Malaysia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 450

(30min). Alternatively, you can spend an
extra night at Bumbun Kumbang
campsite, about five hours south of the
cave, from where you can then trek to
Kuala Trenggan).

By boat Most visitors approach the park by taking a scenic
longboat ride from the Tembeling jetty (daily 9am & 2pm,
except Fri 9am & 2.45pm; 3hr; RM35) along the Sengei
Tahan River to the village of Kuala Tahan; you may well
spot monkeys leaping through trees along the way or
hornbills sitting on the tallest branches. Boats from the
Tembeling jetty dock at the Kuala Tahan jetty just below
the village. Regular boats transport ferry passengers
across the river to the park headquarters (RM1). Longboats
make the return journey to the Tembling jetty (2hr 30min)
at 9am and 2pm (double-check times in advance).

Gunung Tahan
he park's most rugged trek takes you to
Gunung Tahan, Peninsular Malaysia's
highest mountain (2187m). he
mountain is 55km from the park
headquarters and the trek is doable in
seven or nine days, depending on the
route you take. here are some steep
scrambles en route and you have to take
everything with you - from a tent, able to
withstand torrential rain, to food and
water. here are a number of campsites
along the way (RM1 per person). For this
hike, a guide is mandatory (around
RM1200 for seven days, RM150 for every
additional night on top of that). he park
headquarters can help you organize the
hike; get in touch several days in advance.

6

INFORMATION
The Taman Negara Park Information Centre At
the Park Headquarters (Sat-Thurs 8am-6pm, Fri 8am-
noon & 3-6pm; T 09 266 1122), located at the Mutiara
Taman Negara Resort , on the opposite bank of the Sungei
Tahan River from Kuala Tahan, easily reachable by sampan,
which ferry people across all day (RM1). It deals with all
park queries, books you into hides and offers an excellent
free site and park map. You can also obtain park entry
(RM1) and camera permits (RM5) here; if you come to the
park by boat, you pay for the two at the jetty. Hold on to
your permit at all times; the penalty for not having a
permit is a fine of up to RM10,000 and three years'
imprisonment. The park headquarters screen introductory
videos on Taman Negara (daily 9.30am, 3pm & 5pm;
25min). There are shops in Kuala Tahan that rent sleeping
bags and mats (RM10-15) - though it's best to bring your
own. Reliable internet is found at IDD Internet, opposite
Teresek View Motel .
Trekking in the park The trails are well signposted
and most do not require guides, though you will get
more out of your hikes if accompanied by someone who
really knows the jungle and who can point out medicinal
and edible plants or spot well-camouflaged wildlife.
Guides are licensed by the Ministry of Tourism; the park
headquarters can help you to arrange a guide for the
day (RM250).

Other activities
he park headquarters and tour operators
such as NKS organize the popular night
jungle walk (1hr 30min; RM35), with the
guide pointing out nocturnal insects and
fauna; a night safari is similar but involves
a 4WD (RM40). It's also possible to ride
the river rapids on the Trenggan River and
combine that with a visit to one of the
local Orang Asli communities (both
combined RM60), where the tribal elders
demonstrate traditional skills such as
fire-starting and blowpipe shooting. Most
of the fee for visiting the community goes
to the tour company, so purchasing some
handicrafts ensures that the community
benefits directly.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Kuala Than is tiny and everything is within easy walking
distance.
By bus/minibus Buses and minibuses pull up opposite
the car park just in front of the primary school.
Destinations There are four local buses daily back to
Jerantut (7.30am, 10am, 3pm & 7pm; 2hr; RM7), from
where there are connections to Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan
and Kota Bharu. NKS runs three minibuses daily to Jerantut
(8am, 10am & 7pm; 1hr 30min; RM25), with onwards
minibus connections (see p.449).

ACCOMMODATION
Most accommodation options besides Mutiara Taman
Negara Resort are located across the river in Kuala Tahan
village. The village has only a few actual roads; the rest of
the accommodation options are connected by dirt paths.
Julie's Hostel T 017 904 0344. This friendly, brightly
painted place has just three spotless rooms - all decked
out in purple, with private bath and a/c. Towels are
provided, including in the seven-bed dorm, while the
more expens ive priva te has a fridge and TV. A great option.
Dorm RM25 , double RM90
Mahseer Chalet T 019 383 2633. The neat and tidy
wooden chalets here are kept clean; room s have pr ivate ba th
and a/c, and there's wi-fi too. Dorm RM15 , double RM100