Sabah: Kinabalu Park, Poring Hot Springs & Desa Farm Tour

Poring Hot Springs is the main draw here, but the day is really a three-part sampler of Sabah: rainforest, cool mountain country, and a farm with views toward Mount Kinabalu. I especially like the included hotel transfer and lunch, since the route is too long and scattered to handle easily without transport. I also like the chance to see a very different side of Sabah at Desa Dairy Farm, where milk, yogurt, and ice cream are sold on site.

The big catch is that the canopy walkway is currently closed for local-authority maintenance, so it is not part of the tour at present. The farm has also been omitted or changed on some departures, making it wise to confirm the exact stops shortly before you go. The 3.7 rating reflects a day that can be enjoyable with a good guide, but needs clearer communication from the operator.

Key points to know before you book

• The canopy walkway is closed: Do not book this trip expecting a treetop walk until the operator confirms that it has reopened.
• Three very different stops: Poring offers rainforest and hot springs, Desa Dairy Farm brings cool mountain scenery and dairy treats, and Kinabalu Park provides a short Mount Kinabalu photo stop.
• It is a long shared day: Expect about 11 hours, with roughly three hours each way in a van between Kota Kinabalu and the interior.
• Lunch and entrance fees are included: You pay extra for personal purchases, a private bath tub at Poring, and possible off-route pickup fees.
• Guide quality matters: Previous departures were especially praised when guides such as Wendy, Roy, Roger, and driver Nizam handled the day.
• Confirm changes in writing: The canopy closure and occasional farm substitutions make a last-minute check essential.

A long road from Kota Kinabalu into Sabah’s interior

This is not a quick city excursion. You leave Kota Kinabalu at about 7:00 AM and return around 6:00 PM, spending close to three hours in the van in each direction. That sounds demanding, and it is, but the distance is the price of seeing places that do not sit beside the city.

The shared van collects you from a long list of central hotels, including the Hilton, Le Méridien, Marriott, Magellan Sutera Resort, Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Hyatt Centric, The LUMA, and several others. You need to wait in the lobby from 10 minutes before pickup. If you stay outside the covered Kota Kinabalu area, such as at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Nexus Karambunai, 1Borneo, Inanam, or Tuaran, an additional RM 40 per person is payable in cash to the driver or guide.

I would treat the transport as part of the adventure rather than dead time. The route connects the coast with the high country around Mount Kinabalu, and the day gives you a broad look at Sabah rather than one concentrated attraction. Still, this is not the right choice if you dislike long drives, fixed schedules, or shared tours.

Poring Hot Springs without the canopy walkway

The first major stop is Poring Hot Springs, reached at about 10:00 AM. The name comes from the local bamboo found in the area, and the site is best known for its hot spring pools and access to rainforest walks. The planned two-hour visit gives you time for guided sightseeing and some free time.

The canopy walkway would normally be the headline activity. Suspended above the forest, it offers a high view of the tree canopy and the surrounding rainforest. At present, however, the local authority has closed it for maintenance. It is not included until further notice, so you should not assume the tour price includes this attraction or any replacement of equal value.

This change matters. For many people, the canopy walk is the reason to choose Poring over a simpler hot spring visit. A past departure replaced the lost attraction with stops that included Nabalu Village Market and a place to see a rafflesia, while another account described a waterfall near the hot springs as a pleasant alternative. Those substitutions are not guaranteed, so ask exactly what your departure will include.

Poring’s hot spring bathing is also not automatically part of the price. A private bath tub costs extra, and personal expenses are excluded. If you want to bathe, bring practical clothing and ask the guide about current options. The supplied information specifically recommends an umbrella, water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera. Sabah weather can shift quickly, so an umbrella is useful even when the morning begins bright.

Do not expect a strenuous forest expedition. The stop includes walking, but the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and people with back, heart, or pregnancy-related concerns are advised not to join. Good walking shoes will still make the paths more comfortable.

Lunch breaks up the long morning

At about noon, the group stops at a local restaurant for one hour. Lunch is included, which makes the price easier to judge. You do not need to find a restaurant in an unfamiliar area or spend time choosing food while the van waits.

The meal is a practical pause between Poring and the farm, not a destination in itself. The schedule is fairly tight, so do not count on a long, leisurely restaurant visit. If you have dietary restrictions, confirm what can be provided before departure, since no special meal details are given.

I like having lunch built into a day like this. It keeps the group moving and avoids another separate expense. The tradeoff is that a shared meal follows the tour’s timetable, not your own appetite or pace.

Desa Dairy Farm, Sabah’s cool mountain stop

The drive then continues to Desa Dairy Farm, reached at about 1:00 PM with the visit listed around 2:00 PM or 2:30 PM depending on the operating schedule. The farm is often promoted as Little New Zealand, a comparison based on its open grazing areas, cooler setting, and mountain views.

This is a useful contrast with Poring. Instead of rainforest heat and spring pools, you get a more open setting and a chance to buy fresh dairy products. Ice cream, yogurt, and farm milk are available for purchase. These treats are not included in the tour price, so carry some spending money if you want to try them.

The farm can be especially appealing to families and anyone who wants a slower, more photogenic stop after the morning walk. It is also one of the clearest places on this route to appreciate the change in climate as you approach the Mount Kinabalu area.

