Day 1 Kota Kinabalu / Kinabalu Park HQ / Timpohon Gate / Ascend Mount Kinabalu / Panalaban Base Camp 06:00–07:00 Hrs: Pick-up from your Kota Kinabalu hotel or airport and enjoy a scenic 2-hour drive across the Crocker Range. Along the way, soak in views of rustic villages, lush valleys, and distant mountain peaks before arriving at Kinabalu Park HQ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark. 08:30 Hrs: Register for your climb, meet your licensed mountain guide, and collect your ID tag and packed lunch. From here, transfer to Timpohon Gate (1,866m), the starting point of your journey to the summit of Borneo. 09:00 Hrs: Begin your ascent through changing ecosystems. Pass by moss-draped oaks, gurgling streams, and vibrant orchids that thrive in the cool mountain air. Along the trail, stop at Carson’s Waterfall or the many rest huts along the way, where you can catch your breath while admiring the rainforest canopy below. 15:00–16:00 Hrs: Arrive at Panalaban Base Camp (3,272m). Nestled among misty ridges, this resting point offers sweeping views of surrounding peaks and valleys. Check in to your dormitory accommodation, then relax before dinner at the Laban Rata Restaurant. Overnight at Panalaban. Packed-lunch / Dinner Panalaban Assorted Huts (Laban Rata Resthouse or similar)
Day 2 Low's Peak Summit / Panalaban Base Camp / Free & Easy 02:00 Hrs: Wake for an early supper before beginning your summit push under a blanket of stars. Using your headlamp, trek across granite trails and rope-assisted sections as you climb above the tree line. The air grows thin, but anticipation pushes you onward. 05:30–06:00 Hrs: Reach Low’s Peak (4,095m), the crown of Mount Kinabalu and the highest point in Borneo. If weather permits, witness a spectacular sunrise as the first light breaks across the South China Sea, illuminating the jagged granite peaks of the Kinabalu massif. 07:00 Hrs: Descend back to Panalaban for a well-earned late breakfast. With the extra night’s stay, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Take in sweeping views of the Crocker Range, capture stunning photographs, sip a hot drink at Laban Rata Restaurant, or even send a postcard from the world’s highest postbox. For nature lovers, explore the surrounding trails where rare pitcher plants grow and highland birds soar above the cliffs. Dinner is served at the restaurant before your second overnight at Panalaban, giving your body extra time to rest and recover. Supper / Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Panalaban Assorted Huts (Laban Rata Resthouse or similar)
Day 3 Descend Mount Kinabalu / Kinabalu Park HQ / Kota Kinabalu City 02:00 Hrs: If you wish, make a second attempt at the summit, taking advantage of your extra night at the base camp. This flexible option maximises your chance to stand atop Low’s Peak in case weather or fatigue prevented success on Day 2. 07:00 Hrs: Breakfast at Panalaban, followed by check-out. Begin your descent back through the ecological layers of Mount Kinabalu, from alpine shrubs to mossy cloud forests, and finally the rich lowland rainforest alive with bird calls and ferns. 13:00–15:00 Hrs: Arrive back at Timpohon Gate, where a transfer awaits to bring you to Kinabalu Park HQ. Collect your official Mount Kinabalu Climbing Certificate, a proud memento of your achievement. Enjoy a hearty lunch at the park before returning to Kota Kinabalu city (approx. 2 hours). Supper / Breakfast / Lunch