Kundasang : Poring Hot Spring + Desa & Meal Shared Tour

The best part of this Kundasang day tour is the change of air. You leave Kota Kinabalu behind and climb toward cooler mountain country, with Mount Kinabalu views, farm scenery, local produce, and the chance to soak your feet in Poring’s warm pools. The day covers a lot, but that is also its weakness: you spend several hours in a van.

I like the mix of Desa Dairy Farm and Nabalu Market, since one gives you postcard-style mountain scenery and the other offers a quick look at local trade. I also like the generous lunch and the option to walk through Poring’s forest area toward a waterfall. The main drawback is value: at $98 per person, this is a long shared excursion, and some stops may feel brief or overly commercial.

Key points before you book

• A full mountain day from Kota Kinabalu: Allow roughly 12 hours once pickup, stops, and the return drive are included.
• Desa Dairy Farm is the visual star: Cool weather, flowers, grazing cattle, and Mount Kinabalu views make this the strongest photo stop for many people.
• Poring is more than a hot soak: The pools are pleasant, but the forest walk and waterfall area may be more rewarding.
• Nabalu Market keeps things local: You get about 30 minutes to browse handicrafts, fruit, and regional products.
• Kinabalu Park is only a photo stop: The Botanical Garden entry is not included, so do not expect a full park visit.
• Transport can shape the day: The roads are bumpy, the van may feel tight, and a breakdown or long pickup route can add hours.

The long climb from Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Kota Kinabalu. The drive to the mountain area takes about two and a half hours, and the return journey is also listed at about two and a half hours. Add the stops and lunch, and this is not a light half-day outing. It is a full day with an early start and a late return.

The road time is part of the experience, but you need the right expectations. You are not simply moving between nearby attractions. Kundasang and Poring sit well beyond the city, and the shared van makes several pickups before settling into the mountain road.

Vehicle comfort matters here. One account described a bumpy ride and limited legroom, while another reported that the van broke down on the return and a replacement vehicle took around two extra hours to arrive. That does not mean every departure will have trouble, but it is a fair warning to leave your evening open.

A golf and country club pickup was also said to add 60 to 90 minutes to one day. If your hotel is outside the regular pickup zone, ask about the surcharge and pickup route before paying. The tour includes intercity hotel pickup and drop-off, but outskirt hotels cost extra.

A quick browse at Pekan Nabalu Market

The first proper stop is Pekan Nabalu, also called Nabalu Handicraft Market. You get about 30 minutes here, so think of it as a short introduction rather than a serious shopping session.

The stalls offer local handicrafts and regional products, with fruit markets and mountain views adding to the stop. It is a useful place to get your bearings, stretch your legs, and see the small-scale trade that supports the mountain route.

I would not spend too much time comparing every item. You have limited minutes, and the market is mainly valuable for its atmosphere and its view toward Mount Kinabalu. If the weather is clear, this can be one of the best chances to photograph the mountain from a roadside setting.

Keep cash and shopping modest. The tour is tightly timed, and you do not want to return to the van with a large bag, since large luggage is not allowed. A small day bag is the better choice.

Desa Dairy Farm, Sabah’s Little New Zealand

Desa Dairy Farm is the most polished stop on the day. It is often called Little New Zealand, a nickname based on its green mountain setting, cool air, open farm views, and cattle. You have about an hour for sightseeing.

The farm produces dairy goods on site. Depending on availability, you can buy fresh milk, goat milk, yogurt, and creamy ice cream. These purchases are not included in the tour price, but they give the stop a simple pleasure that photographs do not provide.

The scenery is the main reason to come. Flowers, cattle, mountain slopes, and clean air make this a refreshing break from the city. If you like food production, farms, or family-friendly stops, you will probably enjoy it.

If you already live in an agricultural area, the farm may feel less special. One person on this outing would gladly have traded some farm time for more time elsewhere. The stop also offers limited explanation unless your guide takes the lead, so you may spend much of the hour walking around, taking pictures, and buying dairy products.

That is not a criticism of the setting. It simply helps you judge the price. Desa Dairy Farm is best for scenery, cool weather, and a taste of local dairy production, not for a detailed farm tour.

Poring Hot Springs and the forest walk

Poring Hot Springs is the day’s most distinctive stop. After the farm, you head toward the hot spring area, where you can relax your feet in warm mineral water. The pools are a welcome break after the long van ride and the walking at the earlier stops.

Bring a towel and suitable clothing. You should also pack water, comfortable shoes, toiletries, and an umbrella or rain gear. Sabah weather can change quickly, and the hot spring area is not a place where you want to discover that your spare clothes are still in the hotel.

The hot pools themselves divide opinion. If you enjoy soaking tired feet, they are an easy win. If you expect a grand natural spa, you may find the experience modest. Some of the pools can feel more like a short tourist stop than a peaceful wilderness retreat.

For me, the forest side of Poring is the stronger reason to visit. The walk toward the waterfall adds movement and natural scenery, and one account specifically found this walk more worthwhile than the hot spring pools. You should wear shoes with a good grip, especially if the path is wet.

The Treetop Canopy Walk is closed for maintenance until further notice. Do not book this trip expecting to cross the canopy walkway. Some accounts describe enjoying the treetop area, but the current activity information says the canopy attraction is unavailable, so plan around the hot springs and forest walk instead.