Here is the important warning: the farm has not appeared on every recent departure. In one case, it was described as canceled, leaving the group with less time and fewer stops than expected. The operator’s current description includes Desa Dairy Farm, but the reported changes mean you should confirm that it is operating on your date. If the farm is central to your plans, get a clear answer before paying or at least before the cancellation deadline.

The farm visit is scheduled for about an hour. That is enough for a look around and a dairy purchase, but not a long agricultural tour. The guide may provide context, yet the exact activities can change with local conditions.

Kinabalu Park and the Mount Kinabalu photo stop

The final planned attraction is Kinabalu Park, with about an hour for a photo stop and free time. This is not a mountain climb, hiking tour, or full park exploration. It is a brief chance to pause in the Mount Kinabalu area and take photographs.

That distinction is important. Some departures have provided only a very short park visit, reportedly around 10 minutes, when changes elsewhere affected the schedule. You should see this stop as a scenic add-on rather than the main reason to book.

Even a short stop can be worthwhile if the weather is clear. Mount Kinabalu is the visual anchor of this part of Sabah, and the cooler surroundings offer a sharp change from Kota Kinabalu’s coastal heat. Bring your camera, but keep expectations sensible. The timing, viewpoint, and visibility depend on the day.

If you want a serious Kinabalu Park visit with forest walks, botanical interest, or a slower look at the area, this tour will feel too brief. If you simply want a managed stop and a chance at mountain photos while combining it with Poring and the farm, the format makes sense.

What the RM 79 price really covers

At $79 per person, this is not a bargain bus ride, but it covers several costs that add up on a remote route. Hotel pickup and return transfer, a shared guide, lunch, and applicable entrance fees are included. For visitors without a rental car, that package has real value.

The price becomes less attractive if the canopy walkway is unavailable and the dairy farm is removed without a clear replacement. Those two attractions are major reasons many people choose the tour. A changed route can leave you paying for a full day while receiving a shorter or less varied program.

You should also budget for dairy products, private bathing at Poring, and other personal purchases. An extra RM 40 per person applies to certain hotels outside the Kota Kinabalu coverage area. One complaint described an additional foreign-visitor charge at an attraction, so ask the operator to explain every entrance fee before departure. The supplied package says applicable entrance fees are included, but it does not cover every optional or newly added stop.

The flexible booking terms help. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans open. Use that flexibility to confirm the current route rather than assuming the original schedule is unchanged.

Guides can make or break a shared tour

The strongest part of this experience is often the human side. Past departures specifically praised Wendy and driver Nizam for being friendly, and Roy also received warm feedback. Another guide, Roger, was willing to consider a request to stop for rafflesia viewing when the canopy walk was unavailable.

Those names do not guarantee who will lead your group. They do show how much the day depends on the guide’s communication and attitude. A good guide can explain the route, manage changes, and help a long van day feel relaxed. A poor handoff between the office and the guide can create confusion, especially when attractions close or the plan changes.

English and Malay are offered. This should be enough for the basic tour, directions, and sightseeing information, but ask questions early if a particular stop matters to you. Confirm the canopy status, Desa Dairy Farm, any replacement attractions, lunch arrangements, and extra fees before the van leaves.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you have one free day in Kota Kinabalu and want to see several inland highlights without arranging a private car. It suits first-time visitors, families who like varied stops, and anyone who values included transport and a guide more than a slow pace.

It works particularly well if you are happy with a sampler. You get rainforest, hot springs, mountain scenery, dairy products, and a park photo stop in one day. You will not spend long at any one place, but you will gain a useful sense of Sabah beyond the coast.

I would hesitate if your main goal is the canopy walkway. It is closed now, and the opening date is not provided. I would also hesitate if Desa Dairy Farm is your top priority until the operator confirms it is running on your date.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, or wheelchair users. Smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed. Bring water, sun protection, insect repellent, an umbrella, and comfortable shoes.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a practical, all-in-one day and can accept a shared van, long drives, and possible changes. At $79, the included lunch, transport, guide, and entrance fees can make good sense when all three major stops operate.

Wait or choose another arrangement if the canopy walkway is the one feature you care about, or if you want a full Kinabalu Park visit. Before booking, ask one direct question: What exact stops are operating on my date, and what replaces the canopy walk? If the answer includes Poring, Desa Dairy Farm, Kinabalu Park, lunch, and a clear replacement plan, the day is a reasonable way to cover a lot of Sabah in limited time.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 11 hours. Pickup is scheduled around 7:00 AM, and return to Kota Kinabalu is expected around 6:00 PM.

Is the canopy walkway open?

No. The canopy walkway is currently closed for maintenance by the local authority and is not included until further notice.

Is Desa Dairy Farm included?

Desa Dairy Farm is part of the planned route, but recent departures have had changes, including a reported farm cancellation. Confirm that the farm will operate on your date.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour price.

Are the hot spring baths included?

The tour includes the Poring Hot Springs visit, but a private bath tub is not included. Personal expenses and optional purchases are extra.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Malay.

Where can pickup take place?

Pickup is available from listed Kota Kinabalu hotels, including Hilton Kota Kinabalu, Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel, The Magellan Sutera Resort, Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, and many others.

Is there an extra pickup charge?

Yes. Pickup from locations outside the Kota Kinabalu city coverage area, including Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Nexus Karambunai, 1Borneo, Inanam, and Tuaran, costs an additional RM 40 per person. Pay the driver or guide in cash at pickup.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance qualifies for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.