UNESCO Site
Visit Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a staggering 5000 species of plants, 326 types of resident and migratory birds as well as 100 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
Trekking
Trek up the sacred mountain, Kinabalu. The summit trail leads you through the tropical oak and chestnut forest, mossy forest and up to the sub-alpine forest.
Unique Wildlife
Walk through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orangutans and visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about the world’s smallest bear.
Homestay
Overnight at a local homestay and connect with the family that runs it, learn more about their culture and enjoy a cooking class.
Overview
The perfect setting for rest and relaxation, Tambatuon is located on the foothills of Mount Kinabalu in a beautiful valley by the Kedamaian River, surrounded by paddy fields and fruit orchards. Discover the amazing hospitality of the Dusun tribe, the biggest ethnic group in Sabah. One of our Go Local product that we take pride to in sustaining and supporting local community.
Standing majestically at 4,095.2m (13,435 feet above sea level), Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. A World Heritage Site, Mount Kinabalu is well-known worldwide for its tremendous botanical and biological species biodiversity with plants of Himalayan, Australasian, and Indomalayan origin.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival Kota Kinabalu, approx. driving time 20 mins
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, check-in and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Horizon Hotel or similar.
Meal included: None
Day 2 | Kota Kinabalu – Tambatuon, approx. driving time 2 hours
09:00 Depart Kota Kinabalu for a scenic drive heading to the Northern part of Sabah. Enroute, visit the Famous Tamparuli suspension bridge located in Tamparuli town. The locals called the bridge "Jambatan Tamparuli" and there is also a song named after the bridge that was composed by a late Sabahan singer.
After the tour, travel to Tambatuon village and meet the local community. Lunch and check-in to the homestay. After lunch, trek to a nearby river (if weather permits, you can join the water tubing activity at your own expense) and explore the landscape surrounding the village.
In your free time before cooking class starts, the host will demonstrate the partly paddy making process (depending on the season – you may experience one of the process such as harvest, de-husk or polish). Experience the hands-on cooking class activity to cook one of your dishes for tonight's dinner. This evening, enjoy the local dinner prepared by your host. Connect with the family that runs the homestay and learn more about their culture.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 3 | Tambatuon – Kinabalu Park
09:30 Breakfast at the homestay. Check-out and depart to the Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a staggering 5000 species of plants, 326 types of resident and migratory birds as well as 100 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Depart the city on a 2-hour drive and stop over en route at the Pekan Nabalu to take a panorama photo of the Mountain or purchase inexpensive seasonal fruits and other local produce.
At the Kinabalu Park, follow your local Nature Guide on one of the many trail walks as you will learn more about the different vegetation zones and plants. At the botanical garden, often referred to as the “mountain garden”, take a closer look at various, often medicinal plants. The garden showcases pitcher plants, rare orchid species and a broad collection of endemic plant species found around Kinabalu Park.
Lunch at the Kinabalu Park’s restaurant, is a cozy venue where a variety of Malaysian and Western classics are served. Check-in to your accommodation. Rest of the day, explore more of the forest in the park at your own leisure (unguided). Enjoy dinner at the Kinabalu Park’s restaurant.
Meal included: Breakfast at homestay, Lunch at Kinabalu Park, Dinner at Kinabalu Park
Day 4 | Kinabalu Park – Laban Rata
08:00 After breakfast, collect your packed lunch and meet up with your local mountain guide at the Park HQ. Transfer to Timpohon Gate and begin your trek up the sacred mountain, Kinabalu. The summit trail leads you through the tropical oak and chestnut forest, mossy forest and up to the sub-alpine forest. Look out for rhododendrons, pitcher plants, orchids and other flora native to this area. Shelters along the way allow you to enjoy your packed lunch amidst the cool mountain air. Spend the night in a rest house (non-heated) at the elevation of approximately 3,200 m above sea level.
Meal included: Breakfast at Kinabalu Park Packed Lunch from Kinabalu Park Dinner at Laban Rata Restaurant
Day 5 | Laban Rata – Summit – Kinabalu Park – Kundasang. Approx. driving time 15 mins
02:00 Wake up for early supper and prepare for your summit climb.
03:00 Start of your ascent to the summit with your mountain guide. Depending on your speed, you might be able to reach in time to witness the sunrise. Descend back to Laban Resthouse for breakfast and check out. Continue descending to Timpohon Gate and transfer to the restaurant for lunch.
15:00 Depart Kinabalu Park for Kundasang.
Overnight Kinabalu Pine resort.
Meal included: Breakfast at Laban Rata Restaurant Lunch at Kinabalu Park Dinner at Kinabalu Pine Resort
Day 6 | Kundasang - Bilit, approx. driving times 5 hours
09:30 Check-out then proceed for your departure transfer to Bilit. Transfer to Bilit Rainforest Resort. Check-in. Morning at leisure.
Take an afternoon river cruise in search of wildlife and birds. Dinner at the resort.
Meal included: Breakfast at hotel Lunch at the lodge Dinner at the lodge
Day 7 | Bilit/Sukau
06:00 Early morning river cruise to observe wildlife and experience the early morning river ambience of the longest river of Sabah. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast. Rest of the day, free to enjoy the natural surroundings.
In the late afternoon, at 16.30, proceed on another river cruise to search for wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Meal included: Breakfast at Bilit Rainforest Lodge Lunch at Bilit Rainforest Lodge Dinner at Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Day 8 | Bilit Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabiliation Centre / Borneo Sunbear Conservation Centre. Approx. driving time 1 hour 50 mins.
08:00 Transfer to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Walk ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orangutans and then we continue to the newly completed enclosed nursery area for young orangutans. Next pay a visit to the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about conservation of the world’s smallest bear. After that, check-in to your resort. The rest of the day is free.
Visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre (1.5 hour)
18:00 Walk to the Rainforest Discovery Centre. The RDC is home to the famous 620 m-long Rainforest Skywalk and the most educational nature park in Malaysia. At RDC, you will have the best experience of the rainforest as you discover life in the treetops. The looped trails provide many hiking possibilities. See rarely-seen flying squirrels, tarsiers, slow lorises and many more!
Accommodation at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort or similar.
Meal included: Breakfast at the lodge
Day 9 | Sepilok - Sandakan, approx driving time 40 mins
08:30 Check-out after breakfast and transfer to Sandakan Airport.
Meal included: Breakfast
Why we love it
Wildlife Encounters
Activities
Stunning Scenery
Bucket List Trip
Gallery
All images courtesy of © DTH Travel
