Kundasang : Poring Hot Spring + Desa & Meal Shared Tour

Fresh air comes with a long van ride. This full-day Kundasang outing packs Nabalu Market crafts, Desa Dairy Farm, Poring Hot Springs, lunch, and a possible Kinabalu Park photo stop into one mountain circuit. I like the mix of local shopping and outdoor stops, and I like that hotel pickup, entrance fees, lunch, and return transport are included. The main drawback is the amount of time spent on the road, with comfort and guide quality varying by departure.

I would book this as a convenient introduction to Sabah’s mountain region, not as a slow, in-depth visit to each attraction. Desa Dairy Farm supplies the postcard views and dairy treats, while Poring offers warm pools and a forest walk. Just keep your expectations realistic: Kinabalu Park may be only a brief photo stop, and the treetop canopy activity is currently unavailable.

Key points to know before booking

• A very long day from Kota Kinabalu: The outward and return drives can each take about two and a half hours.
• Desa is more about views and snacks than farm education: Fresh milk, goat milk, yogurt, and ice cream are the practical rewards.
• Poring has more than hot water: The pools are relaxing, but the walk toward the waterfall may be the stronger natural experience.
• Kinabalu Park is not a full visit: You may stop for photographs, but the Botanical Garden ticket is not included.
• Lunch and entrance fees are covered: That helps the $98 price, especially if you want one simple package.
• The van matters: Road conditions can make the ride bumpy, and some pickup points can add time to an already full schedule.

What this Kundasang day trip is really like

This is a big sightseeing loop rather than a restful mountain escape. You leave Kota Kinabalu, climb toward the cooler Kundasang area, visit several attractions, then return to the city the same day.

The advertised price is $98 per person. That includes intercity hotel pickup and drop-off, round-trip transport, entrance fees, lunch, and a driver. Chinese and English language service is available, though the actual amount of explanation can depend on the guide assigned to your vehicle.

The schedule gives you several different tastes of Sabah. You get a market, a dairy farm, hot springs, a meal, and possibly a short stop at Kinabalu Park. That variety is useful if this is your only day in the highlands. It also means each stop has a firm time limit, and the van becomes a major part of the day.

The route can change. The stated timing is a guide, not a promise, and road conditions, pickup arrangements, and the pace of the group can affect the order and length of stops.

The road from Kota Kinabalu to Pekan Nabalu

Hotel pickup starts the day in Kota Kinabalu. The drive toward Pekan Nabalu is listed at about two and a half hours, so an early start is likely. You will want breakfast before departure or a small snack in your bag, since the first substantial meal is scheduled later.

The road time is not wasted if you enjoy watching Sabah change outside the window. The city gives way to hills, cooler air, and mountain country. Still, this is not a luxury coach journey. Reports from the trip describe bumpy roads and vans with limited legroom, and one return journey was delayed by a vehicle breakdown before a replacement was arranged.

That does not make a breakdown likely, but it shows why you should treat this as an active day with a transport risk. Keep valuables close, wear comfortable clothes, and do not plan an important evening reservation immediately after the tour.

Pickup is included for hotels in the city area. Hotels outside the normal zone can incur a surcharge. The exact pickup point matters here, since collecting passengers from distant resorts or the Golf and Country Club can add a surprising amount of time.

Pekan Nabalu and the local market stop

The first scheduled stop is Pekan Nabalu, with about 30 minutes of free time. This is a short visit, but it gives you a useful look at the small-scale shopping that supports the mountain route.

At the Nabalu Handicraft Market, you can browse local handicrafts and other regional products. Some departures have also included a fruit market stop or a chance to see the area around Mount Kinabalu’s foothills. The point is not a long shopping session. It is a quick chance to look at Sabah-made goods and pick up a small edible souvenir.

Thirty minutes is enough to walk around and make a purchase, but not enough for careful comparison across every stall. If you want something, ask the price, check the item, and make your decision without waiting until the last minute.

This stop is one of the more grounded parts of the day. The dairy farm has a polished visitor appeal, while the market connects you more directly with local selling and everyday commerce. I would use this time for a small snack or handicraft rather than attempting a major shopping haul, since large bags are not allowed on the tour.

Desa Dairy Farm, Sabah’s Little New Zealand

Desa Dairy Farm is promoted as Little New Zealand, and the comparison is easy to understand. The farm is known for its open mountain setting, cool weather, flowers, and cattle views. It is a popular photo stop, but the experience is lighter on formal explanation than some first-time visitors expect.

You receive about one hour here for sightseeing. The main reason to enjoy the stop is the combination of fresh air, scenery, and on-site dairy products. You can buy creamy ice cream, yogurt, fresh milk, and goat milk, giving the visit a clear reward even if you are not especially interested in agriculture.

I would set your expectations carefully. If you come from a farming region, the farm may feel like a pleasant pause rather than a major attraction. The stop does not appear to offer a long, detailed agricultural program, and some people find there is not much to do beyond taking photographs, looking at the flowers, and buying dairy products.

For families, food lovers, and anyone keen on Sabah’s cool highland setting, Desa can be enjoyable. If your priority is mountain scenery, waterfalls, or cultural detail, you may wish this hour were used elsewhere. Try the dairy products, take your photographs early, and keep some time for simply enjoying the weather.

Poring Hot Springs and the forest walk

Poring Hot Springs is the day’s main chance to slow down. The drive from Desa is listed at about one hour in the schedule, although individual routes can vary. Once there, you have about an hour and a half for the hot springs and surrounding sights, followed by a separate one-hour lunch period.

The pools are intended to warm and relax tired feet and muscles. That makes the timing sensible: after a long morning in the van and on your feet, hot water feels practical, not merely decorative. Bring a towel and toiletries, as well as comfortable shoes for the walking sections.

