Mount Kinabalu Budget Trip! 1 of 2

Yes! I conquered the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, the ever picturesque Mount Kinabalu! Which appears on our RM100 note (dulu RM1).

Will come to that. 

By the way, I owe this post to Umi! She's been waiting for this itinerary. Sorry hee. Nah hambek! ;p

Kota Kinabalu Itinerary

Day 0: Arrival. Accommodation at my sister's home-stay in Cybercity

Day 1: Visit Rumah Terbalik in Tuaran, Shop at Pekan Nabalu, Lunch at Kundasang, Check-in at Pine Resort, Chillex at Poring Hot Spring

Day 2: Visit Sabah Tea Garden, Visit Kundasang Memorial Park, Mesilau Dairy Farm, Check-in at Mesilau Nature Resort

Day 3: Climb to Laban Rata Resthouse via Mesilau Trail

Day 4: Climb to the top at 2.00 am, back to Kota Kinabalu 

Day 5: Island-hopping and shopping

Day 6: Pack frozen seafood, back to Kuala Lumpur

Mount Kinabalu Itinerary

Day 2: Welcoming Dinner at Mesilau Nature Resort, tidur
Day 3: Buffet Breakfast, Packed Lunch, climb until Laban Rata via Mesilau Trail (another trail is Timpohon trail), arrived at Laban Raya for Dinner, climb 200 m down to Waras Hut, tidur
Day 4: Supper at 2.00 am at Laban Rata, climb to the top, come down for breakfast at Laban Rata, climb down to Timpohon Gate and finally Kinabalu Park HQ

Since kitaorang naik via Mesilau, tidurpun kat Mesilau Nature Resort tapi turun kat Kinabalu Park via Timpohon Gate

Mount Kinabalu Tour Budget Calculation

1. Mount Kinabalu Package - RM512/pax
2. Return Flight Tickets - RM130/pax
3. Accommodation -
4. Car Rental -
5. Food -
6. Miscellaneous (entrance fee, climbing attire and needs)

Grand Total:

The Six Items

1) Mount Kinabalu Package - RM512/-

We opted to purchase directly from Sutera Sanctuary Lodge, the official manager of the accommodations at Mount Kinabalu. The mountain itself is taken care of by Sabah Parks Authority, they both are linked in a way that Sutera will forward our details to Sabah Parks to arrange for our insurance and climbing permit. Without that, tak boleh panjatlah. 

Anyway we called Sutera half a year before and only manage to book for 7 pax (we were a group of 8) because they were full house! Maybe except for certain quota that they saved for travel agency, which climbers will find it a bit pricier. The warm friendly staffs asked us to call them back on a certain dates, some cut-off dates for other climbers if they don't deposit 50% of the money. So we called them once in few days and our effort paid off, we secured one more place. So we deposited the money straight away to confirm our place. Alhamdulillah. Happy (n_n)v

The climbing packages prices were varied according to the type of rooms. Confirmlah nak yang paling murah kan. So the cheapest would be RM512/- is inclusive of the following:

3 days 2 night accommodation (NON-HEATED WOW TIDUR SEJUK MANDI LAGI SEJUK)

1. 11 May 2013 at Bishop's Head Resthouse, Mesilau Nature Resort
2. 12 May 2013 at Waras Hut (memang tak waras laa)
3. Climbing Permit
4. Insurance
5. Makan: Welcoming Dinner at Mesilau, Buffet Breakfast at Mesilau, Packed Lunch at Mesilau, Buffet Dinner at Laban Rata, 2am Early Supper at Laban Rata, Buffet Breakfast at Laban Rata, Afternoon Tea Break at Kinabalu Park
6. 1 Way Transfer to Kinabalu Park 

Tapikan, makan terbaiklah, 5 star.

2) Return Flight Tickets (RM130/pax)

We bought Zero Fare AirAsia promo in 2012 for RM130 per person from KL to KK and return. 1 and half month before our departure date, Malaysia Airline did their promo too, RM135 return inclusive of meals on board and 30 kg check-in baggage. Sakit hati tak? Actually it was a blessing in disguise because one of the team backed down, so the replacement was found immediately to purchase this once in a blue moon MAS flights. Murah sangat la.

3) Accomodation

My sister owns an apartment in CyberCity 2, which was stone's throw away from Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

4) Car Rental

We were so lucky having to came across the cheapest

5) Food

Food expenses depend on your appetite?

6) Miscellaneous