Day 1 Kota Kinabalu ★ Meeting Day
All day
丨Itinerary meeting day/ We sincerely welcome you
Today is the gathering day for the event. Tourists from all over the world gathered in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. After arriving, they will go to the gathering hotel on their own (free airport pick-up is available for 2 people or more, only on the gathering day, and the pick-up driver will hold up a "YOUXIAKE" sign).
Airport Pickup
The same flight service for two or more people is a complimentary service and is only available on the day of the meeting. Airport pickup is a separate service and is not part of the itinerary. Transportation is provided only from the airport to the hotel on the day of the meeting. We cannot arrange flights for one person. After creating a group, our staff will collect flight information and arrange it.
About Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, also known as Kota Kinabalu, is the capital of Sabah, Malaysia. It's a fascinating blend of nature and culture. Tanjong Aru Beach's sunsets are ranked among the top three in the world, and it's a renowned spot for observing rafflesias and proboscis monkeys. Kota Kinabalu boasts a vibrant and diverse atmosphere. The aroma of seafood permeates the streets, and seafood restaurants abound, offering local specialties like laksa and buttered tiger prawns.
丨Recommended itinerary (not included in the itinerary, go on your own)
In the evening, you can go to Tanjong Aru Beach to enjoy the sunset. It has the famous sunrise and sunset views of Kota Kinabalu. There are affordable drinks and snack stalls nearby. You can enjoy a fruit cocktail while watching the exquisite sunset.
How to get to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
Currently, there are domestic direct flights to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, including AirAsia and other airlines, with flights to Hangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Hong Kong and other places.
Other common transfer methods include direct flights to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, and then transferring to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. There are many flights at different time periods every day.
Booking in advance will get you discounted fares. If you buy connecting flights, make sure there is a certain amount of time between them: usually more than 3 hours, to avoid missing your flight due to delays.
Day 2 Kota Kinabalu → Monsopiad Cultural Village → Gaya Street → KAWA Mangrove Forest
All day
丨Itinerary Presentation
Aboriginal Cultural Village
After breakfast, we'll head to the Aboriginal Cultural Village [Monsobiyat], named after the Kadazan-Dusun hero Monsobiyat. Entering the village is like stepping back in time to the ancient Kadazan-Dusun tribe. The village boasts a patchwork of stilt houses, passionate traditional dances, and exquisite handicrafts. The village is famous for its skull house, which is said to contain the severed heads of enemies killed by the warrior Monsobiyat, along with various Aboriginal relics. Here, you can experience the Aboriginal way of life, dance with them, try out blowgun darts, and savor the charm of Sabah's diverse culture.
Gaya Street
At noon, we arrived at Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu, a famous street in the heart of the city and also known as Sabah's "Chinatown." There are many Chinese shops here, selling a variety of food and handicrafts. You can find delicious food on Gaya Street on your own.
丨KAWAKAWA Mangrove Sunset + Proboscis Monkey + Mangrove Fireflies
The Kawa Mangrove Forest was developed relatively recently, so the original ecosystem is relatively intact and the fireflies are more numerous. Not only can you see the beautiful sunset on the mudflats, but you can also see proboscis monkeys and fireflies.
丨Tourists' Privileges
Free thirst-quenching coconut water + Malay must-eat coconut pudding (whole coconut, generous portion!)
Day 3 Free exploration in Kota Kinabalu city → Kota Kinabalu Airport → Tawau → Semporna
·morning
丨Itinerary Presentation
The morning is free and easy, and you can take a taxi to Kota Kinabalu city to explore freely.
Recommended attractions
Central Market/Philippine Market
Sabah is rich in fruits. You can always see many tropical fruits at the indigenous stalls. Watermelon, papaya, banana, and rambutan are regulars. Others such as durian, mangosteen, lotus seed fruit, jackfruit, Sabah fruit (Dala), mountain mango, etc. vary according to the season.
Pink University of Sabah
Just as charming as Kuala Lumpur's Pink Mosque, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, boasts a equally dreamy and romantic Pink Mosque, located at the University of Malaysia Sabah. The campus, sprawling over 500 football fields, houses the Pink Mosque, which is open to tourists and also serves as a place for local Muslims to worship. The Deep Sea Aquarium, a paid attraction, is also a popular attraction for both young and old.
Floating Mosque
The Floating Mosque is a typical contemporary Islamic building and one of the mosques in Malaysia with a magnificent sunset view. It can accommodate 12,000 believers for prayer. The mosque's four minarets and beautiful dome are very eye-catching.
·afternoon
We will gather at the hotel at noon and go to Kota Kinabalu Airport to take a flight to Tawau Airport. After arriving in Tawau, we will drive 1.5 hours to Semporna Hotel to check in.
About Semporna
Semporna, located on the east coast of Sabah, was originally a small fishing village in Malaysia, barely visible on maps. It has now become a renowned underwater tourism and diving hub. While Semporna's ocean is beautiful, the town itself is relatively simple and untouched, lacking any newly built luxury accommodations. Therefore, accommodations are quite limited. However, we have selected some of the best options in town; please do not compare it to larger cities.
丨Hotel Information
We'll stay in Semporna for three consecutive nights, offering a comfortable stay and allowing you to fully experience Semporna's maritime charm. However, this also means that accommodations in Semporna are limited. All accommodations in Semporna must be paid in advance and are non-refundable. Rooms are hard to come by during the peak summer season. Early registration is recommended.
