Kota Kinabalu buying snow

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Kota Kinabalu buying snow

It is also the 20th tallest mountain in the world by topographic prominence and is one of the highest peaks in the world that is easily trekked by most people. March to September is the best period to climb Mount Kinabalu because of the dry season. However as global climate changes, there is no best time to climb based on the past four years Mount Kinabalu summit gate closure statistics. Check out the detailed analysis. Click Here for Detailed Analysis. The temperature at the summit of Mount Kinabalu 4, However, as we are referring to tropical rainforest, passing showers and heavy rain are expected and a common sight at any time of the year. Yes, but it is rare! Many people ask whether or not you can see snow on Mount Kinabalu due to the high altitudes - while temperatures at the summit can drop to below freezing level, and climbers may experience some ice or frost at the summit, snow will only form when the conditions are just right. Furthermore, additional safety measures have been implemented since 1st September Panalaban is the pit stop or the base camp where climbers will take a rest before proceeding for the second part of their Mount Kinabalu Summit climb journey. It is located between 3, to 3, meters above sea level. These assorted huts provide overnight accommodation for climbers, inclusive of shower facilities and meals Hot meals is only available on Laban Rata Resthouse. No, it is not a volcano. Mount Kinabalu is one of the world's youngest non-volcanic mountains, made of granite about 15 million years ago. Yes, we provide trail maps to help climbers navigate their journey safely. We actively support conservation efforts and promote responsible tourism, ensuring that visitors respect and preserve the park's biodiversity. The climb takes a minimum of 2 Days and 1 Night. Usually, the first day trek starts in the morning via Timpohon gate about hours to Panalaban for an overnight stay. The second ascent to summit starts 2am on day two where climbers get to catch sunrise around 5. After which, return to Panalaban directly if not participating any Via Ferrata activity for check out and descend straight to Timpohon gate. You will then be transferred to Kinabalu Park HQ. After collecting your climb certificate , depart for Kota Kinabalu City or other desired destinations. Climbers will have to do the usual 2 Days 1 Night compulsory climb itinerary with MountKinabalu. Since the trail was reopened in September , Sabah Parks has stopped giving 1-day climb permit. Yes, you can. Some climbers may fall short of reaching the summit, but even for those who did not reach the top, the trip to Mount Kinabalu will still be highly rewarding. You can stay at Panalaban Basecamp and wait for the others to return from the summit. Yes, you may cancel or halt the climb before reaching the basecamp, our mountain guide will assist you to descend to Timpohon Gate starting point. However, no refunds will be made for cancellation after the tour has commenced. Guests may need to bear additional costs for accommodation and transport arrangement. It is compulsory and advisable to stay overnight at mountain accommodation during your climb. This is for safety reasons and to prevent any possible injuries. We recommend 3 Days 2 Nights. It would be advisable for climbers to stay overnight in highland areas Kinabalu Park , Kundasang town or Poring Hot Springs in Ranau prior to the actual climb. Arrival time is very subjective as it all depends on the climber and their group physical fitness. A reasonably fit climber can reach Timpohon gate from Panalaban between 11am — 2pm. Most climbers reach between 1 — 3pm. We have also served climbers who arrives Timpohon gate as late as 10pm. In addition, the total time taken from Timpohon gate to Kinabalu Park HQ for certificate collection and onward to Kota Kinabalu city is approx. We do not recommend climbers to rush to the airport on the same day of descent from Mt Kinabalu. There is a high chance that you might miss your flight due to several reasons and unforeseen circumstances. Yes, you are strongly encouraged to purchase a comprehensive personal travel insurance policy for the duration of the trip from your own country; to cover against Personal Accident, Loss of baggage, Delays, Unexpected alterations to travel arrangements, Cancellation, Act of God, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Infectious diseases, Epidemics, Terrorism etc. Although all our Mount Kinabalu climb packages include a personal accident plan by Sabah Parks for all climbers, the coverage and claim value is very limited and subject to approval by Sabah Parks Authority. It is advisable to always check the availability of Mount Kinabalu climb slots and get a booking confirmation from us first before booking your flight tickets. We usually reply all emails within 24 hours on working days. If not, kindly call or provide us your alternate email address. The cost for Mt Kinabalu climb varies depending on the different packages that are available by MountKinabalu. Please refer to our Mount Kinabalu climb packages under our Mt Kinabalu section as listed. All bookings are subject to availability at the time of booking. It is definitely safe to book with MountKinabalu. Please make sure that you receive proper invoice, confirmation and tour itinerary from legal local operators with indication of company address, contact numbers and vehicle type. Do not let these scammers spoil your vacations. Send in your request at the time of booking and pay the price difference for the accommodation. All requests are subjected to availability. Every accommodation or bed at Panalaban is tied to a climb permit. All climbers are required to have a climb permit to climb legally. Hence, you will need to secure the accommodation or bed in order to get the climb