Hiking

Living Root Bridges… between mosses and fairies!

The enchanted forest where grow bridges made of tree roots, where time seems suspended in a dream, where nature does magic tricks, where the light gets filtered through the ceiling formed by the treetops, where we are transported to another dimension, as if we had entered in a world where fairies and gnomes watch us through mosses and raindrops.

The bridges created by the patient hand of man, seem to come directly from the trees, as if they had decided to reach out to the other side of the river, merging with stones and relying on the trunks. A discrete layer of moss and lichen cover the surface form by these living structures, a shelter for insects and tiny animal life, which seems indifferent to human engineer skills.

But not only the bridges make this place special. The surrounding landscape, which adds the fantastic atmosphere that is perceived in the middle of the forest, from where emanates such energy, able to rejoin the man to our primordial roots, catalyzing the exchange of energies.

There are no words to describe the magic of this place… and the photos can only give a visual impression, not containing the forest energy, with the harmonious nature sounds, neither the sensations that flood our senses, making the memories of days spent in Nongriat a dreamlike memory.

… A place where we are observed by fairies, goblins, elfes and gnomes!

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Living root bridges. Nongriat. Megahlaya

More about Nongriat living root bridges:

The living root bridges are work of human engineering, when man learn how to take advantage of nature, in a perfect harmony. Taking advantage of the long aerial roots of an endemic tree (ficus erratica), the local population intertwining these roots with logs and bamboos, along generations, creating vegetable bridges to cross the rivers that run through the valleys of Khasi Hills.

Each one of these bridges, adapts perfectly to the site, seem to merge with nature. Going down the hill towards Nongriat, the Jingkieng Pi-Tymmen bridge, the longest of this root bridges. After crossing Nongriat village we arrive at the famous double-deck bridge, whose two levels resulting from the need to cross the river when the monsoon rains make the river submerge the lower level of the bridge. Walking towards the Rainbow Waterfall we cross the Maw Saw bridge, that has the most mysterious and fantastic atmosphere.

There are several bridges made from roots of the ficus tree in Khasi Hills, but Nongriat has the privilege to have a higher number, making this village a good base for exploring paths and discover other living root bridges.

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Where to stay in Nongriat:

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Where to eat in Nongriat:

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How to go from Sohra (Cherrapunjee) to Nongriat:

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Nongritat and the living root bridges

Magic. Dream. Unreal.

Words that show up in my mind when I recall Nongriat.

The rain, though predictable, unexpectedly began as we start the descent to the village of Nongriat, forcing to some breaks for tea and rest in modest bamboo huts. But what was coming to be an inconvenience proved to be a blessing, with the vegetation gaining a glow that gives greater vividness and contrast to the green nuances that fill entirely the horizon.

As the sound of drops of rain goes away, turn the shy sounds of the jungle, with an invisible orchestra formed by frogs and insects. Mosses and lichens show with all its power, absorbing water drops that slowly give off the bamboo leaves, which seem to bend under the weight of water.

a caminho de Nongriat — on the way to Nongriat

Despite having lost the title of rainiest place in the world, resulting from the persistent deforestation, both to feed the timber industry or as fuel for the local population, Nongriat and the surrounding region of Mawsynram and Cherrapunjee in East Khasi Hills, continue to show a high rainfall. Even out of the monsoon (July and August) heavy rains are frequent, which during the so-called dry season only lasts a few minutes. From this semi-tropical climate, resulting in a lush and diverse vegetation: giant trees, palm trees, bamboos, ferns and ficus, whose aerial roots are indispensable to the construction of footbridges, which make so many people come to Nongriat.

The night arrives early in the valley, with green slopes and be lost as the blue sky surrenders to the night, leaving the village in almost total darkness, interrupted here and there by the faint glow of electricity that reaches every home. It’s this darkness that makes me realize how far I’m from the so-called civilization and how comfortable can be this simple and modest lifestyle, where the contact with nature brings a deep calm and tranquility.

