalu is a great place to visit. We got everything in here. You can go scuba diving after 15 minutes after arrive at the international airport. Then, you can go climb the highest mountain peak in south east asia at Mount Kinabalu.

September 30, 2018 at 8:30 am

Sounds like you had a great time! I really wish I had more time in KK! It feels like I missed out on a lot of stuff to do!

June 11, 2019 at 9:59 pm

I’m going to KK on next month for 3 days. I think I will skip Kundasang and do water activities. Still looking for ideas..

January 18, 2020 at 3:27 pm

There are more explore in Kota Kinabalu beside climbing Mt. Kinabalu, such as going for a rivercruise, water rafting (class 1, 2,3,4,) Island hoping are highly recomended here..

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Kinabalu Park Day Trip with Desa Farm and Poring Hotspring

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• Tour Code : BC-KNP
• Availability : Everyday
• Duration : Full Day
• Departure Time : 8 am
• Pick Up : Town Center / Airport
• Drop Off : Town Center / Airport
• Minimum Age : No Limit
• Minimum Pax : 2 Person

WHY CHOOSE US?

1. PRIVATE GUIDE

Our tour guide just for you! (No sharing of guide with other groups)

2. PRIVATE TRANSPORT

No sharing of transportation (Absolutely private tour just for you and your family )

All start time are estimated and for reference purposes only. Actual timing will be provided prior to your departure.

KINABALU PARK DAY TRIP WITH DESA FARM AND PORING HOTSPRING

Validity: 1 Jan 2022 – 31 Dec 2023 (MYR/Pax For All Market)

CHILD RATE:

1) Child rate applies for children between 3 – 11 years old. Rate charged according to number of adults in the group.

2) Children aged 12 years old and above consider as adult and full adult rate will be applied.

3) Infant below 3 years old is Free of Charge.

1) All rate are quoted in  Ringgit Malaysia & Nett  (No hidden cost unless otherwise stated)

2) All passports and visas must be valid at least  06 months  from the date of entry into the country destination

3) There is additional charges for hotel pick up outside the city:  MYR 30 per person for pick up from Beringgis Beach Resort, Langkah Syabas Beach Resort, Rasa Ria Resort, Karambunai Area, Kinarut Area etc.

PACKAGE DETAILS

Return Land Transfer

• Hotel > Places of Interest > Hotel (Private Transfer)

4 Places of Interest

• – Nabalu Handicraft Centre – Kinabalu Park – Poring Hot Spring – Treetop Canopy Walk – Desa Cattle Dairy Farm

One (1) Lunch Entrance Fee Guide

Air Fare Travel Insurance Camera Fees (If any) Others not stated

Insect Repellant Sun Block Lotion Plastic Bags For Your Wet Clothes Towel Personal Toiletries Sandal Bathing Suit For Soaking In Poring Hot Spring Sun hat/Sun glasses Warm Jacket

The weather at Kinabalu Park and Desa Cattle Dairy Farm will be slightly cold; you are advice to bring along your warm jacket.

For those who afraid of height, please take note. Treetop Canopy Walk is approximately 43 meters above the ground!

Not recommended to bring valuable items with you.

After commencement of tour service there will be no refund in part or full, will be made for unused service/activity.

Tour activities are subject to weather conditions, and may be re-organized to best meet operational situations.

The safe keeping of your personal belongings are at your own responsibility.

We strongly recommend that all guests take up adequate travel insurance that covers accident, loss caused by cancellations, loss of baggage, personal property, medical expenses, medical evacuation and weather disruption that caused any activity cancellations.

Borneo Calling shall be relieved of all its obligation and liabilities in the event and to the extent of its performance of this agreement is delay or prevented in whole or in part by any cause beyond its control, including without limiting to, act of God, change of laws, war, riot, strikes civil unrest, fire, flood, earthquake or explosion, sale, essential construction, to the property, epidemics as confirmed by the government of Malaysia or/and act of terrorism.

Pick up from your hotel lobby in Kota Kinabalu city at 0800hrs. Take approximately 1hour 15 minutes drive traversing the Crocker Range to Pekan Nabalu, a place that offers you a nice platform for perfect view of Mount Kinabalu. You can found rich variety of local fruits and produces here, selling by the local natives. Also, there is a unique wood souvenir shops nearby where you can shop for local crafts while enjoying the cool and refreshing air around you. Then, we will proceed to Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site – Kinabalu National Park. The Park boasts more than 5,000 vascular plant species and has no shortage of fauna as well, being home to some 90 lowland mammal species and many others. Proceed for a walk along the nature trails in the Botanical Garden before we heading for lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch, we will depart to another interesting spot – The Poring Hot Spring. Soak away the sores of your muscles in the spring’s hot sulphuric minerals, deemed to have healing properties and very popular among the locals. If you are not afraid of height, try the Treetop Canopy Walk, which will leads you to suspension bridges on top of the trees! Continue our journey to Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, offers one of the most amazing scenery one could envision. The main attraction here is the cattle farm, producing about 90000 liters of milk per year. Activities such as feeding the calves with bottled milk, feeding goats with grasses, as well as the milking process are available for all. Try the real fresh milk here and most important is the ice-cream made from fresh milk! The tour will end here and you will be transfer back to your hotel.

ABOUT KUNDASANG

Top Places to visit in Kundasang

Pekan Nabalu (Nabalu Handicraft Market) is where the people gather to sell their produce. From local snacks to fresh fruits, the locals proudly display their goods, enticing passersby with bargains. The best thing about the Handicraft Market is that you never know what piece of treasure you might unravel during your visit. Some have returned home with an authentic Sompoton (a traditional wind instrument), a Murut headhunter’s blowpipe, a coconut-shaped handbag and a wooden-frog that ‘sings’ when you stroke its back with a wooden stick.

Kinabalu Park  is Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site. Also the Centre of Plant Diversity for South East Asia, the Park boasts more than 5,000 vascular plant species and the Park has no shortage of fauna as well, being home to some 90 lowland mammal species and many others. The main attraction at the Park is none other than the majestic Mount Kinabalu, one of the highest mountains in South East Asia standing at 4095.2 metres. 

Poring Hot Springs  -situated 40 kilometers (25 miles) slightly northeast from the Kinabalu Parks HQ. Poring is located in the lowlands—a contrast to the Parks HQ. De-stress and soak away the sores and aches of your muscles in the spring’s hot sulphuric minerals, deemed to have healing properties and very popular among the locals.

Located at the foothill of Mount Kinabalu,  Desa Cattle Dairy Farm  offers one of the most amazing scenery one could envision. Often chosen as a wedding photography destination, with the majestic Mount Kinabalu overlooking beautiful green pastures, the scenery is breathtaking, not forgetting the cool breeze that Kundasang has to offer. There are activities such as feeding the calves with bottled milk, feeding goats with grass, how milk is processed as well as the milking process are available for all. 

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KINABALU NATIONAL PARK DAY TRIP

On this full day excursion from Kota Kinabalu, visit several points of interests in and around Kinabalu National Park. Explore the many trails at the base of the mountain, search for endemic birds, flowering orchids, and nepenthes. Visit a vegetable and fruit market in Kundasang, eat lunch in a local Dusun village, see a flowering rafflesia, and check out the canopy walk in Poring.

Picked up from your hotel in Kota Kinabalu at 8am after breakfast (on your own) for a 2 hours drive to the Kinabalu National Park area. The drive goes through different vegetation and elevation with beautiful views of the valley below. Stop at various lookout points along the way for a chance of photographing the majestic Mt Kinabalu from afar. Upon arrival, explore the trails around the base before proceeding to the markets in Kundasang. Enjoy lunch in a local village before going to Poring for the Canopy Walk. If there is a flowering rafflesia (entrance fee on your own), get a glimpse of this before returning to Kota Kinabalu in the evening.

Return land transfers from Kota Kinabalu, lunch and drinking water, Sticky Rice Travel nature guide, all entrance fees (except for Rafflesia Entrance).

Camera fees if applicable

What to Bring?

Mosquito repellent, sunscreen, light jacket, swimwear and change of clothes, towel, binocular, comfortable walking shoes.

Daily based on a minimum booking of 2pax per departure. Single supplement applies for solo travellers.

You will be accompanied by a Sticky Rice Travel nature guide who will be imparting information and local knowledge of the area’s flora and fauna. 