permit. In addition, climbers need a minimum of 2 days 1 night to climb Mt. After the discontinuation of the Climbathon , you can no longer climb the mountain in one day unless you are applying for a special permit from Sabah Parks. Yes, you may book the Panalaban accommodation e. Laban Rata Resthouse only. Send in your request at the time of booking. You will need to arrange your own transportation, mountain guide, and miscellaneous fees payment. It is always safer to book your Mount Kinabalu climb through trusted and licensed tour operators. More info under Booking Tips. Send in your request at the time of booking and the transportation charges will be deducted from your package rate. You will have to make your own way to the Kinabalu Park HQ registration counter at the stipulated time. You should start booking as soon as you have decided to climb. Climb slot actually refers to a bed in Panalaban that is attached to a climbing permit. In fact, total beds are equivalent to the total number of climb permits issued. Therefore, if MountKinabalu. However, please be wary of booking Mt Kinabalu accommodation from unknown sources as there have been several reported cases where climbers have booked and paid for their accommodation but could not get climb permits. Starting Jan , there will be an increase in the climb permit fee. Read more about it HERE. How many types of climb packages are there? There are two types of climb packages. To view different type of climb packages, click HERE. Although there may still be a slight chance of your preferred climb permit made available at a later date from the day you first contacted us due to possible cancellation. This is to at least ensure you to have guaranteed climb permit to scale Mount Kinabalu. Deposit will be required before the stated due date given by our sales coordinator once reservation has been made. Otherwise, it will be automatically released from our climb booking system to other guests in queue. Full payment is required on special promotional rate or if your climb date is less than 30 days at time of booking. Once payment is received, we will issue a payment receipt and tour itinerary before your tour starts. Upon booking confirmation, we would need the photocopy of your passport, passport name in full, passport number for Non-Malaysian, IC number for Malaysian, nationality, date of birth and contact number if available. A climber details form will be emailed to you for your completion. You should return the completed form to us ASAP. If you fail to do so, you may not be able to secure your climb permit from Sabah Parks authority. Via Ferrata climb operator will also impose an RM penalty fee per climber for any late submission, which we have no control over. An administrative fee of RM Yes, a climbing permit issued from Sabah Park Authority is compulsory. One needs to wear the climb permit visible ID tag at all times throughout the climb as you will be checked periodically at certain check points. The total number of climb permits equals the total number of beds available in Panalaban. Before Covid pandemic, there were climbing permits issued daily by Sabah Parks. It is also to ensure the summit climb is not overcrowded by climbers. However, due to the Covid pandemic situation, there are now only climbing permits issued daily by Sabah Parks as of 25 January We recommend interested climbers to book early to avoid disappointment. To view the climb packages, click HERE. Like any other countries, the locals will always have certain citizenship privileges. Internationals will pay for normal rates whereas Malaysians are heavily subsided by the government. To view the difference between the climbing fees, click HERE. There are only 10 climb slots per day reserved for Sabahans at Sabahan rates, and the slots are usually snapped up more than 6 months in advance. You may contact SSL for availability of Sabahan rate packages, but do be wary of scams by unlicensed individuals. Secure your booking with a reliable tour operator at www. Foreigners who are residing permanently in Malaysia do not qualify. The ratio is at least 1 mountain guide to a maximum of 5 climbers more than 16 years old and 1 mountain guide to a maximum of 2 climbers less than 16 years old. For the safety of all climbers, especially young climbers and children, Sabah Parks Authority has imposed the following guidelines when engaging a mountain guide for Mount Kinabalu Climb. For simplicity, we shall refer to climbers aged 16 years and above as Adult and climbers aged 15 years and below as Child. Refer to the different senarios here:. All individual or group booking will have their own assigned required number of mountain guides according to Sabah Parks guidelines. In such, you or your group may trek at your own pace and trek safely. However, in the event of a shortage supply of mountain guides by Sabah Parks and climbers of different groups are forced to mix, MountKinabalu. The more you buy, the lesser you pay. Should your group size reduce in number, the costs will change accordingly. We're flexible and can organize pick-ups anytime to ensure a smooth transition upon your arrival. Just let us know your flight details beforehand, and our team will handle the arrangements. If your tour has not commenced, the refund will be based on our Cancellation Policy. The following cancellation charges must be borne by the Client and the travelling companions as follows For tour products or individual components supplied by 3rd parties, e. Any request for a climb date amendment will strictly only be accepted for the following reasons:. The amendment request only applies to climbers directly affected by the aforementioned issues and their dependents, such as children who are climbing with affected parents. Any other requests for climb date amendment that do not fall under the above-stated categories will be treated as a Cancellation Request, and