River Junkie – fuel the addiction
River Junkie – fuel the addiction

River Junkie Tours Sdn. Bhd. — licensed Kota Kinabalu tour operator (KPL/LN5696), MATTA member, running wildlife safaris, Mount Kinabalu climbs and cave trips across Sabah and Sarawak since 2008.

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Mount Trus Madi, Sabah

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Trus Madi

3D2N Mount Trus Madi Expedition

3 days
2 nights
Departs Kota Kinabalu
Basic
Price fromRM 1,950
2 climbers, per person, 2 nights at Camp 2
Duration3 days
2 nights on the road
DepartsKota Kinabalu
Groupmin 1 pax
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About this trip

Mount Trus Madi is Sabah's second highest peak, located in the central part of Sabah, in the 1,400 square kilometer Crocker Range Park. With an abundance of birds, orchids, and nepenthes (pitcher plants), you will be rewarded with beautiful views as you follow the trail from the village of Sinua to the summit of Trus Madi. Unlike Mount Kinabalu, very few tourists venture here, so a visit will prove to be very special, as well as challenging. Recommended for: Adventurous travelers who are fit, and willing to rough it out as camps are very basic. Expect variable weather and a lot of uphill terrain, hot & humid environment's and extended hours of hiking (5-7hours) during some days. Suitable for those wanting to explore a beautiful area with limited infrastructure and are prepared to take up a challenge. If you prefer a more gentle alternative to Mount Kinabalu we recommend the 2D1N Kampung Kiau trek.

Highlights

  • 4-5 hour trek to Camp 2 through old-growth forest
  • 2.30am summit push to Trus Madi's peak
  • Nepenthes Lowii & Villosa pitcher plants along the trail
  • Views of Mount Kinabalu from the summit

    • Trip facts

    Trus Madi
    Jungle walks, Multi-day hikes, Night Walk, Summit Climb
    3 days of travel
    Physical difficulty 5 / 5
    Departs from Kota Kinabalu
    Minimum 1 pax per departure
    Rates: Pricing valid till 31st Dec 2026
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    Day by day

    Day 1

    Drive & trek to Camp 2

    Your adventure starts with pick up from your hotel in Kota Kinabalu at 7am. Settle in for a 4 hour drive to Sinua Village at the base of Mount Trus Madi, in the heart of the Crocker Range Park. On arrival, stretch your legs and enjoy an early lunch at camp 1 surrounded by farm lands on the border of the Trus Madi Forest Reserve. After lunch, begin your hike to Camp 2, the 8km trail has a total elevation gain of 1000 meters and climbs slowly over the 4-5 hours of trekking. The forest is beautiful, and there is water available along the majority of trail that follows a river. Upon arrival at Camp 2, settle in for the night, enjoy the views over the surrounding area and have dinner before joining an optional night walk if you still have the energy. Overnight Camp 2.

    Day 2

    Summit push to Trus Madi peak

    2.30am wake up to head for the summit of Trus Madi. Today the trail is steeper, with ropes in the slippery sections. The distance to the summit is 4 km, with 1,000 meters elevation gain. As the trail gets higher, the forest type changes to heath forest and pitcher plants appear everywhere on the trail. The most common are Nepenthes Lowii and Nepenthes Villosa. Arrive at the summit just before sunrise, to take in an amazing view of the Mount Kinabalu and Borneo below, if cloud cover allows! Make your way slowly back to Camp 2. On the way, we will explore the unique plants and summit in daylight. Arrive back at camp for lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing, or, you have an option to go for a short walk. Overnight Camp 2.

    Day 3

    Descent to Camp 1 & Kota Kinabalu

    Wake up and eat breakfast before getting back on the trail. We will descend back to Camp 1, arriving around lunch time. Enjoy lunch before we take the 4 hours transfer back to Kota Kinabalu arriving back in the city in the late afternoon.

