“Top of The World” Sunrise Leisure Hike (St Veronica’s Hill)

TOUR INFORMATION

TOUR CODE: ABK-SV01
DESCRIPTION: “TOP OF THE WORLD” SUNRISE LEISURE HIKE (ST VERONICA’S HILL)
REGION: Kota Kinabalu
DURATION: 4 Hours
MINIMUM: 2 Pax
AVAILABILITY: Everyday
PICK UP POINT: Your Hotel in Kota Kinabau City
PICK UP TIME: 04:00 - 04:15 Hrs
DROP OFF POINT: Your Hotel in Kota Kinabalu City
DROP OFF TIME: Varies Depending on Tour Option Chosen
* All timings are estimated and for reference purposes only. Actual timing will be provided prior to your departure.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Rugged trek hiking
  • Beautiful Panoramic Views from St Veronica’s Hill Peak
  • Local Breakfast at Tamparuli Town
  • Hotel Pick up / Drop off

OVERVIEW OF TOUR

Located in Tamparuli about an hour’s drive from Kota Kinabalu City, the beautiful St. Veronica’s Hill towers over the rustic Tamparuli town and surrounding villages at 278 meters above sea level.  The locals of Sabah call it Bukit Perahu, which means “Hill Boat” in Malay, because of an inverted boat-shaped rock that sits near the summit’s clearing.

St. Veronica’s Hill offers a leisure trek up to the peak on a rocky terrain.   While the majority of the trail leads through trees and bushes, occasional shrub openings towards the top afford a splendid bird’s eye view.   
In the early morning, a sunrise hike will be rewarded with a spectacular view of Mount Kinabalu overlooking the misty low lands - giving you a true “Top of the World” experience!

A combination of scenic views, exercise, and a little bit of mystery thrown together, this hill catches the fancy of both hiking enthusiasts and leisure explorers alike.

 

Sample itinerary

Day 1 - ST. VERONICA’S HILL SUNRISE HIKE / TAMPARULI / KOTA KINABALU (OR EXTEND TOUR)

04:30am : Your first adventure starts in the early morning with the pick up from your hotel lobby and leisure drive to Tamparuli Town.

05:15am : Upon arrival at the starting point, begin the trek to the summit (278m a.s.l) of St Veronica’s Hill, also known as Bukit Perahu.  Along the way, you will pass a total of 14 crosses planted by St. Phillip Roman Catholic Church of Tamparuli.  Every year during Easter Day, Roman Catholic locals participate in a mini pilgrimage up the hill for the “Stations of the Cross” event, stopping at each cross to commemorate Jesus Christ’s last day on earth as a man.

06:00am : Once you have reached the summit, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view as you experience the true beauty of Sabah’s nature!  Enjoy panoramic sights from the peak’s clearing, with the breathtaking backdrop of the majestic Mount Kinabalu and the shimmering river snaking past the rustic Tamparuli Town.  If you are fortunate to climb with good weather, you would witness an incredible sunrise kissing the lands with gold!

07:00am : When you have enjoyed the full grandeur to your heart’s content, you can begin your descent.

08:00am :  Upon reaching back to the starting point, transfer to Tamparuli Town.  Take a walk on the famous “Jambatan Tamparuli” suspension bridge, and soak up the small-town charm as you stroll past numerous historical wooden shop houses and visit the local market. Breakfast will be a simple affair at one of the local food stalls.  After breakfast, transfer back to Kota Kinabalu. 

If you chosen "Hike + Rafting" or "Hike + Kinabalu Park" or "Hike + ATV", you may proceed to the starting point of your next adventure.

Notes: above itinerary is applied for "Hike Only" package. If you choose "Hike + Rafting" or "Hike + Kinabalu Park" or "Hike + ATV", please read the following itinerary stated below.

