1. DIY option
You can book your climb directly through the national park's sole operator, Sutera Sanctuary Lodge ("SSL"). It offers a standard 3D/2N climbing package that includes foods and accommodations. The price is cheaper than those offered by travel agencies. However, you need to book your place 6 months before the climb and the package does not include transport from/ to the airport to/ from Kinabalu National Park.
2. Tour option
Alternatively, you can book climbing package from travel agencies who bought bulk places from SSL. It is slightly expensive, but it includes transport to and fro between airport and Kinabalu National Park. This will be a better option if you don't want to worry about arranging transports and local guides. It also gives more choices of tour's itinerary. And this is the only option if you urgently need a place to climb Mount Kinabalu in less than 6 months.
So, where can you find the travel agencies offering Climbing Mount Kinabalu Packages?
They usually advertise on internet. For instance, there are four ads below this paragraph and a few more at the left panel of this page. You can refresh this page to view more offers. You can book your climbing place through their websites, email them or call them. The staffs are able to speak English. You can check them out.
Alternative, you can search for travel packages to climb Mount Kinabalu using our custom search box below. Just search for "climbing Mount Kinabalu package". There should be at least 8 to 10 travel agencies showing their tour packages to climb Mount Kinabalu.
Climbing Mount Kinabalu Package: Comparison of the options
1. DIY option: if you book through SSL
The rate quoted for 3D/2N climbing package in 2011, when I climbed the mountain, was RM452 per person (in a group of 7 travelers) (include accommodation & all meals), RM30 per person climbing permit and RM RM7 per person insurance. In total, RM489 per person.
This year, 2012, a traveler reported in lonely planet, that the cost had increased to RM728 per single traveler, RM100 per person climbing permit and RM7 per person insurance. In total, RM835 per person. It seems SSL's price has been increasing for the last few years.
This climbing package includes:
- 1 night stay at Kinabalu National Park before the climb (Dormitory)
- 1 night stay at Laban Rata (Dormitory)
- 2 breakfast buffets on day 2 and day 3
- 2 lunch buffets on day 2 (lunch pack prepared for you to eat during your climb to Laban Rata) and day 3 (at Kinabalu National Park right after descent)
- 2 dinner buffets on day 1 (arrival at Kinabalu Park) and day 2 (Laban Rata)
- 1 supper (at Laban Rata 2am before your climb to summit)
It does not include the following:
- Transport from airport to/fro Kinabalu Park. You need to arrange separately with tour or transport companies to pick you up from and send you back to airport
- Park entrance fees (RM15)
- Return shuttle to and from Kinabalu Park HQ to Timpohon Gate (RM33)
- One compulsory mountain guide (RM100) per group of maximum 4 climbers.
- Certificate (RM10) per person
- Option to hire porter to bring essential things to Laban Rata (approximately RM8 per KG)
- There are cost to leave your luggage at Kinabalu Park while you attempt the climb (RM10 per bag)
- More price information here from SSL
Tips for DIY:
- You can book for an extra night stay in the park after the climb. We stayed in Nephenthis Lodge and we simply loved the place. The price is affordable as we went in a group.
- Talk to your transport driver if you want him to recommend you places to visit. They are usually happy to detour for a fee if the detour does not jeopardize your timing to climb or back to airport.
2. Tour Option: Checking out various fabulous climbing packages offered by travel agencies
In general, the 3D/2N package prices offered by travel agencies ranged between RM950 - RM1,400 per person depending on the itinerary and number of people in a group. It should cover everything that includes
- Accommodations and food of the entire trip starting from the airport
- Climb permit, insurance, park entrance fee, return shuttle from Park's HQ to Timpohon gate, mountain guide, etc.
- Transport to pick you up from the airport until the last day sending you back to airport
There should be no extra cost. However, things vary depends on the climbing package that you order. Please check clearly before you place your booking.
Variations of the Standard Travel Package of Climbing Mount Kinabalu
Beside the standard 3D/2N climbing option, there are variations offered by different travel agents at different prices:- some packages offer longer period of stay,
- some offer 2D/1N climb (very limited offers available)
- some offer more places of visit, i.e. islands hopping & scuba diving at Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Poring Hot Spring, white water rafting at Padas river, etc.
- some offer luxury day climb with 2 days on the mountain
- some offer a different climbing experience Via ferrata (Mount Kinabalu has the highest Via ferrata in the world)
- etc.
Check out the climbing Mount Kinagalu packages offered by various travel agencies.
More Resources
- Climbing Mount Kinabalu Packages
- From any place in the world to Mount Kinabalu: How to get to there?
- From airport to the Park: How to get to there?
- A DIY tour: how to make your booking to climb Mt Kinabalu directly from SSL?
- More information on climbing Mt Kinabalu on budget from an experienced traveler
