Perched in a wonderful location at 3,200 m up the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, Laban Rata is a simple overnight stop. It is from here that you will ascend to the peak of Mount Kinabalu in the early hours of the morning to hopefully watch the sunrise. The views from the lodge windows can be spectacular, especially if the sky is clear and you can watch the sun set over the jungle sprawling below.
As part of the compound, Laban Rata Rest House is the main facility, featuring dormitory (8-12 bunk beds) accommodation and the only restaurant (buffet dinner included, drinks extra cost). If you are staying in the dormitory then hot showers are available using the shared bathroom facilities. There are two private en suite (toilet and heated shower) rooms with twin beds that we will always attempt to book for you because the upgrade cost is minimal but these are incredibly hard to secure and are normally blocked by the park authorities for VIPs.
You are supplied by the lodge with a good quality sleeping bag and pillow but it can get very cold at this height up the mountain and many people do end up sleeping in their clothes!
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Photos of Laban Rata
Tour ideas in Kinabalu National Park
Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Laban Rata as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.
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![Hill Lodges, Kinabalu National Park]()
Hill Lodges
Kinabalu National Park
Experiences while staying here
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.
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Rafting on the Kiulu River ![Whitewater rafting, Sabah]()
Rafting on the Kiulu River
Rafting on the Kiulu River
The rafting will take approximately two hours and you will then have lunch before returning to Kota Kinabalu. The rafting here is grade 1-2.
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Kinabalu National Park and nearby places
- Mount Kinabalu less than 5 miles away
- Kota Kinabalu 31 miles away
- Gaya Island 36 miles away
- Manukan Island 39 miles away
- Garama Wetlands 66 miles away
- Deramakot Forest Reserve 77 miles away
- Sepilok 97 miles away
- Maliau Basin 99 miles away
- Kinabatangan River 101 miles away
- Sandakan 105 miles away