Kundasang : Poring Hot Spring + Desa & Meal Shared Tour

The most interesting part of this Kundasang day is the sharp change of scene: market stalls and mountain views give way to cool farm air, forest paths, and the warm pools at Poring Hot Springs. It is a long day, but it gives you several tastes of Sabah without arranging separate transport.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the mix of stops. Nabalu Handicraft Market offers a quick look at local goods, while Desa Dairy Farm brings fresh milk, yogurt, ice cream, and goat milk into the picture. Lunch is generous, and guides such as Roy have made the day more enjoyable with friendly explanations.

The main drawback is time spent in the van. The return road can be rough, seating may feel tight, and the farm can feel brief if you are expecting a full working-farm tour. The treetop canopy walk is currently closed for maintenance, so you should not book this trip expecting that activity.

At a glance

• Mountain route in one day: Travel from Kota Kinabalu into the Kundasang area, with several scenic stops along the way.
• Nabalu in 30 minutes: Shop for local handicrafts and enjoy views near the foothills of Mount Kinabalu.
• Desa Dairy Farm for one hour: Try fresh dairy products and enjoy the cool air, flowers, and open farm setting.
• Poring Hot Springs for 90 minutes: Relax your feet in the warm pools, with time for nearby sightseeing.
• Lunch included: The meal is part of the price and is described as generous and tasty.
• Kinabalu Park photo stop: You may stop for pictures if time allows, but the Botanical Garden is not included.

A long road into Sabah’s mountain country

This is a full-day shared tour from Kota Kinabalu, not a quick outing. The drive to the Kundasang area can take around two and a half hours, followed by more road time between the stops and another long ride back to the city.

That travel time matters. You will see more of the interior than you could by staying around Kota Kinabalu, but the day depends heavily on road conditions, pickup arrangements, and traffic. A vehicle problem once added at least two hours to the return journey, even though a replacement was arranged quickly. That is unusual, but it shows why you should keep your evening free.

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kota Kinabalu are included. Hotels outside the normal pickup area may incur a surcharge. Shared tours also mean that pickup points can add time, particularly if the vehicle collects people from distant areas. If you are sensitive to long drives or cramped seating, ask about the pickup arrangement before paying.

The vehicle follows mountain roads that can feel bumpy. One passenger found the road conditions and vehicle type tiring, while another felt the organization and timing were handled well. Both points can be true: the schedule may run efficiently even when the ride itself is not especially comfortable.

Nabalu Market and the first mountain views

Pekan Nabalu gives you a short break from the van. You have about 30 minutes to look around the handicraft market and take in the setting near Mount Kinabalu’s foothills.

This is not a long shopping session. Think of it as a quick introduction to local products, souvenirs, and the small-town economy around the mountain route. You may find handicrafts and fruit, depending on the stalls operating that day. The stop is short enough to keep the day moving, but long enough to browse without feeling rushed.

The mountain view is the real reason to pay attention here. Clear weather can give you a memorable look toward Mount Kinabalu, and the open air is a welcome change after the first stretch in the van. Keep your camera ready, but do not count on perfect visibility. Mountain weather changes quickly.

I would use this stop to buy small local items, stretch your legs, and get your bearings. It is less satisfying if you expect a major market or a long cultural visit. The 30-minute timing works best when you treat Nabalu as a pleasant roadside introduction rather than the main event.

Desa Dairy Farm, Sabah’s little New Zealand

Desa Dairy Farm is promoted as Little New Zealand, and the cool air, green mountain setting, flowers, and grazing-farm feel explain the nickname. You have about an hour here, which is enough for pictures and a look around, but not enough for a detailed farm program.

The practical attraction is the food. Fresh products made on-site include milk, goat milk, yogurt, and creamy ice cream. The dairy stop gives the day a light, family-friendly break, especially if you enjoy trying regional food products rather than only looking at scenery.

I would set your expectations carefully. The farm is mainly a sightseeing and tasting stop on this tour. You may find the weather and flowers more appealing than the actual farm activities. If you come from a farming region, this part may feel familiar and less useful than the hot springs or mountain views.

The one-hour limit is sensible for a shared day trip, but it also means you should decide quickly what matters to you. Take your photographs, sample the dairy products, and do not expect a long guided explanation of agriculture. The guide may provide context, but the stated experience focuses on free time and sightseeing.

Poring Hot Springs and the closed canopy walk

Poring Hot Springs is the day’s most relaxing stop. You have roughly 90 minutes for a guided visit and sightseeing, followed by lunch. The warm water is especially welcome after the mountain roads and gives you a chance to loosen your feet and legs.

Bring a towel, water, comfortable shoes, and spare clothing suited to your plans. Toiletries are also listed as useful. An umbrella and rain gear make sense in Sabah, where weather can change during the day. You will need to manage your own comfort, so avoid packing as though this were only a sightseeing stop.

The hot spring itself may feel simple rather than grand. If you expect a large spa complex, you could find it underwhelming. I see its value in the break it provides: you can slow down, soak, and enjoy the forest setting without needing to plan a separate wellness visit.

The nearby walk to a waterfall can be a highlight for people who prefer scenery to sitting in the pools. Allow enough time for the walk and do not spend every minute soaking if you want to see more of the site. The route may involve uneven ground, so comfortable footwear matters.