We can also accommodate private guide or specialist guide eg. Birding guide requests.

Please send us an email to [email protected] for enquiries or click “Book Now” to use our contact us form.​

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Kinabalu Park Day Trip

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0800 hours pick up at your hotel in Kota Kinabalu and proceed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinabalu Park. The journey to the park takes approximately two and a half hours. Along the way stop at Pekan Nabalu where a variety of local fruits, vegetables and handicrafts are sold. Arrive at the park around 1030 hours. Enjoy the refreshing cool air as you head to the botanical garden for a guided walk. The Kinabalu Park botanical garden has an impressive collection of mountain flora and showcases some of the many species of plants that can be found within the park. On a clear day you can see the 4,095 metre peak of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia and one of the highest peaks in South East Asia.  Enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant outside the park.  Return to Kota Kinabalu, arriving around 1700 hours.

Transportation, entrance fees, 1 Lunch and English speaking guide on tour.

Soft drinks, juices & alcoholic beverages, camera fee (RM 10 each) and video camera (RM 30 each).

2 adults per order

These tours operate on the principle that you may be in a small group of other people.

Interested in this tour? For more information on this tour and our other tours contact us

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Kinabalu Park Day Trip

A visit to Kinabalu Park provides a chance to ‘escape’ the city of Kota Kinabalu and spend time at a cooler altitude as you visit the stunning Kinabalu National Park. We offer our day tour to Kinabalu Park as a private trip, so we can tailor your tour itinerary to help you get the most from your day – from joining guided walks along the trails within Kinabalu Park (a great choice for nature lovers), or learning more about the history and culture of Sabah with visits to Kundasang War Memorial and Kundasang Market. A private Kinabalu Park tour at a great value price.

Note –  The price shown above is per person based on a booking of 10 people. The minimum booking is 4 people. 

Prices are valid for trips up to the 31st December 2024.

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Kinabalu Park – A Day of Mountain Views and Stunning Forests to Explore in Sabah, Borneo

Join a Kinabalu Park tour to get a glimpse of the flora and fauna that make Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia so special. This private Kinabalu Park day tour is a great choice for enjoying the mountain scenery, joining guided walks along trails through the forest in Kinabalu Park Headquarters, and seeing some of the beautiful endemic flowers of Sabah, Borneo.

Kinabalu Park was established as one of the first national parks of Malaysia in 1964, is Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO in December 2000 for its “outstanding universal values” and is an important biological site in the world with more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna, including 326 bird and around 100 mammal species. Kinabalu Park, Sabah, has a changing climate that supports rainforest plants in the lower regions. Then, as you ascend, you are able to experience different types of plants, from coniferous forests to alpine-type plants near the summit of Mount Kinabalu.

The Kinabalu Park tour starts with a collection from your hotel in central Kota Kinabalu. On your journey to Kinabalu Park, you’ll have a short stop at Nabalu Market before arriving at Kinabalu National Park Headquarters. Once at Kinabalu Park you will join a guided walk along the Silau Silau trail as your Nature Guide helps you to see some of the fauna and flora found along this trail, followed by a visit to the Botanical Garden. The Botanical Garden (or Mountain Garden) is home to a wide variety of orchids boasting 1500 species, as well as rare species of plants and endemics.

Get close to Nature – Kinabalu Park Tour, Sabah, Malaysia

After lunch, you will have two options to choose from depending on what interests you the most:-

• Option 1—For those interested in experiencing more of Kinabalu Park’s beautiful scenery, you can join another guided walk along a different trail. This will give you the chance to experience more of the sights and sounds of the beautiful forest found in Kinabalu Park Headquarters.
• Option 2—Alternatively, for those wanting to learn more about the history and culture of Sabah, you can visit the Kundasang War Memorial (which is dedicated to the soldiers who died during the ‘death marches’ to Ranau during World War 2) and Kundasang local market to learn about the local foods and the Dusun people who call the mountains their home.

If you want to visit Kundasang and Desa Cattle Farm, then check out our Kundasang Trips .

Trip Itinerary – Kinabalu Park Tour, Sabah, Malaysia

8:00 hrs: Pick up from your hotel in central Kota Kinabalu and start your ~ 2-hour drive to Kinabalu Park Headquarters, passing along mountainous roads that wind over the Crocker Mountain range.

9:45 hrs: Stop on the way at the Mountain View Point, where you can take a photo of the mighty Mount Kinabalu. There’ll also be a chance for a toilet break, a short visit to the Nabalu Market, and witnessing the local Handicraft skills of the Dusun community.

10:45 hrs: Arrival at Kinabalu Park Headquarters. You’ll notice the change in temperature due to the change in altitude with Kinabalu Park Headquarters at 1563m asl. Join a guided walk along the Silau Silau trail – the so-called “yellow” trail. Listen to the chirping of birds and learn more about the plants and animal life you come across on the trail. Next, you’ll visit the Botanical Garden and learn more about the amazing variety of orchid species found within Kinabalu Park, with hopefully some of them flowering for that perfect photo opportunity.

12:30 hrs: Time for lunch. You’ll be transferred to the nearby Cottage Hotel for a set lunch offering a selection of local dishes. Make the most of your lunch break to rest your feet.

After lunch you can choose between two options for your afternoon activities for your Kinabalu Park tour:-

OPTION A – More Trails in Kinabalu Park

14:00 hrs: Return to Kinabalu Park for a guided walk along the Bundu Tuhan View Trail. This trail is around 460 meters, a ~ 30 – 45 minute walk, with a good opportunity to experience the tropical rainforests. The plants which can thrive in rainforests are wild orchids, and the presence of butterflies, dragonflies, and rare insects is typical. On a clear day, it offers a view of a nearby Kadazan Dusun village, Bundu Tuhan which makes hikers choose this trail as one of the top 3 trails of Kinabalu Park.

15:00 hrs: Take the last walk near the Park Headquarters, where the mountain climbers usually descend at this time. Wind up through the gardens of the Mountain View trail for the last glimpse of plant life.

OPTION B – History & Culture

14:00 hrs: Transfer to the historical Kundasang War Memorial and learn stories of the brave heroes of the past during the Death March. The Kundasang War Memorial is dedicated to the British and Australian soldiers who died in the Sandakan POW camp during their death marches to Ranau. The memorial is divided into four interconnecting continuous areas connected by a trail – the Australian Garden, the English Rose Garden, the Borneo Garden with wildflowers of Mount Kinabalu and the Contemplation Garden. The first three gardens represent the home countries of the victims.

14:30 hrs: Visit Kundasang market, a thriving community market where the locals come to sell their local produce. It will not only be an opportunity to come across local produce like bambangan, tuhau, wild honey and fruits but also discover the culture of the Dusun people who live in these mountainous highlands.

15:00 hrs: Transfer to Kinabalu Park area and have a last walk near the headquarters where the mountain climbers usually descend at this time. Wind up through the gardens of Mountain View trail for the last glimpse of plant life.

15:30 hrs: For both options, you will start your journey back to Kota Kinabalu. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery as you make your way back across the Crocker mountain range towards the west coast of Sabah.

17:30 – 18:00 hrs: You will arrive back at your hotel (the exact return time depends on traffic).

Trip Pre-requisites

There are a minimum of 2 persons per booking. This trip is suitable for all. Please note that there is a ~ 2 – 2.5 hour coach transfer per way, so it is not suitable for you if you want to avoid long coach journeys.

Trip Inclusions

• Return road transfers in a private minibus.
• Entrance fees for Kinabalu Park Headquarters, Botanical Garden and Kundasang War Memorial.
• Lunch – typically a set meal with a selection of local dishes.
• Private guiding is provided by an English-speaking licensed nature guide.
• 0% Sales & Service Tax on the tour price as applicable from 6th May 2019.

Trip Exclusions

• RM5 fee per camera and RM30 fee per video camera Kinabalu Park Headquarters.
• Visits to other locations near Kinabalu Park are not included in the above itinerary.
• Purchases at Kundasang market.

