My husband and I climbed Mount Kinabalu on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. We are both reasonably fit and in our early 30s, but the climb itself is gruelling (especially day 2)!

It took us 5.5 hours to climb to Laban Rata where we stayed overnight. Laban Rata guesthouse is absolutely fine - we were expecting the worst from some of the reviews but we were more than happy. It is basic, but clean and homely.

The first days climb was tough due to the altitude if nothing else, but there are regular rest stops with toilets, places to fill up your water bottle with 'untreated mountain water' (we were fine and lots of people use it). The higher you get the more out of breath I got, but a quick rest and I was able to carry on.

Our guide was also very good and suggested slow and steady was a good way to proceed. As part of the package you are provided with lunch but it's pretty basic so would recommend bringing something to supplement this - additional snacks are essential.

Once you arrive at Laban Rata you can have a buffet dinner as part of the package. This is absolutely fine and plentiful. If you want to buy any extras this is quite pricey - but as everything is carried up the mountain you can understand the prices! Actually all the food at Laban Rata was good and appreciated after the effort to get there!! You can shower, but there was no hot water so it's a pretty quick affair!

Day 2 of the climb is the hardest. You wake up around 2am have breakfast and set off for the summit. The terrain is a lot harder to climb, plus it's dark (headtorch essential!) and the altitude makes it tough. The part we weren't prepared for was scaling rocks while holding onto a rope and at quite an angle, as my hiking boots kept slipping this was pretty scary!! I was glad it was dark as I couldn't see how steep it was!

We made it past the first set of ropes with help from our guide (only 20 years old but fantastic and very strong!!) to Sayat Sayat checkpoint. At this point altitude sickness set in for my husband and we couldn't continue any further. It was a shame we couldn't continue - but we were very proud of our effort. The views from Sayat Sayat and indeed Laban Rata are amazing - you are above the clouds and you really can't beat it.

We couldn't stay at Sayat Sayat as it was so cold (after the effort of the climb staying still even when in wooly hats etc is not an option) so we started our descent in the dark. The ropes were not any better on the way down!!

Sunrise on the way down to Laban Rata was amazing and we were lucky there was no mist to spoil the views.

After a rest and breakfast we started the descent from Laban Rata. We left at 8am and finished at 1.30. I found the descent easier as it was not so much of an effort (breathing, heart rate etc) but it is tough on your knees, toes and legs. I am having problems walking the day after!!

Essential kit I think is: walking stick (you can buy a wooden one for 5RM), light layer clothing, waterproofs, good boots/shoes, headtorch, snacks, tissues (for toilets on way up/down), warm gloves and hat.

People on the walk who made it to the summit said it was very very cold so layers are essential once you get up there.

Although very challenging and painful (especially day 2 descent) the views and sense of achievement make the experience worthwhile. It is a Christmas experience my husband and I will not forget!

Great day trip, but would suggest staying overnight in the area to really get the most out of it. We booked a private day trip which was actually very good value for money but once we were there would have like to stay overnight and enjoy it more. I understand what people don't like about Poring Hot Springs BUT that was just a small part of that area and you don't even need to use them but other things in the same vicinity are well worth the visit for example the canopy walk and butterfly farm ( butterfly farm was liked by my GF not me). What did i like ? The views, temperature and flexibility to explore what we liked when we liked under the private trip. What i did not like ? Not thinking to stay overnight !
A Must See when in Sabah !!

Our daughter had climbed Mt Kinabalu 2 years previously and advised us to give it a go. Sheer guts and determination got us to the top but frankly I wish we'd stayed in the park and not put our bodies through the sheer agony of doing this. The climb to the Laban Ratha hut was bad enough but we didn't know what was coming. Getting up at 2 a.m then the climb in the dark at altitude was exhausting and tough and we're fit! It was also very cold at the top and gloves are highly recommended. Sadly we didn't see the sun rise on the mountain although the sun did come out later and we saw some great views. These 2 days were expensive in terms of cost and time. The decent to the start is also about 7500ft and took us over 8 hours. Yes we've been to the summit of Mt Kinabalu and dragged our bodies up there putting up with the lack of O2, pulling ourselves up slippery granite walls in the dark and being totally exhausted. The climb down is also really hard and walking poles were essential. If you're set on doing this then take note. 1) travel light 2) get a camel back you'll drink lots of water 3) warm gear for the summit 4) plenty of glucose tabs/energy packs 5) walking poles. We did this 2 days after having done the Pinnacles in Mulu. Wish we'd stayed in the park at the bottom and looked at the flora/fauna.

You have to get a guide etc. to do this and it's not cheap compared to other activities in Borneo.

Overall I would not recommend this unless you're young and nuts!