Enjoying the freshness brought by night, we are naturally invited to share the calm evening with the other guests, surrounded by the dark cloak of night. But an unexpected glow, with an unusual intensity, emerges from behind the mountains, drawing ever more clearly the top of the contours of the hilltop, in the opposite of the village. It is the show of moonrise, that here with the full moon night, offers a magical view that makes all people stare, creating a space of quietness in the cross talk of the guests.

Nongriat is one of the hundreds of villages that are located on the slopes of the East Kashi Hills, and due to the isolation remain the traditional way of life of Kashi tribe almost intact. A lifestyle based on collecting product directly in the forest and sold them in Sohra market, that attracts people from that region every Wednesday. The forest provides pepper, bay leaf, betel nut, cinnamon, lemon juice… pineapples grow spontaneously a little everywhere, jackfruit abounds in the tree trunks, and around the village there’s beehive whose honey is also a business that supports the local economy. Porters go up and down the slopes bringing forest products and return with food and other products necessary for the simple life of this population of 150 people, where apparently the majority are children.

Porter carrying bay leaves picket at the forest to be sold at Sohra weekly market

It’s the laugh of children in their restless plays that fills the air of the village, where is strange the absence of birds, monkeys and other animals. Early morning, in upright school uniform, the children forward to the village primary school, while the older ones need to climb the slope to take classes in Tyrna and Sohra. Despite the isolation and rural environment of this region, which could lead to a lack of interest in school, education is taken very seriously, with virtually all children going to school and learn English, language that is spoken by the majority of the population, even in the most remote villages as Sohra.

The Christian church is also a strong presence here in Megahlaya, that due to the remote location, as well as Nagaland, remained impervious to Hinduism, but could not resist the Christianization in the nineteenth century, during the British presence in India, imposed by missionaries that found here a fertile ground between an animist population.

But Nongriat has more attractive than only the living root bridges, with several paths leaving from the village, some towards neighbouring village, who also hide other living bridges, others toward the waterfalls, being the Rainbow Waterfall the most popular destination. For those who want to bathe in the clear waters of this cascade, of an unusual blue, have to go down a steep path, but along the way, as well as in other parts of the rivers that surround Nongriat are several natural pools formed by granitic rocks along river bed, providing clear and calm waters for a refreshing bath, relieving the heaviness from warm and moist tropical air. During the monsoon is not allowed bathing in the river due to the force of the water.

uma das pontes suspensas junto à aldeia de Nongriat que dá acesso às Rainbow falls — suspension bridge along the way from Nongriat to the Rainbow falls

Hiking to Nongriat. practical information:

all the way is done along a very clear path, made in cement stairs that have fairly regular steps and it’s in good condition, as the result of financial funds to support the agricultural development of the region;
the descent is all done in steps until you reach the valley which then forces you to go through some metal suspension bridges; there are between 2500-3000 steps until Nongriat;
the descent is not difficult, but the hot and humid climate, causing a constant perspiration, make the most tiring journey;
the climb up is intense, forcing a few stops that are always a good time to enjoy the view; enough water is required in particular for the ascending path;
the descent takes less than 1.5 hours, with some stops for enjoying the views and rest, but the way up can take almost the doubled;
recommended to take the minimum weight in the backpack, it is advisable to leave most of the luggage at the guest house in Sohra.
if it rains a raincoat doesn’t prove to be effective because it causes, even more, sweat; it is better to have quickly dry clothes;
You do not need special shoes, some comfortable sandals serve perfectly, as all the way is cemented.
after Nongritat, if you wish to explore surrounding villages, hiking shoes may be more comfortable, but the sandals cover the needs if they have good grip in wet conditions;
it is recommended to stay at least one night Nongriat, to have the chance of visit more bridges, waterfalls and natural pools, away from the busiest trail;
during the weekend the number of visitors significantly increases, so it is best to arrive on Sunday and leave on the next Saturday morning, avoiding the noise and confusion and the view of the trash caused by irresponsible visitors who blindly seek “double deck bridge” just for the perfect selfie, totally unaware of the environment!!!

