Mount Kinabalu spans six vegetation zones from lowland rainforest to alpine scrub (Sullivan Peraino)
Mount Kinabalu spans six vegetation zones from lowland rainforest to alpine scrub
Borneo is an island of extremes. Flanked by exquisite coral reefs and white sand beaches, tropical lowland rainforest blankets the floodplains and gives way to unique montane and alpine ecosystems home to species found nowhere else on earth. Mount Kinabalu is a 13,435 foot granite massif rising from the Bornean jungle, the tallest peak between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea and the center of Kinabalu National Park. The mountain not only attracts climbers, it is also a biodiversity hotspot. Biologists and nature lovers worldwide make pilgrimages to the park to admire its 6,000 plant species, of which 1,000 are orchids. The majority of Borneo's mammal, bird, amphibian and invertebrate species are also represented within the park, creating one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet and rightfully claiming UNESCO World Heritage Status.
Mount Kinabalu in the state of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo (Sullivan Peraino)
Mount Kinabalu in the state of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo
One of Kinabalu National Park's 1,000 orchid species, Coelogyne sp. (Sullivan Peraino)
One of Kinabalu National Park's 1,000 orchid species, Coelogyne sp.
Mount Kinabalu is, at a minimum, astounding. Towering alone on the horizon, glaciated granite spires peek through the churning mist to further elevate Borneo's feeling of being the real "Lost World." My wonderfully knowledgable guide, Adrian, ran me through the mountain's geologic history and biotic richness on our three hour drive from Kota Kinabalu. It turns out the mountain isn't the only thing that's big in Borneo. Kinabalu National Park is home to a very exciting list of world-record holders. The world's biggest moth, biggest stick bug, biggest flower, biggest orchid, biggest leaf..the list goes on. I was lucky to encounter a few of these leviathans on our trek through the forest at the mountain's base.
The world's largest moth, Atlas atticus (Sullivan Peraino)
The world's largest moth, Atlas atticus
1. World's Biggest Moth. The atlas moth, Atlas atticus, is both big and beautiful. This juvenile stopped to pose for a few photos and while its wings are not yet fully developed (it's going to grow more!), you can see the serpent-like camouflage at the tips of its wings, looking uncannily similar to the head of the moth's forest neighbor, the king cobra. The atlas moth can reach a wingspan of twelve inches!
A family living near the park found this Rafflesia flower growing on their property (Sullivan Peraino) A family living near the park found this Rafflesia flower growing on their property
2. World's Biggest Flower. The Rafflesia flower, Rafflesia keithii pictured above, is actually a parasite that grows only on woody vines in the rainforest. The species I encountered maxes out at 95 centimeters (over 3 feet), but it's Sumatran cousin reaches a floral diameter of 105 centimeters! The seeds germinate very slowly, sending thread-like roots into the host vine and sucking out tiny amounts of nutrients. This vampiric relationship continues for up to five years until the flower finally blooms. Once open, though, the Rafflesia lives for only another five days, making it's presence behind a local's house near Kinabalu Park very exciting, indeed.
I wanted to let the park officials know how stoked I was to see a Rafflesia flower in bloom. Thanks, Kinabalu National Park!) (Sullivan Peraino) I wanted to let the park officials know how stoked I was to see a Rafflesia flower in bloom.
Thanks, Kinabalu National Park!
This leaf bug found his way to my cabin door at Sutera Hill Lodge inside Kinabalu National Park (Sullivan Peraino) This leaf bug found his way to my cabin door at Sutera Hill Lodge inside Kinabalu National Park
3. This Big-A** Leaf Bug. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to identify this specimen. But, he still makes my list of giant things in Kinabalu National Park.
Whether you're a botany nerd like me, a climber, trekker or enjoy bird watching with a great view, Kinabalu National Park is a place you have to see to believe. Next, I'll venture up the Kinabatangan River in search of Bornean pygmy elephants and my red-headed cousin, the orangutan.
