{"id":21884,"date":"2022-10-18T17:03:29","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T16:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/?p=21884"},"modified":"2022-10-18T17:16:25","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T16:16:25","slug":"guide-to-climbing-mount-kinabalu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/guide-to-climbing-mount-kinabalu\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Climbing Mount Kinabalu | Experience Travel Group"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”21872″ img_size=”1800 x 900″ add_caption=”yes”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]Standing proudly in the Kinabalu National Park is majestic Mount Kinabalu. Its peak is 4,095 metres above sea level, making it the highest mountain in Borneo. If you are fit and well-prepared, you can complete the climb in two days with an overnight stay. The terrain is rough, challenging, and very rewarding, with oak forests, bamboo, exotic ferns, and moss-covered trees along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rare and beautiful rafflesia plants are one of the fauna highlights on the mountain, and it\u2019s not unusual to spot orangutans as you pass by. Bird lovers will be thrilled with over 300 bird species, and nature enthusiasts can spot thousands of plant species, including slipper orchids and endemic ferns. <\/span>Find out more about the <\/span>island of Borneo<\/span><\/a> in our dedicated guide.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

What to expect from Mount Kinabalu<\/b><\/h2>\n

As well as being the highest mountain on the island, Mount Kinabalu<\/a> is also one of the tallest peaks in South East Asia.\u00a0 Found within Sabah\u2019s Crocker Mountain Range, the hike will challenge you as your surroundings transform from tropical rainforest to subalpine landscapes, Montane grassland to alpine meadows. If you pay close attention, you might be in with a chance of glimpsing some of the 5,000 species of plant, over 300 types of bird, and an astounding 100 different mammals on the mountain ascent. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

How long is the hike?<\/b><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s now only possible to climb the mountain over a 2-day trek, meaning one night’s stay on the mountain. The hike to the tallest point, called Low\u2019s Peak, is around 8.7km each way, with an elevation gain of 2300m.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The first day\u2019s walk is typically 4-6 hours, from Timpohon Gate to Laban Rata through lowland forest mainly made up of steps. After a stay in dormitory <\/span>accommodation at Laban Rata<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019ll start day 2 early for around 11km of walking. Day 2 is steep, with an 800m elevation gain in just 2.7km. The rocky surface can often be slippery, with guide ropes to assist your ascent after about 700m.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”21888″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

What is the mountain accommodation like?<\/b><\/h2>\n

When halfway up a mountain, luxury <\/span>Borneo accommodation<\/span><\/a> should not be expected. Accommodation along the way is simple dormitory-style lodgings with very basic amenities and limited electricity and heating. This will provide a comfortable place to sleep before your early start on day 2, up and down the mountain.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Do I need any climbing experience?<\/b><\/h2>\n

No professional climbing experience is necessary for summiting Mount Kinabalu. Anyone with an average level of fitness, prepared for hundreds of steps up the mountain, will be adequately prepared for the 2-day hike. Even attempting the routes via Ferrata requires no experience, instead, a safety presentation will be given prior to starting out.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

When is best to go?<\/b><\/h2>\n

When deciding when to climb Mount Kinabalu, it\u2019s best to consider what else you\u2019ll be combining your trek with. There are plenty of other <\/span>experiences in Borneo<\/span><\/a> that are worth exploring in combination with the challenging Kinabalu trek. Create your ideal Borneo trip with ETG, where you can experience something truly unique, and <\/span>off the beaten track<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>best time to go to Borneo<\/span><\/a> is from May to October, offering dry conditions and an optimal climate for wildlife watching and outdoor activities. Peak season lies in July and August, so be aware that this is busier than other times of the year when looking to trek Kinabalu.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”21889″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

When should I book?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The immense experience of Mount Kinabalu is hugely popular among tourists. And with only 135 passes available every day, reduced after a local earthquake a few years ago, there is more demand than ever. As a result, booking early is vital. If you want to climb the mountain during peak season in Borneo, we recommend booking before the break of the New Year.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Climb Mount Kinabalu with ETG<\/b><\/h2>\n

Visitors love climbing Mount Kinabalu so much that it\u2019s recommended to register your climb months in advance – we can arrange that for you. Guides are knowledgeable and helpful, and a permit is necessary. There is no need for special equipment; a reasonable level of fitness and solid preparation is enough to complete the climb successfully, regardless of age and experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Get in touch: we\u2019ve conquered the mountain, met the guides, and stayed in the lodges. We\u2019ll make sure all the formalities get covered and that you\u2019re well-prepared for an unforgettable climb.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

CURIOUS ABOUT BORNEO?<\/h2>\n

Check out our Borneo rainforest guide and\/or head to our website for more holiday ideas for travelling to Borneo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Standing proudly in the Kinabalu National Park is majestic Mount Kinabalu. Its peak is 4,095 metres above sea level, making it the highest mountain in Borneo. If you are fit and well-prepared, you can complete the climb in two days with an overnight stay. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":21889,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[827,1427],"tags":[1429,1430,1431],"coauthors":[1119],"class_list":["post-21884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-borneo","category-travel-inspiration","tag-active","tag-borneo","tag-climbing"],"aioseo_notices":[],"views":2443,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/52"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21884"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21884\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21884"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=21884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}