Meals : Breakfast

Day 1 - EXTENDED TOUR (Hike + Rafting / Hike + Kinabalu Park / Hike + ATV)

Package: Hike + Rafting
Continue your journey to KIULU WHITE RIVER RAFTING
Upon arrival, you will be briefed through on safety measures and the various rapids by the River guide. Proceed to collect your rafting gear. Helmets, check! Paddles, check! Life-jackets, double check! 

Time to brave the 9 kilometer slippery slopes of the Kiulu River! The rafting activity takes about 1hour 30 minutes depending on rapids and river condition. Paddle on through bumpy river-beds and be literally drenched in adrenaline and excitement as you reach the ending point. Keep your head up so that you do not miss the amazing sights of the tropical rainforest while you are cruising through the Wall Rapid and Holy Smoke Rapid. You can even Body Raft if you are keen on something more vigorous! 

Upon arrival to the ending point, change into some dry clothes and feast on a lunch by the Kiulu River before heading back to your hotel in Kota Kinabalu. 

(Lunch provided)
 

Package: Hike + Kinabalu Park
Continue your journey to KINABALU PARK WITH RUMAH TERBALIK & DESA COW FARM 

Proceed to 30-minute drive through the countryside onwards to the wondrous Rumah Terbalik (Upside Down House).
You can opt to either only make a pitstop for a few photos or be accompanied by a guide to explain the cultural elements of the house (at your own expenses).

Proceed on a 1 hour and 30 minutes’ drive to Kinabalu National Park passing by villages and paddy fields along mountainous roads winding along the Crocker Range.
Pitstop at Nabalu Handicraft Market for some local produce and handicraft souvenirs.

Upon arrival at Kinabalu National Park, enjoy the refreshing cool air as you take a nature trail walk through the Botanical Gardens with Mount Kinabalu as your backdrop.
Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in an estimate of 4,500 species of plants – 77 of which are Bornean-endemic. You may even get to spot several bird species out of 289 species sprawled throughout the park.
After the nature walk, it’s time for lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, depart for the 199-hectar stretch of pristine farmland – Desa Cow Farm!
You will get the opportunity to sample fresh dairy products, get up close to cattle, and bottle feed calves.

It’s time to bid a fun-filled day goodbye as you are transferred to your respective hotels.

(Lunch provided)
 

Package: Hike + ATV
Continue your journey to ATV ADVENTURE – KIULU COUNTRYSIDE
Route - Kiulu Countryside

Gear up for an adventurous journey that will let you experience the beautiful Kiulu country side in a unique way: riding a quad bike! 

Be amazed by the scenic drive up and down rolling hills, driving through Kiulu river and quaint villages amongst some of the best paddy field landscapes in Borneo. Along the way your guide will make some stops to tell you more about the life of the local people. This will be a guided scenic adventure unlike anywhere else in Borneo. Light refreshment will be provided.

(Light Refreshment provided)

Meals : Lunch / Light-refreshment

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Meals 01 Breakfast
Includes Hotel Pickup & Drop off, Land Transportation (Seat-In-Coach), Meals as Stated and English-Speaking Guide
Excludes Personal Travel Insurance, Any Items Not Mentioned

RECOMMENDED ATTIRE

FOR ST. VERONICA HILL CLIMBING: Long Trousers and T-shirt, Cap/Sun Hat, Comfortable Shoes
WITH

  • OPTION A (KIULU RIVER RAFTING): Swimming Attire for Inner Wear, T-shirts and Shorts, Quick-Dry Shirt, Sandals with Straps, Strap (for those wearing spectacles/sunglasses)
  • OPTION B (KINABALU PARK WITH RUMAH TERBALIK & DESA COW FARM): Comfortable Walking Shoe, Raincoat or Umbrella, Warm Jacket, Insect Repellent
  • OPTION C (ATV ADVENTURE): Long Sleeves, Long Trousers, Cap/Sun Hat, Comfortable Shoes (no sandals or flipflops), Jacket, Sunglasses