    Where you'll stay

    Mount Trus Madi camps

    Mount Trus Madi Camps

    Mount Trus Madi, Sabah
    Mount Trus Madi rises to 2,642 m in central Sabah, second only to Kinabalu, and is administered by the Sabah Forestry Department. Three approved trails lead to the summit, from Tambunan, from Apin-Apin and the long trail from Sinua, with permits, a forestry guide and a daily climber quota required on each. Our tours follow the trail from Sinua and include 2 nights at Camp 2, one on your way to the summit and one on the way down. Simple meals are provided for you at the camp and boiled water is available to refill your bottle.
  • Jungle campSimple camp with stretcher hammock.
    • FacilitiesBasic jungle camp with stretcher hammocks & mosquito nets. We provide a sleeping bag for you and you will need to allow space in your bag to carry it.
    Good to knowThis is a wetter, steeper and far less developed climb than Mount Kinabalu, suited to fit trekkers. Expect five to seven hours of hiking a day. Bring hiking boots, a headlamp, raincoat, warm layers and insect repellent. Summit temperatures are around 13 degrees.
    A closer look

    What's included

  • Return land transfers from Kota Kinabalu
  • meals
  • drinking water, coffee & tea, snacks
  • Trus Madi ranger
  • entrance fees
  • trekking permit
  • sleeping bag

    • Not included

  • Porter fees (RM100 per day for up to 10kg). Otherwise be prepared to carry your own personal belongings including up to 3 litres of water – you must request for a porter for personal belongings in advance.

    • Prices

    Solo climberRM 3350per person
    2 climbersRM 1950per person
    3 climbers & aboveRM 1700per person
    Pricing notesPorter fees, per day for up to 10kg — RM 100
    Rate validityPricing valid till 31st Dec 2026

    Frequently asked questions

    How hard is this climb?
    It's more challenging than Mount Kinabalu as the trail is less well established and the accommodation far more basic. Day one is an 8km trail from Camp 1 with a total elevation gain of 1,000 metres, climbing slowly over 4 to 5 hours of trekking, with water available along most of the trail as it follows a river. On day two you wake at 2.30am for the summit push — 4km with another 1,000 metres of elevation gain on a steeper trail, with ropes in the slippery sections. You then descend back to camp for lunch, and on day three descend to Camp 1 by around lunchtime.
    Where do I sleep, and how cold does it get?
    You spend both nights camping at Camp 2, which sits above 1,600 metres above sea level. Warm clothes are very important for this hike, as it is cold in the evening and the temperature can drop to 13 degrees Celsius. A sleeping bag is included in your package.
    Is 3D2N the only option?
    No. It is also possible to add a night at Base Camp (Camp 1) before your climb (4D3N), or if you are very fit, you can do the whole climb in 2D1N. The 2D1N option means that on day 2 you will head to the summit then trek all the way back to Sinua bas camp before returning late to Kota Kinabalu. Just ask us for rates and advice.
    Can I join as a solo traveller?
    Yes. Solo travellers are welcome to join our existing bookings with no surcharge.
    What is included in the price?
    Return land transfers from Kota Kinabalu, meals, drinking water, coffee, tea and snacks, a Trus Madi ranger, entrance fees, your trekking permit and a sleeping bag are all included. Porter fees are the one thing not included.
    Do I need a porter?
    Porters cost RM100 per day for up to 10kg. If you do not hire one, be prepared to carry your own personal belongings including up to 3 litres of water — and please note you must request a porter for personal belongings in advance.
    What time does the trip start and finish?
    You will be picked up from your hotel in Kota Kinabalu at 7am on day one for a 4 hour drive to Sinua Village at the base of Mount Trus Madi, in the heart of the Crocker Range Park, arriving in time for an early lunch at Camp 1. On day three you take the 4 hour transfer back to Kota Kinabalu after lunch, arriving in the city in the late afternoon.
    What should I pack?
    Bring a comfortable hiking backpack, head lamp, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, hat, your favourite trekking snacks, raincoat, a dry-bag, good walking or trekking shoes, personal toiletries including a towel, personal medication and a basic first aid kit, and light clothing for trekking. Gloves are useful for hand protection when holding onto stumps, small trees or vines along the climb. Do not forget warm clothes for the evenings at camp.

    Photos from this trip

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    This is our only trip in this region — browse all our trips or explore by destination.

    Ready to book, or still deciding?

    Tell us your dates and we will come back with availability, the total cost and honest advice — including when a different trip would suit you better.

    Getting between destinations: we also run private van and 4X4 transfers across Sabah and a daily Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan shuttle — ask us to add either to your trip.

    WhatsApp / phone: +60 11 1265 8581
    Email: info@river-junkie.com
    Hours: 8am–5pm, Monday to Sunday
    Office: Wisma Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

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