The Summit of Borneo

Mount Kinabalu is the most dramatic feature in Sabah and the tallest peak between the Himalayas & the New Guinea. Towering at 4,095 metres (13,435 feet), Mount Kinabalu exerts a magical quality that is both indescribable and unbelievable. The granite peaks are constantly veiled in wisps of clouds which sometimes resemble a graceful woman peeping coyly from behind the veil. At times during a clear day, the summit reveals a distinct glacier carved pinnacles, rising from the smooth granite dome, exuberating tranquility and peacefulness.

The mountain itself represents one of the world’s youngest batholiths: an old magna chamber that was forced through the earth’s crust. Though young, it is the central focus of Kinabalu Park and the legends of the KadasanDusun people, Sabah’s largest ethnic group. The KadasanDunsun believe that the mountain is the sacred resting ground of the spirits of their ancestors.

Legends & Myths - Mt Kinabalu Tale

There are many folklores and fables that tell stories of how Kinabalu got its name. The local KadazanDusun people believe that the word is derived from "Aki Nabalu", which translates into "revered place of the dead". The mysterious KadazanDusun tribe believes that spirits dwell on the mountain top. According to another popular folklore, the name Kinabalu actually meant "Cina Balu". "Cina Balu" translates into "chinese widow". Legend tells a story of a Chinese prince who ascends from the mountain in search of a huge pearl guarded by a ferocious dragon. He married a Kadazan woman upon his successful conquest, whom he soon abandoned for return to China. His heartbroken wife wandered into the mountains to mourn whereby eventually she turned into stone.

Kinabalu Park

A World Heritage Site

On the rainforest-clad island of Borneo lies Kinabalu Park, Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO. Kinabalu Park was established in 1964 to protect Mount Kinabalu and its plant and animal life. The biggest attraction in Kinabalu Park would be Mount Kinabalu, one of the world’s most prominent mountains, and the Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden. Kinabalu Park is a scenic 2-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah. The Park covers an area of 754 square kilometers (291 square mile), has four climatic zones and also one of the richest collections of flora and fauna in the world.

The gateway to the mountain is the Kinabalu Park Headquarters, situated 1,563 metres on its southern boundary. A variety of accommodation, restaurants and an exhibition centre are available here. This is also where visitors pay the entrance fee to the park and register if they are a climber. Visitors can explore the Mountain Garden on their own or join the park’s naturalist on a guided walk along the many trails available.

Climbing Mount Kinabalu

Ascending Mount kinabalu requires no specialized mountain climbing skills but it pays to be fit. Locals begin climbing the mountain from the age of three. The trail to the highest peak winds along the southern side of the mountain. It is an 8.5 kilometre (5.25 miles) trek to the top. For most people, from a 9 month-old baby (carried by father) to an 83 years-old New Zealander, the journey takes two days. However, champion mountain runners at the annual Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, proclaimed the “toughest mountain race in the world”, have been known to complete the run up and down the mountain in less than 3 hours!

The terrain stretches upward from lowland rain forest to montane forest, cloud forest and sub alpine meadow, before finally reaching a crown of bare granite. Only at Mount Kinabalu can you eat breakfast in a lowland rainforest, lunch in a cloud forest, and enjoy dinner in a subalpine meadow!

A Journey to the Mountain Top

The summit of Mt Kinabalu is known as Low’s Peak. There are two (2) trails that lead to Low’s Peak. Climbers can either follow the more popular Timpohon Trail or the Mesilau Trail. You can refer to the Trail Map for a better understanding. The 2 trails will meet at Layang-Layang at 2,740 m (or 4 Km from Timpohon Gate). Look at the comparison below:-

Difference between Timpohon Trail and Mesilau Trail

Timpohon - Summit Trail

Interestingly the climb actually begins at Timpohon Gate with the descent to Carson’s Fall, named after the first Park Warden of Kinabalu Park. From here onwards, depending on your fitness level, it is about 4 – 5 hours climb for the day.

The trail winds up a steep staircase of gnarled tree-roots to a mossy world of drifting clouds and orchird-draped trees, where where pitcher plants and rhododendrons abound. There are several shelters (or Pondok). The first is Kandis Shelter at 1,981.7 m, where on a clear day, a view of the road that links Kota Kinabalu city to the Park can be seen.

