Planning your climb
When to climb
The Mount Kinabalu climb 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 is a must. Your Mount Kinabalu climb is timed to make the most of the driest part of the day and you will usually arrive at your accommodation by mid-afternoon.
The summit trail is the portion of the trail from the accommodation to the summit of Mount Kinabalu (Low's Peak), there is very little shelter during this part of the climb and in the event of strong winds or heavy rain, the Sabah Parks rangers will close the trail. Summit trail closures happen on average 15 to 20 times per year with most closures taking place in January, July, August and December, outside of these months summit closures are rare but can happen.
In the event that the weather is not at its best and the trail is closed, we will unfortunately not be able to offer any refund as the money you have paid has gone towards your climbing permits, accommodation, meals, guide, insurance and transfers, all of which are non-refundable.
The summit trail is the portion of the trail from the accommodation to the summit of Mount Kinabalu (Low's Peak), there is very little shelter during this part of the climb and in the event of strong winds or heavy rain, the Sabah Parks rangers will close the trail. Summit trail closures happen on average 15 to 20 times per year with most closures taking place in January, July, August and December, outside of these months summit closures are rare but can happen.
In the event that the weather is not at its best and the trail is closed, we will unfortunately not be able to offer any refund as the money you have paid has gone towards your climbing permits, accommodation, meals, guide, insurance and transfers, all of which are non-refundable.
Which climbing package to choose
If you are on a tight schedule and looking to complete the Mount Kinabalu summit climb in the shortest possible amount of time then the 2D1N climb is the best option and all you need to do is decide if you want to add-on the Via Ferrata on the way down or not - more info on this below. For everyone else, we would recommend choosing the 3D2N climb which includes 1 additional night either before or after your climb in Kinabalu Park. 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 as the park accommodation is at 1500m asl.
Climbers planning to go over to Sabah's East Coast (Sepilok / Sandakan / Kinabatangan River) after their climb, can opt to spend 1 night in the park after climbing and catch our West to East coast shuttle the next day at 9am
Climbers planning to go over to Sabah's East Coast (Sepilok / Sandakan / Kinabatangan River) after their climb, can opt to spend 1 night in the park after climbing and catch our West to East coast shuttle the next day at 9am
Sample itineraries (standard climb, without via ferrata)
2D1N Mount Kinabalu
Day 1: 6.30am transfer from Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu, ascent from Timpohon gate to Panalaban, overnight at Panalaban
Day 2: 2am rise for summit attempt, catch sunrise at Low's Peak, descend pack to park HQ and arrive back in Kota Kinabalu late afternoon.
3D2N Mount Kinabalu- option 1 (KNP - LR)
Day 1: 12.30pm transfer from Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu, overnight in Kinabalu Park
Day 2: 8.30am meet guide at Park HQ, ascent from Timpohon gate to Panalaban, overnight at Panalaban
Day 3: 2am rise for summit attempt, catch sunrise at Low's Peak, descend pack to park HQ and arrive back in Kota Kinabalu late afternoon.
3D2N Mount Kinabalu - option 2 (LR - KNP)
Day 1: 6.30am transfer to Mount Kinabalu, ascent from Timpohon gate to Panalaban, overnight at Panalaban
Day 2: 2am rise for summit attempt, catch sunrise at Low's Peak, descend pack to park HQ and overnight in Kinabalu Park
Day 3: Leave Kinabalu Park at 9am to Sandakan / Sepilok via Poring hot springs & Sabah Tea Plantation
Day 1: 6.30am transfer from Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu, ascent from Timpohon gate to Panalaban, overnight at Panalaban
Day 2: 2am rise for summit attempt, catch sunrise at Low's Peak, descend pack to park HQ and arrive back in Kota Kinabalu late afternoon.
3D2N Mount Kinabalu- option 1 (KNP - LR)
Day 1: 12.30pm transfer from Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu, overnight in Kinabalu Park
Day 2: 8.30am meet guide at Park HQ, ascent from Timpohon gate to Panalaban, overnight at Panalaban
Day 3: 2am rise for summit attempt, catch sunrise at Low's Peak, descend pack to park HQ and arrive back in Kota Kinabalu late afternoon.
3D2N Mount Kinabalu - option 2 (LR - KNP)
Day 1: 6.30am transfer to Mount Kinabalu, ascent from Timpohon gate to Panalaban, overnight at Panalaban
Day 2: 2am rise for summit attempt, catch sunrise at Low's Peak, descend pack to park HQ and overnight in Kinabalu Park
Day 3: Leave Kinabalu Park at 9am to Sandakan / Sepilok via Poring hot springs & Sabah Tea Plantation
What is the via ferrata?
The term via ferrata means "iron path" and the via ferrata on Mount Kinabalu is both the highest via ferrata in the world and the only via ferrata in Asia! Your ascent to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, 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.
If you would just like a taste of the Via Ferrata then you can choose the "Walk the Torq" route which takes around 1-2 hours to complete. For a full Via Ferrate Experience, choose "Low's Peak Circuit" and spend 3-4 hours navigating your way across the via ferrata course.
If you would just like a taste of the Via Ferrata then you can choose the "Walk the Torq" route which takes around 1-2 hours to complete. For a full Via Ferrate Experience, choose "Low's Peak Circuit" and spend 3-4 hours navigating your way across the via ferrata course.
Wondering when to visit or what to pack? Visit our Mount Kinabalu Information Centre for more details
To book
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