Mount Kinabalu Climbing Information




**Warning- Long Post Ahead**


Alright, Yours Truly am guilty as charged.


Been procrastinating on doing this post for quite sometime already. Anyway, there's this saying "Better Late Than Never".........=p

The previous post on Mount KK can be found here and here.

So, here......the information about the Mount Kinabalu climb. I will list down the fees structures first then my recommendations (based on my previous climb that is...=p)

First, I will explain about the fees starting from the Kinabalu Park onwards. The best time to climb Mount KK would be around May - August.

Before entering the Kinabalu Park, the entrance fee to the park need to be paid at the entrance gate(but of course), then proceed to the reception counter to settle the remainder of the fees such as the climbing permit, climbing insurance, transportation to the starting point, mountain guide fees, porter(optional- pay people to carry your bags..=p), and of course the certificate (yes, you have to buy the certificate that will only be issued after you succeeded in conquering the summit....=p)

Fee Structure


From the fee structure, the total would be around RM 73 per person for the climb starting from the Kinabalu Park to the Summit and down.

If including the stay at the Laban Rata which would be around RM69 per person(there are cheaper alternatives), that would come to a total of RM142 per person. (That is where I stay and rest before the second half of the climb previously.)

The Rm73 per person is including the mountain guide but excluding the porter. (The weight of bags differs according to individuals especially girls(heavier-they tend to bring the whole wardrobe, that is why it is not calculated in. =p).

One can also choose a few trail options for the climb. (3 to be exact). I would recommend the starting point at Mesilau trail to the peak then down using the Timpohon trail. That way, one would be able to see the scenery of both trails.
**Maximum 8 climbers per mountain guide**
**Timpohon is the short trail, Mesilau is the longer trail**
**The total is the calculation for Malaysian, it would be more expensive for foreigners** (Refer to the fee structure above)


So, that part of the climb explained in a quite detailed way and now lets move to the pre-climbing part shall we?.

How to go to Kota Kinabalu or more commonly known as KK, Sabah? If you are from Malaysia, you can use the MAS (Malaysian Airline System) or Air Asia. If you are not from Malaysia, then any methods (fly, swim, jump, walk- it is all up to you) would be ok as long as you get here. You can go to KL first then use either MAS or Air Asia to fly to KK.

Once in KK, you can choose either to directly go to the Kinabalu Park using bus or taxi which will cost at around rm20 per person or stay the night at KK and go to the park early next morning. Accommodation would range from budget to luxurious.


Accommodation
(From budget to luxurious)
..............................................................
Bed & Breakfast (B&B)/Lodge

Velvet Backpackers Lodge & Lounge

Borneo Global Backpackers

Asia Adventure Lodge

Borneo Adventure Center & Lodge

City park Inn

Kinabalu Backpackers Lodge

Trekkers Lodge


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Budget Hotel

First Century Hotel

D'Borneo Hotel

Ang's Hotel


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Hotel Apartments

Promenade Hotel Apartments


SeaMaiden Holiday Apartments


The Colonnades Condominium

Marina Court Resort Condominium


.....................................................................
Business Hotel

Kinabalu Daya Hotel

Tang Dynasty Hotel

Promenade Hotel Kinabalu

Shangri-La Hotel


Radius International Hotel

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Le-Meridien KK

Sutera Harbour Resort
.................................................

Transportation (per person)
Rm40- Return trip Airport-Hotel
RM40- Return trip Hotel-Kinabalu Park

....................................................

That concludes all the expense for the Mount KK climb.
(Food, Shopping, and Clubbing not included of course... =p).

Now lets do an estimation of the budget. Lets say you and your climbing partner (2 person) are Malaysian and plans to climb Mount KK.
**Please note that Non-Malaysian will have different budget calculations.**

Estimation Schedule
(4D 3N)

First Day
Arrive at KK and check in a hotel and looks around KK.

