With its incredible views, Mt. Kinabalu is regarded as one of the most iconic mountains in the world. It is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea and is also part of the infamous Asian Trilogy Challenge along with Mt. Yushan in Taiwan and Mt. Fuji in Japan. Because of this, conquering Mt. Kinabalu is a bucket list experience for most Southeast and East Asian mountaineers, but it is also the most expensive mountain to climb among the three.
With all-in packages from Sabah travel agencies, the bigger your group is, the more discounts you get, which leaves the option of climbing solo really expensive. For example, River Junkie’s rate for a 2D1N Mount Kinabalu Climb for 1 pax is RM 3020 (around USD 650 or PHP 36,000).
With this guide, you’ll be able to save as much as RM 1840 (around USD 390 or PHP 22,000) by doing it on your own.
How to Climb Mt. Kinabalu: A DIY Guide 2024
Step 1
Reserve your accommodation online months in advance.
The most expensive thing you’ll pay for is your accommodation at the base camp of Mt. Kinabalu. The cheapest way is to book a Panalaban Hostel online through this link. The slots get full very quickly especially during the climbing season (March to September) so you have to book months in advance. If are not able to book months in advance though, sometimes a slot opens up weeks before the date of climb. Just check the website regularly.
For international climbers, the cost is RM 465. This amount includes your meals while at the base camp. You need to create an account first to reserve your slot. Along with RM 400 Permit, RM 10 Insurance, and RM 40 Service Charge, you will pay a total of RM 936 at check-out.
Step 2
Go to Kinabalu Park HQ from Kota Kinabalu City.
It’s D-DAY! You’ve waited months for this. With reserved accommodation and a permit to Mt. Kinabalu, all you have to do is climb the mountain. But how do you get to Kinabalu Park from Kota Kinabalu City?
The cheapest option for transportation is by going to Padang Merdeka and ride the van to Ranau. The 2-hour ride will cost you RM 30.
Step 3
Spend a night near the Kinabalu Park.
To make sure you arrive at the park early for your climb, preferably at 8:00 am, you may want to sleep at the nearest accommodation to the park. There are accommodations inside Kinabalu Park but are often expensive.
I spent the night at Jungle Jack’s Backpackers (walking distance to the park) for only RM 40 with free coffee, tea, and bottled water. You can contact Jack through WhatsApp at +60109477509 to reserve your stay. For people who only decide to climb Mount Kinabalu a day before the actual climb and cannot find a slot anywhere, Jack can easily get you in. His rate is about RM 1750 to 1950.
Step 4
Pay the remaining park fees and get your tag.
When you arrive at the park, you still need to pay the RM 50 conservation fee and get a guide. The mountain guide, with a ratio of 1 guide to 5 climbers, costs RM 350. That means if you share a guide with 4 other people, it can only cost you RM 70.
Step 5
Go to Timpohon Gate from Kinabalu Park HQ.
The hike officially begins at Timpohon Gate. The distance from Kinabalu Park HQ to Timpohon Gate is 5.5 km and there is an available transfer service that costs RM 35 (1:4). This is only optional but highly recommended.
Itinerary
Here is the itinerary from Sabah Parks for climbing Mount Kinabalu for 2 days and 1 night.
| PARTICULARS | TIME |
| DAY 1 | |
| Reach Kinabalu Park | 07:00 AM to 10:30 AM |
| Pay Entrance Fee Register at Visitor Centre / Counter, Kinabalu Park | |
| Show your Invoice (Booking Fee) together with the List of Climbers & photocopy of Mykad/Passport to the staff. | |
| Self-check-in (booking website), available 2 days before climb. | |
| Our staff will process your Permit Tag. | |
| Guide Counter – arrange & pay Mountain Guide Fee | |
| Koktas Counter – arrange & pay Transportation Fee (from registration counter to starting point – Timpohon Gate) | |
| Porter Counter – arrange & pay Porter Fee *optional | |
| Permit Tag will be distributed | |
| To be transferred to Timpohon Gate together with your Mountain Guide | |
| Timpohon Gate: Briefing the Rules & Regulations by Mountain Guide | |
| Start to climb from Timpohon Gate to Panalaban (previously known as Laban Rata) Reach Panalaban (Laban Rata) | |
| Check-In to Lemaing / Panalaban Hostel | |
| Dinner at Laban Rata Resthouse (SSL) | Dinner at Laban Rata Resthouse (SSL) |
| DAY 2 | |
| Supper at Laban Rata Resthouse (SSL) | 02:00 AM – 03:30 AM |
| Start to climb to the summit of Mt Kinabalu. | |
| Reach Sayat-Sayat Checkpoint *Show your Permit Tag to the staff | before 5:30 AM |
| Aim to reach the summit in time for sunrise | |
| Reach – LOW’S PEAK | |
| After 10 – 15 minutes – descend to Panalaban | |
| Breakfast at Laban Rata Resthouse (SSL) | 07:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Continue the descend to Timpohon Gate *Extra charge RM15:00 / 1 hour if you reach Timpohon Gate after 04:00 PM | before 4:00 PM |
| Transfer back to Visitor Centre (Counter, Kinabalu Park) Collect & pay your ‘Climbing Certificate’ *optional | after 4:00 PM |
How much does it cost to climb Mt. Kinabalu?
| Pre & Post Hike Expenses | RM 116.5 |
| Transportation from Kota Kinabalu City to Kinabalu Park HQ | RM 30 |
| One-night accommodation near the Park | RM 40 |
| Meals before and after the climb | RM 46.5 |
| Primary Fees | RM 936 |
| Accommodation + Meal | RM 465 |
| Permit | RM 400 |
| Insurance | RM 10 |
| Service Charge | RM 40 |
| Other Fees | RM 120 |
| Conservation Fee | RM 50 |
| Mountain Guide (RM 350 for 5) | RM 70 |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | RM 1172.5 USD 250 PHP 14,000 |
| With Optional Certificate and Transfer | RM 1272.5 |
| Certificate | RM 10 |
| Kinabalu Park HQ to Timpohon Gate Transfer | RM 35 |
I climbed Mt. Kinabalu with a Low’s Peak Circuit Via Ferrata package last March 19 to 20, 2024, but the expenses in this guide do not include a Via Ferrata. I may write a separate blog post about it but you can reach me out through email at freedbirdbeth@gmail.com if you have any questions regarding the Via Ferrata.
Happy hiking!
awesome! hope to go there also.