Climb Mount Kinabalu 2 Days / 1 Night

A Blue Kinabalu van with imposing Mount Kinabalu in the background

Climb Mount Kinabalu: An introduction

Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain on Borneo and in Malaysia. With an elevation of 4,095 metres (13,435 feet) it’s the 20th most prominent mountain in the world by topographic prominence. The mountain and its surroundings (Kinabalu National Park) are among the most important biological surroundings in the world with an astounding 5,000 plus species of plants, 326 species of birds and more than 100 mammalian species identified.

The mountain is easily accessible, located near the small town of Kundasang that’s around 90km / 2 hours from the State Capital Kota Kinabalu.

The peak (Low’s Peak) can potentially be climbed by any person in good physical condition and there is no need for specialist mountaineering equipment at any point on the route however it is mandatory that all climbers must be accompanied by accredited Mountain Guides at all times. As with any mountain some people may experience altitude sickness.

From a personal standpoint climbing Mount Kinabalu (at the age of 50) was hugely rewarding and memorable and the feeling of achievement upon reaching Low’s Reach is difficult to articulate. My advice as a non-climber to anyone contemplating climbing the mountain is to prepare and take advice on how to train before your climb. Any preparation that you undertake beforehand will richly pay back on the ascent and descent and make the experience even more enjoyable.

Even if you don’t feel like climbing Mount Kinabalu then enjoy the next best thing and visit Kinabalu National Park with Blue Kinabalu Travel Agency and fingers crossed if the weather is clear and your luck is good, you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of Mount Kinabalu!

Climb Mount Kinabalu (2D1N): Sample Itinerary - Please note that when you book ‘Climb Mount Kinabalu’ with Blue Kinabalu Travel you will have your own dedicated Mountain Guide even if you are one solo climber

Day 1 (Kota Kinabalu/Kinabalu Park HQ/Timpohon Gate/Ascend Mount Kinabalu/ Panalaban Base Camp) – (Packed-Lunch / Dinner)

·       0600hrs - 0700hrs: Pick-up from your hotel lobby and depart on a 2 hrs journey to Kinabalu Park Headquarter. Collect your packed lunch

·       0900hrs: Our guide will arrange for all necessary registrations, assign you a mountain guide and apply for your ID TAG - Remember to wear your ID TAG at all times

·       You'll then be transferred to starting point – Timpohon Gate – where your journey and quest to the summit of Borneo’s highest mountain begins! The climb will take approximately 4-5 hours

·       The trek will pass by different vegetation zones from Oak and Chestnut to mossy and eventually to alpine type of vegetations

·       Arrive Panalaban Base Camp @ 3272m and check into your accommodation

·       Buffet Dinner at Laban Rata Restaurant and overnight

Day 2 (Low's Peak / Descend Mount Kinabalu / Kota Kinabalu) - (Supper/Breakfast/Lunch)

·       0200hrs: Wake up for early supper and depart for continuation of journey towards the summit of Mount Kinabalu

·       The journey up to the Low's peak @ 4,095m will test your fitness and determination. Depending on speed of trekking, you might be able to experience the glorious sunrise over the majestic Mt. Kinabalu if weather permits

·       0700hrs: Descend back to Panalaban Base Camp for late breakfast and check out

·       Trek down to Timpohon Gate for transfer back to the Kinabalu Park Headquarter (est. arrival 1300hrs to 1500hrs)

·       Congratulations, you can now collect your Certificate of Achievement!

·       Buffet Lunch will be served at the Balsam restaurant in Kinabalu Park* (Due to the temporary closure of Balsam Restaurant, lunch will be served at Liwagu Restaurant after completing your climb)

·       Transfer back to Kota Kinabalu City - Journey takes approx. 2 hrs

Climb Mount Kinabalu (2D1N): Tour Includes

·       Meals as stated (1 Breakfast, 1 Packed-Lunch, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner & 1 Supper)

·       1 Night Accommodation

·       Entrance Fee

·       Return Hotel Transfer (Seat-In-Coach)

·       Return Transfer (Park HQ - Timpohon Gate - Park HQ)

·       Mountain Guide

·       Climbing Insurance

·       Climbing Permit

·       Mount Kinabalu Certificate and Certificate Holder

·       English Speaking Support Team

Climb Mount Kinabalu (2D1N): Tour Excludes

·       Airfares

·       Porter Fee

·       Alcoholic Drinks

·       Personal Travel Insurance

·       Any Items Not Mentioned

Climb Mount Kinabalu (2D1N): Tour Price

Price varies dependent on International/Domestic Market and month/day of climb – contact Blue Kinabalu Travel Agency (details below) for latest information on availability & price

Mount Kinabalu climbing slots are restricted and always in high demand so to avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend you to book as early as you can.

Please note that as we are unable to confirm your climbing slot(s) until full payment has been received (bank transfer or RM Ringgit Malaysia cash).

To book, email operations@bluekinabalu.com or WhatsApp +60 13 979 6782

Climb Mount Kinabalu (2D1N): Tour Information

Accommodation:

DAY 1 - 1 Night Panalaban Assorted Huts (Non-Heated Dormitory Bunk-bed room with sharing bathroom & toilet)

Note on Meals Arrangement:

Lunch will be converted to packed meal on Day 02 (Mt Kinabalu Descent) for climbers who arrive late and missed the local restaurant's opening hours.

Restaurant Business Hour 07:00hrs - 20:00hrs

Friendly Note from Sabah Parks

It is recommended that all climbers should have themselves medically checked before attempting any mountain climb. If you have a history of suffering from the following ailments, it is highly recommended that you SHOULD NOT CLIMB: Hypertension, Diabetes, Palpitation, Arthritis, Heart disease, severe anemia, Peptic ulcers, Epileptic fits, Obesity (overweight), Chronic asthma, Muscular cramps, Hepatitis (jaundice); or any other disease which may hamper the climber.