The second is Ubah Shelter at 2,081.4 m, the area where one of Borneo’s most unusual pitcher plants grows – the Nepenthes lowii, so do remember to look out for these oddly-shaped plants with containers. The mossy forest continues on past the Sabah Telecoms Station at Komborongoh, (2,252.2 m). Interestingly, ‘Komborongoh’ is a type of plant used to ward off evil spirits during traditional ceremonies and rituals by locals.

The third is Lowii Shelter. The trail continues up the mossy forest of mixed bamboos and tree ferns. More rhododendrons are seen. At 2,518 m is the fourth shelter, Mempening Shelter has wild begonias growing nearby. You can stop at these shelters to observe the squirrels, tree shrews and birds that seem so unafraid of climbers. Soon after the Layang-Layang TV station, you will emerge to an open exposed ridge at Layang-Layang (previously known as Carson’s Camp). Layang-layang (Place of Swallows) is where the Timpohon Trail meets the more scenic Mesilau Trail at 2,740 m.

From Layang Layang, the journey upwards passes the fifth shelter, Villosa Shelter, at 2,690 m, which is situated at the top of an open rocky patch and soon the forest becomes even more stunted. Superb view can be seen of Mt. Kinabalu towering above you as you follow the trail upwards. As you climb higher, you will pass a forest of bent and twisted silvery-grey trunks with peeling bark.

At the top of this open area at 3,050 m, a small track leads off to a helipad on the right where you can catch a magnificent view of the Summit Plateau. Further on, you will come upon the sixth shelter, Paka Shelter, at 3,080 m. Look around for Paka Cave, which is sited on the edge of a small stream, and it is nothing more than a large overhanging rock where the first explorers slept.

The thinning air makes it harder to breathe. Finally, the various accommodations for overnight stop are reached. The accommodations include Waras Hut, Panar Laban Hut, Gungting Lagadan Hut, Pendant Hut and Laban Rata resthouse. You will break the journey and spend the night in one of these huts, which offer climbers hostel accommodation and a restaurant for hot meals before they resume their climb to the peak.

Panar Laban - ‘the place of sacrifice' - was where Sir Hugh Low and his local guides performed a ritual sacrifice to appease the ancestral souls for their 'disturbance' to the spirit world and to seek safe passage. This same sacrifice is still performed each year and when there is a major expedition or event on the mountain.

Mesilau – Summit Trail

The Mesilau route to the summit starts from Mesilau Nature resort and leads to Layang-Layang. It was opened in October 1998 initially used mainly by scientists and researchers as it takes longer, about 5 – 6 hours to reach Layang Layang, as compared to 2 – 3 hours, from Timpohon Gate. If you wish to take this route instead of the usual Timpohon Trail, you can pre-register with us, Amazing Borneo Tours at www.Amazing-Borneo.com. An additional fee is required for the registration and logistics.

The trail is a good one for people who are more interested in plants and wildlife than in the actual climb to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu. Conifers, climbing bamboos, superb Agathis trees grow in the area. Near the ridge crest at about 2,000 m, the forest becomes stunted, with rocks, tangled tree roots, covered in spongy mosses and liverworts. There are many delicate orchids and beautiful orange-coloured Rhododendrons.

Some little streams are crossed before reaching the Kipuyut Bridge across the swift-flowing West Mesilau River that cascades from the precipitous slopes. Near the 3 Km mark, a tributary of the river is again crossed. From here the trail follows the ridge, rising steeply and continuously, up and up and up in an almost never-ending series of steps for about 2 Km. from here another 500 m of trail contouring around the massif bring you out to join the Timpohon – Summit Trail, a little way above Layang-Layang.

Continue Climb to the Peak at 2:00am

After a short night’s rest, you will need to be ready by about 2:00 am in the early morning in order to catch the sunrise at the peak. It takes about 3 hours depending on fitness level to reach the peak and there are ladders and ropes to help you over the steeper terrain. In the dark, you can see the beams of torch lights as the procession of climbers trudge higher and higher. Along the trail to the summit, marvel at the incredible mountain backdrop of teeth and fangs, rugged landscape of cliff, gorge, gulley, plateau and precipice and whatever you name it, the mountain has it!
An hour from Panar Laban, you’ll see the Sayat-Sayat Hut (3,668m), this is the highest shelter on the mountain. Your permit will be checked once again at this Sayat-Sayat Checkpoint for access to the summit and to ensure you will get your coloured climber certificate at the end of the climb. From here, you will walk across bare granite slabs that stretch endlessly ahead, in an eerie moonscape of stone.

