Mount Kinabalu Climb

Kota Kinabalu to Poring Hot Springs

Our journey begins with a pick up at 9:30am at the Kota Kinabalu Centre Hotel (kindly be reminded to arrange and take an early breakfast.) Enjoy a two hour road journey through the Crocker Range to Kinabalu Park. The drive to Kinabalu Park is in itself a fascinating experience. As you leave the city behind, see how local communities have settled at the foothills of the Crocker Range and along its winding roads a feeling of tranquility overcomes you. Catching glimpses of the mighty Mt Kinabalu is an unforgettable sight and as it approaches it seems to grow and draws you nearer. En route, you will make a stop at Nabalu village to savour some local fruits or to purchase beautiful handicrafts. At approx. 11:30am we will arrive at Kinabalu Park and register for the mountain climb. After registration at Kinabalu Park HQ, you will proceed to visit the Botanical Gardens. At Kinabalu Park, the climate is noticeably cooler, with very little humidity, the air is fresh and during the day a comfortable 24 degrees if the sun is shinning. Your guide will discuss your days wish list with you. You may choose to witness the incredible biodiversity that designated Kinabalu Park as a UNESCO World Heritage site and stroll by rivers and follow mountain trails to spot rare and endemic species of flora and fauna that can be found in the park. In fact it is said that there are more than 2,000 flowering plants in the forests of Kinabalu! The Botanical Garden is a comprehensive information centre cataloging the species of plant contained within Kinabalu Park offering education to people which makes the trip ever more interesting when you know what you are looking at. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant en-route to the Poring Hot Springs area of the park, which is located approximately 45minutes drive away. This area offers the possibility to soak in the hot baths, visit the butterfly gardens, or see the rainforest from a different perspective at 45m elevation along canopy walkways. If you are very fortunate your guide might spot the Rafflesia flower, the largest flower in the world, however nature is not predictable so this depends on whether one is blooming at the time. This region is its natural home. At approx. 3:00pm we will check into our accommodation and the rest of the afternoon is free time, at your leisure. A buffet/set dinner is provided at the Rainforest Restaurant.Accommodation: Poring Hot Spring – Dormitory Bunk Bed with communal bathroom.NB: Porters are available and can be organised on arrival at the Kinabalu Park HQ. The minimum weight required is 10kg. Should your bag weigh less than 10kg, the charge will still be calculated based on 10kg. On average you can expect to pay MYR 130.00 per round trip Timpohon - Panalaban - Timpohon for a 10kg bag and this is to be paid directly to the porter. Costs are subject to change without notice.

Trek to Laban Rata

It is an early breakfast and transfer to Kinabalu Park HQ (approximately 45 minute drive). Note, that you will not return to Poring Hot Springs so take all luggage with you. Collect your packed lunch from Balsam Restaurant. You will meet your Mountain Guide and transfer to Timpohon Gate (the starting point for the summit ascent). There will be a short briefing by the mountain guide and then we set off for the climb. We commence our climb to Laban Rata and along the way enjoy a packed lunch. Ensure you do not climb too fast, try to aim for 6 hours or more to reach Pana Laban, this is to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. At approx 4:00pm-4:30pm we arrive at Pana Laban (3272.7M). After checking into our overnight accommodation the remainder of the day can be spent exploring the surrounding area, or just relaxing and resting in preparation for your early morning ascend tomorrow morning.Accommodation: Laban Rata Hut – Dormitory Bunk Bed with communal bathroom (accommodation is very limited and will be in multishare rooms with dormitory bunk beds)

Summit Mount Kinabalu

We will aim to reach the summit by sunrise however you will need to make an early start (2:30am). At 2:30am you will depart from your accommodation with your mountain guide for Low’s Peak Summit (4095 m). Our goal is to reach the summit in time for sunrise (5:30am). You will commence climbing by torchlight (a head torch is most useful) and as you ascend the terrain becomes less vegetated. The final stages of the ascent crosses bare granite slabs before a steep section up to Lows Peak and the highest point of Mt Kinabalu at 4,093m. As the sun rises over Sabah the most extraordinary view unfolds (weather permitting). Contrasting with the pink tinged granite is the deep green of the forest below, stretching to the fertile croplands and beyond to the island dotted South China Sea. It’s time to descend to Laban Rata for a well earned breakfast. At 9:00am we continue the descent to Timpohon Gate – we aim to reach the gate before 4:00pm to avoid late climber guide fees*. At 1:00pm we will transfer back to Kinabalu Park’s HQ and meet our driver. Here we enjoy lunch before transferring back to Kota Kinabalu, where the trip concludes. The last transfer from the park is 5:00pm. (NB: Times are approximate and will depend on your pace and progress. It can be very cold with strong winds at the summit. On many days clouds could obstruct visibility.)