7-Day Mount Kinabalu Tour Packages
Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Mount Kinabalu tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaMount Kinabalu travel expert at TourRadar
7 Days in Borneo, incl. Kuching and Kota Kinabalu
Spend 7 days at Mount Kinabalu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's home to Southeast Asia's highest peak at 4,095 meters. A guided nature walk takes you through this botanist's paradise with over 1,000 orchid species and numerous pitcher plants. The exhibition hall features a slide presentation showcasing the mountain's unique biodiversity, with ages 3+ welcome.
- 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.
7 Day Borneo Itinerary, incl. Kota Kinabalu and Kuching
This 7-day adventure includes a guided nature walk through UNESCO-listed Kinabalu National Park, home to over 1,000 orchid species and rare pitcher plants at the base of Southeast Asia's highest peak. The park's exhibition hall features a slide presentation showcasing its unique biodiversity. Trek the 3km raised plank walk to see the Deer and Lang Caves, where millions of bats emerge at dusk.
- 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.
Malaysia Sabah Eco: Kinabatangan River & Wildlife (Semi Private Custom)
The six-day wildlife tour splits between 2 nights in Sandakan and 3 nights at Sukau. Strategic scheduling of sanctuary visits and river safaris provides prime wildlife encounters during morning and evening hours.
Mount Kinabalu 7 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
More about Mount Kinabalu
BorneoSabahWestern MalaysiaTaman Negara National ParkSarawakEastern Malaysia