Kinabalu Park, Malaysia

Kinabalu Park

This park is a world heritage site and one of the most important biological sites in the world containing over 4,500 species of plants and animals. The park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sabah Malaysia mainly because tourists pour in to climb one of the tallest mountains in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu.

Mount Kinabalu

(Taken in Jungle Jacks backyard)

The mountain's peak sits at 4095 meters above sea level. The climb starts at one of the entrances to the park already at about 1,800 meters. Most climbing packages will cost you anywhere from 600-1200 Malaysian Ringgit(1MR=3.21USD). These packages are two days of climbing and include staying at a lodge more than halfway up the mountain and meals. Reading reviews online I heard the lodge is not very nice. You only get a few hours of sleep before you begin to finish your hike to catch the sunrise at the peak. The lodge has a monopoly making it easy for them to overcharge you. I did find an alternative which I found to be the cheapest and in my opinion the most enjoyable option. 

Jungle Jacks!

Jungle Jack offers you the best package out there, the only catch is that you have to climb the mountain and back down in one day. The cost is 380RM and this includes: 2 nights stay, all of your meals including packed lunch for the climb, all of the climbing fees, a mountain guide, and transportation too and from the bus stop and the mountain. 

At Jungle jacks you will feel at home. Jungle jack is an awesome character who will always keep your attention. He is extremely proud of his cooking and his establishment and has reason to be. The food is made with love and served in an all you can eat manner. You can help yourself to coffee, tea, milo, and anything else in the kitchen all day. He brings everyone together to eat at the same table making the environment very sociable and family-like. Its cold up in the mountains so you will find yourself most of the day with a warm mug of something in your hands huddled up around the table sharing stories with the other travelers. Jungle Jack makes his own bread which is amazing! especially in the morning with his home made pineapple Jam. The rooms are backpacker style and very clean with lots of blankets for the cold nights. The shower is nice and hot creating a steam room effect which is to die for. There is a jungle in his backyard for easy access to jungle trekking. Jungle jack takes care of you like you are his family and has an amazing sense of humor. He will drive you anywhere you want, whether its to the hot-springs or just into town.  You will find yourself staying here longer for only 35RM a night including all your meals and everything! If you don't have money you can work for him and live there for free :) He said if you guys ever mess up big in life just come work for me and I will take care of you! I am only writing such a thorough review because this was one of the nicest places I have stayed in Southeast Asia. If you are in the area, check it out, even if you aren't going to climb the mountain. Just call him and let him know you are coming (Cell: 0109477509)

(Jungle jack in the middle just before starting the climb)

(up up up)

(The plants disappear as the air gets thinner)

The last 700 meters are brutal with your body already exhausted, the air thins out, your head starts to throb, and you begin to get dizzy from the slightest exertion of energy.

(The last 100 meters before the peak)

Made it to the top in 4hr30min

Apparently the record is 2hr27min from bottom to top then bottom again. I don't know how this guy did it. He would have had to sprint the entire time. I took almost no stops and it took me 4hr30min. Most people take over 5 hours to get to the top and many 1 day climbers don't even make it to the top. about 100 climbers did the two day and 7 climbers did the 1 day. Only 3 out of 7 of the one-dayers made it to the top. I'm glad I was one of them! I definitely underestimated the way down. It's so painful on the knees!

(everyone making bread rolls at Jungle Jacks filling them with goodies)

(Jungle Jack preparing one of the many courses for dinner)

(Freshly baked bread!)

(Rhino Beetle)

I forgot to mention that Jungle Jack has dogs which keep you company while you drink your coffee and tea. Very cute!

One of the dogs accompanied me on a solo walk through the the jungle in Jack's back yard

I met three Polish girls and a guy from Spain that were awesome company and decided to follow them back to Kota Kinabalu (KK). I am grateful to them for teaching me the value and excitement of hitch hiking!

(making hitch hiking sign to go back to KK)

Now i'm hopping on a night bus from KK to Semporna for some Diving. Stay tuned to hear my next adventures! Share with your friends! And please quit your jobs and come traveling!