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Taman Negara (National Park) |
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aman Negara, or National Park, is one of the finest and oldest accessible rainforests in the world. Centrally located in the remote region of the Tahan Range, Taman Negara is the largest park on Peninsular Malaysia and includes the Peninsula’s highest peak, Gunung Tahan at 2187m.
Taman Negara offers adventurous travelers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the rich natural wonders of unspoilt rainforest. Much of the park remains as it has been for the past 130 million years or so. Come discover the living treasures Mother Nature has to offer. Whether is it wildlife spotting at one of its observation hides; trekking on its many jungle trails; exciting rapids-shooting in longtail-boats on its many rivers and rapids; exploration of its many unique caves; or simply fishing or swimming in its clear ponds, an adventure of a lifetime awaits you here.
Getting There
By Rail
Kuala Tembeling is also accessible from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Kota Bharu
(via Tumpat) by rail. Trains from these stations stop at Tembeling Halt, about
half an hour's drive to the jetty at Kuala Tembeling. Please contact Keretapi
Tanah Melayu Bhd for details on train schedules and fares. The contact number
are 03-2267 1200.
By Boat
The staging point for visits to the park is Kuala Tembeling from which a 3 hour
boat ride upriver takes you to Kuala Tahan at 9am and 3pm daily, except for
fridays when the afternoon departure is at 2:30pm. The boat fare costs RM 19 for
a one way trip. Mutiara Taman Negara Resort also operates a speedboat service
that take only 45 minutes to reach Kuala Tahan. The speedboat leaves Kuala
Tembeling at 10:30am and 1:30pm daily.
By Car
The most accessible gateway to Taman Negara is either through Jerantut, a
three-hour trip from Kuala Lumpur. If you are driving a four-wheel drive
vehicle, you can take the logger trail right up to Kuala Tahan, where you need
to take a boat across the Sungai Tahan (Tahan River) to enter the park.If you are relying on public
transportation, take a public bus or a taxi from Jerantut town to the Kuala
Tembeling Jetty, about 16km north of Jerantut.
By Bus
Buses to Jerantut may be found at
the Jalan Tun Razak Bus Station in Kuala Lumpur. From there, hop on a local bus
or taxi to Kuala Tembeling. Alternatively, Jerantut bound taxis are available at
the Pudu Raya Bus Terminal in Kuala Lumpur.In addition, Kuala Tembeling is
also accessible from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Kota Bharu (via Tumpat) by rail.
Trains from these stations stop at Tembeling Halt, about half an hour's walk to
the jetty.From there, a longboat will take
you to Kuala Tahan in about three hours (depending on the water level of the
river).
Activity
Jungla trekking - Trek
through the forest to the top of hill, Bukit Teresek. On the way will be the
canopy walkway, the longest in the world. Take a guide with you if you are a
small number of people. The trail gets confusing many times.
Explore the cave - Gua Telingga. To get there, you will have to take a
boat costing RM 50 for 8-12 people.
Waterfall - Lata Berkoh and take a relaxing boat ride to the place.
Visit the Orang Asli (tribal) village - observe their way of life. Though
we did not take this tour, I have heard that the guides can be really intrusive
about the personal lives of the tribes, making the tourists very uncomfortable.
Worth the experience, nevertheless.
Rapid shooting - We skipped it as our guide told us it is no different
from the downstream boat ride from Lata Berkoh.
Night spotting wild animals - Wild animals are rarely visible, but lot of
sounds throughout the night will keep you awake. Staying the night at a wooden
house with open doors and windows in the middle of the forest is definitely an
enriching experience. Pahang
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