Where to stay in Nongriat:

There are three homestays in Nongriat. The first is at the entrance of the village, after crossing one of the living root bridges, one in the center of Nongriat, and the last is located just after crossing the double deck bridge. The Serene Homestay is the most popular and which offers better conditions. There are double rooms and shared room, but all have shared toilet outside. Dinner is prepared for all guests and for everyone else that ordered, served in buffet style, with delicious vegetarian food made by the owner and his wife.

The Serene Homestay

Bed: 200 rupees per person, regardless of double or shared room.

Dinner: 130 rupees

The owner Ryan is a good source of information about trails, pools and other villages and bridges in the valley, as also about the way of life and local culture. His environmental awareness and good English make Ryan the spokesman of Nongriat and neighbouring villages, who come together to prevent the government to open a road to the valley. This so-called “progress” would destabilize the socio-economic way of life and would have environmental consequences resulting from the increase in visitors.

Where to eat in Nongritat:

Any of homestays in Nongriat serves food as well as the huts near the two roots bridge existing in Nongriat. However, it is a very simple food, mainly rice and dal… and chicken.

The best option is the Serene Homestay, with vegetarian food. The breakfast with porridge, fruit and nuts are delicious. Dinner (130 rupees) is served in buffet style, both for homestay guests as for who order in advance, and it is a great opportunity to socialize with other travelers.

pequeno-almoço no Serene Homestay, em Nongriat

How to go from Sohra (Cherrapunjee) to Nongriat:

In front of the By the Way Lodge, there is a bus stand where around 9 am stops a bus bound for Tyrna, the nearest town of Nongriat with road access … from now on there are only paths down the mountain slopes to the villages located along the valley.

Bus Sohra to Tyrna (20 rupees) passes around 9 am, the trip takes about 1 hour)
shared-taxi Sohra to Tyrna: 40 rupees
in Tyrna is necessary to walk the road to find the path that leads to Nongriat, about 30 minutes walk down the road. Just go asked for “Nongriat” the local population because everyone knows the way, even the children.
Coming to a small cluster of houses, where there is a shop chai made in bamboo, the trail to Nongriat is on the left side that second account has more than 2,800 steps and a few suspension bridges until reaching Nongriat.

A walk trough Taman Negara National Park

The natural park of Taman Negara retains one of the oldest rain forests of the world, and is one of the most important park in Peninsular Malaysia attracting enough visitors, both local and foreign. For this reason it is well organized, accessible, and with easy orientation… as a result, the chances of wildlife observation are few and mainly limited to the dense forest; only the ones that opt for longer trails that can take longer one day, could be luckier to spot animals.

The best time to visit the park is out of the rainy season that begins in October and lasts until February. The peak of the tourism season is between April and August. In December rain is not guaranteed, but can arise so suddenly, most od the time in the afternoon; when the day raise sunny and with a sky without cloudless, which makes the air warm enough to form clouds, is almost inevitably to bring rain.

The park is very easy orientation, at least in the tracks near the head quarters, with signs indicating the direction and the correspondent distances, so it is not necessary to use guides. A guide is about 30 RM for the trail to Bukit Teresek, which is the shortest one. Much of the journey to Bukit Teresek is made trough a deck and some stairs, with only a few areas in natural terrain. The access to the Canopy Walkway is also made by a platform.

This time of year, with rain being frequent, the choise was for the closest route of the park, with the walk to Bukit Teresek starting at 8 am reaching the viewpoint at the time of moisture clouds rising slowly from the canopy, forming a thin white layer that hides the blue sky. This show last for a little time with this steam disappearing as the sun warms the air.