The hot springs themselves may not impress everyone equally. If you expect a dramatic natural pool in complete wilderness, the setup can feel more like a managed attraction. I would treat the soak as a pleasant break rather than the sole reason to pay for the tour.

The forest walk is important. A walk toward the waterfall has been praised as more rewarding than the hot water itself, and it gives you a better taste of the surrounding tropical setting. You should allow enough time for walking instead of spending the entire stop in the pools.

The treetop canopy activity is currently under maintenance until further notice. Do not book this outing expecting to cross the canopy walkway. Some past departures included a treetop experience, but that is not something you should count on now.

A butterfly sanctuary has also formed part of some visits, and it can be a lovely extra if available. It is not presented as a guaranteed headline stop in the main schedule, so consider it a bonus rather than a promise.

Poring can be wet, slippery, and humid. An umbrella, rain gear, and shoes with a secure sole are sensible. People with heart problems, a fear of heights, or altitude sickness should think carefully before booking, particularly if the day includes elevated or physically demanding sections.

Lunch after the springs

Lunch is included for one hour at a restaurant. This is a useful part of the package because it removes the need to find food in an unfamiliar area while the group is moving on a fixed schedule.

The meal has been described as generous and tasty, though the exact menu is not provided. You should not assume a particular dish or dietary arrangement unless the operator confirms it directly.

The timing also helps break up the day. After the springs and any walking, a proper meal is better than relying only on snacks from the market or dairy farm. If you need to keep eating light before a long drive, use the morning stops to buy water and a small snack.

Kinabalu Park, only if time allows

The final sightseeing possibility is Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Site. The planned visit is a quick photo stop of about 30 minutes, and it may be skipped if the schedule runs late.

This distinction matters. You are not receiving a full Kinabalu Park visit, and the Botanical Garden is not included. The Botanical Garden entry ticket costs extra, and the time available on this particular day may not allow a proper visit anyway.

If the stop goes ahead, use it for photographs and a short breath of the mountain air. The park is likely to feel frustratingly brief to anyone hoping for a guided nature walk or a detailed introduction to its plants.

I like the idea of ending with Kinabalu Park, but the structure of the day works against giving it much attention. If the park is your main goal, you should choose a dedicated visit instead of relying on this tour.

The return journey and the real cost of the day

The drive back to Kota Kinabalu is listed at about two and a half hours. Added to the morning transfer, the local drives, sightseeing, lunch, and pickup rounds, this can become an 11-hour day or longer.

That is the central value question. At $98, you are paying for convenience and coverage. A city pickup, private transport route within a shared group, several entrance fees, lunch, and a full day of sightseeing can make the price fair if you want to see many places without arranging separate transport.

You are not paying for a relaxed pace. You are paying to connect attractions that are spread across Sabah’s mountain region. If the van is full, the ride may feel cramped, especially for taller people. Road conditions can add jolts, and late pickups can cut into the time at the stops.

The guide can change the quality of the day. Roy has been singled out for being friendly and informative, while another departure had very little explanation and mainly involved being dropped off with a return time. That difference is worth noting. The package includes a driver and Chinese or English service, but you should not assume every guide will provide the same level of commentary.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack light. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so take only what you need for the day.

Useful items include:

• Passport
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Towel and basic toiletries
• Drinking water
• Jacket for the cooler highland air
• Umbrella and rain gear
• Clothing that can handle hot water, damp paths, and changing weather

Alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle, and vaping, alcohol, and drugs are prohibited. You will be more comfortable with a small day bag, but check the operator’s exact bag rules before departure.

A jacket may seem unnecessary in Kota Kinabalu’s heat, yet Kundasang weather can feel cooler. Rain protection is just as important. Sabah’s weather can change quickly, and a wet walk is much easier when you are prepared.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to a first-time visitor with only one free day who wants a broad taste of Kundasang and Poring. It suits people who enjoy changing scenery, short sightseeing stops, local products, easy nature walks, and a planned lunch.

Families may appreciate the simple structure, dairy treats, hot springs, and limited need to organize transport. Couples and small groups who want mountain photographs without renting a car may also find the package useful.

I would hesitate if you dislike long van journeys, need generous legroom, or prefer to spend several hours in one place. It is also a weak choice if Kinabalu Park or the treetop canopy is your main reason for going, since the park visit is brief and the canopy is closed.

At $98, the tour makes the most sense when you value an all-in-one day. It makes less sense if you can arrange your own transport and would rather spend a full morning at one attraction. The mixed rating reflects that split: efficient organization, a good lunch, fine mountain air, and strong guides can make it a good day, but cramped transport and limited time can take the shine off it.

Should you book the Kundasang shared tour?

Book it if you want variety and convenience more than depth. Nabalu Market, Desa Dairy Farm, Poring Hot Springs, lunch, and a possible Kinabalu Park photo stop give you a useful first look at Sabah’s highland area.

Skip it if you want a quiet mountain day, a full Kinabalu Park visit, or a guaranteed canopy walk. Before paying, confirm your hotel pickup zone, ask about the current stop order, and remember that the canopy remains closed. Bring a jacket, towel, rain gear, and patience for the road.

FAQ

How long is the Kundasang tour?

It is advertised as a one-day experience. The stated driving times include about two and a half hours from Kota Kinabalu to the mountain area and about two and a half hours back, with additional local transfers and sightseeing stops.

Is hotel pickup included?

Intercity hotel pickup and drop-off are included. An outskirt hotel surcharge may apply depending on the location.

What languages are available?

The tour offers Chinese and English language service.

Is lunch included?

Yes. One lunch at a restaurant is included, with about one hour set aside for the meal.

Is the Kinabalu Park Botanical Garden included?

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

Is the treetop canopy walkway available?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers reserve now and pay later booking.