Take The Path Less Ordinary

Teja aboriginal reserve is unsung and teeming with wonders of tropical nature. So captivated by its beauty and biodiversity, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has declared this hidden pocket a natural heritage and has spearheaded a conservation program in 2006 to create awareness among indigenous Semai natives in order to conserve and sustainably manage the surrounding forest. However, due to its far-flung location, Semai tribe’s shyness and inability to converse in mainstream language has made them trail far behind in reeling in visitors.

To overcome these, we have carefully design a special 2D/1N package for independent travellers with a penchant for unpretentious ecotourism and wish to play a part in bringing valued income to locals and village’s communal fund.As this is an un-touristed and off-the-beaten-path destination, travellers are expected to blend in, rough it out and forgo creature comfort for 2 days.

Take heart, small groups are fully escorted by English-speaking naturalist and aborigine man and woman guides who will go all out to ensure everyone enjoys an eye-opening stay - safely. Using local helps, transport, catering and accommodation and paying fair wages, we ensure that not only do our guests gain a unique insight into the culture they are visiting but also that as much of their money as possible stays in the local community.

Quick Itinerary Glance

DAY 1 - Blend in & Learn
12.00 noon – Pick up in Ipoh and enjoy an authentic Malay welcome lunch
1:00 pm – 4×4 transfer to Teja Aboriginal Forest Reserve.
3:00 pm – Trek to Semai aborigine villages
4:00 pm - Blowpipe demonstration and learning
5:00 pm – Swim and bath in a hidden waterfall
7:30 pm – Dinner
9:30 pm - Night jungle trek (weather permitting)
12 midnite - Supper and lights out

DAY 2 – Trek deep jungle
8.00 am – Breakfast.
9.00 am – Trek, explore and learn about rainforest ecology and useful medicinal, edible or special plants from Orang Asli natives. View Rafflesia colonies found in deep forest.
3.00 pm - Late lunch
4.00 pm - Pack up
5:00 pm – 4×4 transfer back to Ipoh.

Important Note - There’s a difference between adventure and recklessness. In adverse weather condition or if our trackers pick up clues of dangerous wildlife, we reserve the right to exercise our discretion and may cancel certain treks for safety reason. Rain can cause dangerous landslide and sudden flooding. It’s best work with Mother Nature, not against it.

Key Detail

Duration: 2 days 1 night
Group Size: 2 - 7 people (min. 2 persons)
Season: January - December
Price: RM690 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 - All meals, drinks, fruits and snacks during the entire outing.- Complimentary 4 liters of bottled drinking water.- English speaking naturalist and Orang Asli guides- 4×4 offroad return transfers ex-Ipoh.- Rainforest and aboriginal reserve land entrance permits.- Frankly, you will not need a single cent to spend in the jungle. We have everything covered.

Trail tales

Unblemished beauty - If you’re one of those who think national parks are too touristy, let us show you why we agree.All you need is to take a break in unsung places like Teja and you’ll be bowled over by untouched beauty of the Malaysian rainforest that is insulated from outsiders; where in undisturbed environment, trees and wildlife have flourished at their natural best.

On this special journey, see, smell, listen and experience the distinct features of an ancient world that has existed long before mankind. Better still, let our highly knowledgeable guide educate and turn you into a jungle expert in 2 days. By the time your journey ends, you’ll never want to go anywhere near a forest that’s mark “national park” again.

This overnight romp will give one the rare opportunity to interact with jungle natives of the Semai tribe which comes under the Senoi Orang Asli tribal group. Principally, the Semai are hunters, gatherers of forest produce and medicinal herbs. Language-wise they speak an Aslian dialect. They also practice subsistence hunting and fishing.

Try your hand in blowpiping - Light weight darts made from Bertam palm tree are coated with a deadly concoction made from the sap of the lpoh tree (Antiaris toxicaria) and carried in a bamboo tube. For windage, wool obtained from the Kapok cotton tree is used. In the hands of expert hunters, the blowpipe is deadly accurate within 70 meters.

Neon green Brooke Birdwing butterflies pepper the forest floor of Teja during high noons. Touted as “prince among butterfly tribes”, males usually flock river banks, moist spots and hot springs to feed on minerals and urine leftover by wildlife at night. Discovered in 1855 by A.R Wallace, it was named after James Brooke, the British Rajah of Sarawak.

Sometimes called the “Stinking Corpse Lily” by early English colonial settlers (although not all species stink), the Rafflesia cantelyi flowers are traditionally used after childbirth to aid shrinking of womb and restore female figure. A parasitic plant which only grow inside Tetrastigma root vines, it is endemic to hidden pockets of Teja Aboriginal Reserve. Members of the genus Rafflesiaceae hold the honour of possessing the largest flower in the world. To pollinate and propagate is an overwhelming task considering buds take 8-9 months to grow but only bloom for 2-3 days.

So, besides pure grit to trek far flung rainforest, one would also need some luck to spot a bloom or two.

Rainforest’s pristine waterfall is reputed to have high mineral content and will leave the skin soft and supple after bathing in it. On this trip, you will have plenty of time to soak up Mother Nature’s full splendour and let it cleanse your mind, body and soul. It’s a bit like your own DIY jungle spa. First, you scrub yourself silly. Next, sit inside a “jacuzzi” formed by pockets of gurgling water. Absolutely natural.

When we invite you for a dose of nightlife, make no mistake - it has nothing to do with sleaze and beering up. But it’s definitely wild we assure you.  After sun down, the rain forest is the wildest hotbed beyond anyone’s imagination.

This is the time when 90% of wildlife wake up and start their “day”. To put it into perspective, this is the period when we humans sit at the bottom of the food chain ! OK, this may sounds crazy but we have the expertise. This is your opportunity to experience dark wilderness in the raw. Go night trekking on foot, safely with jungle Orang Asli natives who knows the turf like the back of their hands.

Weather permitting, be the rare few people in the world to trot around the jungle after dark - on purpose. Let our experts point out mind-boggling insects and nocturnal wildlife that cross our path. There’s no guarantee but possible sightings on a good night are civets, pangolin, nocturnal mammals, leaf/stick insects, flying fox and slow loris. And oh, did we tell you huge spiders weave sprawling webs at night to snag bats for food ? You bet. This has the makings of an adventure story your friends can never top.

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“Low Impact” trip type - As this is a raw countryside destination, it is crucial that personal essentials are packed and brought along. For accommodation, night shall be spent in raised-up bamboo hut in stilts to stay away from flash floods and wandering wildlife. You will sleep on wooden flooring with foam mattress as pad. Clean bed sheet and head pillow will be provided.

And before your imagination runs wild, we know you’ll appreciate this tiny bit of modernity - yes, proper shower rooms and flush seat toilets are available.

Part of the adventure is food - You may notice that our itinerary is peppered with food breaks. Expect to enjoy a variety of authentic Malay and aborigine cuisines. Food ingredients are gathered from the jungle and cooked by Semai womenfolk in accordance to native 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.

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. We know the difference between adventure and recklessness. In adverse weather condition or if our trackers pick up clues of dangerous wildlife, we reserve the right to exercise our discretion and may cancel some activities for safety reason.

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. Jungle pest …. leeches
5. Understanding rainforest ecology
6. Our list of outdoor trip packages