Last update 22nd Aug 2008. IF YOU SEE LINKS OR GOOGLE ADVERTS APPEARING ON THE HEADER OF THIS ARTICLE, THEY ARE NOT OURS. WORDPRESS INSERTS THEM SOMETIMES.
Overview
IT’S EVERYONE’S DREAM to wander off into uncharted rainforest and learn about its botanical wonders. Let us help you do it safely.
Grab life by the horns at Mount Kledang. For some, life is never always about playing on the safe side. It takes unfamiliar grounds to take one to the edge.
Rummage the uphill rainforest trail with us and discover your limits while we watch over you. The romp will not only take your breath away but gives it back to you in the form of panoramic scene of Kinta Valley from its hilltop. You stand to loose a couple of pounds along the way too.
To intrepid hikers in the know, Kledang Range’s route “49”, the toughest but most scenic trek, passes uncharted territory and peculiar rainforest hoodoos.
Take heart, we know the turf like the back our hands. The most gratifying part of the trail is making personal connection with a jungle that has been around for 130 million years. Watch your steps.
We will safely lead you over root-rutted terrain, small streams and muscle-jolting steeps. Since tall forest canopies provide relief from the tropical sun and we take as many breaks as you want along the way, make your ascend slow and blend into the forest. Kledang’s best kept secret will soon become yours as well.
(Top) Sprawling view of Kinta valley seen from Kledang’s mountain side. (Bottom right) See a variety of pitcher plant or “monkey cup” species found exclusively in Mount Kledang forest tract.
Key Detail
Duration: Half day, 9am – 1pm, 3-4hr, depending on guests fitness level.
Group Size: 2 – 8 people
Season: January – December
Price: RM180 per person valid for Aug-Dec 2008 bookings
Discounts are available for self-drive, groups, retirees, students, families and nature clubs.
This excursion departs from Ipoh, Kinta valley. Read more about …
- Ipoh town
- bus and taxi network that service Ipoh
Price Includes …
- After trek lunch.
- English-speaking naturalist guide.
- 4×4 transfer to all destinations & activities.
Quick Itinerary Glance
9.00am – Pick up in Ipoh hotel, bus/taxi station or PLUS highway exit. Trip and safety procedures briefings.
9.30am – Start trekking up Kledang trail and let our expert drip feed you with interesting nuggets of nature.
12.00 noon – Descend Kledang
1.00pm – Lunch.
Interesting gems along the trail
World’s smallest pitcher plants can only be found in the hill range of Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve. Botanists have no name for it yet and as discoverer, we have submitted pictures and our findings to the botanical authority. As a matter of fact, we found as many as three distinctive species, all not exceeding the size of thumbnail. One have to look hard to see them. Kledang is also where many other endangered and endemic plants are found. Among them is Johannesteijsmannia perakensis, also known as “Joey on a Stick” or shuttle-cock palm. No worries, our naturalist will help you spot them.
Civet or “musang” is a small, slightly larger than a cat, bear-like nocturnal (active at night) mammals that feeds on fruits on the forest floor. Tracks of last night’s feeding frenzy can usually be viewed in the morning. They are shy, elusive and exude a scent that reminiscent Channel No.5 – yes, they smell nice – to attract mates.
Our naturalist will make sure that interesting plants do not go un-noticed. Stem fiber from the “bertam” palm is used by Orang Asli aborigines to make darts for hunting blow pipe. The palm is also know to produce a naturally fermenting beer-like nectar (who says the jungle is dry?) on its flower stems and the Malaysian pentail shrew feed on the alcoholic brew on nightly basis ! Now that’s what we call party animal.
Self healing tree Keruing oozes sticky white resin from its injured trunk to seal it against bacteria and hungry insects. The resin is used by aborigines to waterproof boats, roofs and kitchen utensils. It is also used as fire starting nuggets during monsoon season when firewood collected from the jungle is mostly wet.
Arundina gramminifolia – Striking and colourful endemic orchids can be seen peppering sunny spots along the trail. Contrary to popular belief, not all orchids are epiphytic (a botanical term for plants that cling on trees for nutrient). In Kledang, some are solid ground dwellers and grow very well on their own.
________________________________________________________________________________
Trip Type. The trail is good fun for family and friends although dense foliage and uphill terrain mean adventurers would have to be reasonably fit. Don’t fret, we will take as many breaks needed for rest and learn about surrounding botanical features. Do everything at your own interest and pace.
A myriad of plant species, pitcher plants and colorful fungi flanking the trail make pretty sight and will certainly make one forget about the huff and puff of uphill trek. Along the journey, let us orientate you on jungle survival skills and get to know some medicinal plants.
What to bring & wear. Relax and dress down in T-shirts, shorts (long pants if you prefer) but do wear proper sports shoes. The interior of rainforest is cool and shady. For safety reason, carry a small backpack (to store personal essentials, water and light raincoat) so that both your hands free to break any fall.
Eat well after the trek. We know the trek will work up an appetite. So, let us treat you with an exotic Malay lunch that includes beef rendang, ulam (young leaves eaten like salad), sambal (spicy dip), pineapple curry, pengat nangka (jackfruit cooked in coconut cream) and various traditional dishes that will veer your taste buds to the wild side.
