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

12 hours

Kota Kinabalu: Mari Culture Village, Blue Tear, River Cruise Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Enjoy a group experience on a daytrip to Mari Mari culture village, blue tear and river cruise on a full clay trip. in the morning head to Mari-Mari Cultural Village with a guide who’s ready to share all the unusual tales on this adventure! Get ready for some one-on-one time and the freedom to explore Borneo's ancient of 5 different ethnic tribes and modern culture.

Laugh and learn about traditional congkak games, bamboo cooking, culture performance, blowpipe fire, handcrafted tree bark fabrics, and lunch on a village tour

After a potential stop at the floating mosque and chocolate factory visit. Take a river cruise through mangrove forest and explore wildlife. Chase a spectacular sunset with skymirror on the horizon, then enjoy a dinner

Keep your eyes peeled for the magical "Blue Tears" or fireflies —a rare bioluminescence that sets the water aglow with electric blue sparkles. This exclusive tour Borneo's wild beauty and rich heritage into one unforgettable journey.

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At a glance

Duration: 12 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 13 people
People per booking: 1–13
Guide: Malay, English
Operated by: Wadi Rum Fire Camp

Ages: Adults (0–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Unique local flavors such as chocolate stop.
Included: Scenic drive from Kota Kinabalu
Included: Round trip hotel transfers (within KK city area)
Included: Lunch
Included: Dinner
Included: Fireflies watching
Included: Cultural performances
Included: Guided tour through 5 traditional Sabah ethnic houses
Included: Bamboo cookery, blowpipe hunting, and fire-making.
Included: Entrance fee to the mari mari cultural village
Included: Photo stops at floating mosque
Included: Fire show
Included: River cruise on Bongawan or Mengkabong river
Included: Interactive activities such as tree bark crafts, congkak etc

Not included

Not included: Personal expenses

Itinerary

Kota Kinabalu

35 min

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.
Stop 2

15 min

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.
Stop 3

3 hours

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.
Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

15 min Admission not included

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.
Cocoa Kingdom KK Chocolate House

15 min Admission included

Discover the art of chocolate making and treat yourself to free tastings of exotic local delights, from creamy coconut to bold, unforgettable durian.
Stop 6

one hour Admission included

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.
Bongawan

15 min

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

40 min

A delicious local dinner is served at a riverside floating restaurant
Bongawan

30 min

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 .
Kota Kinabalu

Passing by

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

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Summer Lodge
OYO 818 Hotel 11
Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu
Marina Court Resort Condo
Little Gaya Hotel
Wah May Hotel
Impiana Mutiara Hotel
Hotel Full Hua
Walk In Hotel
Ruby Hotel
Capital O 90985 Margo Hotel KK
1 City Hotel

and 144 more pickup points

Your driver will be arriving to pick you up based on the name you provided in your reservation. We kindly ask you to double-check that the hotel name is correct or let us know a day before the tour starts. please take note this pick up in the town of city of Kota Kinabalu. Thank you! Your guide is familiar with your name and personal details, so no worries. We kindly ask that you be ready in the hotel or anywhere near the road, pls be informed if you choose a shared tour there might be delay in pick up hence wait patiently. If there are any changes, we will be sure to let you know!

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The tour involves walking and being outdoors, so dress appropriately.
Since all wildlife has a freedom to roam which follow the principle of freedom, there is no guarantee that any specific wildlife will be seen during the tour.
This experience run in rain or shine