Recommended Packing List For The Trip – Kinabalu Park Tour

Binoculars, insect repellent, long sleeve shirts & long pants, raincoat, sun hat and sun protection cream, comfortable walking shoes, water bottle (for the minibus/coach transfers, and for on the trails), camera, day rucksack for use on the trails, dry bag (to keep items in your rucksack dry), spending money if you choose to visit Kundasang Market. For the trails in Kinabalu Park, it is important to wear good walking shoes (with a good grip; please note your footwear will get wet on the trails) and have a jacket with a hood/ windbreaker in your rucksack just in case it rains.

Notes – Kinabalu Park Tour, Sabah, Malaysia

The Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs tour price is valid for trips up to 31st December 2023.

1 review for Kinabalu Park Day Trip

WickedGav, AU (TripAdvisor) – 11/06/2018

2 fun days – I booked two trips with Borneo Dream. First one the KK park & Poring hot spring and the second the Kilas wetland river cruise to spot the proboscis monkeys. I contacted the operator via email and Leia got back to me pretty much right away. She was very professional and answered all my concerns. I was a bit iffy about large groups so I had put my concerns forwarded to a few other major operators. One operator literally told me to look elsewhere. On the other hand, Leia was really patient with me and addressed all my concerns. Simply put, she made me feel welcomed. So I went ahead and booked my two trips with her. Upon arrival in KK, I was invited to the office prior to my trips to a “meet and greet” which was really a nice touch. I got to ask a bit more questions and got all the details right. I was really happy that both tours were with a small group. The first day about 8 people and the second about 6. Both guides were fantastic and knowledgeable. Drivers were really great too. Got to do a lot and saw a lot and I will definitely recommend this operator.

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Kota Kinabalu tours

Most watersports trips depart from Jesselton Point Jetty (https://g.page/JesseltonPoint) in central Kota Kinabalu. If you are staying at a city centre hotel or guest house you will often find it far quicker to walk to Jesselton Point. If you are staying at hotels or resorts such as Shangri-La Rasa Ria or Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa then I would certainly grab a taxi.

The Kota Kinabalu International Airport KKIA (airport code BKI) is located to the south of the city and is 8.5 kilometres from the city centre. This journey can be easily done by private car, taxi or shuttle bus. A taxi will charge around RM 30 each way for a pre-booked taxi. Arrivals are on the lower level with departures on the upper level. At busy times allow 30 minutes from the city centre to the airport.

Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is the starting point for most holidays to Sabah. From Kota Kinabalu, most visitors go to explore other parts of Sabah whether it be on a tour from Kota Kinabalu (to go rafting, biking,  climbing Mount Kinabalu  etc.), or via a short internal flight to visit other parts of Sabah like the  Kinabatangan River  or  Danum Valley . If you have a couple of days free in Kota Kinabalu during your holiday then there is surprisingly quite a bit you can do and see on your doorstep.

On the first day, you can explore the city with its many attractions. At the start of the day visit the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site, a bird sanctuary close to the city centre. You could then choose to walk up Signal Hill to enjoy views out over the City from Signal Hill observatory platform, visit the Sabah State Museum for a walk through Sabah’s history or explore the handicraft market located on the waterfront. Visit the Atkinson Clock Tower, the oldest building in Kota Kinabalu, or one of the famous Mosques in Kota Kinabalu – Kota Kinabalu City Mosque (‘Floating Mosque’) or the State Mosque. Later in the day watch the sunset from Tanjung Aru Beach before heading back into the city centre for a spot of early evening shopping. Finally, choose from one of the many local cafes and restaurants for a tasty meal to end the day. 

For your second day visit the local islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The Marine Park is located in front of Kota Kinabalu and easily accessible via a boat transfer from Jesselton Point Jetty. You can choose to join an organised day tour to help you get the most from your visit to the Marine Park whether it be a  Snorkeling Trip  or going  scuba diving  to explore the tropical waters. You could also choose to visit the islands independently via an island transfer service and chill out on one of the public beaches on the islands in the Marine Park. Sun, tropical sea, sand – a perfect way to spend a second day in Kota Kinabalu.

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Gaya Street Maybank & 9 Banks Photo Spot Walking Tour

2d1n kinabalu park & poring canopy walk & desa cow farm tour, fun boat snorkeling + island visit, north borneo cruises - sunset dinner cruise, “top of the world” sunrise leisure hike (st veronica’s hill), 1 day kinabalu crocker range trek (maragang hill - 2,232m), kundasang highlight leisure family tour, north borneo cruises - kk city waterfront night cruise, kinabalu park with rumah terbalik & desa cow farm, 3d2n sabah highland wonders: kinabalu park, desa cow farm, poring hot springs & sabah tea garden, 2d1n kinabalu park & poring hot spring & sabah tea garden tour, kinabalu park & poring canopy walk tour, kinabalu park with desa cow farm & sunset dinner cruise, white water rafting - kiulu (grade 1-2), white water rafting - padas (grade 3-4), seatango sunset cruise, kudat - the northern tip of borneo, "the little kinabatangan" - proboscis monkey & fireflies river cruise, scuba diving adventure (for cert diver), discover scuba diving (for non-cert diver), seatango's ballroom - a newly discovered dive site in sabah, klias wildlife safari river cruise - proboscis monkey & fireflies, mari mari cultural village tour, 2d1n kudat - rungus long house stay, kundasang atv & desa cow farm adventure, kota kinabalu city day tour & filipino market shopping, kota kinabalu city night tour with seafood dinner (private tour), 1 day borneo jungle trek with mahua waterfall (mount alab - 2,050m), beautiful twin islands hopping, pulau tiga - survivor island day trip, mantanani snorkeling day trip, north borneo heritage train, cycling - kota kinabalu city easy ride, cycling - kiulu countryside fun ride (beginner), cycling - kiulu countryside ride (intermediate), sandakan - sepilok orang utan centre, sandakan - sepilok orang utan centre & labuk bay, sandakan - gomantong cave & kinabatangan river cruise, kawa kawa river cruise - wildlife & fireflies, 4d3n kota kinabalu & kundasang highlights with north borneo cruises - family package f, 6d5n kota kinabalu & kundasang highlights with 5-star sipadan kapalai dive resort stay, 5d4n best of kota kinabalu with 5-star island resort stay, desa cattle dairy farm (admission ticket), sabah seafood dinner & handcrafted pottery workshop (evening session), kinabalu park & kundasang highlights (private tour), 2d1n kinabalu park, desa cow farm tour & kundasang tour, monsopiad cultural village tour - home of the headhunters, mount kinabalu shuttle transfers (kinabalu park), tambunan rafflesia centre & kipandi butterfly park & mahua waterfall, 2d1n pulau tiga - survivor island explorer, amazing borneo race- a fun race in kota kinabalu city, jsk borneo reef pontoon day trip, mantanani overnight - jsk mantanani resort, kota kinabalu airport transfers, kota kinabalu van & bus charter.

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Time Travel Bee

7 one day tours from Kota Kinabalu you should take 15

As capital of Sabah is not really a spectacular city most of the visitors look for one day tours from Kota Kinabalu to see the nearest attractions. First of all, there are several balmy islands just a short boat ride from Kota Kinabalu. Perfect beaches and snorkeling conditions as the marine life there is incredible. Moreover, other one day tours from Kota Kinabalu will take you to watch Proboscis Monkeys, unique for Borneo Island as well as stunning spectacle of fireflies. Not far from Kota Kinabalu stands the highest pick of Borneo, surrounded by a lush green national park, famous for leisure activities.

The most interesting one day tours from Kota Kinabalu

I went for a few tours from Kota Kinabalu as I stayed there for a while and didn’t really like the city. I have proposition of 7 one day tours from Kota Kinabalu. I will describe them with details and give you an idea of the itinerary and practicals. I hope you will find the perfect choice for yourself!

1. Pulau Tiga – Survivor Island

Pulau Tiga one day tour is not the most popular island hopping tour from Kota Kinabalu, but it was definitely my favorite. It’s also called Survivor Island because the TV show “Survivor” shoot there the very first edition. This pristine paradise islands prove that Sabah is definitely worth visiting .

National Park Pulau Tiga consists of three islands: Pulau Tiga is the biggest one; Pulau Kalampunian Besar is the Sand Spit Island which is basically white sand and pristine waters; Snake Island is the Pulau Kalampunian Damit, very rocky and snakes like to hide in there.

