Mount Kinabalu with 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 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 - read below to see whether Walk the Torq (the shorter via ferrata route) or Low's Peak Circuit (the longer via ferrata route) will be right for you!
Itinerary
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2D1N Mount Kinabalu with Walk the TorqAt 3,521m a.s.l, this initiation route is designed for the beginner in mind. It is a leisurely 1.5 - 2.5 hour route, and a shorter commitment than the full Low’s Peak Circuit. If you feel that you want a little taste of the Via Ferrata experience but do not wish to expend too much energy on it (you still have to climb back down the mountain!), the Walk the Torq route would be best for you. The views are equally amazing and although some will find it too tame, the route will still have most peoples adrenaline pumping.
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Day 1: KOTA KINABALU - TIMPOHON GATE - PENDANT HUT
The adventure begins with pick-up around 6:30 am in Kota Kinabalu (depending on accommodation and other guests) and proceed to Kinabalu Park traversing the Crocker Range with panoramic views of the surrounding hills; the focal point of which is Mount Kinabalu. Upon arrival to Kinabalu Park Headquarters (estimated 8:30-9:00 am), collect your packed lunch and proceed to register for your Mount Kinabalu summit climb and meet your guide for the trip. After registration, you will be transferred to Timpohon Gate (1,829m), from here you will begin your climb to Pendant Hut (3,289 m), your accommodation for the evening. Along the route to your accommodation, you will pass through four different elevation zones with notable vegetation and mammals. Keep your eye out for the famous pitcher-plants or the cheeky Kinabalu Mountain shrews, endemic to Mount Kinabalu. The average time to get to Pendant Hut (Panar Laban) will take about 5 hours; this may vary depending on stops and your fitness level. Upon arrival around 3pm, you will check into your accommodation for the evening and attend a mandatory via ferrata familiarization meeting conducted by the Mountain Torq Trainer between 3-4 pm. Rest before your buffet dinner at Laban Rata where you can enjoy the sunset from above the clouds. Once finished, head to bed for an early night’s sleep after a long day of climbing.
Meals: Packed Lunch and Buffet Dinner
Meals: Packed Lunch and Buffet Dinner
day 2: pendant hut - low's peak - via ferrata - timpohon gate - Kota kinabalu
Depending on the time your guide has told you, wake-up around 2:00 am to have a quick supper at Pendant Hut before continuing the climb to the summit of Mt Kinabalu (4095m). Your head torch will guide you through the dark as you make your way up before sunrise. Reach Low’s Peak around the time the sun begins to make an appearance (weather dependent). Congratulations! You’ve successfully reached the highest point between the Himalayas and New Guinea, also the most prominent peak in S.E. Asia. With your guide, begin your descent to the meeting point for the Walk the Torq activity around 7:15 am from Sayat Sayat Hut (3,668m), during the via ferrata part you will complete various cabled activities as you enjoy the views of the Crocker Range plateaus, valleys and nearby villages. After the activity, join your guide back to Pendant hut to enjoy a well-deserved breakfast before checking out and meeting with your guide to begin the descent back to Timpohon gate. Once you reach back to Timophon gate, meet our River Junkie driver who will transfer you to Park Headquarters where you could collect your certificate saying you’ve successfully conquered Mt Kinabalu (optional, RM 10 per certificate), and an optional Via Ferrata certificate for successful completion. Depending on how long it takes you to arrive back at Timpohon gate, there will either be time to have a sit-down lunch or get takeaway lunch (own arrangement) before departing back to Kota Kinabalu. Arrival time into Kota Kinabalu varies depending on your walking speed and other climbers (transfers are shared with other River Junkie climbers) normally arrival time is anywhere between 4 - 7 pm.
Meals: Early Supper, Breakfast
Meals: Early Supper, Breakfast
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2D1N Mount Kinabalu with Low's Peak CircuitIf you have climbed Mount Kinabalu before, you really need to climb it all over again, just so that you can attempt The Low’s Peak Circuit! The Low’s Peak Circuit is a Via Ferrata route situated at 3,776m above sea level (a.s.l.) and is the highest via ferrata circuit in the world. Designed for the brave and active individual with above-average fitness levels, this 3 - 4 hour route with an optional summit attempt includes rest stops at scenic locations. The route’s thread-like tightrope walks and swinging planks will have you convinced that the course designers are sadistic, but that’s what makes it so fun!
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Day 1: Kota Kinbalu - timpohon gate - pendant hut
The adventure begins with pick-up around 6:30 am in Kota Kinabalu (depending on accommodation and other guests) and proceed to Kinabalu Park traversing the Crocker Range with panoramic views of the surrounding hills; the focal point of which is Mount Kinabalu. Upon arrival to Kinabalu Park Headquarters (estimated 8:30-9:00 am), collect your packed lunch and proceed to register for your Mount Kinabalu summit climb and meet your guide for the trip. After registration, you will be transferred to Timpohon Gate (1,829m), from here you will begin your climb to Pendant Hut (3,289 m), your accommodation for the evening. Along the route to your accommodation, you will pass through four different elevation zones with notable vegetation and mammals. Keep your eye out for the famous pitcher-plants or the cheeky Kinabalu Mountain shrews, endemic to Mount Kinabalu. The average time to get to Pendant Hut (Panar Laban) will take about 5 hours; this may vary depending on stops and your fitness level. Upon arrival around 3pm, you will check into your accommodation for the evening and attend a mandatory via ferrata familiarization meeting conducted by the Mountain Torq Trainer between 3-4 pm. Rest before your buffet dinner at Laban Rata where you can enjoy the sunset from above the
clouds. Once you finished, head to bed for an early night’s sleep after a long day of climbing.
