activities in kota kinabalu

i am planning for a tour to K.K at the end of june, including climbing the mountain, water rafting, natinal park and the poring hot spring. But from i found on the internet, the price seems a little bit high for me as per below:

3D/2N mt.+park+hot spring = USD226/ RM835
kiulu river rafting = RM195
pedas river rafting = RM225

the above cover all meals, and transport by-forth K.K

1.but from what i heard..kiulu may cost only Rm120 (including buffet meal) if u r not booking thru an agency, is it real, and if it does, how should i do my booking? Do they charge cheaper for malaysian?

2.Is it possible to climb the mountain w/o following the tour package. Can i hire a guide when i get there, and book the resthouse my self? will it be cheaper? As i dun wan to be hasten by the guide as in a normal tour, i wan to take the longer trail and take time to enjoy the view. but i heard that it can be very hard when u r not booking the resthouse thru agent, since they always tell u that's fully booking, will it be too late to book 2 mth in advance?

3.Is the entrance fee for hot spring cost RM70? it cover everything? or there are some more surchange?

4. If i try to arrange by myself, aside from car rental, is that any other cheaper yet convinient way to getting around? (i know malaysia bus system a little bit sucks)

Thanks for reading and any comment will be appreaciated.

These things are often a lot cheaper when you turn up then they are advertised on the internet.

The mountain is expensive, but surely not RM835.

You need to buy a permit to go up, which I think is about RM100. Then you've got to get accomodation, one night at the base of the mountain and one night at Laban Rata (a few thousand feet from the top). But this doesn't have to be that expensive, there are different types of accomodation. If you're prepared to have shared unheated rooms (though keep in mind it is incredibly cold up there) it really isn't too bad - about RM20 I think. Expensive by Malaysian standards for what's on offer, but considering there's not too much competition 12,000ft up a mountain, not too bad.

It is compulsory to hire a guide, but you pay per guide not per climber, so if you can attach yourself to a group or form a group together, you can all share the price.

Malaysian buses really aren't that bad. To get from KK to the mountain is easy and pretty cheap, just go to the right bus station in KK (can't remember which one, sorry) and ask around - we soon found a minivan which stopped outside the National Park gates.

Kiulu is beautiful, but again I would sort it out once you arrive in Sabah. Don't know anything about Pedas, sorry.

All in all, if you organise your trips once you get there, use public transport, stay in cheap accomodation, it should work out a lot cheaper than you think.

Please get in touch if you have any further questions, can't promise I'll be able to help but I'll do my best.

Enjoy your trip!

Matt

3.Is the entrance fee for hot spring cost RM70? it cover everything? or there are some more surchange?

Personally think the hot spring isn't that worthy. But it's ok if you insist on going to. There's a canopy walk around and some simple jungle-trekking.

thanks matt for the info shared.

However, i still have question on how to do the booking? How should i book the accomodation? thru internet or just walk in register? i heard that if u can get a permit, then u can get an accom already, is that true? So should i book the permit in advance?

For the guide right, i need to hire one in KK or when i arrive the mountain? Same for the water rafting, how to directly arrange one not thru a middle man?

thanks,

luke.

hi cikusang,
actually i also think RM70 is too expensive for a hot spring in malaysia, but just dunno what kind of experience it will provide, and just wanna find some place to refresh a while. However, if that's all those u mentioned, i think i can get the same experience in the national park(except the spring of cos),right? By the way, how much will be the entrance fee to the park itself?

Better book online as it is quite troublesome to find and search there. When you arrive at Kinabalu Park, there is a wooden house info centre where you can request for anything there. Lots of guide there, mostly speak good Malay and English and very strong. They will suggest you to join other group (with permission from others first). I remember one has to pay RM10 for one certificate after you reach half of Mount Kinabalu and another RM10 for the completion of MOunt Kinabalu. Total = 2 certificates.

For White water-rafting, they also charge you for cert and also photo. I did once in Kiulu (grade 3) before but cant remember any detail...interesting...remember to paddle and position your body smartly.

Hi Luke, I just pm you and you may take a look. I have not been to National Park before but 'some' of my friends said it is totally different between those experiences in two different national park. They are basically tropical rain-forest and the experience is up to us to discover, right? Of course, I find many interesting species of plants and insects there...

one more thing, bring some instant maggi or instant oats (there is kitchen with simple cookingware such as pots for you to boil water and basins; bedroom is shared - lots of 'double-deckers' there)as the food there is considered expensive to us (Malaysians) unless you really want to taste...I would rather go to KK town and have it all!

