Hot springs in cool Kundasang air. I like how this one day trip mixes mountain fresh air with real Sabah food stops, especially the Poring Hot Springs soak and the creamy treats at Desa Dairy Farm. You also get a guided rhythm and lunch, so you spend less energy planning and more energy enjoying the day.

The main trade off is time. This route is built around lots of road time, and the treetop canopy is currently under maintenance, so not every activity may match what you hoped for.

Key things I’d circle before you go

• Nabalu Handicraft Market as a quick, easy taste of local crafts
• Desa Dairy Farm and its on site dairy products, including ice cream yogurt and goat milk
• Poring Hot Springs for a proper warm water reset after the drive
• Kinabalu Park photo stop that’s short, so manage your expectations
• Transport timing and comfort matter, especially if your pickup point is far

Kundasang from Kota Kinabalu, the plan behind the day

This Kundasang outing is designed for one thing: getting you out of Kota Kinabalu and into the highlands without renting a car. You start with hotel pickup in the city, then it’s straight into a van day that aims to hit a market, a working dairy farm, hot springs, and a quick World Heritage Kinabalu Park stop.

If you’re the type who likes structure, this works. The route has clear time blocks for sightseeing and breaks, plus lunch is built in. If you prefer slow travel or you want hours inside Kinabalu Park, this is not the one. You’re trading depth for variety, and you’ll feel it most in the long drive.

Nabalu Handicraft Market: a fast stop for real Borneo buys

One of the easiest wins here is the Pekan Nabalu window, about 30 minutes of free time. It lines up with the Nabalu Handicraft Market, where you can browse local handicrafts without it turning into your whole morning.

This stop is great if you want practical souvenirs: things you can actually use, not just decor. It’s also a good place to get your bearings for the day. Mountain air and cool temps can hit fast once you get higher, so a quick market browse with time to decide is a smart way to transition.

Downside: 30 minutes is not long. If you’re hoping to shop seriously, keep it focused. Look, compare, and decide quickly, because the rest of the day is already packed.

Desa Dairy Farm, the Little New Zealand vibe without the fuss

Your next big moment is Desa Dairy Farm, often called the Little New Zealand of the area. The star here is simple: on site dairy products and a farm atmosphere that feels like a change of pace from the city.

What you can expect is time for free sightseeing plus the chance to try fresh dairy. Based on what’s listed, you’ll find items made on site such as ice cream yogurt, fresh milk, and goat milk. That mix matters because it gives you options beyond just looking. You can sample, walk around, and take in the farm setting while you have the time.

A practical tip: come in with a light plan for your taste buds. If you’re sensitive to sweetness, start with milk or goat milk first, then decide if you want the creamier products. If you love dairy, this is one of the best moments of the day because it’s the kind of stop that feels purposeful, not just a photo break.

One more note from the way the day runs: this stop can take up a lot of the emotional energy for some people. If you’re expecting more time in the park later, it helps to go in with the right expectations and treat the farm as a key feature, not a detour.

Poring Hot Springs: why warm water is the best kind of reset

Then comes Poring Hot Springs, the part most people plan this trip around. The idea is straightforward: relax your feet muscles in the hot water and let the highland day slow down.

The schedule gives you two layers at Poring. First, you arrive and then later you get time for a more guided sightseeing segment around the hot springs area. After that, you’ll have lunch, and you still have time in the overall Poring blocks to enjoy the setting.

What makes this stop work well is the contrast. You’re driving uphill, breathing cooler air, then you switch to warm water. Even if you’re not the type to chase waterfalls, a hot soak after a long van ride feels like a reward.

Two things to keep in mind:

• The treetop canopy is under maintenance until further notice, so plan on simpler walking and soaking rather than a high element activity.
• Poring is an active place. You’ll want comfortable shoes and towel ready for the day.

If you like wildlife stops, you might find extra points of interest in the Poring area such as a butterfly sanctuary, depending on how your day’s timing lands. The time here is structured enough that you should still leave feeling you did the key things, even if one side attraction is shortened.

A quick World Heritage Kinabalu Park photo stop

After lunch and the ride back out, you reach World Heritage Kinabalu Park for a photo stop. The listed timing is around 30 minutes, with an important detail: this visit does not include the Botanical Garden.

So here’s the honest expectation setter. You’ll likely get viewpoints and quick photo time, but you won’t get the full park experience. If you dream of wandering botanical paths, you’ll need another add on, because entry to the Botanical Garden is not included.

This photo stop can still be worth it, especially if Mount Kinabalu visibility is good that day. One of the nice bonuses of the route is that the day often includes a viewpoint stop earlier as well, giving you a chance to see the mountain from a more relaxed angle.

Timing, van comfort, and the practical reality of a long day

Let’s talk logistics, because this tour is judged hard by how your day feels in the van.

The schedule includes substantial driving time. You’re looking at roughly 2.5 hours from the pickup start, plus additional transfers between Kundasang stops and the ride back. That’s normal for this geography, but you still need to prepare for it emotionally and physically.

