Kundasang : Poring Hot Spring + Desa & Meal Shared Tour

The best part of this Kundasang day trip is the change of scenery. You leave Kota Kinabalu for cooler mountain air, Mount Kinabalu views, local produce, a dairy farm, and the hot pools at Poring. I like the mix of market, farm, and forest, and I like that lunch and entrance fees are included. The ride is long, though, and a cramped van or slow pickup can eat into your time.

I also like the practical shape of the day. You get a taste of Sabah’s rural economy at Pekan Nabalu, then a very different stop at Desa Dairy Farm, followed by a soak for tired legs. The main caution is value: at $98 per person, this is not a cheap quick outing. It works best if you want several sights in one day and do not mind spending many hours on the road.

Key points to know before booking

• Pekan Nabalu gives you a quick local-market stop: You get about 30 minutes for handicrafts, fruit, and mountain views.
• Desa Dairy Farm is more about setting and fresh products than a full farm tour: Plan on around an hour, with ice cream, yogurt, fresh milk, and goat milk available.
• Poring Hot Springs is the main place to slow down: You get roughly 90 minutes for the hot pools and nearby sights.
• The treetop canopy walk is closed until further notice: Do not book this day expecting the canopy attraction to be available.
• Kinabalu Park is mainly a photo stop: The botanical garden entry is not included, and the stop depends on available time.
• The trip is transport-heavy: Allow for a long day, bumpy roads, and possible delays from hotel pickups or vehicle trouble.

A long day into Sabah’s mountain country

This tour covers a lot of ground. Pickup begins in Kota Kinabalu, followed by a drive of about two and a half hours toward Kundasang and the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. The exact order and timing can change, so I would treat the schedule as a guide rather than a promise of minute-by-minute timing.

That long drive is part of the bargain. You are not simply visiting one attraction near the city. You are crossing into a cooler part of Sabah, where farms, roadside markets, forest, and mountain roads replace Kota Kinabalu’s urban setting. The tradeoff is clear: you gain variety, but you spend a large part of the day sitting in a shared van.

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off within the covered city area, round-trip transport, entrance fees, lunch, and a driver. English and Chinese guidance are available. Outlying hotels may require a surcharge, so check your pickup address before paying.

Pekan Nabalu: 30 minutes for local color

Pekan Nabalu is the first useful break from the road. You get about half an hour to look through handicrafts and local products at the market. It is not enough time for a slow browse, but it is long enough to stretch your legs, buy a small souvenir, or inspect the fruit and snacks sold in this mountain town.

The market matters because it gives the day some connection to local trade. This is more than a photo stop beside a mountain road. You can see the sort of goods sold to people passing through the Kundasang area, with handicrafts and produce replacing the standard city shopping experience.

You may also get a view toward Mount Kinabalu from the foothills if the weather cooperates. Clouds can change the scene quickly in mountain country, so do not judge the stop only by the promise of a clear peak. Keep your phone or camera ready, but use the time to look around rather than spending every minute searching for the perfect frame.

Thirty minutes passes quickly. If you want to shop, decide early whether you are buying. This is not the place for lengthy bargaining over several items. It is a short introduction to the area before the tour moves on.

Desa Dairy Farm, Sabah’s Little New Zealand

Desa Dairy Farm is one of the most distinctive stops on the route. The open setting, cooler weather, flowers, and mountain views give it the nickname Little New Zealand. You get about an hour here, which is enough to enjoy the setting and purchase dairy products without turning the visit into a full afternoon.

The farm’s main appeal is its atmosphere and its food. Fresh products made on-site include creamy ice cream, yogurt, fresh milk, and goat milk. For many people, the ice cream is the most obvious treat after the long drive. I would see this stop as a pleasant rural break rather than a serious working-farm tour.

That distinction matters. If you already live in an agricultural area, you may find the farm less exciting than the hot springs or Kinabalu views. The stop offers scenery, fresh products, and a change of pace, but the scheduled time is limited and there is no promise of an in-depth explanation of dairy production.

The farm can also be weather-sensitive. The mountain air and flowers are part of the attraction, but clouds and rain may soften the views. Bring a jacket and rain gear, even if Kota Kinabalu is hot when you leave.

Poring Hot Springs: the day’s main recovery stop

Poring Hot Springs gives the tour its most relaxing moment. After the early market and dairy-farm visits, you have time to soak your feet and rest in the hot water. The planned visit is about an hour and a half, followed by lunch at a restaurant.

The springs are best understood as a comfort stop, not a grand natural wonder. The pools give you a chance to loosen your legs after hours in the van. If you are hoping for a dramatic spa experience, keep expectations modest. The appeal is simple: warm water, a break from the road, and access to the surrounding Poring area.

There is also a walk to see a waterfall, which can be more rewarding than the hot water itself if you enjoy a short forest outing. The wider stop may include a butterfly sanctuary, and this can add a pleasant nature element. Time is limited, so you are unlikely to see every part of the area at a slow pace.

The treetop canopy attraction is currently under maintenance until further notice. This is important. Some descriptions of the area may lead you to expect a canopy walk, but you should plan this tour on the assumption that it will not be available. If the closure is the deciding factor for you, confirm its status before booking.

Bring a towel, water, toiletries, and comfortable shoes. You should also have an umbrella or rain gear, since Sabah’s weather can shift quickly. A jacket is useful in the cooler highland sections, while a change of clothes may make the hot-spring stop more comfortable.

Lunch after the springs

Lunch is included, and the meal is served after the Poring visit. The food has been described as generous and tasty, which is useful on a day with a lot of road time. You are not left to search for a restaurant while watching the clock.

