Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Mountain Kinabalu - Malaysia Tourist Attractions

Imagine, being surrounded by the wonders of nature's lush garden dating from the dawn of time. Stand at the highest summit of Borneo as dawn peeks over the horizon to reveal Sabah's splendors far and wide. Reflect the quiet, sacred moment when you experience the most magnificent sunrise of your lifetime. Stroll amidst the treetops at the rainforest canopy walk and gaze up close at centuries-old wonders. Soak in the healing balm of a magic spring as colorful butterflies flutter around you. Admire the world's largest flower at your feet. Or lunch next to plants that lunch on insects.

You'll find it all in the Kinabalu Park - Malaysia's first World Heritage designated by UNESCO in December 2000 for its 'outstanding universal values' and role as one of the world's most important biological sites.
The focal point of the park, of course, is the majestic Mt. Kinabalu. Such is the importance of this mountain to Sabah, that the capital was renamed Kota Kinabalu (Kinabalu Fort) in 1964. The highest mountain between the Himalayas and the Snow Mountains of Papua Barat (New Guinea Island), this magnificent granite massif stands at 4,095.2 m. (13,435 ft.) tall.

Trails to the Top
Climbing Mt. Kinabalu can be done in 2 days but a more comfortable climb in 3 days is recommended to fully enjoy the rich biological diversity. While it does not require special skills to do the climb, you must at least have the basic fitness level. Park regulations state that all climbers have to engage the services of a registered guide on their climb. If you wish, porter through Sabah Parks or Kinabalu Nature Resorts. You can pay when you register at the Park Headquarters.
The are 2 trails up Mt. Kinabalu and Both meet at Layang-layang. The Mesilau Trail was just recently opened and offers more opportunities for viewing flora and fauna. The Summit Trail is the main route taken by most climbers as it is a simpler and shorter approach.

Starting from Park Headquarters, climbers must walk 4 1/2km. up to the Timpohon Gate at 1,866.4m. where the Summit Trail starts. Nearby, lies Carson's Falls where you can refresh yourself. From here, depending on your fitness level, it is an approximate 4 to 5-hour climb for the day.

The trail winds up a steep staircase of gnarled tree-roots to a mossy world of drifting clouds and orchid-draped trees, where pitcher plants and rhododendrons abound. You'll come upon the First Summit Trail Shelter at 1,981.7m. where on a clear day, a view of the road that links Kota Kinabalu city to the Park can be seen. The Second Shelter at 2,081.4m. is your point of entry to the zone of Low's Pitcher Plant, so look out for these oddly-shaped plants with pitcher containers. The mossy forest continues on past to Karamborongoh, where you'll find the Sabah Telecoms Station at 2,252.2m. Interestingly, the name Karamborongoh is derived from the local plant that the Dusun people use to ward off evil spirits. The Third Trail Shelter is further up the ridge.

Layang-layang (Place of Swallows) is where the Mesilau Trail meets the Summit Trail at 2,740m. As you climb higher, you will pass a forest of bent and twisted silvery-grey trunks with peeling bark. At about 3,200m. there's a helipad where you can catch a magnificent view of the Summit Plateau. Look around for Paka Cave. This was where the first explorers slept.

Panar Laban - the 'place of sacrifice' - was where Sir Hugh Low and his local guides performed a ritual sacrifice to appease the ancestral souls for their 'disturbance' to the spirit world. Nearby is the Laban Rata rest house and cafeteria where you'll stay the night before continuing the climb the next morning.

The Challenge of The Peak
After a night of rest, it’s off again on the climb to catch a magnificent sunrise on the summit. Most climbers leave at 3.00 am for 3-hour track but again, this depends on your fitness level. In the dark, you can see beam of torchlight as the procession of climbers trudge higher and higher. These are ladders, hand railings and ropes to help you over the steeper parts.

An hour from Panar Laban, you’ll see the Sayat-sayat Hut. An hour from Panar Laban, you’ll see the Sayat-sayat Hut. At 3,688m this is the visitor’s highest shelter on the mountain but it only provides basic facilities. Back on the climb, you’ll walk across her bare granite slabs that stretch endlessly ahead, in an eerie moonscape of stone. The vegetation comprises of stunted shrubs and tough grasses in the crevices. It is the survival of the fittest here.

You reach your final destination at Low’s Peak, the summit of Borneo at 4,095.2m. As you wait the cold, dawn gradually creeps over the horizon, illuminating the darkness with a light of a new day. In clear weather, you can almost see all of Sabah spread out below.

From this vantage, you’ll also see a dramatic drop more than 1,000m down – Low’s Gully. A chasm stretching 16km in length, it separates the summit plateau into the western and eastern plateaus. Other peaks on the mountain are Victoria’s Peak (4,090m.), Donkeys Ears Peak (4,054m.), South Peak (3,931.5m.) and St. John’s Peak (4,090.7m.) on the western plateau. On the eastern plateau, stand King Edward Peak (4,086m.), Mesilau Peak (3,801.3m.) and King George Peak (4,062.6m). These peaks are only for experienced climbers as it is a challenging climb that requires ropes. A special permit from the Park authorities is required before a climb.

At around 10.00am, clouds usually begin to form. These swirling clouds could obstruct visibility, so it is advisable that you descent by then.

Getting There
Kota Kinabalu – the international gateway to the rest of Sabah – has direct flights to and from the main capitals in the region, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Kaoshiung, Toyko, Seoul, Brunei and Manila.

From Kota Kinabalu, you can take a comfortable car or bus ride to the Kinabalu Park. There are regular buses plying this 83km . route. The buses leave at 7.30am and arrive at the Park Headquarter entrance about two hours later. The return trip to Kota Kinabalu is also vice-versa. Four-wheel drive vehicles, vans, coaches and helicopters are available for charter.