Guide to planning your Mount Kinabalu climb
The best time to climb
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One of the most common questions when it comes to climbing Mount Kinabalu is when is the best to climb. The Mount Kinabalu trail and mountain accommodation at Panalaban is open all year round and there is no month that you absolutely have to avoid. The weather in Sabah is tropical and unpredictable, downpours can happen at any time of the year or the day and packing a poncho or raincoat for Mount Kinabalu is a must.
The summit trail from the accommodation at Panalaban to the summit of Mount Kinabalu (Low's Peak) offers climbers very little shelter and in the event of strong winds or heavy rain, the Sabah Parks rangers will close the summit trail. Mount Kinabalu summit trail closures happen on average 15 to 20 times per year and no refunds or rescheduling are permitted. |
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So how can you avoid being affected by a summit closure? Honestly, it comes down to luck! Even in the driest months from February to May there is a small possibility. It's also worth keeping in mind that rain more commonly occurs in the late afternoon and your Mount Kinabalu climb is timed to make the most of the driest part of the day. You will usually arrive at your accommodation by mid-afternoon before the rain starts and it's likely to have finished by the time you make your summit attempt-
If you are looking for a quieter time to climb Mount Kinabalu, pick October to February, the trail up Mount Kinabalu and accommodations at Panalaban will be busier from March through until September. The best month to climb Mount Kinabalu is the one that suits your schedule because whatever the weather, you are sure to have an unforgettable climbing experience!
If you are looking for a quieter time to climb Mount Kinabalu, pick October to February, the trail up Mount Kinabalu and accommodations at Panalaban will be busier from March through until September. The best month to climb Mount Kinabalu is the one that suits your schedule because whatever the weather, you are sure to have an unforgettable climbing experience!
Choosing a climbing package
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All our Mount Kinabalu climbing packages are "fully inclusive" meaning that we take care of your scheduled transfers, accommodation, meals, entry fee, climbing permit and guide. You just need to pack your bag and tell us where to pick you up from!
To give you the best possible climbing experience, we only use the well-established accommodations at Laban Rata Resthouse (standard climb) and Pendant Hut (climb with Via Ferrata) for our Mount Kinabalu climbing packages. We also use tried & trusted mountain guides who consistently receive excellent reviews and feedback from our climbers. |
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Mount Kinabalu - Standard climb
There is nothing "standard" about climbing a mountain over 4000m high! The term "standard climb" simply refers to climbing Mount Kinabalu without doing the Via Ferrata. It is the most common way to climb Mount Kinabalu and also the most cost-effective. Adventure seekers may want to explore Via Ferrata options which take you to a side of Mount Kinabalu that "standard climbers" won't have access to.
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If you are on a tight schedule and looking to complete the Mount Kinabalu summit climb in the shortest possible amount of time then look no further than the 2D1N Mount Kinabalu climb. Get up early on day 1, head to Kinabalu Park, register and climb to Laban Rata Resthouse. On day 2, after a short night sleep, make your Mount Kinabalu summit attempt before descending back to Park HQ and returning to Kota Kinabalu in the later afternoon. The whole experience will take just under 36 hours to complete and you will return with some epic new memories, a new found appreciation for your leg muscles (and your guide!) plus a well-deserved sense of achievement.
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Our recommended and most popular option is the 3D2N Mount Kinabalu climb which includes one night in Kinabalu Park as well as one night at Laban Rata Resthouse. Staying the night in Kinabalu Park before your climb gives you a much more relaxed start to your climbing day and a chance to acclimatise a little to altitude at 1500m asl in the park before setting off to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. You can choose to go to Kinabalu Park in the early morning and spend the day exploring the rainforest at the base of the mountain or spend a leisurely morning in Kota Kinabalu before catching our midday transfer. Learn more about Kinabalu Park and the accommodation here.
Climbers planning to go over to Sabah's East Coast (Sepilok / Sandakan / Kinabatangan River) after their climb, can spend 1 night in Kinabalu park after climbing and catch our West to East coast shuttle from the park entrance the next day at 9am.
For an ultimate Mount Kinabalu experience, book our 4D3N Mount Kinabalu climb which includes one night each in Kinabalu Park, Laban Rata Resthouse and Poring hot springs. You won't miss a thing!
Climbers planning to go over to Sabah's East Coast (Sepilok / Sandakan / Kinabatangan River) after their climb, can spend 1 night in Kinabalu park after climbing and catch our West to East coast shuttle from the park entrance the next day at 9am.