In the way back, we arrive at the Canopy Walkway, a series of suspension bridges between the treetops that form a route with about 500 meters. In addition to the balance challenge we have a totally different viewpoint of trees and other vegetation, which constitutes this rich and diverse forest. Portions of this route are located about 30 meters from the ground, and support in trees with more than 250 years… thank you trees!

The journey to Bukit Teresek and Canopy Walkway doesn’t take more than three hours leaving time for a bath in the clear waters of the river Sungei Tahan, a few minutes form the park entrance.

As in terms of wild life this trail doesn’t have much to offer, but as a compensation the forest presents rich and diverse, and a slow walk allows to enjoy the small details of plants and trees, as also the way the light pass through the high and dense canopy creating a with range of greens.

But is not fair to say that we can’t find animal life, because the leeches are a constant presence in most wet parts of the trail, with these persistent animals to nest between the toes… unpleasant experience!

Taman Negara, during the storm that are usual during the rainy season

Kuala Tahan

The small village of Kuala Tahan, situated at the confluence of two rivers, hence the name “Kuala” meaning “junction of two rivers”: the Sungei Tahan of clear waters and Sungei Tembeling dragging a muddy color and that continues until Kuala Tembeling.

Kuala Tahan lives basically from tourism of Taman Negara, being little more than a street, with some restaurants, coffee shops, a internet “café”, travel agencies and some shops (only open in high season). From here you have two accesses to the pier where the long-boats stop and where you can find the “floating restaurants” that are built on rafts serve meals along all day.

Trough the streets of Kuala Tahan, you can find a few of false tourist information office, which are basically travel agencies that sell boat tickets and mini-van trips back to Kuala Tembeling or Kuala Lumpur. Here is also a good place to find accommodation in different styles and budgets: bungalow and guest houses that offer rooms or dorms. Resorts are located a bit away from Kuala Tahan, reached by car that are usually provided by the resort.

In December, having officially begun the rainy season the presence of visitors was discreet, keeping the village streets empty during most of the day except at dinner time, where the only open restaurant serve meals (Que Restaurant) and is also a meeting place for locals to drinking tea or beer while watching a football game on a big screen.

However the busiest time in Kuala Tahan is in the morning, with activity starting early by 7.00 in the morning, with local people gathering in the same restaurant (still closed at this time) for breakfast. On the main road food vendors line up, with serving meals or wrapped food in banana leaf for take-away. Delicious food and pleasant environment that eased the three hours waiting for the bus back to Kuala Tembeling.

Kuala Tahan main street with bus stop at the end

Costs inside Taman Negara:

Entry into the park: 1 RM

Use of camera or iPhone: 5 RM

Canopy Walkway: 5 RM, paid at the beginning or end of the section, as the sense that it makes the route.

Boat to cross the river between Kuala Tahan the entrance of Taman Negara: 1 RM (the trip takes about 2 minutes). The boat start early in the morning, even before 7 am.

Accommodation in Kuala Tahan:

Around Kuala Tahan are some resorts.

Inside the park, near the head-quarters is also a sophisticated resort, the Mutiara Taman Negara, which has various accommodation options for various prices, as also a dorm, with air-conditioning for 28 RM. The disadvantage is that the outside walks there is not much to do on this side of the river, while in Kuala Tahan, you can watch the peaceful daily life of the population and find cheaper options for food.

The main street of Kuala Tahan are small signs indicating the name of hotels and guest houses, most with only double rooms (with prices of around 60 RM) but where there are some guest-houses with dorms (between price 20 and the 25 RM).

The choice was for Rayyan Hostel, located just off the waterfront, up the ramp on the left that leads to the village of Kuala Tahan. Here there are only dormitories with shared bathroom, with the fan switch (20 RM) or air-conditioner (25 RM). The place is simple and modest, with the friendly and helpful owner, with reasonable toilets and shower (with hot water) made pleasant the two nights here.

