Take The Path Less Ordinary

Towering trees rise from the floor to sky. Shady creek flowing with pristine water. The intricate ecosystem shares its gems in every nook and corner, offering unmatched experience for nature explorers - and once such fine example is the Rafflesia bloom.

The exotic and mysterious Rafflesia bloom has always fascinated intrepid adventurers. Now, one can enjoy some pure tropical serenity - expedition style - under steadfast guidance and insider account by our English-speaking naturalist and watchful Semai native guides to see the famed Rafflesia.

The Rafflesia is the only plant that has the capability to “play dead”. For higher chances of pollination, the Rafflesia’s clumpy and waxy red petals bear uncanny resemblance to decaying dead animal. This hoodwinks flies and insects to gather at its ovum and fly away with spores. The Rafflesia flower is known as Bunga Pakma by locals; Bunga is flower in Malay, and Pakma is derived from ancient language Sanskrit for lotus – a symbol for purity and fertility. The flowers are traditionally used after childbirth to aid shrinking of womb and restore female figure.

Quick Itinerary Glance

9.00am – Pick up in Ipoh hotel. Trip and safety procedures briefings.
10.00am - An hour or so trundle of 4×4 from Ipoh, over kampongs and plantations unpaved roads takes one to Changkat Matong where the rutted path runs out.
11.30am – The journey will be continued on foot under the supervision of Semai guides. After safety briefings, start deep jungle trekking from Sungai Kundor to Bukit Pinang hillside jungle perched 400m / 1200ft above sea level. Along the trek, our naturalist and Orang Asli trackers will teach you a thing or two about jungle survival knowledge and point out interesting flora and fauna.
1.00pm – Reach Bukit Pinang and enjoy sightings of Rafflesia buds and blooms.
3.00pm – Trek back to base camp for rest and enjoy a quick jungle lunch.
4.00pm – Hike a trail to view Orang Asli villages and make a pitstop at an uncharted waterfall. Enjoy dipping in its pristine waters.
5.00pm - Transfer back to Ipoh.

Key Detail & Cost

Duration: 1 day, 9am - 5pm, 8 hrs.
Group Size: 2 - 7 people (mins 2 persons), expedition style, good fitness required
Season: January - December
Price: RM330 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 …

- One lunch at midday.
- English-speaking naturalist ranger, Orang Asli guides and trackers.
- 4×4 transfer to all destinations & activities.
- Forest Reserve entrance permit.

Trail tales

One of the key attractions of this trip is that one has the opportunity to trek deep into a virgin rainforest that rarely gets any human contact.

Not many know that Malaysia has one of the oldest jungles in the world. Compared to the world’s rainforest, Malaysia’s is a great grandmother, dating back to the Pleistocene Epoch 130 million years ago and far older than those in Latin America and Africa.

During the Ice Ages, Malaysia’s forest was spared from glaciers and crushing cold due to its location near the sunny and warm equator. And so we have a massive variety of flora and fauna that have not stopped growing and evolving long before the existence of dinosaurs and mankind.

Marble-size buds break out from its host periodically and it takes 8-9 months for them to grow into mature cabbage-size buds. At this stage, the buds are ready to burst into full Rafflesia bloom, which only last 2 days, as soon as surrounding temperature drops or rain.

So, besides pure grit to trek into inner jungle, some luck is needed to spot the fiery spectacle.

Rafflesia has no root, stem, branch or leaf. Botanists are not sure whether to call it a plant or not. For most of the time, it is only a chain of cells living exclusively inside host Tetrastigma vine. Every once a while, its flower bud burst out and gets a peek at the outside world.

Botanists believe Rafflesia is the only plant in the world capable of “playing dead”. Its waxy thick red petals resemble decaying meat. It even smells like one too. Some Rafflesia species emit such a horrible stench, nose pinching is necessary to get near them. These characteristics hoodwink flies and insects to stopover and fly away with spores for pollination. Rafflesia flower gradually turns dark maroon after peak bloom but it maintains its shape that depicts “decaying meat” on the forest floor. Good trick or what ?

The Rafflesia gets its name from Sir Stamford Raffles (1781- 1826), the founder of Singapore, who together with companion Dr. Joseph Arnold stumbled upon these fiery blooms while trekking in the rainforest in 19th century. The first specimen was named Rafflesia Arnoldii. Subsequently, 20 species of Rafflesia have been recorded so far.

Rafflesia is presently listed as threatened by IUCN due to habitat loss and natural reproduction difficulties. Not many buds clinging on the Tetrastigma vines can survive and bloom. As the bud grow bigger, its weight causes the bud to fall off. Only the deepest rainforest is home to the Tetrastigma vines which house Rafflesia cells.

Pristine waterfall that flushes down from highland jungle is a great place for a refreshing dip that soothes tired bodies after the trek.

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Trip type - This is no sugar coated jaunt. Trails are raw and undeveloped. One needs reasonable fitness to trek lofty hillside, cross streams and brave dense foliage that have kept exotic and rare flora and fauna hidden for eons. That said, if you are game, we will take good care of you. All we ask is that you exercise and work on leg muscles 2 weeks ahead of departure to avoid cramps and fatigue during the trek.

Bloom sighting - To be honest, there’s no 100% guarantee. Please remember we are dealing with Mother Nature, and she doesn’t time Rafflesia blooming according to your travel plans. The buds take 8-9 months to grow and only bloom for 1-2 days! On most occasions, the Rafflesia colony has enough buds taking turn to bloom on weekly basis. Sometimes, there are even 2-3 blooms in a day. But if one don’t see a full bloom, take heart. There is still the virgin rainforest and other exotic visual feast to enjoy.

What to bring & wear - Wear T-shirts, long pants tucked into long socks (to insulate against leeches) and sports shoes with good grips for rutted path. Bright coloured wear is preferred to ease spotting leeches. You do not need boots. They are too heavy. Bring a small backpack to store personal essentials, water, raincoat and don’t forget to bring spare clothes and towels if you want to take a dip in the waterfall.

Enjoy food adventure too - Lunch is cooked according to traditional recipes and will be enjoyed in a small village lodge that’s hygienic and only uses locally sourced countryside ingredients. However, if you prefer something more familiar or can’t eat certain items due to personal, medical or religious reasons, let us know. We can arrange urban staples like breads, cakes, fruits, coffee or even vegetarian dishes.

Other good reads

1. Travelling to Ipoh by public transport
2. Rafflesia - The botanical bohemian
3. Jungle pest …. leeches
4. Understanding rainforest ecology
5. Our list of outdoor trip packages