climbers will need to rebook their climb subject to the availability of climb slots for the new requested dates. Cancellation fees per climber would apply accordingly. Amendment to non-Ferrata climb-related bookings after payment is made will be charged at a minimum of MYR50 per service amendment per person, in addition to any charges as levied by the airlines, hotels, climb operators or service providers concerned. Amendment to Via Ferrata climb-related bookings after payment is made will be charged at a minimum of MYR per service amendment per person. A transfer to another package less than 30 days prior to departure does not constitute an amendment but entails the cancellation of the original booking and is subject to the appropriate cancellation fees stated in the clause of 'Cancellation Policy'. All climbing activities have resumed as of 1 October However, as part of the new Standard Operating Procedures , Sabah Parks has limited the number of daily climbers to climbers per day. Climbers under 12 years old are allowed to climb, provided they are accompanied by parents or guardians. Climbers aged over 70 years old are not encouraged to climb. No refunds are allowed, but you can reschedule your climb to a later date. The new climb date must be within 1 year of the original climb date. Covid Protect is an option that must be purchased by all climbers in the same booking. For members of your climb party who do not wish to opt for 'Covid Protect', their booking will be processed separately and therefore, you will receive separate booking confirmations. If any members of your climb party test positive for Covid prior to their climb and wish to postpone their climb, postponement charges of RM per person will be applicable. However, climbers who have booked 'Covid Protect' can postpone their climb without any postponement charges. Please provide valid proof of your MySejahtera Covid health status to the climb provider. This includes a screenshot of your MySejahtera risk status and Covid test results. Then, inform your climb provider of your preferred new climb date. Kindly note that climb slots are subject to availability. There is no particular age limit for Mount Kinabalu climbers. As long as you are in good health status or you have seek approval from your doctor if you are on any medication. However, we suggest young children to be at least 10 year old due to the numerous steps and steep slopes. Similarly, elderly climbers need to be in good health and fitness level to attempt the climb. Although there is no physical health checks done upon registration in Kinabalu Park, it is recommended that all climbers should have themselves medically checked before attempting any mountain climb. If you are pregnant or have a history of suffering from the following ailments, it is highly recommended that you should refrain from climbing: Hypertension, Diabetes, Palpitation, Arthritis, Heart Disease, Severe Anemia, Peptic Ulcers, Epileptic Fits, Obesity Overweight , Chronic Asthma, Muscular Cramps, Hepatitis Jaundice ; or any other disease which may hamper the climber. You know your body best! Although Mt Kinabalu is an adventure destination, you do not need any special climbing skills or equipment. Anyone that is reasonably fit and healthy can attempt the climb with confidence. Remember to do regular exercises as this will give you an added edge in attempting a successful climb. If you are able to climb a flight of 12 storey staircase up and down few times in a day with not much difficulties, that shows you are ready! Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Syndrome AMS affects every individual differently and is regardless of fitness level. Most climbers will experience lightheadedness or a mild headache, while a small percentage of climbers will suffer from nausea or vomiting. The symptoms of AMS vary for different people but include dizziness, fatigue, confusion, difficulty walking, rattling breath and feeling extremely ill. If you experience any of these symptoms, avoid physical exertion and breathing too slow and too shallow. Most importantly is to keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water. Return to a lower elevation if you are suffering badly and the symptoms do not subside. Seek medical assistance from your guide and he will advise you where to move on from here. The main cause of altitude sickness is ascending in altitude too quickly which prevents the body from adapting to the decrease in oxygen at a specific altitude. Common preventive measures include staying the night before your climb at Kinabalu Park , Kundasang , or Poring Hot Springs in Ranau area around 1,m a. You may wish to take altitude sickness tablets, Acetazolamide Diamox as a prophylaxis. This drug has the effect of increasing acclimatization rates; improving periodic breathing; and helping climbers to recover from AMS more quickly. Please note that Diamox is a prescription drug and a doctor should be consulted about proper dosages. Alternatively, you may wish to purchase a portable oxygen inhaler bar. The main cause of these sicknesses is a lack of oxygen; breathing oxygen with the aid of the inhaler will slow their onset and may provide some temporary relief of symptoms. This is extremely useful to all climbers regardless of your fitness level. Yes, at least to Panalaban. Most of the hike up to the Panalaban is on a proper track with steps. Therefore, this should not be affected too much on rainy days; moreover there are several shelters along the 6 km track. Most of the time if the weather is bad and the summit is not officially announce closed by Sabah Park Authority, climbers can still continue to ascend if they sign an indemnity form on the spot as requested by the Park Rangers. Final decision still lies with the Sabah Park official should they decide to close the summit for safety reasons. Anyway based on average statistics, total