Where to eat in Kuala Tahan

In addition to the “floating restaurants” that have more atmosphere but are a bit more expensive, the Que Restaurant, located at the corner of Main Street and the street that leads to the pier in front of the school is a good option, with food made to order, with also vegetarian dishes.

As this restaurant is closed in the morning, the option for breakfast are food stalls that are installed in the same location as the restaurant from 7.00 am, serving curries and nasi that are the choice for breakfast of Malaysians, for how rice is indispensable presence at any meals; for the most delicious nasi lemak sign savored in Malaysia, and certainly the cheapest, by 3 RM.

Right next door another restaurant serves rotis from the 8.00 am.

And in the same area, another small space serves tea and coffee, hot or with ice.

Kuala Tahan. Local food stall in mais street during mornings

How to get from Kuala Lumpur to Taman Negara

The easiest option is to use the services of a travel agency that ensures the connections between bus and boat. The option was for Han Travels that has a branch in Chinatown in Complex Selancor in Jalang Sultan, in front of the hotel Swiss Inn.

The bus leaves at 8.30 am. Is advisable to buy the ticket one day, especially if high season, but if you want buy tin he same day is better to reached a bit earlier, around 8.00 am.

The trip by mini-van to Kuala Tembeling (takes 3 hours) plus the boat ride to Kuala Tahan (3 hours) costs 95 RM. The trip in mini-van is performed at high speed with the driver doing risky overtakes, resulting that the arrival Kuala Tembeling was around 11.30h, being then necessary to wait until 13.00h for the boat start the trip.

Alternative without travel agencies:

Go to the Perkeliling Bus Terminal in Kuala Lumpur, and catch a bus to Jerantut: 9:30 am 10:45 am 12:00 pm 5:30 pm 3.30pm; Ticket 19 RM.
In Jerantut there are no buses to Kuala Tembeling so it is necessary to use a taxi (16 kilometers away).
The boat Kuala Tembeling to Kuala Tahan costs 45 RM.

How to go from Taman Negara to Kuala Lumpur:

The way back can be done similarly, but with the boat trip could be replaced by mini-van. The Han Travels trip to KL start at 10:00 am, and must be booked the day before, in one of the floating restaurants that also work as offices to this travel agency.

Free alternative travel agencies:

Local Bus from Kuala Tahan for Jerantut.

The bus leaves the main street of Kuala Tahan, where are located the restaurants and shops, opposite the Internet cafe.

The bus schedule change according the day of the week as also between high and low season, so you should check schedule with local people. Guaranteed every day is the bus at 10.00 and 15.00 h. During high season there are also buses to 7.30h, 12.00h and even during the afternoon.

The journey is pleasant and takes 1.5 hours through the forest until Jerantut.

Ticket: 7 RM

From the bus terminal in Jerantut there are daily buses to Kuala Lumpur (Pekelinling Bus Terminal): 8.45pm, 10.00h, 13.30h, 14.45h, 19.30h 16.00he (the latter only on Sundays).

The journey takes 3.5 hours, depending on traffic on arrival in Kuala Lumpur

Ticket: 19 RM.

If the buses are full there are mini-van service that departs at 12.00h, which costs 40 RM, also bound for Pekelinling Bus Terminal. The journey takes 2 hours.

Pekelinling Bus Terminal is located in the northern suburbs of Kuala Lumpur, and right by the terminal is located on the Monorail line. To get to Chinatown, the closest Monorail station is Maharajalela Station. Ticket 3.3 RM.

Bako National Park

Bako is Malaysia’s oldest National Park, established in 1957 and takes its name from the muddy river nearby which flows into the waters of the South China Sea.

Even before arriving at the park, the route taken by the river provides a memorable landscape with the soft morning light shining on the almost still waters of the river Bako, which forms a mirror that merges with the sky and where the skyline fades in presence of a thin layer of mist that emanates from the hot waters of the river.

