The plan to climb Kinabalu was started with a short chat after meeting a Malaysian in Pelawangan Camp on the slope of Rinjani Mountain, last May. Me and my friend, Retno Elisyah decided to arrange a trip to Mt Kinabalu, sometimes in 2011. After a few weeks wondering how to get there, Airasia announced a very interesting promotion of direct flight fare from Jakarta - Kinabalu. This cheap flight encourage more and more friends to join us, at the beginning. But again, this is just a beginning, a good start.
After researching online references and forums about Mt Kinabalu, we ended up with a not-so-good news. Mt Kinabalu is a very organized and facilitated place, make it require a considerable cost to climb. In average, it cost about RM 800 to RM 1200 per person for a 2 days 1 night climbing, since the mountain authority oblige guide and accommodation reservation in Laban Rata, the last camp before the summit of the mountain. There also fees for entrance and climbing certificate. This make it expensive and start becoming unaffordable, especially to locals to climb the mountain. We also find that this expensive price has long been discussed among travelers and created a cause to stop climbing the mountain untill the authority agree to lower down the price.
Considering the additional cost after the flight, some friends later decided to skip the trip, while some others want to travel to Kota Kinabalu without climbing. But there still enough spirit among us to pursue the mission, reaching the summit of Mt Kinabalu, until the last man standing.
With 12 people remain, we booked a tour with TyhBorneoTOurs, and managed initial payment 6 months before the trip.
CANCELED FLIGHT
Two months before the trip, Airasia sent us a very bad news. They had just decided to shut down their flight route from Jakarta - Kota Kinabalu, starting 2nd April, which is one week before our departure. They offer a full refund for our tickets, but this is not just about the money and airline ticket. This is about the whole trip planning, and they had just put us in trouble. NOW, EVERYONE CAN FLY LIE. Again, althought more friends gave up and quit from the plan, there still enough spirit remain within us. Good start and unbreakable spirit.
With 8 people remain in the team, we decided to book another flight route via Kuala Lumpur, and cost us additional US$ 200 per person for the airline ticket only.
Next:
Kuala Lumpur in a Rush
