Taman Negara Kinabalu Favorites

Favorite thing: As told by my climbing guide, the best time to climb Mt Kinabalu is March and April. The rainy season falls from August until early October. (I went there at the end of October and it is still raining!) However, weather in the mountain is unpredictable. So, it really depends on your luck.

If you would like to see wild orchid, go there in December.

Favorite thing: Yes, everyone who reaches the summit and check-in at Sayat-sayat Check Point is entitle to buy this certificate. Ths coloured certificate costs RM10 and it is a proof that you have made it to the top. The guard at Sayat-sayat checkpoint will ask you if you would like to purchase it on the way down from the summit. When you arrive at the park headquarters, it is ready for your pick-up.

Fondest memory: From the beginning to the top!!

Favorite thing: Kinabalu Park doesn't officially have entrance fees. Instead they will ask you to pay a Conservation Fee, basically the same, but at least you know where the money is used for.

- Non-Malaysian tourists, older then 18 years, pay 15 RM conservation fee
- Malaysian tourists, older then 18 years, pay only 3 RM conservation fee

Like many other attractions in Malaysia there is a big difference between the local and the foreign rates. Kinabalu Park is not the only one with such a pricing.

Favorite thing: These porters are super strong & efficient even at such terrain. You can hire them with very reasonable charges & it cost RM6.6/KG load for return trip.

Some of these porters move so fast that they pass me & gone disappear at next turn before I manage to pull me camera out of my pocket.

Note: My climb was made in 2004, the rate per kg to hire the porter may be increase by a little (judging by the inflation for past 2 years), but it should not be too far off.

Favorite thing: These boards serve as milestone & it keep you motivated to go even faster & further.

Well, if you read this tip prior to your climb, you will probably dishearten if you struggler to climb the first 6km until you arrive at Laban Rata.

The good news is everyone with considerable fit will be able to make it to the top so long you keep yourself warm and not catching cold before the next morning climb.

Favorite thing: This is probably one of the best backpacks that able to withstand up to 40kg of load daily for long usage too. Some of these porters just carry this sack & make a living out of it.

This gunny sack is use for storing & carrying load that are shapeless & without proper handlers. Normally each porter will consolidate all the shapeless packages from his customers after the weighing and if you pass them your backpacks, they will hang in front of them. Unless your bag is small, then they will likely to put it inside this make shift backpack.

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Favorite thing: There are 4 certificates that you can buy from the Kinabalu Park after you've climbed the Mt Kinabalu:
1) A colored certificate certifying that you've reached the peak. (RM10)
2) A colored certificate certifying that you've reached the peak via the Mesilau trail (RM2)
3) A colored certificate certifying that you've visited the Park. (RM5)
4) A non-colored certificate if you're not able to reach the Peak

Of course for (1) and (2), you will need to reach the peak in order to get it, else you can only get (4).
(3) is for anybody who has visited the Kinabalu Park.

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Favorite thing: Which trail to pick when hiking up to Laban Rata? If you're a first timer, ppl fr the Kinabalu Park will probably tell you that first timer should go to the Timpohon trail. However, I would recommend Mesilau trail. Though it is 1.7km longer, but it's worth the time coz the scenery is much more better than Timpohon. And Timpohon trails are mostly stairs all the way up. But Mesilau, you'll get to go down sometimes.
If you're not physically weak, and occasionally exercise, then I think being a first timer, it's no problem to go on the Mesilau trail. It's worth it.