Home > Build your trip > Borneo Modules > Climbing Kinabalu

Climbing Kinabalu - Mount Kinabalu trek

Route: Kota Kinabalu - Mount Kinabalu National Park - Kota Kinabalu

Fancy climbing the highest mountain in Southeast Asia? Gunung Kinabalu is the pride of Sabah and its majestic peak soars high above the jungle, usually surrounded by a veil of clouds. Your Borneo trek begins in the tropical rainforest and continues across twisting paths through various vegetation zones on your way up the mountain. At the end of the day, you'll spend the night in a basic mountain cabin. Early in the morning you'll be awakened by your guide and continue your Borneo trek to the top. Just before sunrise you'll reach Mount Kinabalu's peak and see the first beams of sunshine will spill out above the horizon - incredible...

Feeling inspired? You can build your own Borneo trip using our bite-sized Borneo tours. Or alternatively you can take your pick from our range of suggested holidays in Borneo. Want to combine your Borneo adventure with a trip to West Malaysia? No problem. Simply choose from our selection of bite-sized Malaysia tours or ready-made holidays in Malaysia.

Duration	3 days / 2 nights departs daily from Kota Kinabalu Please note: availability is limited during peak travel season, July to September	Accommodation	Dormitory room in rustic mountain cabin. Comfort level 1 (see accommodation).
Price	£468 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes	Return transfers Kota Kinabalu to National Park, park entrance fee, permit, English speaking guide, accommodation incl. 1x breakfast / 2 x lunch (of which one is a packed-lunch) / 1 x dinner
Transport	Minibus	Excludes	All optional extra

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu - Mount Kinabalu National Park

This morning you'll be picked up at your hotel for a 2 hour drive to Kota Kinabalu National Park. The entrance of the park is located at an altitude of 1600m, so you won't have to start this Borneo trek at the base of the mountain. After you fill out your personal contact information, you and a guide will walk through the national park gardens filled with unique plants and flowers. In the afternoon you'll have time to go out and explore the park on your own and in the evening you'll spend the night in a rustic park chalet.

Day 2: Mount Kinabalu National Park

After breakfast on the second day of your Borneo trek you'll be picked up at your hotel for a 30 minute drive to the 'power station' at 1830m. This is where you and your guide will start out on the first segment of your trek to the highest point of South East Asia; Mount Kinabalu's peak at 4102m. A slowly winding path up the mountain will allow you to slowly adjust to the altitude. As you climb, your natural surroundings will begin to change. Within a few steps an entirely different world will open up to you. Trees, plants... everything is new and different.

As you continue on this Borneo trek, the air will become thinner and you'll notice that climbing will become more strenuous. The mountain cabins you encounter as you climb the mountain are the perfect place to rest up for a bit. Have a bite to eat from the lunch bag that was prepared for you and let your eyes feast on your breathtaking surroundings. Depending on how quickly you walk, you can reach the Laban Rata guest house at 3550m within 4 to 6 hours. The guest house is actually an enormous ski hut which also offers a scrumptious buffet starting at 5pm. If the weather is clear, you could have dessert while watching the most spectacular sunset outside. It won't be long until you fall into a deep, yet short sleep in the dormitory filled with other climbers in the sleeping bag provided for you.

Borneo trek - It's well worth the effort

Day 3: Mount Kinabalu National Park - Kota Kinabalu - End of trek

Be prepared for a 2:00 - 2:30am wake-up call from your guide. This may seem quite early; however the excitement for the last day of your Borneo trek will definitely act as an instant rejuvenator. Before heading out we suggest dressing for cool temperatures. Wearing a warm sweater or fleece and a gore-tex coat should keep you nice and warm. The wind at the top of the mountain keeps temperatures low and if it rains you'll be happy you brought along a sturdy raincoat. Once you leave your accommodation you'll meet up with other climbers just waiting to climb the last leg up to the top of the mountain; everyone will be heading towards the large granite rock plates. Iron stairs and ropes have been attached to the mountain to make the more difficult areas easier to climb. The thin air will make this last part of your climb more difficult than the rest of the climb. No worries though, you won't have to rush and can finish the climb at your own pace. After about two hours you'll reach the cold, dark summit. You'll have front row seats for the most spectacular orange and gold sunrise. An incredible proud feeling of freedom and accomplishment will surely sink in when you reach the top. The view is simply incredible, especially if you're lucky enough to have a reached the top on a cloudless day.

