Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia: 3 Itineraries for Your Adventure
Planning Your KK Getaway
AirAsia currently offers direct flights to Kota Kinabalu (KK) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Crafting your itinerary around these days can help you optimize travel time and expenses.
Keep in mind that with these flight schedules, you'll likely spend a significant portion of your first and last days traveling.
HCM - KK: Departure 13:25, Arrival 16:25
KK - HCM: Departure 11:45, Arrival 12:55
Itinerary 1: Relaxation (5 Days, 4 Nights – Tue to Sat)
Day 1: Arrival and Exploration
Arrive in KK, purchase a local SIM card, take a Grab to your hotel, enjoy dinner, and either book tours/transportation or explore KK by night.
Day 2: Full-Day City Tour
Choose a comprehensive tour package or hire a private car for a customized experience.
I opted for the latter, booking a driver through Grab, the same one who transported me from the airport. The cost was RM 350 for a 4-seater car, accommodating up to 3 passengers. The driver was incredibly helpful, accompanying us to attractions, providing guidance (especially regarding tickets), and taking photos.
Contact Mr. Elvis: +601120848113
This rate proved to be a great value compared to the half-day city tour options starting from RM170 per person.
Start your tour later in the morning (around 9:30-10:30 AM) to catch the sunset at spot #6 below.
Morning:
- Atkinson Clock Tower, Signal Hill Observatory Tower (09:00-23:00)
- Masjid Bandaraya Mosque (Entrance with robe rental RM10, outside RM5). Monday – Sunday : 8.00am to 12.00noon, 2.00pm to 3.30pm, 4.00pm to 5.00pm. Friday: Closed
- Tun Mustapha Tower (Yayasan Tower) & Menara Kinabalu, Sabah State Admin Centre - highest government office 33 level (view from outside)
- Universiti of Sabah mosque. This area boasts over 20 attractions; the entry fee is RM10. I visited the main highlights: the cathedral, harbor, beach, colorful steps, and clock tower. Additional fees apply for the art exhibition center and oceanographic institute.
Afternoon:
- Peak Nam Toong Temple
- Sabah State Mosque (04:00-23:00 - photo opportunities outside only)
- Breeze Beach Club (Fri, Sat, Sun: 7pm -50%, 8pm: fire dance) => capture photos of the harbor with its yachts and enjoy the sunset. Alternatively, head to Tanjung Aru Beach for the sunset.
- Imago Shopping Mall
Day 3: Kundasang Day Trip
I again hired Mr. Elvis for the day. The price was RM 450 for a 4-seater car, accommodating 3 passengers. Mr. Elvis: +601120848113. This excludes entrance fees and meals. A full tour package costs approximately RM 300 per person.
- Tamparuli Suspension Bridge (experience a suspension bridge similar to those in the Central Highlands or Sapa)
- Pekan Nabalu market & View Point
- Alpaca Club (I had seen these in Hua Hin, Thailand, but after seeing them in a film, I wanted to see them again)
- Desa Dairy Farm, Desa cafe (food available), entrance RM5, cash at the ticket counter for vehicles.
- Kloud Restaurant, Bar & Cafe at Mountain Valley Resort, Jalan Tenompok, Bundu Tuhan, 89300 Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia
- Suria Sabah mall
Day 4: Island Hopping
Explore the islands independently or opt for a tour package. (More details in sections 4 and 5.)
Day 5: Departure
Enjoy breakfast, check out of your hotel, and head to the airport for your flight back.
Expanding Your Horizons: Two Extended Itineraries
Itinerary 2: Leisurely Exploration (6 Days, 5 Nights – Thu to Tue)
Note: Visit Kundasang on Friday or Monday to avoid the weekend crowds.
This itinerary mirrors the first, with an extra day for:
- Visiting the Mari Mari Cultural Village.
- Relaxing at a beautiful resort such as Bunga Raya Island resort & spa, Shangri La Rasa Ria, or Sutera Harbor resort.
- Spending a night in the Kundasang highlands. Day 3 will be split into 3a & 3b.
Day 3a: Journey to Kundasang
Travel to Kundasang, with stops along the way:
- Kloud Restaurant, Bar & Cafe at Mountain Valley Resort: Enjoy drinks and relaxation.
- Desa Dairy Farm - the dairy farm often referred to as the "New Zealand of Malaysia."
Overnight at Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Poring Hot Spring
Day 3b: Exploring Kundasang
- Wake up and visit Poring Hot Spring.
- Sabah tea resort restaurant for lunch.
- Kokol Hillside Cafe & Restaurant for sunset viewing.
Return to KK.
Itinerary 3: The Ultimate Sabah Experience (7-14 Days)
Customize the length of your stay up to two weeks to fully explore the vast and beautiful region of Sabah, especially its eastern coastline. Here are some suggestions for beach and island enthusiasts.
Consider visiting these two destinations, often called the "Maldives of Malaysia," spending an additional 3-4 days at each:
- Sandakan (accessible by air from KK) - mentioned by several YouTubers.
- Semporna (fly to Tawau and then transfer by car) - recommended by Elvis Lee.
Note: These destinations are still relatively undiscovered by many travelers. Research your itinerary carefully before visiting. I hope to explore these areas myself and share my experiences with you soon.
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