Children below 15 years old must fill in the indemnity form upon registration at Park Headquarters.

Important Information: Disclaimer Required

If the National Park cancels the Mount Kinabalu climb in part, or full for any reason (e.g. heavy rain) then as per the Kinabalu National Park Terms & Conditions there is no refund. Similarly, if you, or any of your party have to cancel or cannot complete the climb for any reason then also there is no refund. Accordingly, and in order to be able to accept your booking, each climber will need to sign Blue Kinabalu Travel Agency “Climb Mount Kinabalu – Disclaimer Form” confirming a) “Fitness to Climb” and b) understanding of, and agreement to “Mount Kinabalu Cancellation Policy” at time of booking. Please note Blue Kinabalu Travel Agency requires payment in full by Bank Transfer before reservations can be confirmed.

Items You Should Prepare for Mountain Climb

·      Waterproof backpack to store your items

·      Trekking or running shoe with good grip

·      Warm clothing/Long sleeves shirt/Hiking pants

·      Jacket/Wind breaker

·      Extra clothing and socks

·      Small towel

·      Hand gloves and winter hat

·      Disposable raincoats

·      Head torch (compulsory)

·      Personal toiletries

·      Refillable water bottle (0.5 - 1 Litre)

·      High energy food such as chocolates, nuts, biscuits, sweets, energy bars

·      Your extra luggage can be stored at Kinabalu Park HQ at a nominal fee of MYR 12 per piece prior climb

Items You May Wish to Bring

·      Medication such as headache tablets or altitude sickness tablets

·      Tissue paper / Toilet roll

·      Sunblock lotion, lip gloss, plasters

·      Insect repellent / Mosquito Oil

·      Camera with water proof bag

·      Sandals / Slippers

·      Plastic bags

 Important Information to Note

·       Climbers who reach Timpohon Gate after 16:30 Hrs will be imposed a fee of MYR 15 per hour per guide and need to pay directly to mountain guide on the spot

·       Tipping is like giving a hug. Although it’s never expected, it’s always very much appreciated

·       Do take note that your MyKad (for Malaysian) / Passport (for Non-Malaysian) will be required for verification during registration at the Kinabalu Park office. Please bring it along with you

·       Laban Rata Resthouse does NOT provide boiled water for drinking/refill to climbers. Coffee & Tea will only be provided complimentary during Breakfast & Supper. However, mineral water, coffee, tea, and other hot drinks and Soft Drinks are still available for purchase at the Grocery Counter (Laban Rata Resthouse)

·       Pendant Hut provides filtered hot water for drinking/refill to climbers

·       Check-out time for Laban Rata Resthouse is 10:00 Hrs.  Should you check out later than 10:30 Hrs, a Late Check Out Fee of MYR100/hour applies, to be paid directly on the spot

·       Effective as of 1st September 2017, the Tourism and Culture Ministry of Malaysia will be implementing a Malaysian Tourism Tax (TTX). Foreign tourists will be required to pay a flat rate of MYR 10 per room per night regardless of accommodation star level. The TTx is to be paid upon check-in. Malaysians or permanent residents residing in Malaysia are exempted from TTx and is required to present a valid identification upon check-in for the exemption

·       Climbers below 16 years old are considered Child and will be accompanied by a separate mountain guide and subject to additional charge

Transportation Arrangement   

·       Our friendly guide will meet you at your hotel lobby / greet you at the Airport arrival hall with a placard bearing your good name. Should you encounter difficulties in locating our guide, you can call our hotline number/s stated in your itinerary for further assistance

·       We do not recommend climbers to catch your flight on the same day you descend the mountain due to possible delay from injuries, tiredness and/or bad weather and traffic conditions

·       For 2-Day 1-Night packages, transportation will be arranged for Pick-Up from your Hotel between 06:00hrs - 07:00hrs. Our team will advise your Pick-Up time one (1) day before your departure. Kindly request your hotel for early or packed breakfast on the day of your tour

·       For 2-Day 1-Night packages with ferrata, transportation will be arranged for Pick-Up from your Hotel between 06:00hrs - 06:45hrs. Our team will advise your Pick-Up time one (1) day before your departure. Kindly request your hotel for early or packed breakfast on the day of your tour

·       For 3-Day 2-Nights packages and beyond, our transport can pick you up from either Airport OR your Hotel. Time is dependent on your arrival flight schedule. Please provide us your flight details

·       Add MYR 30 nett per person per way for transport to/from locations outside Kota Kinabalu city (e.g. Beringgis Beach Resort/Langkah Syabas Beach Resort / Papar / Kinarut Area)

·       All transportations are based on Seat-In-Coach. This is a transfer service in which clients share their vehicle with other clients. This is a door-to-door service with multiple pickups & drop-offs throughout the journey. Do expect some short waiting time

·       After descending to Kinabalu Park HQ, climbers are subject to pre-determined pickup time with the last transport returning to Kota Kinabalu city latest by 1930hrs. We will ensure your possible wait of not more than 2 hours at Park HQ. However, if you missed the last transport (which is unlikely) or wish to depart at your own preferred timing, we can arrange a vehicle for private transfer for you (Subject to availability). Please understand that the surcharge for any private transfer will have to be borne by you

·       Private Transfer Surcharge- MYR 450/vehicle/way

·      Our group rates are quoted without deviation, which means we provide only one return transfers for your group. If your group requires more than one return transfers, additional transfer charges may apply

·      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

Mount Kinabalu