Perched high in the Ranau district of Sabah, Kundasang is one of Malaysia's most rewarding highland escapes. Often called the "New Zealand of Borneo," this cool hill station sits closer to Mount Kinabalu than any other town in the country, making it the natural base for exploring the island's most dramatic landscapes. Whether you are drawn by adventure, nature, history, or simply the refreshing mountain air, there is no shortage of memorable experiences waiting here.

Getting to Kundasang starts with a flight into Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Book your journey in advance to secure the best fares — flights to Kota Kinabalu are available from major cities across Malaysia, and the highland town is roughly a two-hour drive from the airport. Once you land, an airport transfer takes the stress out of navigating an unfamiliar route with luggage in tow.

Accommodation in Kundasang ranges from cosy guesthouses to highland resorts with sweeping mountain vistas. Book early, especially for weekends, as the cool climate draws visitors from across Sabah and beyond. These top-rated stays put you right in the heart of the action.

This guided day tour is a wonderful introduction to the agricultural side of Kundasang, combining a visit to Desa Cattle Dairy Farm with a stop at the famous Nabalu Market. At the dairy farm, visitors get to feed cows and sheep and sample fresh dairy products straight from the source. It is a hands-on, family-friendly experience that gives you a genuine taste of highland farm life. The tour wraps up at Nabalu Market, where you can browse local produce and pick up souvenirs before heading back.

Kinabalu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, and this shared day tour brings it within easy reach. The itinerary covers the park's lush trails and then continues to Poring Hot Spring, where canopy walkway suspension bridges offer exhilarating views above the rainforest canopy. Lunch is included, so you can focus entirely on soaking in the scenery. Priced from RM 339, it is an exceptional-value full-day adventure.

For those who want to explore the broader Crocker Range on foot, this hiking experience departs directly from Kota Kinabalu and takes you into rugged hill terrain that most casual tourists never reach. The Crocker Range is one of Sabah's great natural corridors, rich in forest cover and wildlife. It is a satisfying challenge for moderately fit hikers looking for something more immersive than a standard day tour. Guide support throughout the trek ensures you get the most out of every step.

Kinabalu National Park is a world-class destination for birding enthusiasts, and this guided bird watching tour unlocks its avian riches in an expert-led format. The park's varied elevation zones support a remarkable range of endemic and migratory species that are found nowhere else on Earth. A knowledgeable guide helps you identify each sighting and understand the ecological stories behind them. Even if you are new to bird watching, this experience is quietly captivating and deeply rewarding.

This comprehensive day tour packs three of Sabah's most beloved attractions into a single seamless itinerary: Kinabalu National Park, Poring Hot Spring, and Desa Dairy Farm. It is the ideal option for first-time visitors who want to cover the region's highlights without the hassle of arranging separate transport. The natural beauty of the park and hot spring contrasts beautifully with the pastoral charm of the dairy farm. Booking this as a packaged tour from Sabah means maximum sightseeing with minimum planning effort.

There is a wide range of activities across Kundasang and Kinabalu National Park available to browse and book. Here is a selection of highly rated experiences to get you started.

The Kundasang Day Tour is the most straightforward way to see the town's key highlights in a single outing, starting from RM 250. It bundles together the destinations that define the Kundasang experience, guided by a local expert who brings the stories and context to life. This is a great choice for visitors who prefer a structured itinerary over self-guided exploration. The pace is relaxed enough to enjoy each stop without feeling rushed.

Located 12 km before Kinabalu Park, The Nabalu Market is a lively roadside stop that gives visitors a genuine window into local highland commerce. Stalls overflow with fresh farm produce, handmade handicrafts, and prepared foods that reflect the agricultural abundance of the surrounding hills. It is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm, making it easy to slot into any itinerary. Whether you are shopping for fresh vegetables, local snacks, or a handcrafted keepsake, this market is a sensory highlight of any Kundasang visit.

Established in 1962, the Kundasang War Memorial is one of Sabah's most moving historical sites, built to honour the prisoners of war who lost their lives during World War II. The memorial grounds feature four thoughtfully designed gardens, each representing a different nation that suffered losses in the conflict. Open daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm, it is a place of quiet reflection set against a backdrop of highland greenery. Visiting here adds meaningful historical depth to what is otherwise a nature-focused destination.

