1. Home
2. Mount Kinabalu
3. Tips

TIPS ON MOUNT KINABALU CLIMB

To ensure your own safety and that of the team, and to make the climb an enjoyable and fulfilling one, it is advisable to bear in mind the following

1. Overnight in Kinabalu Park or Kundasang Highlands (1500m a.s.l) prior to climb allows you to acclimatize to altitude changes and reduce AMS while climbing
2. Engaging a mountain guide is compulsory for yourself or your group (Ratio of Max 5 climbers to 1 mountain guide)
3. Wear comfortable trekking or running shoes with a good grip
4. Have enough warm clothing for the summit climb
5. You should feel comfortable and be able to move freely in what you wear (Denim jeans not recommended)
6. Try to pack your climbing bag at around 4-8Kg (Do not bring too many unnecessary things)
7. Do not have a heavy breakfast prior to the climb
8. Try to finish your packed lunch within 1-2 hours from the start of the ascent (To reduce weight)
9. For any special meal diet such as vegetarians, please inform our Amazing Borneo Tours consultants for arrangement
10. Some chocolate & energy bars may be satisfying
11. Trek at a normal pace (Too fast may result high altitude sickness & vomiting, too slow will drain out your energy)
12. Rest longer at 4th or 5th KM mark – about 10 mins for high altitude acclimatization
13. Should you feel too tired to carry on, try not to sit or lay down on high altitude, just stand still
14. Untreated fresh mountain water is available at every shelter; you may refill them at these stops (Bring some water purification tablets)
15. Boiled water for drinking or refill is available at Pendant Hut. However, it is not available at Laban Rata Restaurant.
16. Be extra careful with your steps during the wet spell
17. Do not run at any time while ascending or descending the mountain
18. Do not run at the summit especially around the 7.4 KM mark (Most dangerous point)
19. Cover your nose (and mouth) with a scarf in windy condition on high ground
20. Make extra sure your feet and hands are warm and dry during the final ascent
21. When descending, try to walk sideway or in a zig-zag way to prevent slipping and reduce pain on joints
22. Do not bring valuable items
23. Fit Climber trekking duration (3 to 4 hrs) from Timpohon Gate to Mountain Hut (Panalaban Base Camp)
24. Average Climber trekking duration (5 to 6 hrs) from Timpohon Gate to Mountain Hut (Panalaban Base Camp)
25. Unfit Climber trekking duration (7 to 8 hrs) from Timpohon Gate to Mountain Hut (Panalaban Base Camp)
26. Bring extra Ringgit Cash (No Credit Card available at Panalaban Base Camp)
27. Trekking Pole available for sale (MYR 45) at Amazing Borneo Help Desk @ Kinabalu Park
28. Laban Rata Restaurant OPEN 7.00am and CLOSE at 7.30pm (No Food available after 7.30pm)
29. Laban Rata Grocery Counter Closed at 7.30pm (Selling À la Carte Food, Beverages, Chips, Chocolate Bar, Batteries…etc)
30. Laban Rata (Non-Heated Dormitory Rooms, Blanket, Bed, Bed Sheet and Pillow provided )
31. Pendant Hut (Non-Heated Rooms, Sleeping Bag, Bed, Bed Sheet and Pillow provided)
32. There will no health checks conducted by any authorities during climb registration, so climb at your own risk

It is important that you are well prepared and equipped for the climb to ensure maximum comfort and enjoyment. The average temperature range at Kinabalu Park is 15°C-24°C, along the Timpohon - Summit trail is about 6°C-14°C, and sometimes drop to as low as 2ºC in the wee hours of the morning! As for the weather on the mountain, it can range from sunny to misty to foggy. This is meant to be a good guide to help you in packing for your Mount Kinabalu Climb Trip.

ENGAGING A POTTER FOR YOUR CLIMB

To engage a porter is fully optional. However should you really require a porter to carry your belongings for you, we suggest that you pack a separate waterproof backpack (for easy carrying by the porter) ready with items that you do not need during the climb to Laban Rata. Porters may not trek at the same speed as you. Their job is simply to carry your belongings to the mountain hut. Valuables, water, medication, snacks, and things that you will need during your hike should always be kept with you. You may engage the porter at Kinabalu Park itself during your climb registration and the porter fees will be payable directly to the porter.

PORTER FEES

Destination	Weight (kg)	Rate
Timpohon - Laban Rata	10	RM65.00/way
Laban Rata - Timpohon	10	RM65.00/way
Timpohon - Sayat Sayat	10	RM75.00/way
Sayat Sayat - Timpohon	10	RM75.00/way
Timpohon - Summit	10	RM80.00/way
Summit - Timpohon	10	RM80.00/way

** Minimum weight is 10 Kgs and additional weight will be charged based on daily rate per Kg

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR CLIMBERS ON MOUNT KINABALU

