Take on the challenge of the Via Ferrata route of Mount Kinabalu and be rewarded with scenic views of the sunrise and lush valleys!
Day 1 – Kota Kinabalu / Nabalu Market / Kinabalu Park
As you journey from Kota Kinabalu to Kinabalu Park, the view you will get as you look out the windows of your vehicle is that of the villages and paddy fields of Crocker range. These man-made places are dotted along the panoramic valleys of the range. Upon arriving at Nabalu Market, you will see stalls selling a variety of handicrafts and food. This is where you should buy your souvenirs and sample local food and tropical fruits as the cheap prices here are no joke.
At Nabalu you will also find a 15-metre watchtower and a platform where you can get a preview of Mount Kinabalu. The watchtower is the perfect place for getting a gorgeous shot of the mountain from a height as your position will enable you to overcome the buildings that would normally block your view from the ground. Take postcard-worthy pictures at the platform where no irritating wires, tall trees or buildings will obstruct your view and ruin your backdrop.
Once you’ve done enough sightseeing and purchasing at Nabalu, continue on your journey to Kinabalu Park. The Park holds the title of being Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site and is also the Centre of Plant Diversity for Southeast Asia, boasting a collection of over 5,000 vascular plant species. Around 90 species of lowland mammals also call the Park their home. Check-in to your room for the night and enjoy a dinner before settling into bed.
Day 2 – Park HQ / Timpohon Gate / Ascend Mount Kinabalu / Laban Rata – Pendant Hut
After having breakfast at the Park Restaurant, you will collect your packed lunch and head to the Park HQ where you will carry out registration for the climb, apply for your ID tag and meet your assigned mountain guide. Your ID tag should be worn at all times in case of any emergencies. Once all necessary registrations have been carried out, you will be transferred to Timpohon Gate, the primary entry point where climbers begin their ascent.
The climb to where you’ll be staying overnight will take approximately 4 to 5 hours to reach. It is a long and tiring climb but the reward of a toasty place to rest after is well worth the effort. It also means that the real adventure has started! As you trek up Mount Kinabalu you will pass by diverse vegetation zones such as Oak and Chestnut that morph into mossy forests that eventually give way to thriving alpine vegetation.
When you finally arrive at the Panalaban base camps where all the huts are located, settle down and warm up. There will be a briefing on Via Ferrata safety which first-timers and veteran climbers alike must attend. The briefing will cover all necessary information that climbers should know before departing for their climb the next day. Head to Laban Rata restaurant later for a buffet dinner to stock up on your energy. Head to bed as soon as you can as your journey will start very early tomorrow.
Day 3 – Low’s Peak / Descend Mount Kinabalu / Kota Kinabalu
At 1:30 am you will be awoken for an early supper so that you can start your climb early and catch the sunrise at the summit of Mount Kinabalu. The summit of Low’s Peak sits at 4,095.2 metres above sea level and is the perfect spot to get a view of the sunrise from above the clouds on a good day. It is truly a magical sight to see the sky start to lighten and split into colourful hues above a blanket of thick clouds.
The Low’s Peak Circuit route is along Mount Kinabalu’s Via Ferrata, which is the second highest in the world. On this route, you will get the opportunity to view a vastly different and gorgeous side of the plateau that the other regular summit trails cannot grant you. No matter how many times you’ve conquered Mount Kinabalu, if you have never gone down the Low’s Peak Circuit then you are missing out on an amazing opportunity.
After the fulfilling journey, begin your descent from Mount Kinabalu. Back at the huts, you will have your late breakfast then check-out. Trek back down to Timpohon Gate to be transferred back to the Park HQ. Once you’re back there, you may collect your Certificate of Achievement as proof that you made the climb and made it back successfully! Enjoy a buffet lunch in the Park and prepare for the 2-hour journey back to Kota Kinabalu City.
Cancellations after confirmation of tour will incur a 50% charge of the total package price. This fund is not refundable, in whole or in part, cannot be brought forward and/or used for future bookings.
Refer to the map below to see a list of pick up location(s) that are available for you to choose from. You can select your desired pick up location when you book the tour.
List of Location(s):
Pick up is also available for other location(s) under the vicinity of Kota Kinabalu. For more information, please contact Adventoro's concierge service.
Make use of Adventoro's complimentary concierge service by emailing info@adventoro.com to effortlessly plan your next adventure!
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