Top Kota Kinabalu Private and Luxury

Check off Kota Kinabalu’s key sights in just half a day on this comprehensive guided door-to-door tour. Soak up sweeping views of the city from Signal Hill, learn about Chinese Buddhism at Pu Toh Tze Temple, and explore Sabah’s rich heritage at the Sabah State Museum. Along the way, see the Sabah State Mosque, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, and the 30-story Menara Tun Mustapha.

Depart from the city hotel and the journey takes approximately 2 hours drive to the Southern part of Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy the scenic view as you pass through paddy fields, oil palm plantation and native houses among others. - Experience the local way of life in several small towns - Enjoy the amazing surroundings as you cruise down the river - Witness the wildlife and see the many different monkey species in the wetlands - Savor a delicious light refreshment and dinner and take some time to relax with great views around you - Finish your day with the most memorable experience, admiring the unique dance of fireflies after sunset

Depart from the city hotel. The journey to Kinabalu Park takes about 1½ hours drive through scenic countryside and beautiful mountain range. On the way, stop by at the Nabalu Fruit Market to buy some fruits and souvenir.

See baby barracudas, snappers, and more on a snorkel tour to Pandan Pandan Island. After pickup from your hotel, enjoy a scenic drive and short boat ride to the snorkel site. Explore the crystal clear waters and vibrant reefs with complimentary life vests and snorkel gear. Later, enjoy lunch and time to lounge on the secluded beach. You can also participate in additional water activities (own expense).

Combine some of Kota Kinabalu’s top natural attractions without having to book each activity separately on a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park, home to the majestic Mt. Kinabalu. This stress-free tour takes care of all transfers, admission tickets, and meals, so that you don’t have to.

Uncover the incredible underwater world off the coast of Kota Kinabalu on this snorkeling excursion in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. Enjoy time to swim and snorkel in 2 different destinations, and once you've worked up an appetite, indulge in a lunch on 1 of the park's 5 spectacular islands. - Exciting snorkeling excursion off the Kota Kinabalu coast - Stunning scenery on the cruise from the shore to the park - Chance to dive into the water & swim with colorful sea life - Views of exotic animals like spotted turtles & tropical fish - Ample time to eat, relax or explore the forest on the island

Discover Kota Kinabalu with this 3-hour tour with an English speaking guide. Travel around in comfort in an air-conditioned vehicle and visit the Sabah Foundation Building, City Mosque, University of Sabah, and Sabah Museum, and enjoy sweeping views of the city from the top of Signal Hill.

Delve into Sabah’s cultural melting pot on a day trip to Mar Mari Cultural Village, where you can meet the people of indigenous Borneo and witness fire-starting and blowpipe-making demonstrations. Perfect for families and first-time visitors, this small-group tour is limited to 15 people to ensure personalized attention from your guide.

Escape the city and delve deeper into Borneo’s indigenous culture on a day trip to Tuaran from Kota Kinabalu. A great introduction for first-time visitors, this package saves you the stress of advance planning by taking care of transport and activities, and offering the inside scoop on Sabah’s culture and history.

Spot wildlife and fireflies on the banks of the Klias River on river cruise from Kota Kinabalu that goes deep into the protected Klias Wetland. The afternoon departure time ensures that you’ll arrive at the river as animals become most active, you’ll see a spectacular natural show when thousands of fireflies come out after sunset, and the night concludes with a traditional kampong-style dinner.

Visit Kinabalu Park on a full-day trip from Kota Kinabalu that’s a great way to experience southeast Asia’s highest peak without the grueling, overnight hike to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. A guided trail hike explores native plants, and you’ll have time to browse the cultural and nature exhibits at Kinabalu Park’s Exhibition Hall before returning to the coast.