closure of the summit climb happens about 10 — 15 times a year. No refund shall be made for such cases and MountKinabalu. Generally, you could still ascend to Panalaban and overnight with meals inclusive. You should immediately inform your mountain guide of your injury. Your guide will assess your condition and determine the necessary course of action. For serious injury, i. Hospital bills and registration fees will have to be borne by the guest. For minor injuries, you may either continue with the climb or hire a porter to carry you down the mountain with a fee ranging from MYR to MYR Per KM depending on your weight until Timpohon gate starting point. You are advised to purchase a separate personal travel insurance before going on the Mount Kinabalu trip for a better coverage. In-fact, Mt Kinabalu region is a no-fly zone. Even in many emergency cases that involve life threatening situation, helicopter services may not be engaged. Visibility can be near zero and helicopter may hit trees. Note: As the default claim value is limited and may takes up to 2 months to process. It is advisable for climbers to purchase separate travel insurance in your own country for a better coverage. This is the standard packing list and you can make changes according to your own needs and preferences. However, we recommend that your backpack weight to be between kg or less. Shoes are compulsory for climbing from Panalaban to the summit. Sandals, slippers and barefooted are NOT allowed and you will be denied ascent to the summit by Sabah Parks rangers or your mountain guides if you are not wearing shoes. As for the head torch, we strongly recommend you to have one for your own safety. There is a high chance that you will be denied ascent from Panalaban to the summit without a head torch. They will give out luggage claim tags and you will need to keep for claim after your climb. Anyway, the temperature inside the huts Approx. Sleeping bags are not required. Pendant Hut provides sleeping bags for Via Ferrata climbers. It is advisable to have at least 4 layers of clothing including windbreaker for summit ascend. Please confirm with porters on their day of services. Porters, unlike mountain guides, will carry your belongings and walk non-stop to Panalaban and wait for your arrival. Therefore, please do not ask them to carry items that are considered handy to you during your climb. The tip is to pack 2 separate bags; one is for the porter to carry straight to Panalaban, the other personal bag containing your necessities e. Most climbers actually need about 1. It may be less than you think you would need. This may due to the humidity and passing shower along the trek. Anyway, a ML drinking water will be provided in your packed lunch. The water stored in the tank is natural spring water. However, the untreated water may not be suitable for weak stomach. You can consider bringing your own water purification tablets or simply stick to your bottled water. The packed lunch may differ periodically but usually, it includes — sandwich, egg, local snack, fruit and a bottle of ml mineral water. Our standard vegetarian menu is mostly based on ovo-lacto vegetarians. It can be easily accommodated in most areas, options typically leave out the meat rather than adding vegetarian mainstays such as tofu, beans, or nuts. Vegetarianism is a concept our country is still learning to comprehend. Please note that unfortunately, MountKinabalu. Via Ferrata is not the same as rock climbing. Although they both occur in the same area and the same environment, via ferrata climbing is easier than rock climbing and do not require you to have any previous experience. Almost anyone. Climbers and non-climbers aged between 10 and 70 who are fit and healthy, not afraid of heights, and want to experience the mountain in a whole new way. Oh and by the way, you also have to be at least 1. Walk The Torq will be the best option for beginners. All Via Ferrata climbers are required to attend the mandatory pre-activity briefing and familiarization session. The sessions start between 3pm and 4pm. Late arrivals will not be considered eligible to participate in the activity the next morning. This is for your own safety, be it if you are a first time climber or an experienced mountaineer. Timpohon trail is the best choice. You and your group will be assigned a Via Ferrata trainer. The trainers are there to give you a full safety briefing and training on how to use the safety devices. They are also there to climb with you, provide tips on how to negotiate the more difficult obstacles, as well as highlight some of the spectacular sights along the way. Depending on the size of your group, you will have to be prepared to join other Via Ferrata climbers. On the day of your arrival, the trainers will meet you at Pendant Hut where you will undergo a mandatory briefing and familiarization session starting between 3pm and 4pm. Via Ferrata activities are carried out under a safe and controlled environment. With a proper system of routes, devices and an experienced trainer to guide you, Via Ferrata climbing allows anyone to experience the exciting challenge of this sport under the safest of conditions. Regular safety checks and maintenance are also conducted on the Via Ferrata equipment. So all you need to do is focus on enjoying yourself. Yes of course! But remember to keep your camera inside a backpack as you run the risk of dropping onto and injuring fellow climbers below. Your trainer will advise you on areas where it is safe and ideal for you to bring out your camera to take photos. We also suggest that your camera is fixed to a safety sling or cord at all times. It will be in dormitory style with individual sleeping bags provided. Please take note that all guests are required to wear a face mask at Pendant Hut. Guests must bring their own supply and wear them consistently, except when eating, drinking or sleeping. Day 