{"id":102,"date":"2022-12-11T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-11T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=102"},"modified":"2025-11-27T17:21:46","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T09:21:46","slug":"how-to-climb-mount-kinabalu-and-how-much-it-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/how-to-climb-mount-kinabalu-and-how-much-it-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Climb Mount Kinabalu and How Much it Cost? [Year 2024]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Standing majestically at 4,095 Meters (13,435 feet), Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain of Malaysia.<\/strong> Mt. Kinabalu derives its name from the Kadazan word, Aki Nabalu<\/em>, meaning ‘the revered place of the dead’. It is one of the most conquerable peaks in the world. This guide will help you to reach the summit of Mount Kinabalu, with some info that travel agents don’t want you to know<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mount<\/a>
Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain of Borneo and Malaysia and part of Kinabalu Park. Kinabalu Park is now a Unesco Global Geopark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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  1. The maximum number of climbers (daily quota) is 165 climbers per day. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Climb Permit fee is now RM400 for foreigner; RM100 for Malaysian. Half price if the climber is below 18 years old.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Child under 16 must be accompanied by a dedicated Mountain Guide. Each Mountain Guide can only take up to 2 children (or up to 5 adult climbers).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Mountain Guide who takes care of children will not guide adult climber. For example, if your group has 3 adult and a child (below 16) climbers, you must hire two mountain guides (one to take care of adults, another one for child only).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. The rate of mountain guide service (mandatory) is RM350.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Porter service (optional) costs RM14 per Kilogram (Kg).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. You may follow the Facebook of Sabah Parks<\/a> for latest news and promotion.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Mount Kinabalu’s specialty lies in its location at a renowned World Heritage Site – Kinabalu Park. Nature lovers will be delighted to be able to witness the many variations of flora and fauna that are to be found on the mountain at different altitudes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. How much does it cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Quick Answer:<\/strong> The lowest budget for climbing Mount Kinabalu is about RM1,019 (\u2248USD237) for Non-Malaysian Tourist and RM444 for Malaysian<\/strong> (Based on the rates of year 2023, for adult climber who shares guide fee with others). The cost includes accommodation (at Panalaban), meals, shared mountain guide fee, conservation fee, climb permit, and insurance. Please download the Excel file to see the itemized budget<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. The Best Time to climb Mt. Kinabalu is between March and August<\/strong>, which are the dry seasons of Sabah. The peak season is Apr to Jun.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. You can climb in other months, but try to avoid Dec and Jan, which are the wettest months, due to the North-East Monsoon<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. The mountain accommodation area (known as Panalaban), where Laban Rata Rest House and hostels located, is 2.72 KM before the summit of Mt. Kinabalu. Most climbers overnight here before conquering Mt. Kinabalu in next morning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. If you are not allowed to climb to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu due to bad weather, there is No Refund.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"Panalaban<\/a>
      Panalaban is the area where mountain accommodations located. It’s called Laban Rata previously.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      How to Book a Climb Package<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Booking the one-night Accommodation at Panalaban (formerly Laban Rata) is the FIRST step.<\/strong> You can’t climb Mt. Kinabalu if you haven’t reserved any room on the mountain. Camping on the mountain is not allowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Important notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. You must book at least 6 months in advance<\/strong>. The park allows only 80 climbers to climb per day, due to conservation and limited rooms, so the accommodation is always fully booked.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Never, I repeat, never book with any individual<\/strong> who claims that he is a guide and can offer you very low price. Many tourists have been scammed and lost their money. Only book with licensed travel agents and legitimate operators (i.e. Sutera Sanctuary Lodge and Sabah Parks).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Conquering Mt. Kinabalu requires only 2 days 1 night. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. However, to let climbers to get used to high altitude, Sutera Sanctuary Lodges (management of Laban Rata Resthouse) usually sells you 3-day-2-night accommodation (with 1 extra night at Kinabalu Park, foothill of Mt. Kinabalu).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. The cheaper accommodations, Panar Laban Hut, Waras Hut, Panalaban Hostels and Lemaing Hostel are next to Laban Rata Resthouse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. All accommodation package is inclusive of full meals (buffet style).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        There are four ways to book the climb package:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. Book with Travel Agent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        If you can afford, just book the tour package with licensed tour agents of Sabah<\/a>. Though you will pay more, they will take care of everything, from transportation, registration, to the end of climb. This is the Best option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        2. Book with Sabah Parks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Next to Laban Rata Resthouse, Lemaing Hostel and Panalaban Hostels are new (and cheaper) accommodation available to climbers. Lemaing Hostel is only open to Malaysian climbers, and Panalaban Hostels is open to both Malaysian and international climbers<\/strong>. You can book the accommodation directly with Sabah Parks<\/a>, the management of these hostels. Please note you need to to pay other mandatory fees such as climb permit, insurance and guide fee, besides the meals and accommodation there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"All<\/a>
        Accommodations on Mount Kinabalu (Panalaban). Mokodou and Kinotoki are under Panalaban Hostels. Photo courtesy of Sabah Parks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        A) Lemaing Hostel (for Malaysian only)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        Open in 2014, this hostel has 75 bunk beds . (RM is Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). USD1.00 can exchange about RM4.20)
        Accommodation & Meals: RM340
        Insurance: RM10
        Climb Permit: RM100 (adult), RM50 (below 18)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Beds<\/a>
        Left: Bunk Beds of Lemaing Hostel. Right: Beds of Panalaban Hostels. Both hostels have shared bathroom and toilet. Latest check-out time is 10:30am.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        B) Panalaban Hostels (for Malaysian and Foreigner)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        Open in 2019, Panalaban Hostels (Kinotoki and Mokodou) can accommodate 50 climbers.
