Sabah: Kinabalu Park, Poring Hot Springs & Desa Farm Tour

Poring Hot Springs is the main draw here, but the day is really a three-part sampler of Sabah: rainforest, cool mountain country, and dairy farm scenery. I like the chance to see Mount Kinabalu’s highland setting without arranging several separate trips, and I like that lunch, entry fees, a guide, and hotel transport are included.

The main catch is important: the Canopy Walkway is currently closed for maintenance by local authorities. The tour description still presents it as a highlight, so confirm what replaces it before you pay. The schedule is also long, with about six hours on the road.

Key points to know before booking

• The canopy walkway is closed: Do not book this tour expecting the rainforest bridge experience until the operator confirms reopening.
• Poring Hot Springs takes the morning: You get about two hours there, with time for a guided visit, walking, and free time.
• Desa Dairy Farm is a cool-climate change of pace: The farm sells ice cream, yogurt, and fresh milk, and is often called Little New Zealand.
• Kinabalu Park is a short photo stop: The planned visit lasts about an hour, but the actual stop can feel brief if the day runs late.
• The $79 price covers the basics: Hotel pickup, return transfer, lunch, guide service, and applicable entrance fees are included.
• Recent departures have varied: Some itineraries replaced the closed walkway or farm visit with other stops, so ask for the current plan in writing.

A full day from Kota Kinabalu to the mountain country

The tour begins around 7:00 AM, with pickup from selected hotels in Kota Kinabalu. Pickup is included if you stay within the city coverage area. You should wait in the lobby at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time, since the van may collect several people before heading east.

This is a shared tour, not a private outing. That keeps the price reasonable, but it also means the pace is set by the group, the road, and the number of hotel pickups. The transport schedule lists roughly three hours in the van each way. Bring water, an umbrella, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a camera. You will be glad to have something for the long ride and the changing weather.

The route is part of the appeal. You leave Kota Kinabalu behind and head toward the interior of Sabah, where the air, vegetation, and temperature gradually change. Still, do not picture a quick hop to the mountains. With pickup, return traffic, and several stops, this is an 11-hour day.

Poring Hot Springs without the canopy walkway

The tour is scheduled to reach Poring Hot Springs around 10:00 AM. The name refers to the hot spring area, but the surrounding site also gives you access to rainforest walks and other outdoor sights. The planned visit lasts about two hours, allowing time for a guided tour, walking, and free time.

The Canopy Walkway is currently closed for maintenance by the local authority. That changes the character of the excursion. A bridge high above the forest would have been the most memorable activity for many people, especially anyone hoping for a bird’s-eye view of the trees. At present, it is not included.

Ask the operator what you will do instead. On some changed departures, the replacement has included a waterfall visit, a local market, or a rafflesia viewing stop. These alternatives can be worthwhile, but they are not the same experience. One past change added a visit to Nabalu Village Market and a rafflesia attraction, while another departure included time at a waterfall near Poring. Those stops should not be treated as guaranteed parts of this tour.

The rafflesia issue deserves care. A reported entry price of RM50 caused concern because the flower viewing was considered poor value by one passenger. If rafflesia is offered as an optional add-on, ask the guide about the exact cost and what is included before paying. You may decide that a forest walk or waterfall visit suits you better.

Poring also offers hot spring bathing, but the bath tub is not included. Personal use of a tub, if available, costs extra. The supplied information does not promise a bathing session, so bring suitable expectations rather than assuming the tour is a spa visit. This is primarily a sightseeing stop with walking and free time.

Wear shoes that can handle wet paths. The tour information does not specify the condition of every trail, but rain is common in rainforest areas, and an umbrella is specifically recommended. Keep your camera protected and do not litter. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

Lunch gives the day a needed pause

Around noon, the group stops at a local restaurant for one hour. Lunch is included, which makes the $79 price easier to judge. You do not need to find a restaurant during the busiest part of the day, and the meal provides a fixed break between the morning forest stop and the afternoon farm visit.

The meal is described as lunch at a nearby local restaurant, but no menu is provided. If you have strict dietary needs, confirm what can be served before booking. A one-hour stop is enough for an organized meal, though it is not designed as a long food-focused experience.

This is also a good moment to refill your water and check your belongings. The second half of the tour includes more van time, and the farm and park stops are exposed to sun and changing weather.

Desa Dairy Farm and the Little New Zealand comparison

The itinerary places Desa Dairy Farm after lunch, with arrival around 1:00 PM and a visit of about one hour. The farm is often called Little New Zealand because of its open highland setting and dairy focus. It offers a sharp contrast to the humid rainforest at Poring.

You can expect a guided visit, some walking, and free time. The most practical part is the chance to buy fresh dairy treats, including creamy ice cream, yogurt, and farm-fresh milk. These purchases are not included, so bring some spending money if you want to try them.

The farm is a strong choice for families and anyone who enjoys food stops, open views, and a slower afternoon pace. It is less compelling if you only want wilderness or cultural sites. The farm visit is also one of the parts you should confirm in advance. One recent departure was told the farm had been cancelled, while another had expected both the farm and canopy walk and found the changes disappointing.

That does not mean every departure skips Desa Dairy Farm. It means the operator’s current schedule matters. Ask two direct questions: Is Desa Dairy Farm operating on my date, and how long will the group spend there? A clear answer can prevent a mismatch between what you expect and what the van actually visits.

