National park · Malaysia
Mount KinabaluGunung Kinabalu
Climb only with a permit and a bed booked at Laban Rata: 2 days, summit push 02:00–03:00, RM100 permit plus RM85–120 guide. No booking, no climb — for a day visit the park trails are worth a half-day from Kota Kinabalu; entry fee check at the gate.Climb only with a permit and a bed booked at Laban Rata: 2 days, summit push 2:00 AM–3:00 AM, RM100 permit plus RM85–120 guide. No booking, no climb — for a day visit the park trails are worth a half-day from Kota Kinabalu; entry fee check at the gate.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
754 km²291 sq mi
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
Mar–Apr
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
- Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
- Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
At a glance
- Country
- Malaysia
- Area
- 754 km²291 sq mi
- Kinabalu Park covers about 754 km²; the mountain sits inside it (check).
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- Mar–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kota Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia and on Borneo, a granite massif inside Kinabalu Park in Sabah, about 80–100 km east of Kota Kinabalu. Low's Peak stands at 4,095 m. The standard route is a trek and scramble, not technical climbing, but since the 2015 earthquake every summit attempt must be escorted by a licensed local guide, and the summit-and-down-in-one-day option is gone. Most climbers take two days with a night at Laban Rata (3,273 m) and start the final push around 02:00–03:00 for sunrise. The park itself — botanical garden, short jungle trails, viewpoints — is a separate, cheaper visit and needs no permit.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2000Kinabalu Park, listed for its flora and geology.
Size and age
754 km²291 sq mi · national park since 1964
Kinabalu Park covers about 754 km²; the mountain sits inside it (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kota Kinabalu.
Why go
- The highest summit between the Himalayas and New Guinea, reached on foot without technical climbing gear.
- Altitude zones change fast: lowland rainforest, oak and rhododendron forest, then bare granite above the tree line.
- Pitcher plants, orchids and montane birds along the trails, some found only on this mountain.
- The park below the summit is a cool, cheap half-day out from Kota Kinabalu, no permit needed.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWet; summit often clouded
- FebDrier spells; cold nights
- MarClear mornings becoming common
- AprOften the driest, clearest window
- MayWarm, some afternoon storms
- JunGood; busier with school holidays
- JulDry-ish; book far ahead
- AugSimilar to July; peak demand
- SepRain returns late in the month
- OctWetter; slippery granite
- NovRainy season; summit closures possible
- DecWettest stretch; cold, windy summit
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montane birds and squirrels on the lower trailMar–Sep · Best in the early morning before the mist. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Pitcher plants (Nepenthes) and orchidsAll year · Flowering varies; the garden at HQ is the reliable place to see them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Leeches on wet forest trailsOct–Jan · Long trousers and closed shoes help. | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Mist and rain on the summit plateauOct–Feb · Visibility can drop to a few metres; guides turn groups back. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Kota Kinabalu
Minivan from the long-distance station near the night market to Park HQ; leaves when full.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Kota Kinabalu North Bus Terminal (Inanam)
Buses toward Ranau, Sandakan or Tawau stop at the park entrance.
1–2 h
Open the page →
From Kota Kinabalu by car
Self-drive on the Ranau road, just under 100 km; little signage, so note the towns en route.Self-drive on the Ranau road, just under 62 mi; little signage, so note the towns en route.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Sandakan
Long-distance bus along the Ranau road, getting off at the park entrance.
under 5 h
From Kundasang
Local transport or taxi on the same road; the market town is about 6 km from the gate.Local transport or taxi on the same road; the market town is about 3.7 mi from the gate.
15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park HQ and botanical garden | Entrance, museum, gardens, restaurant and the start of the short trails. | Open with a day ticket. |
| Timpohon trail | The standard summit route from Timpohon Gate, 8.7 km to Low's Peak with rest shelters about every kilometre.The standard summit route from Timpohon Gate, 5.4 mi to Low's Peak with rest shelters about every kilometre. | Permit and guide only. |
| Mesilau side | An alternative, longer and less steep approach that joins the main trail two-thirds of the way up. | Permit and guide only; check whether it is open. |
| Laban Rata | The 3,273 m resthouse where climbers sleep and eat before the summit push. | Booked climbers only. |
| Summit plateau | Bare granite above the tree line, roped in places, with Low's Peak at 4,095 m. | Guided, early morning, weather permitting. |
Sketch map
- 1Kota Kinabalu · Town≈5.980, 116.073Map ↗
- 2Kinabalu Park HQ · Headquarters≈6.009, 116.541Map ↗
- 3Timpohon Gate · Gate≈6.031, 116.556Map ↗
- 4Laban Rata · Sleep≈6.058, 116.565Map ↗
- 5Low's Peak · Summit≈6.075, 116.558Map ↗
- 6Mesilau Nature Resort · Ranger station≈6.044, 116.596Map ↗
- 7Kundasang · Town≈5.990, 116.580Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climbing permit (non-Malaysian adult) | MYR 100 | person | 2026 estimate; issued with a climb booking that includes Laban Rata accommodation. |
| Climbing permit (non-Malaysian child) | MYR 40 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Climbing permit (Malaysian adult) | MYR 30 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Mountain guide | MYR 85–120 | group | Per trip, split by group size; one guide carries up to six climbers. 2026 estimate. |
| Park entry (day visit, non-Malaysian) | MYR 15–30 | person | 2026 estimate; separate from the climbing permit. Confirm the current rate at the gate. |
| Botanical Garden | MYR 5 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Shuttle, park gate to Timpohon Gate | MYR 5 | person | Each way; walking the tarred road instead adds about 5 km. 2026 estimate. |
| Laban Rata bed and meals | MYR 400–900 | person | Package with mandatory meals; varies by room type and operator. 2026 estimate; confirm the current rate with the operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Climbing permit permit or guide
Licensed mountain guide permit or guide
Laban Rata accommodation permit or guide
Climb insurance permit or guide
Park entry only no permit
Park rules
- Guide escort
- Every climber going above Timpohon Gate must be accompanied by a licensed guide, up and back.
