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What to do and see in Malaysia, Malaysia: The Best Mountains
Coordinates: 2°30′N 112°30′E / 2.500°N 112.500°E / 2.500; 112.500
Restaurants in Malaysia
1. Mount Trusmadi
2. Mount Baling
3. Gunung Nuang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Tallest Mountain in State of Selangor in Malaysia, National Park
Reviewed By Tguan101 - Shah Alam, Malaysia
We began our climb at 7am from Kuala Pangsoon, after registration and paid the RM1 fee. We reached the peak at 1pm, came down at 2pm and reached the entrance at 8.30pm. The climb was challenging. Camp Lulu is a good place for camping, and we stopped there for quite a while to soak ourselves in the cold clear mountain stream. We will go back again for more climb as to prepare for our next year Mt Kinabalu climb.
4. Mount Kinabalu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,442 reviews
Reviewed By ShukryAbdullah - Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Me and my team ( a group of 3 people, 1 man 2 women, all adults 40 years above) went for my Mount Kinabalu climbing trip from December 30 2020 then climbing down on January 1, 2021, after reaching Low's Peak successfully. This is my 11th climb. My other two team members are experienced climbers and have been climbed Mount Kinabalu for the 31th time. We all are local Malaysian living in Kota Kinabalu city center. We celebrated New Year Eve at the base camp of Mount Kinabalu in the Panalaban area where Laban Rata rest house is located at. That was my first time ever celebrating the new year in Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia and in South East Asia. We spent 2 nights in Panalaban. On December 29, 2020, we took a public cab in Kundasang station near Bandaran Berjaya Kota Kinabalu city center. It was a brand new Toyota Innova. Driver name is Wol. Each of us paid MYR 25 cash to the driver for our group to go to Tahubang Lodge, an accommodation right in front of Kinabalu Park. We spent 1 night staying at Tahubang Lodge. Kinabalu Park entrance is just a 1-minute walk from Tahubang Lodge. During our stay, we are the only guests in Tahubang Lodge on December 29, 2020. On the next day (December 30, 2020) it was a rainy day. I woke up at 4 AM and realized it was heavy rain. When we took our breakfast at 8:00 AM it was still raining. At 9:00 AM we went to the Kinabalu Park registration counter to register for our Mount Kinabalu climbing trip. After that, we received our climber badge card showing our first name and our climber ID number. For tracking and safety check. Our guide is Aaron Brian O'neil Roland or "Aaron" for short. He was a nice guy and very friendly. Rain pours heavily during the middle of our climb to Panabalan Base Camp. Nature trail became like a small river as rainwater flows continuously from top to bottom. It was heavy rain from 10:30 AM to 3 PM - about 2.5 hours straight. Imagine how cold it was. The trail to the base camp became too slippery. The climb became more challenging. Aaron helped us arranging our stuff in our backpack when we need to change from our normal climbing attire to wet attire so we can keep our climb pace without stopping even in heavy rain. We reached the Panalaban area (the basecamp) around 6 PM. We booked for 2 nights there so no need to rush like other climbers. Aaron is very kind. He did not complain much and only talk when asked and when needed. I saw that as a sign of maturity and years of experience since a young age. I've climbed with several other guides before. Aaron is different. Aaron keeps asking about us checking if we are ok or not. He shared his story about life as a full-time mountain guide. He shared many tips and advice about Mount Kinabalu climbing. Feels like we knew him for many years although we just met him because he was so friendly. If you are looking for the best mountain guide for your next Mount Kinabalu climbing trip I personally suggest Aaron be your mountain guide because of his good service. During our 2 nights stay, he checked us regularly. Aaron brought us for a sightseeing trip to several areas around Panalaban. He showed us where Gunting Lagadan Hut is, delivers a briefing about do and donts while being there, he showed the impact from the earthquake that happened in the middle of 2015 that we never see before. Aaron always with us, talking, chatting, laughing and enjoying coffee together with us. He will leave us alone only when we enter our room to get some rest and to sleep. He respects our privacy. Aaron is very knowledgeable about Mount Kinabalu. He became a porter in his teenage years then promoted to become a mountain guide. We stayed at Mokodou Hostel as we did our booking with Sabah Parks. The hostel is behind Laban Rata resthouse. Very clean. We feel safe in Aaron's care. He always is with us most of the time to ensure our safety during our climb to the top peak of Mount Kinabalu in the middle of the dark night challenged by the strong wind. He always is at our side. We appreciate his effort and his attention very much. Aaron motivates us without pushing too much, without shouting and without a sound of anger because of our slow movement