Image source: www.rimba.um.edu.my
Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia and is located at the National Park of Malaysia. Standing 4101 metres above sea level, the mountain is in Sabah, the East Malaysian state on the isle of Borneo. It is located about 2-3 hours away from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah’s capital.
Top 3 Things about Mount Kinabalu:
1. Scenic Walk: Take in the fresh air as you walk up and notice your surroundings change from the large tropical trees to scrubs to rock. The whole mountain area is a national park – many floras not found at sea level are sighted here. The large venus fly-trap is one to look out for as you walk. You may catch the odd wildlife too.
2. Leisure Climb: At 4101metres, Mt Kinabalu is manageable for the average tourist – not climber or mountaineer – tourist – ladies climb too! There are steps cut all the way up to the top of the mountain, good water fountain supplies (water is probably your heaviest item) and rest houses. You must be accompanied by a guide when you climb, and these folks are willing to carry up to 10kg of your stuff all the way up the mountain for you for what it very little. There may not be many such mountain climbs with all these features available.
3. Sunrise: You have absolutely got to see the sunrise from up there. For many, it may be the highlight of the walk up! From Laban Rata where you stay overnight, there is a buzz as you hike up to get to the peak by sunrise. As you are walking up, the sun just breaks through the clouds, the air is cool and the scenery 360 degrees all round is just reward for 2 days’ climb.