Where: Taman Negara, National Parkin the middle of Malaysia.
How to get there: Bus
- Book your tickets through EasyBook from Kuala Lumpur to Terminal Sentral Jerantut ~22MYR.
- Upon arrival, you may get bailed up by someone from NKS (tour service) who I chose or you can find your way there.
- They will sign you up for a package + organise the shuttle bus from Jerantut to Taman Negara??
- They will also organise a return bus to Chinatown Kuala Lumpur for ~80MYR, but you can talk them down.
Alternatively, you can book directly with NKS but I heard most people say they left Kuala Lumpur and then waited in Jerantut for hours until the shuttle had enough people to leave.
Tickets:
Before you go:
Book your accommodation for the night you arrive in Taman Negara. I recommend ?? Hotel for a check overnight stay.
Prepare + Pack 30L+ backpack and look at the packing list below.
Upon arrival:
On the morning of your departure for the Jungle Trek, you’ll meet at the office at 9AM. They will tell you to pack your allocated gear which includes a sleeping mat, a sleeping bag, 3L of water, and a variety of food that is to be shared with your group (bread, chicken curry, tea, vegetables, noodles etc.). This goes into your bag which is why you need a larger size back and hopefully a comfortable one.
Pack your bag by putting your heavy items as close to your back as possible and light items further away.
Pack solid shoes, ideally basic hiking shoes. Runners will do but they will get muddy and don’t forget to tuck your pants into your socks to avoid leeches, you’re guaranteed to get one anyway.
Attractions/Things to do: Jungle Trekking!!
LETS GO! Walk to down to the water and you’ll jump in the boat, head literally across the other side (1 minute) to pay your park fee (2MYR) and camera fee (5MYR).
As you’re walking up to the National Park Office, they will show you the flood lines from 2014 (the highest flood ever) and then the next highest which was in 1971. It’s unbelievable how high this river has flooded as it would wipe out half the town!
You’ll then march on over to the first attraction, the 280m long Canopy Walk. It’s a simple walk above tree level and will take about 30 minutes. Keep an eye out for unique birds and Monitors (Lizards) but you are unlikely to see many animals as it is busy with tourists.
Ay captain, then you’ll be back onto the boat for about 1hr, where you cross through the natural rapids of Taman Negara, fighting your way up the river. They aren’t that big, but you’ll definitely get wet. Once they settle down, they serve you lunch on the boat consisting of fried rice and a fried egg. Keep your eyes peeled for Water Buffalo which are owned by the local tribes but they roam freely.
Backpacks on, you’re off on the trek. The total of the trek is 11KM and took us ~3h30mins overall, but other groups may be slower. You’ll start with a relatively easy with muddy spots 5KM trek where the guide will finally allow you a break and eat some Tiger branded biscuits. Make sure you continue to drink water the whole way, the humidity can dehydrate you very quickly. Then with not too much rest for the wicked, the remaining 6KM.
**MAP
Upon arriving at the cave, you can smell the elephant dung that is in the cave along with listening to the disturbance of the bats. You set up your mat and sleeping bag (I recommend closer to the opening to avoid bats pooping on you during the night ;)) and you’ll be sleeping beside your buddies from the hike in the open. then head to the river for a wash. The river is very small, 5cm deep. So don’t expect much but anything is better than nothing at the end of the hike. Enjoy the surroundings and go explore, check out the small room in the cave for a closer look at the bats. Note the entrance to the cave, if you climb in on the left side you will see the rocks are smoothed from where the elephants make their way it. It’s quite surprising with the narrow and rocky form but they can balance all fours on a ball after all!
Black tea is served followed by dinner is a (very) spicy chicken (with bones), rice and a side of stirfry vegetables. The guide will cost and it’s self-serve.
Start searching around for Crickets, and local cave spiders, the guides might tell you about the white cave snakes that like to make their way up the falls and some things fall off.
You wake up, have breakfast which can be bread and Jam (why not become a real caveman and toast your bread?) & Kopi (coffee). Pack up, strap up and go. Another 11KM trek out
**MAP
Once you reach what feels like the civilisation of a house, you cook up some noodles for lunch (be aware, don’t use all the toppings as they are very spicy). Have a break and wait for the boat. Pack up and head down to Orang Asli village where the guide and a few locals will show you some of their traditional hunting methods on making darts, shooting the darts (have a go!) and how to make a fire with local woods. They discuss what animals they hunt and why, like Monkeys because they have less blood and also easier to preserve rarer animals. They have their own language in these tribes but they can understand English as well and how the communities used to live in the jungle but moved to the riverbanks for transportation.
Back to the real civilisation via boat, where you can grab a beer, coconut shake or anything you need to feel real again.
Returning:
They booked us on a 6PM bus but we were out by 2:30PM. There is nowhere to shower so you’re going to have to embrace being sweaty, stinky and feeling gross. I filled in time walking around the small town and enjoying a beer, a smoothie, whatever you need to feel back in society. Get on the shuttle, head to Jerantut and then swap to the shuttle bus that takes you to Chinatown Kuala Lumpur. It’s a ~3hr bus trip back. A much-deserved shower and sleep will be needed.
Packing List:
Towel
Insect repellent
Lighter for leech removal
Socks
Thongs (for the feet…)
Undies (appreciate ones, you’ll most likely show your bum off to others around).
PJ’s
Something for a pillow, jacket etc.
Plastic bag for wet items.
Wet wipes are better than washing in the water.
Headtorch
Torch