See Kota Kinabalu’s lively nightlife unfold before your eyes as the sun sets on the South China Sea. Stroll through the bustling night market, admire a beautiful sunset from splendid Signal Hill, and indulge in a fresh seafood dinner as locals perform traditional dances to authentic Malaysian songs. - Kota Kinabalu's thriving nightlife & city lights - Bargain-hunting & street eats at the bustling night market - Signal Hill—wondrous cityscape & ocean views - Spirited performance of traditional Sabah dance - Delicious & freshly prepared seafood dinner

Unless you speak Malay, navigating the Kota Belud Sunday market can be a difficult task. Discover the best of the weekly shopping bonanza, and return home with the most memorable souvenirs, after a stress-free day trip from Kota Kinabalu. Exploring the market with a guide means that you'll have chance to practice your bargaining skills as well as gaining insight into the culture and history of Kota Belud. 

Combine visits to the Crocker Range Park and the Tambunan Rafflesia Center on this tour from Kota Kinabalu. The journey is made easy with round-trip transportation from your hotel; you can relax and enjoy the scenic drive through the park. Once there, learn about the local flora through insightful commentary and take the time to ask questions. A set-menu lunch ensures you won't go hungry during the tour.

See Kota Kinabalu’s lively nightlife unfold before your eyes as the sun sets on the South China Sea. Stroll through the bustling night market, admire a beautiful sunset from splendid Signal Hill, and indulge in a fresh seafood dinner as locals perform traditional dances to authentic Malaysian songs. - Kota Kinabalu's thriving nightlife & city lights - Bargain-hunting & street eats at the bustling night market - Signal Hill—wondrous cityscape & ocean views - Spirited performance of traditional Sabah dance - Delicious & freshly prepared seafood dinner

Mantanani Island lies off the beaten tracks of other mainstream tourism destinations. The journey to the island begins with a 2 hours drive to Kg Kuala Abai jetty in Kota Belud, followed by 30min speedboat ride - Visit the magical Mantanani Islands - One of the best scuba diving spots in the world - Discover beautiful coral reefs and search for wildlife - Dive into the crystal clear water and explore the unique marine life

Discover a landscape of steaming pools and high peaks on a full-day tour from Kota Kinabalu to Poring Hot Springs and Kinabalu National Park. Unlike tours with rigid, fixed itineraries, this trip combines the convenience of pre-booked transport with flexibility to enjoy the things that interest you most at each site, whether you’re soaking in a hot tub, walking the Treetop Canopy Walkway, or browsing the Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden.

Make sure to check out the colorful sunset while you’re in Kota Kinabalu, and a fun, social way to do this is to hop on a sunset dinner cruise. Your guide will take care of all the logistics, like pickup and drop-off at your Kota Kinabalu hotel in Sabah, plus arrange your boat, captain, and buffet dinner. You can just relax, mingle, and enjoy the sunset.

Escape the city and journey to the paradise islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu on a hassle-free day trip to Manukan Island. Let a guide take care of transfers, entrance fees, and activities as you sit back, relax, and enjoy the white sands and crystal-clear waters of the island. You'll have chance to snorkel and hike in the jungle, and benefit from the in-depth knowledge of a guide.

Discover the world of the Kadazan people on a 3-hour tour to the Monsopiad Cultural Village. After transfer from your hotel, your visit to the village begins with a glass of local rice wine. Follow your guide to the House of the Skull where you learn about the legendary warrior, which the park is named for. Later, watch or join in a traditional Kadazan dance.

Experienced divers will enjoy several dives within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park to witness Borneo's underwater world. Learn about the marine environment and its inhabitants from your guide throughout the tour by listening to guided commentary. Round-trip transportation makes for an easy door-to-door experience.

Kota Kinabalu is equal parts exciting and exhausting, so heading into the Bornean countryside can offer a welcome relief after a few days of bustling markets and streets. Recharge during your time in Kota Kinabalu and Sabah on this full day rafting excursion, operating on rapids that are suitable for beginner rafters. Rafting is a popular day trip from Kota Kinabalu, although many rafters spend a lot of their day hiring a car and picking up gear. Avoid that, and spend more time enjoying the Kedamaian River on this tour.

A visit to Pandan Pandan Island is the perfect seaside day trip for visitors to Kota Kinabalu. This 8-hour island escape drives visitors from their hotels then takes them on a boat ride to the island for a day of coral reef snorkeling and other activities. The perfect option for travelers wanting to see Malaysia’s marine life without the need for organizing transport or equipment hire.