……highest mountain in South East Asia….

We here at Borneo Adventure Holidays, consistent with our aspiration to be a trusted and reliable travel & tour operator aim to be factual without misleading our readers with regards to the accuracy of our content information.

Contrary to what you may have read elsewhere stating that Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in South East Asia, whilst it is accurate to say that it is the highest Mountain in Borneo, Mount Kinabalu (4101m) is in fact the fifth highest mountain in the South East Asia region which is preceded by Mount Hkakabo Razi, Myanmar (5881m), Mount Puncak Jaya / Cartensz Pyramid, Indonesia (5030m), Mount Trikora, Indonesia (4751m) and Mount Mandala, Indonesia (4701m).

Hkakabo Razi

Carstensz Pyramid

Mount Kinabalu

However, does this fact play down the significance of Mount Kinabalu as a great mountaineering adventure destination? Let’s consider the other higher mountains mentioned for comparison.

…..Hkakabo Razi mountain…..

Whilst there is no doubt that Mount Hkakabo Razi as part of the Himalayan Ranges is stunningly beautiful, unspoilt and snowcapped, it is however simply inaccessible and considered dangerous by elite mountain climbers. Theoretically, one would have to pay up to USD 3000 for a tour from Yangdon and spend about a month just to get to the Hkakabo Razi base camp excluding any actual mountain climbing by then your 28-day visa would have expired.

…..Puncak Jaya / Carstesz Pyramid mountain…..

Mount Puncak Jaya / Carstensz Pyramid is the highest point on the Oceanic continent and one of the most remote of the Seven Continental Summits. The mountain is located at Papua which is in the western half of Indonesian New Guinea.

Free Papua Movement

The main challenges involved in the climbing of the Mount Puncak Jaya include the impassable jungle (5 days of jungle just to reach base camp), confrontation with primitive tribes that have cannibalistic tendencies, the absence of maps and information, problems with the Papuan guerilla freedom movement, red tape and corruption for clearance, potential problems with altitude sickness, and the difficulty of the rock climbing to gain the summit.

You will find these factors relevant to the other two Indonesian mountains mentioned by virtue of these mountains located within the same geographical, cultural and political environment. The only difference is there is more determination and motivation to drive hard core mountain climbers to put up with the effort, cost and danger to conquer Mount Puncak Jaya as part of their Seven Continent Summit quest.

…..Mount Kinabalu…..

Low's Peak

Borneo’s Mount Kinabalu, Sabah on the other hand, in so many ways is much more accessible when compared to Mount Puncak Jaya.

The mountain climbing cost to reach the summit of Mount Kinabalu is a tiny fraction compared to the average mountaineering cost of USD 16,000 for Mount Puncak Jaya.

In addition, you only require 3 days maximum instead of 18 days expedition to experience essentially the same equatorial mountain adventure with regards to changing climate (hot humid to freezing cold) and biodiversity (tropical rainforest to alpine vegetation).

Friendly Local Guide

Instead of facing from complicated arrangements, donations, letter of recommendation to support from tribal leader, at Mount Kinabalu your friendly English speaking indigenous Kadazandusun mountain guide who benefits directly from our contribution to responsible tourism economic practice awaits you to make sure your safety is their priority when mountaineering the challenging summit of Mount Kinabalu.

Speaking of safety, you do not have to worry of being caught up in the midst of guerilla warfare as Borneo’s Sabah belongs to a stable government with no history of political violence. With Borneo Adventure Holidays, there is also no red tape involving months to year to secure your mountain climbing adventure at Mount Kinabalu.

…..physical challenge of Mount Kinabalu…..

Whilst the accessibility challenge of Mount Kinabalu has been overcome by developed infrastructures and tourism industry supported by a stable government, the physical challenge to conquer a majestic mountain as Mount Kinabalu remain.

Do not be fooled by the easy perception of Mount Kinabalu when compared to other mountains, as a good level of fitness is required to reach the demanding summit even though previous mountaineering experience is not required. Just as Mount Puncak Jaya, you will not be immune from altitude sickness at such high elevation. In general Mount Kinabalu is a safe mountain to climb.

However, there are hazardous paths which your mountain guide will warn you for your own safety. However, you are ultimately responsible for your own safety if you choose to ignore their advice. Back in 1994, nine British army soldiers had a close shave on Mount Kinabalu. They had attempted to abseil down the notorious Low’s Gully, a mile-deep cleft down one side of the mountain. A month later they had to be rescued, having apparently survived the last week with no food other than mints.

…..mountaineering adventure at Mount Kinabalu…..

The actual mountaineering experience at Mount Kinabalu starts the next morning after hiking from Kinabalu Park Headquarters (1800~2000m) 6 or 7.5 km depending which trail taken to arrive at Laban Rata base camp (3353m). The incredibly steep flight of stairs and ladders across rocky trail will soon be replaced by ropes to help you scramble across rocky plateau followed by open rock face nearing vertical as you get closer to the mountain top. As you successfully walk, clamber and climb up further 2.5km to Low’s Peak summit, you will find the view looking down to “The Land Below The Wind” spectacular to say the least especially during sunrise.

Laban Rata Base Camp

Physical Ascent

Spectacular Sunrise

…..Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata…..

Via Ferrata on Mt Kinabalu from TingSern Wong on Vimeo.

Mount Kinabalu is also home to the highest Via Ferrata route in the world at 3776m. It is an alternative mountain route giving access to the top of Mount Kinabalu using a series of rungs, rails and cables embracing the rock face to allow access to awesome scenic sections of the mountains that are typically available only to rock climbers. This mountaineering sport is also carried under a safe and controlled environment. At Borneo Adventure Holidays, you will not only scale the summit of Mount Kinabalu, but also explore the mountain via ferrata with challenging vertical limits at breathtaking views.