BORNEO, MALAYSIA
Laban Rata is located at the base of Mt Kinabalu where climbers make a compulsory rest to recuperate with food, showers and dormitories. There are 3 ensuite rooms and 60 bunks with basic amenities and common bathrooms with showers. The rooms are simple and being at high-altitude neither the water nor the rooms are warm but they have all you need to rest for a good night sleep. Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in South East Asia, standing at 4,095 metres above sea level.
It takes two days to climb Mt Kinabalu and although you do not need any previous experience at mountain climbing, you still need to have a reasonable level of fitness and indomitable willpower to push through fatigue and discomfort. The first day is a 14km hike from park headquarters to Laban Rata that takes about four to five hours. Along the route is a diverse array of unique flora and fauna including rare orchids, pitcher plants, and the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world.
The ascent for Low’s Peak begins early at about 3am the following day. This normally takes about three hours from Laban Rata, the idea being to watch the sun rise from the summit. Most travel guides and operators say that Mt. Kinabalu is easy to climb, but ask a mountaineer and he will vehemently disagree. No mountain is easy to climb.
Amenities
RestaurantWi-Fi AvailableLaban Rata BORNEO, MALAYSIA
Stay Laban Rata Resthouse has 3 private rooms. These feature twin beds with en-suite bathroom, shower with hot water and room heater. In addition, there are multiple dormitory rooms with a total of 60 bunk beds. These have a common bathroom and a heated shower (not working at the time of print). There is a restaurant that provides refreshing meals. There is a grocery store with necessary items like candy bars.
ChildCare Children are welcome to stay at the Laban Rata but there are no specific facilities available. We do not recommend children below 10 years to take the trek as it can be hard going but this will depend on their physical and walking abilities. The decision should rest with the parents.
Dine After the climbers have rested from their walk from Park Headquarters to Laban Rata, the hype begins to build up, noticeable by an increase in the noise level. It gets louder by the minute and peaks when the buffet meal is served. Then all hell breaks. Everyone is hungry, noisy and mad. The food is good, knowing the fact that everything is carried here by the porters. But there is enough for all to recharge for the ultimate hike to the mountaintop.
Experience The eight-kilometre trek to Laban Rata starts either from the Timpohon Gate near Kinabalu park headquarters (1,800m) or Mesilau Nature Resort and takes between 4-6 hours. Next day, make an early start, and push for the summit reaching in time to view the sunrise. Once on the summit, the views overlooking the clouds and the sun rising are mesmerizing. It is one of the few rewards the nature provides to a climber and which are embedded in one’s mind as life-long memories.
After the sun has risen above the horizon and the magical rainbow colours have faded, the show is over. The excited travellers make a run for Laban Rata, where breakfast of tea, coffee and pancakes is served. After breakfast they descend the mountain, reaching the park headquarters by mid-afternoon.
Location Laban Rata is located at 3,200m up the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. Laban Rata is a simple overnight stop.
Getting There International flights arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. From the airport, it is about 2-hour drive to the National Park gate and from there a half-day trek to Laban Rata Resthouse.
When to go A good time to travel to Borneo is between March and September/October, even though Southwest monsoon brings in short burst of showers between May to July. Showers usually occur on the upper slopes in the afternoon while Mount Kinabalu has its own climate. The driest season runs from April to October but even during this season, a good raincoat is a must. The heaviest rainfall generally occurs between October and January and the lowest in between February and April.
Destination
Western, Borneo
Featured
Discover sides of Asia you never knew existed, revealed by people who know every facet.
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said us recently.
“I would like to thank Asian Geographical Expeditions staff for organising a perfect holiday for my family to Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives…”
“We are grateful for the exceptional planning and care taken by Asian Geographical Expeditions to ensure our holiday was perfect.”
“… organised by Asian Geographical Expeditions following a recommendation from a close friend. He wasn’t wrong! Asian Geographical Expeditions immediately showed us their professionalism, care and attention to our wishes.”
“Thank you for suggesting the helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp and breakfast with a view of Mt Everest—a truly spectacular moment.”
“The history and cultural specialists also deserve a mention for the way they illuminated the heritage of the places we visited, as does the Buddhist scholar with his apparently boundless knowledge.”
“We were very impressed to learn that its CEO had led some amazing first-ever expeditions … Clearly, he’s still an ace at organising expeditions.”
“Tibet was a revelation … it surely was a blessing to travel back to the region after 50 years … Thank you, Asian Geographical Expeditions, for making this possible.”
"Everything went smoothly, and we want to thank our friendly guides and driver who shared their personal stories and the rich histories of their countries. That is the AGE difference."
"A heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Asian Geographical Expeditions who made this super trip possible."
"… we had a stress-free trip, ‘hands-free’, enabling us to enjoy the sights and rich cultures of Dubai and Oman ."
"The meticulous care, support and guidance provided by Asian Geographical Expeditions made the trip extra-special."
"The itinerary was as we expected... the Asian Geographical Expeditions did a fantastic job, going the extra mile to ensure we had the best holiday ever.”
"The attention to detail shone through every aspect of our journey … we gained a deep understanding of a region that remains enigmatic to many. Thanks for a remarkable travel experience!"
"I am deeply grateful to the entire team at Asian Geographical Expeditions for their dedication and hard work in crafting such a memorable holiday."
"The guides were exceptional—they clearly loved sharing their knowledge and insights into the local culture and history."
"We were really impressed with the immaculate organisation ... The Asian Geographical Expeditions team kept in communication during the tour, ensuring that each of our members was comfortable."
"The detailed itinerary and thoughtful pre-trip information removed all stress from our travels, which went off without a hitch, allowing us to dive deep into the stunning landscapes and rich cultures of Central Asia."
"The hospitality was truly remarkable... we are immensely grateful to the team for their efforts and look forward to our next adventure with Asian Geographical Expeditions."
"Every detail of our trip was superbly executed... (and) the exceptional attentiveness of the guides added a feeling of luxury and comfort that was much appreciated."
"The guides were not only knowledgeable but also truly passionate about sharing their rich cultural histories, which added a personal touch that was deeply appreciated."
"Every aspect of the trip, from guides to accommodation and the well-planned itinerary ... was seamlessly orchestrated. We will always recommend Asian Geographical Expeditions for anyone looking to explore Central Asia in unparalleled depth and comfort."