At 4,095.2m above sea level and in the freezing darkness, you reach your final destination – the summit of Mount Kinabalu. In an almost sacred manner, the dawn of a new day unfolds gloriously before you. It is a guaranteed awesome and magical moment of your life! From this vantage point, you’ll see a dramatic drop more than 1,000m down, this is Low’s Gully.

Descent to the Foot of Mountain

It can be very cold with strong wind at the summit. Hence, climbers are advised to descend as soon as possible. You may be lucky to have good mountain condition and able to stay longer. It is however advisable to descent before the swirling clouds could obstruct visibility. It takes about 2 hours to descent to Panar Laban/Laban Rata and after you check out of your accommodation, it takes another 4 – 5 hours to descent to Timpohon Gate. The slowest descent record from Panar Laban to Timpohon Gate is 12 hours!

Types of Mt Kinabalu Climbers Certificate

Kinabalu Park Certificate Visited Kinabalu National Park, A World Heritage Site	Mt. Kinabalu Climber Certificate Successfully summit Low's Peak at 4,095.2 m above sea level	Mt. Kinabalu Via Ferrata Certificate Successfully completed Walk The Torq Activity	Mt. Kinabalu Via Ferrata Certificate Successfully completed Low's Peak Circuit Activity

Kinabalu Park Accommodation

Kinabalu Park accommodation offers a variety of options to suit all budgets ranging from super luxurious private chalets to comfortable dormitories and suites.
Chalets and suites are equipped with excellent amenities and locally crafted, rustic furniture. Guests can relax in peaceful, picturesque surroundings or snuggle up beside the fireplace on cooler nights.

Rock Hostel	Grace Hostel
The Hill Lodge	Liwagu Suite

The Peak Lodge

Nepenthes Lodge

Activities within Kinabalu Park

Visit Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden (Mountain Garden)
One of the biggest attractions at Kinabalu Park, this 5-acre Garden is an excellent showcase of the diverse plant-life on the mountain, as flora from all over the Park has been replanted here. Many of these plants are not only lovely to look upon, but have medicinal value too, as proven by the local Dusun community.

Guided Trekking
Follow any of the numerous and interesting nature trails within Kinabalu Park and discover rare and endemic plants today! Follow Park Naturalists or our guide as they take you on a guided trail walks and educate you on the various wonders.

Important Notice : Guests wishing to trek along these trails must be accompanied by either a Sabah Park Ranger, a Park Naturalist or a licensed Tour Guide. We will not be held responsible for any death, injuries, loss and/or damage howsoever caused to trekkers. All guests trek at their own risks.

1. Liwagu River Trail

MESILAU NATURE RESORT

Within the World Heritage Site, Mesilau Nature Resort is a tranquil retreat amongst the foothills of Mount. Kinabalu and provides an alternative and more challenging trail for the climb up Mount. Kinabalu. An additional 1 hour past Kinabalu Park and 2000 metres above sea level, Mesilau Nature Resort promises to enchant visitors with its cool temperate climate and serene surroundings as an amazing nature’s paradise. Home to exotic species of fauna and flora, Mesilau Nature Resort is the best place to find the giant pitcher plant, the “Nepenthes Rajah” which grows in abundance here.

Accommodation at Mesilau Nature Resort

Bishop's Head Hostel	Crocker Range Lodge
Witti Range Lodge

Activities within Mesilau Nature Resort

Guided Walk Trail
Duration : 30 minutes
This trail may be taken without a guide. Starting from Bishop's Head Hostel, the trail leads into the lush oak-chestnut forest of Mesilau's sheltered valley. Trees are taller and more mossy than at Park Headquarters. Mosses and epiphytes, notably the long leafed Bird's Nest Fern, are abundant. Fallen acorns and chestnuts cover a path flanked by thick growths of wild gingers. Large conifers Dacrydium are an interesting feature. The path crosses a little stream that flows under the restaurant before entering Mesilau River.

Large species of the mountain ginger Alpinia Havilandii and pink blossomed Kinabalu Balsam thrive by the stream. Liverworts and mosses clad trees on the other side of the stream.Ginger flowers attract several species of bees including the Mountain Honey-bee, Apis Nuluensis. Borneo has 5 of the world's 8 known species of honey bees, more than anywhere else on earth. As the trails open out, climbing bamboo of the species Bambusa Gibbsaii can be seen draping the trees. The walk concludes as the path re-enters the oak-chestnut forest near the restaurant complex.