A necklace orchid gracefully spilling over a dead log along the trail in Kinabalu National Park (Sullivan Peraino) A necklace orchid gracefully spilling over a dead log along the trail in Kinabalu National Park
Poring Hot Springs makes a nice half-way stop on the drive to Kinabalu National Park (Sullivan Peraino) Poring Hot Springs makes a nice half-way stop on the drive to Kinabalu National Park
Mount Kinabalu National Park (Sullivan Peraino) Mount Kinabalu National Park
Mary was very helpful. Quick to reply with helpful information and closure on arrangements.
Nicola Maxwell
1 day ago
Our agent Jessica was very helpful with the whole process and always responded in a timely way to all of our questions.
K Van
2 days ago
Chern was very patient snd helpful.
CaBaba
3 days ago
Cruse ship was great. Fantastic food and service. Cruise itinary got changed so not what we expected, but not an major issue. Japan portion was great. Drivers/guides arranged by 80 Days were great. Hotels were mostly ok. Did not know that most hotels outside of major cities do not allow shoes to be worn in the hotel. again a minor inconvenience. Overall a great trip. Adventure Life communications were timely and much appreciated as far as changes/requests.
Peter Goff
4 days ago
We were a group of three that initiated our research by independently searching for the best agency to help us in the somewhat complex experience of traveling to the Galapagos. We chose adventure life because they were the most responsive in the website provided the most comprehensive overview of the trip. Their reviews were also very good.
Adventure, life splits up its booking process in two parts. First Jeff, the booking agent helped us decide which experience best suited are interests. We chose a small 14 to 16 group sized yacht. Once the booking was made with Jeff, we were handed off to Coleene, who oversaw the complex process of assembling all of the necessary documents and making sure we had everything we needed to make the trip go smoothly. The adventure, life website, then becomes your personal place of reference for all things related to your trip from door to door. It’s a lot of information to assemble, especially for three travelers, but the website makes it easy and Colleen‘s gentle reminders kept us on track. In all, from the beginning, we had four months from the time we started our research till the time we departed. We felt that was, a good amount of preparation time and don’t think it would be wise to do it in less than four months. Mostly because I think you have more options with that amount of time. There were others on our trip that took six months and more from the time they started planning.
The trip itself was outstanding. We ended up on an excellent yacht (Galapagos Angel II) with a great group of guests that we were able to connect with and put together a really nice google photos album to share.
Jed
1 week ago
Mary was very helpful. Quick to reply with helpful information and closure on arrangements.
Nicola Maxwell
1 day ago
Our agent Jessica was very helpful with the whole process and always responded in a timely way to all of our questions.
K Van
2 days ago
Chern was very patient snd helpful.
CaBaba
3 days ago
Cruse ship was great. Fantastic food and service. Cruise itinary got changed so not what we expected, but not an major issue. Japan portion was great. Drivers/guides arranged by 80 Days were great. Hotels were mostly ok. Did not know that most hotels outside of major cities do not allow shoes to be worn in the hotel. again a minor inconvenience. Overall a great trip. Adventure Life communications were timely and much appreciated as far as changes/requests.
Peter Goff
4 days ago
We were a group of three that initiated our research by independently searching for the best agency to help us in the somewhat complex experience of traveling to the Galapagos. We chose adventure life because they were the most responsive in the website provided the most comprehensive overview of the trip. Their reviews were also very good.
Adventure, life splits up its booking process in two parts. First Jeff, the booking agent helped us decide which experience best suited are interests. We chose a small 14 to 16 group sized yacht. Once the booking was made with Jeff, we were handed off to Coleene, who oversaw the complex process of assembling all of the necessary documents and making sure we had everything we needed to make the trip go smoothly. The adventure, life website, then becomes your personal place of reference for all things related to your trip from door to door. It’s a lot of information to assemble, especially for three travelers, but the website makes it easy and Colleen‘s gentle reminders kept us on track. In all, from the beginning, we had four months from the time we started our research till the time we departed. We felt that was, a good amount of preparation time and don’t think it would be wise to do it in less than four months. Mostly because I think you have more options with that amount of time. There were others on our trip that took six months and more from the time they started planning.
The trip itself was outstanding. We ended up on an excellent yacht (Galapagos Angel II) with a great group of guests that we were able to connect with and put together a really nice google photos album to share.
Jed
1 week ago
Mary was very helpful. Quick to reply with helpful information and closure on arrangements.
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