Comfort can vary. One past booking reported a bumpy ride and another noted a van breakdown on the way back, with a replacement vehicle organized quickly but the delay still stretching the day by around two hours. Another practical snag came from where people were picked up, with one report that an extra pickup location lost about 60 to 90 minutes overall.

So what should you do?

• Confirm your exact pickup point and pickup timing the day before.
• If you have a choice of hotel pickup area, choose the closest option available.
• Pack for comfort and motion. This is a day where knees and back matter.

Also, there’s a hard rule: luggage or large bags are not allowed. If you travel light, you’re fine. If you normally bring a lot, you’ll want to rethink it for this specific outing.

Lunch at Poring: more than just fuel

Lunch is included, with one lunch session built into the day. The meal time is about an hour, which means you’re not rushed like on some tight tours.

Based on what people have described, the food is tasty and portions can be generous. That’s a big deal because after hot springs and walking, you’ll want a proper meal instead of a snack that disappears in ten minutes.

If you’re picky, don’t assume you can customize. The data doesn’t mention dietary options, so if you have strict needs, you’ll want to plan around it in advance. At minimum, bring water, because you might not want to keep buying drinks during the day.

Price and value: what $98 buys you, and what it doesn’t

At $98 per person for a one day Kundasang loop, you are paying for a package that includes:

• Round trip transport
• Intercity hotel pickup and drop off
• All entrances fees
• Lunch
• A driver and a live guide

That value makes sense if you do not want to drive yourself. The cost is also a way to offload planning stress, especially when you’re hitting multiple stops across the highlands.

But here’s the part to respect: Kinabalu Park Botanical Garden entry is not included, and tipping isn’t included either. Plus, the treetop canopy is currently under maintenance, so you should treat any canopy-style expectations as uncertain.

Bottom line: this is good value for the mix of transport, fees, and the two main experiences, Desa dairy and Poring hot springs. It’s less of a value play if your main goal is deep Kinabalu Park time, because your park time is limited and the botanical section is excluded.

What to bring for a hot springs plus farm day

This is a highland day that can include rain, mist, and cool air. The tour guidance lists the basics, and you should follow it.

Pack:

• Passport (required)
• Comfortable shoes
• Towel
• Water
• Umbrella
• Jacket and rain gear
• Toiletries

Also, remember the rules: vaping, alcohol and drugs, and alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are not allowed. If you’re tempted to bring any of that for the ride, you’ll be disappointed, and it could lead to trouble.

If you’re going straight from another trip or you’re carrying a lot of gear, plan to travel with smaller items. Since large bags aren’t allowed, you might need to leave some things behind.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip)

This tour fits best if you want a practical one day introduction to Kundasang. You’ll likely enjoy it if you:

• Want a soak at Poring Hot Springs
• Like farm visits where you can taste the products, especially milk, goat milk, and ice cream yogurt
• Prefer guided planning over self driving
• Are okay with a short photo stop rather than a long stay in Kinabalu Park

It’s not a good match if:

• You have heart problems (listed as not suitable)
• You’re afraid of heights (listed as not suitable, and canopy options are uncertain anyway)
• You deal with altitude sickness (listed as not suitable)

If you’re sensitive to time in a van, you should also think hard. This day works best for people who can relax with the road time instead of resenting it.

Should you book Kundasang: Poring Hot Spring + Desa & Meal Shared Tour?

I’d book it if your priority is a well-paced, low-planning day that blends Desa Dairy Farm with Poring Hot Springs, plus a short Mount Kinabalu photo moment. At $98 with transport, entrance fees, and lunch included, it’s a fair deal for the convenience.

I would not book it if your main goal is deep exploration of Kinabalu Park, especially the Botanical Garden, because that’s not included and the park time is brief. And if you were counting on treetop canopy views, expect that activity to be unavailable due to maintenance.

If you’re choosing between this and a more park-focused plan, pick based on your mood. Dairy plus hot water for a reset, this one fits. Hours in nature trails, look elsewhere.

FAQ

Where is the pickup for this tour?

Pickup is included from hotels in Kota Kinabalu. Outskirt hotel pickup is not included, and an outskirt surcharge will apply based on your area.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 1 day.

What stops are included in the day?

The day includes time at Pekan Nabalu, Poring Hot Springs, Desa Dairy Farm, and a photo stop at World Heritage Kinabalu Park.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included once during the tour.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. All entrances fees are included, but the Kinabalu Park Botanical Garden entry ticket is not included.

Is the treetop canopy part of the tour?

The treetop canopy is under maintenance until further notice.

What languages are the guides?

The live tour guide speaks Chinese and English.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, comfortable shoes, umbrella, towel, water, jacket, rain gear, and toiletries.

What is not allowed during the tour?

Luggage or large bags are not allowed. Vaping, alcohol and drugs, and alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are also not allowed.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for people with heart problems, people afraid of heights, or people who have altitude sickness.