Mount Kinabalu trek - Mountain panorama

Then it's time to go back down the mountain, which will be much easier to do. At around 8am you'll be back at the Laban Rata Rest House where a hearty breakfast will be waiting for you. After all of the effort you're sure to enjoy it. One last cup of coffee or tea and you'll start back down the mountain. As you reach lower altitudes, you'll start to notice the return of plants and bushes and the temperature will start to climb. After about three hours you'll be back in the tropical forest near the park entrance where a bus will be waiting to take you to Kota Kinabalu. As you look back upon the mountain you've just climbed, you won't help but feeling quite proud and satisfied by what you've accomplished. You'll find it hard to believe that only several hours back you were at its peak....

Once you return to Kota Kinabalu after your Borneo trek, you can choose to spend several days here to relax after your adventurous trip or live out your tropical getaway dream on a Borneo beach trip at Pulau Tiga.

Borneo trek accommodation

Mount Kinabalu trek - Rooms with a view Mount Kinabalu trek - Swap stories and meet other climbers Mount Kinabalu trek - Garden

Hot springs and Kinabalu National Park

During peak travel season (July through August) this Borneo trek at Mount Kinabalu can be fully booked as accommodation is limited on the mountain. An interesting alternative is this two-day adventure in Kota Kinabalu National Park:

Day 1: Your English speaking guide will take you on a 3 hour drive to Poring Hot Springs. Along the way you can stop and purchase fresh fruit at one of the villages on route. Once you reach the park, winding paths will take you through the steamy jungle and the Canopy Walk will give you an even better view of the wild animals that roam the jungle. After lunch, float around in the mineral baths while enjoying the tropical gardens all around you. These baths are sure to rejuvenate you and you'll feel fully refreshed as you head back into Kota Kinabalu National Park. You'll spend the night in a lodge just outside of the park.

Day 2: On the second day, you'll have an opportunity to climb a part of Mount Kinabalu. After an early breakfast you'll be driven 1524m by mini bus and then you'll trek to Camp 2 where you'll have a spectacular view of your surroundings. Around lunch time you'll return to park headquarters and the botanical gardens. After lunch you'll be taken back to Kota Kinabalu city.

Mount Kinabalu trek - Bridge to Poring Hotspings

Duration	2 days / 1 night departs daily from Kota Kinabalu	Accommodation	Dormitory room in rustic mountain cabin. Comfort level 1 (see accommodation).
Price	£278 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes	Return transfers Kota Kinabalu to National Park, park entrance fee, jungle walks, English speaking guide, accommodation for 1 night incl. 2 x breakfast / 2 x lunch / 1 x dinner
Transport	Minibus	Excludes	All extras

Borneo trek tips

Best time to take the Mount Kinabalu trek
You can take this Borneo trek anytime between January and October; but to be sure you get clear skies during your climb, March and April are the best months to climb Mount Kinabalu. As these tours can be booked up months in advance, to avoid disappointment, book your Borneo trip early or avoid visiting the park during peak season such as the summer holidays, if at all possible.

Health
Anyone who is physically fit can reach the top of this mountain, but don't underestimate the climb. Weather conditions at 4102m can change minute to minute. It can get cold and paths can be slippery during or after rain. Some travellers experience altitude illness. Naturally our professional guides know exactly what to do in these situations.

It can be quite cold at the top, so don't forget a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof, gloves, a scarf and a warm hat. These can also be rented at your accommodation. Actual walking shoes are comfortable, but you can also wear other types of shoes. We recommend closed shoes with a good tread, sneakers for instance. Bring along an extra warm sweater and a pair of dry socks in your daypack. If it rains and you get wet, you'll be glad to have dry clothing at the top. Make sure to also bring along enough water to drink and some snacks. Don't forget to bring along a flashlight or a headlight, toilet paper, sunscreen, soap, a towel, insecticide and aspirin in case of headaches. Naturally you can purchase all of this on location; however at a higher price. You can also buy what you need in Kota Kinabalu or bring it along from home.

Click here for the quote request form

Take a look at our bite-sized Borneo tours

For inspiration check out our suggested holidays in Borneo

Follow Rickshaw Travel and be inspired...