Overview

Mount Kinabalu, located in the state of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, is the highest mountain in southeast Asia (i.e. outside of the Himalayas).

It is famous among botanists for its high biodiversity and peculiar endemic plant communities.

The mountain is located with the 750 square km Kinabalu Park, and is generally climbed over a two day period. Its highest point is named Low's Peak, some 13,454 feet above sea level.

The first day involves 6 to 7 hours of very steep uphill hiking, and an overnight at the Laban Rata rest house located at 10,700 feet.

The summit is reached the following morning, after a jarring 2:30AM wakeup, and requires another 3 to 4 hours climbing over barren rock slopes with lanterns.

The first light of the day can be seen on reaching Low's peak, named after Sir High Low, a botanist and first foreigner to climb Mount Kinabalu. Much of eastern Sabah is visible from the top, stretching out to the South China Sea beyond.

	Climb start point in Kinabalu Park.		Steep uphill trail.
	Rest huts along the summit trail.		Atop Low's Peak, 13,454 feet above sea level.

For additional information, try InfoSabah.

Home             Lowland forest     Cloud forest      Upper slopes and summit