Malaysia forum

There is a trail that goes up the mountain. My brother and his family did it about 2 years ago.

You can find out more here.


http://www.climbmtkinabalu.com/

You need a park permit to climb Mt. Kinabalu which can be organized through the National Park or a travel agency. It's advisable to arrange this in advance because if your climb date falls on a Malaysian or Singaporean public holiday (when there will be many climbers) the accommodations on the mountain may be full. It'll be somewhat cheaper if you can join a group and share the guide fee and transport costs, but the park permit and accommodations on the mountain are the main expenses.

As mentioned above, http://www.climbmtkinabalu.com/ is a great resource.

Also, I'm really trying to talk myself into thinking I can do this climb but I don't know. I'm in good health and am fit but when I tried to climb Merapi on Java last year, my knees did not react well on the descent. And that was only maybe a three hour descent. Looks like Kinabalu is a 12 hour decent. I feel like it would be a waste to visit Borneo and NOT climb it but I'm limited by my stupid knees

This is what I found in wikitravel. Read the April update.

Formerly administered by Sabah Parks all accommodations in the park must now be arranged through Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, a private company, [2] Tel: +60-88-303917 Fax: +60-88-317540 info@suterasanctuarylodges.com). Note: Be advised that Sutera (a.k.a. Sutera Harbour) is requiring hikers stay the first night at their lodge near the entrance. This is in addition to a required stay at Laban Rata at about 11,000 ft. The cost to stay is considerably higher than at lodging just outside the park, and includes a mandatory purchase of meals etc.
• Kinabalu Park, ☎ +60 88 889086, [3]. At the starting point of the trail to Mt. Kinabalu. Accommodation ranges from hostels to individual rooms (for up to two people) to entire cabins and lodges (for larger groups). All have access to simple kitchen facilities. RM70 for dorm beds, RM92-RM184 for suites, RM230-RM1,150 for entire lodges. edit
• Laban Rata, ☎ +60 88 267289, [4]. Laban Rata is the accommodation near the peak of Mt. Kinabalu where you'll stay when climbing Mt Kinabalu. Laban Rata Rest House is the main facility, featuring heated accommodation and the only restaurant. The compound also consists of several smaller accommodation units available, most with cooking facilities. Apart from Laban Rata Rest House, the only other heated unit is Gunting Lagadan Hut. The other is a Waras Hut which is non-heated dorm. All huts are close to the main resthouse, but even a 50m trek uphill in bad weather can seem like an eternity. Fills up very quickly so advance reservations (3-4 months ahead) are strongly encouraged. The link here does not list the dormitories, so call up and enquire personally. edit
UPDATE APRIL 2011: All huts and Laban Rata now cost 415RM for a 60 bed dorm. Since 2009, there has been a problem with the electricity, leaving all rooms unheated and with cold water. A small generator does provide some lighting. There doesn't seem to be any plans on fixing this in the near future. (If they do fix it, a dorm bed at Laban Rata will cost 475RM.)