Do you know where we can book the trip? what if when you arrive you will be told ‘oh sorry, kinabalu park is fullhouse’, wasted international flights? What you need to know about Mount Kinabalu Climb. I’ve also checked with Uncle Jack and he is unavailable to take my requested days from Apr 11 to Apr 14. ): Dear Alex, Hmm what to do, stick with my guns and wait to book until I am there or book from here but a date I am less keen on (and knock out the potential to change mind and do a 1D climb too). “Rm 437 is our promotions rate valid until 28th Feb.”. Hope it works!!! Alternatively, have you looked at Jungle Jack Backpackers? Skoi, Could you explain the process of booking with Jungle Jack please? Whether you want to maintain your physical shape during the holidays or you are interested in exploring new territories, a climb on Mount Kinabalu seems to be the perfect solution at hand. I’m surprised they didn’t already include it in the package. I stumbled upon your blog and it has been very useful. Best Season to Climb Mount Kinabalu A breathtaking view of the majestic Mount Kinabalu! It is expected you’ll haggle for a better price in any case. 1-3 people can share a guide for RM150 and 4-6 for RM175. In short, find ideal mount kinabalu package with best rates and get tips to climb. Popular Mount Kinabalu climb packages (without via ferrata activities): If you are looking for greater challenges, Mount Kinabalu offers via ferrata since 2007. When I was on the summit (last week) I was looking down on the clouds which made for some great photos. You can read her full post here: http://www.bemytravelmuse.com/climb-mount-kinabalu-in-one-day/. Kinabalu–my problem is I arrive Kota Kinabalu about 8pm on a Wednesday evening (about two weeks from now!) Really helped. It’s also one of the easiest 4,000m peaks in the world to climb, making it a huge draw for trekkers of average fitness and … :), Thanks for your message. Mount Kinabalu carves an impressive silhouette into the Borneo skyline. If you haven’t read our post about our climbing experience, it has some further info on getting to the park from KK, climbing practicalities and what to bring/expect that may be of some assistance –> https://notesofnomads.com/mt-kinabalu-climb/. Thanks a lot. Unfortunately, we don’t know the name of the company. Hope that helps, Christine. I spoke to Jungle Jack over the phone and he seems like a genuine person. Even if they do happen to be open late enough on the Wednesday night, leaving it until then could be a little risky as there’s the possibility they may be booked out. Climbing to the summit of Mount Kinabalu takes at least two days and one night, depending on the Mount Kinabalu climbing package. But I always say it’s only a rip-off if you weren’t willing to pay that price in the first place. Huge thanks!!! So it is possible to book last minute (maybe due to the fact we reach the summit for Chinese new year which put other locals off climbing), Hope this helps any people planning a trip Most tour companies (including us) run two-day climbs, with one night spent in dorm accommodation on … This is the email address I used: petronella.t@suteraharbour.com.my. Looking forward to going back in the near future! I totally forgot about that when recommending this for your group size. I wrote to the one quoted above by Jen but got no reaction after 4 days. It certainly is/will be very useful for others so thank you on behalf of anyone planning to climb this year! Hope that helps, Jess! For those wanting to get in contact with Jack, a little email correction. we want our holiday to include: My husb and I are trying to plan what will be our first ever trip abroad from UK… to Sabah – we have about 3 weeks to travel in June/July on a shoestring budget but really want to get the most out of it. If you do, you’ll just have to pay the full RM150 for the guide yourself. Hi Jessica, thank you for this very helpful post. Just be smart in public. Still, it seems strange to fall off the face of the earth without warning. I’ll let you know how we get on. As Pete said, the views are pretty nice regardless so I’m sure you’ll get some great photos no matter what. Incidentally Sutera were allocated a 30-year concession for most tourism services on Kinabalu in 1998 but due to various takeovers the company is now owned by a major property development company with interests in Singapore, China, Malaysia and elsewhere. One price all included. We are both healthy and fit, though haven’t done any big hikes for a while and don’t really have the opportunity to train before the hike. Here’s our honest experience on what to expect as well as some useful tips when climbing Mount Kinabalu. Sutera Harbour are just tacking on an extra night beforehand. So I would recommend climbing with Jack because he is a good guy and does it cheap, but MAKE SURE YOU GET A CONFIRMATION # FROM HIM!! —- Please could you tell me something about Jungle Jack – do you know if he also offers the Ferrata experience on the climb down from Low’s peak? It includes some more information on what to expect and some practicalities of the climb itself –> https://notesofnomads.com/mt-kinabalu-climb/. Perhaps they are changing their policy, but I know some readers have booked 2D/1N packages over the past week for February and March. Can’t promise anything, but will definitely pass on any info shared with us. Thanks for sharing. thank you. Water is available on the trail but it has not been purified, so take purification tablets with you. I contacted Jungle Jack via facebook and I was offered RM580 all inclusive (2N at JJ and 1N in the mountain – though I may not even need the 2N at JJ in my case). Maybe see you around? We’re thinking of hiking at the beginning of February