Upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, meet by our local representative OR pick up from the hotel lobby, you will be whooshed straight into Sabah’s lush countryside - with a couple of interesting pitstops along the way for some famous local eats, handmade folk souvenirs, and perhaps a taste of some exotic fruits.
The first 1⁄2 hour drive ushers you through scenic landscapes and lush paddy fields laced with rustic local villages and finally into Tamparuli Town. Take a walk on the famous “Jambatan Tamparuli” suspension bridge and soak up the small-town charm.
Continue your journey through the mountainous roads winding along the Crocker range for another hour, till the next brief stop at Nabalu Handicraft market. Nabalu is a rustic point perched on the hillside, where the local natives gather to sell local produce, fruits, home grown vegetables and handicraft souvenirs. Depart on another hour’s journey to Poring Hot Spring.
Lunch at the local restaurant (own expenses). After lunch, time for a soothing sulphur bath in the Japanese-styled open air tubs! Dip in the all-natural mineral-rich hot springs water, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. There is also a cold water pool nearby for those who prefer a cold dip.
Day 1 wraps up with an immersive exploration of Mount Kinabalu’s treetops. The Canopy Treetop Walk invites you to witness the grandeur of a hundred million year old rainforest, from a 175m length walkway suspended 60 meters above lush jungly tangles. Take in the sights and sounds and discover unique rainforest creatures from a bird’s eye view. Also, keep an eye out for some rare feathered beauties. A 20 minutes hike is needed to reach the Canopy Walkway.
Transfer to Kundasang and check into at mountain resort. You will notice the change in air temperature at this elevated level.
Dinner and overnight stay at the mountain resort.
On your second day, you will wake up to a misty morning ushering in views of sun-draped Mount Kinabalu. Birds chirp away while low-hanging clouds blanket the valleys. First up on the day’s agenda – Visit Desa Cow Farm. Along the way when you see the roads grow narrow and the landscape gives you rear view mirror licks of fresh green sceneries, a 199hectar stretch of pristine farmland on the foothills of Mount Kinabalu means you have reached the Desa Cattle Farm! Cattle graze the green valley pastures to provide nearly one million liters of mountain-fresh milk annually, all while travellers both near and far enjoy the outrageously scenic view that plays backdrop to this dairy farm. You can get close to the cattle, bottle feed the calves and enjoy some fresh milk or yogurt produce straight off the farm. Continue your journey to visit Malaysia’s first ever UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kinabalu National Park. Set at 1,500m above sea level, this 754sq kilometer park features one the Tallest Mountains in all of South East Asia as its center piece - Mount Kinabalu. Rising at 4,095.2m with cloud-hugging peaks that shade the valleys below, the majestic mountain is certainly a sight to behold from Kinabalu National Park. Kinabalu Park itself boasts an estimate of 4,500 species of plants which include 1,500 species of orchids, 77 of which are endemic to Kinabalu. The park also supports 289 species of birds and 290 different types of butterflies. Enjoy the refreshing and cooling air as you proceed for a guided walk along the nature trails in the Botanical Garden, to learn more about the Kinabalu Park’s biological treasure trove. From carnivorous Pitcher Plants to rare Orchid species, the garden showcases a broad collection of endemic plant species found in Mount Kinabalu’s unique climatic zones. Proceed for lunch at the restaurant in Kinabalu Park (own pax account). Thereafter, departing back to your hotel in Kota Kinabalu City. Check-in and rest of the day is free at leisure.
Breakfast at hotel. Guides will greet you at your hotel lobby upon pick up, and on you go for a day in the sunny state capital. First up, some architectural splendor! The Sabah City Mosque, also known as Sabah Floating Mosque. Get those shutters snapping as it is the largest dome of its type in Malaysia. Notes: Effective from 27 January 2020, the mosque is temporarily closed until further notice. The tour itinerary will be adjusted to include a photo stop outside the mosque. Next stop, the Goddess of mercy and compassion, “Kuan Yin”,stands tall at The Puh Toh Tze Buddhist temple, located off Tuaran Road. Built in 1980, the temple stands out with its traditional Chinese roofing and structure. Ten large statues of deities adorn the temple with the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin, standing tall at the main entrance of the temple. Up next, behold the tallest architectural marvel in Kota Kinabalu, The Yayasan Tower standing 122 meters high, also officially known as Menara Tun Mustapha (Sabah Foundation Building). Built in 1977, this 30-storey circular glass sculpture boasts a unique edifice utilizes a single column structure that is one of the very few in the world. Immerse yourself in some culture at the Sabah Museum. Dive deep into the history that shaped Sabah into what it is today. A heritage Village on the museum grounds grants u passage into the different types of traditional houses of various indigenous groups that brings color and richness to Sabah. Along the way, a quick pass-by through Kampung Likas and the Likas Wetland, which is a natural bird sanctuary. Winding roads will usher you to Signal Hill where you be greeted with a beautiful birds eye view of the city skyline and nearby islands before arriving at the buzzing Filipino market! Get your knick knacks and travel souvenirs here, also some fishy favorites such as dried seafoods.
Breakfast at hotel. Free until check out and transfer to airport.