1 buffet dinner in Laban Rata Resthouse. Day 2 lunch will be provided on descending arrival in Kinabalu Park. To ensure that you get a guaranteed space, we strongly encourage advanced bookings. You can make a booking for Via Ferrata activity by sending an enquiry to info mountkinabalu. We will endeavor to reply to your enquiry within 48 hours where possible. Mountain Torq will provide all technical safety equipment required for its activities. For more information, click HERE. Due to the earthquake that hit Sabah on 5 th June , Mount Kinabalu was closed until 31st August for restoration works. On 1st September , the Timpohon trail was opened but climbers could only ascend until Panalaban. As of 1st December , the summit trail climb resumes as usual. Yes, there may be slight tremors. However, Geologists has confirmed that the residual tremors are weak and can only be felt once every few weeks or months. Tectonic plates take up to few years to stabilize after an earthquake. The current weak tremors should not be strong enough to move the rocks. Furthermore, international mountaineering experts and geologists have studied the new trail routes to ensure that it does not fall within the perimeters of falling rocks, should there be any further movement detected around the area. Unfortunately, No. The Mesilau Trail is closed indefinitely due to the quake damages. No fixed date has been set for reopening of the Mesilau Trail. There is no age limit set for Mount Kinabalu climbers. However, the mountain guide ratio has been changed and new safety rules for children have been implemented as of 1st December If you are a group of 2 adults and 1 child 15 years old and below , you will require 2 mountain guides. If you are a group of 6 adults and 3 children 15 years old and below , you will require 4 mountain guides. Climbers can get to experience the new breathtaking scenic view of climbing Mount Kinabalu via Ferrata, first of its kind in Asia. Where is Mount Kinabalu? How high is Mount Kinabalu? When is the best time to climb Mount Kinabalu? What is the temperature at Mount Kinabalu? Does It Snow on Mount Kinabalu? Is it safe to climb Mount Kinabalu? What is Panalaban? Where is it located? Is Mount Kinabalu a volcano? How does MountKinabalu. Does MountKinabalu. How long does it take to climb Mount Kinabalu? Can I do a day hike up to Mount Kinabalu Summit? Can I climb Mount Kinabalu without reaching the summit? Can I turn back at any time before reaching Panalaban Basecamp? Can I turn back on the same day once I have reached Panalaban Basecamp? How many days should I spend on my Mount Kinabalu trip? Can I catch my flight on the same day I descend from Mount Kinabalu? Should I purchase a personal travel insurance plan? Should I book my mountain climb slot or flight ticket first? I did not receive any reply from MountKinabalu. Why is it so? How much does it cost to climb Mount Kinabalu? What is the deposit amount required to book a Mount Kinabalu climb and the payment terms like? Is it safe to book with MountKinabalu. Can I upgrade my stay or choose a different accommodation than the one included in the standard climb package? Can I climb Mt. Kinabalu without accommodation? Can I just book accommodation only? I do not wish to take up the full Mt Kinabalu climb package. Can I book my climb without transportation? What is the meaning of climb slot? The via ferrata climb package that comes with via ferrata climb permit. The non-ferrata climb package that comes with non-ferrata climb permit. What happens if my ideal climb package is fully booked on my preferred date? What personal particulars are required for climb permit application? Do I really need a climb permit to climb Mount Kinabalu? What is the maximum number of climbers allowed per day and why? I am a Sabahan. Can I get the Sabahan Package? Who qualify for Malaysian price? Can I climb Mount Kinabalu without a guide? I want to hire a mountain guide for Mount Kinabalu Climb. What is the latest guidelines for hiring? One mountain guide is allowed to take a maximum of five 5 climbers aged 16 years and above in the same group. Guide : Climbers 5 Adults 1 : 5 One mountain guide is allowed to take a maximum of three 3 climbers if there is a child aged below 16 years old in the same group. Guide : Climbers 2 Children 1 : 2 Refer to the different senarios here:. Do we have our own mountain guide? What is Your Group Size? Contact us now for big group discounts! Do I get a refund if I did not reach the summit during my climb? Do I get a refund if I am unable to proceed for the climb due to flight delay? Do I get a refund if I am unable to proceed for the climb due to personal or health reasons such as food poisoning? Do I get a refund if I am unable to proceed for the climb due to hospitalization? Do I get a refund if I am unable to proceed for the climb due to pregnancy? What is your cancellation policy? Can I change my climbing date? Any request for a climb date amendment will strictly only be accepted for the following reasons: Emergency Family Matters eg. Death, sudden sickness Personal Health problems Pregnancy Amendment requests that are due to the above-mentioned reasons require written notice by the climber along with supporting documents eg. How much will I be charged if I change my climbing date? Is Mount Kinabalu open to climbers now? I tested positive for Covid the day before my climb. Can I still climb? If you are tested positive one day before your climb, you must provide valid proof of your Covid health status to the climb provider. If you have tested positive for Covid one day before your climb, you are not allowed to climb following Sabah Parks' SOPs. You can reschedule to a later date after recovery from Covid 10 days from the date you tested positive for Covid is the earliest you can reschedule your climb. This is subject to climb slot availability. One of my group members tested positive