FAQ
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Will it be too late to book 2 months in advance?
Most probably. As Mount Kinabalu climbing packages are usually selling like “hot cakes” it is advisable for you to book the accommodations at Mount Kinabalu at least 3 months in advance.
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Are the package prices listed on the website now valid for Mar 2008?
Yes, until Sutera Sanctuary Lodges announce any revision.
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So should I book the permit in advance?
No need. You just need to book a place to stay in Kinabalu Park HQ and Laban Rata.
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I’m planning for a trip to Mt Kinabalu in May 2008. But I heard south west monsoon would comes in May - July. Would it be dangerous to go at that time then? Or would you advice another time instead?
It is difficult to predict the weather and how bad it will effect the climb. Yes, May-July is the monsoon season. Try to get other time of climb if you are worried about the wet climb.
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How do we get from Kuching to start?
The easiest way is to take a flight from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu.
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Is there any alternative for us if we don’t wanna join the climbing package offered? For instance, meals to be excluded?
Currently no, as Sutera Sanctuary Lodges has packaged the climbing trip that includes meals. They use to have it before, but because of unknown reason, Sutera Sanctuary Lodges have changed their policy.
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I want to take the longer trail and take time to enjoy the view. But I heard that it can be very hard. Is it true?
Yes, you are correct. If this is the first time you climb Mount Kinabalu, I suggest that you go via The Summit Trail (the shorter route). You still can enjoy the view. Mesilau Trail (the longer route) is suggested if you have experienced The Summit Trail. It is a bit hard if you are not fit.
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I heard that if you can get a permit, then you can get an accommodation already, is that true?
Yes, but it is the other way round. You will get your climbing permit from Sabah Park Authorities, the government body who manage the park, ONLY after you get the place to stay from Sutera Sanctuary Lodge. You are NOT allowed to camp at Laban Rata.
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For the guide: Do I need to hire one in Kota Kinabalu or when I arrive at the mountain?
Do not worry. You will be given a guide at Kinabalu Park HQ, the morning before the climb.
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Would you know if there is direct transport from Kota Kinabalu airport to Kinabalu park? If so, how much is it?
Yes, there are direct transport from Kota Kinabalu airport to Kinabalu Park, mostly chartered taxi. There are also few car-hire company in the airport, where you could hire your own transport.
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Is it best to book myself on the internet or try and find a tour operator that will take me as part of their group?
If you travel alone, it may be wise to book yourself a place to stay from Sutera Sanctuary Lodge in the internet. It would be a bit difficult to find a tour operator who will take you as a part of another group from the internet. But, it is worth a try.
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Someone also suggested to me that I turn up at the park and tag along with another group.
Yes, PROVIDED that you have book your place to stay in Laban Rata for your climb. If you go WITHOUT booking your place first, I am afraid there will be no more places for you to stay and you will not allowed to climb. By tagging along with other group, you can actually save money from the guide. The more people in the group you have, the less money you pay. They will allocate 1 guide per group, (1 group=8 person, max). So, you can actually join with other group who have less than 8 people in them.
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Do people generally climb in large groups or is it just two people and a guide?
You will actually climb the mountain at our own pace, and usually the guide will follow the slowest climber of the group. It is fun to climb in large group, but it will be a bit slow as to catch up with all the members. So, for your question, I would say: it varies among the climbers. However, if you are a couple and like some privacy, two people and a guide is better, like when I climbed Mt K few years back, there was a couple from Germany, they both aged 65+. So they both climbed with only 1 guide, very slowly. You obviously don’t want to join their group!
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Can I book 6 months in advance for any of the packages? Let say if I book for June 2008, will the price still the same as now?
At the moment we wrote the price, it will be valid up until Sutera Sanctuary Lodges (SSL) revised their price. It is because SSL is the only accommodation provider for climbers of Kinabalu. We will make an announcement and inform climbers about any changes on the price from time to time.
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Is there any other way to just book a lodge near Kinabalu HQ and at the Laban Rata via internet so we don’t need to get a package?
There was, before. But starting from 2008 onwards, Sutera Sanctuary Lodges has made a new rule, in which you have to take the package to climb.
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Can we book a place at SSL but not to climb but just to experience the stay and visit the park? Otherwise is there a nearby lodging/hotel that accommodate our request. Where can we refer for pricing?
Thanks.
Yes, you can. There are a lot of chalets and hostel around Kinabalu Park, that’s managed by SSL. You can stay there for holiday, and don’t need to climb if you don’t want to. There are also nearby lodges and hostels, but it is difficult to contact them because they don’t have online services. Pricing can be acquired from SSL.
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Is there bedding at the lodge? Or do we need to carry our own sleeping bags?
Yes, there are bunk beds at the lodge. You don’t have to carry your own sleeping bag.
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One of our climbers has poor night eyesight and would rather climb at first light, do we have to climb at 2am?
Yes, they have scheduled the climb to start at 2am to see the sunrise from the peak. If you need to start at other time, you may have to discuss with the Sabah Park Renjers.
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May I check what’s the difference between the 2 gates you’ve mentioned in your package. The Timpohon Gate & Mesilau Gate ?
Timpohon and Mesilau are 2 different starting point for Mount Kinabalu climbers from the foot of the mountain. Mesilau Trail is 1.5km longer than Timpohon Trail, and the trails will merge into one single trail just after Layang-Layang Hut.
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Are there baggage storage facilities at the Park?
Yes, there are. However, you need to pay some fee for the services.
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How long it takes to start climbing from Timpohon Gate to Laban Rata Hut? I understand that is about 6km walking distance but how long it takes? 6 hours?
It depends on the climber’s fitness. If you are fit, you may arrive in 3-4 hours. But if you are not, then it would be around 5-6 hours.
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Can you climb Mt. Kinabalu up and down the same day?
You can, but you need to get an approval from the Sabah Park Renjers yourself, and it is not that easy. I have blogged about it here:
http://mount-kinabalu-borneo.com/blog/climbing-mount-kinabalu-in-one-day.html -
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If my flight arrive KK airport at about 6:30pm, can I go straight to Kinabalu Park HQ in the evening for check-in and registration? And then climbe right next morning. Thank you.
Yes, you can. But you need to inform the your accommodation provider that you will arrive late evening.
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What kind of permit do you need to climb Mt. Kinabalu and how do I get it?
It is a climbing permit, in which will be allocated to you the day you start your climb on Kinabalu.