Its 6km to Labuan Rita, (the last 1km is a killer) and we got there at 10.45am, 15 minutes late. You need a rest at this point what every time it is, unless you are a super athlete. There are free filling stations at every km and free water at Labuan Rita on the food counter in barrels if you look.

We set off again at 10.45am (no rest for the wicked), only having till 13.00pm to reach as far as possible. We did reach the top but we were late. It was 13.45pm, we would have never made it down by 16.30pm which we had agreed (only because we had a great guide called Freddie who agreed to take us to the top, even if he was going to get into trouble) please note that coming down is just as challenging as going up and we had to work really hard, with no stops.
Our finish time 18.30pm, someone had to wait for us at the bottom gate and we ached for days after. We consider ourselves as medium fitness level (at home we go to the gym twice a week, but we are travelling and have been for 3 month so maybe lacking a little) and are in our twenties.

Prices for the one day climb 04/12

Permits to climb – Non Malay – 100 rm (£20) per person
Insurance – 7 rm (£1.20)
Guide (Mandatory) 128 rm (£26) for the whole group (Warning, can share guides with others, just remember that if someone is flagging, the guide will wait for the slowest person and every minute does count)
Bus to Start Point – 13 rm (£2.50) per person

Thing you might need

Only one water bottle (don’t carry too much, water stations at every km)
Some high energy food (something you can eat quick, so expensive at Labuan Rita)
Rain mac or poncho
Good walking shoes or trainers, don’t need some expensive pair (those rocks hurt on the way down)
Jumper (its warm for the first 4km)
Gloves (helped when using the ropes near the top)
Hat (the sweat gets cold at the top, gives you headache the next day)
Camera (views usually cloudy at the top after 10am, so won’t get a full view unless very lucky, but still got some great pictures and memories)
Good luck to anyone who is thinking about the 1 day climb, it is a challenge, but it makes it a lot more rewarding when you make it. Just be confident in your abilities and

You will be rewarded with a spectacular view or should I call it magnificent view overlooking the clouds and mountain after mountain just beneath your eyes! The sunrise would be one think you must never miss which rises at around 5.50am which means you only have 3 hours to reach the summit! In order to do that, training, training and training is required.

Enjoy your climb and hope it helps…!

(Ps. A side note: I bought a shoe from this shop call Tech City Outdoor if I didn’t remember wrongly! Well, it gave way after few hours so do consider although its price is good)

All the best!:b

Thinking of doing the climb next Jan…any tips for an indep traveller & climber??

Hope you enjoyed your trip!!

250 RM for a dorm bed where you might only spend 3 or 4 hours on it trying to sleep (remember … you hike up, arriving in the afternoon, have a bite to eat, rest, attempt to sleep, and then get up at 2 am to climb the rest of the way).

Just my thoughts. Because price went up A LOT from two years ago.

Cheers!

No, I don’t think you have to go through an agent. I booked the Hut (with permit and insurance) directly from Sutera. 320 + 100 + 7 = 427. This includes the meals. All that is left to do is handle transportation, guide and park fee on your own.

I am doing this 2 days from now and I believe it should work out ok.

There are plenty of buses to the Mountain (park) from KK city (leaving around 7 am) – I’ve read the cost is about 15 RM each way. Park Entry fee is 15 RM. Then from the park, there is transport to/from the Gate – cost should be about 5 RM each way. Either at the entry or at the gate, should be able to hire a guide. This should be 85 – 120 RM (can share the cost if you group up with someone. worst case you pay all the 100 yourself). That’s it !! If you want a certificate, it is an extra 10 RM. Rent a walking stick, maybe 5 RM. etc etc.

Grand total, from KK City to Mt Kinabalu peak and back to KK City, about 597 RM.

For me, as a single vacationer/climber, this is cheaper than any group rate I found AND much cheaper than the 1500 RM or so I was quoted for doing it alone.

Good luck! (to me, that it all works out. and to you, that you make it successfully too)

I need some advice.

Can I plan and book my own trip without having to go through an agent?
eg can I book Panar Labuan Hut? Book a guide? buy permits by myself?
How difficult would doing that be?

Many thanks.

I’ve been there last year and i plan to go back again next year. u can leave all ur luggages at KK park cant remember how much it charge. But this is where i left my luggages. All the best to all. U can do it. Cheers