2 Day / 1 Night Kinabalu National Park & Poring Hot Spring from £315

Overview

A perfect addition to your Borneo Beach stay.

Day 01 - Kota Kinabalu - Kinabalu National Park

This is your chance to go up into the mountains and jungle of Borneo. The drive up into the mountains will take you around the edge of Kota Kinabalu, and then out into the countryside. You will see traditional wooden houses on stilts and rice fields. After about 45 minutes' drive, the road starts to climb up through the Crocker Range and you will enjoy beautiful views over jungle covered hills and mountains, with the sea in the distance. Your guide will make a few "photo stops" and you will visit a local roadside market on the way up to Kinabalu Park. Kinabalu Park Headquarters is 1524 m above sea level and covers an area of 754 sq km. Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in South East Asia, 4101 m above sea level, and in clear weather its famous jagged profile can be seen from Kota Kinabalu. The local Kadazan people, who long ago lived in the shadow of the summit, named the mountain "Akin Nabalu" home of the spirits of the departed. On arrival at the Park, you will be able to visit the information centre which gives you details of the flora and fauna to be found in the Park. There are over 1000 species of orchids and 300 species of birds, as well as numerous species of ferns, pitcher plants, mosses and rhododendrons. There is a "Mountain Garden" at the Park Headquarters, so that people visiting the Park on a day trip only will be able to see some of the flowers and plants found in the Park. You will be taken on a guided walk through the jungle, where your guide will identify various plants along the path and answer your questions. Your walk will end with a visit to the Mountain Garden.

Lunch will be at a restaurant in the Park Headquarters and you will have plenty of time to explore some more jungle paths after lunch. From the Park Headquarters, your guide will take you on a short coach ride through the fruit and vegetable growing area of Kundasang. This is the market garden of Sabah and roadside stalls sell produce at much lower prices than those you find in Kota Kinabalu. See the hybrid asparagus which is unique to Sabah, and the unusual winter melons which are used as a vegetable for soups.

Spend the night at Mount. Kinabalu Park Headquarters Guesthouse (basic)

Day 02: Poring Hot Springs - Kota Kinabalu

After breakfast, you will drive to Poring Hot Springs. To get to the Springs, you have to walk across a short rope and wood hanging bridge, over a river, and then you will find attractively landscaped gardens. The hot sulphur spring water has been channelled into open air tiled baths you can fill your own bath with hot spring water and add fresh cold water until you have the temperature you require. There is also a "rock pool" where you can take a swim. There are numerous jungle paths around the Hot Springs and the highlight of any visit here is the "Canopy Walkway” – stands at 120 feet above the jungle floor. Your guide will take you along a steep path for about 20-minutes to the start of the Walkway. It is a unique opportunity to have a bird's eye view of the jungle canopy. (The Walkway is not recommended for anyone nervous of heights!) A packed lunch is included and your afternoon is at leisure until departure. Return to your hotel in Kota Kinabalu early evening.

Price from £315 per person including transfers, excusions as indicated, all meals and 1 night accommodation at Mount Kinabalu Park Headquarters Guesthouse.