View from Sand Spit Island towards the Snake Island

Blue waters and coral reef perfect for snorkeling surround Pulau Tiga. There are plenty of naughty monkeys stealing iPhones and monitor lizards coming up close to get some food. Even though it’s forbidden to feed wildlife, they already got spoiled by the food left by humans. Island is also famous for the lush green forest where you can do a jungle trek during the trip.

The highlight of the whole Pulau Tiga one day tour is the volcanic mud bath which was so much fun! There are 3 mud volcanoes on Pulau Tiga with unique in Sabah geology features. Don’t miss that! There are showers, so don’t worry that you will be coming back dirty. Let me tell you the whole itinerary for Pulau Tiga one day tour, and you will want to go there straight away!

Monitor Lizard

Pulau Tiga one day tour itinerary

The pick up time is between 7 30 and 8 am so that everyone can reach the Jesselton Jetty at 8 am. To Pulau Tiga you will need one hour from Kota Kinabalu, or even more if the waves are big and the boat has to go slowly. At first we arrived to the Snake Island and went to search for snakes. We found one sleeping under the stone.

Snake Island

Snake Island is rocky and tiny, so we quickly moved to the next point: The Sand Spit Island. This one was like out of the movie with the turquoise waters and fish swimming in it. I loved the walk on the white sand to reach the end of the island and see view of the Snake Island from there.

The best thing is that you can actually sit just rising your legs and the mud is lifting you up. Such a weird feeling! Almost like I was floating on the Dead Sea in Israel. There are some ropes inside, so you can pull them to move faster or perform some crazy movements in the mud. Going out is another story, because you are slippery like a fish and there is 1 kg of mud in your pants. It took a bunch of laughters to take everybody out of the mud and still, some people accidentally slipped in again. LOL! 😀

Pulau Tiga one day tour practical tips

You may want to hike some paths on the island as Pulau Tiga is famous for the real, exotic jungle . You will have some free time after lunch when you can either relax on the beach or take your time for hiking and mud bath. The hike around the island takes 6 hours, so you cannot do it during the Pulau Tiga day tour, but it’s possible to do a short trek while you are there.

The boat is small, so it was quite an adventure to go on the bumpy waves, much better then any luna park I have been because real and more scary. If you are sea sick, sit on the back of the boat. The crew will take a good care of you and entertain you until you start laughing again.

Overall, I can highly recommend Pulau Tiga one day tour as it was lots of fun and beautiful nature as well as marine life. After visiting the Philippines , I thought I won’t find such stunning lagoons and paradise beaches here, in Borneo. How much I was wrong! Pulau Tiga is definitely the highlight of Kota Kinabalu tours. All with 1 Tour Adventure agency which helped me to organise everything. If you are looking to see their offer, check the website directly. Price for Pulau Tiga Tour ~ 80$.

2. Snorkeling tour to Mengalum Island

Day tour to Mengalum Island is a typical snorkeling tour where you get nearly two hours to admire the underwater life. Those who want to enjoy the beach and get some tan surely won’t get disappointed too. There are also hammocks to relax under the palm trees and plenty of free time to walk around the place.

Shades of blue on Mangalum Island

Day tour to Mengalum Island starts at 8 am at the Sutera Harbour Jetty in Kota KInabalu. There will be a van to pick you up from the hotel or you can get there by yourself. After one hour and 15 minutes we arrived to paradise. The place is well-prepared with facilities for lots of tourists coming every day, where almost all are from China. There are toilets and showers as well as buffet restaurant where we had lunch.

Snorkeling activity takes place shortly after arrival but everyone has time to change clothes. The boat took us nearby the island on the coral reef. We put masks and life jackets on and hopped into the water to witness all the colors of fish possible. The water is shallow, and the corals are rich in colors and shapes which surely made it one of the best spots for snorkeling I have seen.

Mengalum Island is abundant in groupers, snappers, mackerels and other reef fishes, with a majority of hard corals, such as stag-horn corals, lettuce coral and table corals. You can spot clownfishes and butterfly fishes while swimming around the flourishing corals. After around 45 minutes we moved to another place and swam for another 40 min.

Lunch was a buffet with lots of vegetables, seafood and meat. After that we had free time to take pictures and enjoy the beach or just sleep in the hammock. We were ready to go back at around 2 30 and arrived back at the jetty in Kota Kinabalu at 4 o’clock. The trip costs ~ 80$.

Shade of the palm trees on Mangalum Island

Mass tourism on Mengalum Island

According to the itinerary, there is a welcome drink after arrival to the Mengalum Island. Nevertheless, it was far from what I imagined. The crowd of tourists moved from the boats and in the end of the jetty everyone could get a cup of tea. The cups were from non-recyclable styrofoam with just two sips of tea poured in it. Next to it a huge rubbish bin full of the empty cups. This is one of the fastest and silliest waste created on my eyes. At the same time, so easy to change if anybody would be aware of the responsible tourism practices .

The restaurant was huge, ready to serve hundreds of tourists. And as 99% of them are Chinese, the place was well prepared for shooting photos – swing on the beach, frame, hammock, signs to take pics with and so on. Nobody cared to take a walk for 200 meters, where the beach was already empty or swim in the pristine waters as the photos were more important. Well, on the other hand, good for me becuase I had the beach for myself.

In sum, Mengalum Island is absolutely stunning, but mass tourism just took the cherry from the top for me. I am sorry to say that, but there are just so many Chinese tourists in Kota Kinabalu and the nearby paradise islands are loosing their charm. Mengalum Island is not the only one soaked with mass tourism from China. Gaya Island, Manukan or Sapi, which I describe next are super touristic too.

3. Manukan & Sapi – the Twin Islands

4. Kawa Kawa river cruise & Fireflies watching

After we arrived to Kawa Kawa river we went for a cruise for around 30 min. We saw few proboscis monkeys on the top of a tree. Even from the far I could see their big nose and belly. We came back to have a buffet dinner and shortly after that we went to catch up the sunset on the beach. We went back to Kawa Kawa river to take a boat for the final point of the tour – the fireflies watching. They were so many cute little insects on the trees, so they even came through our boat with their blinking light. They attract their partners in this way and gather around the blooming mangrove trees. We came back to Kota Kinabalu around 9 pm. Price for Kawa Kawa Tour ~ 56 $.

5. Mari Mari Village

Mari Mari Village Museum consists of few long houses. Each one depicts a different region and will display various clothes and traditions. The guests not only watch but also have a chance to participate, which makes this experience great fun for the whole family. Apart from the blow-pipe you will witness a unique method of cutting tree barks for making traditional warrior vests. If you are adventurous, you can try traditional trampoline-like floor located in one of the tribe houses. Moreover, you will see the performance of ethnic dance, the ancient ‘Magunatip’ bamboo-dance belonging to the Murut Tribe. Lastly, you will have a buffet meal with local cuisine and return to the hotel. Mari Mari village trip price ~ 45 $ (for half day).

6. Kinabalu National Park

Kinabalu Park is full of attractions, from which apart form hiking trails, the most popular are hot spring and waterfalls. Definitely, you don’t have to be a hiker to enjoy the national park as it’s simply for nature lovers. There is also a lovely tea plantation and plenty of spots with a view on majestic Mount Kinabalu. Read more in my post on what to see in Kinabalu Park . Price for one day tour ~ 40$.

7. Old colonial train

The oldest steam locomotive of Borneo was transporting tobacco during English colony times. Now transports locals to the nearest towns and gives tourists the opportunity to experience the old vintage train ride. The North Borneo railway goes from Kota Kinabalu to Papar – town famous for its rice fields. It’s the only railway track in Sabah since 1896 which runs a 134km line. The tour includes breakfast and lunch in the steam train and pick up/drop off from the hotel. The engine runs on wood burning, which is very old, but more environment friendly type of steam. The passengers can enjoy lush green countryside and feel the romantic atmosphere of the past colonial era of British North Borneo.

Passengers board the train at Tanjung Aru Station which is also near the most beautiful beach in Kota Kinabalu. The train goes through picturesque countryside and near the coast of South Chine Sea. It passes through Kinarut,  a traditional trading village and Kawang, home to Kawang Forest Reserve. Finally, the train arrives in Papar where passengers have opportunity to see paddy rice fields and go to the traditional market. After the passengers come back to Tanjung Aru Train Station and get a transfer to their hotels. Price ~ 100$.