Kinabalu Park offers the mountain photo stop

The afternoon schedule places Kinabalu Park at about 2:30 PM, after the farm. The stop is planned for roughly one hour and is mainly for photos and free time. The park is valuable because it puts you close to the setting associated with Mount Kinabalu, Sabah’s signature peak.

Do not confuse this with a Mount Kinabalu climb or a full national park visit. You are not booking a hiking expedition. This is a scenic stop, useful for photographs and a taste of the mountain area. If clear weather cooperates, the views can be the day’s best reward. Clouds and rain can also hide the mountain, so keep your expectations flexible.

The short timing matters. One person reported receiving only about 10 minutes in the park, which is far less than the scheduled hour. Delays can build during hotel pickups, road travel, lunch, or changed stops. If Kinabalu Park is especially important to you, ask how much time is protected for the stop and whether the group will still visit if the day runs late.

What the six hours in the van mean

The advertised duration is 11 hours, but the day includes about six hours of driving. That is normal for a Kota Kinabalu trip combining Poring, Desa Dairy Farm, and Kinabalu Park. The road time is the price of seeing several widely spaced places in one day.

A shared van gives you an easy way to cover the route without renting a car or planning transfers. It also removes the need to navigate unfamiliar roads. The tradeoff is less control. You cannot linger at the farm, cut a stop short, or change the order to suit your energy.

The guide can make a real difference on a long day. Guides named on recent departures include Wendy, Nizam, Roy, and Roger, but your guide is not guaranteed. One particularly useful detail from a changed departure is that Roger accepted a request to stop for rafflesia and helped make the altered plan work. Another departure praised Wendy and driver Nizam for being friendly, while Roy also received warm personal praise.

At the same time, communication has not always been smooth when the program changed. A passenger was told the plan had changed but did not receive advance notice, and the guide initially did not have the same information. The practical lesson is simple: confirm the day’s stops with the company, then confirm them again with the guide at pickup.

Is $79 a fair price?

At $79 per person, the tour is fairly priced if you want convenience. The package includes hotel pickup and return, a shared vehicle, a tour guide, lunch, and applicable entrance fees. Arranging all three destinations independently would require transport planning, time, and a driver familiar with the route.

The value weakens if the canopy walkway and Desa Dairy Farm are both removed. Those are two of the clearest reasons to choose this particular outing. A changed program can still be enjoyable, especially if it includes a waterfall, village market, or another worthwhile stop, but you should not pay the same price without knowing what replaces the advertised highlights.

There is also an extra RM40 per person for pickups outside Kota Kinabalu city coverage, including places such as Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Nexus Karambunai, 1Borneo, Inanam, and Tuaran. The charge is paid in cash to the driver or guide at pickup. One booking also reported an unexpected RM85 charge for foreign visitors, but that is not listed as a standard inclusion or fee in the supplied tour terms. Ask about every extra charge before departure.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and offers reserve-now, pay-later booking. Those terms are useful here because the canopy walkway status and other route changes matter.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you have one free day in Kota Kinabalu and want a broad introduction to Sabah’s interior without driving yourself. It suits people who like a mix of rainforest, food, mountain views, and a farm stop more than people seeking one long hike or a quiet nature day.

Families may appreciate the variety, especially the dairy products and short sightseeing stops. First-time visitors can also benefit from having transport, lunch, entry fees, and a guide handled in one booking.

I would hesitate if the canopy walkway is your main reason for booking. It is currently closed, and the replacement is not clearly fixed. I would also hesitate if you dislike long van rides, short photo stops, or shared schedules. People with back, heart, or pregnancy-related concerns are advised not to join, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

My verdict: book only after confirming the changed route

Book this tour if you want a convenient, full-day sampler and you are comfortable with a flexible itinerary. The combination of Poring Hot Springs, Desa Dairy Farm, lunch, and Kinabalu Park can deliver a satisfying day, especially when the guide keeps the group informed and the weather gives you a clear view of Mount Kinabalu.

Before booking, confirm three things: the current replacement for the closed canopy walkway, whether Desa Dairy Farm is operating on your date, and the full price for your pickup location. If those answers are clear and the stops still appeal to you, $79 is reasonable. If you mainly want the canopy bridge or a long visit inside Kinabalu Park, wait until the original program returns or choose a more focused excursion.

FAQ

How long is the Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs tour?

The tour lasts about 11 hours, with pickup around 7:00 AM and an expected return to Kota Kinabalu around 6:00 PM.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and return transfer are included for listed hotels within the Kota Kinabalu city coverage area.

Is the Canopy Walkway open?

No. The Canopy Walkway is currently closed for maintenance by the local authority and is not included until further notice.

What replaces the closed Canopy Walkway?

The replacement is not fixed in the supplied tour details. Changed departures have included options such as a waterfall, Nabalu Village Market, or rafflesia viewing, so confirm the plan before booking.

Is Desa Dairy Farm included?

Desa Dairy Farm is part of the planned itinerary, but the program can change. Confirm that the farm will operate on your travel date.

What can I buy at Desa Dairy Farm?

Fresh dairy products available for purchase include ice cream, yogurt, and farm-fresh milk.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant is included, with a planned stop of about one hour.

Are Poring Hot Springs baths included?

The tour includes the Poring Hot Springs visit, but bath tubs are not included. Any tub use or related personal expense is extra.

Is the tour private?

No. This is a shared tour with other participants in a van.

Are there extra pickup charges?

Yes. Pickups outside the Kota Kinabalu city coverage area incur an additional RM40 per person, paid in cash to the driver or guide at pickup.