due to slight dizziness being on the highest mountain in South East Asia. He always calm. He took care of us from start to finish just like a dear brother. He never let us feel down. He keeps good eye contact and always watching us on our way to Low's Peak. We feel so lucky and so happy to have Aaron as our guide. I am an experienced climber and I've climbed with 10 previous mountain guides before him during our previous trip. Aaron is different. He gave full service as a mountain guide more than what we need. He gave his best effort to guide us and taking care of us as his dear friends without asking anything in return. The way he talks is soft. Not too high and not too low. Aaron talked with passion, not too cocky, and not looking down on you. From our point of view, we saw Aaron as a passionate mountain guide. Guiding and meeting climbers like us were his passion even though he did not mention it for even a word. We saw that in his eyes. He truly loved his job very much. We reached Low's Peak, the top peak of Mount Kinabalu at early morning on January 1, 2021, during the beautiful sunrise of a new year's day all because of Aaron as our motivator and our Mount Kinabalu guide. We will climb Mount Kinabalu again next time with Aaron as our guide for sure. We recommended Aaron as best mountain guide to anyone who want to climb Mount Kinabalu. Thank you for all your kind help, Aaron!
5. Rasa Ria Reserve by Shangri-La
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 360 reviews
The Rasa Ria Nature Reserve was established by Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu in collaboration with the State Wildlife Department of Sabah. This protected ecological space aims to facilitate rehabilitation programmes for endangered species of animals as well as those endemic in Sabah. The Rasa Ria Nature Reserve provides a home until they ready to be rehabilitated into their natural habitat. *Following 20 years of joint management between Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa (RRR), the Orangutan Rehabilitation and Conservation Programme has ultimately reached a successful conclusion. The wildlife conservation programme at the Nature Interpretation Centre continues, with expanded conservation education and activities. Visitors can now trek deep into the nature trails with rangers to learn about exotic plants, native to the area and found throughout the in the 64-arce Nature Reserve.
Reviewed By The_Whittemores - Redditch, United Kingdom
Just spent 9 nights at the Rasa Ria in KK and we had an amazing time. The Ocean Wing was great, the extra touches (mini bar, happy hour, balcony bath) are well worth the upgrade. The Rasa Ria team also made our stay extra special. Particular thanks to Aster in reception and Cenavera at breakfast but the list could go on. So many great people who do everything they can to make your stay fabulous. Would highly recommend the hotel and Borneo. Epic trip.
6. Mount Santubong
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
Reviewed By ashaec - Bangkok, Thailand
The jungle loop trail is the easier of the two trails. The trek took us only about one and half hours to complete. It’s a short trail and well marked but there are some confusing sections. It would be a good idea to get a contact number before staring out from the park office just in case. I had read that there are multiple exits but these exits were not marked well. Physical fitness is required as this is not a flat and easy esp for people who don’t trek frequently. There were some climbs and descents where we had to hold on to ropes or tree roots. There is plenty of shade but the path would definitely be very slippery and dangerous during the rainy season. Would recommend good waterproof shoes as the trail has a lot of rocks and tree roots and some small streams and brooks to cross and also carry plenty of water. The waterfall is right below the suspension bridge and would require climbing down some slippery rocks To get there: We had to drive around a bit after Culvert to find the park entrance. Look out for cars parked near “Santubong puteri trail start” ( google maps)
7. Gunung Besar Hantu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Feisal_Gh - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I went there early August with a couple of friends. It was planned earlier before MCO but have to postpone it until recently. I was planning to do both Besar and Kecil but unfortunately the team i went with can only go to Besar. Need to plan for another trip. Anyway, the water at the river was so clear and fresh. The taste is more tasty then our normal mineral water. Seems like the jungle is very well preserve and pristine without any human dirty touch. The trail was well marked, single track you will never get loss if you follow it through. The trail was straight up and we managed to get to the top by 11 am. It was cold at the top so bring along a jacket to keep you warm if you want to stay there long. It was a good hike and not to forget the lorry ride from starting point to our cars outside of Kg Chennah and Kg Besok. Beware of the overhanging bamboo trees as the lorry pass by it. See you soon GBH.