Day 4: Mataking, Timba-Timba, and Pom Pom Island 3-Day Tour (Shared Boat)
All day
丨Itinerary Presentation
After breakfast, we will gather to go to Semporna Pier
One-day tour of Mataking, Timba-Timba, and Pom Pom Islands (access fees are at your own expense, Mataking RM15, Timba-Timba RM10)
Mataking
Mataking Island is composed of a main island and smaller islands. The west coast of the main island boasts a tri-colored sea, while the northern part boasts a beach called Tail Beach. Walking from the main island to the smaller island offers breathtaking views of the sea and sky blending into one, and you can also snorkel and spot sea turtles. Mataking Island's east coast features coral cliffs that slope down to a depth of 100 meters, while the west coast is largely coral cliffs, also reaching depths of 100 meters. The marine ecosystem inhabiting Mataking's waters, encompassing plankton and larger marine life, is a true paradise for underwater photographers, novice divers, and even serious divers.
Timba Timba
It is an island close to Mataking, facing the west coast of Mataking. The sea water is refracted into several colors in the sunlight, one side is deep blue and the other side is light green. The gentle waves wash over the white sand beach one after another, giving people a very romantic feeling. It is very suitable for taking pictures. The clean beach and clear water give you the illusion of being in heaven and unable to distinguish between the sea and the sky.
Pom Pom Island (only snorkeling around the area, no landing on the island)
It is a quiet and secluded island with beautiful scenery and few people. It is one of the habitats of green turtles and hawksbill turtles. There is a small turtle breeding base on the island. If you are lucky, you can also see large turtles when snorkeling at the shore during the day.
丨Self-funded recommendation
Semporna is famous for diving. Tourists can communicate with the Semporna guide to upgrade their diving experience when going out to sea (because diving instructors and equipment need to be arranged in advance, please be sure to confirm it one day in advance)
Day 5 Mabul Island + Kapalai Snorkeling and Water House Day Trip (Shared Boat)
All day
丨Itinerary Presentation
After breakfast, we will gather at Semporna Pier to start our island hopping tour.
Mabul Island + Kapalai Snorkeling and Water House Day Tour (Default route, island entry fee is at your own expense, Mabul Island 50 MYR)
Mabul Island
Known as the "Garden of Eden of the Sea," it's one of the world's top snorkeling spots. With its pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters, the island boasts a small fishing village. Looking down from the pier is like peering into your own fish tank, a dazzling array of colorful fish, starfish, and black sea urchins. Local fishermen haul up countless beautiful shells, some as large as washbasins. (We recommend against buying them; everything is protected locally, and rare shells could be confiscated at the border.) The resort charges a fee of RM50 per person.
Kapalai (not Kapalai Resort)
We will snorkel in the nearby waters. Kapalai is an island formed by a sandbar between Sipadan Island and Mabul Island. It is adjacent to the vast Celebes Sea. The water is crystal clear like mint against the backdrop of corals. You will inadvertently discover rare marine creatures such as cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, mandarin fish, etc. The colorful underwater landscape here is a paradise for "diving" enthusiasts.
丨One-day tour of the three islands of Tun Sakaran National Park (alternative route, used in case of military exercises and closure of Mabul Island, not optional)
【Tun Sakaran Marine Park】
It is Sabah's largest marine park, boasting the largest concentration of coral in Malaysia and a rich underwater life. Over time, part of the crater sank into the sea, leaving behind eight islands and over 100 kilometers of coral reef, now a landmark attraction in Semporna.
(Entrance fees are at guests' expense: Conservation fees are RM20 for adults and RM12 for children; climbing fees are RM50 for adults and RM30 for children; the guide's fee is RM10-25, shared equally.)
Pearl Island
Also known as Sleeping Beauty Island, this tranquil volcanic island is not far from Semporna. Access requires a hike, and the 600-meter summit offers an ideal view of Tun Sakaran Marine Park (a one-way trip takes 1-2 hours). Tourists who choose not to hike can also opt for snorkeling. Note: Always wear sneakers when hiking; hiking is prohibited if it rains the night before.
Mandapu Bay Island
There are beautiful coral reefs. Snorkeling allows you to see many small fish swimming among the corals. If there is no tide, you can also go to the island and walk around the island.
【Gunkanjima】
From the air, Gunkanjima looks like a warship quietly anchored in the middle of the ocean. It boasts fine sandy beaches, towering coconut palms, and a pleasant sea breeze. One-third of the island is surrounded by sandy beaches, and the shallow waters are home to abundant corals and a variety of fish. The pristine white sands and nearly transparent waters are like the sky, and a few Bajau children play carefree on the island.
Special Notes
According to the regulations of Dunsa National Park, entrance tickets must be purchased in advance at Semporna Pier. If it rains on the day or Dunsa announces that the mountain climbing is not possible, the climbing ticket cannot be refunded. Please confirm with the tour guide one day in advance whether you want to climb the mountain, because you need to prepare documents early in the morning when going out to sea, and you may not be able to buy tickets if you are notified at the last minute.
Day 6 Tawau Airport★ Disbandment Day
All day
丨Farewell on the disbanding day/Looking forward to seeing you again
In the morning, everyone will disperse according to their flight schedule (hotel check-out is generally 12:00 noon) and proceed to Tawau International Airport (TWU) for direct departure to China. (Free airport drop-off is available for a minimum of two people, valid on the day of departure only). Please check your belongings upon leaving the hotel and at the airport; do not leave them behind. Thus concludes our Semporna adventure, with a tearful farewell!
丨Recommended itinerary for the disbanding day
1. Tourists who are not satisfied with their trip can stay in Semporna, Malaysia for a few more days to experience its charm in depth.
2. Fly from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu International Airport and continue your trip or take an international flight back home.
3. From Tawau Airport to Kuala Lumpur Airport, transfer back to China and spend a few days in Kuala Lumpur.
丨Warm Reminder
1. Pay attention to the free checked baggage allowance purchased for your flight to avoid overweight.
2. If you intend to stay in Semporna for a few days, be sure to arrange your hotel in advance.
