3 Days Via Ferrata on Mount Kinabalu, Sabah

Get out of mobile network range for 2 nights as you experience South East Asia's highest mountain, Mount Kinabalu (4095m) situated in Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Relax in cool montane climate amidst changing skylines. This via ferrata package on Mount Kinabalu provides you a choice of Low's Peak Circuit or Walk the Torq with 2 nights stay at the modest Pendant Hut. The extra night at Laban Rata allows you enjoy Mount Kinabalu more and also provides a back up day in case of poor weather enshrouding the mountain and preventing you from going up the summit plus negotiating the via ferrata trail when you descend.

Don't forget our attractive low rates have made us a popular choice to arrange this spectacular adventure. WHOA Adventures had been the first organization to promote Mountain Torq's via ferrata activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Low’s Peak Circuit (LPC) - 1.2km (Not to be confused with Low's Peak, the highest point on Mount Kinabalu)
Duration 4 - 5 hours
Suitable for ages: 17 to 70 years old
Capacity: Only 2 groups of 6 persons are allowed on the LPC trail per day. This means a maximum of 12 persons. VERY LIMITED SLOTS.
Grading: Intermediate
Hike up to Low's Peak, Mt Kinabalu's highest point at 4,095m. On descent, take a via ferrata detour to see stunning views and explore hidden corners of the mountain plateau.
LPC is physically demanding. It is for those who are sure-footed, not fearful of heights, want to scale South East Asia's highest point and the World's highest via ferrata.

Walk the Torq (WTT)  - 460m
Duration 2 hours
Suitable for ages 10 to 70 years old
Capacity: That is a maximum of 12 persons. There only 40 slots for WTT available per day. 10 persons to one via ferrata guide.
Grading - Easy
Take your first steps on the world's highest via ferrata and learn how to walk the Torq.
WTT is an initiation for those who want to build their confidence in via ferrata climbing.

New Mount Kinabalu Summit Trails after 5June 2015 earthquake

There are 2 new trails leading up to Mount Kinabalu summit from Laban Rata; Kota Belud Trail, and Ranau Trail. Currently only Ranau Trail is completed and available to climbers as of 1 December 2015. It is several hundred meters longer from the old summit trail providing a little more excitement. Only 120 climb permits will be issued per day by Sabah Parks.

Timpohon Trail from Kinabalu National Park is the main trail to ascend up to Laban Rata and descent. Mesilau Trail from Mesilau Park has not been repaired and remains closed indefinitely.

The via ferrata was featured on Discovery Channel's Passage to Malaysia Sabah Highlands episode. See trailer below.

Accommodation

Pendant Hut at 3,270 meters above sea level is Mountain Torq's exclusive accommodation with a capacity of 30 people at one time. The cozy accommodation with a nice view has a dining area, non-heated rooms with dormitory-bunk beds, a small pantry and common bathrooms with water heaters that produce, at best, lukewarm water due to the cold water temperatures. Beds come with sleeping bags and a pillows but no teddy bears.

Electricity is available 24 hours however there may be times when there are power outages. No cooking is allowed at Pendant Hut. Hot cooked food is available at Laban Rata Guesthouse Cantee.

Itinerary and Rates (in Malaysian Ringgit and per person)

Below provides a general idea of the itinerary.

Day 1
Find own way to Kinabalu Park HQ
8:00 am Arrive at Kinabalu Park HQ. (Approximately 2hours drive from Kota Kinabalu town to Kinabalu Park HQ)
Compulsory pre-check in at Mountain Torq’s office with each participants valid passport or Malaysian Identity Card then proceed to make arrangement at Sabah Park counter (Own arrangement – you may do this a day before)
Meet your appointed Sabah Park licensed mountain guide. Transfer to Timpohon Gate or Mesilau Park (Own arrangement).
8:30 am Start hiking up Mt Kinabalu from Timpohon Gate @ 1,866m
3:00 pm Arrive at Pendant Hut @ 3,289m and settle in
3:30 pm Attend the mandatory via ferrata familiarization in Pendant Hut and meet your Mountain Torq trainer.
6:00 pm Dinner at Laban Rata’s canteen
8:00 pm Lights out

Day 2
1:30 am Wake up and early morning supper
2:30 am Start hiking up to the summit with your Sabah Park licensed mountain guide (self arranged)
5:40 am Catch the sunrise on Low’s Peak, the nighest point on Mount Kinabalu
6:00 am Descent from Low’s Peak to meet your Mountain Torq trainer
6:30 am Meet your via ferrata trainer at the agreed meeting point for your chosen via ferrata experience
11:30 am Return to Pendant Hut to wash up
12:00 pm Head to Laban Rata for a well earned lunch
     Recuperate from the 11+ hour day, have a well deserved nap, sit in the sun (weather permitting) and have a cup of the famous Sabah tea at the base of Pendant Hut while watching the therapeutic mountain scenery
6:00 pm Dinner at Laban Rata’s canteen

Day 3 (Back up day for another summit attempt if Day 2 was not successful)
7:00 am Wake up, pack up and have breakfast
8:30am Check out of Pendant Hut and descent to Timpohon Gate with your Sabah Parks’ mountain guide
1:00 pm Arrive at Timpohon Gate (Mesilau will be longer duration). Head to the Kinabalu Park HQ to collect your successful Via Ferrata certificates and buy some souvenirs

*If day 3 is used as backup activity day, you will finish Low Peak Circuit 11:30am, or Walk the Torq 9:30am. Descent to Timpohon Gate will take approximately 5 hours. Mesilau Trail will be longer.

What is included?

BASIC package includes ONLY one via ferrata circuit, meals and accommodation.

2 nights at Pendant Hut
1 early morning Continental breakfast/supper @ Pendant Hut
2 simple American breakfasts @ Pendant Hut
1 set lunch @ Laban Rata canteen
2 buffet dinners @ Laban Rata canteen
Via Ferrata certificate for successful climbers only

What is excluded?

What to wear or bring?

Clothes
Raincoat or waterproof jacket
Warm clothing like fleece jacket, hiking pants
Change of clothes for sleeping
Protective Gear
Cap / beanie / head scarf (to keep warm at night and in the early morning)
Gloves that suitable for holding icy cold cables and ropes (very important)
Sunglasses, sun block and SPF lip balm
A rain cover for your backpack
Comfortable covered trail/ hiking shoes

Kinabalu Nature Park is 88 kilometers away from Kota Kinabalu, or minimum 1 hour and 30 minutes away by road transportation. Mesilau is another 30 minutes away. 
By bus, visitors can take a bus headed to Kundasang or Ranau at the City Bus Terminal (North). Buses from Kota Kinabalu to Ranau are available from 7.30a.m to 5p.m. Bus transport is only suitable if you plan to stay a night at KInabalu Park or Mesilau Nature Park before the climb the next day. This is due to its infrequency and non-fixed schedules. We suggest to start your trek by 9am for a casual stroll up the mountain to take in the sights and sounds. The slower pace allows you to acclimatize better.
To return to Kota Kinabalu, take a bus across road outside Kinabalu Park (reconfirm with Kinabalu Park reception counter) headed to Kota Kinabalu.
By taxi, visitors can take the Ranau taxi at the Ranau taxi stand (next to the Merdeka Field) or request from the hotel lobby. 
Visitors can also rent a car and drive by themselves.