and we’re not sure about the difficulty level, in combination with added weather issues, and if we should go ahead and book in advance on the off chance that the hike is really miserable in bad weather conditions! It all depends on luck, really. Also good news on the office front. Climbing to the summit is too tough for me. I think the plan you described about paying the minimum and then the rest at the park is the smart way to go. Kinabalu on Sept. and we are also on a budget. Link below. I was starting to think about giving up on the idea, but having seen this article I thought i’d push my luck and ask if anyone else is going/intending to go in January. But don’t worry, they also have lockers at Park HQ. Permit Is it possible to ask for a climb permit on the exact day of climb? I will try to contact north boneo shortly! Although unable to reach the peak, but is also satisfy that i tried my best to archive something. Thank you! The route has a length of 1.2km and a increase in elevation of 365m. It was tough but it was worth each and every step towards the summit. What it’s like to climb Mount Kinabalu This 4095-meter (13,431 feet) mammoth mountain is a 2-hour bus ride from Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah , Malaysian Borneo’s northern province. Your information so usefull. But if your knee can withstand 4-5 workout sessions a week, then I’d say you’d be able to do this. Thank you for this really informative guide written up here! ACL near complete tears. But I actually really like the jungle jack offer and told him that. Mt Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in Malaysia at 4,095m, and is one of Asia’s most beautiful and accessible climbs. Thanks so much for sharing your local knowledge! Your climb is bound to be that … this is possible..but not through the sutera sanctuary..try this website. Thanks so much for sharing such detailed information, BB! I cannot seem to contact Jack via the email posted above. In your opinion, is the guide actually necessary? If you are concerned, I’d probably ask a qualified medical professional as to the suitability of the climb for you. If not, try getting there really early the day of to snag as many places as possible. Is it possible to climb mt Kinabalu on our own, means without guide? You don’t need a guide in the sense that the trail is well marked and the fact that lots of other people are climbing too, however, you absolutely need one to be allowed on to the trail. I’m planning to climb in June 2015 and as of now, my plan includes only me. Mountain Kinabalu (Malay: Gunung Kinabalu, Dusun: Gayo Ngaran or Nulu Nabalu) is a mountain located in Ranau district, West Coast Division of Sabah, Malaysia.It is protected as Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Site.Kinabalu is the highest peak in Borneo's Crocker Range, the Malay Archipelago, and Malaysia. Thank for swift response. 2N at Jungle Jacks He asked me a booking money for RM380/pax. Would this considered to be very pricey? So you’ll definitely need to arrange one. Again, I can’t say for sure, but Jack was the only guy we met in Sabah that didn’t pronounce himself religious, so I’m assuming he doesn’t care. In addition, it stands 4,095m Height with breathtaking views. had an awesome trip really luck with weather, people coming down day before were dissapointed as couldn’t summit. Thank you:). Climbing Mt Kinabalu is often undertaken over two days, with the first day's trekking lasting for anywhere from five to seven hours, until overnight accommodation at Laban Rata (which sits at an elevation of 3,272m or 10,734 ft) is reached. Packed Lunch at KP Are you a seasoned climber who wants to show off your superior climbing skills? Jack doesn’t personally offer the Ferrata, it’s something you need to book through Kinabalu Park before climbing. By the way, would you mind sharing the email address you used to contact Sutera Harbour that got you such a quick response? I only gave them my name and my passport number. I’m also not trying to say that Amazing Borneo is a rip-off, by the way (haha). Hope that helps, April. What kind of price difference are we talking, Shah? I mean i want pay when i get there and climb by tomorrow? :). 1 x FO Climbing Permit I’m sure it would be quite easy to get one in any case as many local people work as guides, whether on a full or part time basis, and I’m sure someone would be willing to take your money. Johannes. I’ve found my knee brace to be really useful and I have noticed the difference between the times when I’ve done extensive hiking/climbing with and without it. lots of info in this page specially in the comments! He said all is good and we just have to show up. If you want to go to the summit you’ll have to book an overnight package. They are no longer offering the 2D/1N package at Sutera. Jungle Jack isn’t for 5-star travelers, but uncle Jack makes sure everything you need is there and all you really have to do is make sure to read his message well and drag yourself there. Please do verify this information before deciding to go with this option, but this is what seems to be the experience of others online. descent was harder than expected.photos incredible. Glad to know you hiked in a downpour (though sorry it happened) and that it wasn’t necessarily pleasant, but it was doable. I just had a look on their website and found that they have some new email addresses listed. How are you planning on getting to the park? Hope that helps! He has also a blog. Many thanks once again for getting in contact and sharing this information, Pete. :). Great. Just wanted to confirm that the other reader I mentioned did use the same email to book. Another option has also been mentioned a few times here in the comments and that