Climbing Mount Kinabalu - the Cheapest Way

So I just came back from Sabah a few days ago.

Managed to climb Mount Kinabalu.. finally!

It is actually one of my 30 things to do before 30. A year late but still... achievement unlocked!

I've been wanting to climb this highest mountain in Malaysia (and Southeast Asia!) since my university days. I remembered the main reason I joined the outdoor and recreation club in my university was because they wanted to organize an expedition to the mountain. Dunno what went wrong but the expedition never occurred. T_T

Post university days, friends from the outdoor club did invite me to join their trips to the mountain but it always clashed with my schedule. It's either I was out of the country or I had other personal events to attend.

After delaying for so long, recently I had the urge to go for it. I was so determined to climb the mountain that I didn't care even if I had to go alone. But being a solo climber, all the tour operators that I emailed quoted me around RM1100.
So expensive... Gahhh!!

Annoyed with the expensive rates they quoted me, I went to Google and typed 'How to climb Mount Kinabalu the cheapeast way'. hahaha... And thanks to Google, I successfully climbed the mountain the cheaper way, paying not more than RM500!

*win*

 So.. this post is to share how I managed to climb Mount Kinabalu the cheaper way.

Booking the Climbing Spot

Contrary to popular belief that you have to book your climbing spot months in advance, you can actually book it in a short notice, but at your own risk la.

I did mine only the day before. Yup you read it right. I booked my spot just the day before my actual climb. Risky, I know. I guess this is only suitable if you are a solo climber or in a very small group who are open to any possibilities. Kalau kau bawak rombongan cik kiah jangan la cari penyakit!

You can do this by going to Sutera Sanctuary Lodges office at Wisma Sabah. The building is located in the city centre, very close to Jesselton Point Waterfront and Suria Sabah shopping mall.

Lot G15, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah

68000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Tel : (60-88) 243629 / 245742 / 244634 

You can check the availability of the climbing day with them and straight away make the booking.

How much does it cost?

I chose the 2D/1N package, climbing via Timpohon trail.

For the 2D/1N climbing package, I paid RM347, which includes:

x1 Night Accommodation at Laban Rata

x1 Packed Lunch at Balsam Restaurant, Kinabalu Park

x1 Buffet Dinner at Laban Rata

x1 2am Early Supper at Laban Rata

x1 Buffet Breakfast at Laban Rata

x1 Afternoon Tea Break at Balsam Restaurant, Kinabalu Park 

x1 Climbing Permit

x1 Climbing Insurance

On top of this, you need to pay the Entrance Fee to Kinabalu Park which is only RM3.

There's also the Mountain Guide Fee. Park regulations require climbers to engage the services of a registered mountain guide. The fee depends on the number of climbers in your group and the trails you take. For 1-3 climbers climbing via Timpohon trail, the fee is RM128 per trip. I shared the mountain guide with another solo climber so I paid only RM64. Note that the fee for climbing via Mesilau trail is a little bit higher.

You can opt for transportation from the Kinabalu Park HQ to Timpohon Gate, where the main starting point for the climb is. Otherwise, you can start trekking from the HQ for about 5.5 km. The transportation cost RM16.50 per way but I didn't pay for both ways since a good samaritan paid for me. :D

Other than those items, for those who wants to bring a backpack but too lazy or don't have the energy to carry it, you can hire a porter. The cost is RM80 per trip (Timpohon trail) to Laban Rata for up to 10kg. The fee is also different for Mesilau trail.

 moi and my climbing partner at Timpohon Gate

Getting There

Since climbers need to register themselves at Kinabalu Park HQ latest by 9 am on climbing day, I thought it was best to spend the night nearby.

So after securing my climbing spot, I made a move to Kinabalu Park in the afternoon. The mountain is 90 km away from Kota Kinabalu, or around 2 hours away by road transportation. You can take a bus heading to Kundasang or Ranau at Padang Merdeka Bus Terminal. The fare is RM20 per person. Later when you want to return to Kota Kinabalu, just wait across the road outside the Kinabalu Park HQ and flag down buses heading to Kota Kinabalu. The fare is same, RM20.

Accommodation

I stayed at Kinabalu Mountain Lodge, located about 2 km from the Park HQ. The hostel provides shuttle van to the HQ for RM15 per way. To save cost, just walk! It's a good exercise. hehe..



Stayed at 4-bed dorm for RM30 per night.

 the mountain as seen from the small road to Kinabalu Mountain Lodge

For summary:

 Climbing package = RM 347

Transportation KK --> Park HQ = RM 20

Transportation Park HQ --> KK = RM 20 

Kinabalu Mountain Lodge = RM 30

Park Entrance Fee = RM 3

Mountain Guide = RM 64

Certificate = RM 10

Total = RM 494

*The amount is true based on my climb in July 2013*

Note that the rate will be a little bit higher if you are non-Malaysian.

My climbing experience

Stairway to Mount Kinabalu
Stairway to Mount Kinabalu - the climb to Low's Peak

The Mountain Torq Via Ferrata is 88 kilometers away from Kota Kinabalu, or 1 hour and 30 minutes away by road transportation.
By bus, visitors can take a bus headed to Kundasang or Ranau at the City Bus Terminal (North). Buses from Kota Kinabalu to Ranau are available from 7.30a.m to 5p.m; bus fare is RM15 per person.
To return to Kota Kinabalu, take a bus across road outside Kinabalu Park (reconfirm with Kinabalu Park reception counter) headed to Kota Kinabalu.
By taxi, visitors can take the Ranau taxi at the Ranau taxi stand (next to the Merdeka Field) or request from the hotel lobby. From Ranau Taxi station, taxi fare charged is RM160 per taxi; while from hotel lobby, taxi fare charged is RM300 per taxi.
For a return trip to Kota Kinabalu, take a bus from Poring Hot Springs to Ranau town. From Ranau town, find a taxi back to Kota Kinabalu.
Visitors can also rent a car and drive by themselves. - See more at: http://whoaadventures.com/adventure/highlands-and-jungle/mount-kinabalu/ferrata-mount-kinabalu#sthash.SCVA05rY.dpuWill write on my climbing experience later. :)