Second Day
Early morning use taxi/bus to go to the Kinabalu Park and then be transported to either Timpohon Gate or Mesilau Trail starting point. (Depending on the trail you planning to take- Lets say using the Mesilau-Summit-Timpohon trail). Check in at Laban Rata
(Assuming you reach there...=p) and rest.

Third Day
Very early in the morning at around 2.30am, starts the climb to the summit from Laban Rata. Reach summit at around 6.00am or 6.30am. Starts the climb down at around 11am. Reach Timpohon gate and be transported back to Kinabalu Park. Go back to town and check in a hotel, and rest.

Fourth Day
Check out and fly back to your own home town.

The total for the 4D3N Mount KK climb, not including the flight tickets would be:

stay at hotel - RM160++
(day 1 and day 4- depends where you want to stay)
+
transportation - RM60++
(return trip airport-hotel-mount kk)
+
climbing fees - RM180++
(Including Laban Rata stay but excluding the Porter fees)


Total for 4D3N

Around RM400 per person
(The calculation is based on two person for the climb. The more the merrier and not to mention cheaper)

.....................................................................................

Done with the budget, lets move on to the preparation for the climb. (Only when you calculated and think that it is reasonable for you then you will start planning right? That is why the preparation part section is done after the budget. =p)

What preparations to be done? Well, first of all EXERCISE.
You need to have a considerable stamina in order to successfully complete the climb.

........................................................................................

Preparation
First half of the climb
(From Kinabalu Park to Laban Rata)


Backpack and waistpouch
(better if waterproof)

Lightweight clothing
(t-shirts & short pants is ok)

Raincoat & Plastic bags
(Just in case it rains- the disposable kind is good enough)

Good shoes
(climbing shoes or any shoes that can protect the ankle)

Water bottle
(can be refilled with mountain water =p)

Food
(Power bars/energy bars, chocolate, Any food to boost energy and instant noodle just in case if you want to save money at Laban Rata)

Walking stick
(can buy wooden stick for RM3)

Digital camera/Video camera
(Who would ever think of going climbing without this, take spare batteries and snap/record away)

Medicines
(pack light medicines such as panadol, band aids, and etc)

Basic things
(Toilet tissue papers, Towels, toothbrush and toothpaste)

Extra stuff
(Sun block lotion and Insect repellent if you really have to use it)


Second half of the climb
(From Laban Rata to Summit)


Warm clothing
(Wind breaker or jackets, long sleeves shirts, thick trousers/cargo pants/jeans)

Balaclava mask/ Ski mask
(To protect your face from the wind)

Gloves.
(Waterproof gloves is best/wool gloves)

Torchlight
(Headlight would be better)

Raincoat.
(Just in case it rains)

............................................................

Done. I think I have covered all of the important information regarding the Mount KK climb.

Next, would be the planning and budgeting for my next Mount KK climb next year.
(Yes, I am going to climb Mount KK again next year if all goes according to plan. The following budgeting and planning would be for the climb next year which is done due to requests by the indecisive minds of my potential climb partners.)
...............................................

Benard's 2008 Mount KK Trip Planning
(Around end of August)

Head Count
Estimated around 6

Duration
4D3N
(Calculation of budget does not include the entertainment and food spending)



Day 1
(Kota Kinabalu)

Arrived at Kota Kinabalu airport, use taxi to go to hotel and check in.

After considering the accommodation options, the following 3 can be considered

Velvet Backpackers Lodge & Lounge
(Rm20 for fan and rm25 for air conditioning room - per person)
(From the website, this looks good. A room sleeps 4 but a bit far from the center of the town)


Radius International Hotel
(Rm70 per person-Court Room- Sleeps 2)
(Recommended by a friend of mine and it is at the center of the town)


Marina Court Resort Condominium
(Rm300- 3 bedrooms)
(It's an apartment with 3 bedroom which would be RM50 per person for a group of 6)
(Also at the center of the town)


The Marina Court Resort Condominium should be the best choice for any group that have 6 or more members.
(The more the cheaper)

So, it will be the Marina Court Resort Condominium for out Day 1 accommodation.

