River Junkie – fuel the addiction
River Junkie – fuel the addiction

River Junkie Tours Sdn. Bhd. — licensed Kota Kinabalu tour operator (KPL/LN5696), MATTA member, running wildlife safaris, Mount Kinabalu climbs and cave trips across Sabah and Sarawak since 2008.

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Village life and trekking at Kiau, Kinabalu Geopark, Sabah

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Kinabalu Geopark

2D1N Kiau Village Homestay (Kinabalu Geopark)

2 days
1 nights
Departs Kota Kinabalu
Basic
Price fromRM 675
2 - 4 pax, per person
Duration2 days
1 night on the road
DepartsKota Kinabalu
Groupmin 2 pax
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About this trip

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, tranquil Kiau village offers you the chance to immerse yourself in local ethnic Dusun culture whilst testing yourself physically in the jungles of Borneo. Join a trek through dense forest, pineapple fields, and steep mountainsides to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking Mount Kinabalu and spend time learning about village life from your Dusun village hosts. This overnight trip departing from Kota Kinabalu city is a great alternative to a traditional trip to Mount Kinabalu and those that dare to venture off the beaten path will be rewarded with spectacular views (weather dependent!), beautiful jungle surroundings and an authentic memorable experience of their time in Borneo.

Highlights

  • Hike to the summit of Nuluh Lingion (1,420m)
  • Walk through local farms tasting pineapple and jackfruit
  • Dusun homestay with a host family in Kiau village
  • Sample local Dusun food with your host family

    • Trip facts

    Kinabalu Geopark
    Cultural, Homestay, Jungle walks
    2 days of travel
    Physical difficulty 3 / 5
    Departs from Kota Kinabalu
    Minimum 2 pax per departure
    Rates: Prices valid until 31st Dec 2026
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    Day by day

    Day 1

    Kiau Village hike to Nuluh Lingion

    Pick up around 6.30am from your accommodation in Kota Kinabalu to begin the scenic drive to Kiau Village in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, if the weather is on your side you will be able to enjoy a great view of Mount Kinabalu! Once you arrive in Kiau Village you will meet your local guide and begin the two hour long hike to the summit of Nuluh Lingion (other hikes are available within the National Park upon request with at least 3 days notice). Along the way, you’ll walk through local farms where you can spot (and taste!) fresh pineapple, jackfruit, wild ginger, bananas and more depending what is in season. Continue your hike through primary forest up to the scenic lookout point where, weather permitting, you’ll have panoramic views of Mount Kinabalu and it's waterfalls! Enjoy a well deserved rest at the summit of Nuluh Lingion (1420 meters then descend back to the Kiau Village for lunch and a chance to sample local Dusun food at one of the homestays, meet your host family and check into your accommodation for the night. Meals: Lunch & dinner Note: The estimated arrival time back in the village is around 2pm, please have a good breakfast before joining the hike and/or bring some snacks to enjoy whilst trekking.

    Day 2

    Homestay breakfast & transfer to Kota Kinabalu

    Following an early rise, as is the village way, and a leisurely breakfast with your host family, you are then free to explore the area for the morning and make the most of the typically good morning weather. At around 10am you will meet your driver for your transfer back to Kota Kinabalu. Alternatively, opt to join our West to East shuttle and continue on from Kiau village to Sandakan or Sepilok via Kinabalu Park, Poring hot springs and Sabah Tea plantation. Meals - Breakfast

    Where you'll stay

    Kiau Village Homestay

    Kiau Village Homestay

    Kiau village, Kota Belud, Sabah
    Kiau is a cluster of Dusun villages in Kota Belud district on the western foothills of Mount Kinabalu. Rather than a single hotel, visitors stay in family homes coordinated by a central village organisation, so rooms and meals are simple and home-cooked. Days centre on village life, farm and paddy walks, waterfall treks and chats with your host family from the Dusun community.
  • Local homestayTwin beds, double beds, or rooms sleeping larger families / groups can be arranged on request
    • FacilitiesAccommodation is in village family homes, with meals cooked by the host families.
    Good to knowThis is a community homestay rather than a hotel, so expect simple shared family living rather than hotel facilities. Some rooms have their own bathroom facilities whilst others are shared with your host family. Kiau is roughly two hours by road from Kota Kinabalu.
    A closer look

    What's included

  • Transfers ex-Kota Kinabalu
  • 3 meals
  • accommodation in local homestay
  • leech socks
  • entrance fees
  • English speaking guide (local to the village)

    • Not included

  • Items not mentioned.

    • Prices

    2D1N Kiau Dusun homestay & Kinabalu Geopark trekking - 2 - 4 paxRM 675per person
    2D1N Kiau Dusun homestay & Kinabalu Geopark trekking - 5+ paxRM 590per person
    Rate validityPrices valid until 31st Dec 2026

    Frequently asked questions

    Where will I stay and who will I stay with?
    You stay with a host family in Kiau village. There are eight different homestays participating in the Kiau village homestay programme and they take turns in hosting guests. Meals and accommodation are simple and provided by your host family, who will do their utmost to make your stay comfortable.
    What is included in the price?
    Transfers from Kota Kinabalu, three meals, accommodation in a local homestay, leech socks, entrance fees and an English speaking guide who is local to the village.
    What is the schedule over the two days?
    Pick-up is around 6.30am on day one from your accommodation in Kota Kinabalu, followed by the hike and lunch and dinner with your host family. On day two you have a leisurely breakfast and free time to explore the area, then meet your driver at around 10am for the transfer back to Kota Kinabalu.
    How hard is the hike?
    It is a 2 to 3 hour hike to the summit of Nuluh Lingion at 1,420 metres, walking first through local farms where you can taste seasonal fruit, then through primary forest to a scenic lookout point. You should be back in the village around 2pm, so please have a good breakfast before joining the hike and bring some snacks to enjoy while trekking.
    What should I bring?
    A water bottle, insect repellent, a hat, walking shoes with good grip (Adidas Kampung are best) and a raincoat. Leech socks are included, but if you would prefer your own you can buy a pair in Kota Kinabalu the day before the trip, and other long socks will also work.
    Can I carry on to the east coast instead of returning to Kota Kinabalu?
    Yes. Instead of transferring back to Kota Kinabalu on day two, you can opt to join our West to East shuttle and continue from Kiau village to Sandakan or Sepilok via Kinabalu Park, Poring hot springs and Sabah Tea plantation.
    Should I bring gifts for my host family?
    No, your host family will not be expecting gifts or tips. If there is a some small piece of your own culture you would like to share with them then this is absolutely fine.
    Who does the Kiau Homestay programme benefit?
    The homestay programme provides local families with income from accommodation, guiding, food, transport and cultural experiences, helping tourism revenue stay within the community. It also creates value for local culture, traditional livelihoods and the surrounding environment by giving residents an active role in sharing and protecting what makes Kiau special. Any households are free to sign up, however they must be inspected and accredited by the Ministry of Tourism before they can receive visitors.

    Photos from this trip

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    Ready to book, or still deciding?

    Tell us your dates and we will come back with availability, the total cost and honest advice — including when a different trip would suit you better.

    Getting between destinations: we also run private van and 4X4 transfers across Sabah and a daily Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan shuttle — ask us to add either to your trip.

    WhatsApp / phone: +60 11 1265 8581
    Email: info@river-junkie.com
    Hours: 8am–5pm, Monday to Sunday
    Office: Wisma Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

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