THINGS YOU SHOULD BRING

FOR ST. VERONICA HILL CLIMBING: Raincoat or Umbrella, Head Torch / Torchlight, Walking Stick (optional), A Change of Clothes, Binoculars, Sunblock Lotion, Insect Repellent, Camera
WITH

  • OPTION A (KIULU RIVER RAFTING): Dry Bags/ Plastic Bags, Waterproof Phone Case (If you wish to bring your phone on the raft), Additional Clothing/Towel
  • OPTION B (KINABALU PARK WITH RUMAH TERBALIK & DESA COW FARM): Warm jacket
  • OPTION C (ATV ADVENTURE): Small Towel, Additional Clothing, Buff or Scarf (to cover your face / nose / mouth from dust), Sunblock, Sunglasses, Bottled Water.
     

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

  • Baby Car Seats (for infant aged 0-2) and Child Booster Seats (for children aged 3-11) are available for rental. Please check with your tour consultant for availability.

FOR OPTION A: KIULU RIVER RAFTING

  • Participants must be physically fit and between the ages of 5 to 65 years old.
  • Children below 12 years old must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
  • All participants are required to sign a liability release form.

FOR OPTION B: KINABALU PARK WITH RUMAH TERBALIK & DESA COW FARM

  • You may opt to enter the Rumah Terbalik (Upside Down House) and 3D Museum (located beside Rumah Terbalik).  Entrance fees are at your own expenses.
  • About Kinabalu Park:
    • Kinabalu Park is at high altitude approximately 1500 meter above sea level, it can get cold.
  • You can choose to wait at the resting area if you do not wish to proceed for any of the nature walks.
  • Get up close and add a personal touch to the experience by bottle and grass feeding calves, an activity families will surely enjoy (at own expenses).

FOR OPTION C: ATV ADVENTURE – KIULU COUNTRYSIDE

  • Participants need to be 18 years old and above with a valid car/bike driver’s license. Please also have a photo or scanned copy or the original license itself when asked so that we can verify that you are allowed to drive the quadbike.
  • Please be warned that this tour involves an element of risk. All participants are required to sign a liability waiver form prior to riding. 
  • We reserve the right to instruct you to ride as a pillion passenger with the accompanying guide if the guide feels that your driving might endanger your safety.
  • For Double bike (2 person bike), weight of the two person combined must be 120kg. The passenger whom ride along the same bike together with the passenger who has a valid license can be below 18 years old and not require a valid license. Double ATV is more dangerous & risky, especially going up/downhill. So important for the two riders to balance themselves. Please enquire before making any booking as there is limited unit for Double bike.
  • Quad bike tour is subject to cancellation in the event of adverse weather conditions. If the tour cannot be held due to safety reasons, a substitute tour, postponement, or a full refund will be offered. 
  • You are encouraged to purchase your travel insurance for the peace of mind during your tour in Sabah Borneo.

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • This package is based on join-in basis of shared guide and transport vehicle.  Private Guide or Tour is available upon request at a reasonable fee.  Please inform us when making the bookings. 
  • Departure time is approximate and varies from different hotels due to traffic conditions, please reconfirm with our staffs. Should the transport be delayed, please call the relevant telephone number as stated on the voucher before making alternative arrangements.
  • Amazing Borneo Tours reserves the right to alter routes, timetables, itineraries and accommodation reserved should conditions beyond our control render it necessary.
  • Tipping is like giving a hug. Although it’s never expected, it’s always very much appreciated.

USEFUL TRAVEL TIPS

  • Hiking pole can help to load off the knee by redistributing weight to the arms. By using a hiking pole can help with stability too.
  • For ATV activity,
    • You are advised to wear long pants as the unit engine will be situated on the right side of the vehicle and may be uncomfortable for those wearing shorts.
    • Please bring along jacket, sun glasses & changes of cloths for this activity as you may feel weather climate change in Kundasang, strong winds, sudden rain. Jacket can also prevent you from get sunburn.
    • The supplier will provide you with hairnet, mask gloves, protector guard kits & helmet.