for Covid the day before our climb and is not allowed to climb due to Sabah Parks' SOPs. However, our entire group wishes to postpone our climb to a different date to climb together. Is that allowed? Can I get a refund if I am not allowed to climb due to testing positive for Covid on the day before my climb? What is 'Covid Protect', and what does it cover? I am keen to book 'Covid Protect', but the rest of my climb party is not. I bought 'Covid Protect' and tested positive prior to my climb. How should I book my new climb date? Who can climb Mount Kinabalu? Any age limit? Are there any health restrictions for climbers? Do I need any special skills or equipment for the climb? How physically fit I should be to do the climb? How bad are the effects of high altitude? Keep the 3 golden rules in mind. Drink a lot to keep hydrated Acclimatize to altitude gradually and it is advisable to spend a night at highland areas before ascending Mount Kinabalu Avoid rapid ascents by trekking at a normal pace and resting at the shelters pondoks along the way if needed. It is advisable to rest longer for acclimatization at Layang Layang hut M a. Can I still climb Mount Kinabalu during bad weather? Do I get a refund if the summit or via ferrata activity is closed due to extreme bad weather? What should I do if I am injured during the climb? I notice there are helipads in Mount Kinabalu, can we hire helicopter services? What preparation or training do we need to climb Mount Kinabalu? What do I need to bring? Are trekking shoes and head torch compulsory? What is the temperature like? What is the cost of hiring a porter? Will the porters trek along with me? How much water should I bring? Is the food halal? What can I expect in the packed lunch? Can I have vegetarian menu? Are there prayer facilities available for Muslim guests? Yes, a prayer room surau is available at Panalaban Base Camp for Muslim guests. Your Safety is Always our Highest Priority. We are Committed to Responsible Tourism. Is Via Ferrata the same as rock climbing? Who can climb a Via Ferrata? Do I need any climbing experience? Absolutely not! If you can climb a ladder, you can climb Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata. Can I miss the pre-activity briefing conducted the day I arrive? Do I get a refund if I miss or skip the Via Ferrata activity? Timpohon for Via Ferrata climb package? Is there someone to guide me? Can I climb the Via Ferrata without a trainer? What is the maximum number of people who will be climbing the Via Ferrata with me? What time do I start my Via Ferrata activity? The start time is between am to am. Where do I meet my Via Ferrata trainer for the activities? What does the Via Ferrata activity package include? Free rental of all safety devices: harness, lanyard and helmet Via Ferrata familiarisation for all participants Guiding services of the Via Ferrata trainers. Are the activities safe? Can I bring my own camera? Where is the accommodation for Via Ferrata climbers? Where do we have our meals? I want to climb Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata. How do I book this activity? What shoes should I wear for the Via Ferrata activity? When will the Mount Kinabalu trail be fully opened? The Mount Kinabalu summit climb has reopened on 1st December Will there still be tremors when I am climbing the mountain? Will there be any falling rocks endangering my safety, should the slight tremor occur? Is the Mesilau Trail still accessible for climbers? Is the route to the summit still the same? Is there an age limit for climbers? Example 2: If you are a group of 6 adults and 3 children 15 years old and below , you will require 4 mountain guides. Is the Via Ferrata activity still available? All rights reserved.

Kota Kinabalu – Our Adventures in This Sabah City

Kota Kinabalu buying snow

My partner Lee and I are wanderers, nomads without a permanent home. We both work online, so we are free to slowly migrate around the world as we choose, living in foreign countries for weeks, even months at a time. We have no fixed schedule and no plans for the future… we simply drift to different locales whenever the inspiration strikes us. This means that we sometimes find a place that captures our interest for a while and we end up staying there for longer than we might have anticipated. During our slow peregrination across Southeast Asia, we found ourselves in Malaysia and on the island of Borneo and fell in love with it. We loved the laid back pace of life, the lush jungle landscapes, the brilliant sunshine, the sandy beaches and the cheap prices. Our pace of travel slowed right down, so that we could take the time to enjoy this beautiful part of the world. When we reached the city of Kota Kinabalu, capital of the Sabah region, ended up staying a lot longer than we might have anticipated. Kota Kinabalu offered cheap accommodation, plenty of places to eat and a lovely seaside location, everything we needed to settle in. We thought we might only stay for a few days, but we ended up staying for almost two weeks in this great city. For many travellers visiting Sabah, KK is a base for other expeditions throughout Borneo, such as hiking Mount Kinabalu and going on snorkelling trips in other nearby regions. We did our fair share of trekking in the wilderness during our travels in Borneo, but while we were in the lush and peaceful city of KK we took the time to enjoy the culture and cuisine. During our time in Kota Kinabalu we sampled the culinary offerings of the city, enjoyed the nightlife and even made a new group of friends! We felt right at home here, which is why we ended up staying for so long! We discovered Fook Yuen, which I would highly recommend. When we arrived there was a large table filled with a group of happy people talking loudly amongst themselves. We recognised a couple of other young travellers that we had seen while walking around Brunei. We said