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

The mountain road is only part of the adventure. I like the mix of Poring Hot Springs and Desa Dairy Farm, two very different stops that show Sabah’s tropical and agricultural sides. I also like that lunch, entrance fees, a guide, and hotel transfers are included. The main caution is important: the Canopy Walkway is closed for maintenance, and recent changes have left some people expecting stops that were no longer available.

This is a long shared excursion, with about six hours spent on the road between Kota Kinabalu and the mountain area. I would book it for easy transport and a full day outside the city, but I would confirm the farm visit and replacement stops before paying. The tour has received warm praise for friendly guides such as Wendy, Nizam, Roy, and Roger, yet the overall rating of 3.7 from 15 reviews reflects uneven communication.

Key points before you book

• The Canopy Walkway is currently closed: Do not book this trip expecting the famous suspended forest walk to be included.
• Poring Hot Springs still gives you two hours: You have time for the hot springs, a guided visit, free time, and a possible walk to the nearby waterfall area.
• Desa Dairy Farm is the biggest point to confirm: The planned stop includes dairy products and mountain views, but recent departures reportedly changed or skipped it.
• You pay for convenience: The $79 price includes hotel transport, lunch, admission, a guide, and a full-day route, but six hours are spent in the van.
• The trip is weather-sensitive: Bring an umbrella, sunscreen, water, insect repellent, and a camera.
• Pick-up rules matter: City hotels are covered, while hotels outside the main Kota Kinabalu area may incur an additional RM 40 per person.

A long road from Kota Kinabalu to Sabah’s highlands

The day begins around 7:00 AM with hotel pick-up in Kota Kinabalu. The route to Poring Hot Springs takes about three hours by shared van, followed by another three-hour return journey. That is a serious amount of road time, so I would treat this as a full-day mountain outing rather than a quick side trip.

Pick-up is available at many central hotels, including Hilton Kota Kinabalu, Le Méridien, Kota Kinabalu Marriott, The Magellan Sutera Resort, Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Hyatt Centric, Holiday Inn Express, and several others. You should wait in the lobby at least 10 minutes before the stated collection time.

The vehicle is shared with other people, and the exact group size is not provided. That means the pace depends partly on loading passengers, road conditions, and how long the group spends at each stop. I like the simplicity of hotel-to-hotel transport, especially because Poring is far easier to reach with a driver than by trying to arrange separate rides.

For hotels outside the main city coverage area, including Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Nexus Karambunai, 1Borneo, Inanam, and Tuaran, an extra RM 40 per person applies. That amount is paid in cash to the driver or guide at pick-up. Check your hotel location carefully, since this fee affects the advertised value.

Poring Hot Springs and the canopy walk that is not operating

The first major stop is Poring Hot Springs, reached at about 10:00 AM. The two-hour visit includes a guided tour, sightseeing, free time, and walking. The hot springs are the centerpiece, although using a private bath or tub costs extra and is not included.

Poring gives you a change of scenery after the drive. The area includes forest paths and hot spring facilities, so you can spend time walking, looking around, or simply taking in the setting. One recent itinerary change included a walk toward a waterfall, where the shade and cool air were a welcome break from the heat.

The famous Canopy Walkway is currently closed for maintenance by the local authority. This is not a small detail. The suspended bridge is one of the most recognizable activities associated with Poring, and the tour description still presents it as a headline attraction even though it is not presently part of the day.

I would not assume you will receive a replacement activity of equal value. Some departures have included other stops, such as a local market or a rafflesia viewing area, but those additions are not guaranteed in the stated plan. If a rafflesia stop is offered, ask about the price before agreeing. One person reported being asked for RM 50 to enter a rafflesia site and felt the cost was excessive.

Bring shoes suitable for walking and clothes that can cope with heat and humidity. You may want an umbrella even on a sunny morning, as tropical weather can change quickly. Insect repellent is also sensible around forest paths.

Lunch at a local restaurant

Around noon, the group stops for a one-hour lunch at a local restaurant. The meal is included, which makes the $79 price easier to justify. You do not need to search for food during a tightly timed day, and the break gives you a chance to cool down after Poring.

The dining details are not specified, so I would not book this trip for a particular menu or special culinary experience. Think of lunch as practical fuel rather than a destination meal. If you have strict dietary needs, ask the operator before departure because the available information does not explain the menu or substitution policy.

The one-hour schedule is enough for a normal meal, but not for a long, relaxed restaurant visit. Keep the day moving, especially since the route still includes the dairy farm and Kinabalu Park.

Desa Dairy Farm, Sabah’s Little New Zealand

The planned afternoon visit to Desa Dairy Farm is scheduled for about 1:00 PM, with roughly one hour for a guided visit, sightseeing, walking, and free time. The farm is often called Little New Zealand, a nickname based on its open mountain setting and dairy focus.

The appeal is straightforward. You can purchase fresh milk, yogurt, and ice cream, making this one of the more family-friendly parts of the route. The stop also offers a different view of Sabah, away from forest and hot springs. I like that contrast: the morning is about tropical nature, while the afternoon is about farming and local produce.

The farm is also one of the best places in this plan for photos, particularly if Mount Kinabalu is visible. Weather matters here. Cloud or rain can reduce the mountain view, and the schedule does not allow a long wait for conditions to improve.

