Mountain and Beach

Day 2Meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a morning tour (3 hours) of the city of Kota Kinabalu. The tour covers Signal Hill where you will get a bird’s eye view of the city and the five offshore islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Visit the Atkinson Clock Tower, the scenic Likas Wetland, Tun Mustapha (former Sabah Foundation) building, Kampong Likas, the University Malaysia Sabah, Sabah Museum and its unique ethno-botanical garden (closed Friday), Tanjung Aru beach, hawker stalls and Sembulan water village. Drop off at your hotel prior to lunch. (Note that this tour could also be taken in the afternoon if you wish – please advise at the time of booking). Overnight at Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort. (B)

Day 3Begin your journey to the highest point in South-East Asia. Drive 2 hours overland (88 km) through paddy-fields and Dusun villages, over the ridges of the Crocker Range, to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 1500 m. Short stop at roadside stall to savour the taste of local fruits. At Kinabalu Park World Heritage Site HQ, visit the Education Centre and Mountain Garden, home to various species of the flowering rhododendrons, carnivorous pitcher plants, orchids, ferns, oak trees and birds. Temperatures at the lower levels of the park vary from around 14 – 25 degrees C. Continue your trip by road to Mesilau – approximately 40 minutes from Kinabalu Park. Overnight in a twin bed room at Mesilau Nature Resort. (BLD)

Day 4Your trek will follow the Mesilau Route to Laban Rata – this route is 2 km longer than the traditional route from Timpohon Gate. Start your day with a walk from Mesilau Gate at an altitude of 1900 metres, to the first steep descent while enjoying the surrounding scenery. This first part of the trek will be away from the crowds on the traditional route. There are some superb Agathis (a type of conifer) trees along the way. The path soon rises steeply to an open patch dominated by dipteris ferns, before leveling off slightly, following the narrowing crests of ridges which opens out at the top (2,286 metres), giving a stunning view of the mountain. The Mesilau trail is great for anyone who is more interested in plants and wildlife, as it is less disturbed compared to the normal summit trail which begins at Timpohon gate. The scenery along the route is much more beautiful, and there is significantly more vegetation, such as orchids, and Nepenthes. The trail passes through montane forest; you will also walk past a few small streams, and along some ridges. This trail is definitely a more “adventurous” trek than the traditional route, and you should be prepared for it.

You will be transferred to Shangri-la’s Rasa Ria Resort which is located on a beautiful beach on the shores of the South China Sea. Your accommodation is a Superior Rainforest View room in the Garden Wing (other room categories are available – ask us for details) (includes breakfast and lunch)Days 6 to 8 Spend the time at leisure, relaxing on the beach or around the pool. (Includes daily breakfast) Day 9 At leisure until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight to your next destination.