5 Reasons to Climb Mount Kinabalu
Sabah, an East Coast Malaysian state that is part of Borneo island is the favourite location that is sought after by foreign tourists. Gifted with its warm and tropical climate, Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is home to the melting pot of wildlife. Not only rich in natural wonders, Sabah is home to a rich cultural heritage for numbers of indigenous community. Formerly known as Jesselton, Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah. Kota Kinabalu is home to one of the most spectacular sights in the world and is famous for having the tallest mountain in South East Asia, Mount Kinabalu. Nestled in the vibrant jungle of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu is one of the top tourist attraction for the second largest Malaysian state.
Blessed with a pristine beach of multiple islands and a national park full of lush tropical greeneries, the Sabah tourism industry has been booming as people from all walks of life travel to Sabah for a short nature retreat. For most adventure seekers and climbers out there, Mount Kinabalu is not an unfamiliar destination as it appears in every traveller’s bucket list. There is no better way to spend your weekend or holidays than to discover the Sabah’s best kept secrets. Sabah is known to be generous for its attractions for diving, snorkelling and hiking. It is also a known fact that Mount Kinabalu is one of the most hiked mountains in the South-East Asian region. From having a stunningly lush tropical forest to the tallest peak with the addition of its wildlife diversity, we dish out a few of the many reasons as to why climbing the Mount Kinabalu will take your breath away.
Near the peak of Mount Kinabalu
1. Climbing the Challenging Mount Kinabalu Provides A Rewarding Experience
To this day, climbers from all backgrounds and levels of experience gravitate towards Mount Kinabalu to take on the challenge of climbing the tall mountain. Standing proudly as the tallest mountain in Malaysia and South-East Asia at 4,095m, Mount Kinabalu makes a lasting impression for all those daring enough to hike the trail that combines dirt tracks, wooden planks, rocky and stoney paths to her summit. Along the way, you might face multiple hurdles including physical exhaustion, altitude sickness and low oxygen as you ascend higher.
Home to the Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon, mountain runners from around the world challenged themselves in this annual event, adding on another reason for you to also challenge yourself. The climb to Mount Kinabalu through the Timpohon gate will be a complete mental and physical workout that will offer you a self-esteem boost, for the sense of personal achievement you gain at the end of the climb. As you embark on your journey home, you will leave behind footprints and bring home fond memories of completing the climb.
It will be a true test of your ability to endure and survive the challenging climb. When you are on a mission to complete a climb, it will provide you a contentment for the determination and hard work that you poured for reaching the goal. Grab your chance now to explore the great outdoors that the mountain can offer, and revel in the sense of accomplishment as part of the Kinabalu experience.
Sight of the Sun breaking above the clouds at Mount Kinabalu
2. Mount Kinabalu Has The Most Epic Sunrise View
Calling for all the urbanites who wants to be rewarded with an amazing sunrise view, Mount Kinabalu has got what you want! No climb to the mountain is complete without a view of the sunrise. At an altitude of 4,095 m, you will approach Mount Kinabalu Low’s Peak; a position that will offer the best view of the morning sun as it ascends in a grand and majestic motion. Watching the sunrise has got to be the main highlight of the Kinabalu climb.
Before getting rewarded with the view of sun rising, you will have to leave your comforting Laban Rata lodge at two in the morning via the Summit Trail. The breath-taking view from the top is definitely worth the lack of sleep and effort that you put into reaching the peak. Having to be ranked as one of the 10 Mountains in Southeast Asia with the Most Incredible Views by Tripzilla, enjoy the moment of the fresh start of the day.
Watching a sunrise can be an awe-inducing, even meditative experience which will unlikely be forgotten for years to come. Get your camera ready, because it is these moment that will make your Kinabalu climb a memorable one. Record the most picturesque moment that you are about to witness because the sunrise here will probably be an experience of a lifetime. The highest mountain of South East Asia is absolutely the best place to experience a bird’s eye view of mountain vistas when the sun is out.
The pitcher plant, also known as the monkey cup
3. Mount Kinabalu Is Home to Various Natural and Exotic Greeneries
Having stolen many traveller’s hearts and minds for over countless decades, Mount Kinabalu are protected under the Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Site (Read more about it here: Kinabalu Park). The Kinabalu Park is Malaysia’s first Heritage Site awarded by UNESCO, becoming the nation’s pride since year 2000. Blessed with a fortunate geography, the national park houses an array of flora and fauna including the ones that are near- extinction and hence, is protected under the law. Home to exotic plants such as the carnivorous pitcher plant and the parasitic Rafflesia, the presence of these plants adds more charm to the ancient forest.
