Kundasang : ATV Ride, Dairy Farm Visit & Meal Shared Tour

The best part of this day is the mix of active fun and ordinary local life. You get a 45-minute ATV ride through the countryside, then slow down for dairy farm views, market stalls, and a proper local lunch. It is a good way to see more than one attraction without arranging several separate trips.

I like the visit to Nabalu Handicraft Market, where shopping connects you with Sabah-made goods, and the stop at Desa Dairy Farm, which gives the day a cool highland change of pace. The drawback is the amount of time in the van. The drive from Kota Kinabalu is long, so this suits you best if you are happy to trade road time for a full day in the Kundasang and Ranau area.

Key points to know

• Ride an ATV for 45 minutes: You receive a safety briefing, gear up, and ride with the professional crew at the ATV base.
• Visit two useful local markets: Nabalu Handicraft Market is best for souvenirs, while Kundasang Market focuses on local vegetables and produce.
• See Sabah’s dairy country: Desa Dairy Farm offers cows, goats, scenic views, and free time to look around.
• Lunch is included: The meal is served at Tropicana Lodge Backpackers and Restaurant, with roughly one hour set aside.
• Expect a long day on the road: Several van transfers connect the stops, including about 2.5 hours at the start.
• Keep extra cash for optional stops: Rafflesia viewing fees, tips, and the local sinalau bakas snack are not included.

A long road to Sabah’s highland country

This is a full-day outing from Kota Kinabalu, with pickup available at the Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel or another stated Kota Kinabalu pickup point. The small group is limited to 10 people, and your driver also serves as your guide. English and Chinese guiding are available.

The route takes you inland toward Nabalu, Ranau, and Kundasang. That means the day is not a quick city excursion. You spend a substantial amount of time in the van, but the payoff is a string of very different stops: handmade goods, an ATV ride, lunch, farm scenery, fresh produce, and a local snack stop.

I would choose this tour when I wanted an active day outside Kota Kinabalu but did not want to plan transport, meals, and admission separately. If you prefer long, quiet visits at one or two places, the schedule may feel too busy.

Nabalu Handicraft Market and the first break

The first major stop is Nabalu Handicraft Market, reached after about 2.5 hours in the van. The schedule allows time to browse stalls, take a break, and look for souvenirs.

This is a practical shopping stop rather than a formal cultural presentation. You can use it to see local craft goods and pick up something small to take home. It also breaks up the first long road section before the day’s main activity.

I suggest keeping your purchases easy to carry. You still have a long day ahead, and the tour does not provide details about storage space in the vehicle. This is also a good point to buy water if you need it, although you should bring your own bottle from the start.

After Nabalu, the route includes a 30-minute stop at Crocker Range Cafe. You have time for photographs, a break, and a look at the surrounding views. The schedule describes it as a cafe stop, so you should treat it as a rest point rather than a full meal.

The 45-minute ATV ride in Ranau

The ATV section takes place at a base in Ranau. On arrival, you register at the counter, listen to a safety briefing from the professional crew, and put on the required gear before setting off.

The ride lasts about 45 minutes. That is long enough to feel like the focus of the day, but short enough to fit into a packed sightseeing schedule. You ride through the countryside, with the highland setting adding scenery that you simply do not get from a market or restaurant.

You should wear long pants and comfortable shoes. Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, water, and a waterproof bag for items that need protection. Loose valuables are best kept to a minimum while you are riding.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Smoking is not allowed. If you have never ridden an ATV, the safety briefing is important, and you should follow the crew’s instructions rather than treating the ride as a race.

One point to keep in mind is the short duration. The tour gives you a taste of ATV riding, not a half-day off-road program. That balance works well if you want several types of activity in one day. It may disappoint you if the ATV ride is your main reason for booking.

Lunch at Tropicana Lodge Backpackers and Restaurant

After the ride, you stop at Tropicana Lodge Backpackers and Restaurant for lunch. The schedule gives you one hour, and lunch is included in the $85 price.

This matters because a long day in the hills can become tiring when every meal is another purchase or another search. Here, the meal is built into the route, so you can sit down, eat, and reset before the next sightseeing stops.

The supplied details do not specify the exact dishes or whether special diets can be accommodated. If you have food restrictions, ask before booking. You should also budget for drinks or other items not specifically listed as included, since the tour only confirms one lunch.

Desa Dairy Farm and the highland views

Desa Dairy Farm is one of the day’s most distinctive stops. You have about an hour for free time, sightseeing, and views of the surrounding countryside. The farm is home to cows and goats, giving you a chance to see a working agricultural setting rather than another lookout point.

The farm visit adds variety after the ATV ride. You move from an active ride to a slower place where you can watch the animals, take photographs, and enjoy the scenery. For families, this may be one of the easiest stops to appreciate. For adults, it gives useful context about the local farming economy and the cool highland environment.

Do not expect the farm to replace the ATV ride or a full farm tour. The listed time is about one hour, and the visit is described as free time and sightseeing. You will have room to look around, but the schedule does not promise a detailed agricultural talk or hands-on activity.

The van transfer to the farm takes about an hour after the earlier Ranau stops. That road time is part of the tradeoff. You reach a very different setting, but you need to be comfortable sitting in the vehicle between attractions.

Kundasang Market and local produce

The next stop is Kundasang Market, with about 20 minutes for a break and a look at the produce on display. This is a short visit, so I would not plan on a slow, detailed market exploration.