Just seven minutes from the Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, the Alpaca Club is a charming attraction where visitors can get up close and personal with a resident herd of alpacas. These fluffy, gentle animals are an unexpected delight in the Borneo highlands, and their photogenic presence makes for a picture-perfect setting that appeals to all ages. The club is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, giving you a generous window to enjoy the encounter. It is a lighthearted, joyful stop that fits perfectly into a full day of highland exploration.

The cool highland climate of Kundasang creates ideal growing conditions for strawberries, and Mesilou Highland Strawberry Farm puts that abundance on full display. Visitors can pick their own strawberries directly from the plants, which is a delightfully hands-on activity for families and couples alike. The farm also sells an array of strawberry products, from fresh-picked punets to jams and juices made on-site. Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, it is one of the sweetest stops on any Kundasang itinerary.

For thrill-seekers who want to experience Mount Kinabalu from a completely different angle, Borneo Via Ferrata offers a guided climbing adventure along the mountain's dramatic rocky slopes. Via ferrata, meaning "iron road" in Italian, uses fixed steel rungs and cables that allow climbers of varying abilities to ascend routes they could never manage with free climbing alone. The views from the slopes are extraordinary, with the Kinabalu massif stretching out in every direction. It is one of the most exhilarating outdoor experiences available anywhere in Southeast Asia.

Spring Garden Kundasang is a beautifully tended highland garden that combines colourful floral displays with the natural drama of a river waterfall and sweeping views of Mount Kinabalu. The garden's diverse plantings thrive in the cool climate, creating a visually striking landscape that changes character with the seasons. Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, it is a serene and leisurely stop that balances beautifully with the more active pursuits on this list. The combination of blooming flowers and mountain vistas makes it a genuinely stunning natural setting.

Sabah Tea Garden is one of the region's most underrated attractions, offering a full immersion into the world of tea cultivation in the Borneo highlands. Visitors can go jungle-trekking through the surrounding forest, take a refreshing swim, and join a guided tour of the tea factory to see how leaves are processed and packaged. The garden is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm, making it easy to spend a leisurely half-day exploring everything it offers. Leaving with a packet of locally grown tea makes for a meaningful and flavourful souvenir.

Few experiences in Malaysia match the sheer spectacle of paragliding over the Kundasang valley with Mount Kinabalu rising majestically in the background. Packages are available from RM 250, making this aerial adventure more accessible than many visitors expect. Trained instructors handle all the technical elements, so first-timers can simply relax into the experience and take in the extraordinary panorama. The combination of open sky, cool highland air, and one of Asia's most iconic peaks is something you will not forget in a hurry.

Rounding out the list with a shot of pure adrenaline, an ATV adventure lets you tear through Kundasang's scenic terrain on four wheels at your own pace. The routes wind through highland landscapes that showcase the town's natural beauty from a ground-level perspective that hiking cannot match. ATV and paragliding combination packages are available from RM 249.05, making it easy to stack the thrills into a single action-packed day. It is the perfect finale for an adventure-focused Kundasang itinerary.

The most convenient way to explore Kundasang and its surrounding attractions is to hire your own transport. A car rental gives you the flexibility to move between farms, gardens, and historical sites on your own schedule without being tied to tour bus timings. Roads in the highland area are generally well-maintained and the routes between major attractions are straightforward. Having your own vehicle also makes spontaneous detours far easier when something catches your eye along the way.

If you prefer guided convenience, many of the day tours listed above include transport from Kota Kinabalu or from within Kundasang itself. A local ride-sharing service or e-hailing app can also bridge gaps between stops when you are travelling light. Check Traveloka promotions regularly for discounts on tours and transport that can help you stretch your travel budget further.

Traveloka is Southeast Asia's leading travel platform, trusted by over 100 million users to plan and book their journeys from start to finish. For a destination like Kundasang, where the experience spans flights, accommodation, and a diverse array of outdoor activities, having everything in one place makes the planning process genuinely effortless.

Compare hundreds of hotel and flight options in one search and book using local payment methods including online banking and e-wallets. Browse hotels in Kundasang and Kota Kinabalu side by side, compare fares across departure dates, and add activity bookings to the same trip — all within a single app. Travel insurance and eSIM options are also available so you can stay connected and covered throughout your highland adventure.

Download the Traveloka app today to start building your Kundasang itinerary. Whether you are planning a quick weekend escape or an extended Sabah road trip, the app puts every booking you need within a few taps.