Thursday, June 4, 2009

MOUNT KINABALU: Summit of Borneo




Mount kinabalu, Sabah

the Kinabalu Park is famous the world over for the highest mount in South-East Asia-Mt.Kinabalu, a vast jagged granite massif rising to 4,101m, (13,455 feet). The mountain is the focal point of the whole park which covers an area of 754 sq km (291 sq miles), and includes vegetation types ranging from the rich Lowland Dipterocarp zone through the Montane Oak, rhododendron and conifer forests to the alpine Meadow plants and stunted bushes of the Summit zone an area that probably has one of the richest flora in the World.

Mount Kinabalu Headquaters

The headquaters is situated on the Southern boundary, at an elevation of 1,524m (5000 ft), visitor accommodation, restaurants and exhibit centre are found here as well as the park office. It is only a 2 hour drive from Sabah’s capital of Kota Kinabalu on a well sealed road and the Park is an ideal spot for day visitors who simply want to get away from it all and enjoy the cool air,as well as those who wish to stay for a few days and climb the Mountain or explore the forest trails.

Climb Mount Kinabalu-A truly Rewarding Experience

Many people who visit the park come to climb the mountain, a tough walk that take a minimum of two days. But why not take your time over it! The climb can be made far more rewarding and enjoyable of you use three days, with two night at a mountain hut. This way you can take the time to look at what you pass-the birds, the mammals and the rocks, the views and the almost incredibly rich diversity of plants life belonging to one of the most ancient vegetation in the World.


MT KINABALU PACKAGE ITINERARY
DAY 01 : HOTEL PICK-UP TO KINABALU PARK (LUNCH / DINNER)
Meeting & pick-up from City Hotel, transfer to Mount Kinabalu. Overnight at the Mount Kinabalu lodge.

DAY 02 : LABAN RATA GUESTHOUSE (BREAKFAST / BOX LUNCH / DINNER)
0700hrs Breakfast
0800hrs Transfer to Kinabalu Park, located at an altitude of above 5000 feet above sea level and the temperature is very cooling. Register with park Officer for climbing permit, mt guide, insurance and climbing identity pass. Collect box lunch at Balsam Café. Depart for Power Station (Timpohon Gate)

0900hrs Arrive at Power Station (Starting point of the summit trail). Trekking will start at an altitude of approximately 7000 feet at Timpohon Gate where you will be trekking for 6 kilometres to reach Laban Rata Guesthouse (11,000 feet sea level). On the way pass various vegetation zones with reach wealth pitcher plants, birds and other wildlife.
**Depending on the individual fitness of the climbers, trekking will take between 4-6 hours.

1500hrs ETA check-in at Laban rata Guesthouse / Gunting Lagadan (whichever available). Free at leisure

1900hrs Buffet dinner at Laban Rata Café and have an early sleep as next day adventure will start at wee hours in the morning.




DAY 03 : SUMMIT MOUNT KINABALU (BREAKFAST / LUNCH )
0130hrs wake-up.
0200hrs Have a cup of warm drinks before start of your adventure up to the highest peak.
0230hrs Commence summit trail with torch light which approximately 2.5 km.
**Depending on the individual fitness of the climbers, trekkers will be take between 3-4 hours.
0530hrs ETA at summit called Low’s Peak, named after first explorer who tried conquering the mountain in the 19th century . You are actually on top of the highest peak (approximately 13,432 feet above sea level) in South East Asia (from Papua New Guinea to Myanmar). Normally depending on weather condition, you will see magnificent sunrise when you reach the Peak.
**The temperature here is below 5 degrees Celsius.
0700hrs Descend to Laban Rata GuestHouse then continue to Timpohon Gate
1400hrs ETA at Timpohon Gate and transfer to Kinabalu Headquarter’s (lunch at Balsam café)
1530hrs Transfer to Kota Kinabalu (Hotel or Airport) Tour ends.

TOUR INCLUDE:
Land Transfer return trip, accommodation 1 night at kinabalu park lodge, accommodation 1 night at laban rata, mountain permit, mountain guide, insurance, lunch x 3, dinner x 2 , breakfast x 2 and entrance fees.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR CLIMBERS:

**CLIMBERS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO DO TRAINING BEFORE ATTEMTING THE CLIMB
** REMMEMBER TO BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
Ø Good trekking shoes
Ø Warm clothing
Ø Hat
Ø Extra socks
Ø Toiloitries
Ø Sufficient drink water
Ø Raincoat
Ø Windbreaker
Ø Gloves
Ø Headlamp
Ø Towel
Ø Other items for personal use
** Above Itinerary and timings serve as a guideline only

If you are climbing to the summit-a word of warning-Mountain should be treated with respect and climb mt kinabalu at your own risk, The weather can change very quickly from brilliant sunshine, to mist and clouds, to a torrential down-pour. The nights at Laban Rata GuestHouse and Gunting Lagadan are cold and temperatures can drop to below freezing. Ensure you bring enough warm clothes with you pack them in plastic bags to keep dry. Park regulations require that all climbers to the summit are accompanied by a registered guide.

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