Kundasang : Poring Hot Spring + Desa & Meal Shared Tour

Kundasang’s appeal is simple: cool mountain air, Mount Kinabalu views, local produce, and a hot soak after a long ride. This full-day shared tour packs several popular Sabah sights into one outing, so you can see a lot without arranging separate transport.

I like the mix of stops. Nabalu Handicraft Market gives you a quick look at local goods, while Desa Dairy Farm offers mountain scenery and fresh milk products. I also like that lunch and admission fees are included. The drawback is the amount of time in the van, with a round trip from Kota Kinabalu lasting roughly five hours or more.

Key points to know before booking

• The road trip is a major part of the day: Expect long transfers between Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, and Poring.
• Desa Dairy Farm is scenic but brief: You get about an hour, with time for views and dairy treats rather than a deep farm visit.
• Poring Hot Springs is best for a short soak: Bring a towel, water, and toiletries if you plan to use the pools.
• Kinabalu Park is only a photo stop: The Botanical Garden entrance is not included.
• The canopy walk is unavailable: The treetop canopy is under maintenance until further notice.
• The price covers useful basics: At $98 per person, transport, hotel pickup in eligible areas, entrances, lunch, and a driver are included.

A long but rewarding road to Kundasang

This is not a quick sightseeing loop. You leave Kota Kinabalu for the highlands, spend the day moving between stops, then return to the city by van. The road time can be tiring, especially in a shared vehicle with limited legroom, but it is also what makes the mountain air, cooler weather, and countryside views possible.

Pickup is provided from hotels in the city area. Outlying hotels may require a surcharge, so check your pickup location before paying. The vehicle is shared, and the quality of the ride can vary. Roads can be bumpy, and one outing even suffered a van breakdown on the return journey, followed by a replacement vehicle and a delay of at least two hours.

I would not book this as a relaxed, slow-paced day. I would book it when you want a practical introduction to several Kundasang sights and prefer to let someone else handle the driving.

Nabalu Market gives you 30 minutes to browse

Pekan Nabalu is an early stop, usually allowing about 30 minutes of free time. The market is a useful place to look at local handicrafts, fruit, and other small goods connected with the mountain region. It is not a long shopping session, so you need to move with purpose.

I like this stop because it adds a human, everyday side to the day. Instead of seeing only formal attractions, you get a quick look at the local economy and a chance to buy a small souvenir. You may find woven items, snacks, produce, and handicrafts, though exact stalls and products can change.

The short timing is sensible. You can browse, take in the mountain setting, and make a purchase without losing half the day. It also means you should not expect a guided craft demonstration or a detailed market tour. Keep cash and shopping decisions simple, and do not wander too far from the van.

Desa Dairy Farm has scenery and fresh treats

Desa Dairy Farm is often called Little New Zealand because of its open mountain setting and pastoral look. The stop lasts about an hour, giving you time for sightseeing and the farm atmosphere rather than a full agricultural tour.

The main appeal is the setting. You may see open fields, flowers, and mountain weather that feels cooler than Kota Kinabalu. The farm also sells dairy products made on-site, including ice cream, yogurt, fresh milk, and goat milk. For many people, a cold dairy treat makes this stop more enjoyable than the farm buildings themselves.

I would set your expectations carefully. This is not the strongest stop if you already live around dairy country or want a detailed explanation of farming methods. The visit is mostly about the views, the fresh products, and a pleasant change from the van.

The hour can feel either just right or too long, depending on your interests. If you enjoy food stops and photographs, it gives you enough time. If you want more time at Kinabalu Park or Poring’s forest paths, this is one place where the schedule may feel generous.

Poring Hot Springs is the day’s main rest stop

Poring Hot Springs comes after the mountain-road transfers and gives you a chance to slow down. The usual visit includes about 90 minutes for a guided visit and sightseeing, followed by lunch at a restaurant.

The hot water is the point. You can soak your feet or relax in the pools, which makes a welcome break after sitting in the van. Bring a towel and toiletries if you plan to use the facilities. Water, an umbrella, comfortable shoes, and rain gear are also sensible because conditions in the area can change.

The hot spring experience is fairly simple. I would not expect a luxury spa or a quiet private bath. It is a public attraction, and the facilities are practical rather than polished. Some people will find the soaking refreshing; others may see it as a short tourist stop rather than a major natural wonder.

The walk toward a waterfall can be more rewarding than the hot water itself. If you have energy, use part of your time for the surrounding forest paths rather than sitting for the whole visit. Wear shoes with a decent grip, since wet conditions can make walking less comfortable.

One important warning: the treetop canopy walk is under maintenance until further notice. Do not book this outing expecting a canopy crossing. That part is unavailable unless the operator confirms otherwise before your departure.

Lunch is useful because the day is tightly packed

Lunch is included and takes about an hour. The meal is described as generous and tasty, but the exact menu is not specified, so you should not book based on a particular dish.