PL Pszczoła kocha przyrodę, kwiaty oraz herbatę. Najbardziej sprawia jej przyjemność życie i podróże w rytmie slow, bez pośpiechu. Stara się podróżować bardziej ekologicznie i inspirować do tego innych. Lubi poznawać inne kultury, tradycje, spędzać czas z lokalnymi i kosztować ich przysmaków. Jej ulubione miejsca w każdej podróży to uliczne bazary.

ENG The Bee is a nature lover and tea addict. Loves the idea of slow life and responsible traveling, constantly trying to improve to bee more eco-friendly. Appreciates old cultures and traditions, loves to immerse with locals, listen to ethnic music as well as taste regional food and drinks. Her favorite spots while traveling are family houses and street markets.

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15 thoughts on “ 7 one day tours from Kota Kinabalu you should take ”

Omg what a beautiful place in Malaysia! I only been to the city and hope to visit this place too. That komodo dragon looks so proud 🙂

Oh wow! I bet your skin felt so nice after you put that mud on?

Yeah it was super soft but also dry

Pulau Tiga is such a beautiful place. I am planning to explore Bali for so long but the plan is not turning out to be great. When I finalize my trip, Pulau Tiga and Kota Kinabalu will surely be added in my itinerary.

Beautiful beach! And that mud bath! That sounds really fun! We had a mud bath like that but it was in a cave. Hehehe!

I would love to visit Pulau Tiga and Mount Kinabalu. Trekking would be an amazing experience to this peak. I think twin island is also a great place to relax.

All the day trips look spectacular and I have to agree, although Pulau Tiga may not be a popular one, it looks pretty awesome and I would love it if it is that remote. Also, firefly watching in Kawa Kawa River sounds great. I did something similar in The Philippines and it was amazing. I do see a little bit of similarity in Borneo and the Philippines in terms of the scenery. Love it!

Pulau Tiga looks incredible, I’d love to visit there. I really appreciate the heads up on the bumpy boat ride as well. I recently returned from a visit to the Rosario islands near Cartagena, Colombia. The boat ride was pretty rough and it scared the crap out of me! It seems these rough boat rides happen in the most beautiful of places though. It makes the scary experience totally worth it.

These all sound such great options for day trips during a trip to Malaysia! I’ve not been to Malaysia yet but it’s on our bucket list and this post will really help with planning our travel. I am so curious about the fireflies tour and would love to include that on our list of things to do in Malaysia – my kids would love this kind of tour. Thanks for sharing all the great information!

If you will be going there with kids, fireflies tour as well as the cultural village would be the best ideas, as they are meant for a family experience.

All these suggestions are amazing. I haven’t heard of any of these places before, but now they definitely have my attention. Thanks for sharing!

I did not know there are so many options to head to from Kota Kinabalu in one day and explore. Pulau Tiga seems fun, Mengalum island looks pristine, Manukan and Sapi as well, and finally the beautiful river cruise and the village along with the antique colonial train – it will make a wonderful vacation in Kota Kinabalu.

Taking day trips from Kota Kinabalu to watch exotic wildlife must be very interesting. Also to look out fireflies is a great thing to do during Kawa kawa river cruise.

Czytam i jeśli chodzi o Chińczyków to jest tak jakbym samą siebie czytała w opisach moich podróży. Mam identyczne odczucia i spostrzeżenia. Oni zniszczą całą przyrodę tego świata i co najgorsze pełno ich wszędzie.

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Trek mt kinabalu, real borneo (6 destinations), classic borneo (including sepilok), borneo & the malaysian peninsula, mount kinabalu trek 3d/2n, customized private malaysia borneo wildlife tour, daily departure, malaysia sabah eco: kinabatangan river & wildlife (semi private custom), borneo family wildlife adventure, wild borneo.

“Great wildlife to see, friendly staff in the lodges, plentiful food, rustic but nice accommodation.” Victoria Louse Ellis, traveled in August 2013

• Christmas & New Year
• Explore Gomantung Cave's vast limestone
• Trek through lush jungles near Bilit
• Watch orangutans at Sepilok Rehabilitation

“Getting to the top of that mountain was definitely a big achievement!” Stephanie Schwab, traveled in June 2022

• Hiking & Trekking
• Mountain Hikes
• Meet your CEO and group upon arrival
• Catch sunrise from the summit of Mt Kinabalu
• Explore trails at the base of Mt Kinabalu

“Includes jungle stay where we went spotlighting wildlife at night, slept in a tree house, and planted trees.” claire, traveled in November 2015

• Get hot and sweaty climbing up Mount Kinabalu then cool off in hot springs
• Bar hop through Kota Kinabalu on a leader-led celebratory adventure
• Try not to indulge in too much ikan panggang (stingray – a local delicacy)

• Cruise the Kinabatangan River
• Visit Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
• Discover Gomantong Cave's biodiversity

“Great sights, great food, and cultural immersion in distinct cities make for an unforgettable experience.” Philip Tan, traveled in April 2023

• In-depth Cultural
• Walk through historic Malacca
• Cruise along the Kinabatangan River
• Explore Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary

“Everything was taken care of, so it went very smooth.” Latrice Jones, traveled in February 2020

• Enjoy dinner with mountain views
• Check-in at Kinabalu Park Hostel
• Trek through diverse vegetation zones

• Relax at Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort
• Explore Kinabalu Park's diverse ecosystems
• Feed Orangutans at Sepilok Rehabilitation

• Participate in an Orangutan Talk session
• Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
• Enjoy a candlelit dinner at Sukau Rainforest Lodge

“Rounding a bend in the Kinabatangan river to come across a whole herd of pygmy elephants, including mothers with their calves and all within a few feet from our boats.” Gareth Cook, traveled in June 2011

• Explore Kinabalu National Park
• Visit a tea plantation
• Go on a snorkelling trip

• Sightseeing
• Visit the northern tip of Borneo and its beaches
• Observe orangutans at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre
• Trek through Kinabalu National Park's unique flora

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Mount kinabalu hiking and training guide: insights and tips from a first time climber, i climbed mount kinabalu (gunung kinabalu) for the first time – here’s how it went..

2-3 September 2024

Sabah, Malaysia

About Mount Kinabalu

• How to hike/ climb Mount Kinabalu
• How I trained/ prepared for Mount Kinabalu
• What to pack

The climb up Mount Kinabalu

• Climb timestamps

After years of setting this intention, I finally achieved my goal and dream of climbing Mount Kinabalu. Never would I have imagined loving and enjoying the entire journey and being with the mountain. So much so, I made a promise to return again soon in 2025. 

This journey from planning, training to summiting taught me invaluable lessons about life and myself. I’ll share that all in another post.

Mount Kinabalu, located in the Malaysian state of Sabah on the island of Borneo, is the highest peak in Southeast Asia, standing at 4,095 metres (13,435 feet) above sea level. Mount Kinabalu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the 20th most prominent mountain in the world by topographic prominence .

Fun fact: In 1997, a re-survey using satellite technology established its summit (known as Low’s Peak) height at 4,095 m (13,435 ft) above sea level, which is some 6 m (20 ft) less than the previously thought and hitherto published figure of 4,101 m (13,455 ft). [1]

The mountain is a granitic massif with a dramatic peak that rises above the surrounding cloud forests. It is part of the Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and renowned for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems. 

The geographic makeup of Mount Kinabalu features a dramatic granite massif, characterised by steep slopes, rugged terrain, and a series of distinct climatic zones ranging from tropical lowland forests to alpine meadows. 

The mountain’s summit, known as Low’s Peak , is often shrouded in clouds and offers breathtaking panoramic views. The diverse flora and fauna found on its slopes include numerous endemic species, making it a significant site for ecological research and conservation.

How to hike / climb Mount Kinabalu

There is no real “climb” in a technical sense to summit Mount Kinabalu. If you have a relatively good fitness level with good weather conditions to your favour, you should be able to reach the summit without too many difficulties. 

By no means am I experienced enough to call myself a hiker, trekker or climber, in fact this was the highest I’d ever been in terms of altitude. However, I did give myself 30 days of training (with a lot of discipline) and have been relatively fit (as in not obese, and regularly strength train) for the last year.

The first thing to know is that one cannot simply rock up unannounced (or unpermitted) to climb Mount Kinabalu. Anyone that decides to hike and climb Mount Kinabalu must be registered and have a permit to summit with Sabah Parks. This can be done through many third-party tour operators like Borneo Calling or Amazing Borneo , where the experience will be bundled up at an extra fee.

