The jagged massif of Mount Kinabalu that rises above Kota Kinabalu is an impressive site. At 13,435 feet high, Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia and the third highest peak in Southeast Asia. More than 40,000 people a year come to Sabah with the intention of climbing Mount Kinabalu, for good reason.
The biodiversity of the 300-square-mile park is impressive; More than 326 species of birds, 4,500 species of plants and 100 different mammals call the area home. UNESCO took note and made Kinabalu Park Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site in 2000.
Mount Kinabalu has been considered sacred by the locals for centuries. The spirits of the dead ancestors are believed to inhabit the peak. Climbers once slaughtered chickens to appease spirits during ascents.
Climbing Mount Kinabalu does not require any special equipment or climbing experience, a unique rarity for such a high summit. Good physical condition and absolute determination are the only tools needed to get to the top!
What to Expect While Climbing Mount Kinabalu
Many tourists choose to book their trip to Kinabalu through a travel agency, either in Kota Kinabalu or before arriving in Sabah. It is possible to make the necessary arrangements to climb Mount Kinabalu, however, Sabah Parks strongly recommends that climbers at least hire a guide at the park headquarters.
Climbing Mount Kinabalu usually takes two full days , with an overnight stay organized at Laban Rata in advance. Accommodation is extremely limited in the summer months; Getting a date should be your first priority.
- For other nature reserves in the country, read our list of National Parks in Malaysia.
Day one
A bus is available for transportation from the park entrance to the park headquarters, saving an additional three miles of walking down the road. The fast ride costs $ 2.
The park headquarters is an interesting place to explore, take your time. After paying the necessary fees and obtaining your permit, your adventure begins nearby.
The first day consists of four to five hours of steep hike to reach Laban Rata, where you will find communal showers, a dining room, and accommodation. It is necessary to start early at 2am the next day to reach the peak before sunrise.
Day two
The second day consists of climbing unforgiving stairs and a rocky path in the dark; many are out of breath in thinner air. The trail fades away and climbers make their way to the top using a white rope that marks the safest route up the mountain.
Sabah Parks recommends that climbers do not spend a lot of time at the summit due to the cold and strong wind. It takes about two hours to descend back to Laban Rata; departure time is usually 10 am. Climbers have breakfast and rest before finishing the descent, which some consider to be more difficult than the ascent, in about five hours.
Tips for climbing Mount Kinabalu
- Water is available for free at the recharging stations along the trail; It is not necessary to carry more than one bottle of water.
- Save money by buying high calorie trail snacks in Kota Kinabalu.
- Bring cold weather gear, including a windproof jacket and gloves; Pack a change of dry clothes in a waterproof bag.
- Pack a sturdy flashlight or headlamp.
- The $ 3 certificate of compliance presented at the end of your trip is optional, you can refuse to pay.
- Some nausea is expected from exertion at high altitude, however, listen to your body. If you experience a severe headache or start vomiting, stop your ascent immediately.
- Rafflesia flowers can occasionally be seen on the slopes; ask at the ranger station about the possibility.
Fees and permits
- The entrance to the Kinabalu park is $ 5 .
- Climbers must purchase a permit, which is verified twice along the way, at the park headquarters. Adult permits cost $ 32 ; children cost $ 13.
- Climbers must also purchase insurance for an additional $ 2.25.
- A guide can cost up to $ 40 divided among the members of a group; Up to eight people form a group. Team up with people at the park headquarters to share the cost.
Kinabalu Park Headquarters
Overnight visitors and climbers must register at the park headquarters located at an elevation of 5,000 feet at the southern boundary of the park. The headquarters is the center of activity in the national park. There are restaurants, exhibits, and accommodations available, as well as friendly rangers willing to answer questions.
Weather in Climbing Mount Kinabalu.
Kinabalu Park encompasses four different climate zones, but the one you will surely remember the most is the cold near the summit! Few people come adequately prepared for temperatures that can drop to near freezing. Much of the dorm-style accommodation at Laban Rata is unheated; plan to spend a short night of shaking before attempting sunrise at the summit.
Many of the 40,000 people who attempt to climb Mount Kinabalu each year are turned away by the rain. Due to the possibility of accidents on the slippery rocks, the guides will suspend a hike midway if it rains at the summit.
Arriving at Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu is located about 56 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. The bus ride takes about two hours ; the one-way fare is between $ 3 and $ 5 . Buses traveling west from Sandakan take around six hours.
Buses leave in the mornings from the North Bus Terminal in Inanam , six miles north of Kota Kinabalu. To get to the North Terminal, take a taxi (about $ 6) or a bus (33 cents) from the bus station adjacent to Wawasan Plaza at the southern end of Kota Kinabalu.
Long-distance buses to Sandakan, Tawau, or Ranau actually pass through the entrance of the national park; tell the driver that you will travel only to the national park.
Note: If possible, sit on the left side of the bus for a beautiful view of the approach to the mountain.
After climbing Mount Kinabalu
Visiting one of the beautiful islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park just outside of Kota Kinabalu is a great way to thaw and rest your aching legs after climbing!
