Mt K Climbing Packages

When Air Asia is on sale, trying to choose one destination from the many is a very difficult process. Ping2 and I finally decided on Kota Kinabalu. We bought the tickets in Aug 2010 and our travel period was in May 2011 (haha kiasu!!). After some discussion, we decided to attempt Mt K. Even though I was told I’d have to book the Laban Rata accommodation months in advance, I didn’t start looking until March 2011. Hence, when I finally contacted Sutera Sanctuary Lodge (the one who monopolizes the accm. on the mountain), there were no more beds at Laban Rata for our desired dates. My only option now was to contact the agents who had taken up beds and sell them as a package.

Below are the ones I had called and the rates they’d given me. All are for 3D2N via Timpohon, price per person for two Malaysians (different rates for Internationals and # of people) in March 2011. The prices all include a mountain guide, 7 meals, entrance fee to Kinabalu Park, climbing permit, climbing insurance, transfer to & fro Timpohon Gate, 1 night stay at Kinabalu Park (dorm), 1 night stay at Laban Rata (dorm, w/o heater) and transfer to & fro KK city/hotel to Kinabalu Park.

**Package price varies greatly among the agents and I have no idea why.

Tropical Holidays Paradise Tours & Travel Kota Kinabalu
teresa.thp@hotmail.com
Mesilau (this is the only agent I came across with the Mesilau package cheaper than the Timpohon one)
RM1085 (Malaysian), RM1355 (International)
Timpohon
RM1150 (Malaysian), RM1450 (International)

Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures - Kota Kinabalu & Gaya Island
info@divedownbelow.com (very very friendly and helpful staff)
Timpohon – RM1050* (Malaysian) *promo price

SUMMER TOURS & VACATIONS SDN. BHD.
info@summertours.com.my
Timpohon – RM921 (Malaysian), RM1052 (International)
*This was the one we chose – they were the only one with the dates we wanted

Leonard Yeo
kinabaluclimbing@gmail.com
Timpohon – RM980 (Malaysian), RM1350 (International)

Mountain Trails Tours & Travel
mttrails@gmail.com
Timpohon – RM850 (Malaysian)

Skyland Adventure
info@skylandadventure.com
Timpohon – RM880 (Malaysian), RM1080 (International)

May 2011 Update: Discovered another travel agent.

W&W Adventure / Green World TT Enterprise
info@wwadventure.com

What I learnt from this:

1. If DIY-ing your climbing trip, contact SSL at least 3 months in advance of planned hiking date.
2. By DIY-ing your climbing trip (contacting SSL directly and getting a bed; and obtaining permit, insurance etc. by yourself), you can save at least RM300-400.
3. If looking for hiking packages, go on Lowyat and search for bargain deals before calling up agents. Tons of good info on there.