kk in 4 days, 3 nights
Sunset and seafood on arrival, a day island hopping in the marine park, a long day trip to Kinabalu Park and Kundasang, and noodles in town before the flight home.
Day 1 Waterfront and sunset
- Morning
- Fly from KL, about 2.5 hours, and check in near the waterfront in the city centre.
- Lunch
- Tuaran mee, springy egg noodles fried with char siu and greens, at a kopitiam in town.
- Afternoon
- Rest, then take a 15-minute Grab ride to Tanjung Aru beach in the late afternoon to watch the sun go down over the sea.
- Evening
- Back in town, pick your fish at the waterfront seafood market and have it grilled for dinner.
Day 2 Island hopping
- Morning
- Catch an early boat from Jesselton Point, the jetty in town, to Manukan in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, about 15 minutes away. Swim and snorkel while the sea is calm.
- Lunch
- Eat on the island, or bring a packed lunch.
- Afternoon
- Hop across to Sapi for more swimming, then take the boat back to town by mid-afternoon.
- Evening
- Try hinava, raw fish cured in lime with chilli and ginger, at a restaurant serving Kadazan-Dusun food.
Day 3 Kinabalu Park and Kundasang
- Morning
- Leave early and drive about 2 hours to Kinabalu Park, while the mountain is still clear. Walk the gardens and short trails near the park HQ in the cool air.
- Lunch
- Drive on to Kundasang, about 15 minutes, for lunch with the mountain in view.
- Afternoon
- Visit one of the dairy farms on the hillside below the mountain, then drive back to KK.
- Evening
- A simple dinner near the hotel after the long day.
Day 4 Gaya Street and home
- Morning
- Ngiu chap, beef noodle soup, for breakfast. Then walk Gaya Street; on a Sunday morning it becomes the market, with food, plants and crafts.
- Lunch
- Sang nyuk mee, pork noodles in soup or dry, before you head to the airport.
- Afternoon
- Fly home. The airport is about 20 minutes from the city centre.
Good to know
- Sabah runs its own immigration checks, so bring your MyKad even though it's a domestic flight.
- Try to be in town on a Sunday morning for the Gaya Street market, and move the other days around it.
- Kinabalu usually clouds over later in the day, so leave KK early. Kundasang is cool, so pack a layer.