Endau Rompin exploratory trek from 20th - 23rd May 2005
Posted on 10th August 2005.
Team Spreo conducted an exploratory trek to Endau Rompin from 20th - 23rd May 2005. Endau Rompin Johor National Park is reputed to be the world’s oldest rainforest and it is home to many large species of mammals including the Sumatran Rhinoceros, Asian Elephant, and Tiger. The park entrance is located in Kahang, Peninsular Malaysia, and all visitors have to register there before gaining access to the eastern part of the reserve.
On the first day of our exploration, we took public transport to Kluang Town from Larkin, before transferring to Kahang. We made enquiries at the Peta office in Kahang before having our lunch. We only started our real journey at around 1:15PM in a small 4WD which took us through uneven plantation service roads. After an exciting 2 hours which saw us transversing over multiple potholes and across wooden bridges, we arrived at the Visitors’ centre. After making our registrations, we were introduced to our Orang Asli guide and the journey into the jungle began.
We only reached our campsite at around 3:30PM and we were the only trekkers! We had the whole place to ourselves and after setting up our tent, we went exploring before having dinner. After dinner, we had a splendid time relaxing at the viewing porch overlooking the Jasin river and gazing at stars. Before long, we decided to retire early in anticipation of an eventful next day.
(Note: Clicking on the thumbnails will open a window that displays a larger version of the photographs.)
Day 1 Pictures
After a simple breakfast on the second day, we set off for Kuala Marong campsite from which we intended to explore Upeh Guling waterfalls and Tasik Air Biru, a lagoon. When we arrived at the campsite, we discovered a whole bunch of people still very much asleep. Later on, we found out that they were schoolchildren and their teachers from a Malaysian primary school.
We decided to visit Upeh Guling first. The unique feature of this location is the water-carved rock landscape. Water flows through the rock crevices and emerges at another location, making the whole landscape rather alien to us, and I am sure it would be to most city dwellers. After some sunbathing and freshening up, we returned to Kuala Marong for a lunch of porridge and instant noodles. On our way back, we met the schoolchildren and their teachers. They were really friendly and we exchanged plenty of “Hellos”.
More trekkers started to show up around the time we were having our lunch. 2 were friends from Holland and there was a bunch of 20+ people from Singapore. They were part of an outdoor adventure group in a community centre and their trek leader was quite amazed that my friend and I were trekking all by ourselves. It must be because we look young for our age, even though we are not! :P
After our lunch and conversation with the other trekkers, we proceeded to Tasik Air Biru. There, we met the group of schoolchildren again. They were frolicking in the lagoon and having their lunch. We took a dip in the pool but weather turned bad after 15 minutes. We took shelter and waited out the rain before trekking back to Kuala Jasin, our campsite on the first day.
Once we were back in Jasin, we discovered that our original campsite has been taken. And the whole place was bustling and full of life. As it was a Saturday, a lot of the local folks had arrived for their long weekend getaway. We found another campsite and settled down for dinner. Before long, a small group of 5 trekkers selected the same area and we sat down together in a shed to chat. They came prepared and man, they had good food. At least it was compared to our fare of instant noodles!
The whole place was really buzzing after our dinner and the guides decided to throw in a free night exploration of the forest trail in search of luminous fungus. We did see some of these growth but it was difficult to capture their faint glow with our cameras. We returned to our campsite for a long chat session before retiring. Tomorrow would be the final day of our exploratory trip and we would have a most splendid time rafting Endau River.
Day 2 Pictures
Perhaps due to my excitement about the final day’s rafting event, I was the earliest to rise. After I had my coffee and noodles, the trek leader of the group of 5 rose to make breakfast for her charges. Again, their breakfast was super. Eggs, bread with kaya spread (a type of jam made from extract of the Pandan leaf, coconut milk, and eggs), and Milo drinks!
Earlier on the first day, we had arranged with the 4WD driver to fetch us at 10:30AM. So we bid our farewells and started our rafting at 8:00AM. The whole rafting experience was simply superb and it really was one of the many highlights of our trip. It was so peaceful and quiet and the river was crystal clear and full of fishes. The weather was kind and we were able to capture some of the magical feeling that comes from witnessing the splendours of the great outdoors.
Day 3 Pictures
Once we reached the Kampung Peta ferry landing site, we found our driver waiting for us. We freshened up at the Visitors’ Centre before making our way back to Singapore. It was nearly 5:00PM before we reached home. Endau Rompin has ensnared our hearts forever. Armed with the local knowledge, we intend to revisit this nature reserve for many years to come. It was such an amazing wildlife adventure for us!
Allen Tan
Team Spreo
Pictures of flora and fauna
