Mount Kinabalu Summit (with Via Ferrata) | 2 Days, 1 Night | from KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA

The prices displayed are for groups of 4 or more travellers. If your group is smaller than 4 people, you will be charged extra. If it is not possible to add you to a group, and on that basis you do not wish to take the tour, you will receive a full refund of the deposit you paid, no questions asked.

Overview: 

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Malaysia, is waiting! Soaring over 4,000 meters, reaching the summit of this epic massif is a thrilling challenge that promises unforgettable memories! With Let’s Climb Kinabalu, expert mountain guides ensure your journey is safe and exhilarating, as you conquer the 8.7 km ascent. Craving more excitement? Tackle the Via Ferrata routes (Walk The Torq or Low’s Peak Circuit) for an extraordinary climbing experience on your way back down! Book now and discover the explorer within you!

Itinerary

Day 1

• 06:30 – Pick up from your accommodation in Kota Kinabalu and journey to Kinabalu National Park HQ. Journey Time: 2 hours. 
• 09:00 – Meet your mountain guide and register with the national park. Then begin your climb from Timpohon Gate. 
• 15:00 – Arrive at Pendant Hut for a mandatory Via Ferrata briefing. 
• 17:00 – Dinner is served in the Laban Rata Resthouse. 
• 19:00 – Bedtime. 

Day 2

• 01:30 – Wake up for an early supper. 
• 02:30 – Begin your climb to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu. 
• 05:30 – After watching the sunrise from the summit, descend to meet your Via Ferrata guide. 
• 06:30 – Low’s Peak Circuit Via Ferrata climbers meet their guide. The Low’s Peak circuit takes 4-5 hours. 
• 07:15 – Walk the Torq Via Ferrata climbers meet their trainer. Walk the Torq takes 2-3 hours to complete. 

The following itinerary is representative of  Walk the Torq route. Low’s Peak Circuit climbers, add 2-3 hours onto the times. 

• 09:30 – Following your Via Ferrata experience, return to Pendant Hut for breakfast
• 11:00 – Begin your hike back down the mountain.
• 17:00 – Estimated arrival time at Timpohon Gate. Proceed to Kinabalu National Park HQ and receive your certificate of completion. Return to Kota Kinabalu. Journey Time: 2-3 hours. 

Accommodation

Accommodation is a shared dormitory in the Pendant Hut. Run by Sabah Parks, Pendant Hut is basic, with no hot water or heating – prepare accordingly! 

All accommodation on Mt. Kinabalu is simple. If you want to tackle the summit of this epic massif, expect a no-frills sleeping arrangement! 

Pendant Hut is reserved for those tackling Via Ferrata routes, so you’ll be in adventurous company!

Food

Food is provided to climbers over the two-day trip. Meals included are as follows:

• 2 x lunch
• 1 x buffet dinner at Laban Rata Resthouse on day one
• 1 x early supper at the Pendant Hut before your summit attempt
• 1 x breakfast at the Pendant Hut after your summit attempt

Dietary requirements can usually be catered for. Please let us know of any requirements using the ‘additional information’ box at the time of booking. 

If you want extra snacks, make sure to pick some up in Kota Kinabalu before starting the trip. 

Guide

All mountain guides are employed and licensed by Sabah Parks, the organisation responsible for the management of all national parks in the Sabah region of Malaysian Borneo. You will be assigned a mountain guide when you reach the park. 

What’s Included

Includes:

• 1 x night stay at Pendant Mountain hut (dormitory)
• Entrance Fees
• Climbing Permit
• Climbing Insurance
• Mountain Guide 
• Via Ferrata
• Certificate of Achievement
• Pack Lunch, Dinner, Early Supper, Breakfast & Lunch
• Return Transportation from Kota Kinabalu

Does Not Include:

• Personal expenses
• Driver and mountain guide overtime charges (applicable from 16:00 onwards at 15MYR per hour)
• Luggage storage fees
• Camera/video fees
• Beverages at Laban Rata Resthouse
• Tips
• Personal travel insurance (recommended in case of cancellations)
• Porter services (if required)
• Tourism tax of 10MYR per night in Kinabalu National Park

FAQs

• What is Via Ferrata? Via Ferrata is halfway between scrambling and climbing. By using rungs, lines and bridges set into the mountainside, you can tackle routes too challenging for hiking. Via Ferrata routes on Mt. Kinabalu are just for fun. You’ll still hike to the summit before experiencing the Via Ferrata. It is only the return route which is Via Ferrata. 
• Who can climb Via Ferrata? There is no climbing experience required, so anyone with good fitness can climb Mt. Kinabalu’s Via Ferrata routes.  
• What’s the difference between ‘Walk the Torq’ and ‘Low’s Peak Circuit’? ‘Walk the Torq’ is the easier and shorter of the two Via Ferrata routes on Mt. Kinabalu. It’s suitable for anyone over 10 years old and takes 2-3 hours to complete. ‘Low’s Peak Circuit’ is the highest Via Ferrata route in the world. It’s longer and more challenging, taking 4-5 hours to complete. Climbers must be over 17 years old to take on the ‘Low’s Peak Circuit’. 
• What should I pack? You’re hiking in the mountains, so you’ll need a good quality backpack to carry your gear – make sure it’s waterproof or includes a pack cover to keep everything dry. You’ll also need hiking shoes with good grip, warm clothing, waterproof coat, hat and gloves, a small towel, personal toiletries and medications, head torch, reusable water bottle, snacks, extra clothes and socks. You’ll need your passport or Malaysian ID card to register at Kinabalu Park HQ.   
• What is the best time of year to climb Mt. Kinabalu? March to September is the best time of year to climb Mount Kinabalu because the weather is at its most predictable. This is also the busiest time of year on the mountain. Be aware, the weather can be bad at any time of year, so always pack warm, waterproof layers. 
• Can I leave my luggage somewhere while I climb Mount Kinabalu? Yes, you can store your luggage near the Kinabalu National Park HQ for 10MYR. 
• Can I hire a porter to carry my bag? Yes, if required, you can hire a porter to carry your gear up Mt Kinabalu. The price is 14MYR per kilogram with a minimum of 10 kg. This means the minimum fee is 140MYR. 
• I’m a vegetarian/vegan and/or I have an allergy or a specific diet, can I be catered for on this trip? This trip can usually cater for dietary requirements. Please inform us at the time of booking of any needs you have. 

Further Information

Liability and Travel Insurance

• We strongly recommend getting travel insurance before taking on a Mt. Kinabalu Climb. Make sure your insurance covers trekking at this altitude. 
• Let’s Climb Kinabalu and South East Asia Backpacker are not liable for:
  • Your personal belongings – safe keeping of them is your responsibility
  • Any delay, additional expenses or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by events outside of the control of each company, such as late arrival of domestic or international flights, civil disturbances, fire, floods, unusually severe weather, acts of God, acts of Government, or the failure of any machinery or equipment. In the unlikely event such as bad weather conditions, the local authority (Sabah Park) withholds the right to cancel the summit climb, no refund in part or full will be given.
  • Any injury, property losses, accident, or damage incurred for any reason whatsoever, whether through activity booked through us or caused to you by third parties, during your stay or during participation in any activity.
• All guests will be required to read and sign an Indemnity Form before the tour commences.