- No one-day summit
- Since the 2015 earthquake, summit and descent in a single day is not permitted; one night at Laban Rata is required.
- Camping
- Not allowed on the mountain; the only overnight option is the accommodation at Laban Rata.
- Rubbish
- Carry out everything you bring; porters are not there to remove your litter.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from Sabah Parks.
- Sacred summit
- The peak is sacred to local communities; follow your guide's instructions and keep noise down.
Where to stay
In the park
Laban Rata resthouse
Beds and mandatory meals at 3,273 m; booked as part of the climb package.
In the park
Park HQ lodges and hostel
Rooms and dorm beds at the trailhead, run by a private operator; often required for the night before the climb.
Near the park
Kundasang and the main road
Guesthouses, lodges and homestays 6–10 km from the gate, usually cheaper than inside the park.Guesthouses, lodges and homestays 3.7–6.2 mi from the gate, usually cheaper than inside the park.
Near the park
Kota Kinabalu
Full range of hotels 1.5–2.5 hours away; workable for a day visit, not for a 02:00 summit start.Full range of hotels 1.5–2.5 hours away; workable for a day visit, not for a 2:00 AM summit start.
Safety
Altitude sickness above 3,000 m medium
Wet, slippery granite near the summit high
Cold and wind on the plateau medium
Sore legs and knees on the descent medium
Getting separated in mist medium
Accessibility
- The HQ area, museum and botanical garden are reachable by vehicle with short paved walks.
- The short trails and the summit route include stairs, narrow sections and rough rock; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Climbers with medical conditions should discuss the altitude with a doctor before booking.
Visiting lightly
- Book through operators that use licensed Sabah Parks guides and pay porters fairly.
- Carry out all rubbish, including food wrappers and used plasters.
- Stay on the marked trail; the summit flora is slow-growing and easily damaged.
- Do not buy plants, insects or animals as souvenirs from roadside stalls.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Kinabalu?
Entering Kinabalu Park for the day costs roughly RM15–30 per non-Malaysian visitor (2026 estimate). Climbing the mountain is separate and much more expensive: a non-Malaysian adult climbing permit is about RM100, a guide RM85–120 per trip split across the group, plus a pre-booked Laban Rata bed and meals, often RM400–900 per person. You cannot buy a climbing permit at the gate on the day.
What are the best hikes in Mount Kinabalu?
The two-day Timpohon trail to Low's Peak is the main climb, with a night at Laban Rata. The Mesilau route is longer and less steep and joins the main trail higher up. If you are not climbing, the botanical garden loop and the short signed jungle trails around Park HQ are the easy options, and the via ferrata adds a bolted route on the summit plateau for those already on the mountain.
When is the best time to visit Mount Kinabalu?
March to April and June to September are the driest, clearest months for a summit attempt. November to January is the wettest stretch, when the plateau is often clouded and cold. Whatever the month, summit weather is decided on the morning, and guides turn groups back when it is unsafe.
Can I climb Mount Kinabalu without a guide?
No. Since the 2015 earthquake every climber above Timpohon Gate must be escorted by a licensed local guide, and a guide is part of the climb booking. One guide can take up to six climbers.
Can I climb Mount Kinabalu in one day?
No. A one-day summit and descent is no longer permitted. The standard format is two days with one night at Laban Rata, starting the final push around 02:00–03:00 to reach the top for sunrise.
How fit do I need to be?
The route is a trek and scramble, not technical climbing, but the last 2 km is rough rock and the altitude makes it harder than the distance suggests. Train on stairs with a 5 kg pack for at least two months if you can, and expect 4–5 hours to Laban Rata for an average walker.
Where should I stay near Mount Kinabalu?
Climbers must stay at Laban Rata on the mountain and often at Park HQ the night before. Non-climbers can choose guesthouses and lodges in Kundasang or along the main road, 6–10 km from the gate, or base in Kota Kinabalu 1.5–2.5 hours away.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go