There are several possible paths to be covered in a day trip, and others that require more time to dwell at least one night in the park. During this visit* the western part of the park was closed to visitors, but the one third that is open offer many options, with 10 possible tracks.

The choice was to Litang Trail with 5.8 kilometers and that it was done in about three hours that left time to do part of the trail to Telok Paku, which despite its simple ones 800 meters has more obstacles and takes a long time.

The Litang Trail is what goes over the forest, with diverse landscapes, from dense and humid jungle, until hot and dry rocky plateaus. As November is already time of much rain the track was soaked in water, but not muddy, as soil is predominantly sandy. Towards the end of the course,

The Telok Paku is offering more chances to observe wildlife especially Proboscis monkey, but given the number of visitors, some quite noisy, the chances of observing animals is reduced, beyond ants and small insects.

But what truly marked this visit was the route at Litang Trail, where during about three hours, I could walk through the wilderness without finding other visitors and can thus enjoy a more intense contact with nature, in which the mind focused on the walk, on foot movement and on rhythm of the breath, gets empty of thoughts.

In total isolation the jungle noises bring the fears and ghosts that we try to hide with the frantic pace of life, making the forest show us his danger and spooky side. But accepting the power of nature we are conducted and cherished by the energy and power that emanates from these trees, making us feel part of this magic that we call Nature. Mother Nature.

This was the most interesting and impressive experience in natural parks, leaving an intense memory of those hours spent in close contact with the jungle. A bless provided but the deep forces of the jungle.

* November 2015

Litang Trail. Bako National Park. Sarawak. Borneo

Telok Paku Trail. Bako National Park. Sarawak. Borneo

Accommodation:

The Baku National Park is located near Kuching so it can be visited on a day-trip. However it is possible to stay in the accommodations near the park headquarters. It should be reserved.

Where to eat:

At the entrance of the park near the headquarters there is a cafeteria. However for a day-trip just take some fruit and water. Water is fundamental and 1.5 liters per person, is not too much.

Equipment and guidance:

The tracks are fairly easy and affordable, with the hardest part being the first 500 meters that are common to all the tracks, with some steepness overtake by stairs and by paths between tree, roots and rocks.

All trails are well marked with the respective color, painted on rocks and trees shillings, being almost impossible to get lost. The Litang Trail has marks 100 at 100 meters with the distance made, which not only facilitates orientation as also the determination of the effort and the pace of the hike. The final part of the trail, on arrival at headquarters is done on flat wooden platforms.

The Telok Paku Trail doesn’t have these milestones, but is very well defined, with parts of the route on wooden platforms and stairs that facilitate the passage in the steepest areas.

In terms of equipment it isn’t necessary anything special, not even hiking boots. A sneakers, running shoes or sandals works perfectly in this kind of trails. Some parts of the trails have some water that you can’t avoid.

The heat and humidity make you sweat profusely, so all clothing quickly get soaked.

Must bring mosquito repellent as they are a fierce presence in more wetlands route.

Plenty of water to drink.

It is not necessary a guide.

How to get from Kuching to Bako National Park:

The bus to Bako Park passes in Jalan Market by the Chinese History Museum, but in this place there is no indication or houses to indicate that buses stop here; a little further on, at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in front of the building Riverside Shopping Center there is another stop.

The bus passes at about 7:00 am and the trip takes about an hour.

Bus Ticket: 3.5 RM

The terminal bus route in Bako Bazaar, a small cluster of houses where the reception Bako Park. Here you buy the ticket for the park as well as the ticket for the boat that transports visitors to the official entry of parquet where are the headquartes. The boat is the only way to get to the park and part of a small pier near the reception of the park.

Park fee: 20 RM

Boat: RM 20 one way; the return ticket has to be purchased in headquartes the park and should be purchased in advance for the boats that leave in the afternoon are quickly filled; the last boat is at 16.00).

The boat trip takes about 10 minutes.

