Location: Ranau, West Coast Division of Sabah, Malaysia
Entry Point: Timpohon Gate, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia
Exit Point: Timpohon Gate, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia
Elevation: 4,095 MASL (13,435 feet)
Days Required/Hours to summit: 2 Days/ 8- 11 hours
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail Class 1-4 (8 kilometers)
Features: Its climate varies from humid tropical at its base to alpine at its summit. The temperature at the summit ranges from -4 to 8 degrees centigrade (25 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit) from December to January, and 3 to 12 degrees centigrade (37 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit) from June to September. It is a massive pluton formed from granodiorite which is intrusive into sedimentary and ultrabasic rocks, and forms the central part, or core, of the Kinabalu massif. It has well-established trails from the jump-off point to the summit. Among the three Asian Trilogy mountains, it has the best overnight accommodation called Laban Rata Resthouse at an elevation of 3,272 MASL (10,730 feet) which provides climbers with lodging and the best buffet meals before and after their ascent to the summit. The resthouse supplies unlimited water dispenser for cold and hot water.
Entry Point: Timpohon Gate, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia
Exit Point: Timpohon Gate, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia
Elevation: 4,095 MASL (13,435 feet)
Days Required/Hours to summit: 2 Days/ 8- 11 hours
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail Class 1-4 (8 kilometers)
Features: Its climate varies from humid tropical at its base to alpine at its summit. The temperature at the summit ranges from -4 to 8 degrees centigrade (25 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit) from December to January, and 3 to 12 degrees centigrade (37 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit) from June to September. It is a massive pluton formed from granodiorite which is intrusive into sedimentary and ultrabasic rocks, and forms the central part, or core, of the Kinabalu massif. It has well-established trails from the jump-off point to the summit. Among the three Asian Trilogy mountains, it has the best overnight accommodation called Laban Rata Resthouse at an elevation of 3,272 MASL (10,730 feet) which provides climbers with lodging and the best buffet meals before and after their ascent to the summit. The resthouse supplies unlimited water dispenser for cold and hot water.
Strutting along the granite plateau heading to the summit called "Low's Peak"
Climbing Mount Kinabalu completes my quest for Asian Trilogy dated June 12-13, 2024, where I already climbed the other two mountains Yushan of Taiwan at 3,952 MASL on March 14-15, 2024 and Mount Fuji at 3,776 MASL on July 25-26, 2023.
Our 37-member Kinabalu 2024 Team
This is my fourth international climb still under the most reliable, dependable and highly organized service provider of Jonah's Travel operated by the couple Dr. Erickson R. Ranchez and Jonah Chavez-Ranchez. They are offering affordable travel packages either summitting peaks or purely leisurely travel and tours both international and local packages in the Philippines.
June 10, 2024 - Manila - Kota Kinabalu Flight
Arriving dawn at Kota Kinabalu International Airport
My trip started on June 10, 2024 at 2:30 P.M. with a Cebu Pacific flight from Bicol International Airport to NAIA Terminal 3. On same day, I boarded Air Asia Flight No. Z2503 departing NAIA Terminal 3 at 11:10 P.M. and arrived in Kota Kinabalu International Airport Terminal I the following day, June 11, 2024 at 1:30 A.M.
Day 0 - June 11, 2024
Our climbing team at Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Since it was dawn, we waited until morning for our service van going to our hotel accommodation where it took us 12 minutes drive for 6.5 kilometers. At the airport, I converted my P6,000 for a rate of 6.42 to Malaysian Ringgit where I got 385.20 Malaysian Ringgit as my pocket money while in the city of Kota Kinabalu.
Our hotel accommodation
We stayed overnight at Faloe Hostel located at I-50-3, Block i, No. 50, Third Floor, KK Times Square, Off Coastal Highway, Kota Kinabalu City which is a 10-person shared accommodation. After resting for a couple of hours, we had shopping and bought our food supplies for our Mount Kinabalu climb the following day, June 12 to, June 13, 2025 (see for a separate blog post of Kota Kinabalu city tour).
Day 1 - June 12, 2024
The Tahubang Restaurant opposite Mount Kinabalu National Park Headquarters
Our group's call time was at 4:30 A.M. in our accommodation at Faloe Hostel and left the hostel at 5:50 A.M. boarding a chartered van travelling to Mount Kinabalu National Park for 92 kilometers and reached Tahubang Restaurant just opposite the national park at 7:34 A.M.
My kind of breakfast at Tahubang Restaurant
We had our breakfast at Tahubang restaurant and bought also a lunch meal for our first day trek to the mountain. It is also in this restaurant that we ordered our packed lunch.