8. Gunung Irau (Mount Irau)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By csChai - Malaysia, null
This is a unique and beautiful mountain to hike. It is different from the other mountains in Malaysia in many ways. It is cool, misty, wet, mossy, muddy, slippery and in certain parts, dark. The trees and vegetation on this mountain is unlike those in other tropical jungles. Every hiking and outdoor enthusiast should hike this mountain at least once. To get to the trail head, one has to enter through the Mossy Forest entrance and walk to the end of the wooden broadwalk. The entrance fee is RM10 (adult), RM5 (senior citizen and children) and RM30 (foreigner). There is a hut that serves as the permit checking counter at the end of the broadwalk. Only hikers with a permit from the Pahang Forestry Department are allowed beyond this point. There are a total of 10 checkpoints (CP) from trail head to the peak of Gunung Irau at 2110 m asl. CP1 (Balak 1989 m asl), CP2 (Taman 1980 m asl), CP3 (Tali 1949 m asl), CP4 (Pisang 1873 m asl), CP5 (Pergam 1947 m asl), CP6 (Mini Irau 2024 m asl), CP7 (Slide 2028 m asl), CP8 (Bonsai 2043 m asl), CP9 (Batu 2048 m asl) and CP10 (LOTR - Lord of the Rings, 2089m asl ). From CP1 to CP4, the trail is descending. Then from CP4, it ascends all the way to CP6, Mini Irau. This is an excellent place to stop for a rest and refill our tummies as there is a wide area of flat land here. Officially, the trail is open from CP1 to CP6 only. Parts of the trail farther up have been damaged by landslides. Extra caution is required if one chooses to proceed to the peak. From CP6 the trail descends to CP7. Then it is ascending all the way to the peak which is a short distance (15-20 minutes) after passing CP10. In this section of the trail (CP7 to Peak),the atmosphere and vegetation is totally different with beautiful wild orchids, pitcher plants, bonsai-like shrubs and moss-covered trees enveloped by the thick mist. Truly enchanting! The total distance one way is about 5 km. The average time it takes to hike from the trail head to the peak is about 3 to 4 hours, on a leisure pace with many photography stops. So, start early and give yourself about 7 to 8 hours to complete your hiking adventure on this majestic mountain. Hikers are advised to turn back at 2.00 p.m. for safety reasons as the forest can get dark early and fast. The trail is clear and there are no sharp ascents or descents. Just be careful on where you put your foot on, the tree roots are smooth and slippery, the ground is wet and soft. In my personal opinion, it is not necessary to engage a professional guide for this hike. However, it is not advisable to hike alone, it is safer to go in a group. Happy Hiking!
9. Gunung Datuk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By maiznur - Shah Alam, Malaysia
Just visited Gunung Datuk today 26 Jan 2020. To be frank as beginner, you need to go ip there with an experience fiend that had been top of Datuk regularly. It is very challenging attempt for first timer . You need mentally and physically prepared. You need to have enough carbo before you go there. Enough water supply and simple food with high energy. First half of the journey is very tiring as you you have to climb steep terrain with natural big stone and tree. You need to be highly motivated to overcome the challenge. When going down , it really test your muscle strength as it will make you so helpless as though you cannot continue maintain to step down. If you have not been climbing any mountain or hills before , never go alone. You will be easily give up and struggle there. You must go there with regular hiker. The mountain is categorised as extreme trail. Once you reach there, all the struggles is paid off. So beautiful and amazing view up there.
