Published on February 25th, 2020
Of all the reasons that someone might visit Malaysia, trekking is one of the most unconventional yet prominent one, and rightly so. Travellers can go for hikes along the Mount Kinabalu or GurungTuhan, among many more. Hence, you should make sure you spare a few days out of your trip to escape the bustling urban spaces like Kuala Lumpur to hike through Malaysia’s gorgeous highlands.
The country offers you a chance to take a stroll through a unique ecosystem of foothills rainforests, an enjoyable tropical climate, along with chilling temperatures at the top. However, a word to the wise, trekking through a foreign country with having the necessary knowledge and resources is not a good idea.
Why Should You Go For Trekking In Malaysia?
Before you put on your trekking shoes and run off into the unknown, you should know what you are in store for. Trekking through Malaysia promises and delivers to be one thing above all: memorable.
This can be credited to its lush and rain-drenched hills, well-maintained national parks situated in rainforests, refreshing highland stretches covered with long grass, ambitious climbing treks like the renowned Kinabalu trek.
Which Are The Best Treks In Malaysia?
1. GunungLambak
Situated in the state of Johor, GunungLambakis a climbing trek that takes you as high as 510m. Even though the trek is the shortest mountain hike in Malaysia, it moves through a tarmac pathway leading through dense rainforest.
The round-trip for this trek takes approximately 4 to 5 hours. However, the rest sheds, benches, and railings, etc. will make sure that the hike feels refreshing and invigorating instead of exhausting. The major challenge with this trek is maneuvering through steep dirt slopes with undergrowth.
The challenge gets tougher especially these parts get muddier after the rains. All the effort you put into the trek will be completely worth the views that only get better as you climb higher. One of the best views you will find on this trek is a sweeping panorama of the Kluang town.
2. GunungTahan
Another spectacular mountain climbing trek, it involves scaling a whopping 7174 ft. tall mountain. Moreover, it is the highest mountain in peninsular Malaysia. The word ‘tahan’ in the name of the mountain means ‘to endure’.
This is an indication of the magnitude of challenges that you would have to face to get to the peak of this mountain. These challenges include thick jungles, wild rivers, and trails filled with mud. Adding to these challenges, Tahan’s harsh conditions make the trek difficult and enjoyable at the same time.
A few of these challenges are temperatures close to that of steam rooms in the low lands and the extremely chilly weather towards the peak. Even with all the challenges, this magnificent Malaysia trek gives you a first-hand experience of the unique jungles that house a fascinating set of wildlife along with great views from the higher altitude.
3. Bukit Tabur
The Bukit Tabur of Selangor Malaysia is a part of the Quartz Ridge, which is a globally renowned geological site. As the altitude of the hill is lower than 500 m, it does not offer much of a challenge for climbers.
The views from this hill include the mesmerizing panorama of the Kuala Lumpur skyline towards the left and a reservoir towards the right where the ridge seems to be separating the natural world and the urban landscape on the other side.
One of the unique part of this trek that between stretches of the climb, you get many opportunities to simply sit in the bushes to look at various songbirds perched on trees. Adding to it, Bukit Taburoffers sublime views of the sunrise and sunsets.
When To Visit Malaysia For Trekking?
Malaysia is situated in a tropical monsoon climatic zone. As a result, it experiences frequent showers through the entire year. While it is not possible to completely avoid the rains while you are on treks in Malaysia, it is still better to plan your trip between March and early October.
On the contrary, you should avoid January and February as they are usually the wettest months. What are the essential items to pack for hiking in Malaysia?
- Large or medium size backpack, and a duffle side bag for extras
- Water bottle
- Sun hat
- Warm cap
- Baselayers
- Fleece jacket
- Outer jacket
- Rain jacket (essential for the monsoon months)
- Sturdy trekking shoes and a pair of floaters
- Flashlight
- Trekking pants, several pairs
- UV-protection glasses
- Thermal socks
Malaysia Visa
There are three major airports in Malaysia that are best suited for a trekking trip to Malaysia. These include Senai International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and of course the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Depending on what your trip entails; you can book a flight to either of these airports. The common thing that you would require at any of them is a Malaysia Visa. The application process for a Malaysia Visa is pretty simple. Here is the criteria you need to fulfill for a
Malaysia Visa:
- Your passport should hold a validity of at least 6 months after your trip.
- You should be able to fund your expenses during your stay in Malaysia.
- You should not have any record of criminal behaviour.
- You should hold confirmed tickets for a return journey while applying for the Malaysia Visa.
The three major types of Visa that Malaysia offers include tourists, students, and work. If you plan to trek your way through Malaysia, the tourist visa is best suited for you. However, you should make a careful selection based on your itinerary. Moreover, you can also apply for a Malaysia VisaOnline.
The term used for an online Malaysia Visa is ‘E-Visa’ and it takes approximately 3 to4 working days for delivery. While it may require a lot of effort, Malaysia is a much better option if you want to get away from the fast-paced life of the city.
Moreover, if you choose Malaysia as a trekking location, you may save up a lot of money on things like travel to different parts of Malaysia, sightseeing, accommodation, etc.