Along the hiking trails, be sure to keep your eyes open for different plant species that will make a good photography subject. Get glimpses of the uncommonly seen plants and stunning landscapes surrounding the mountain. While you embark on a botanical journey along the Kinabalu terrain, marvel at the different vegetation zones along the trek with species such as Oak, Chestnut and eventually alpine type of vegetation.
Climbers get to see the different species of plants that are determined by the altitude, varying from lowland dipterocarp forest, lower montane oak-chesnut plant, cloud forest and sub-alpine meadow zone. Feel the temperature change as the altitude increases while you marvel at the sight of the greens. Reaching the highest peak is the target, but the real reward and highlight are the things that we see along the path. Spend some time with the nature and embark on a journey of flora fauna discovery to add more fun to your experience in the mountain.
Conquering the Mount Torq via ferrata
4. Mount Kinabalu Was Once Home to The World’s Highest Via Ferrata
The Mountain Torq Via Ferrata is positioned near the summit of Mount Kinabalu at 3,776 metres above sea level. Via Ferrata, an Italian phrase for ‘iron road’ is another form of mountain route which is equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and bridges. The Mountain Torq Via Ferrata was once certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s highest “via ferrata” (as reported by theStar, Mount Kinabalu, Home to the World’s Highest Via Ferrata) and possibly the longest suspension bridge before the status was taken over by Mount Kenya in 2012, adding another reason to why Mount Kinabalu is so unique on its own.
This shall be your main reason for climbing the Mount Kinabalu if you are up for a new and refreshing challenge. You can choose to experience the classic or extreme route, the choice is entirely up to yours! The via ferrata has two routes that are designed to cater to both the adventure seekers and beginners. The Walk the Torq via ferrata will offer you the most compelling sensory experience as you take in the sight from the high mountain, breathing in the cool and fresh Kinabalu air while feeling your adrenaline rush through your veins. It is these sensory experiences that will ignite the wanderlust in you to never stop exploring the great outdoors.
Get your adrenaline pumping when you conquer your fear and the height at the same time. If you are an adrenaline junkie, you will definitely need to climb the Asia’s first via ferrata in Kota Kinabalu for at least once in your lifetime. Consider yourself lucky if you are a Malaysian that our nation is blessed with Kota Kinabalu and its hidden gems that you can always explore, without the need of going too far from home.
At dizzying heights
5. Challenge and Take Your Limit To The Next Level When You Climb Mount Kinabalu
Conquering the Mount Kinabalu heights can push you to the absolute limit. Be warned: this journey is not for the faint-hearted. Exploring the majestic Mount Kinabalu, a destination out of your comfort zone can be extremely character building but with the assistant of a mountain guide, your journey up there may be easier. The mountain guide will be assisting their client to fulfil their ambition of a lifetime. However, the whole point of climbing the mountain should not be due to its level of difficulty only.
Climbing not only challenges you physically, but also requires mental strength, self-confidence, lots of planning and an awareness of the body. Conquering the Mount Kinabalu can results to altitude sickness for some people. While it may not be the most pleasant experience, it is these adventures that will enrich your life in many years to come as they make good life stories. After all, it is not very common for people to encounter an altitude sickness experience. Imagine telling your grandchildren in days to come on your stories of the challenging Kinabalu climb, it would definitely bring back a memorable flashback that you would be proud of.
Only those that are strong willed and have excellent stamina can conquer the mountain. This would probably satisfy the growing appetite for a challenging climb that most outdoor enthusiast wants. At the end of the journey, the real reward lies in the entire process of reaching your goals which includes the opportunity to be outdoor, feeling of achievement and sense of accomplishment. Prove to yourself that your limit is way more than what you have always expected as you challenge your capabilities out of your comfort zone in order to reach the 4095m mountain.
In A Nutshell
Climbing mountain has always been the ideal activity that promotes health benefits besides being a great way to be outdoor. Escape from the city crowds to try on different activities that will add more values and colours into your life. So if you’ve got the means and courage, then you owe yourself an epic Kinabalu adventure! Find out yourself why thousands of climbers are irresistibly drawn to this particular mountain, that is known for its eco-paradise and its gift of Mother Nature. If you find the above reasons as something that you can relate to, then you should try embarking on this journey of full of discovery.
Begin your first step in dominating different mountains starting from Mount Kinabalu hike package, and you’ll have incredibly rich stories to tell. Be sure to check out Adventoro's awesome tour packages, Mount Kinabalu Hike - Low's Peak Circuit Via Ferrata (2Days/1Night) or the Mt. Kinabalu Trek Grand Adventure (3 Days / 2 Nights). Tick off your bucket list for an awesome adventure up in the mountain if Kota Kinabalu has always been in your list. Despite the challenges of conquering the tallest mountain in South-East Asia, it is almost 100% guaranteed to gain an amazing experience that very few get to feel which makes everything worth it at the end of the day.