        Accommodation & Meals: RM430
        Insurance: RM10
        Climb Permit: (Malaysian rate) RM100 (adult), RM50 (below 18); (Foreigner Rate) RM400 (adult), RM200 (below 18)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Climbing<\/a>
        Climbing and accommodation fees (year 2023) of Panalaban (left) and Lemaing (right) Hostels. Note: Lemaing Hostel is open for Malaysians only.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Sabah Parks Contact:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        You can book the package online, or visit Sabah Parks office located in KK Times Square (Kota Kinabalu City) to book a room and make payment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Online Booking:<\/strong> reservation.sabahparks.org.my<\/a>
        Office Hours:<\/strong> 8:00AM – 5:00PM, Mon-Fri (closed on Sat, Sun & Public Holiday)
        Phone:<\/strong> +60 88-523531 \/ +60 88-523572
        E-mail:<\/strong>         sabapak.eco@sabahparks.org.my<\/a>
        Website:<\/strong>         www.sabahparks.org.my<\/a>
        Facebook:<\/strong>         SabapakEco<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Left:<\/a>
        Left: Lemaing Hostel, Right: Panalaban Hostel (Mokodou & Kinotoki). Photo Credit: Sabah Parks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        3. Book with Sutera Sanctuary Lodges (SSL)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        SSL is the management of accommodation in Kinabalu Park and Laban Rata Resthouse. For booking, you can contact them at:
        E-mail:<\/strong>         info@suterasanctuarylodges.com.my<\/a>
        Tel:<\/strong>         +60 88 308 914<\/a> \/ 308 915<\/a> \/ 308 916<\/a>
        Website:<\/strong>         www.suterasanctuarylodges.com.my<\/a>
        Facebook:<\/strong>         SuteraSanctuary<\/a>
        Address:<\/strong> B-G-9, Block B, Ground Floor, Sutera Avenue, Lorong Lebuh Sutera, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. (        see location map<\/a>)
        Business Hours:<\/strong> 9am-5pm (Mon-Fri), 9am-1pm (Sat), close on Sun & Public Holiday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Online Booking is available in website of Sutera Sanctuary Lodges<\/a>. You may drop by the office of SSL, which is located in ground floor of Sutera Avenue. Besides booking, the friendly staffs can answer all your questions on the spot. They can arrange full transport service for you too (the fees are quite high though). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        4. Mountain TORQ<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        You can join the Via Ferrata tour by Mountain TORQ<\/a> (Facebook<\/strong>: @MountainTorqGroup<\/a>), which has a rock climbing training centre and accommodation (Pendant Hut) at Panalaban. However, you need to be really fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Trail<\/a>
        Trail map to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. There are two summit routes, Ranau Trail and Kota Belud Trail, and both start from Panalaban. Ranau trail is the default route as it’s easier to climb.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Itinerary of the Climb<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Below is a run-down of the 3-day-2-night climbing tour in brief. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Day 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Check-in to overnight at Kinabalu Park (see location map<\/a>), which is 88 KM away from Kota Kinabalu (KK). The extra night helps your body to adapt to the height so you will be less vulnerable to Altitude Sickness<\/em> (acute mountain sickness) in the climb next day. Here is a list of accommodations near Kinabalu Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Day 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        9am:<\/strong> Bring your ID card (e.g. MyKad), invoice and QR Code of confirmed booking. Register and pay fees<\/strong> (climb permit, insurance, guide, etc.) by cash<\/strong> to Sabah Parks at Kinabalu Park HQ. Collect your name tag (climb permit) and packed lunch (usually consists of sandwiches, candy bar and a fruit, with a small bottle of drinking water), then meet your guide and porter (if hired). You also can arrange the return transport (by shuttle van) there to transfer you between gate and park for a fee. Be there before 10:30am<\/strong> or they won’t allow you to climb.
        9:30am:<\/strong> Transfer to Timpohon Gate, the starting point of the climb.
        10am:<\/strong> Start of Climb, after briefing by guide!
        4pm:<\/strong> Reach Panalaban after 6 KM. Usually it takes 6 to 8 hours, depend on your fitness.
        – Dinner buffet at Laban Rata Rest House (closed by 7:30pm)
        – Overnight at the rest house or hostels of Panalaban<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Climb<\/a>
        Left: Registration, fee payment, return transport and hiring of guide \/ porter are done at the left side of Kinabalu Park HQ (see yellow arrow). Right: climbers meet their mountain guide, and hand over part of their baggage to the porters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Day 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        2am:<\/strong> Gather and having breakfast at Laban Rata Rest House, then head to the summit (2.75 KM one way).
        (The park may not allow you to climb in bad weather)
        6am:<\/strong> Reaching the summit (Low’s Peak) of Mount Kinabalu
        7am:<\/strong> Descending to Panalaban
        10am:<\/strong> Check-out and descend to Kinabalu Park
        2:00pm:<\/strong> Back to Kota Kinabalu City<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Climbers<\/a>
        This can be you. Just imagine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Photo Walk-through <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Below are the photo walk-through of the 2-day climb in chronological order. Standard climb will use the Ranau<\/em> summit trail (open on 1 Dec 2015). Note:<\/strong> The starting point is in Kinabalu Park, not Ranau town! Or you can watch the video below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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