1. Booking

The first things that you should do after you have decided to climb Mount Kinabalu is to book a place at Kinabalu Park & Laban Rata. This is very important because you’re not allowed to camp there and if you had no place to stay at Laban Rata, they will never release the climbing permit for you!! The temperature at Laban Rata is quite cool. The temperature range was 7 ~ 12 degree Celcius. Make sure you book early to get a nice room with heater..!! If not, you need to bring along your sleeping bag or you can also rent it from the counter at Laban Rata.

The booking is easy. Contact Sutera Sanctuary Lodge through e-mail or telephone.. then place your booking!! Just give them, your name, your phone number, your e-mail address, how many people and the tentative date of hiking. Later, they’ll give to you a quotation & your booking number. You need to pay at least 50% from total amount through credit card or bank transfer in 1 week time. After that, when you arrive in Sabah, you can pay another 50% at Kinabalu Park or Sutera Sanctuary Lodge office at Kota Kinabalu.

My Story ;

I telephoned directly Sutera Sanctuary Logde, Sales Manager, Ms Victoria for the booking. SMS to her my e-mail address with some necessary information. Later, she e-mail to me the booking number. I paid 50% through Maybank2u ( Interbank transfer ) and another 50% at their main office in Kota Kinabalu. At first, i booked for 3 person because my friend in Sabah would like to join me & my wife..total cost is RM400 for 3 person ( RM250 for 1 night at Kinabalu Park , Peak Lodge (4 person) and RM50 per bed for 1 night at Laban Rata). However, since my friend changed his plan, i have to pay RM350 for 2 person. So, i waste close to RM100 because i’ve booked a room for 4 person at Kinabalu Park…siigghhhh..

2. Flight to Kota Kinabalu

a) From KL to Kota Kinabalu

You can choose between Malaysian Airlines or AirAsia to fly to Kota Kinabalu from Kuala Lumpur. The flight would take approx. 2 hours 35 minutes. The differences between those 2 airlines ;

* Departure
MAS depart from KLIA Terminal however AirAsia depart from LCCT Terminal (about 10mins from KLIA Terminal)
* Arrival
MAS arrive at KK International Airport however AirAsia arrive at KK terminal 2 (actually same airport but different exit).
* Price
AirAsia is cheaper than MAS….sometimes you can even get FREE ticket. However, you have to buy meals on board. Its also free seating & didnt have any first class or business class seat.

So, go to their website and make your own choice !!

b) From all over the World to Kota Kinabalu.

Just take a flight to Kuala Lumpur from any airline services. Then, transit to Kota Kinabalu. If your country have direct flight to Kota Kinabalu..it’s a lot easier for you…just take that flight.

My Story ;

I take AirAsia because it’s a lot cheaper compared with MAS. I bought the ticket during AirAsia Anniversary promotion and it cost me RM359.90 for 2 person. (include tax & fuel surcharge)

3. Apply for Annual Leave.

After you have confirmed your flight tickets and Kinabalu Park booking, please make sure you apply enough annual leave. To climb Mount Kinabalu, it takes at least 3D 2N. However, i suggest that you plan your trip for 4D 3N. 3D 2N at Kinabalu Park & Laban Rata, then another 1 night at Kota Kinabalu. Furthermore, an extra one day should be better because it will take you at least 3-4 days before you can start walking like you used to after going down from Kinabalu. Alternatively, you can request MC from the doctor..haha..

My Story ;

Diyana & I had a little different plan. We planned our holiday for 6D 5N. 3D 2N for Kota Kinabalu sightseeing and another 3D 2N at Mount Kinabalu. After going down, we stayed another 1 night at Kota Kinabalu to rest our legs and enjoying cheap seafood!!!…ffuuhhh….

Best time to climb?

Based on my conversation with my mountain guide, the best time to climb is from January until April because it’s dry season and the sky is clear. so, you can take a better pictures..haha.

As for us, we’re lucky enough that during our time of climbing from Laban Rata to the Kinabalu’s Peak, the sky was so clear..so we could see chrystal clear view of sunrise & surrounding area from the peak of Kinabalu. When we look up above, the stars also seemed so close to us..and it’s a really beautiful night up there..thank God!!