This is where I would take extra care before booking. Recent departures reportedly changed the plan, and at least one person said the farm had been cancelled. Another person specifically felt disappointed because the dairy farm and canopy walk were the two stops they most wanted.

The operator should provide clear notice if the farm is unavailable, but communication has not always been consistent. The guide may be following an updated route that was not clearly passed on to the passenger. Contact the company shortly before the tour and ask three direct questions:

• Is Desa Dairy Farm operating on my date?
• What replaces the Canopy Walkway?
• Are any replacement attractions or entrance charges extra?

That short check can prevent a major mismatch between your expectations and the actual day.

Kinabalu Park and the short mountain photo stop

The final main stop is Kinabalu Park, scheduled for about 2:30 PM. The listed activity is a photo stop and free time for about one hour. This is not presented as a full park exploration or a hiking program, so you should keep your expectations modest.

Kinabalu Park matters because it places Mount Kinabalu at the heart of the day. On a clear afternoon, the mountain provides the defining photo of the trip. On a cloudy day, you may get only partial views, but the stop still gives you a chance to stretch after the van ride.

The timing can vary in practice. One person described a park visit lasting only about 10 minutes, which is much shorter than the planned hour. That is another reason to see this tour as a scenic overview rather than a detailed national park visit.

If your priority is hiking, botany, or a long stay inside Kinabalu Park, this outing will feel too brief. If you want a convenient mountain photo stop without arranging a separate excursion, it can work well.

The ride home and the real cost of convenience

The return trip begins around 4:00 PM, with arrival in Kota Kinabalu planned for about 6:00 PM. Drop-off is available at many of the same hotels used for collection, including The Magellan Sutera Resort, Sabah Oriental Hotel, Cititel Express, Hyatt Centric, Hilton, Le Méridien, Promenade Hotel, and others.

At $79 per person, the tour is not simply charging for entry to three attractions. You are paying for a driver, a live guide in English or Malay, lunch, admission fees, and the convenience of a prearranged route. If you are staying in central Kota Kinabalu and want to see several inland attractions in one day, that package has real value.

The weak point is the amount of time spent in transit. Six hours in a van is a lot, particularly if the canopy walk and dairy farm are both changed. The value drops quickly if the day becomes mostly a drive with short photo stops.

The tour has earned strong praise for its staff. Rohit specifically enjoyed the friendly service from guide Wendy and driver Nizam. Another person called the trip very nice and thanked Roy. Roger was also praised for explaining the route, helping with a requested rafflesia stop, and making the day enjoyable despite the canopy closure.

That human element matters on a long shared trip. A warm, flexible guide can make traffic, heat, and schedule changes much easier to handle. Still, friendly service does not replace clear information, so confirm the current program before departure.

What to bring and who should skip it

I would pack light but carefully:

• Water
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• An umbrella
• A camera
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Cash for possible extras

Smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed. A private hot spring bath is not included, and personal expenses are your responsibility.

The physical demands are moderate but real. You will spend time walking at Poring Hot Springs, around the farm, and at Kinabalu Park, with long periods seated in a van. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, or wheelchair users.

I think this trip suits you best if you want a guided introduction to Sabah’s inland sights and do not want to arrange transport yourself. Families may enjoy the farm products, while photographers may value the mountain views and changing forest scenery.

I would skip it if the Canopy Walkway is your main reason for booking, if you need wheelchair access, or if you dislike long road journeys. I would also avoid booking without confirmation if Desa Dairy Farm is essential to your plans.

Should you book this Sabah day tour?

I would book this tour only after confirming the current route in writing. With the canopy walk closed, the experience now depends heavily on whether Poring Hot Springs, Desa Dairy Farm, Kinabalu Park, and any replacement stops are actually operating as planned.

The best case is a well-run day with a helpful guide, a relaxing Poring visit, fresh dairy treats, a clear Mount Kinabalu view, lunch, and easy hotel transport. The less appealing case is a long drive, a shortened park stop, a cancelled farm visit, and surprise charges for optional attractions.

For $79, the package is fair when all listed inclusions are delivered. It is less convincing when major attractions are removed without advance notice. Confirm the farm, ask what replaces the canopy walk, and clarify any extra fees. If those answers satisfy you, this is a convenient way to see several very different parts of Sabah in one packed day.

FAQ

Is the Canopy Walkway included in this tour?

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

Does the tour visit Desa Dairy Farm?

Desa Dairy Farm is scheduled as a one-hour stop, with time for sightseeing, walking, and purchasing milk, yogurt, and ice cream. Because recent route changes have affected this stop, confirm its availability before departure.

What is included in the $79 price?

The price includes hotel pick-up and return transfer, shared tour transport, applicable entrance fees, lunch, and an English or Malay-speaking guide.

Is hotel pick-up included outside Kota Kinabalu?

Pick-up is included for listed Kota Kinabalu hotels. Hotels outside the city coverage area, including Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Nexus Karambunai, 1Borneo, Inanam, and Tuaran, incur an additional RM 40 per person paid in cash to the driver or guide.

How long does the tour last?

The planned duration is 11 hours, from about 7:00 AM until around 6:00 PM. The schedule includes roughly three hours to reach the mountain area and three hours for the return journey.

Can I cancel the booking?

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