If you just want a one-stop shop to make your Mount Kinabalu climb booking easy and fuss-free, then going with these operators will be the best option for you (it was for me). Just be prepared to pay a lot more for your entire climb experience.

Alternatively, you can also opt to book directly with Sabah Parks which will incur a significantly less cost. Here is a screenshot from a fellow hiker on IG.

While Mount Kinabalu climb packages can range from 2D/1N to up to 4D/3N depending on your tour operators and travel desires, the climb itself takes only 2 days with 1 overnight stay in Panalaban – this overnighter is mandatory. So, the extra days of these packages include additional sightseeing at the neighbouring towns Kundasang and/or Ranau the days prior to your climb. All climb packages will include a Mountain Guide with you (or your group) – this too, is mandatory to ensure the safety of all climbers.

1-Day climb permits used to be available however this option has been removed and is no longer available since September 2015. 

The most important thing to know and note when thinking about climbing Mount Kinabalu is that it can be a game of chance: 1) your climb date/ slot is not guaranteed until booking confirmation, and 2) your summit is not guaranteed. 

Firstly, only ~150 climb slots are available daily which means you may not get your desired climb date, and you will have to plan your trip in advance before booking your flights. 

Secondly, there is never going to be a 100% guarantee of summiting Low’s Peak. The second day summit ascent is subject to the weather for everyone’s safety. Too wet or heavy thunderstorms, and day 2 (summit day) will be cancelled. No refunds or reschedules will be provided and you’ll basically have to enjoy your stay at Panalaban before making your descent back towards Timpohon Gate.

Sabah Parks (Malay: Taman-Taman Sabah) is a conservation-based statutory body established in 1964 with the purpose of conserving the scenic, scientific and historic heritage of the state of Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo.

Training preparation for Mount Kinabalu

Not necessary but highly, highly recommended. It goes without saying that if you are reasonably unfit, and struggle to walk up a flight of stairs, you should definitely train for the hike and give yourself more time beforehand to train.

Climbing Mount Kinabalu is not actually a climb. There are no harnesses, crampons, carabiners or other mountaineering gear involved. The only thing remotely close to a tool will probably be your hiking or trekking poles. That’s it. 

So what’s it like climbing Mount Kinabalu? Majority of the journey is really a series of relentless stairs – some terrain carved into the earth, and some literal staircases built and maintained by Sabah Parks Authority. There are some non-stairs sections of the hike, but generally, you’ll be walking upwards a lot (which means you will be walking down too). 

Which makes sense because there’s only one way to get up to 4,095 meters above sea level in 8.5km – and that’s by walking up pretty steep stairs. The push to the summit on the granite can be extra challenging due to the altitude as well. The higher up you go, the thinner the air gets. This means breathing in the same way as you would on lower altitude will feel more difficult and take more effort.

All in all, while there are no special training techniques required to climb Mount Kinabalu, putting in the effort definitely will increase your chances of a successful summit plus a less sore or painful few days after your climb.

Here’s my 30-day training plan in preparation for climbing Mount Kinabalu.

I decided to climb on a whim granted if I got a climb slot. It was all meant to be because I got one, and then was left with 30 days to prepare my body for it.

• Stairmill/ Power mill/ Stepper walk for 60 minutes as many times in a week as I can with my heart rate in Zone 1 and 2 – objective is to train my endurance and condition my legs (and generally, body) to the motion of stepping up. I also carried a 5-8kg backpack doing this. In week 3, I’d built up to 60 minutes on stairmill plus 30 minutes on treadmill, always with a weighted backpack. 
• Lower body strength training – this was already part of my usual fitness routine. I continued with this as much as I could for the first 2.5 weeks. Increased load for leg presses, bulgarian split squats, squats, and hip thrusters for that glute power.
• Upper body strength training – this was also part of my usual fitness routine. I toned it down a little but did not give it up entirely as I knew I still needed a strong upper body (shoulders and back) as I was intending to carry my own pack.
• Step-ups with proper technique focused on using the glutes
• Step-downs (this was one of the best)
• Side lunges
• Ankle stability on BOSU balls
• Treadmill walks at maximum incline for 60 minutes – I would sneak this in on days I couldn’t deal with the stairmill or if the equipment was occupied. 
• True hike outdoors – I made it a point to hike outdoors once a week in an area that would most likely be similar terrain as Mount Kinabalu (so stairs up and down even though elevation is only 160 metres but you take what you can get) with my backpack and headlamp. I’d start out before sunrise so I can experience and get used to using my headlamp while carrying a load of what I anticipated would be my backpack weight on Mount Kinabalu. I started with a 4 km at 1.5 hours hike + 5kg backpack and then progressed to 10 km at 3.5 hours hike + 7.kg backpack on my “taper” week.

Note: I only ever “hog” the cardio machines for 60 minutes during off-peak hours.

Sounds like a lot? I think so but not unreasonable. At no point during my 30 days did I feel burdened by it. It was a short amount of time investment and I simply just made time to do all of these things because they were important to me. 

I did have to ‘let go’ of some other activities and be stricter with how I was utilising my time and spending my days but in the end it paid off and it was all worth it.

There was also a stretch of 4 days where I did completely nothing (just my regular morning myofascial roll and release activities) because I was under the weather.

By no means am I a fitness trainer or have any business saying my training program works… but I ascended and descended Mount Kinabalu in decent time (without rushing), and most importantly with no terrible soreness, aches or pains and could still walk up and down stairs the days following my climb.  

Just saying, I felt pretty damn good – before, during, and after – and on top of reaching Low’s Peak, this was another big win for me.

What you’ll need for Mount Kinabalu

For a 2D/1N stay package by a tour operator, which with all things considered is pretty cushy, you don’t need a lot of things. Nevertheless, you will be subjected to the elements and it’s always important to be prepared for the worst. 

When booking your climb slot, you will receive a couple of briefing documents which will include a checklist of required and optional items to bring with you. 

Outside of these, you may want to consider the following:

• Electrolytes
• Energy bars/ gels
• Heat pads/ Pocket warmers
• Pain relief patch (like Salonpas or Tigerbalm)
• Paracetamol and/ or ibuprofen
• Insulated water bottle (for warm or hot water)
• Handkerchief or tissues (if you have a tendency to get watery eyes or nose in the cold)

The climb up Mount Kinabalu takes place across 2 days, but as I travelled up towards Kundasang the day prior I have included this as Day 0 below. You can skip Day 0 and jump straight to Day 1 .

As I would be doing the climb alone, Anthony and I decided to rent a car and book a spot outside of Kinabalu National Park for the sake of affordability, flexibility and convenience. The car would enable him to explore Kundasang and Ranau a little more while I was climbing Mount Kinabalu.

We departed from Kota Kinabalu International Airport where we picked up our rental car at approximately 2.45pm. The drive would take us around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the traffic and I wanted to be sure to get there before evening or nightfall so I had some time to “acclimatise”. 

Unfortunately for me, I had come down with a slight cold from a few days prior. Nothing major, just an inconvenient sore throat which was more annoying than sick. Also, not Covid. 

The drive towards Kundasang was not particularly interesting. The road infrastructure was not the best and traffic was smooth flowing all the way which made for a pleasant drive.

Arrived at Ayana Holiday Resort, checked-in, did a bag dump and hopped back into the car to head to Kundasang to check it out. 

The ascent to Panalaban (or Laban Rata, the mountain’s resthouse, involves a 5.9km trek through forest and steep terrain. You’ll be trekking from 1,866m to 3,272m . This stage helps climbers acclimate to the altitude. 

Woke up at 6.15am to this view feeling completely refreshed despite the noise from the other guests. Sore throat was gone and I was just left with a stuffed nose. Yay. 

Got ready for the day and checked my pack, before heading back to Lily’s Cottage for breakfast.

There’s something magical about Mount Kinabalu. I was completely in-awe not just at its beauty and magnificence, but its energy. I had a few minutes of being teary-eyed while basking in this view, feeling so small yet with such a strong sense of belonging.

Breakfast was simple and functional. High protein (4x half boiled eggs), carbs (2 x toast) and a cup of coffee and vitamin C drink. 

