Absolutely breathtaking: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary to Mt. Kinabalu, Malaysia

“Pang-Walter Mitty. Pang-National Geographic. Pang-bucket list.”

This is how Drew Arellano and the crew of GMA News TV kept describing Mt. Kinabalu, the 4095-meter-tall mountain located 90 kilometers from the city of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia. Summiting the world-famous peak is on the bucket list of many mountaineers and adventurers, Drew himself included.

Planning a trip there? Here’s a Mt. Kinabalu-centered itinerary by “Biyahe ni Drew.”

[Related: Five cities in Malaysia - A “Biyahe ni Drew” itinerary]

How to get there
Kota Kinabalu is less than two hours away from Manila by plane, with no time difference. Our exclusive biyahe partner for this episode: Cebu Pacific Air. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates on their seat sales!

Conquering Mt. Kinabalu
Kinabalu Park, Ranau District, Sabah, Malaysia
“Gusto mong masubukan yung hindi mo pa nasusubukan,” says Drew. At a height of 4,095 meters and at an altitude of over 15,000 feet above sea level, summiting Mt. Kinabalu was a test of strength and endurance even for Drew, a seasoned triathlete. “Ang nasa isip ko lang, sige, fight lang nang fight. Kasi very challenging for me itong mga adventure trips namin,” he admits. “Wala pang isang kilometro, mukhang hingal na hingal na ang aming cameraman.”

All the same, they say Mt. Kinabalu is doable even if you aren’t a veteran climber. It’s difficult, but doable. Tip: Take advantage of the many waiting areas and restrooms along the way.

Climbing Mt. Kinabalu is a three-day affair. On the first day, Drew, cameraman Rey and assistant cameraman Mong took a two-hour drive from the city center to the foot of Mt. Kinabalu. They reached the Laban Rata Guest House after a six-kilometer climb that took three-and-a-half hours.

“We were a bit giddy,” Drew says. “This was just a ‘halfway house’ for climbers before the assault to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu 2:30 a.m. the next day.” At Laban Rata, climbers can reward themselves with a buffet, and there’s also an early morning buffet for climbers about to head to the summit.

The next day, they woke up extra early for the 822-meter assault that took two-and-a-half hours. “Temperature was nginig to the bones-LAMIG,” recalls Drew! The trip back to Laban Rata will take up the rest of your day, and after a night’s sleep, you can head all the way back down.

The view from the summit is nothing short of breathtaking. Imagine a sea of clouds surrounding an island of gray rocks. “Ito yung lugar na parang...’Mayroon palang Diyos,’” says Drew.

“I say when you're at a spectacular place with a 360-degree, jaw-dropping view, you can take ALL the selfies you want!” said Drew after posting a barrage of photos on his Instagram account.
Where to stay
Gaya Center Hotel
Jalan Tun Fuat Stephen, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Drew and the crew stayed at this three-point-five-star hotel in the city. A room for two, whether with twin beds or one queen bed, costs RM 230 (PHP 2,990) exclusive of breakfast.

Hostels on Gaya Street
Gaya, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Gaya Street is also known as the “Australia Place Heritage Walk.” There are plenty of hostels in the area like: Travellers’ Light Backpackers Lodge, Lucy’s Homestay Bed and Breakfast, and Bunibon Lodge. At Borneo Backpackers Lodge (Lorong Dewan, Kota Kinabalu), a room for one goes for RM 20 (PHP 260) a night.

Where to eat
Syarikat Yu Kee
Gaya, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Take it from the locals, this is a good place for breakfast. With a price range of RM 8 and below (PHP 100 and below), you get a soup similar to the Ilocano sinanglaw, which makes use of meat and innards.

Kampung Nelayan Floating Seafood Restaurant
Taman Tun Fuad, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Fresh with a capital F! Apart from serving fish fresh from their tanks, this restaurant has a cultural dance show every night. According to the locals we met, you gotta try the steamed whole fish, soft-shell crabs, butter prawns, light coconut pudding and a dish of ferns in garlic and shrimp paste called Sabah Vegetable.

“You ordered a lot for tonight,” Drew said. Our friends answered: “Yes, because we want everyone to be happy.” Good thinking! Expect to pay RM 200 (PHP 2,600) for five people. Worth every cent!

What to do

Mari-Mari Cultural Village
Sabah, Malaysia
Meet the different Sabahan tribes and experience their culture! Drew and the crew met a young chief named Aki, who said “I hope you’re happy to be here. Welcome.” Here, the crew saw traditional bamboo homes of the Dusun, the largest tribe in Sabah, and tried lihing nylin, a rice wine that tastes similar to the Filipino lambanog.

There was also a cultural performance, a blowdarts lesson and a lunch buffet. Drew even played a local game that resembled the Filipino pabitin, but on a trampoline!

Sabah State Museum
Sabah, Malaysia
Adult: RM 15 (PHP 195); Children below 12 years old: Free
For a more affordable cultural experience, visit the state museum for their heritage village that sells local handicrafts and also has the pabitin-like game.

Poring Hot Spring
Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia
Located at the foot of Mt. Kinabalu, The sulfur pool of Poring Hot Spring is a welcome break from the area’s chilly climate. Entrance is RM 15 (PHP 195).

Canopy Walkway
No plans to climb Mt. Kinabalu? You can still have an adventure and enjoy the “lula factor,” as Drew calls it, by walking along these swaying forest bridges that hang 60 feet above the ground. “Natatakot ako!” laughed our assistant cameraman Omar, while our researcher Marvin crossed the bridge while smiling and making monkey sounds. Entrance fee is just RM 5 (PHP 65).

Riverbug - White Water Rafting
Kulu River, Tampanuli Area, Sabah
Even if you can’t swim, you’ll be okay because of the life vests and helmets! Try this adventure for RM 185 (PHP 2,405), inclusive of a buffet meal. The water is calmer during the summer or dry season, and more exciting during the rainy season.

Zip Borneo
Kiuli, Sabah, Malaysia
Zip lines are everywhere in the Philippines, and Malaysia isn’t far behind. This park is a 45-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu and entrance fee costs RM 40 (PHP 520).

Luanti Spa
Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia
For the ultra-affordable entrance fee of RM 10 (PHP 130), you get to stand in the middle of a stream and have fish pick at your skin. But unlike other fish spas that have teeny tiny fish doing it, you’ve got big ones, like what end up on our dinner table! It makes you wonder if they’re out for revenge. Can your goosebumps handle this? 

–Cristina Tantengco/PF, GMA News