Hi guys,

I am very pleased that you would like to climb Mount Kinabalu, synclx!
I would like to clarify to you regarding Mount Kinabalu and the climb, as that is my area of knowledge. About water rafting, I am not sure. Anyway, this would be my answer:

Is it possible to climb the mountain w/o following the tour package?

Yes, you can. You need to book your stay first at Kinabalu Park HQ and Laban Rata, for 3D/2N (to be comfortable), and you could arrange the transport from KK to Kinabalu Park with Sutera Sanctuary Lodge.

Can i hire a guide when i get there, and book the resthouse my self?

Yes you can, and actually it is a must to have a guide to climb. The price would be RM84 for 3 person. And you should book the accomodation first before you go to Kinabalu Park HQ. You can either call or go to the office yourself to make confirmation.

will it be cheaper?

Not really. The climbing fees and mountain guide is very standard, and it would be more expensive for non-Malaysian.

i wan to take the longer trail and take time to enjoy the view. but i heard that it can be very hard

Yes you are correct. If this is the first time you climb Mt. K, I suggest you go via The Summit Trail (the shorter route). You still can enjoy the view. Mesilau Trail (the longer route) is suggested if you have climb the first one.

will it be too late to book 2 mth in advance?

No, but just clarify with Sutera Sanctuary Lodge.

Is the entrance fee for hot spring cost RM70?

No The entrance fee is RM3 for Malaysian. RM70? Maybe if you would like to stay there, join the activities e.g. hanging bridge. They charge for video camera.

is that any other cheaper yet convinient way to getting around?

The bus. They use van as bus and printed on the side of the van 'bas hent-henti'. It is cheap, fast, easy, legal and it is not that sucks.

I remember one has to pay RM10 for one certificate after you reach half of Mount Kinabalu and another RM10 for the completion of MOunt Kinabalu. Total = 2 certificates.

Not true. You will be given only one certificate. If you only reach Laban Rata (halfway of the climb), you will only be given black-and-white cert. If you reach at least Sayat-Sayat and better still The peak (Low's Peak), you will get colourful and nice certificate.

how much will be the entrance fee to the park itself?

All Kinabalu Park entrance fee, anywhere in Sabah is RM3 for one Malaysian Adult.

How should i book the accomodation? thru internet or just walk in register?

You can do both- email, call or walk in. The slowest-email. The fastest-walk-in. If you are in Peninsula Malaysia, call them for confirmation and arrangement. 088-243629. Fax 088-259552.

i heard that if u can get a permit, then u can get an accom already, is that true?

Yes, you get climbing permit from Sabah Park Authorities, the government body who manage the park, but you get accomodation from Sutera Sanctary Lodge. You only be given a permit when you have book a place to stay in Laban Rata. You are NOT allowed to camp at Laban Rata.

So should i book the permit in advance?

No need. You just need to book a place to stay in Kinabalu Park HQ and LAban Rata.

For the guide right, i need to hire one in KK or when i arrive the mountain?

When you arrive at the mountain, in the morning just befor you climb, you will be given a guide for a group of you. You will also have to pay some fee if you take a porter to bring your backpack. Make sure your backpack is less than 5kg. Otherwise, it would be some kind of hard climb up and down.

I really hope that I have answer all your questions. You could find more information about the climb, the place to stay, medical and health preparations, the first phase (day climb) and the second phase (night climb) of your climb etc... from this website:
http://www.mount-kinabalu-borneo.com
PM me if you need anymore help.
Have a nice journey!

I remember one has to pay RM10 for one certificate after you reach half of Mount Kinabalu and another RM10 for the completion of MOunt Kinabalu. Total = 2 certificates.

Not true. You will be given only one certificate. If you only reach Laban Rata (halfway of the climb), you will only be given black-and-white cert. If you reach at least Sayat-Sayat and better still The peak (Low's Peak), you will get colourful and nice certificate.

I had one colourful cert showing I had reached the half and another black-and-white cert for finishing the whole trail. Not just me who got this but the other friends of mine had TWO certificates after the climb.

I had one colourful cert showing I had reached the half and another black-and-white cert for finishing the whole trail. Not just me who got this but the other friends of mine had TWO certificates after the climb.

Lucky for you to get 2 certificates! I climbed Mt.Kinabalu several times (the last was July 2005) and they only gave me one certificate for each climb.

Well, never mind. For those who still have not be able to climb, just go. You will not regret it.