Kundasang : Poring Hot Spring + Desa & Meal Shared Tour

Kundasang’s appeal is simple: in one long day, you trade Kota Kinabalu’s heat for cool mountain air, dairy farms, forest paths, and hot springs. The best parts are the clear Mount Kinabalu views around Pekan Nabalu and the chance to sample milk, yogurt, ice cream, and goat milk at Desa Dairy Farm.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the fact that lunch and entrance fees are included, so you are not constantly reaching for your wallet. I also like the mix of stops: Nabalu gives you a quick look at local trade, while Poring offers time to rest your feet in warm mineral water. The drawback is the long day in a shared van, with bumpy roads, limited legroom, and a route that can feel rushed.

Key points to know before booking

• A full mountain day from Kota Kinabalu: Expect roughly 10 to 12 hours on the road, depending on pickup points and traffic.
• Desa Dairy Farm is a tasting and photo stop: The setting is attractive, but the visit is brief and may feel limited if you are not interested in farm products.
• Poring Hot Springs is the main relaxation stop: Bring a towel, toiletries, and a change of clothes if you plan to soak.
• The Kinabalu Park stop is only for photos: Botanical Garden admission is not included, and there may be little time for anything beyond a quick stop.
• The tree-top canopy is unavailable for now: It is under maintenance until further notice, so do not book expecting that activity.
• The shared van is the key trade-off: Guides such as Roy have been praised for friendly explanations, but vehicle comfort and breakdown risk can affect the day.

A long road into Sabah’s highlands

This is not a short sightseeing loop. From Kota Kinabalu, the drive to the Kundasang area takes several hours, followed by more driving between the stops. That distance is the price of seeing a very different side of Sabah in one day.

Pickup is provided from hotels in Kota Kinabalu, with an extra charge for outlying properties. The shared van makes the tour easier than arranging separate transport, especially if you do not want to drive unfamiliar mountain roads yourself. It also means you will be working to a group schedule from the moment the van arrives.

The road can be bumpy, and legroom may be tight. One reported vehicle breakdown on the return journey required a replacement van and added about two hours to an already long day. That is not an everyday outcome, but it is worth keeping in mind when you have an evening flight, dinner booking, or another fixed plan.

The guide language is English or Chinese. Guide Roy has been singled out for friendly, clear commentary, while the quality of explanation may vary by departure. At some stops, you may be given a meeting time and left to explore on your own, so this suits independent sightseers more than anyone expecting a detailed guided walk at every location.

Nabalu Market and the first Mount Kinabalu views

Pekan Nabalu is usually the first substantial stop, with about 30 minutes of free time. The local market sells handicrafts, fruit, snacks, and other products connected with the highland economy.

This is a short stop, but it earns its place. You can browse without spending much, pick up a small souvenir, and take in the first good views toward Mount Kinabalu if the weather is clear. The mountain does not always appear on schedule. Clouds can close in quickly, so keep your camera ready rather than assuming you will have another chance.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick look, not a serious shopping session. If you enjoy slow browsing or want to compare handicrafts carefully, you may find the stop too short. I would treat it as a pleasant introduction to the area rather than the main event.

The stop also offers a useful contrast with the later farm visit. Nabalu feels tied to local commerce and daily life, while Desa Dairy Farm is designed more around scenery, food products, and sightseeing.

Desa Dairy Farm, Sabah’s little New Zealand

Desa Dairy Farm is promoted as Sabah’s Little New Zealand, a nickname inspired by its cool setting, open pasture, and mountain views. The farm produces dairy products on-site, including fresh milk, goat milk, yogurt, and ice cream.

You have about an hour here. That gives you time to look around, take photographs, and buy or taste the dairy products. The cool weather and flowers are part of the attraction, particularly for anyone who likes simple outdoor stops and bright countryside photographs.

I would set your expectations correctly. This is not a long farm tour with a detailed explanation of agricultural work. You may find yourself mainly walking around, enjoying the air, looking at the scenery, and trying the food. One visitor felt there was little to do beyond the weather and flowers, while another thought the stop was unnecessary because of a personal background in agriculture.

That difference tells you a lot. If you are excited by fresh ice cream, milk, mountain scenery, and a relaxed photo stop, Desa Farm should be enjoyable. If you want history, animal encounters, or a hands-on farm activity, the visit may feel thin.

Keep some money aside for personal purchases. The tour includes entrance fees, but your own food and souvenirs are not included. The farm is also a good place to use the jacket you packed, since Kundasang is cooler than Kota Kinabalu.

Poring Hot Springs and the forest walk

Poring Hot Springs provides the day’s most obvious chance to slow down. The warm water is intended to soothe tired feet and muscles after the long drive and walking at earlier stops.

You receive about an hour and a half for the Poring visit, followed by a one-hour lunch break. Bring a towel, toiletries, water, and comfortable shoes. An umbrella and rain gear are sensible too, since weather in the hills can change quickly.

The hot pools are the central attraction, but the wider Poring area gives you more than a soak. A walk toward the waterfall has been described as one of the worthwhile parts of the stop. If you are able to walk comfortably, allow time for that route rather than spending every minute in the water.

The walking surfaces and forest paths may not suit everyone. Wear shoes with a good grip, and do not treat this as a purely passive spa visit. You will need to move between areas, and the day already includes several transfers.

