Take The Path Less Ordinary

Astounding natural beauty, geological features and welcoming locals, there is endless scope for off-the beaten-path-style activities. Just the kind of place to enjoy a light sprinkling of adventure, a whole lot of nature and timeless countryside neighborhood. And who knows, if you’re game, learn how to jabber in Malay language too. It would certainly come in handy for your onward journey around Malaysia.

Hand built by Mohd Basri Alwi in his family’s little plot of riverside land, the traditional bamboo house on stilts is all yours for overnight. Already 50 something, Mohd Basri is the friendliest character around and his wife’s cooking is legendary. Although Mohd Basri’s English isn’t great, our multi-lingual escort will help you enjoy his warm hospitality.

Nestled by a pristine river and flanked by lime hills of Gunung Mesah, Kampung Cholek is populated by 60 families. For untold centuries, these farmers-gatherers had thrived on the abundant resources of equatorial forest. Local Malays have legendary knowledge and it is said that they harvest more than 200 different plants for food and medicinal use.

They practice taboos (kepercayaan) and traditions (adat) passed down by their forefathers who have lived in the same spot for hundreds of years. These rules and practices depict the “soft approach” used by rural communities for maintaining good moral and manners, or budi bahasa. Some squicks you out a little. Take for example, a young girl is not allowed to sing while cooking. By doing so, locals believe the maiden will marry an old man in the future! This taboo could have stemmed from mothers wanting their daughters to concentrate while cooking in the kitchen. Irrational it may be, but who’s to argue with that when fabulous food is always certain when a Malay lady offers to cook for you. You bet, being flummoxed by an array of local hoodoos is all part of the adventure too.

For one night, you’d be glad to leave modernity behind and travel back in time to a place where nature, people and time-tested tradition interweave seamlessly.

Quick Itinerary Glance

This is a laid-back itinerary that gives one a lot of space for relaxation and quiet walks to enjoy local charm at its purest.

DAY 1
1:00 pm - Pick up in Ipoh or Medan Gopeng bus station
1:15 pm - Trip itinerary and safety briefings
2:00 pm - Limestone cave temple visitation
3:30 pm - 4×4 transfer that will cruise by farms, rubber plantation and traditional Malay villages. There will be numerous pit stops for close-up viewing, photography and explanation of folk tales, taboos, traditional house architectures, edibles/herbs and other amusing local scenes along the trail.
5:00 pm - Arrive Malay overnight home, get to know hosts and settle down
5:30 pm - Free and Easy / Cool dipping in the river
8:00 pm - Dinner
10:00 pm - If you can’t sleep, let our witty guide drip feed you with folklore or learn a Malay song.

DAY 2
8.00 am - Breakfast and pack up.
9.00 am - 4×4 transfer to a nearby show cave that’s teeming with strange and huge karst crystal formations. This guided hike takes visitors to view Malaysia’s largest stalagmite, 8 storey high golden flowstone, crystal glazed inner cave waterfall, wind tunnel and mineral spring. History first took notice of the cave when villagers living nearby were diagnosed with kidney stones as the result from drinking from its mineral spring, reputed to heal any sickness (!). Later, during Japanese Occupation of Malaya in World World 2, locals and British soldiers saw the cave as a perfect place to hide. Today, wall drawings such as clocks, calendars, cars and whatever that take bored refugees’ mind off the war can still be viewed.
12.00 noon - 4×4 transfer back to Ipoh / Medan Gopeng bus station

Key Detail

Duration: 2 days 1 night
Group Size: 2 - 7 people (min. 2 persons)
Season: January - December
Price: RM430 per person valid for Jan-Dec 2010 bookings.

This excursion departs from Ipoh, a town some 200km north or 2hrs bus ride from capital Kuala Lumpur. We can pick and drop off at any taxi/bus station or hotel around Ipoh.

Price Includes

- Traditional Malay meals and bottled drinking water during the entire outing.
- Sleeping bags
- English speaking naturalist guide
- 4×4 offroad return transfers ex-Ipoh.
- Frankly, you will not need a single cent to spend. We have everything covered.

Scene shots around Kampung Cholek to help you visualize

A pristine river runs through the village

Buffalo munches on greenery draping the countryside

Surrounding limestone hills and cave networks of Gunung Mesah give good insight on local geology make-up. Millions of years ago, Kampung Cholek was nothing but a vast seabed teeming with sealife. Today, bygone leftovers and strange looking karst formations give visitors a lot to muse about.

Local ladies are mostly home-makers and like to enjoy some female-bonding, over a generous dose of gossips, during late afternoons when it is cooler outside.

One can tell how old a house is by looking at its colour. 19th century Malay houses in the village are made of tropical wood and due to aging, cellulose and carbohydrate in the wood have caramelized, hence given its black charcoal like appearance.

You are in for a treat if your overnight stay coincides with the fruit season. Fruiting occurs twice annually and striking fruits like rambutan, langsat and mangosteen add colour to surrounding greenery. Eat the sweetest tree-ripen fruits and give your taste bud a new perspective.

Malay housewives have a knack for planting and using a myriad of flavourful herbs and roots to add more zing to their recipes. A typical home backyard looks more like a botanical garden or herbatorium.

Misai kucing or cat’s whiskers (Orthosiphon stamineus) that grows wild is usually dry and brewed as tea for drinking. Locals swears by its medicinal properties to cure gout, kidney ailment and rheumatism. That’s right. Besides an eye-opening village stay, let our guide walk you through the village’s natural pharmacy that may go un-noticed by untrained eyes.

___________________________________________________________________________

“Easy going” trip type - As this is a out-of-the-way destination, it is crucial that personal essentials are packed and brought along. For accommodation, night shall be spent in bamboo chalets on stilts, which has electricity, water and flush toilet facility nearby.

This is an easy-going overnight stay for nature lovers who always wonder what is it like spending a quiet time in a jungle-fringe Malay village. Enjoy lazing around or read a book by the river. This trip is also especially great for people who love outdoor photography.

Part of the adventure is food - Food ingredients are gathered from village grounds and cooked by womenfolk in accordance to Malay recipes. However, if you prefer something more familiar, let us know. We can arrange urban staples like breads, cakes, fruits, coffee or even vegetarian dishes.

Important Note - There’s a difference between adventure and recklessness. In adverse weather condition, we reserve the right to exercise our discretion and may cancel certain activity for safety reason. It’s best work with Mother Nature, not against it.

Precaution - If you suffer regularly from severe stomach, muscular, chest, heart or bronchial disorders, are a severe asthmatic or have high blood pressure, epileptic fits and pregnant, you are strongly advised AGAINST participating.

Other good reads

1. Travelling to Ipoh by public transport
2. Get to know Ipoh as a place for holiday stopover between KL and Penang
3. What to pack or bring for a jungle jaunt
4. Our list of outdoor trip packages