Since you already saw the pictures and brochures of these majestic places, you are now hoping to visit these.
Your Kota Kinabalu vacation in Sabah, Malaysia will not be complete if you did not visit the Kinabalu Park, Mt. Kinabalu and Poring Hot Springs. Mount Kinabalu can be visited through going to Kinabalu National Park.
Poring Hot Springs can be visited in the lowlands to soothe muscles and enjoy swimming. In Poring Hot Springs, you can visit the orchids, tropical garden, butterfly farm, Rafflesia flower and the famous canopy walkway.
You do not need to rent a van if you are only three or less. Try using these guide on how to get there for the cheapest budget.
Image source: Flickr (Click on image for bigger size)
1. Ride a mini van straight to Kinabalu National Park
Go to Jalan Padang and ride a mini van. The fare will be 20 RM each. The driver will wait for the passengers to fill up the van before the departure. The trip will take about 2 hours to reach the place. It is best to ride at 6am so you can see the sunrise when you almost reach KInabalu National Park and at the same time visit the Poring Hot Springs in the same day.
You can view the Mount KInabalu while going to the Kinabalu National Park. Inside the park, you can get a good view of the mountain and have a picture taken. This is also a place where climbers meet. You can see many plant species and there are lodges available while going to the mountain.
Image source: Flickr (Click on image for bigger size)
If you just want to stay in the park, there is a restaurant and a souvenir shop. You can feel the cold breeze while watching birds.
There are buses outside the park going back to the city.
2. For Poring Hot Springs, ride a van going to Ranau.
Unlike in Jalan Padang, vans from Kinabalu Park going to Ranau are old and non-air-conditioned. There are just a few of these. Nevertheless, riding this feels like you are a participant in the Amazing Race. The fare will be only 6 RM each.
When you reached Ranau, you can have a lunch break in small eateries. After that, ride a van again straight to Poring Hot Springs. Fare is again 6 RM. If you want to rent a van and have a trip from Ranau to Poring Hot Springs and back again to Ranau, Fare will be 50 RM. Entrance fee in Poring Hot Springs is 15 RM.
3. Get back again to Ranau before 4pm
Online map by Mapquest (Click on image for bigger size)
Remember that since you went early in Kinabalu National Park and Poring Hot Springs, you have to go back to Ranau as late as 3:30 pm because buses going back to Kota Kinabalu City are there until 4 or 4:30 pm only.
4. If late, wait until 7pm to get back to Kota Kinabalu City
If you plan to get back late, you can ride a bus but you will have to wait until 7pm to ride in it. The bus’s signboard is “Sandakan”. It will go to Inanam Terminal and then, you can get a taxi going to the city. It will take 2 hours for the bus to reach the Inanam terminal while from terminal, it will take 30 minutes for taxi to reach the city again. The fare for bus is 15 RM and for taxi is 20 RM.
It is more adventurous and thrilling if you can reach these tourist spots by yourselves. You do not need an expensive tour to go there and come back to the city. Aside from controlling your own time, you can stay as long as you want to have a relaxation and a nice vacation.
