Taman Negara Merapoh

"Easy Access To Pristine Jungles"

On the western fringe of Malaysia's best known park, Taman Negara Merapoh is a great alternative to the main entry to Taman Negara at Kuala Tahan.

Only 7 km from the highway, the park maintains a sense of wilderness with easy forest trails and a tarmac road for birdwatching and jungle trekking.

Adding to the jungle atmosphere, Sungai Relau runs just nearby the chalets. On this picturesque river, trekkers find monkeys, birds and other wildlife to photograph. A 14 km tarmac jeep road cuts into the forest for easy walking along the jungle. Off the road forest trails lead to limestone caves, swamps, and lush lowland rainforest habitat.

Going to Taman Negara Merapoh has several advantages over the gateway entrance to Taman Negara Park:

• First, it's easy to drive to.
• Second, there are very few visitors.
• Third, most of the jungle trails are easy to walk and marked adequately.
• Fourth, some wildlife is very observable without too much trouble, like hornbills and dusky leaf monkeys.
• Fifth, take the kids and introduce them to jungle life.

For mountain trekkers, Taman Negara Merapoh is also the main entry to climb Gunung Tahan, the highest point in Peninsular Malaysia (2187 m), with a shorter trail to the summit. Recognized as one of the toughest treks in the country.

Taman Negara Merapoh: Nature Activities

Get a taste of the jungle or swallow the whole rainforest. Choose an outdoor activity that suits your interests and fitness level. Or take a jungle challenge and surprise yourself with a new adventure. For example:

• Spend a day searching in the forest;
• Spend 2 days kayaking the river;
• Or spend 4 days on a mountain hike to Mount Tahan and back to Sungai Relau.

Forest Trails - The 3 trails at Sungai Relau traverse over different habitats and offer good walks, nice photographic shots and a chance to observe the jungle up close.

Interpretive Trail	30-45 minutes	An easy stroll with 20 stations to teach you about tree features, species and habitat for a jungle introduction.
Palas Trail	1-2 hours	A trail that parallels the river, sweeps uphill into palm forest and down across streams into tall trees (strangler fig) on flat ground. Usually lots of animal tracks from wild pig and deer.
Negeram Trail	2-4 hours	A 4 km trail crossing lowland forests with tualang and soaring canopy trees and a river full of freshwater fish, with a chance to view elephants and camp at Pasir Gelenggang.

Birdwatching - Grab a field guide, strap on your binoculars and walk along the river, the jungle trails or the jeep road and enjoy a few hours watching the colorful variety of bird life. Woodpeckers, kingfishers, eagles, hornbills and hundreds more take refuge in the rainforest.

Wildlife Watching - During the day the jungle offers sightings of birds and monkeys, plus signs of elephants, bears, wild dogs, and maybe tiger or tapir tracks. At night, park rangers take you on a safari ride on the jeep road to spotlight animals - civets, marble cat, tapir, owls, deer, elephants - from the forest floor to canopy.

Kayaking - Paddling downstream on a forest river with jungle panorama in full view is a perfect way to enjoy the wilderness. The trek from Kuala Jeram to Kuala Yu takes 2-3 days (depending on water levels) with stop-offs for animal observation.

Cave Treks - There are two limestone caves with some interesting sights. Trek 2 hours on a jungle trail to reach Gua Gajah (Elephant Cave) with lots of elephant tracks and droppings. Other cave wildlife includes snakes, bats and swallows. Peningat Cave was a wartime hideout for the British during the Japanese Occupation. It takes 3 hours to reach the site but overnight camping is available.

[NOTE: Please hire a nature guide on treks to caves for safety and a better jungle education.]

Taman Negara Merapoh: Climbing Gunung Tahan

The ultimate jungle experience awaits you at the foothills of Taman Negara. Located 14 km from Sungai Relau station, Kuala Juram is the staging point for the hike to Gunung Tahan.

Reaching the peak via this route is 2 days less than going from Kuala Tahan. The best months for mountain climbing is April through July, with closure during the rainy season from November to January.

Trekkers need to be fit and ready to rough it day and night. So be prepared to take this extraordinary jungle challenge and enjoy the hardships.

There are 2 options for climbing Gunung Tahan:

Option 1 - Return to Sungai Relau

Option 2 - Sungai Relau to Kuala Tahan

The climb follows a different path after Kor Camp to Belumut, the peak, Wray's Camp, Kuala Putih Camp, Melantai and then on to Kuala Tahan. Reach the peak on Day 3 and descend for 4 more days.

Sungai Relau - Kuala Juram - Gunung Tahan
Map Courtesy of Taman Negara Merapoh

Taman Negara Merapoh: General Information

Fees and Facilities

• Rest House (15 rooms) - RM 40-50 per room/night
• Hostel (40 beds) - RM 10 per person/night
• Entry Fee - RM 1 per person
• Camping Fee - RM 1 per person
• Camera - RM 5 per person
• 4WD Ride - RM 7.50 one way
• 4WD Night Safari - RM 40 per person (minimum 2)
• Guide Service - RM 60-80 per day; RM 20 overnight

Sungai Relau

• Campsites and public toilets
• Recreation area
• Interpretation and Exhibition Centre
• Library and Telephone
• Guide Services

Kuala Juram

• Hostel (60 beds)
• Public toilet
• Campsite

Merapoh Booking Information

Deputy Superintendent
Taman Negara (Pahang)
Sungai Relau, Merapoh
27210 Kuala Lipis, Pahang
Tel-Fax: 09 9124894

Taman Negara Information
Superintendent
Taman Negara (Pahang)
Kuala Tahan
27000 Jerantut, Pahang
Tel: 09 2661122/2664152
Fax: 09 2664110
email: penguasa@tm.net.my

Getting There

On the border of Pahang and Kelantan, travel to the town of Merapoh between Kuala Lipis and Gua Musang on Federal Route 8.

• From Kuala Lumpur take the highway to Kuantan and turn off at the Bentong exit immediately left after the toll gate.
• Follow the signs for Bentong, Raub and Kuala Lipis all on Route 8.
• Pass through Kuala Lipis towards Gua Musang and look for signs for Taman Negara.
• Before reaching the Kelantan border reach Merapoh and turn right into shoplots.
• Look for a very, small bridge crossing with a road that leads uphill into a residential area on left and continue straight.
• There is no sign at the bridge ... if confused just ask shop owners to show you the right place.
• The entrance to Taman Negara Merapoh is 7 km from the highway turnoff.

Train, Bus and Taxi

Make arrangements for a special stop at the Merapoh train station or get off at Gua Musang and taxi back. Or take a bus on the way to Gua Musang or Kota Bahru and drop off in Merapoh, please inform agent when buying ticket. Get a taxi from Gua Musang for RM 50 or find a private hire transport in Merapoh to Sungai Relau for less than RM10.