A butterfly sanctuary has also been included in some descriptions of the day, and one account enjoyed it. Because it is not clearly guaranteed in the stated schedule, treat it as a possible extra rather than a reason to book. The same applies to special flower sightings such as the Rafflesia, which depend entirely on timing and availability.

Lunch after the springs

Lunch follows the Poring visit and lasts about an hour. It is included in the $98 price, and the meal has been described as generous and tasty. That matters on a day with so much driving, since stopping for a proper meal is far better than relying on snacks between attractions.

The restaurant and exact menu are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. If you have strict dietary needs, confirm them before departure rather than assuming the included meal will suit you.

Lunch also gives you a chance to dry off, recharge your phone, and reorganize your day bag. Keep a jacket nearby, since the mountain air can feel cool after time in the hot water.

Kinabalu Park, but only for a photograph

After lunch, the group may stop at Kinabalu Park for about 30 minutes if time allows. This is a quick photo stop, not a full visit to the World Heritage Site.

The distinction is important. The Botanical Garden entry fee is not included, and the short stop does not include a Botanical Garden visit. You may have time for photographs and a brief look around, but you should not expect a guided nature walk or a detailed introduction to the park’s plants.

This stop is most valuable when the schedule is running well and the mountain views are clear. It adds a final taste of the protected mountain area before the long return to Kota Kinabalu. If the day has been delayed by traffic, pickup times, or vehicle trouble, this is the stop most likely to be shortened.

What the guide adds to the day

The guide is also the driver, and the main service is getting a shared group through a large circuit. Guides speak English and Chinese. Roy, one guide associated with this outing, was praised for being friendly and informative, though the amount of explanation can vary from one departure to another.

That variation matters. A strong guide can turn the farm, market, and park into a connected story about Sabah’s mountain economy and environment. A quieter guide may simply drop you at each stop and tell you when to return to the van.

You can help yourself by asking direct questions. Ask about Mount Kinabalu viewpoints, the dairy products, the forest walk, and how much time remains at each stop. On a shared tour, the guide has to balance several people, so do not expect a private guide’s attention at every attraction.

The tour is described as guided, but the included services list specifically names a driver. I would book it expecting basic guiding and transport rather than a specialist naturalist tour.

Is $98 good value?

At $98 per person, the price includes round-trip transport, hotel pickup and drop-off within the regular area, entrance fees, lunch, and a driver. Those inclusions help, especially since the attractions are far from Kota Kinabalu and private transport would cost more.

The value depends on how you feel about shared transport. If you want to see several mountain stops in one day and do not want to arrange a car, the price is reasonable for the convenience. You get the dairy farm, market, hot springs, lunch, and a possible Kinabalu Park stop without managing the route yourself.

The value weakens if you want long, quiet visits or detailed commentary. Desa Dairy Farm receives about an hour, Nabalu about 30 minutes, Poring about 90 minutes before lunch, and Kinabalu Park about 30 minutes if time permits. Much of the day is spent on the road.

You also need to budget for personal purchases, tips, and any outskirt pickup surcharge. The Botanical Garden ticket is extra, and the farm’s dairy products are personal expenses.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option make the booking less rigid. Those terms are useful if your Sabah plans are still changing, but they do not solve the basic question of whether a long shared day suits you.

Who will enjoy this mountain day

I would recommend the tour to you if you are staying in Kota Kinabalu and want a simple way to sample Kundasang and Poring in one outing. It suits first-time visitors who value variety over depth, especially families and people who enjoy views, food stops, light walking, and a warm soak.

It is also a good fit if you want to see Desa Dairy Farm without renting a car. The route is complicated enough that having a driver is useful, and the included lunch and entrance fees make planning easy.

I would hesitate if you dislike long van rides, need generous legroom, or want to spend most of your day in nature. People with heart problems, altitude sickness, or a fear of heights should not choose this activity. The canopy attraction is closed, but the mountain roads, walking, and changing elevation still deserve consideration.

Bring your passport, comfortable shoes, towel, water, jacket, rain gear, and basic toiletries. Do not bring large luggage, vaping equipment, alcohol, or drugs. Alcoholic drinks are also not allowed in the vehicle.

Should you book the Kundasang tour?

Book it if you want a broad, convenient introduction to Sabah’s mountain country and are willing to accept a long day in a shared van. The strongest combination is the Desa Dairy Farm scenery, Poring’s forest walk, the warm pools, and the generous lunch.

Skip it if you expect a slow farm visit, a full Kinabalu Park tour, or a quiet natural spa. At this price, the experience works best for someone who wants many highlights in one day, not someone seeking deep time at one place. Check the pickup point, confirm the current route, and keep your return evening free.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

It is a one-day activity. The listed driving time includes about two and a half hours from Kota Kinabalu to the mountain area and about two and a half hours back, with stops and lunch added.

What does the $98 price include?

The price includes intercity hotel pickup and drop-off, round-trip transport, entrance fees, one lunch, and a driver.

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.

Is the Treetop Canopy Walk open?

No. The Treetop Canopy attraction is under maintenance until further notice.

What languages are available?

The activity offers live guiding in English and Chinese.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, comfortable shoes, umbrella, towel, water, jacket, rain gear, and toiletries. These items are suggestions, so pack according to your needs.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.