Sri Kedawang Travel & Tours

PAHANG

KOTA GELANGGI

The Kota Gelanggi caves complex is of historical importance, first recorded by Cameron in 1882 in the Royal Asiatic Soc. Journal. Since then many other people have written about the caves, but have been inconsistent with the naming. Various archaeological digs, especially by the Muzium Negara Department of Museum & Antiquities has revealed human remains dating 1500 years.

There are several caves open to the public. One show cave is Gua Terang Bulan which has electric lighting and walkways. Guided tours are available at RM5 per adult.

Facilities - Caves complex, also the Kota Gelanggi museum at the visitors centre. Car park. Opening hours: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily. There is an entrance fee: RM2.00 per adult and RM1.00 per child (5 to 12 years old).

Nearby, Tekam Plantation Resort also offers a range of other activities such as plantation visits, trekking, fishing etc, as well as accommodation.

Location and access - In the state of Pahang northeast of Temerloh. Kota Gelanggi is situated off the old Jerantut to Maran road No 64, about 25km east of Jerantut. From Temerloh go north to Jerantut, then turn right (east) until you come to Kota Gelanggi. Or from the main Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan road, there are 3 turn offs to Kota Gelanggi. One is at Kg. Awah, one at Jengka Jaya, or route 64 from Maran.

Tekam Plantation Resort. Chalets and dining facilities are available. Visitors can arrange for the plantation tour, which takes an educational visit to places such as the Kota Gelanggi Caves, Gunung Senyum Caves, as well as the surrounding rubber and oil palm plantations. The best time to visit is during the fruit season of July to September, when local fruits such as durians and rambutans are plentiful. There are facilities for conventions.

Location and access - Tekam Plantation Resort in Jerantut, Pahang is about 216 km from Kuala Lumpur. From Kuala Lumpur, take the Karak Highway and follow Highway 2 onwards to Pekan Awah, turn left into Highway 83 and turn right into Highway 64.

GUNUNG SENYUM CAVES

There are three limestone hills in this area, Gunung Senyum, Gunung Jebak Puyuh and Bukit Terus. There are many caves, some are archaeological sites. The area has been developed as a recreation park. Gunung Senyum is the most visited hill as it is the most easily accessible. There are more than 25 caves in the hill. Visitors can explore about 20 caves. Signboards list the caves and there are easy trails to explore the caves. Makam Tok Long is a burial cave.

Visitors can trek to the nearby Gunung Jebak Puyuh. There are several caves in this hill, some with beautiful stal formations. However the hill is under threat from quarrying.

Facilities - Car park. Food stalls open at weekends. Campsite, toilets, surau, chalets. Hutan Lipur forest rangers office.

Location and access - Southwest Jenka, in the Jenka Forest Reserve. It is well signposted from Temerloh. From the main Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan road (route 2), there are 2 or 3 turn offs all signposted to Hutan Lipur (Recreational Forest) Gunung Senyum . One is by the east end of the bridge at Temerloh, one at Kampung Awah. Follow the signs. 40km from Temerloh, 20 km from Bandar Pusat Jengka.

Gunung Senyum

Gua Makam Tok Long

KENONG RIMBA FOREST RESERVE

Kenong Rimba has no show caves, but there are various caves which are visited by people trekking in the park. Kenong Rimba park borders its larger sister, Taman Negara. There is jungle, clear streams, cascading waterfalls and caves. Trekking groups go to explore the caves, swim in the rivers and camp.

Within the Kenong Rimba Park, there are several caves to explore. These include Gua Tinggi, Gua Tangga and Gua Kesong, also Gua Batu Telangkup, Gua Hijau and Gua Harimau.

Facilities - Chalets and campsites at Kesong Campsite. Forest trails.

Location and access - Kenong is located in Lipis, near the town of Kuala Lipis, about 170 km from Kuala Lumpur. The park has only one entry point. From Kuala Lipis, the journey to the park can be made by river, which entails a 2 hour boat trip down the Jelai river, and then a short distance up the smaller Sg.Kenong to Tanjung Kiara. Alternatively one can catch a train to Batu Sembilan, then take a boat from the jetty across the Jelai and up to Tanjung Kiara. This is the access point to the reserve, although the park boundary is actually still 10 minutes walk away. Unlike Taman Negara, visitors to Kenong Rimba can only enter with a guide. You can arrange a tour and guide from the hotels and guesthouses in Kuala Lipis. An average cost may be RM250 per person for 2 nights/ 3 days, inclusive of guides and meals.

GUA CHARAS

Not actually a show cave, but a temple cave, equiped with paths and electric lighting. Inside is a large reclining Buddha.

Location and access - The Charas caves about 30 km northwest of Kuantan at Panching on the Sungai Lembing road. Panching is accessible by bus and taxi, but the caves are about 4 km off the main road. RM1 entrance fee.