Trekking Challenge :  Mount Kinabalu Jungle to Mountain

📍 Transfer from Kota Kinabalu airport to Kota Kinabalu Hotel (9.1km): 20mins Cycling Distance up to: 12kms Difficulty: Very Easy

Arrival at Kinabalu Airport, meet the guide and transfer to Kinabalu City Hotel for check in.

Meet the guide at the hotel lobby at 17:30 for an easy casual sunset walk along the waterfront. Take in the city of Kota Kinabalu as the sun sets and the waterfront comes alive at night. Pass through a fresh fish market where the guide will point out the catch of the day. Move through the Filipino market before you take a seat for fresh Seafood Dinner. Continue to the lively waterfront strip for a sunset drink (at own expense) or return to the hotel.

Overnight Kota Kinabalu 
 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer from Kota Kinabalu to Tambatuon village (71 km): 2 hours

Depart Kota Kinabalu at 09:00 for the 2-hour drive to the Eco Village of Tambatuon located in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu in a beautiful valley by the Kedamaian River. Simple Accommodation in private rooms with communal toilets and showers. This is a traditional Dusun village which will allow you to take a glimpse into the life of the villagers. 

Stop on route in Tamparuli to visit the Wednesday morning market. Take a walk over Tamparuli Bridge, famous by it’s local song, to the market. The Wednesday Market is held to encourage the rural areas to join together to sell local supplies, fruits, vegetables, traditional medicines. Take a stroll area, watch the locals mingle and try its unique delicacies. 

Settle into the accommodation by the banks of the river in a longhouse equipped with Dorm rooms and few private rooms, a common area and spacious verandah facing the mountain. Wander through the quaint village before lunch. 

The Afternoon brings a mixture of activities. Walk over hanging bridges, practice rubber tapping, bathe in the river and an optional short walk to a nearby viewpoint.

Enjoy an evening communal dinner cooked by local Dusun family.

Please note: You will be required to carry your luggage for the upcoming 3 days trekking in the Jungle. Main Luggage for Mount Kinabalu will be transported to Kinabalu Park. 

Overnight in Tambatuon Village
(Accommodation at Tambatuon Village is in Dorms with Shared Bathrooms. Double rooms are limited and are on request. Accommodation is very basic)
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Trek from Tambatuon Village to Lobong Lobong: up to 6 hours Difficulty: Medium

Early breakfast at Tambatuon Village before saying goodbye to the local villagers for the first day of trekking.  Depart the village around 09:00 for the 6-hour trek to Tanak Nabalu Homestay situated in Lobong Lobong Village at the base of Mount Kinabalu. Today’s trek will take you through the valley between the two villages. Trekking through Rice Paddies, farmland and some jungle trails to the backdrop of Mount Kinabalu. 

Stop for a packed lunch on route. 

Reach Lobong Lobong Village late afternoon to a warm welcome from the villages. Settle into the designated families’ homestay (twin rooms with communal toilet and showers). Light snacks served by family.

Dinner will be served before meeting in the communal hall for evening entertainment of local music, dancing and cultural show. 

Overnight Lobong Lobong. 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Activity Distance: Trek up to 4-5 hours (5km) Difficulty: Medium/Hard

Early Breakfast at the homestay before a Trail Safety Briefing to the backdrop of mighty Kinabalu. Todays trail will take you deeper into the Jungle towards Mount Kinabalu covering four peaks where the views of the mountain give a glimpse of the mountain climb ahead. 
Say goodbye to the villagers and depart with a short trek through the village and plantations before the climb into the jungle for 5 – 6 hours of trekking to Tanak Nabalu Jungle Camp. 
Trek up and over 4 ridges to the backdrop of Mount Kinabalu. At times the trail will be steep and slippery with the aid of rope. Stop for snacks on route before arriving at the base camp. 
Please note: There will be 2 river crossings to get to camp. Shoes with toe coverings must be worn when crossing the rivers.
Lunch at the base camp before an afternoon of survival skills. Learn local fishing techniques and set traps before dinner.
Overnight at Jungle Camp 
(Please note: the jungle Camp is a basic shelter, sleeping on simple mats on the floor on a raised platform. Mosquito nets will be provided. Sleeping Bags are not provided)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Trek from Lobong Lobong Village to Guas Nabalu: up to 5 hours Difficulty: Medium Transfer from Guas Nabalu to Kinabalu Park (20 km)30 minutes

Breakfast at the jungle camp. Set off on a steep jungle trail in search for Refflesia and Herbs before trekking 3-4 hours back to Tanak Nabalu Homestay for late lunch. Lunch back in Lobong Lobong Village before departing for Kinabalu Park.
Say goodbye to the Village. Pick up by the air-conditioned vehicle to drive the 30 minutes mountain road to Kinabalu Park. Settle into the accommodation in Kinabalu Park before an evening meal at Liwagu Restaurant. 
Overnight Kinabalu Lodge – ROH (ROH is for Hill Lodge, Liwagu Suite and Nepenthes Lodge) 
NB: Porters are available from the National Park Headquarters and to be arranged directly via Cash payment MYR13 / 1kg. A Walking stick can be of great benefit to you for the climb (particularly on descent) and can be rented locally for MYR10 per stick.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Hiking to Laban Rata: 5-6 hours Difficulty: Medium

Arise early for breakfast (recommended at 07:00) and walk down to the National Park Headquarters to meet the Mountain Guide who will assist with the registration for the climb, Sabah Parks allocate an experienced National Park Trekking Guide (NB: Ratio of 2 children (under 16yrs) to a National Park Guide. EG: 2AD & 2CH will require 2 Local Guides).
Transport to Timpohon Gate is by shuttle (Gate closes to climbers at 10.00). It is recommended that you aim to commence the climb no later than 0800. Best approach to this climb, is to take it slow and steady and break periodically at the rest stops – not just to rest but to engage with the stunning scenery that surrounds you and changes as you move closer to the overnight resthouse of Laban Rata, at 3,270m.
A packed Lunch is provided for the Climb.
Dinner will be a simple Buffet at Laban Rata Guesthouse
Overnight Laban Rata Guesthouse.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Hiking to the Mt Kinabalu summit: approx. 3-4 hour Difficulty: Medium Descending to Timpohon Gate: approx..4 hours Transfer from Kinabalu Park to Kota Kinabalu City: (85KM) 1.5 hours

01:30 Wake up and have an early morning breakfast. Dress warm, day packs ready for the long but exciting day ahead. 

Head torches ready and start hiking by 02:30 to the summit by torchlight with the aim to catch the sunrise on Low’s Peak at 05:45. The trail this morning takes up to 3 hours. Climbing 800m on subalpine terrain be challenged by several steps and a final leg to the summit with assistance from a rope. 
Watch the day dawn from the peak (4,050m) before descending to Laban Rata for breakfast. (Sunrise is between 06:00 – 06:30)
Slowly descend the mountain, perhaps taking a Ginger Tea at Laban Rata to celebrate your achievement (own account). Return to Timpohon Gate for your shuttle transfer to National Park Headquarters where you take a simple local lunch at Balsam Café.

Meet the Driver and return to your Kota Kinabalu Hotel.

Dinner at a local restaurant.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

Check-out of the hotel and be transferred to the airport for an onward flight.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast