Climbing Mt Kinabalu

Mt Kinabalu (4095m) is one of the tallest mountains in South-East Asia and is situated in the Kinabalu National Park in the province of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. Thousands of tourists visit Kinabalu National Park each year and most come with the intention of climbing Mt Kinabalu.  At sunrise, the views from the Mt Kinabalu's summit at Low's Peak are spectacular, making all the effort worthwhile.

Most climbers take two days to ascend and descend Mt Kinabalu. The eight-kilometre climb generally starts from the the Timpohon Gate near park headquarters (1800m), with an overnight stay at one of the guest houses at Laban Rata (3273m), before pushing on to the summit early next morning. Mt Kinabalu's summit is usually reached in time to view the sunrise, before returning to Laban Rata for breakfast. Climbers then descend the mountain, generally reaching the park headquarters by mid-afternoon.


This site contains all you need to know about climbing Mt Kinabalu: preparation, equipment, transport, costs, accommodation and a blow by blow account of the climb itself.

The price is cheaper than those offered by travel agencies. However, you need to book your place  6 months before the climb and the package does not include transport from/ to the airport to/ from Kinabalu National Park.

In general, the 3D/2N package prices offered by travel agencies ranged between RM950 - RM1,400 per person depending on the itinerary and number of people in a group. It should cover everything that includes:

• Accommodations and food of the entire trip starting from the airport
•  Climb permit, insurance, park entrance fee, return shuttle from Park's HQ to Timpohon gate, mountain guide, etc.
• Transport to pick you up from the airport until the last day sending you back to airport.

There should be no extra cost. However, things vary depends on the climbing package that you order. Please check clearly before you place your booking.

climbing package includes:

• 1 night stay at Laban Rata (Dormitory).
•  2 beakfast buffets on day 2 and day 3.
• 2 lunch buffets on day 2 (lunch pack prepared for you to eat during your climb to Laban Rata) and day 3 (at  Kinabalu National Park right after descent).
• 2 dinner buffets on day 1 (arrival at Kinabalu Park) and day 2 (Laban Rata)
• 1 supper (at Laban Rata 2am before your climb to summit).

Variations of the Standard Travel Package of Climbing Mount Kinabalu

Beside the standard 3D/2N climbing option, there are variations offered by different travel agents at different prices:

• some packages offer longer period of stay, some offer 2D/1N climb (very limited offers available)
• some offer more places of visit, i.e. islands hopping & scuba diving at Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Poring Hot Spring, white water rafting at Padas river, etc.
• some offer luxury day climb with 2 days on the mountain
• some offer a different climbing experience Via ferrata (Mount Kinabalu has the highest Via ferrata in the world)
• etc.