Another wonderful cycle trip around Kuching with the very impressive Farhah. She made the trip as the guides do. She was knowledgeable, friendly, competent and made our half day very memorable. My second trip with this company; I learnt more than before. To have a local, passionate about Sarawak and her culture is priceless. Bikes were good and temp super. Finding hidden gems and eating with locals , made the experience special. Thank you Farhar and thank you to all.
3D2N Crocker Range Adventure: Jungle Trails & Village Hearts in Sabah
A protected ridge under the community’s custodianship.
Primary forest, genuinely untouched
A community evening, not a cultural show
Embark on a profound journey into the heart of the Crocker Range with this exclusive 3D2N expedition to a village sanctuary. Designed for those who crave both physical challenge and cultural depth, this trek ascends 800m into a strictly protected water catchment zone, where ancient primary forests remain untouched and the air is crisp and pure. After two nights of immersive jungle camping, you will emerge into a traditional Dusun village to stay in a private hillside 1-room hut. Here, you’ll share in a lifestyle of organic “forest gardening,” savoring artisanal rice and ginger wines while celebrating with a community that lives in perfect harmony with the mountain’s life-giving waters.
Key Highlights
The Ridge Challenge: Conquer a steep 800+m ascent to a primary forest ridge, rewarded by campsites in the wild.
Artisanal “Happy Hour” & Culture: Experience an authentic community evening featuring traditional Dusun singing, and a tasting of boutique village wines crafted from local rice and ginger.
Generational Organic Living: Participate in a farm-to-table experience, harvesting ingredients from chemical-free forest gardens.
Click the Tabs to Find Out More
What You'll Do
Our adventure begins at 07:00 AM with a scenic drive from Kota Kinabalu toward Tambunan, offering spectacular views of the Crocker Range and Kota Kinabalur along the way. By 09:00 AM, we arrive at a charming village nestled in the foothills of the Crocker Range within Tambunan Town. Following a thorough gear check and safety briefing by our local community rangers, we kick off our uphill trek, passing rustic farming huts and dry paddy fields. We cross into the pristine virgin forest line as we ascend 300 meters. The first 2 km present a demanding +410 m elevation gain from the village road to the first rest hut, where the dense jungle canopy brings a refreshing 1–2°C drop in temperature. During the trek, the rangers will demonstrate essential survival skills, including foraging for wild mushrooms and crafting bamboo cups. After a lunch break near the 3.35 km mark, we aim to arrive at our ridge campsite by 3:00 PM. The local Dusun rangers handle all the heavy lifting. They will set up the camp site, fetch water, brew fresh coffee using natural jungle ingredients, serve biscuits, and prepare a satisfying campfire dinner featuring noodles, rice cakes, and canned provisions. You can relax and enjoy their warm hospitality while waiting for a stunning jungle sunset. In the evening, gather around the open campfire as darkness falls to share a hearty dinner. Afterward, sit back and lose yourself in the incredible “symphony” of the jungle—a rich, beautiful chorus composed of cicadas and diverse nocturnal wildlife.
Hiking Distance: 6.85 km
Elevation gain: +815 m
Estimated Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Jungle Camping
Meals: BLD
Begin your final trekking day early with a simple camp breakfast of canned provisions and noodles before setting off from the ridge at 08:30 am. You will embark on a 3km undulating trek through the breathtaking, pristine mossy forest along the high ridges of the Crocker Range. This route takes you up the area’s highest ridge, peaking at an elevation of 1,561m. On a clear day, you will be rewarded with spectacular, far-reaching views: the green Tambunan town basin on one side, and the South China Sea and distant Kota Kinabalu peeking through the canopy on the other.
Following the highest ridge, brace yourself for a demanding continuous descent of -947 m over 7.66 km back down to the Tambunan valley basin. While exceptionally hard on your knees and joints, this walk is incredibly beautiful. As the forest canopy begins to thin out, you will catch sight of the gorgeous patchwork landscapes of the Tambunan valley unfolding below. A well-earned lunch will be served at one of the Hillside Huts.
Arrive at the village around 3:00 pm and settle into your accommodation in one of the local village houses. Perched on the slopes, these simple and charming private 1-room homes provide an excellent vantage point for watching spectacular evening sunsets and morning mist.
Note: Room availability is limited, so camping on the grounds next to the house is available for those wishing to enjoy the fresh mountain air (there is also an option to stay at the community hall).
Spend a peaceful afternoon of rest, sipping local tea from your balcony, and soaking in the tranquil silence of village life. At 6:00 pm, we will head to the village hall to enjoy a community gathering and social evening with the locals.
The Feast: Feast on a delicious spread of Dusun delicacies and fresh seasonal forest greens gathered directly from the nearby jungle.
The Culture: Taste artisanal boutique wines made right in the village. Savor the smooth, sweet flavors of traditional Rice Wine (Lihing) alongside the spicy, warming kick of Ginger Wine, a renowned Tambunan specialty. This local happy hour promises spirited conversation, laughter, and traditional Dusun song and dance.
