How to get Kota Kinabalu to Ranau in 4 Days and 3 Nights

How to get Kota Kinabalu to Ranau in 4 Days and 3 Nights

How to Plan Your Holiday Well in Sabah for the very least you’ve got to experience:
-The highlands 
-The beaches
-The islands
-The seaside city, Kota Kinabalu

Here is a tried and tested itinerary, for the kind of travellers who got so little time and so much to do!


Itinerary

DAY 1 – DESTINATION: KUNDASANG

Day of arrival, opt for morning flight, the earliest if possible. 

Mission for the day, is to go directly to the highlands – where the air is cold and the sceneries are green and the highest mountain’s peak in South East Asia stands proud.

It is highly advisable for you to pre-book hotel/hostel/chalet, especially during peak periods like school holidays, public holidays or even weekends. 
Online reservation is no hassle at all.

Pick accommodation closest to your places of interest, 
make sure the place where you stay is within the walking distance of interesting spots such as the National Park, Mesilau or the War Memorial.

Kundasang

Kundasang War Memorial

Getting to Kundasang you can stop by at some tourists attractions along the way, for instance you can go to the Upside Down House, in Tamparuli.
Another interesting stops would be the roadside stalls that can easily be spotted along the way, selling various stuffs from handicrafts to fresh vegetables and fruits.

Special Treat for the non-muslim travellers. Try ‘Sinalau Bakas’ stalls are selling smoked wild boar. 

Next, Go round Kundasang (National Park, Mensilau, War Memorial, etc. )
Option 2: Head to Poring hot spring in Ranau. 

NIGHT 1 – CHILL AT KUNDASANG
There’re only a little to choose from if you want to have dinner in Kundasang. You can:
opt for hotel/chalet/ inn that comes with food
Or take away some food earlier and enjoy them while lounging on your veranda or simply relax on your bed and watch whatever it is that’s on tv.
One of the famous food to be take away here is the barbecue chicken wing, at Restoran Intan, in Kundasang town. 



DAY 2 – GET YOUR SUNNIES OUT!

Wake up early, by 6.00am the day would probably be clear and Foggy maybe.

The majestic Mount Kinabalu look the best in the morning. For photography enthusiasts, a sight of Kundasang in a cold, fine morning is simply a great moment to be put in frames. 
Visit to kinabalu Park in the morning.
Since most check out time for accommodation places are between 11.00 am to 1.00pm, you still have enough amount of time go round Kundasang, 
to places you missed yesterday.

Head to Ranau for Poring hot spring and Tagal Fish massage.
Then return to Kota Kinabalu and check in hotel for 2 nights. 

NIGHT 2 – SEAFOOD GALORE
Now, it is the perfect time to experience one of the thing that Sabah is most famous for: SEAFOOD! 
There’re plenty of places to eat seafood all around Kota Kinabalu for you to choose from.

You can choose the seafood place according to your budget, there’re high-ends seafood restaurants, mid-ranger and even open-air hawker stalls.

You can go for seafood dinner at the hawkers centre, next to the handicraft market, or most well-known as the Filipinos Market.

What To Do After Seafood Meal?
After seafood, you can also check out the night markets all around the city centre. A few well-known one are the Sinsuran Night Market and Kampung Air Night Market. 

Note: Beware of snatchers and pick pockets. 

The night markets offer a lot of items at bargained price, such as souveniers, jewelleries, clothings, shoes, handicrafts and so much more.

Return back to hotel.

segama night market

DAY 3 - ISLAND EXPLORE

Wake up inthe morning, afterbreakfast and get ready by 8:00am

head straight to Jesselton Point in Kota Kinabalu. Formerly known as the Kota Kinabalu Ferry Terminal, Jesselton Point, located north of downtown Kota Kinabalu, 
offers a one stop facilities of water transportation hub, casual dining, leisure and retail activities.

From Jesselton Point, you can get your ticket to your islands of choice: Manukan island, Sapi island, Gaya island, or you can also opt for a round ticket to go islands hopping. 
And, another choice for you to consider, spending the night at one of the island itself.
Noon BBQ Lunch for your choice.

Head back before sunset. You can sit back, relax, order some coffee or fresh juices and enjoy the beautiful view of sunset at Jesselton Point.

Take A walk at Tanjung Aru beaches, relax and phot shooting.

NIGHT 3 – Night beach & relax
Go check out for heavy seafood dinner, a stroll by the beach will be perfect.
And enjoy night life at entertainment lounge.  

Return back to hotel.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

DAY 4 – LAST MINUTE SHOPPING

Wake up early, have your breakfast. There are plenty of nice places you can go for breakfast all over Kota Kinabalu.
From its humble beginning as a small coffee shop located in Damai, Kota Kinabalu, Kedai Kopi Fook Yuen has now developed into a very well-known kopitiam chain, 
available in another three different locations, namely Asia City, Gaya Street and Karamunsing Capital.

Time To Go Shopping!
After breakfast, it’s time to shop!
First of all, if you’re planning for a last minute shopping on your day of departure, please opt for a much later flight home.
For souveniers like pearls and crystals jewellery, handicrafts, fridge magnet, key chains, the Filipinos Craft Market should be your first stop. 
It opens as early as 7.00am and it offers you varieties of souveniers that fits well with your budget, IF you know how to bargain it right. 

Sabah’s Famous Dried Seafood
For Sabah’s famous dried seafood, such as dried shrimp, anchovies, clams and many more, 
the market famously known as ‘Pasar Ikan Masin’ is strategically located next to the craft market. 
And it also opens since early morning, and bargaining skills are also essentials.
If it happens to be Sunday, you can go to Gaya Street Baazar, starts as early as 6.00 am. 

More time to visit: Landmarks Around Kota Kinabalu City
Done early with your shopping and your flight home is much later in the evening, 
grab the chance to go to the tourist attractions that are located in Kota Kinabalu vicinity.

For instance you can go check out the Atkinson Clock Tower, the Kota Kinabalu Waterfront, Signal Hill Observatory Platform, Sabah State Museum or if your flight is much later in the evening you can go to places such as Mari-Mari Cultural Village, Kiansom that is less than 30 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu city centre or Monsopiad Cultural Village, Penampang at about the same distance.




Excellent Time Management = Great Trip
It’s a proven fact, that with good time management, 4 days and 3 nights are enough to experience plenty of wonderful things that Sabah got to offer.

Yes, most of us want our vacation to be fun and spontaneous, but planning ahead won’t hurt either. 
Especially if you’re travelling with family or small kids, ‘control’ is the keyword to keep a family vacation an enjoyable one.
So, don’t get to stress out planning, just go with the flow, enjoy your holiday and keep a Plan B at hand!

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