7-Day Mount Kinabalu Tour Packages
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Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Mount Kinabalu itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaMount Kinabalu travel expert at TourRadar
- Day 1
Kota Kinabalu
Start your Borneo trip in KK (as locals call it) arriving before noon. Plan indoor activities during the early afternoon heat peak. Visit the State Mosque between 2-4pm when it's open to non-Muslims. Women need to borrow a robe at the entrance. Head to Puh Toh Zhe Temple for great sunset views over the South China Sea. Book dinner at the waterfront night market by 6pm before the best seafood runs out.
- Day 2
Mount Kinabalu National Park
Leave KK at 7am for the 2-hour drive to Kinabalu National Park. The mountain usually clouds over by 11am so take photos early. Take the Silau-Silau Trail (2.8km loop) which is less crowded than the Botanical Garden path and features Borneo's unique pitcher plants. Pack a light raincoat since afternoon showers are common even in dry season. Stop for lunch at the park restaurant to watch the endemic mountain squirrels.
- Day 3
Mulu National Park
Take the morning flight to Mulu (8:40am MASwings flight offers the best connections). Walk the 3km plank path to Deer and Lang Caves which takes about 45 minutes. Wear shoes with good grip as the boards get slippery. Watch the bat exodus around 5:30pm. You'll need a headlamp for the walk back in twilight. The caves stay at 73°F/23°C all year.
- Day 4
Mulu to Kuching
Take the 30-minute boat ride to Clearwater Cave. Sit on the right side for better views. Cool off in the Clearwater Cave pool (70°F/21°C) after climbing 200 steps. Visit Batu Bungan Penan Settlement with small bills for authentic handicrafts. Catch your afternoon flight to Kuching.
- Day 5
Kuching
Walk Kuching's compact center early morning before it heats up. The waterfront gets busy after 4pm with food vendors and river taxis (sampans cost 1 MYR/$0.25 per crossing). Skip Main Bazaar's tourist shops and find authentic local crafts on Carpenter Street. One traveler shared: "The sampan ride across the Sarawak River at sunset gave us amazing photos of the golden mosque domes - worth timing it right."
- Day 6
Semenggok and Iban Longhouse
Get to Semenggok Orangutan Center by 8:30am for the 9am feeding to secure good spots. The 4.5-hour drive to Batang Ai goes through rural Sarawak. Bring motion sickness pills if needed. Pack light for the longhouse (just a daypack) and wear modest clothes covering knees and shoulders. The longhouse isn't air-conditioned but provided fans make nights comfortable.
- Day 7
Longhouse to Kuching
If offered join the morning rice wine ceremony. It's polite to participate even with just a sip. For the bumpy longboat ride back sit in the middle for stability. The drive to Kuching airport takes 4-5 hours including a lunch stop. Book flights after 7pm. Consider adding an extra night in Kuching if time permits.
- Day 1
Kuching
Arrive before noon to maximize your first day. Head to the colonial area at 2 PM to see Fort Margherita and explore the waterfront. The best time to visit the waterfront is late afternoon when temperatures cool. Sit at an outdoor cafe and watch traditional sampan boats cross the Sarawak River with their local passengers.
- Day 2
Kuching to Batang Ai Longhouse
Get to Semenggok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre by 8 AM for the morning feeding when the orangutans are most active. Then take a 4.5-hour drive to Batang Ai Dam, followed by a boat ride to an Iban longhouse. Bring a backpack instead of a suitcase. The longhouse has basic facilities with shared sleeping spaces and no AC, but offers real cultural immersion.
- Day 3
Batang Ai to Kuching
Take an early morning walk through village gardens to see traditional medicinal plants. After breakfast, boat back across the lake. The drive to Kuching takes about 4 hours. Consider bringing motion sickness medication for the winding roads.
- Day 4
Kuching to Mulu National Park
Fly to Mulu in the morning. Walk the 3 km plank path to Deer and Lang Caves in the afternoon. Wear shoes with good grip since the elevated walkways get slippery. Stay until sunset (5:30-6:30 PM) to see thousands of bats leaving the caves.
- Day 5
Mulu to Kota Kinabalu
Start with a boat trip to Clearwater Cave. Take a swim in the clear pool if you like. Pack quick-dry clothes and a change of outfit. Visit the Batu Bungan Penan Settlement before your afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu. Book a later flight to spend more time in Mulu.
- Day 6
Kinabalu National Park
Take a 2-hour trip to Kinabalu National Park from KK. The temperature is cooler here so pack a light jacket. Join a guided walk to look for unique plants like the Rafflesia (if blooming) and pitcher plants. Visit on weekdays to avoid local crowds.
- Day 7
Kota Kinabalu
Spend your last morning seeing KK's main sites like the State Mosque and Puh Toh Zhe Temple. Book a flight after 3 PM so you can do some final exploring and shop at the Filipino Market.
5 Day Malaysian Borneo Itinerary, incl. Kota Kinabalu and Mt Kinabalu
Summit seekers spend 5 days on this round-trip challenge, with time for acclimatization at base, one night at 3,272m Laban Rata huts, and a thrilling summit push, complemented by 4 breakfasts and calculated rest stops.
- Day 1
Kota Kinabalu
Begin your journey in Kota Kinabalu (KK), the vibrant capital of Sabah. The humidity can be intense, so use this day to adjust to the climate. In the evening, visit the waterfront market to see local fishermen selling fresh catches. Consider booking accommodation near Gaya Street for convenient access to transportation and local food spots.
- Day 2
Mount Kinabalu National Park
The 2.5-hour drive brings you to Mount Kinabalu National Park. Visit the visitor center first to get your climbing permit and orientation. One traveler shared: "The mountain is the experience—the views are absolutely breathtaking." Spend your afternoon in the botanical gardens or visit Poring Hot Springs. Walking the canopy walkway will help prepare your legs for the climb ahead.
- Day 3
Ascent to Laban Rata
Your main challenge starts with a 5-7 hour climb to Laban Rata rest house at 3,272m. Pack light but bring enough layers since temperatures drop significantly at higher altitudes. Begin around 8:30 AM to avoid afternoon rainfall. The trail has steps most of the way and clear markers. Drink plenty of water and keep a steady pace. You'll spend the night in basic mountain huts at Laban Rata. Get some early rest because tomorrow starts before sunrise.
- Day 4
Summit Attempt and Return to KK
Your day starts at 2 AM for the summit push. Temperatures often reach freezing, so pack warm clothes and bring a headlamp. The final climb to Low's Peak (4,095m) takes 3-5 hours, depending on your speed and how the altitude affects you. A recent climber noted: "We were a bit unlucky with the weather, and the thin air made progress slow, but reaching the summit was an incredible achievement." After summiting, return to Laban Rata for breakfast before descending to park headquarters. The drive back to KK will feel wonderful after two days of hiking.
- Day 5
Kota Kinabalu
Your legs will probably be sore, so plan for a relaxed morning. A visit to Poring Hot Springs can help soothe tired muscles if you haven't been yet. Planning to book this climb? The best weather usually occurs from February to April, but expect morning clouds any time of year. Book your climbing permit early since daily climber numbers are limited.
Mount Kinabalu 7 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
More about Mount Kinabalu
2 week ToursBorneoSabahWestern MalaysiaSarawakTaman Negara National ParkEastern Malaysia