Meals: Packed Lunch and Buffet Dinner
clouds. Once you finished, head to bed for an early night’s sleep after a long day of climbing.
Meals: Packed Lunch and Buffet Dinner
day 2: pendant hut - low's peak - via ferrata - timpohon gate - kota kinabalu
Depending on the time your guide has told you, wake-up around 2:00 am to have a quick supper at Pendant Hut before continuing the climb to the summit of Mt Kinabalu (4095m). Your headtorch will guide you through the dark as you make your way before sunrise. Reach Low’s Peak around the time the sun begins to make an appearance (weather dependent). Congratulations! You’ve successfully reached the highest point between the Himalayas and New Guinea, also the most prominent peak in S.E. Asia. With your guide, begin your descent to the meeting point at 7.5 km for the Low’s Peak Circuit activity around 6:30 am, during the activity complete various cabled activities as you enjoy the views of the Crocker Range plateaus, valleys and nearby villages. Around 11 am, after the activity, join your guide back to Pendant hut to enjoy a well-deserved breakfast before checking out at 12:00 pm and meeting with your guide to begin the descent back to Timpohon gate. Once you reach back to Timophon gate, meet our River Junkie driver where he will transfer you to Park Headquarters where you could collect your certificate saying you’ve successfully conquered Mount Kinabalu (optional, RM 10 per certificate), and an optional Via Ferrata certificate for successful completion of the via ferrata.
Depending on how long it takes you to arrive back at Timpohon gate, there will either be time to have a sit-down lunch or get takeaway lunch (own arrangement) before departing back to Kota Kinabalu. Arrival time into Kota Kinabalu varies depending on your walking speed and other climbers (transfers are shared with other River Junkie climbers), normally arrival time is anywhere between 4 - 7 pm.
Meals: Early Supper, Breakfast
Depending on how long it takes you to arrive back at Timpohon gate, there will either be time to have a sit-down lunch or get takeaway lunch (own arrangement) before departing back to Kota Kinabalu. Arrival time into Kota Kinabalu varies depending on your walking speed and other climbers (transfers are shared with other River Junkie climbers), normally arrival time is anywhere between 4 - 7 pm.
Meals: Early Supper, Breakfast
Honest Pricing
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At River Junkie, we like to keep our pricing as fair, honest and transparent as possible. If you find the exact trip that we are offering for a lower price, we will either match it or beat it - this is our guarantee in providing you with honest pricing.
*Our price guarantee is for published rates only and not applicable to flash deals or last-minute promotions
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Is this for me?Yes, if you are:
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Certain medical conditions may prevent you from joining this trip, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions please ask for advice at the time of booking to ensure you are able to do the climb.
Passport or Identity card is required for all climbers for registration at Sabah parks office
Passport or Identity card is required for all climbers for registration at Sabah parks office
Price per person
2024 & 2025 - valid until 31st Dec 2025
Climbers per booking |
2D1N Walk the Torq |
2D1N Low's Peak Circuit |
1 pax |
RM3390 |
RM3690 |
2 - 3 pax |
RM2990 |
RM3290 |
4 - 6 pax |
RM2890 |
RM3190 |
7+ pax |
RM2800 |
RM3100 |
Malaysian IC holder discount |
RM340 |
RM340 |
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Included
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Excluded
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Additional info
Cut-off times
- Day 1: All climbers participating in a Via Ferrata activity must reach Pendant Hut by 3.30pm at the latest on the first day of their climb. Climbers missing the mandatory safety briefing will not be permitted to join the activity the following day. Most reasonably fit climbers will arrive at Pendant Hut between 1.30 to 3pm.
- Day 2: Be sure to make your way down from Low's Peak in time for the start of the Via Ferrata, your trainer & guide will advise you on what time to start your descent but typically climbers will leave the summit at 6am to make their way down to the activity starting point.
Mandatory equipment for Via Ferrata climbers
For a full packing list please refer to Packing for Mount Kinabalu
- Gloves: A simple pair of non-slip gardening gloves is best to help you hold the rungs and cables during the Via Ferrata. There is no need to bring expensive gloves as they may get ripped or damaged during the activity.
- A head torch: You will need this to find your way to the summit in the dark!
- Appropriate footwear: To participate in the via Ferrata, you must be wearing running shoes, trekking shoes or walking boots with laces - no slip-on shoes or Adidas Kampung (local rubber shoes) are allowed.
For a full packing list please refer to Packing for Mount Kinabalu
To bookEmail- [email protected]
Phone (+60) 01112658581 
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Explore all climbing options
Mount Kinabalu summit climbs
- 2D1N Mount Kinabalu - 1 night Laban Rata Resthouse
- 3D2N Mount Kinabalu - 1 night Kinabalu Park & 1 night Laban Rata Resthouse
- 4D3N Mount Kinabalu - 1 night Kinabalu Park, 1 night Laban Rata Resthouse & 1 night Poring hot springs
- 2D1N Mount Kinabalu with Via Ferrata - 1 night Pendant Hut & a via ferrata activity after the summit
Other climbing options
- Kinabalu Geopark trekking - Explore the foothills of majestic Mount Kinabalu and climb Mount Nuluh Lingion (1420m asl)
- 3D2N Trus Madi - Get off the beaten path and scale Malaysia's 2nd highest mountain (2642m asl)
- 4D3N Mulu Pinnacles hike - 4 stunning caves, long boat rides, hiking, & climbing all in 4 days! (1200m asl)
