Borneo_Project
- Nov 9, 2018
- 2 min read

Gunung Kinabalu, Sabah

Updated: Nov 10, 2018

Gunung kinabalu is known as Sabah's icon and among the 5 highest mountains in Southeast Asia.

Mount Kinabalu’s specialty lies in its location at a renowned World Heritage Site—Kinabalu Park. Nature lovers will be delighted to be able to witness the many variations of flora and fauna that are to be found on the mountain at different altitudes.

Mount Kinabalu, along with other upland areas of the Crocker Range is well-known worldwide for its tremendous botanical and biological species biodiversity with plants of Himalayan, Australasian, and Indo-Malayan origin.

A recent botanical survey of the mountain estimated a staggering 5,000 to 6,000 plant species (excluding mosses and liverworts but including ferns), which is more than all of Europe and North America (excluding tropical regions of Mexico) combined. It is therefore one of the world’s most important biological sites.

Standing majestically at 4,095m (13,435 feet above sea level), Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Mount Kinabalu derives its name from the Kadazan word, ‘Aki Nabalu’, meaning ‘the revered place of the dead’. It is one of the safest and most conquerable peaks in the world—provided that you’re reasonably healthy and physically fit.

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.

Want to Climb Mount Kinabalu? Things You Need to Know

1. Each climber is required to be accompanied by the appointed mountain guide / guide.

2. From Kinabalu Park you will go to Timpohon Gate - by walking or taking a van. You will climb from here (another alternative is through Gate Mesilau)

3. Climbing is usually divided into two stages. The first ascent starts from Timpohon Gate to the Laban Rata rest house. After 1 night's sleep here, you will start a second climb at 2:00 am to the top of Kinabalu (at Low's Peak). The arrival time at the peak is estimated at 5 am.

4. The first ascent will takes around 3 to 6 hours. The second climb will takes 2 - 4 hours. Time varies according to fitness rate and weather conditions on day of climbing.

5. Make sure you go to the toilet first before climbing to the top. The peak of Kinabalu's granite is no tree or shrub for you to hide during dumping.

6. To facilitate the climbing planning (permit, insurance, porter rental, rents, etc.) most climbers use packages from travel agencies. Even if you want to use travel agency services, be sure to book a few months before the date of climbing.