6D5N Royal Resort Semporna & Kota Kinabalu Highlights

Your Sabah journey begins with a meet-and-greet at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. From the city, travel into Sabah’s countryside through landscapes of paddy fields, forested hills and local villages as you make your way towards the Kinabalu highlands. 

Your first stop is Tamparuli, a small town known for the iconic Jambatan Tamparuli suspension bridge. Take a walk across the bridge and spend some time exploring the surrounding town before continuing uphill through the winding roads of the Crocker Range.

Stop at Nabalu, a popular highland rest point where local vendors sell fresh produce, snacks and handmade souvenirs. Visit the Nabalu Handicraft Market and, when the weather is clear, enjoy a panoramic view of Mount Kinabalu from the nearby lookout point.

Continue to Kinabalu Park, Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark. Located approximately 1,500 metres above sea level, the park is home to Mount Kinabalu and an extraordinary variety of plant and animal life.

Join a guided walk through the Botanical Garden, where your guide will introduce some of the park’s distinctive flora, including orchids, ferns, pitcher plants and other highland species. The walk offers an accessible introduction to the biodiversity that makes Kinabalu Park internationally significant.

After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Kundasang Market to browse fresh vegetables, flowers, fruits and locally produced snacks. You will then check in at your mountain resort and have time to relax, explore the surroundings and enjoy Kundasang’s cool highland climate before dinner.

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Mount Kinabalu Golf Club for a scenic buggy ride around the golf course. Surrounded by rolling greenery and highland landscapes, the experience offers another perspective of Kundasang and the Mount Kinabalu area. 

Continue to Desa Cow Farm, a working dairy farm set across expansive green pastures at the foot of Mount Kinabalu. Walk around the visitor area, observe the grazing cattle and take in the mountain scenery, subject to weather conditions. 

Depending on the activities available during your visit, you may have the opportunity to bottle-feed calves and purchase fresh milk, yoghurt or other locally produced dairy items. 

After lunch, travel approximately 1.5 hours back to Kota Kinabalu and check in at your hotel. Later in the afternoon, transfer to Sutera Harbour Marina for the North Borneo Cruises Sunset Dinner Cruise. 

17:00 hrs: Register at the marina before boarding the vessel. 

17:30 hrs: Depart the jetty and travel along Kota Kinabalu’s coastline, passing offshore islands, coastal landmarksand traditional water villages. 

Spend time on the upper deck enjoying the sea breeze and sunset views, or relax inside the air-conditioned dining area as the live band performs. An international buffet dinner will be served during the cruise. 

As evening falls, watch the city skyline light up while the vessel cruises past the Kota Kinabalu Waterfront. 

19:30 hrs: The cruise returns to Sutera Harbour Marina, followed by a transfer back to your hotel.

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for your included domestic flight to Tawau. 

Upon arrival at Tawau Airport, meet the local support team and continue by road to Semporna. The journey introduces you to Sabah’s east coast before arriving at the departure point for your resort transfer. 

14:00 hrs: Board the scheduled boat transfer and travel to Royal Resort Semporna. After checking into your Family Villa, spend the remainder of the day settling into the resort and enjoying the seaside surroundings. 

Hi-tea and dinner will be served at the resort. The evening is free for you to relax and prepare for a leisurely day by the sea. 

Enjoy a full day at leisure at Royal Resort Semporna, with no fixed sightseeing schedule.

Start the morning at your own pace before exploring the waters surrounding the resort. Snorkelling equipment and selected non-motorised water sports are included, allowing you to enjoy the marine environment without joining a separate day tour.

You may spend the day snorkelling, relaxing around the resort or simply taking in the views of Semporna’s clear tropical waters. Breakfast, lunch, hi-tea and dinner are included, so there is no need to leave the resort for meals.

This free day provides a slower contrast to the first half of the itinerary, giving you time to rest and enjoy the resort according to your own preferences.

11:00 hrs: After breakfast, check out of Royal Resort Semporna and board the scheduled boat transfer back to the Semporna mainland. 

Continue by road to Tawau Airport for your included return flight to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel for check-in. 

The rest of the day is free and easy. You may relax at the hotel or explore Kota Kinabalu independently. Lunch, dinner and optional activities on this day are at your own expense.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out. At the arranged time, transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for your departing flight. 

Your 6-day Sabah holiday concludes after experiencing the cool landscapes of Kundasang, the natural heritage of Kinabalu Park, Kota Kinabalu’s coastal sunset and a relaxing resort stay in Semporna.