Ulam (top right) – Locals pick young shoots and roots of various countryside herbs and eat them to promote good health. A Malay meal would not be complete without a platter of ulam serving.
Other Good Reads ….
1. Jungle trekking
2. Rainforest ecology
3. Malaysian alcoholic shrew
Grab life by the horns at Mount Kledang. For some, life is never always about playing on the safe side. It takes unfamiliar grounds to take one to the edge.Rummage the uphill rainforest trail with us and discover your limits while we watch over you. The romp will not only take your breath away but gives it back to you in the form of panoramic scene of Kinta Valley from its hilltop. You stand to loose a couple of pounds along the way too.
To intrepid hikers in the know, Kledang Range’s route “49”, the toughest but most scenic trek, passes uncharted territory and peculiar rainforest hoodoos.
Take heart, we know the turf like the back our hands. The most gratifying part of the trail is making personal connection with a jungle that has been around for 130 million years. Watch your steps.
We will safely lead you over root-rutted terrain, small streams and muscle-jolting steeps. Since tall forest canopies provide relief from the tropical sun and we take as many breaks as you want along the way, make your ascend slow and blend into the forest. Kledang’s best kept secret will soon become yours as well.(Top) Sprawling view of Kinta valley seen from Kledang’s mountain side. (Bottom right) See a variety of pitcher plant or “monkey cup” species found exclusively in Mount Kledang forest tract.
Key DetailDuration: Half day, 9am – 1pm, 3-4hr, depending on guests fitness level.
Group Size: 2 – 8 people
Season: January – December
Price: RM180 per person valid for Aug-Dec 2008 bookings
Discounts are available for self-drive, groups, retirees, students, families and nature clubs.
This excursion departs from Ipoh, Kinta valley. Read more about …
- Ipoh town
- bus and taxi network that service Ipoh
Price Includes …
- After trek lunch.
- English-speaking naturalist guide.
- 4×4 transfer to all destinations & activities.
Quick Itinerary Glance
9.00am – Pick up in Ipoh hotel, bus/taxi station or PLUS highway exit. Trip and safety procedures briefings.
9.30am – Start trekking up Kledang trail and let our expert drip feed you with interesting nuggets of nature.
12.00 noon – Descend Kledang
1.00pm – Lunch.
Interesting gems along the trail
World’s smallest pitcher plants can only be found in the hill range of Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve. Botanists have no name for it yet and as discoverer, we have submitted pictures and our findings to the botanical authority. As a matter of fact, we found as many as three distinctive species, all not exceeding the size of thumbnail. One have to look hard to see them. Kledang is also where many other endangered and endemic plants are found. Among them is Johannesteijsmannia perakensis, also known as “Joey on a Stick” or shuttle-cock palm. No worries, our naturalist will help you spot them.Civet or “musang” is a small, slightly larger than a cat, bear-like nocturnal (active at night) mammals that feeds on fruits on the forest floor. Tracks of last night’s feeding frenzy can usually be viewed in the morning. They are shy, elusive and exude a scent that reminiscent Channel No.5 – yes, they smell nice – to attract mates.Our naturalist will make sure that interesting plants do not go un-noticed. Stem fiber from the “bertam” palm is used by Orang Asli aborigines to make darts for hunting blow pipe. The palm is also know to produce a naturally fermenting beer-like nectar (who says the jungle is dry?) on its flower stems and the Malaysian pentail shrew feed on the alcoholic brew on nightly basis ! Now that’s what we call party animal.Self healing tree Keruing oozes sticky white resin from its injured trunk to seal it against bacteria and hungry insects. The resin is used by aborigines to waterproof boats, roofs and kitchen utensils. It is also used as fire starting nuggets during monsoon season when firewood collected from the jungle is mostly wet.Arundina gramminifolia – Striking and colourful endemic orchids can be seen peppering sunny spots along the trail. Contrary to popular belief, not all orchids are epiphytic (a botanical term for plants that cling on trees for nutrient). In Kledang, some are solid ground dwellers and grow very well on their own.________________________________________________________________________________
Trip Type. The trail is good fun for family and friends although dense foliage and uphill terrain mean adventurers would have to be reasonably fit. Don’t fret, we will take as many breaks needed for rest and learn about surrounding botanical features. Do everything at your own interest and pace.A myriad of plant species, pitcher plants and colorful fungi flanking the trail make pretty sight and will certainly make one forget about the huff and puff of uphill trek. Along the journey, let us orientate you on jungle survival skills and get to know some medicinal plants.
What to bring & wear. Relax and dress down in T-shirts, shorts (long pants if you prefer) but do wear proper sports shoes. The interior of rainforest is cool and shady. For safety reason, carry a small backpack (to store personal essentials, water and light raincoat) so that both your hands free to break any fall.
Eat well after the trek. We know the trek will work up an appetite. So, let us treat you with an exotic Malay lunch that includes beef rendang, ulam (young leaves eaten like salad), sambal (spicy dip), pineapple curry, pengat nangka (jackfruit cooked in coconut cream) and various traditional dishes that will veer your taste buds to the wild side.Ulam (top right) – Locals pick young shoots and roots of various countryside herbs and eat them to promote good health. A Malay meal would not be complete without a platter of ulam serving.
Other Good Reads ….
1. Jungle trekking
2. Rainforest ecology
3. Malaysian alcoholic shrew
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