When everyone arrives, then it is time to tour the town and perhaps experience the nightlife there. =p

Day 1- Rm50 per person for the accommodation


Day 2
(Kota Kinabalu- Laban Rata)

Wake up early in the morning at around 6 am and have breakfast.

After that use bus to go to Kinabalu Park for climbing pre-registration and be transported to the Mesilau Gate to begin the jungle trekking with the mountain guide.

The first part would be more to jungle trekking and would normally take around 6 to 7 hours to reach Laban Rata.

Once there, check into respective rooms and rest until the time for the second half of the climb. Bath, freshen up and eat something.

Day 2- Rm145 per person
(Including the accommodation at Laban Rata but excluding the porter fees)
(For fee structure, refer above)



Day 3
(Laban Rata- Summit)

After resting until around 2.30am the next morning, the second half of the climb will begin and hopefully will be able to reach the summit at around 6am to be in time to greet the dawn and bask in the light of dawn.

The view would be breathtaking and well worth the climb.

After that, begin the descend to Laban Rata, pack, rest, eat and start the descending down following trail to Timpohon Gate and be transported back to Kinabalu park to collect the Certificate of Achievement.

After that, use van/bus to be transported back to KK town and check into a hotel.
Might give the Radius International Hotel a try.

After resting and IF anyone still have the energy to go around town, by all means do so. =p

Day 3- Rm70 per person for the accommodation


Day 4
(Kota Kinabalu-Hometown)

After breakfast, check out and go to the Airport.

End of Mount KK Trip


Grand Total

RM345 per person plus transportation
(Excluding Air Ticket, Food, and Entertainment)

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**At last, the long awaited post completed. Feel free to ask if there are any questions.**


Comments

  1. Thank you for the comment on my blog!

    The two-headed turtle is interesting, yeah?

    ReplyDelete
  2. i heard that last time after i climbed, the fees had be adjusted to about 10% more expensive than before. do recheck about it, or u will cry at the park.

    Just to add in, climb from mesilau, you can see VERY VERY nice views! while from timpohon, your muscle will be more painful, as the steps are high and you need to bent your legs up to 90 degrees (or more) just to climb one step.

    hehe, correct me if wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Neddie: Yeah, quite so.... =p

    Ed: The climbing fees are the latest already..heh.. i already asked the customer service.... So to be safe..Just bring extra hundred two... =p

    ReplyDelete
  4. waaaHHHhhhhhHHHHHh...so details....

    ...sad, cant join u guys last time :(

    ReplyDelete
  5. wow.. i was impressed when you wrote rm 345. then i read excluding air fare and food. Okay, now it makes sense.

    I want to go Kinabalu.. uwaaa but no friend want to company. huhu

    ReplyDelete
  6. LukXiuFung: Yeah, but nvm..you are welcomed to join for the next year trip.. (If everything goes according to planning that is..)

    TiM: Heh, Come...welcomed to join if want to.... =p

    ** Anyone interested can organize a climb or just join yours truly... =p**

    All the information is there in the post... =p

    ReplyDelete
  7. 345 Malaysian Ringgit = 4,690.93 Philippine Peso

    +

    Airfare approximately ( 32,015.00 PHP)

    ~~ 37,000!!!

    Donations are welcome to my "Send me to Mount KK" fund...

    ReplyDelete
  8. 宝茹: Woh, the conversions comes out with so many zero behind the numbers.... Seems a lot.. =p

    ReplyDelete
  9. wow kudos for the really informative post!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks... Feel free to ask. I will try to help if I can. =p

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wah.. so details on your schedule.. If next time I really want to go mount KK I will definately ask you lol.. thanks expert!

    ReplyDelete

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