Kota Kinabalu: Mari Culture Village, Blue Tear, River Cruise Tour

The trip start with a pick-up from your hotel in Kota Kinabalu, leading you on a lovely ride that could take around half an hour or more, depending on whether the weather decides to go along, the traffic, and road condition.

When you arrive, get ready for a warm welcome as you gear up for your epic time-travel adventure into prehistoric Borneo! But hold your horses—first, you’ll need a crash course on the Village Rules before you dive in. Prepare yourself for a grand entrance as you’re welcomed by the Chief, who’s probably been practicing his best “Welcome” face in the mirror all morning! Get ready for a custom Welcome Ceremony that’s sure to be more entertaining than a cat video marathon.

Next, you can take a stroll across the suspension bridge to waltz right into Mari-Mari! This is a delightful mix of five ethnic groups: the Dusun, Rungus, Murut, Bajau, and Lundayeh, all coming together like a quirky family reunion where everyone brings their own dish to the potluck! Every ethnic group has its own wild tales and funky dance moves, not to mention a history that could fill a library—or at least a really entertaining coffee table book, such as traditional congkak game, art of bamboo cooking, culture performance, fire with a blowpipe, handmade tree bark textiles and much much more. Lunch will be dished out right inside Mari-Mari.

On the way to Bongawan, an optional photo stop at one or two of Sabah’s most iconic landmarks is available, including the striking floating mosque – perfect for sunset-style photos.

Discover the art of chocolate making and treat yourself to free tastings of exotic local delights, from creamy coconut to bold, unforgettable durian.

Arrival at Bongawan River leads to a tranquil cruise through lush mangrove forests. The guide shares insights about the local ecosystem – look for monitor lizards, kingfishers, and proboscis monkeys or other wildlife. Cruise along the peaceful river and might spot wildlife such as the Proboscis monkey and Long-tailed macaque in their natural habitat.

Stroll along the shore and capture breathtaking photos of the magical Sky Mirror sunset

A delicious local dinner is served at a riverside floating restaurant

As night blankets the sky, the mangrove trees twinkle with thousands of fireflies. Keep a gentle lookout for the elusive "Blue Tears" or fireflies – a rare and magical moment when bioluminescence lights up the water with soft, electric blue sparkles. A captivating fire show unfolds along the riverbank, glowing warmly into the evening before returning home .

Return home along with convenient round-trip transport so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience.