Ulu Muda Forest Exploration, Malaysia Tours

Penang - Cameron Highlands

Tour Highlights

Two-night stay in the middle of vast and untouched rainforest of Ulu Muda Forest Reserve
Discover the limestone caves, trek to saltlicks and cruise down Muda Lake to spot an array of wildlife
Haven for bird photographers: spot many rare and globally threatened bird species like pouched hornbill, masked finfoot, and the argus pheasant

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DAY 01: ULU MUDA ARRIVAL

This morning, you will be transferred from PENANG / CAMERON HIGHLANDS / IPOH to Lake Muda by private vehicle. Depend on where you start, the pick up time varies. Arrive at Lake Muda Jetty around noon, have lunch at a local restaurant before taking a traditional long-tailed boat across the Muda Lake and up the Muda River to Earth Lodge.

NOTE: It is recommended to pack a separate waterproof small holdall for the 3-day Ulu Muda Escape program.

The duration of the boat journey usually take approximately 1.5 hour because of the water level of river. Take in the feeling of being in the rainforest far away from human civilisation, with its fresh air and soothing natural forest orchestra of insects, birds and other wildlife.

Arrive at Earth Lodge and be briefed by park ranger. Ulu Muda Forest Reserve is by far the largest at 105,000 hectares. Lowland Dipterocarp Forest, Hill Dipterocarp Forest and the Upper Hill Dipterocarp Forest are the forest types found here with an elevation range from about 97 metres to the highest point of 1256 metres. The area is particularly known as an important site for Malaysia’s mega fauna. The main suspects usually caught on camera traps are the Asian elephant, Malaysian tapir, sambar deer, barking deer and wild boar. The other large mammals known to call Ulu Muda home are the gaur, tiger and leopard.

Afterwards, check in your chalet styled accommodation equipped with two single mattresses, attached bathroom, balcony and ceiling fan. Late afternoon, take a river cruise in search for wildlife. With some luck, see elephants along the river bank. Dinner and rest at the lodge.

IMPORTANT: Electricity to the Earth Lodge is powered by a generator which will be switched on between 1800hrs to 2300 hours daily.

Overnight at Earth Lodge.

MEALS

Lunch, Dinner

ACCOMMODATIONS

Earth Lodge

DAY 02: ULU MUDA JUNGLE TREKKING

This morning, you wake up to the haunting call of gibbons and the cacophony of various species of Ulu Muda’s avifauna. After breakfast, take a two-hour trek (easy to moderate) through the pristine jungle to Bukit Labu (Labu Hill), a newly discovered limestone hill with several pristine and beautiful caves. The caves here are small with most requiring some climbing to gain access. While visiting the hill and its mysterious caves, learn the importance of this mostly forgotten habitat. Be prepared as there is many leeches on the trail.

Enjoy a simple lunch by a cool, wide stream before trekking back to the Lodge.

In the afternoon, go for a casual walk in search of Ulu Muda’s abundant avifauna and other wildlife. Ulu Muda is listed by Birdlife International as an important bird watching area. This is mostly due to it being home to many rare and globally threatened bird species. These include the very rare plain –pouched hornbill, masked finfoot, and the argus pheasant.

Later, cruise upstream to the Saltlick. Take a short 10-minute muddy walk into a saltlick where elephants, gaurs, deers, wild boar and tapirs are frequent visitors. From here, get back in the boat to cruise downstream in search of the late afternoon’s wildlife activities on the lake.

Overnight at Earth Lodge.

MEALS

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

ACCOMMODATIONS

Earth Lodge

DAY 03: ULU MUDA DEPARTURE

Have breakfast and relax before departing Earth Lodge at 11:00AM and returning to Lake Muda Jetty to meet your driver.

MEALS

Breakfast

When to Go

See estimated monthly temperature and rainfall for this itinerary

JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC

Place

Daily Max Temperature

Monthly Rainfall

Penang

31ºC

140mm

Cameron Highlands

23ºC

283mm

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