Mount Kinabalu Trek, Borneo

Once a British Protectorate, the states of Sarawak and Sabah on the Islands of Borneo now form what is known as eastern Malaysia. Our trek will take place in the Sabah region of Borneo in the Kinabalu National Park near the capital of Sabah, ‘Kota Kinabalu’. 

Mt Kinabalu has been described as "the most wonderful mountain in the world". No mountain exceeds Kinabalu in its sheer strength and stark simplicity. Lacking foothills it appears to shoot straight up into the sky. It's jagged granite peaks floating above the clouds. A tough and exhilarating challenge from start to finish!

Mt Kinabalu 4,101metres (13,455ft) is the biggest highlight of Kinabalu Park, Malaysia’s first World Heritage site, designated by UNESCO in December 2000. The Kinabalu Park is blessed with an astonishing variety of flora and fauna that ranges over 4 climate zones. The park boasts the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flowering plant, pitcher plants and many bird species. 

Our Kinabalu challenge will be an amazing adventure taking us through lush rainforests, high mountain summits, fast flowing rivers and tropical jungles - home of one of Borneo's most established residents - the orangutan.

Your guided journey starts out in the lower elevations of tropical rainforest. From there you'll walk across winding paths through various vegetation zones on your way up the mountain. At the end of the day you'll spend the night in a rustic mountain cabin. Early in the morning you'll be awakened by your guide and you'll continue to set course for the top. Finally, you'll reach the highest point of the mountain just before sunrise. As you climb to the top, the first beams of sunshine will spill out above the horizon.. It’s breathtaking! Reaching the top is overwhelming and will leave you with an intense feeling of freedom, pride and accomplishment.

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Trip Information

Dates & Prices: View Prices
Price Rate: £tbc
Grading: B (more info)
No of People: 10

ook Trip

Typical Itinerary

• Day 1 –  Depart London for overnight flight to Borneo via Kuala Lumpur or Dubai/Brunei
• Day 2 –  Arrive Kota Kinabalu, transfer to city centre hotel, visit to local evening fish market.
• Day 3 –  Days Orientation and chance to visit the famous fish and craft markets or the City Museum.
• Day 4 –  Travel to Mt 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. After registering with the Park Authorities, you will be free to walk through the national park gardens, which are filled with unique plants and flowers. In the evening you'll spend the night in a basic park chalet.
• Day 5 –  Trek to Laban Rata Rest house. After breakfast you'll be picked up at your hotel for a 30-minute drive to the 'power station' at 1830m. This is where you will start out on the first stage 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 the Mount Kinabalu trek, the air will become thinner and you'll notice that climbing will become more exerting. 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 guesthouse at 3550m within 4 to 6 hours. The guesthouse 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 the other Kinabalu climbers.

• Day 6 –  Summit trek and return to KK. 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 Mount Kinabalu trek will definitely act as an instant rejuvenator.

  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. 

  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...

• Day 7 –  Day relaxing and snorkeling on one of the nearby Island resorts. (Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi)
• Day 8 –  A day white water rafting on the Padas River or another day relaxing on a different island.
• Day 9 –  Depart Kota Kinabalu for home
• Day 10 –  Arrive England

What's Included

• Professional leadership by an ‘International Mountain Leader’ throughout.
• Dedicated transport to and from Kota Kinabalu Airport and throughout the trek as required.
• A local trek guide (mandatory in the park).
• All accommodation throughout. (A mixture of Mountain refuges and hotels)
• Breakfasts throughout and all meals when on the Trek.

Not included

• International and domestic flights
• Lunches and Dinners when not trekking.
• Insurance, drinks, gratuities.
• Clothing and Equipment

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Other Information

Accommodation

Our Accommodation will be in a quality hotel in Kota Kinabalu and during the trek in Mountain Refuges. All catering will be provided whilst trekking and will be on a B & B basis whilst in hotels.

Equipment

On the mountain, the weather can change without warning from bright sunshine to misty, foggy, cloudy or torrential downpour. At night the temperatures can drop to minus zero, so warm and waterproof clothing will be required in addition to your tropical shorts and sandals wardrobe.

Sturdy ‘above ankle’ 3-season Gore-tex walking boots with good tread will be required for the trek, these should be ‘broken in’ before departure.

A 1-2-season lightweight sleeping bag will be required for the mountain huts.

A 1ltr unbreakable ‘Nalgene’ water bottle will be required for use on the trek. High-energy foods for the climb like chocolate, nuts, raisons and glucose sweets will be a welcome energy boost during the trek.

Fleece gloves, a fleece hat and a good head torch with new batteries will be required for use in the refuges and summit day early start.

Some climbers do experience altitude sickness, be aware of the effect of altitude and check with your doctor for advice before you climb.

A full clothing and equipment list will be sent out on booking.

Transport

Transport from Kota Kinabalu Airport and throughout the trek will be by private vehicle. Participants will be required to carry a small rucksack during trekking.

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