About an hour after breakfast, I was promptly picked up from Ayana Holiday Resort by the Borneo Calling team. I opted to stay just down the road from Kinabalu Park the day before to acclimatise and reduce the probability of any altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS) plus it was more affordable than staying in the park itself. Being so close also means I could sleep in a little bit more, have a leisurely breakfast next door (and use the toilet) before the day began. 

My assigned Borneo Calling driver arrived 1 minute earlier than scheduled. He sent a Whatsapp message upon his arrival. Hopped in and within 2 minutes, I was at the Kinabalu Park HQ. Anthony hopped into the rental car to come along to see me off at the park too. He was going to spend the day wandering the other trails in and around the area.

At Kinabalu Park HQ a flurry of administrative things – a lovely lady greeted me and it all felt really rushed. Ushered me into the office to check my name and receive my tag, do-I-need-the-toilet check (I did), do-I-need-a-porter check (I didn’t), here’s your lunch pack, this is your guide, please get into this van, oh wait, let’s take a photo first, okay off you go, have fun.  

Anyway at this point, I’m squeezed in the back with my guide and we drove up narrow roads to Timpohon Gate, the main trail-head. It seemed like a few groups had already started but I really had no idea what everything was meant to be so I just rolled with it!

Approached the entry way towards Timpohon Gate, and my guide and I joined another group for the general and safety briefing. Enter through the gate – this is also the last point until Panalaban for any last minute purchases (water, snacks, trekking pole rentals etc). 

According to my support crew who have done this climb multiple times, my departure was “rather late”. However, having no concept of what early or late was, and armed with the pure intention of simply enjoying the journey (and ideally making it to the top), it wasn’t something that bothered me. At this point, I also had no idea how fast I’d be walking or how long it would take me. The only thing that kept me going was reminding myself to take every step as it came, and to not elevate my heart rate too much.

Carson Falls

I found the trek to be generally lovely and enjoyable. The stairs/ steps can get steep but I found myself enjoying the peace of the forest, and learning more about Harris (my mountain guide) helped me keep a steady pace.

I want to say that I think having a mountain guide all to myself was incredibly beneficial and I would advise any solo climbers, especially first timers, to splurge in a private guide. I had initially not planned to spend so much (A 2D/1N private guide package cost me RM2,100) but it was the only slot available having booked at the last minute so I grabbed it immediately.

I intentionally kept my pace slow and remembered to stay hydrated as my main concern was altitude sickness at this point. I stopped at every shelter (pondok) for at least a 2 minute rest and quietly celebrated this milestone, thanking the Mountain spirits for safe passage, whenever I reached it.

All shelters are in good condition. There are benches to sit on, toilets (clean but no toilet paper), and rubbish bins to dispose of any rubbish. The signboards also tell you more about the flora and fauna in the area. I didn’t stop long enough to take any of this information in though.

In general, there is a shelter at every 800 metres or 1 km or so mark. Not only do these shelters break down the larger journey into bite sized pieces, they’re also a welcomed sight if you’re caught in a heavy downpour or storm. Apparently this happened just a couple of days before my climb slot and a group could take shelter along the way to Panalaban. 

After Pondok Ubah (second shelter) you get to this open space area with more steps and you get a wonderful view of the valley below you.

Looking upwards from where we were:

I was so blessed to have Harris as my mountain guide. I think because we were making decent time, we could stop and look at the flora around us. 

At Pondok Lowii (shelter 3) I decided to bust out the trekking poles that Maureen so generously loaned me. Having never used one before and only armed with knowledge from YouTube and a 4 minute crash course from Maureen and David a few days prior, I opted to only use 1 trekking pole to avoid any accidents like tripping.

I was trying to walk in the footsteps of Harris, following his steps and path. Dude does this almost every day, so there’s lots of wisdom by simply observing and interacting. He also taught me to walk in a zigzag manner, go steady (whatever pace you can manage steadily), and take small steps (higher cadence). 

Arrived at Pondok Layang Layang at 11.30am, and though I wasn’t actually hungry I didn’t want to carry my lunch pack all the way up. Plus I thought I should just eat or check out what’s in my lunch pack.

A swanky new accommodation after Layang Layang Hut was being built. There doesn’t seem to be an estimated date for completion as far as I know but it made me wonder about what Summit day would look like. It’s a pretty long way up to the Summit from here for the average person!

On the way up, I only encountered one person being carried by a “mountain taxi”. I’m not sure if that’s what they are officially called but they’re basically climber transporters up and down the mountain. This is an optional service of course and incurs quite steep payment which goes by weight per km. Sometimes this service is necessary especially for anyone who injures themselves along the way or feel fatigued and unable to make it up (or down). These guys and the porters are legends – sometimes carrying twice their weight up and down to Panalaban multiple times a day.

According to David (done it 9 times) and Daniel (2 times), I made it within the good/ sensible timeframe considering I was a newbie! Not going to lie, I am really proud of myself knowing that. I think I could have gone quicker but I enjoyed the somewhat leisurely hike up thoroughly. 

Check-in at Laban Rata resthouse is from 1.30pm onwards, so my arrival time wasn’t too bad. My dorm roommate had already checked in but as the second person for the room, I had 2nd dibs to choose my bed!  

The dorm room I was assigned was decent. I was lucky to get the last room down the hall and also one with only 4-beds. The room is functional and comfortable with 2 plug points for charging (electricity only available 5-8pm and 1-3am), bedroom slippers (used), a hanging rack for towels/ clothes at the other end of the room and a small mirror. Each person (bed) has 2 pillows, thinnish blanket and a towel. The nights are cold so we still bundled up with a beanie and pair of gloves and socks when we slept.

The ladies bathroom was located 3 doors down and stocked with shampoo, body soap, sanitary bags and toilet paper. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the amenities provided. 

A quick very cold shower and then waited for a bit while my phone and watch charged.

Dinner is served between 4.30pm to 7.30pm. Prior to dinner starting, the resthouse staff gives a short briefing on general etiquette:

• Space is limited (the restaurant seats 100 people, and we had fullhouse of 150 pax that night) so try to keep to a maximum of 30 minutes for your dining.
• There’s plenty of food for everyone so do not rush or hoard food. You can take multiple serves if you really need to.
• Do not waste food.

Visitors with dietary requirements would have made this clear beforehand during the registration process so I presumed that their food would’ve been made either separately or will be pointed out that “this is suitable”.

I was really in awe of the Laban Rata rest house restaurant staff. It’s pretty much round-the-clock cooking to feed a lot of hungry people. 

The restaurant obviously makes an effort to offer a decent variety to its guests. Having read some other comments about the food not being great, I thought the spread and taste was actually good. Overall, it was a hot and tasty meal I did not have to cook so I enjoyed it.

After dinner, I took a quick walk around the guesthouse and took some photos. Also took the opportunity to refill my water bottle and hydration bladder. There is no hot water station inside the guest house but there is one just outside Panalaban Hostel (the green building across Laban Rata Guesthouse, a hostel-style establishment built and managed by Sabah Parks). 

We decided to relax and call it an early night around 6pm. Made sure to charge all my electronics (Apple watch and phone) with my power bank. I personally felt anxious for the next day, not knowing what to expect. Kept reminding myself it was my first time being at such a high altitude, and to just relax and take each moment as it comes.

I thanked my lucky stars and the universe for having the best possible sleeping arrangement. I had a great roommate and it ended up just being both of us in the room. We were both pretty quiet by nature but still enjoyed a decent laugh here and there. I’ve read and heard stories of climbers being kept awake all night by loud snorers and noisy neighbours. I didn’t experience any of that and I hope Amber didn’t either!

Despite the favourable sleeping conditions, it was still a relatively restless sleep for both of us. For myself, I developed a cough overnight and was struggling to suppress my coughs. I think my body was rested but my brain was in hyperdrive – plus sleeping at 6pm is really hard. If you find it hard too, I suggest not forcing it. Enjoy the evening views or if space permits, meet and mingle with other guests in the guesthouse as well. In hindsight, I should have just enjoyed the sunset and night views from Panalaban instead of forcing sleep upon myself.

Up and at ‘em by 1.15am because of rustling in the corridor. No doubt others were already awake. Amber and I promptly got ready which didn’t take too long. Checked my summit bag, had a moment to mentally prepare myself, and then proceeded to head downstairs for breakfast (starts at 2am). We were due to leave at 2.30am so I wanted to make sure I got some carbs, protein and coffee and a little buffer time (toilet time). 