The treetop canopy activity is currently under maintenance until further notice. This is important. Some older descriptions or personal expectations may include a canopy walk, but you should plan the day as if it is unavailable. The current package also mentions a butterfly sanctuary in connection with the Poring visit, though the exact timing can change.

People who are afraid of heights should take the suitability warning seriously. The tour is also not suitable for people with heart problems or altitude sickness. If you have a medical concern, the warm pools and mountain route deserve extra caution.

Lunch after the hot springs

Lunch is included, and it comes after the Poring visit. That order makes practical sense because you can relax first, then eat before the return journey.

The meal has been described as generous and tasty, which improves the value of the package. Still, the exact menu is not specified, so you should not book this trip based on a particular dish or dietary promise. If you have special food needs, ask the provider before departure.

A meal included in a long shared tour also saves you from finding a restaurant while the group waits. It is not a reason to choose the tour by itself, but it removes one of the day’s small hassles.

Kinabalu Park, only if the clock allows

The final sightseeing opportunity is a short photo stop at Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Site. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and is dependent on time.

This is worth knowing before you book. You will not receive a full Kinabalu Park visit, and the Botanical Garden entry is not included. The stop is mainly for photographs and a quick look at the park surroundings. If your priority is a proper park visit, botanical displays, or longer forest walks, you need a different arrangement.

The limited stop can still be worthwhile. After the farm and hot springs, it gives you one more chance to photograph the mountain region before heading back. Clear weather will make a large difference, and the guide may need to keep the group moving to protect the return schedule.

Guide quality and the shared-van tradeoff

The guide can shape this experience more than any single attraction. Roy received specific praise for being friendly and informative, and another guide was described as very good at explaining the stops, perhaps a little too enthusiastic. That suggests the best version of this tour includes useful context rather than simple drop-offs.

You should also be ready for a less hands-on style at some stops. The guide may tell you where to go and when to return, leaving you to explore independently. If you want a detailed guided walk at every location, confirm what live guiding means for your departure.

English and Chinese guiding are available. The shared format keeps the price lower than a private vehicle, but it reduces flexibility. You cannot linger at the dairy farm, skip a stop, or extend your time at the hot springs without affecting the whole group.

Is $98 a fair price?

At $98 per person, the price is reasonable if you value convenience. It covers intercity hotel pickup and drop-off, round-trip transport, entrance fees, lunch, and a driver. For a visitor without a car, arranging the same route independently could be difficult, especially with the long distances between Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, Desa Dairy Farm, Poring, and Kinabalu Park.

The value drops if you mainly want one attraction. A person interested only in the hot springs may find the hours in the van too costly in time. Someone focused on Kinabalu Park may also feel shortchanged because the park visit is only a possible photo stop and the Botanical Garden costs extra.

The 3.6 rating reflects a mixed experience. The strongest elements are the mountain air, hot springs, views around Nabalu, the included meal, and guides who take an active interest in the group. The weak points are long transport time, limited time at Kinabalu Park, occasional vehicle trouble, and a farm stop that may not suit everyone.

What to bring for a better day

Pack light because large bags and luggage are not allowed. A small day bag is enough for:

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

The mountain route can feel cooler than Kota Kinabalu, while the hot springs call for practical clothing. Alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle, and vaping, alcohol, and drugs are prohibited.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Check the exact pickup area because an outskirt hotel surcharge may apply.

Who should book this Kundasang day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you have only one day, do not want to rent a car, and like a broad sampler of Sabah’s mountain region. You get food, farms, local shopping, warm pools, and a possible Kinabalu Park stop in one organized outing.

Families and first-time visitors may like the simple structure. The included lunch, hotel pickup, and several short stops remove much of the planning work. People who enjoy taking photographs will also have plenty of changing scenery, especially around Nabalu, Desa Dairy Farm, and Kinabalu Park.

I would hesitate if you dislike long van rides, need generous legroom, or want deep time at one site. You should also skip it if the canopy walk is the main reason you are interested, since that activity is currently closed. And if you need a full Kinabalu Park experience, this tour does not provide it.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an efficient first look at Kundasang and Poring Hot Springs, with transport and lunch taken care of. The day’s best rewards are the mountain air, the relaxing pools, the dairy treats, and the chance to see several different sides of Sabah without arranging a private trip.

Skip it if you want a slow, detailed nature day. At $98, the package offers fair convenience, but you pay with time on the road and limited stays at some stops. Go in expecting a busy sampler, not a deep visit to every attraction, and the day makes much more sense.

FAQ

How much does the Kundasang tour cost?

The price is $98 per person.

How long does the tour last?

It is a one-day tour, with pickup in Kota Kinabalu and return to the city later the same day.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Intercity hotel pickup and drop-off are included. An additional surcharge applies for hotels outside the regular pickup area.

What languages are available?

The tour offers live guiding in English and Chinese.

Is lunch included?

Yes. One lunch is included in the tour price.

Are entrance fees included?

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

Can I visit the Kinabalu Park Botanical Garden?

No. The Botanical Garden visit is not part of this tour. The itinerary allows for a possible 30-minute Kinabalu Park photo stop if time permits.

Is the treetop canopy walk available?

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

What should I bring?

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