For an ultimate Mount Kinabalu experience, book our 4D3N Mount Kinabalu climb which includes one night each in Kinabalu Park, Laban Rata Resthouse and Poring hot springs. You won't miss a thing!
Mount Kinabalu climb with Via Ferrata
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For extra adrenaline and some unforgettable memories, add-on a Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata activity after your summit climb. Your ascent to Low's Peak (4095m asl) will be made on the same trail as all climbers but after sunrise you will take a detour via a series of rungs, cables, bridges & ladders drilled into the rock face on Mount Kinabalu and access a whole different side of the mountain. No experience of rock climbing or mountaineering is required but a head for heights, decent stamina and a sense of adventure will definitely help
Your accommodation with this option will be at Pendant Hut and you can find out more information about the Via Ferrata routes here 2D1N Mount Kinabalu & Via Ferrata package. |
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Mount Kinabalu & wildlife combos
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Climbing Mount Kinabalu can be the highlight of a long weekend in Borneo but it can also form part of a much longer adventure. To take the headache out of planning your trip, we have combined all the best bits of Mount Kinabalu with Sepilok and the Kinabatangan river for a true "Sabah Adventure". Our 7D6N Sabah Adventure starts from Kota Kinabalu and includes 1 night each at Kinabalu Park, Laban Rata Resthouse and Poring Hot Springs. From there you will travel overland via Sabah Tea Plantation to spend the night in Sepilok. After a chance to explore Sepilok sanctuaries, continue onwards to the Kinabatangan river for 2 nights with river cruises and wildlife galore! Contact us to start planning your Sabah Adventure today!
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Who can climb Mount Kinabalu
You will find answers to this and many more questions in our Frequently Asked Questions section but in a nutshell, anyone who is in good health and decent physical condition is able to attempt the climb. Climbing Mount Kinabalu is a once in a lifetime experience for many people and the sense of achievement upon reaching the summit is incredible. There are no age restrictions but you know yourself better than anyone else, read more about the climb and weigh up whether the stunning sunrise views will be worth it for you personally. If cost is an issue then consider the 3D2N Trus Madi climb instead. Beware though, despite being the second highest mountain in Malaysia, Mount Trus Madi is renowned to be harder than Mount Kinabalu!
Mount Kinabalu accommodation
Dormitory at Laban Rata Resthouse
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All climbers have to sleep at least 1 night at Panalaban on their way to the summit. The best known and most well-established accommodation at Panalaban is Laban Rata Resthouse, offering a range of dormitories and a handful of private rooms.
If you sign up for a climb with Via Ferrata then you will stay at Pendant Hut which is owned and operated by the same company that manages the Via Ferrata and is a few hundred metres from Laban Rata Resthouse A third option are the Sabah Parks hostels: Lemaing hostel (for Malaysian citizens only), Mokodou & Kinotoki hostels. These are not included in any River Junkie climbing packages as they are virtually impossible to book due to very limited availability. |
What can I expect?
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Your climb will start with registration at Park Headquarters in Kinabalu Park where you will need to show your passport, complete a liability release form and receive your climber ID tag to be worn at all times during your climb. Your mountain guide will then organise your transfer to Timpohon gate, give you a briefing and lead you through Timpohon Gate, the iconic entrance point to the Mount Kinabalu trail known as the "Timphohon trail".
Over the next few hours, you will steadily climb from 1866m asl up to your accommodation for the night, at around 3200m asl. This section of the trail is 6km long but with an elevation gain of 1400m you can expect to feel the burn, especially during the steeper section as your approach the accommodation. Settle in for the night at your accommodation, enjoy dinner and settle in for an early night. The temperature overnight will be around 10°C but blankets are provided. |
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On the second day, you will be up by 2am for a light breakfast before setting off on the summit trail up to Low's Peak, the highest point of Mount Kinabalu at 4095m asl. This section of the climb is expected to take 3-4 hours and temperatures are commonly around 0 - 5°C. After reaching the peak and enjoying sunrise, your guide will take you back down to your accommodation for a hearty breakfast, before continuing all the way down to Timpohon gate, a further 3 - 5 hours of walking depending on the state of your leg muscles and knees!
Upon reaching Timpohon gate, your climb is complete and it's time to refuel before returning to your accommodation for a hot shower! |
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Contact usHave questions or want to book? We'd love to hear from you!
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