A butterfly sanctuary may be included in the Poring portion of some departures, and one account praised it as beautiful. Still, it is not listed among the core inclusions, so I would not make it the reason for booking. The same applies to the tree-top canopy attraction. It has been under maintenance until further notice, so you should assume it is unavailable unless the operator confirms otherwise.

People with heart problems, a fear of heights, or altitude sickness are advised not to take this tour. The hot water, mountain setting, walking, and high viewpoints can make the day more demanding than the relaxed photographs suggest.

Lunch in the middle of a busy day

Lunch is included at a restaurant after the hot spring visit. The meal has been described as generous and tasty, and the fixed one-hour break helps keep the long route moving.

That included meal improves the value of the package. You do not need to search for a restaurant in an unfamiliar area, and the group can sit down together without losing more time. It also gives you a proper break before the return journey.

Do not expect a leisurely meal with a wide choice of restaurants. This is a scheduled group lunch, and the exact menu is not specified. If you have dietary needs, confirm them before booking rather than assuming the restaurant can adjust the meal.

Kinabalu Park: a quick final look

The final sightseeing stop is Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the schedule allows about 30 minutes for photographs. The park is an important part of the region, but this tour gives you only a brief introduction.

The stop is valuable if you want a mountain backdrop and a sense of the protected area around Mount Kinabalu. It is not enough for a proper park visit, botanical walk, or extended nature experience. Admission to the Botanical Garden is not included, and the schedule does not include that visit.

This is where the tour can feel unbalanced. You spend many hours in the van, yet the famous park receives only a short photo stop. One useful way to think about it is as a preview. If Kinabalu Park is high on your list, plan a separate visit instead of expecting this tour to cover it.

Weather matters here too. Clouds may hide the mountain, and traffic or late pickups can reduce the available time. If your main goal is a strong Kinabalu Park experience, a dedicated park trip will give you better value.

What the $98 price really buys you

At $98 per person, this is not a cheap local outing. The price makes more sense when you count the included hotel pickup and drop-off, round-trip transport, entrance fees, lunch, and driver. You are paying for access to several distant places without having to rent a vehicle or organize the route yourself.

The value is strongest for you if this is your only day available for Kundasang. You can see the market, farm, hot springs, and park area in one booking. You also avoid arranging separate admissions and finding lunch along a long mountain route.

The value is weaker if you are mainly interested in one attraction. Someone who wants a serious Kinabalu Park visit may find the brief photo stop disappointing. Someone who does not care about dairy products may also feel that the farm takes time away from more meaningful stops.

Transport comfort is the biggest question mark. A shared van keeps the cost below a private tour, but you sacrifice space and flexibility. Pickup from an outlying hotel costs extra, and multiple pickups can add a great deal of time. If you can choose a central hotel pickup point, you may save time for the actual attractions.

The overall published score is 3.6 out of 5 from 35 ratings. That fits the experience well: the scenery, hot spring, lunch, and organization can make for a good day, but the long road, limited park time, and uneven guiding prevent it from being a sure winner.

What to pack for the highlands

The suggested packing list is practical:

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

Your passport is specifically requested, so do not leave it at the hotel. The jacket matters because Kundasang is cooler, while rain gear protects you during walks and outdoor stops.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed in the vehicle. Vaping, alcohol, drugs, and alcoholic drinks in the van are also prohibited. Pack a small day bag rather than bringing your full travel luggage.

A swimsuit is not listed, but a towel and toiletries are. If you plan to bathe in the hot springs, dress in a way that makes changing easy and bring a dry layer for the ride home.

Who should book this Kundasang day tour?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a broad taste of Sabah’s mountain region without renting a car. It is also a good fit for people who enjoy scenic drives, short stops, local shopping, dairy products, and a warm soak more than long guided walks.

Families and mixed-age groups may like the variety, provided everyone can handle a long day in a van. The market, farm, lunch, and hot springs break the day into manageable sections, though the road time can still be tiring.

You should think twice if you dislike shared transport, need generous legroom, or want to spend real time at Kinabalu Park. It is also a poor match for anyone with heart problems, altitude sickness, or a strong fear of heights.

Book with a flexible evening. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, but that convenience does not change the physical demands of the day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want one organized day covering several Kundasang highlights and you accept that each stop is a sampler. The best moments are likely to be the mountain views near Nabalu, fresh dairy treats, the forest and waterfall walk at Poring, and the relief of warm water after hours on the road.

Skip it if your priority is a deep visit to Kinabalu Park, a quiet private vehicle, or a farm experience with lots of activities. For the right person, $98 is fair for transport, lunch, admissions, and convenience. For everyone else, the long drive and short sightseeing windows may make a private or more focused tour the better choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

Pickup and drop-off are provided at hotels in Kota Kinabalu. Outlying hotels may require an additional surcharge.

How long does the tour last?

It is a full one-day experience. The exact starting time depends on availability, and the drive from Kota Kinabalu can take about two and a half hours each way.

Which languages are available?

The tour offers live guiding in English and Chinese.

Is lunch included?

Yes. One lunch at a restaurant is included in the tour price.

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 allows.

Can I bring luggage?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed in the vehicle. Bring a small day bag for essentials.

Is the tree-top canopy available?

No. The tree-top canopy is under maintenance until further notice, so you should not expect to take part in that activity.