The market gives you a glimpse of what is grown and sold in the area. The focus is local vegetables and produce, not handicrafts. That distinction makes the two market stops worthwhile together: Nabalu is the better place for souvenirs, while Kundasang shows the everyday food side of the region.

Twenty minutes goes quickly. If you want to buy something, decide what interests you before you arrive and keep your purchase small. The group will continue together, and this is not the place for a long independent shopping session.

Rafflesia viewing is an optional gamble

The route may include a chance to see a Rafflesia flower in bloom, but this is not guaranteed. The flower’s availability changes, and any entrance fee is paid separately.

This is worth treating as an extra possibility, not a promise. If a bloom is available, you may get a memorable botanical stop. If not, the main tour still includes the ATV ride, dairy farm, markets, lunch, and other breaks.

You should carry extra cash if this matters to you. The Rafflesia entrance is specifically excluded from the price, and the tour description does not state the fee. Your guide can help clarify the situation during the day, but the flower itself cannot be guaranteed.

A taste of sinalau bakas before the return

Before returning to Kota Kinabalu, the group stops at a local cafe or stall for about 45 minutes. This is where you may buy sinalau bakas, a local delicacy. It is not included in the tour price, so you can decide for yourself if you want to try it.

For me, this kind of food stop is more interesting than adding another polished attraction. It gives you a chance to sample something associated with local eating habits, though the description does not define the ingredients or preparation. If you have dietary, religious, or allergy concerns, ask before purchasing.

The final return drive takes about an hour according to the schedule, after several earlier transfers. You may arrive tired, especially after the ATV ride and a full day of stops. The included hotel drop-off is useful here, since you do not need to arrange your own ride back.

What the $85 price really covers

At $85 per person, the value depends on how much you would otherwise spend arranging the day yourself. The fee includes hotel pickup and drop-off, one lunch, ATV entrance fees, and a driver who also serves as your guide.

That package removes several practical tasks. You do not need to hire separate transport to the highlands, find the ATV base, arrange lunch, or work out the return journey. For a full day covering several places, those inclusions make the price reasonable, especially for a small group capped at 10 people.

The price does not include airfare, a visa, Rafflesia entrance fees, tips, or items not mentioned as included. Sinalau bakas is also an optional purchase. You should bring money for drinks, snacks, souvenirs, market purchases, and any optional admission.

The main value is convenience and variety, not luxury. The listed stops are practical and local, while the long transfers are unavoidable for a day trip from Kota Kinabalu to this part of Sabah. If you already have a rental car and want only the ATV ride, booking a full-day package may be more than you need. If you want transport and a ready-made route, it saves effort.

Clothing and packing for a changeable day

The tour information gives sensible advice: wear comfortable shoes and long pants, and bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, water, a jacket, and a waterproof bag.

The jacket is especially useful because the route reaches the cooler highland area around Kundasang and the dairy farm. The waterproof bag protects small belongings during the ATV section and from uncertain weather. You should also bring any medication you may need for a long day away from the city.

Because the day combines markets, riding, a farm, and food stops, practical clothing is better than dressing for photographs alone. Shoes should be suitable for walking and ATV preparation. The tour does not allow smoking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date carefully before booking.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad taste of Sabah outside Kota Kinabalu. It works particularly well for people who like mixing a little adventure with food, shopping, animals, and scenery.

It also suits you if you prefer a small group over a large coach. A maximum of 10 participants should make the day easier to manage, though the exact vehicle and seating arrangement are not stated.

The tour is less suitable if you dislike long road transfers or want a relaxed pace. The itinerary includes several stops, but many hours are spent moving between them. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems because of the ATV activity and the lengthy day in the vehicle.

Should you book the Kundasang ATV day?

Book it if you want one organized day that combines a 45-minute countryside ATV ride, Desa Dairy Farm, two different markets, lunch, and optional local food. The included transport and small group make the $85 cost fair for the amount of ground covered.

Skip it if you want a dedicated ATV adventure, a slow market visit, or guaranteed Rafflesia viewing. The ride is only one part of a much longer day, and the flower stop depends on availability and costs extra.

For most active visitors with limited time in Sabah, I think the mix is the strongest reason to go. Pack for sun, cooler highland weather, and a long ride in the van, and you will be prepared for what this day actually offers.

FAQ

How long does the Kundasang ATV and dairy farm tour last?

It is a full-day activity. The listed schedule includes multiple van transfers, sightseeing stops, a 45-minute ATV ride, lunch, and hotel return.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from Kota Kinabalu, including the Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel. The available pickup options should be checked when you book.

Is hotel drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with drop-off listed for Kota Kinabalu and the Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel.

How long is the ATV ride?

The ATV ride lasts 45 minutes. You first register, attend a safety briefing, and gear up at the ATV base in Ranau.

Is lunch included?

Yes. One lunch is included, and the schedule sets aside about one hour at Tropicana Lodge Backpackers and Restaurant.

Are Rafflesia entrance fees included?

No. Rafflesia viewing depends on whether a flower is in bloom, and any entrance fee is paid separately.

Can I buy sinalau bakas during the tour?

Yes. The tour stops at a local stall or cafe where sinalau bakas is available for purchase. It is not included in the tour price.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Smoking is also not allowed during the activity.