hello and were invited to join the group around the table, immediately accepted into their circle. We found out that this friendly and welcoming group were the KK Couchsurfing group on their weekly meet up. What is Couchsurfing? It is a global movement based on generosity and cultural exchange and it has more than one million members all over the world. The idea is that you can sleep for free on the couches, air mattresses or spare bedrooms of members, after you connect with them online and make a request. You can sign up for the website and create a profile, letting others know about your travel plans, your hobbies and other details about who you are. When you are heading to a destination, no matter if it is Kota Kinabalu or Cairo or London or Vancouver, you perform a search within the area and you will see a list of other members who have couches available. When you see someone who you think you might get along with, you can send them a request. They will be able to choose whether or not they want to host you and respond with directions to their home. During your visit you will be their guest and no money will be exchanged at all. Of course, usually surfers will bring a small gift of thanks, buy their hosts a few drinks or offer to do the dishes or help around the home. This is a beautiful travel phenomenon that really restores your faith in humanity and makes you realise just how wonderfully welcoming, generous and social people can be. We have been Couchsurfing all across Canada and we have really appreciated the hospitality that people have shown us. Perhaps the hosts are more settled in their lives and are not traveling at the moment, so hosting gives them a chance to bring the world to their own home. Also, Couchsurfing is more than just a place to stay — many Couchsurfing hosts in an area will form groups or plan social events for locals and guests to enjoy. This is what happens in Kota Kinabalu. The local Couchsurfing group meets up every week on a Friday and anyone is welcome to join. During the time that we were in KK, they would invite us on a number of get-togethers, meals and activities that really enhanced our stay. If you are staying in KK, why not look them up so that you can join one of their meet ups? One of my fondest memories of our time in Kota Kinabalu was when we were invited to a barbeque on the beach. The smell of delicious roasting meat was in the air, the sea breezes were blowing and people from all over the world were gathered together playing Frisbee, splashing in the waves and relaxing in the sunshine. The beach was a popular place for everyone on such a beautiful day and we were surrounded by a number of other local Malaysian families enjoying their weekend. I had a great time watching the spectacular pink, orange and red sunset over the ocean and realising just how bad I am at Frisbee. There are a number of great beaches around KK where you can relax during your visit, so why not pack your own picnic and grab your spot in the sand? Another fun attraction that we enjoyed while we were in Kota Kinabalu was wall climbing. We found out about it from another one of our Couchsurfing friends and we decided to give it a try. We went to the Sabah Indoor Climbing Centre , which is not actually indoors… it is just covered with a roof and mostly open to the air. This meant that we were climbing in the hot and humid Borneo atmosphere, which was quite a sweaty challenge! The Sabah Indoor Climbing Centre has a number of walls with different grades, from the easiest wall for the first time climber to the impossible-looking angled walls for the very advanced climbers. The walls are built according to the standards of the British Mountaineering Council, with UIAA standard ropes, climbing hardware and harnesses. This park also has a great skate park and several other facilities. The costs for climbing are only 16RM per adult and 14RM for children. There are some parts of the wall that curve over backwards in such ways that only Spiderman should be able to cling to them! I managed to tackle the beginner walls and a few of the more challenging novice walls as well. By the end of it, I was dripping in sweat and looking like an absolute mess! I also tried climbing the free-style wall, which is just a large shape with handholds and no ropes. It is very challenging to climb and I feel down onto the soft mats at the bottom many times! Although the professionals make it look easy, wall climbing is quite a challenging sport! You need to be able to support your own body weight with your arms and legs while clinging to the wall and you have to be quite flexible in order to reach the hand and foot holds. Make sure that you wear comfortable sports footwear such as trainers and you stretch and warm up beforehand. Wall climbing is difficult for sure, but the feeling that you get when you reach the top of the wall and look back down at everyone else is fantastic! Our hostel was located on Gaya Street in KK. When we woke up on Sunday morning, this is what we saw — an entire street filled with colourful tents. It was the Gaya Street Sunday Market — a wonderful array of food, souvenirs, clothing, jewellery and much more. The quiet Gaya Street is transformed into a busy marketplace teeming with people — where you can find anything for sale from an iPhone case to a barbequed meat skewer to a colourful sarong or a puppy or a kitten. The selection is impressive and you will find items that you might not see at other destinations. If you are looking to bring home some souvenirs or treat yourself to some new jewellery or clothing — why not go on a shopping spree? When they quote you a price, you can usually negotiate them down to a cheaper rate, especially if you are friendly and flash a charming smile. My advice would be to get to the market as early as possible in the morning, because once the hot Borneo sun begins blazing down it will start to