Kinabalu Park – A Day of Mountain Views and Stunning Forests to Explore in Sabah, BorneoJoin a Kinabalu Park tour to get a glimpse of the flora and fauna that make Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia so special. This private Kinabalu Park day tour is a great choice for enjoying the mountain scenery, joining guided walks along trails through the forest in Kinabalu Park Headquarters, and seeing some of the beautiful endemic flowers of Sabah, Borneo.Kinabalu Park was established as one of the first national parks of Malaysia in 1964, is Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO in December 2000 for its “outstanding universal values” and is an important biological site in the world with more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna, including 326 bird and around 100 mammal species. Kinabalu Park, Sabah, has a changing climate that supports rainforest plants in the lower regions. Then, as you ascend, you are able to experience different types of plants, from coniferous forests to alpine-type plants near the summit of Mount Kinabalu.The Kinabalu Park tour starts with a collection from your hotel in central Kota Kinabalu. On your journey to Kinabalu Park, you’ll have a short stop at Nabalu Market before arriving at Kinabalu National Park Headquarters. Once at Kinabalu Park you will join a guided walk along the Silau Silau trail as your Nature Guide helps you to see some of the fauna and flora found along this trail, followed by a visit to the Botanical Garden. The Botanical Garden (or Mountain Garden) is home to a wide variety of orchids boasting 1500 species, as well as rare species of plants and endemics.Get close to Nature – Kinabalu Park Tour, Sabah, MalaysiaAfter lunch, you will have two options to choose from depending on what interests you the most:-Option 1—For those interested in experiencing more of Kinabalu Park’s beautiful scenery, you can join another guided walk along a different trail. This will give you the chance to experience more of the sights and sounds of the beautiful forest found in Kinabalu Park Headquarters.Option 2—Alternatively, for those wanting to learn more about the history and culture of Sabah, you can visit the Kundasang War Memorial (which is dedicated to the soldiers who died during the ‘death marches’ to Ranau during World War 2) and Kundasang local market to learn about the local foods and the Dusun people who call the mountains their home.If you want to visit Kundasang and Desa Cattle Farm, then check out our Kundasang Trips.Trip Itinerary – Kinabalu Park Tour, Sabah, Malaysia8:00 hrs: Pick up from your hotel in central Kota Kinabalu and start your ~ 2-hour drive to Kinabalu Park Headquarters, passing along mountainous roads that wind over the Crocker Mountain range.9:45 hrs: Stop on the way at the Mountain View Point, where you can take a photo of the mighty Mount Kinabalu. There’ll also be a chance for a toilet break, a short visit to the Nabalu Market, and witnessing the local Handicraft skills of the Dusun community.10:45 hrs: Arrival at Kinabalu Park Headquarters. You’ll notice the change in temperature due to the change in altitude with Kinabalu Park Headquarters at 1563m asl. Join a guided walk along the Silau Silau trail – the so-called “yellow” trail. Listen to the chirping of birds and learn more about the plants and animal life you come across on the trail. Next, you’ll visit the Botanical Garden and learn more about the amazing variety of orchid species found within Kinabalu Park, with hopefully some of them flowering for that perfect photo opportunity.12:30 hrs: Time for lunch. You’ll be transferred to the nearby Cottage Hotel for a set lunch offering a selection of local dishes. Make the most of your lunch break to rest your feet.After lunch you can choose between two options for your afternoon activities for your Kinabalu Park tour:-OPTION A – More Trails in Kinabalu Park14:00 hrs: Return to Kinabalu Park for a guided walk along the Bundu Tuhan View Trail. This trail is around 460 meters, a ~ 30 – 45 minute walk, with a good opportunity to experience the tropical rainforests. The plants which can thrive in rainforests are wild orchids, and the presence of butterflies, dragonflies, and rare insects is typical. On a clear day, it offers a view of a nearby Kadazan Dusun village, Bundu Tuhan which makes hikers choose this trail as one of the top 3 trails of Kinabalu Park.15:00 hrs: Take the last walk near the Park Headquarters, where the mountain climbers usually descend at this time. Wind up through the gardens of the Mountain View trail for the last glimpse of plant life.OPTION B – History & Culture14:00 hrs: Transfer to the historical Kundasang War Memorial and learn stories of the brave heroes of the past during the Death March. The Kundasang War Memorial is dedicated to the British and Australian soldiers who died in the Sandakan POW camp during their death marches to Ranau. The memorial is divided into four interconnecting continuous areas connected by a trail – the Australian Garden, the English Rose Garden, the Borneo Garden with wildflowers of Mount Kinabalu and the Contemplation Garden. The first three gardens represent the home countries of the victims.14:30 hrs: Visit Kundasang market, a thriving community market where the locals come to sell their local produce. It will not only be an opportunity to come across local produce like bambangan, tuhau, wild honey and fruits but also discover the culture of the Dusun people who live in these mountainous highlands.15:00 hrs: Transfer to Kinabalu Park area and have a last walk near the headquarters where the mountain climbers usually descend at this time. Wind up through the gardens of Mountain View trail for the last glimpse of plant life.15:30 hrs: For both options, you will start your journey back to Kota Kinabalu. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery as you make your way back across the Crocker mountain range towards the west coast of Sabah.17:30 – 18:00 hrs: You will arrive back at your hotel (the exact return time depends on traffic).Trip Pre-requisitesThere are a minimum of 2 persons per booking. This trip is suitable for all. Please note that there is a ~ 2 – 2.5 hour coach transfer per way, so it is not suitable for you if you want to avoid long coach journeys.Trip InclusionsReturn road transfers in a private minibus.Entrance fees for Kinabalu Park Headquarters, Botanical Garden and Kundasang War Memorial.Lunch – typically a set meal with a selection of local dishes.Private guiding is provided by an English-speaking licensed nature guide.0% Sales & Service Tax on the tour price as applicable from 6th May 2019.Trip ExclusionsRM5 fee per camera and RM30 fee per video camera Kinabalu Park Headquarters.Visits to other locations near Kinabalu Park are not included in the above itinerary.Purchases at Kundasang market.Recommended Packing List For The Trip – Kinabalu Park TourBinoculars, insect repellent, long sleeve shirts & long pants, raincoat, sun hat and sun protection cream, comfortable walking shoes, water bottle (for the minibus/coach transfers, and for on the trails), camera, day rucksack for use on the trails, dry bag (to keep items in your rucksack dry), spending money if you choose to visit Kundasang Market. For the trails in Kinabalu Park, it is important to wear good walking shoes (with a good grip; please note your footwear will get wet on the trails) and have a jacket with a hood/ windbreaker in your rucksack just in case it rains.Notes – Kinabalu Park Tour, Sabah, MalaysiaThe Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs tour price is valid for trips up to 31st December 2023.
