MOUNT KINABALU

Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Southeast Asia at 13000 ft and is the focus of Kinabalu Park, located 60 miles from the capital of Sabah - Kota Kinabalu. Buses can be caught from Kota Kinabalu to the main entrance of the Park.


saw-toothed profile of Mount Kinabalu dominates the landscape of North Borneo. The summit, Peak low is named after the British explorer Hugh Low made the first - unsuccessful - attempt to reach the summit in 1851, and then tried again later in 1858.


Local Kadazan Dusun people and believe that Mount Kinabalu is the home of the dead ancestors, calling the Aki Nabalu - "Sacred Place of the Dead." Animal sacrifices are regularly placed at the summit to appease restless spirits. From the far side of the summit 5500ft vertical drop ends in the abyss known as Gully Low, famous around the world as one of the most inhospitable parts of the world.


Despite a fearsome reputation of Mount Kinabalu, is not technically difficult climb and can be attempted by hikers of all levels of fitness and experience. A path is cleared through the dense jungle that leads to the granite rock faces thousands of feet above the ropes, which have been implemented to make the final ascent accessible to all.


The lower mountain slopes carpeted with some of the most diverse flora of the planet and animals, including rafflesia - the largest flower in the world (which can reach over 3ft in diameter), over 1000 species of orchid, orang-utans, Gibbons , anteaters, and hundreds of bird species.


The slopes are also home to nine species of pitcher plants. One of the largest specimens have been found containing seven glasses of water - and drowned rat!