Hiking Distance: 7.66 km
Elevation gain: 327 m
Total Descend: -947 m
Estimated Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Village Camping or the community hall
Meals: BLD
Our day starts at 09:00 am with a Farm Visit, where we accompany a local family to their Kebun (forest garden) to observe their fish pond management and see how ginger and highland vegetables thrive alongside the natural forest. Next, during the Harvest & Cook session, you will assist in gathering fresh ingredients for your final meal while mastering traditional seasoning methods and the distinct culinary secrets of Dusun home cooking. Enjoy a “Table to Farm” banquet that showcases the incredibly fresh produce collected just that morning. We say goodbye to our hosts and leave Tambunan at 1:00 pm to start our trip back. Reinvigorated by the cool mountain air and the lasting impression of the Crocker Range, we arrive in Kota Kinabalu at 3:00 pm to check into your city hotel.
Meals: BL
– End of Service –
Trip Details
Price
Adult (13+ years old): RM 2,350 / person
- Minimum 2 Adults to guarantee departure. On SIC Basis
Duration
3 days, 2 nights
Included
- Transportation to and from Kota Kinabalu – Tambunan
- Basic English- Speaking local host(s)
- Meals are provided as stated in the itinerary
- Accomodation:
- 1 night @ Jungle Camp (including tent / hammock)
- 1 night @ 1-Room Village Hut, or village campsite (including tent/hammock)
- Tour excursions as mentioned
- Local wine tasting on Day 2
Not Included
- International flight connection to Borneo
- Juices and alcoholic beverages
- Tip/gratuity is at your discretion
- Camera & video fees at certain site visits
- Medical & travel insurance
- Hotel accommodation after the tour ends
- Any other items not in the tour itinerary
What to Bring
- A medium size backpack (approx.60- 80L) is required for each hiker, as you must carry your personal gear, warm clothing, and sufficient water for the whole first day. No trail water is available until we reach camp, where we can replenish supplies with boiled jungle water gathered by the rangers.
- Wear light comfortable clothes that dry easily during the trek.
- Temperatures drop significantly at night (16°C–22°C), making it very cold. A rain jacket, long pants and warm sweater are mandatory items.
- Comfortable trekking shoes.
- Sandals or pair of flip flops.
- Water bottle or bladder system.
- Sleeping bag.
- Additional snacks or fruit as there is no canteen at the park.
- Personal care: small towel, toiletries, personal medication, personal first aid kit, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, extra tissues, or toilet paper.
- Torch, raincoat or poncho, plastic bag to keep phone/cameras dry.
- Sun hat/cap and sunglasses.
- Extra snacks and drinks for the trekking.
Good to Know
The Village Sanctuary
This village sits within a protected water catchment area, serving as a vital source for the entire region. Because of this protected status, the surrounding primary forest remains exceptionally well-preserved and dense. The local community has practiced organic farming, strictly avoiding chemicals to protect their water sources, resulting in some of the cleanest and most flavorful produce in Sabah.
Camping and Trekking Basics
Campsite Preparations & Facilities
- Basic Amenities: The campsite is highly rustic, with no permanent toilet buildings and no showers. To ensure safety and maintain leave-no-trace principles, the rangers will set up a private, designated toilet area near the camp using a tarp screen and a shovel.
- Water and Protection: Water is sourced from a small stream down a steep incline. While the team provides boiled jungle water, guests are encouraged to bring filter bottles, water purification tablets, or a SteriPEN. Applying high-strength mosquito repellent is also strongly advised, particularly at the start of the trail.
- Bedding: Hammocks and tents are provided as part of the tour. However, travelers are strongly encouraged to pack their own sleeping mats to stay comfortable on the uneven ground of the jungle.
- Walking Sticks: We highly recommend using lightweight trekking poles to navigate the steep 947m descent. For those who prefer not to bring their own, our local guides can easily fashion natural walking sticks from tree branches along the route.
Hospitality & Camp Life
- Gear & Weather: While the canopy offers cool shade during the day, temperatures drop significantly at night (16°C–22°C), making it very cold. A rain jacket and warm sweater are mandatory items.
- Backpack requirements and hydration: Hikers will need a medium-sized pack (roughly 60 to 80L) to hold personal effects, layers for warmth, and enough water to last throughout the initial day. There are no water sources along the trail until arriving at the campsite, where rangers will collect and boil jungle water to replenish your supply. (Please note: We advise leaving heavy bags or suitcases at the village community hall storage facility prior to setting off, and filling a medium backpack solely with necessities for the two-day trek).
- Fauna: The damp forest floor is home to highly active, blood-thirsty leeches, which are a wonderful indicator of a healthy, thriving ecosystem. Although the dense canopy makes wildlife difficult to spot, the surrounding jungle is filled with the clear sounds of wild birds, hornbills, and monkeys.
- Mobile Coverage: You may find intermittent cellular signal on a few exposed ridges, but there is absolutely no signal at the campsite, providing a perfect opportunity for a digital detox.
See What Our Guests Are Saying
I went on a great walking food tour with Delilah, who was an excellent guide. In addition to eating all manner of interesting goodies, from restaurants, street vendors and hawker courts, Delilah gave us a great historical and cultural look at Kuching too. Highly recommended. Skip breakfast and come empty!
This is my second trip to Kuching and my second time booking day trips with Paradesa and they did not disappoint. On this trip, I had my 8 year old and my 70++ parents with me and we did the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary & Annah Rais Longhouse Day trip and the Wetlands Cruise. On each occasion, the guides assigned were helpful, informative and attentive to our varying needs (young and elderly both taken care of).