is Jungle Jack’s. I don’t remember the exact price the staff were able to get with another company. Dear valued customer, Please be informed that with effect from 1st December 2015, 1 day climb permit for Mount Kinabalu is temporarily suspended due to safety issues. Sometimes he is able to book through Sutera’s cancellations. Any other docs they gave you that you could send our way would be greatly appreciated. Interested in letting a solo traveler join your group :) ? Hello everyone, I thought I’d provide an update on my Mount Kinabalu climb, and hopefully put some useful information out for other people. This is the shortest available option for a Mt Kinabalu climbing package. I left the park HQ at 7:30 AM and reached Laban Ratan by 9:45 AM so had plenty of time. Sounds like you are in much better shape than us and many people who do the climb! Jack is located 1km from the park entrance and he includes in the price a lift there too. :). If you haven’t read it already, you may find our post on the climb useful. 7 – 15 PAX RM 300 RM 350. If you can’t for some reason hire a guide from the park office for the route you’d like to take, then I would just pay for the 1-day summit climb but not actually ascend to the summit. Have you tried this one? So they stopped allowing the one day climb as of August 1st? We did stay around the mountain before and after the climb, which we arranged by ourselves at an extra cost. Just ask Jack and he will help set you up though! Mt Kinabalu climb – having trouble with availability :( Thanks so much for your blog! This is also a cheaper option than the overnight climb because you won’t be staying at Laban Rata. We got two spots for the 2D1N starting tomorrow with no problems (RM596 pax) – now we just have to spend the day finding a headlamp, a bit warmer clothes and so on, before we catch the last bus from KK at 4:30pm today. Thanks so much! Basically when I know I’m going to attempt something like this, I just wear one of those basic knee braces (like a tube of material that sits tightly over the knee area). So the mountain won’t be any busier than any other day (the part where you’ll be hiking as a summit climber anyway). I’ll be in Kota Kinabalu for the whole of January, and so am fairly flexible with dates. So it’s all sorted now? If not, we would opt for the Jungle Jack option. They don’t advertise online/phone bookings but it may very well be possible. OTHER TOURS: Did you ever get a confirmation or something that says you’re booked at laban rata and jungle jack?do we have to show something to prove we have a booking? GROUP SIZE MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL A lot of people get really down when they realize that the other backpacker at the hostel paid less than them for the same thing at the market. yes, I went with amazing borneo. Thanks for your message. Thanks so much for getting in contact. Mountain guide Jack gave us a ride free of charge to the park in the morning. Transport to and from park included yes, thats correct. Readers have had success contacting them with these email addresses: We also saw some tourists sitting and waiting at Ranau, so I suppose it might have happened to them. and the AirAsia plane crash. This part is much steeper so they have ropes so you can pull yourself up. (as i overpaid they put towards my entrance fee, very good of them). All the best! Did you still have good visibility? See our, Mt Kinabalu Trail Options (for summit climbs), Mandatory Climbing Fees issued by Sabah Parks, International climbers below the age of 16, Optional Shuttle Bus operated by Sabah Parks (recommended) and other services, Mandatory Accommodation and Meal Costs (Sutera Sanctuary Lodges/Mountain Torq/Sabah Parks), Sutera Sanctuary Lodges (formerly Sutera Harbour), Mount Kinabalu Climb Experience – What to expect. There are two via ferrata route which you can choose –, Lot A-8A-2, Second Floor, Block A, Pavilion Bundusan, 88300 Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 2D1N Mount Kinabalu Climb Via Ferrata Low’s Peak Circuit, 2D1N Mount Kinabalu Climb Via Ferrata Walk The Torq. We didn’t hike during monsoon season, although it felt like it when we got torrential rain on the way down! I don’t know this for sure but given the amount of guides in the area, it’s likely someone would be willing to do this for you, if there isn’t already a system in place for it. Can anyone reading this verify what is happening? Thanks We’re in the process of booking for Feb 4th and 5th too! You can find the details of the place we stayed at and how to get there in this post: https://notesofnomads.com/how-to-get-from-kota-kinabalu-to-kinabalu-national-park/. Let us know if you have any further questions and/or how you go with it all. On the first day, you’ll cover 6km. 6 ISLAND HOPPING (sapi/manukan or Mamutik) Some readers have had success with some and not others, while some emails seem not to be returned from one address for awhile, only to suddenly be back in action later. All the best and let us know if there is anything else we can help with. The park offers a limited amount of spots for those wanting to complete the climb in one day. Kinabalu in a few days. That said, some readers have been able to get good deals on shared taxis near the bus station later in the day. Anyone keen to climb Kinabulu on the long weekend Jan 31st – Feb 2nd. We are planning to climb by aug 15 and are arriving around 6pm on the 14th. Bet you have some amazing pics too :) Thanks so much for sharing your experience! yes i understand but if you cant properly book a specific date and being told ‘just come here’, would you still go? Hello! Hope that helps a little and good luck with it all! 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