become uncomfortably hot in the crowds. The stalls start setting up as early as am, so set your alarm clock in order to beat all of the other tourists! Kota Kinabalu is a wonderful place to be if you like seafood. Since KK is right next to the ocean, it offers supremely fresh and delicious seafood — cooked to perfection in a number of great restaurants. Many of the restaurants, such as Ocean Seafood Restaurant and Salut Seafood Restaurant, will have fish and crustaceans swimming in large tanks. Instead of ordering from the menu, you can just walk up to the tanks and point to the fish, crab, lobster or other sea creature that you would like to eat! It feels a little strange to point to a specific sea creature and request its demise so that you can have a nice meal, but this way you know that the seafood is as fresh as possible! It is best to go with a large group of people so that you can order a number of different dishes and share them together. This is a large open-air dining area with several different seafood stalls offering a range of different foods — similar to many dining food courts in Malaysia. We went with our Couchsurfing friends and had a great feast of fish, prawns, noodles, rice, chicken and much more. If you want to dine in a lively outdoor atmosphere and have the chance to try several different dishes, I would recommend it. On another night, we went to the Filipino Night Market, which is located on the waterfront in KK directly opposite the Le Meridian hotel. This vibrant market offers plenty of superb hawker stalls and sells almost anything you could dream of eating — including some of the best seafood I have ever tasted. Even if you are not sure whether you like seafood, you should give it a try. The seafood is such good quality here that you might just realise how much you like it! This is a great place to find bars, restaurants, cafes, karaoke restaurants and nightclubs. You will usually find bars and nightclubs with live bands performing every day, except on Mondays. It is lovely to get a drink and some food at one of these bars and then sit while watching the sunset over the ocean. Also, located next to the waterfront you will find the Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market. You will find everything from jewellery, pearls, crystals, home decorations and much more located in this lovely market. If you are looking to bring home souvenirs such as carved wooden statues, sarongs, batiks, floor mats and other crafts — this is the place to find them. We spent a lot of time in Kota Kinabalu just walking along the waterfront and enjoying the view of the water — as the scenic waterfront is one of the nicest places to walk within the city. However, the type of desserts that are eaten in Malaysia are very different than the cakes and ice cream that we are used to. Many of the desserts at ZenQ are based on ice and some sort of sweet jellies, fruit or even vegetables. I also tried sweet red bean soup, which is a cold and refreshing dessert made with red beans. If you like bubble tea, you will also like the array of drinks that are served at ZenQ. They serve both the clear and creamy variety of bubble tea in a range of flavours including winter melon, taro and plum, with the chewy and sweet tapioca pearls at the bottom of the glass. I love a drink that you can chew! If your sweet tooth is still craving a more western style of dessert, they also serve a gorgeous waffle that is topped with bananas, ice cream and a gooey drizzle of chocolate syrup — as well as other waffle options topped with peanut butter, strawberry, blueberry or other sweet treats. Our stay in Kota Kinabalu was mostly focused around food, drinks and sharing experiences with friends — and one of the most memorable experiences we had was when we tried Durian for the first time. What is Durian? It is a strange and spiky fruit that we had never seen before our trip to Southeast Asia. A durian is around the size of a football and it is covered in hard sharp spikes. The flesh inside is creamy and smooth and has a sweet taste with a bizarre layer of acidity and bitterness. I am always open to trying new foods when traveling and as a result, I have tasted plenty of exotic dishes. Usually I like most things, but the taste of durian was a little bit too overpowering for me. Many people like it for its complex sweet, sour and creamy taste — but I thought it tasted like someone had eaten lots of nice fruit and cream and then vomited it up. Trying durian is a must while you are in Southeast Asia and you never know, you might actually like the unique taste. With all of these elements making our stay more enjoyable, we ended up staying much longer than we intended to. Have you been to Kota Kinabalu? What experiences did you enjoy the most there? Let us know in the comments below. Wow, your durian experience sounds like a rollercoaster of smells and tastes! Your email address will not be published. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. A Barbeque on the Beach One of my fondest memories of our time in Kota Kinabalu was when we were invited to a barbeque on the beach. Reaching for the Top — Wall Climbing Another fun attraction that we enjoyed while we were in Kota Kinabalu was wall climbing. Photo via Wikimedia Commons It was the Gaya Street Sunday Market — a wonderful array of food, souvenirs, clothing, jewellery and much more. Seri Selera Foodcourt This is a large open-air dining area with several different seafood stalls offering a range of different foods — similar to many dining food courts in Malaysia. Kelly Dunning A Canadian freelance writer with a love of art, culture, literature and adventure, Kelly loves exploring foreign lands and expressing her experiences through the power of the written word. Related Articles. One Comment. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.

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