In my summit bag:

• 750ml insulated water bottle (filled with hot water of course)
• Candy (lol)

In my pockets:

• More candy 

Didn’t manage to take many photos from this point on as I was focused on just walking. 

From Laban Rata guest house, you make your way up to and through Panalaban hostel (green building) before passing by Pendant Hut. Then you pass through a set of iron gates and this is where the ascent begins.

A lot of wooden stairs from the get go. You’re actively walking upstairs and climbing for the next couple of hours. It’s pitch black so a good headlamp really pays off here. My guide was great in being patient with my pace. Weatherwise, it was windy which added to the cold. 

I think we were okay for time as Harris kept encouraging me to go slow and take my time. We overtook a couple of people (not intentionally) because I didn’t want to rest for too long. A group of climbers who were going to descend via ferrata then overtook us at some point. These guys were fit and just gunning the stairs lol. 

I didn’t bother to take my phone/ camera out at any point because it was cold and I didn’t want to risk dropping my phone. I think having my phone on a lanyard case would’ve made it easier so a lesson for the next time.

Arrived at Sayat Sayat hut (checkpoint) around 3.35am. Worth noting here that you must get to Sayat Sayat by 5.30am to ascend to Low’s Peak (summit). If you arrive after 5:30 you won’t be allowed up there since it means you are too slow to complete the summit trek and get down to Timpohon Gate on the same day.  It seemed that we were pretty early at Sayat Sayat, so I got to chill out in the adjoining hut for the next 20 minutes or so. 2 other couples were already in there just biding their time too. This hut had no lights, 2 bunk beds and a sleeping bag and blanket, and some storage areas. I later learned that the hut was available for ‘weary climbers’ who may need a spot to rest and recuperate. I really wanted to take a picture but didn’t want to seem rude with my camera flash.

Around 4.05am, we continued with my journey to Low’s peak (summit) and this was where it got really interesting (and a little scary). You start walking on granite and it’s pitch black. The main rule here is to follow the white rope.

For the most part, I was grateful for the pitch black darkness (and headlamp of course). This helped me keep my focus greatly, putting one foot in front of the other. Not being able to see where or what I was walking on also helped alleviate any initial anxiety of scaries I had (from just listening to other people’s stories). 

I would say this last stretch was the hardest not because of terrain but because of the altitude especially for me who’s never been in a high altitude environment before. Energy levels and spirit were still soaring high at this point. I stopped for at least 10 seconds every 15-20 steps to “catch my breath”. I made sure to err on the side of caution so I would not get AMS. Harris also checked for any discolouration of my face – assuming for signs of AMS. 

As I was a solo climber this meant I had a Mountain Guide all to myself so Harris was by my side every step of the way, leading charge. I think that really helped with my overall anxiety because whenever I glanced up or down, I saw a smaller group of climbers without their guides figuring out the best way up. Harris guided us a different way alongside the white rope, which made the climb/ walk a lot manageable. 

The trail of lights below were other climbers on their way up. Looking down, I couldn’t believe I managed that distance. We probably sat here for just under 10 minutes to wait as we didn’t want to be too early for the sunrise which was supposed to be around 6.08am.

As more people approached us, Harris decided it was time to go before the queue to the summit started to form. So off we went. 

To be honest, I hadn’t realise we were approaching Low’s Peak because I was just looking beyond my feet. That is until I saw people taking photos. Luckily for me, a queue hadn’t formed so I did not have to wait too long to have a photo at Low’s Peak. Light though, was low. We were still too early for sunrise but that didn’t bother me too much. I was just incredibly happy to be there. Not wanting to be an inconvenience and hold up the queue, I took a few photos and promised I’d take more next time. 

With the sun up, I could see where we had walked. I had no idea that I was walking on the summit plateau. I was awe-struck.

You can really just walk down but Harris insisted I try “rappelling” down for the gram.

I remembered to look back to see how far I had come! Look at those stairs, and look at my smiling face lol! Could not have made it without my legend of a guide. Feeling really good about the entire journey at this point.

Arrived back safely at Sayat Sayat, where we stopped for around 10-15 minutes then off we went to return to Panalaban for breakfast. The walk back to Panalaban was incredibly pleasant. The wind had subsided and being able to see the scenery in daylight again left me awe-struck. Everything around me was so beautiful and so quiet.

We arrived back at Panalaban at approximately 7.40am and made plans to depart at 8.45am. I didn’t want to hang around too long as Anthony would be waiting for me back at Kinabalu Park. 

The trek back to Timpohon Gate was also pleasant. Like many have shared, going down is a lot more challenging simply from the sheer repetition of movements on your joints, mainly knees. I opted to use both of my trekking poles at this point to try it out but eventually just kept to 1 as I preferred having one hand free.

Didn’t take any photos again on my way down and really descended at a very leisurely pace. Enjoyed the time spent with Harris and we chatted a lot about his past working experiences which included being a MOSAR (Mountain Search and Rescue) member and now, Mountain Guide. 

We also saw a young porter running back down at some point from Panalaban – fresh faced, chirpy and full of energy. He was jogging back down to retrieve  his second delivery back up to Panalaban. I didn’t catch his name but apparently he is one of the faster porters and does up to 3 trips to Panalaban in a day. He’s the bro to call for quick emergency deliveries too. Sure enough, we saw him power walking back up with a gas tong further down the trail.

At KM2 my feet started to get a little tired from not accustomed to being used so much at one go. At this point I would’ve been walking for 11 hours except for that 1 hour break for breakfast. I guess it was only natural for a slight ache. Nevertheless, thankful my knees and ankles were holding up fine. 

Saw a group of MOSAR members, and Harris and myself stopped to chat with them for a bit. I think 90% of the time, their jobs are just traversing and exploring the mountain, plus keeping fit… and the other 10% would be really stressful and put their training to the utmost test. So much respect for them and everyone who works at/ on the mountain. 

At Timpohon Gate, a bus or van would typically be waiting for climber’s arrival to transport them back to Liwagu Restaurant for lunch or Kinabalu HQ. I opted to go straight to Kinabalu HQ as I didn’t want to keep Anthony waiting for me.

At the main office, you’ll get to pick up your coloured certificate from your guide. If you didn’t manage to summit Low’s Peak, you still get a certificate, however it will be in black and white. Harris tells me that from next year onwards, all certificates will be in colour as a portion of climbers tend to put themselves (and guides) at risk by chasing a coloured piece of paper and pushing themselves to reach the summit. 

Personally, the lanyard with climb tag is the best piece of souvenir for me.

Did the photo taking “ceremony” and tipped Harris for being phenomenal and great, plus making my first experience so positive and memorable. There’s no right amount for tipping but from what I’ve read it starts from RM50.

I think it all boils down to what you are able to afford and feel is worthwhile based on your personal experience. Your mountain guide definitely makes a massive difference to your experience especially if it’s your first trip.

I was happy that I ended up with a private guide slot because not only did I have that 1-1 attention and support, I also got to experience the journey at my own pace. Harris was respectful, kind, intuitive with the space I sometimes needed, and just overall a positive light in the 2 days we spent together.

After collecting my certificate, I gave a quick awkward hug to Harris and then it was time to make our way down towards the city. My energy levels were still good and I definitely was not zapped nor did I feel like crashing – these were big wins for me! I was dying to get my feet out of my hiking shoes but opted to just do it once and for all at the city hotel we would be spending our last night at. 

So that’s it – the full report of my first climb at Mount Kinabalu and I hope not the last. I missed it before I even left and promised myself to return soon.

My timestamps

• Timpohon Gate – 8.38am
• Pondok Kandis – 9.11am
• Pondok Ubah – 9.27am
• Pondok Lowii – 10.05am
• Pondok Mempening – 10.46am
• Layang Layang – 11.26am
• Pondok Villosa – 12.53pm
• KM5.0 – 1.05pm
• Pondok Paka – 1.27pm
• Panalaban – 2.14pm
• Panalaban – ~2.30am
• Sayat sayat – 3.38am
• KM8.0 – 4.47am
• Low’s Peak – 5.39am
• Panalaban – 7.37am
• Depart Panalaban – 8.48am
• Timpohon Gate – 2.03pm

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