“One perceives a forest of jagged, gnarled trees protruding from the surface of the sea, roots anchored in deep, black mud, verdant crowns arching toward a blazing sun. Here is where land and sea intertwine, where the line dividing ocean and continent blurs, in this setting the marine biologist and the forest ecologist both must work at the extreme reaches of their disciplines.”


- Klause Rutzler and Ilka C. Feller, Scientific American, March 1996.


Imagine a trail that takes you back in time and confronts you with wildlife and plants that have been around longer than mankind.


If you’re still operating under misguided assumption that the Malaysian countryside is all about paddy fields, coconut trees and rainforest, this well-researched trail designed by us with change your mind very quickly.


The mangrove forest literally live in two worlds at once, acting as the shake-hand point between the rainforest and sea.


Swamp ecosystems have traditionally been sustainably managed by local populations for the production of food, medicines, tannins, fuel wood, and construction materials. Learn how the forest maintains a healthy coastal ecosystem by nursing juvenile fish, crabs, shrimps, and mollusks. Additionally, manatees, crab-eating monkeys, fishing cats, monitor lizards, sea turtles, and mud-skipper fish also thrive in the swamp.


Key Detail & Cost


Duration: 1 day, 1pm – 10pm, 9 hrs.
Group Size: 2 – 8 people
Season: January – December
Price: RM290 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


Mangrove apple (right) – This green persimmon-like fruit is staple for many animals that live in the swamp forest


Price Includes ..


- One teatime snack at fishing village and dinner in jetty town.
- English-speaking naturalist guide.
- 4×4 transfer and boat to all destinations & activities.
- Visitation permit for mangrove forest reserve


Quick Itinerary Glance


1.00 pm – Pick up in Ipoh. Trip and safety procedure briefings.
2.00 pm – Visit Ngah Ibrahim fort and Capt. Speedy’s mansion.
3.00 pm – Trek mangrove forest reserve via stilt broadwalk and learn about its ecology, medicinal plants, migratory birds and role in nursing juvenile sealife.
5.00pm – Eat local seafood for teatime at Kuala Sepetang mangrove fishing village.
6.00pm – Hop over to Krian swamp for an exciting river cruise to reach open-sea aqua farming colonies.
7.00pm – Bask in glorious sunset, night boat safari and firefly watching.
9.00pm – Dinner.
10.00pm – Transfer back to Ipoh.


Note – We know the difference between adventure and recklessness. In adverse weather and rough sea condition, we reserve the right to exercise our discretion and may cancel night boat ride for safety reason.


Trail Takes


Captain Tristam Speedy’s mansion – Learn about bygone Larut, the world’s largest tin mining ground in 18th century. Also visit Ngah Ibrahim fort’s interior that doubles as rural museum and gives visitors a good tell-tale of Larut Matang tin rush heydays.


It’s easy to see why locals call the mangroves a“jungle with legs”. Mangrove roots not only provide support in unstable soils and to withstand currents and storms, but also breathe air. To avoid suffocation in the oxygen poor mud, mangrove trees snorkel for air. They develop aerial or air-breathing roots. These take in aboveground air. All aerial tree roots have on their surface, special tiny pores to take in air (lenticels). Only air can get through the lenticels, not water or salts.


Tucked discreetly in the hidden part of Perak state’s shoreline Kuala Sepetang fishing village is where participants will make a pitstop for teatime and enjoy the view of sprawling mangrove greenery


Night Heron (left) – Spotprime nesting and migratory sites for hundreds of bird species, seeking refuge from northern hemisphere’s winter. These birds include the Eurasian Duck (Anas penelope), Chinese egret (Egretta Eulophotes), Common sandpiper (Actitus hypoleucos) and many more.


Silver Leaf Langurs live exclusively in riverine swamp and feed on mangrove apples. They travel in groups and hop from one pocket of mangrove forest to another in accordance to trees’ fruiting season. Unlike adults with dark grey fur, babies under 3 months are covered with golden orange fur. Dusky Leaf langurs cannot eat fruits that are high in fructose as their digestive system is similar to cow’s, which is suited for high-fiber diet.


Sunset view from Krian bay’sfish farms (left) transports one to a timeless dimension. Farming colonies install wooden cages in open sea and breed exotic seafood so that they no longer need to take the daily brunt of fickle weather and sea travels for livelihood.



The moment is perfect – Watercolour painted on sundown sky backdropping the mangrove scape. Many participants say our boat ride safari in twilight hours is the highlight of the trip. As cool night takes over the heat of the day, one will experience the calm and breathtaking solitude of being surrounded by pure wilderness.


Krian’s nightlife takes on a new meaning with its glittering fire-fly colonies. Touch, feel their fluttering wings and be one of the lucky few to view this dreamlike phenomenon !


Among 2000 lampyridae species found all over the world, the local variety Pteroptyx tener is perhaps the most amazing. It is the only one that flocks together by the thousands after dark and make trees glitter like Christmas tree.


Sonneratia trees, the favourite home of fireflies, grow exclusively in Bagan Krian’s sea and freshwater mix swamp and local fishermen are known to look out for glowing trees as navigation landmarks when boating at night.


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Trip Type. Travellers can expect a day of easy-going walks and ride in our 4×4 vehicle. The field trip is suitable for the young and old as needs for safety and steadfast guidance are kept firmly in mind. Couples, families and friends travelling together will have a good balance between activity and relaxation.


What to bring & wear. Take it easy and dress down in T-shirts, shorts and sandals. Bring a small bag to store personal essentials, water and most importantly a light raincoat. Those who are prone to seasickness are advised to bring along medication.


Food is surely part of the adventure. Tea break and dinner will be enjoyed in a small fishing village restaurant that’s hygienic and only uses locally sourced seafood. Be prepared to give your tastebuds a new perspective with an array of weird – but tasty – fresh catch from the local shoreline.


Other Good Reads ….


1. Mangrove – A forest where the rainforest and sea shakes hands.
2. Fireflies demystified.