I would still treat the meal as a practical group lunch rather than a special food experience. The value is convenience. You can eat, rest, and get back on the road without adding another decision to an already full schedule.

If you have dietary restrictions, ask the operator in advance. The supplied information confirms that lunch is included, but it does not specify a menu or special meal options.

Kinabalu Park: a short final look

The final sightseeing stop is Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, if time allows. The planned stop is about 30 minutes and is mainly for photographs. That gives you a chance to mark the mountain setting before returning to Kota Kinabalu, but it is not a full park visit.

The botanical garden entry ticket is not included. More importantly, this tour does not include the Botanical Garden visit in its standard plan. You should not book this day expecting a detailed introduction to Kinabalu Park’s plants or trails.

This is one of the tour’s weaker points for anyone hoping to explore the park properly. Thirty minutes can work for a quick picture and a stretch after the van ride, but it is too brief for a meaningful nature walk. Since the stop depends on the day’s timing, it may be shortened or skipped if earlier activities run late.

Still, I understand why it is included. The park ties together the day’s themes: mountain air, forest, agriculture, and Sabah’s highland setting. It is a useful closing glimpse, as long as you see it as a bonus rather than the main attraction.

The shared van is a major part of the experience

Transport deserves careful attention before you book. The itinerary includes about two and a half hours to the first area, shorter transfers between stops, and another roughly two and a half hours back to Kota Kinabalu. Add hotel pickups, traffic, road conditions, and stops, and this becomes a very full day.

The roads can be bumpy, and the vehicle may not provide generous legroom. For a tall person or anyone who dislikes long rides, that can change the whole experience. Air-conditioning performance may also vary. Bring water, keep a light jacket handy, and pack only what you need because large bags are not allowed.

Shared pickup routes can create delays. A detour to an outlying hotel or resort may cost 60 to 90 minutes across the day, leaving less time at the sights. One trip also experienced a van breakdown on the return, followed by a replacement vehicle and a much later arrival. That is not a normal part of the plan, but it shows why you should avoid scheduling an important evening flight or fixed dinner immediately afterward.

The vehicle also affects how much you enjoy the scenery. You will pass through changing rural views, but you are not guaranteed a dedicated sightseeing commentary from the road. The quality of the day depends partly on the guide. Roy, one guide named in the feedback, was praised for being friendly and well informed. Other accounts describe limited explanation, so the guiding experience may not be perfectly consistent.

What $98 gets you

At $98 per person, the price is easiest to justify if you are staying in Kota Kinabalu and want to combine several distant sights without arranging separate transport. Hotel pickup, return transport, entrance fees, lunch, and a driver are included. Those bundled costs add up, especially when Poring and Kundasang are far apart.

The price is harder to justify if your priority is one attraction. If you mainly want Poring Hot Springs, a shorter outing could give you more time there. If you mainly want Desa Dairy Farm or Kinabalu Park, a private or more focused arrangement might offer a better pace, though the supplied information does not give prices for alternatives.

This tour sells convenience and variety. You pay to avoid planning the route, coordinating transfers, and finding lunch. You also accept a shared vehicle, fixed stops, and limited time at each place. I would call it fair value for a first visit to the area, but not a bargain for anyone who dislikes organized day trips.

Who will enjoy this Kundasang day trip

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to the highlands and have only one free day. Families and casual sightseers may like the mix of dairy treats, market browsing, warm pools, forest scenery, and a mountain photo stop. It also suits anyone who prefers a planned route with lunch and entry costs handled.

It is less suitable if you want long walks, detailed botanical information, or a relaxed pace. People with heart problems, a fear of heights, or altitude sickness are specifically advised against this activity. The closed canopy attraction also removes one of the more active reasons to visit Poring.

You should also be comfortable with shared transport. This is not a quiet private tour. You may spend seven hours or more in transit once all the scheduled driving is counted, and the exact return time can shift.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Bring your passport, comfortable shoes, water, a towel, toiletries, a jacket, an umbrella, and rain gear. That list may look excessive for a single day, but it matches the range of conditions: warm pools, wet weather, cooler mountain air, and short walks.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Vaping, alcohol, and drugs are prohibited, and alcoholic drinks cannot be consumed in the vehicle. Pack a small day bag with only the essentials, and keep valuables close during market stops.

The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your weather plans are uncertain, but the main decision remains the same: are you happy trading long van rides for a varied day outside Kota Kinabalu?

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum variety in one day and value having transport, lunch, and entry fees arranged. The market, dairy farm, hot springs, and mountain stop create a pleasant overview of Sabah’s highland side, and the hot pools are a welcome break from the road.

Think twice if you want deep time at any one place. The Kinabalu Park visit is brief, the dairy farm is a light sightseeing stop, the canopy walk is closed, and the long shared-van journey can feel tiring. At $98, this is a convenience-focused tour, not a slow or highly specialized nature excursion.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

Pickup and drop-off are provided in Kota Kinabalu. An outskirt hotel surcharge may apply depending on the area.

How long does the activity last?

It is a one-day tour. The listed driving and sightseeing schedule makes it a long day, with an approximately two and a half hour return drive to Kota Kinabalu.

What languages are available?

Guidance is available in English and Chinese.

Is lunch included?

Yes. One lunch at a restaurant is included in the tour price.

Is the Kinabalu Park Botanical Garden included?

No. The Botanical Garden visit is not included, and its entry ticket is also excluded. Kinabalu Park is planned as a short photo stop if time permits.

Is the treetop canopy walk available?

No. The treetop canopy attraction is under maintenance until further notice, so you should not plan on using it during this activity.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, comfortable shoes, water, a towel, toiletries, a jacket, an umbrella, and rain gear. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.