MORE THAN EDGE travelers to the outskirt, we reveal deeper meaning of conservation, non-intrusive and low impact holiday making.
Say hello to rare butterflies, trek uncharted forest, learn how to use the blowpipe and let untouched tribal village living thrill you to bits. And the best part, enjoy the activity-packed trip safely with local English-speaking expert and jungle savvy aborigines watching over you.
Teja aboriginal reserve is unsung and is teeming with wonders of nature. So captivated by its beauty and biodiversity, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has declared this hidden pocket a natural heritage and has spearheaded a conservation program in 2006 to create awareness among indigenous Semai natives in order to conserve and sustainably manage the surrounding forest.
However, due to its far-flung location, Semai tribe’s shyness and inability to converse in mainstream language have made them trail far behind in reeling in visitors. To overcome these, we have carefully carved a special 2D/1N package for independent travelers with a penchant for unpretentious ecotourism and wish to play a part in bringing valued income to locals and village’s communal fund.
As this is an un-touristed and off-the-beaten-path destination, travelers are expected to blend in, rough it out and forgo creature comfort for 2 days. Take heart, small groups (2-8 pax) are fully escorted by English-speaking naturalist and aborigine man and woman guides who will go all out to ensure everyone enjoys an eye-opening stay - safely.
Using local helps, transport, catering and accommodation and paying fair wages, we ensure that not only do our guests gain a unique insight into the culture they are visiting but also that as much of their money as possible stays in the local community. We shall travel and learn at a leisurely pace to allow everyone the time to fully appreciate Teja’s charm.
* What to expect for this “low-impact” holiday: It is crucial that personal essentials are packed and brought along. Night shall be spent in raised-up dorm, stilt huts or bamboo chalets (depending on availability) to stay away from flash floods and wandering nocturnal wildlife.
Raw food ingredients are gathered from the jungle and cooked by Semai womenfolk in accordance to local recipes. However, we are mindful enough to bring along urban staples like breads, fruits, coffee and bottled water for those who prefer something more familiar. We take and leave nothing behind.
* What to bring: Other than personal effects, bring along raincoat, mosquitoes repellent, small shoulder bag or backpack (for short treks), flashlight, sandals, trekking shoes, easy-drying cotton wear and most important, lots of “anything goes” attitude.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Teja Aboriginal Reserve
* 9.00am – Pick up in Ipoh (bus / rail station or hotel). Trip briefing and safety procedures.
* 9.30am – 4x4 transfer, approx 2 hrs into Teja Aboriginal Reserve. While cruising 4x4 along the forest fringed rutted path, travelers will be introduced to unblemished Semai countryside and serenity that embraced a place that time forgot.
* 11.30am – Rafflesia jungle trekking. This is an uphill trek and guests should be reasonably fit to enjoy the journey. The Rafflesia cantelyi, a parasitic plant which only grow inside Tetrastigma root vines, is endemic to areas of Teja Aboriginal Reserve.
Members of the genus Rafflesiaceae hold the honour of possessing the largest flower in the world. It is the only plant that’s “plays dead”. Large waxy and red petals resembles decaying animal on the forest floor to attract flies for pollination. Beside biological hiccups for Rafflesia has been known to have high mortality rate, bud-collection for traditional medicines has been of a great problem. Thus, Rafflesia is exceedingly rare.
Conservation of the Rafflesias has been given a high priority in Teja and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has been roped in for the cause. In the past, the Semai collected Rafflesia buds for sale but our non-intrusive ecotourism is slowly helping them see the benefits of conservation.
* 3.00pm – Late lunch.
* 4 pm – Brooke butterfly viewing. The Rajah Brooke Birdwing (Trogonoptera brookiana albescens) was discovered in 1855 by A.R Wallace, who named it after the British Rajah Brooke of Sarawak. Touted as “prince among butterfly tribes”, males usually flock river banks, moist spots and hot springs to feed on minerals and urine leftover by wildlife at night.
They are active in mid-morning (8-10am) and late afternoon (3-5pm). It is a striking species which gathers in groups of up to 80 individuals to drink from puddles. Newly emerged males must absorb mineralized water containing the sodium and potassium ions necessary to activate adult behavior.
Holding the wings in a V-shape, the butterflies drink and squirt the excess water from the abdomen in small jets or droplets. Rajah Brooke's butterfly also drinks nectar from Bauhinia plant species. Other than Brooke, 62 species of butterflies (3 rare and endangered) are found in Teja Basin.
Brooke butterflies are rare and only occur in several protected areas around Teja and are listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
* 6 pm – Swim and bath in the river.
* 8 pm – Dinner barbecue.
Day 2: Semai villages
* 8.00am – Breakfast.
* 9.00am – Pack up and 4x4 transfer to another Semai village.
* 10am – Hike and explore more Semai villages and learn about their way of life. The Semai are under the Senoi tribal group. Principally, the Semai are hunters, gatherers of forest produce and medicinal herbs.
Language-wise they speak an Aslian dialect. Village leadership is provided by the Tok Batin or headman who is recognised by the government. Most elders do not have formal education and average income from selling forest produce and agriculture is far below poverty line. They also practice subsistence fishing. Semai are gentle and smiles are easy to come by.
* 1 pm – Jungle lunch specially prepared by Semai womenfolk.
* 2 pm – Learn how to use the blowpipe. The Semai hunt with blowpipes for small mammals and birds. The blowpipe is made from thin bamboo and the mouth piece is made from rattan.
Light weight darts made from hard Merbau tree are coated with a deadly concoction made from the sap of the lpoh tree (Antiaris toxicaria) and carried in a carefully closed bamboo tube. For windage, soft fluffy wool obtained from the Kapok cotton tree is used. In the hands of expert hunters, the blowpipe is deadly accurate within 80 meters.
* 3 pm – Take a dip in an uncharted pristine waterfall. The waterfall is reputed to have high mineral content and will leave the skin soft and supple after bathing in it.
* 4 pm - Pack up and 4x4 transfer back to civilization!
* 6 pm – drop off at Ipoh (bus / rail station or hotel).
NOTE:
- Activities and overnight venue are subjected to changes to suit weather conditions.
- All activities and treks shall be fully escorted by our own English educated jungle guides and naturalist. We never pass groups to sub-contractors or freelancers.
All packages are ex-Ipoh, a town 200km north capital Kuala Lumpur (KL) and 150km south Penang.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- All meals, aborigine reserve entrance permits and accommodation during excursion.
- Bottled drinking water, canned drinks, Coke, fruits, bread and snack items.
- Private English-speaking naturalist and Semai aborigine guides.
- Private 4x4 off-road transfers and return to Ipoh.
Please note that all trips are private-type and require a minimum of 2 people to operate; surcharge applicable for 1 person trip. Discounts are available for self-drive, groups, retirees, students, families and nature clubs.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Malaysia
Hiking & Trekking
Ecotourism
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