If the tide is low the boat does not reach the small pier, taking passengers to disembark on the beach. The same is true in return.

By the headquartes is provided map and all information on the various tracks, including degree of difficulty, duration and length of the course.

In the end it is necessary to book the boat for the return, and pay the ticket next to headquartes.

Buses leave from Bako Bazaar to Kuching every hour, and the last is at 18:00 hours.

Bus Stop in Kuching to Bako National Park in front of Riverside Shopping Center

Please note: the climate is hot and extremely humid and not always the rails have plenty throughout the length of the course, which causes profuse sweating and fluid loss, so drinking water is extremely important.

Orangutan… men of the Jungle

In the local language “orang-utan” means the “men of the jungle” and they are the ones that feature in the dense jungle of Borneo, with its orange plumage, movements and relaxed and confident presence.

Are spread almost everywhere in the island of Borneo, both Malaysia and Indonesian side where their habitat was not yet destroyed by men, by logging for exotic woods trade or by the massive planting of palm trees for palm oil production. But as these creatures are not easy to find and the jungle not let easily being invade, the options was to visit the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, located a few kilometers south from Kuching.

This center is housed in a nature reserve collects orang-utans victims or left orphans by man actions, keeping the animals in the wild, only providing food in two specific locations, to which the animals flock in search of easy food especially during the season where there’s less fruit on the trees around the park.

The presence of these mammals, totally relaxed and accustomed to human presence attracts all the attention of a few dozen people gathered at the point of observation, hearing the clicking of many cameras and i-phones, trying to catch the clumsy movements of the younger animals. The presence of these ” men of the jungle ” is not guaranteed, nor the number that each day is shown next to the feeding area, since they are in total freedom. On this day, in the middle of December, there were two of these lovely creatures, a female and a juvenile, in which the latter was keen to show some of their skills hanging on ropes and eating bananas upside down.

But the visit is not limited only to the “men of the jungle” may be wandering the various trails of the park without the need to travel long distances to feel the contact with nature and the power of the jungle. The constant humidity you feel, makes the pace slow and the body heavy, but gives time to enjoy the small details of the plant world that takes on a special glow and magical colors under the light filtered through the canopy of tall trees that hide the blue sky.

How to get to Semenggoh Park

The Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is located 32 km south from Kuching, being easy reach by public transport. Buses leave the small terminal in downtown Kuching (Jalan Masjid or Mosque Jalang) and ends just opposite the entrance to the Semenggoh Park. Hence it is necessary to walk a paved road to the area where orangutans are feed, which takes about 15 minutes.

The bus leaves from Kuching to: 07.20h, 09.50h, 15.00h, 13:00h

On returning to Kuching the bus part of the Semenggoh: 08.20h, 11.05h, 16.05h 14.05h

The journey takes about 1 hour.

The bus ticket costs 4 RM.

Bus to Semenggoh Park. schedule. Kuching

To have opportunity to see the orang-utans should go at times when food is distributed:

Morning: 9.00 h

Afternoon: 15:00 h

However the park is open longer and worth a visit:

Morning: 8.00 to 11:00 h

Afternoon: 14.00 until 16.00

Ticket: 10 RM

Hiking

More about Nongriat living root bridges:

Where to stay in Nongriat:

Where to eat in Nongriat:

How to go from Sohra (Cherrapunjee) to Nongriat:

Hiking to Nongriat. practical information:

Where to stay in Nongriat:

Where to eat in Nongritat:

How to go from Sohra (Cherrapunjee) to Nongriat:

Kuala Tahan

Costs inside Taman Negara:

Accommodation in Kuala Tahan:

Where to eat in Kuala Tahan

How to get from Kuala Lumpur to Taman Negara

How to go from Taman Negara to Kuala Lumpur:

Accommodation:

Where to eat:

Equipment and guidance:

How to get from Kuching to Bako National Park:

How to get to Semenggoh Park

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