The opposite of the restaurant is the Mount Kinabalu Park Headquarters
The Kinabalu Park Headquarters houses the registration for the climbers at an elevation of 1,563 MASL (5,128 feet), where most of the park's facilities, including the visitor's center and accommodation are located. Note that Mount Kinabalu has the summit at an elevation of 4,095.20 MASL.
While at the registration office
We moved to Kinabalu Park Headquarters at 8:45 A.M. and secured our Climber's ID after showing our e-ticket for the climb which was processed by our service provider months before the climb.
Our individual e-ticket
From this point we were able to identify our guides. They were the ones who certified that we had completed the climb. In fact, they are also signatory of our Climber's completion certificate. In the park's headquarters, one can rent for trekking poles.
Boarding the park's van heading to the Timpohon Gate
From the Kinabalu Park Headquarters to the Timpohon Gate which serves as the jump-off point, we boarded a van provided by the park's management with a distance of 5.5 kilometers which took us 18 minutes drive.
Final climbing orientation at the Timpohon Gate
Timpohon Gate, which is the major starting point for climbing or simply called as the jump-off point has an elevation of 1,866 MASL (6,122 feet). So, if its summit is at 4,095.20 MASL, then climbers will still climb 2,229.20 MASL.
Starting the trek from Timpohon Gate
It was already 10:08 A.M. when we started the trek. From the Timpohon Gate was a long descending trail of well-established concrete stairs, where we walked side-side by three's. Shortly, we passed by Carson Falls and a short bridge.
Pondok Kandis or Kandis Hut - First Resting Hut with comfort room
I reached Kandis Hut at 10:35 A.M., after trekking for 27 minutes. So far, the trail was just easy to trek with. In fact, we had the chance to chat with each other while trekking in two's.
Completed 1 kilometer trek at 2,039 MASL clocking 10:39 A.M.
Started ascent at 10:41 A.M.
Reached Ubah Hut at 10:57 A.M.
The comfort room of Ubah Hut
Had been at this ridge point at 11:07 A.M.
I had a picture at this point but I blocked the view at the back, so I have chosen this picture instead to post. We spent around 10 minutes here because we want to have solo picture.
At exactly 11:08 A.M. I crossed the scenic narrow ridge
Completed 2 kilometer-trek at 11:25 A.M. at an elevation of 2,258 MASL
Lowii Hut - the third hut with a comfort room at 11:40 A.M.
Completed 3-kilometer trek at 12:13 Noon with an elevation of 2,455 MASL
Mempening Hut - fourth shade with comfort room at 12:36 Noon.
Layang-Layang Hut - the fifth hut at 1:26 P.M.
It was at this point that we had regrouping and we took our lunch. It was only at this hut that we rested longer since we started the trek at the jump-off point.
Completed 4-kilometer trek at 1:51 P.M. at an elevation of 2,745 MASL
Know what, the distance markers were quite encouraging. You don't have to ask the guide from time to time. In fact, I had my pace. I did not have a buddy with me. I was alone all the time. I don't know why they were all in a hurry.
We passed thru this point at 1:55 P.M.
The trail I passed at 2:15 P.M.
Reached Villosa Hut - the sixth hut with comfort room at 2:55 P.M.
Completed 5-kilometer trek at 3:10 P.M. at an elevation of 3,001 MASL
The trails were all assaults but it was manageable. If it was not manageable then I won't be taking pictures in almost all points which made me trek slower than the rest. Of course, climbing Mount Kinabalu is not just ordinary climb as it is the highest peak in Southeast Asia. Thus, I see to it that I enjoyed every minute of it.
The foggy trail made it a magical sight at 3:24 P.M.
From this point, I need to trek for 700 meters to reach our accommodation where we stayed and slept comfortably in preparation for our challenging assault the following day.
The Paka Hut - the seventh hut with no comfort room
This trail at 3:40 P.M.
Honestly, I was not scared even if I was alone at the trail. I was amazed of how magical the view was and I kept on capturing pictures. Indeed, I was not rushing then. I enjoyed every step of mine.
Completed 5.5-kilometer trek at 3:55 P.M. with an elevation of 3,137 MASL
The markers somehow dictated my pace. I always look forward to see the marker elevation. From this point, I still have to assault for 500 meters in order to reach my haven of overnight rest in the hotel waiting for my tired body to finally spread it into the bed of comfort. So, computing the elevation I have to climb, I still need 958.2 meters in order to complete the summit climb of 4,095.2 MASL.
Loving this mossy forest at 4:10 P.M.
It was getting colder and foggy on the trail. However, continuous trekking made my body warm and there was no need to wear thick jacket. It was simply refreshing all throughout the trek. The cold temperature eased my tired body.
