Welcome to MOUNT KINABALU...
Mount Kinabalu “AKI NABALU” (the summit of Low’s Peak) is the highest mountain on the island of Borneo at 4095.2metres & is the tallest in South East Asia.
Mount Kinabalu located in the East Malaysia, State of Sabah & is protected as Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage Site.
Mount Kinabalu reigns over an astonishing variety of scenery, the lower reaches of the mountain serve as a botany fanatic’s dream, it is the upper reaches that captured your heart and your imaginations...
Over 4500 species of plant, 326 species of birds, and 100 mammalian species can be found here...
Each year thousands of visitors especially foreigners made their climb to the scenic Kinabalu mountain.
The flora covers the mountain in zones of different types of habitat as you climbs up, beginning with a lowland belt of FIG trees and pitcher plants.
At a height of about 2600m is the region which abounds with pitcher plants.
Pitcher plants are carnivorous plants whose prey-trapping mechanism features a deep cavity filled with liquid...Once an insect fell in, it is impossible for them to get out!
Climbers must be accompanied by accredited guides at all times due to national park regulations. There are two main starting points for the climb, the Timpohon Gate (located 5.5km from Kinabalu Park Headquarters), and the Mesilau Nature Resort.
The two trails meet about two kilometres before Laban Rata.
The 2 days 1 night climb of 8 kilometers ascend starts from the Timpohon Gate around 9am, then another estimated 7 hours to reach the rest point of Laban Rata (3273m).
An overnight stay at one of the guest houses at Laban Rata is required if you intend to see the sun rise at Mount Kinabalu summit.
You will depart the next morning (Day 2) at around 2am and it will take another 4 hours to reach the summit.
Then you will descend back to Laban Rata for breakfast before making your way down to the park headquarters by mid afternoon.
Above Laban Rata, the trail continues as a series of wooden ladders, fashioned out tree roots and branches...take out your torchlight please...as most of the time you have to hold something for stability, it is best if you have a headlight instead of torchlight!
It would take about 2 hours to reach Sayat-Sayat. This is the highest mountain hut at 3,810m (12,500 feet).
It will take up to 1 1/2 hour to get from Sayat-Sayat to the summit (Low’s Peak)
Before you reach the top of Low’s Peak, the views in all directions are incredible, you will see St John’s Peak to the west, the Donkey’s Ears to the east & the distinctive South Peak to the south make up incredible scenery...
The view of the surrounding peaks at the summit is magnificent!
Because of the high altitude, some people may suffer from altitude sickness & you should return immediately to the bottom of the mountain, as breathing and any further movement becomes increasingly difficult...don't play play hahhh...
The best time to come to Mount Kinabalu is during the dry season from March to May...The temperature ranges from a comfortable 20-25 degrees Celsius at the main park to something approaching FREEZING near the top...
start climbing down at 10.00am from Raban Rata, you will arrive at Timpohon Gate at about 3.00pm.
There will be a bus waiting for you to pick you up and send you to the Kinabalu Park headquarter office.
The last part of the climb is on naked granite rock, always stay close to the rope so that you will not get lost.
You will then register with park authorities that you’ve completed the climb.
Wild strawberry can be seen here....
Kinabalu has some of the richest oak forests in the world.
When climbing down, you are exhausted and most of you weight will fall on both of your thighs, knees and the ball of your foot...
The descent should take about four hours, depending on your level of tiredness, sore legs, ankles and pain in the knees…
There are shelters (Pondok) for you to rest at every 1 kilometre or so, which has a toilet and untreated mountain water source to refill your drink bottle.
If you are susceptible to mountain sickness, you may feel some headache, nausea, muscle ache and giddiness just before dinner time. You can take some medication to relieve the symptoms before you go to sleep.
You can purchase your certificate for climbing the mountain: a colour version for those who reach Low’s Peak (4095.2m) for RM10/-, and a black and white version for those who reach Sayat-Sayat (3668.1m) for RM1/- only.
A MUST to visit for those who love nature...
Superb landscape!