I value an included meal on this itinerary because there are long gaps between city and mountain stops. You do not need to spend time searching for a restaurant, and the schedule can keep moving. The tradeoff is less choice than you would have if you arranged lunch yourself.

If you have dietary needs, ask the provider before booking. The available information confirms lunch, but it does not confirm vegetarian, halal, allergy-friendly, or special-diet arrangements.

Kinabalu Park offers a quick mountain photo stop

The final sightseeing stop is Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, when time permits. The planned visit is about 30 minutes and is mainly for photographs. The Botanical Garden is not included, and its entry ticket is separate.

This stop can be one of the most memorable parts of the day because the park provides a strong sense of place. You are near Mount Kinabalu and the highland environment that gives the region its cooler climate. The stop is short, so use it for the view and a few photographs rather than expecting a full park visit.

Timing is the key issue. Delays, traffic, long hotel pickups, or a slow day at an earlier attraction can reduce or remove this stop. One useful tip is to ask the guide early in the day whether Kinabalu Park remains on schedule. That helps you understand how much time you have at Poring and the farm.

The guide service is available in English and Chinese. The quality of explanation can vary by guide. Roy received especially strong praise for being friendly and well informed, while another outing had very little explanation and mainly involved being told where to go and when to return. If interpretation matters to you, confirm the guiding language and ask questions during the day rather than relying only on announcements.

The real value of the $98 price

At $98 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit one attraction. It becomes more reasonable when you count the distance, round-trip transport, city hotel pickup and drop-off in eligible areas, entrance fees, lunch, and a driver.

The value is strongest for someone without a rental car or private driver. Kundasang and Poring are spread out, and arranging both independently would take time. You also avoid the work of finding parking, checking road conditions, and planning meals.

The value is weaker if you want deep time at one place. A private car or custom day tour would give you more control over the farm, hot springs, or Kinabalu Park. It would also avoid the shared van’s fixed schedule and possible pickup detours.

Shared transport is the main compromise. Hotel pickups can add time, and one account noted that collecting passengers from the Golf and Country Club may have cost 60 to 90 minutes that could otherwise have been used at the attractions. Ask about the pickup route if your schedule is tight.

Who will enjoy this Kundasang day?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad first look at Sabah’s mountain region and do not have your own transport. Families and mixed-age groups may like the variety: market browsing, farm products, a soak, lunch, and photographs.

It also suits people who enjoy scenery more than long guided walks. Most stops are manageable, but the total day is long and the vehicle time is substantial. Comfortable shoes matter, especially if you walk toward the waterfall or explore wet paths around Poring.

I would be cautious if you have heart problems, altitude sickness, or a strong fear of heights. The operator lists the experience as unsuitable for those conditions. The canopy walk is currently closed, but the mountain roads and highland setting still may not suit everyone.

This is also not the right choice if you dislike shared groups, want a slow pace, or expect every stop to receive equal time. The itinerary is broad by design. Some places get only a short visit, and Kinabalu Park may be reduced to a photo stop.

What to bring for a wet mountain day

Pack light because large bags and luggage are not allowed. A small day bag is the practical choice.

Bring:

• Passport
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Towel and toiletries
• Water
• Jacket
• Umbrella
• Rain gear

The jacket matters even if Kota Kinabalu feels hot when you leave. Mountain weather can be cooler, and rain can affect both walking and comfort at Poring. Alcoholic drinks, vaping, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed in the vehicle or on the experience.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your schedule is still changing, but they do not solve the main planning question: are you comfortable with a long shared-van day?

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want convenience and variety. For $98, you receive transport, admissions, lunch, and a full route through several of Sabah’s best-known highland stops. Nabalu Market, Desa Dairy Farm, Poring Hot Springs, and the Kinabalu Park photo stop create a useful introduction to the region.

Skip it if you want a polished, unhurried experience or if the hot spring and farm are not major interests. The road time is long, the van may be cramped or bumpy, the guide experience can vary, and the canopy walk is closed. My advice is to book with realistic expectations: this is a practical sampler of Kundasang, not a private mountain retreat.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

Pickup and drop-off are provided in Kota Kinabalu. Outlying hotels may require an additional surcharge based on the area.

How long does the experience last?

It is a full-day experience. The listed schedule includes long transfers, with about 2.5 hours between Kota Kinabalu and the first area, plus additional driving between stops and the return journey.

What languages are available?

Guiding is available in English and Chinese.

Is lunch included?

Yes. One lunch at a restaurant is included.

Are entrance fees included?

The listed attraction entrance fees are included. The Kinabalu Park Botanical Garden entry ticket is not included.

Is the Botanical Garden at Kinabalu Park included?

No. The Kinabalu Park visit is planned as a photo stop when time permits, and Botanical Garden entry is not included.

Is the treetop canopy walk available?

No. The treetop canopy is under maintenance until further notice.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, comfortable shoes, an umbrella, towel, water, jacket, rain gear, and toiletries according to your needs.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.