No! this was not our hostel accommodation at 4:27 P.M.
Reaching the Panalaban Sub-station at 4:31 P.M.
The Laban Rata hostel accommodation at 4:33 P.M.
It was a great relief when I saw the massive building of Laban Rata hostel. I was so happy then that I made it to this point of 3,272 MASL elevation. It was still vivid in my mind when at the 6th hut, we saw a dead body wrapped in a black body bag carried by four porters.
In the next videos, I will show you all the best features of the hostel accommodation and the buffet food services. It is better shown in video than in pictures.
Indeed, Mount Kinabalu offers the best overnight accommodation compared to other mountains that I climbed particularly in Mount Fuji and Yushan. The hostel is so massive and expansive. There is unlimited water supply in the comfort and bathrooms, which are so clean. Yushan's and Fuji's have only comfort rooms. and the water is just for flushing and both have no water dispensers. Here, there is a giant water dispenser, where climber guests can have the option to get a hot water, cold water or just simply lukewarm.
From the hostel's restaurant balcony
After dinner, we feasted on the scenery outside the balcony of the restaurant showcasing the granite plateau of the summit. At 6:00 P.M., evening darkness was still absent.
Day 2 - June 13, 2024
As early as 2:00 A.M. we were already at the restaurant. We had breakfast meal then. We started our assault to the summit at 3:00 A.M. If the elevation of the hostel is at 3,272 MASL, we still need to climb for 823.20 meters to the summit.
Reached the 7-kilometer mark at 4:41 A.M. at an elevation of 3,653 MASL
Completed my 7.5 Kilometer trek at 5:29 A.M. at an elevation of 3,800 MASL
Our assault from the hostel going to the summit was quite challenging, since it was an endless cardiac assaults. At a distance, one may think he is watching a procession in complete darkness dotted with a parade of powerful flashing led-bulb head lamps. At some point where the trail is steep, the line of climbers moved very slow.
Reaching the granite plateau at 5:59 A.M.
Strutting the long and massive granite plateau was so safe though it gradually ascend to the summit. This granite plateau is formed by a massive granitic intrusion into the Earth's crust. This granite, a granodiorite, is relatively young geologically having cooled and hardened around 10 million year ago. This plateau has been significantly shaped by glacial erosion during the Pleistocene epoch, resulting in features like cirques and striated surfaces.
This was already 6:07 A.M. at the Granite Plateau
Just to remind my readers, my pacing is very slow as I have to savor all the scenic corners of this mountain. Thus, my pacing is not really ideal. Afterall, this is only a once in a lifetime experience.
Completed 8-kilometer trek at 6:16 A.M. at an elevation of 3,929 MASL
A proud Filipino at Mount Kinabalu summit plateau
Massive granite plateau heading to the summit
We were not really advancing then since we were taking pictures most of the time
At 6:48 A.M. I was already close to the summit
Actually, it takes time to have a summit picture since there is a long line. The summit is so narrow that it can only accommodate one person at a time. The summit has its name of Low's Peak at 4,095.2 MASL elevation. It is considered as Kinabalu Park World Heritage.
At this moment, I completed the Asian Trilogy climb with two other mountains of Mount Fuji Climb and Yushan Climb scaled earlier. For me, this is a personal achievement. Thanks God for giving me strength, stamina and endurance.
Descending at 7:57 A.M.
Had this picture at 8:17 A.M. on my way down
I am so thankful to my climbing buddy, Natalie Canete, who insisted to have this picture taken for me by one of our guides. I was not even aware this one exist and we passed thru this point when we were heading to the summit.
Descending to our accommodation was really challenging
It was already 9:05 A.M. when I reached the overnight accommodation and yes, we had a sumptuous buffet lunch. There is a cut-off of lunch. You need to check-out at 10:00 A.M. or else, you need to pay for another one day.
But mind you, descending was to exhaustive. If during my ascent, I enjoyed my steps, going down was so punitive that I did not bother anymore to savor the view around me. I find it so tiresome as if I want to throw my legs. It was somewhat the longest walk of my life. I can feel then that both my legs succumbed to complete numbness. At some point, I can feel the burning sensation of my legs or a pins-and-needles feeling. Despite of that, I made longer and faster strides. I felt like I was carrying my weight. Thanks God, I did not experience "high-altitude sickness". I believe God prepared me for this and He was all along with all my steps.
Finally, Our group reached Mount Kinabalu Park Headquarters at 3:00 P.M. to get our certificates and medals. Then a long drive going back to our hotel in Kota Kinabalu City where we stayed overnight there in preparation for our next day's destination, Brunei 2-day tour.
My precious Mount Kinabalu Climbing Certificate
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