1. Identify your Mountain Guide who will display an identification card.
2. Travel together in your own group and stay with the Mountain Guide at all times.
3. Follow the instructions of your Mountain Guide.
4. Alert your Mountain Guide if you face any difficulty.
5. Believe It or Not, DO NOT SHOUT, SCREAM or CURSE the mountain at any point of time.
6. Display your climbing permit and show it to Park Officials at the check point at Timpohon Gate, Laban Rata and Sayat-Sayat on your way up and down.
7. If for any reason, you are separated from your group or the Mountain Guide, please follow the white rope that marks the summit Trail. If visibility is very low or in the dark please hold onto the rope and follow it. (There is a thick white rope leasing all the way from the vegetation belt above Panar Laban to the summit. Use this rope to help climbing up and prevent falling when walking down. PLEASE FOLLOW and USE THE ROPE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY.
8. The weather on the Summit area can deteriorate in a matter of minutes. Thick mist may reduce visibility to only 3 meters, and rainstorms and wind of up to 120 km/hr. may occur at times. Please hold on to the ROPE, which will lead you to safety.
9. If you are separated from your Mountain Guide and lose sight of the ROPE, STOP IMMEDIATELY, stay where you are and blow your whistle to attract attention. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO FIND YOUR WAY OUT. HELP is definitely on the way. The Park Officials at Sayat-Sayat check point will notice that you are missing.
10. While climbing to the Summit please make sure to carry with you the followings:
    

    Wear enough warm clothing	(temperature can be freezing at times)
    A head torchlight	(to light your way during pre-dawn climb and to signal for help when needed)
    A rain coat	(to protect you from rain and wind, and it will slow down the loss of body heat)
    A whistle	(only to be used when help is needed. Three short blasts to attract attraction, long continuous blasts for emergency and serious injuries)
    Some energy food and water (e.g. extra chocolate, glucose tablets, biscuits)	(for emergency-use when you are waiting for help to arrive)

VIDEO TIPS AND TUTORIALS

HEALTH PREPARATION FOR CLIMBERS

SPECIAL NOTE FROM SABAH PARKS AUTHORITIES & AMAZING BORNEO TOURS!

It is recommended that all climbers should have themselves medically checked before attempting any mountain climb. DO NOT CLIMB If you are suffering from or have a history of the following ailments

1. Hypertension
2. Diabetes
3. Palpitation
4. Arthritis
5. Heart disease
6. Severe Anemia
7. Peptic ulcers
8. Epileptic Fits
9. Obesity (Overweight)
10. Chronic Asthma
11. Muscular Cramps
12. Hepatitis (Jaundice)
13. Any other sickness or disease that may be triggered by severe cold, exertion, and high altitude.

Climbing Mount Kinabalu is usually a "once in a lifetime" experience for most people, so it is vital that proper preparations are made beforehand. With superior information and sufficient time to prepare, you stand an extremely good chance of reaching the summit.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Although the majority of routes leading to the summit of Kinabalu require no technical climbing skills, some kind of training beforehand is important. It is important to remember that you will be hiking on surfaces with varying angles which may put lots of stress on your ankles and knees. It is also worth remembering that most of the injuries which occur on Mount Kinabalu happen on the way down. When climbing Mount Kinabalu, take a slow pace to allow your body to acclimatize to the altitude, as at 3000 meters, you only have 70% of the oxygen you would normally have at sea-level

To climb Mount Kinabalu

• You need to be in decent physical condition.
• You must not have heart or lung problems.
• You need healthy knees and ankles.
• Take your time and know your physical limitations.

Consult your personal physician if

• You are taking any kind of medication.
• You have any other health problems.

If you plan to take any medication during your climb, you must consult your doctor prior to departure. The effects of medications may vary with altitude and stress. All climbers should consult their doctor or a specialized travel clinic well in advance of their trip.

Grocery Counter (Laban Rata Resthouse)

À la Carte All Day Dining

Food and beverage items are available at the Grocery Counter.
The menu and price list is provided below for your reference.

Food Categories	Food Menu	Price (Nett)
Soup	Cream of Mushroom Cream of Chicken Tom Yam Soup	RM 19.00 RM 19.00 RM 19.00
Fried Rice	Chinese Style	RM 19.00
Porridge	Choice of chicken or egg	RM 19.00
Noodle / Mee Hoon	Choice of dry / wet or soup	RM 19.00
Instant Noodle	Choice of chicken, curry or laksa flavour	RM 12.00
Sandwich Variety	Choice of tuna, egg, cheese French fries	RM 19.00 RM 19.00

Buffet Categories	Food Menu	Price (Nett)
Buffet	Supper (02:00hr-03:30hr) Breakfast (07:30hr-10:30hr) Dinner (16:30hr-19:00hr)	RM 40.00 RM 55.00 RM 75.00

Beverage Categories	Beverage Menu	Price (Nett)
Hot Drink	Tenom Coffee Milo Sabah Tea Nescafe Horlicks Lemon Tea Hot Ginger Tea	RM 12.00 RM 13.00 RM 13.00 RM 11.00 RM 13.00 RM 13.00 RM 13.00
Soft Drinks	100 Plus Coke Light Coke Soya Beans F&N Strawberry F&N Orange Sprite Drinking Water 500ml Drinking Water 1.5L	RM 11.00 RM 11.00 RM 11.00 RM 11.00 RM 11.00 RM 11.00 RM 11.00 RM 7.00 RM 14.00

---

** All items are available from 10.30 am until 7:00 pm.

Other Items Available at Laban Rata Grocery Counter include:

• Batteries
• Cigarettes
• Oral Medications such as Paracetamol
• Eye Drops & Ointment
• Chocolates, Biscuits & Chips
• Sanitary Pads
• Tissue Paper
• Combs & Toothbrush
• Disposable shavers
• Body Lotion
• Lip Balm
• T-shirts
• Gloves & Beanie/Winter Hat
• Disposable Raincoat/Ponchos
• Portable Oxygen Inhaler

** Please note that the items in this list are not comprehensive and not always readily available. This list serves as a guideline only. Please ensure you bring your own necessary items up the mountain if that is considered important to you.