Amazing “Back-to-Nature” Stays in Malaysia
Looking to escape from the hustle and bustle in the city and relax in a quiet jungle setting or unique staycation experience? Check out our favourite “back-to-nature” hotels in some states in Malaysia, from minimalist accommodation to green villages and luxurious getaways.
With more eco-conscious travellers around the world, many hotels have incorporated numerous sustainable measures that go beyond planting a few extra trees on its compounds. A stay in a hotel with lush, solar-powered gardens is no longer a dream as many hotels transform their once ordinary common spaces into tropical wonderlands that are pleasing on both your eyes and the environment.
MOUNT KINABALU
Conquer the Tallest Peak of South East Asia
Mount Kinabalu is one of the destinations frequented by both local and international mountain climbing experts. It resides at the West Coast Division of Sabah, and is the main attraction of Kinabalu Park, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Its elevation of 4,095 metres and 13,435 feet above sea level is the highest elevation in Borneo’s Crocker Range, the highest mountain in Malaysia, as well as the 20th most topographically prominent mountain. The summit rises nearly twice as high as the other peaks of the Crocker Range and promises a breathtaking sight with the crown of wild granite soaring at the top.
The name Kinabalu was derived from a Kadazan (the largest ethnic group in Sabah) word, Aki Nabalu which means ‘the revered place of the dead.’ Gruesome? Not to worry because provided that you are healthy and physically fit for an adventure of a lifetime, Mount Kinabalu would welcome you to a climbing adventure at one of the safest and most conquerable peaks in the world.
2 trails can be chosen to reach the summit, namely the Ranau trail and the Kota Belud trail. The first checkpoint for climbers will be Panalaban (3,272m), followed by Sayat Sayat (3,668m) and the final climb to the highest peak; The Low’s peak (4,095m). These trails span about 8.72 kilometres in distance.
ADVENTURE AND NATURE IN ONE PLACE
Kinabalu is the home of some of the most exotic flora and fauna which gives a wholesome wildlife experience for all nature lovers, More than 5,000 species of plants have been identified here and a diversified list of birds and mammals also inhabit the slopes of this mountain.
ENDAU-ROMPIN NATIONAL PARK
Enchanting Forest of Endau-Rompin, A Classic Experience of Nature
A pure and magnificent experience of diving into a lush green scenery of Endau-Rompin National Park, the second-largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia is dedicated to all nature enthusiasts.
A wholesome journey of adventure and astounding nature awaits every visitor to this sanctuary, promising a breathtaking retreat for everyone who needs a break from the rush of the city.
Bordering the states of Johor and Pahang, this well-preserved verdant rainforest offers a peek into pristine lowland rainforests and splendid mountain waterfalls, presenting an awe-inspiring feast of fresh scenery. Covering a luxurious area of approximately 870 km2, this national park is also a crucial shelter for the country’s endangered species, such as the Malayan Tiger, Malayan Tapir, and the River Tristania.
Getting here is a bit of a hustle, as the main entries to the park are only accessible via 4WD vehicles. The road is a bit rugged and promises a bumpy roller-coaster ride, so hang on tight!
DIVE INTO THE COLD WATER
Adhering to its name, the two rivers of Endau and Rompin streaming across the national park will provide a refreshing experience to all visitors.
A serene and relaxing scenery of waterfalls intertwining with the beauty of raw and tender tropical trees will render an experience of a paradise-like escapade; a scenery that is significant to the national park. The first spectacular wonder here would be the Buaya Sangkut Waterfall: a majestic 120-metre tall waterfall featuring a shape of a crocodile in its rock formation. While the Upeh Guling Waterfall is known for its formation of holes in its rock, portraying a solid handiwork of swirling waters across the waterfall. The Blue Lake (Tasik Air Biru) will provide a quicker journey for those with limited time, providing an enchanting experience of an outrageously clear blue water.
ORANG ASLI
A visit to Endau-Rompin National Park will also provide a peek of Malaysia’s native group, namely the Orang Asli. The many rivers and forests of the park are what the countless generations of the Jakun tribe called home. Immerse yourself into the history and folklore of this tribe and make sure to get a closer look at their glory as the hunter-gatherer of the forest!
GUNUNG MULU NATIONAL PARK
Explore the 60-Million-Years Worth of Natural Wonders
Gunung Mulu National Park will bring you to a captivating eye-opening legacy of the past.
A place where an abundance treasure of geo-diversity and biodiversity sit before your eyes, raring to give a tantalizing adventure and memorable exploration like never before.
One of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in Malaysia, the national park will surely enchant you with its karst formations in its mountainous equatorial rainforest setting – it is also the most studied area of tropical karst in the world. Cited as an outstanding example of the world’s geological history, the national park boasts one of the longest chains of caves in the world, as well as being the home for the Sarawak Chamber – the largest natural underground chamber that is huge enough to fit a total of 40 Boeing 747 airplanes!
If that’s not enough to amaze you, explore the national park’s limestone pinnacles. With the abundance of tropical rainforest in the area, sandstone pinnacles and limestones are able to form through the chain of mountains and caves – consisting of Mount Api, Mount Benerat, Mount Buda, and the dominating Mount Mulu. One of the most well-known sites of the National Park is the Melinau Limestone Formation, portraying its remarkable concentration of caves, a subterranean of huge chambers, and massive flowing underground rivers. Meanwhile, the Garden of Eden showcases one of the world’s finest karst collapse, with its blade-like , sharp pinnacles of limestone; located at Mount Api.
DEER & LANG CAVES
Deer Cave offers a remarkable sight of the world’s largest cave passage (approximately 2 km in length and 90 m high). The cave is known as a former shelter for deer and it currently houses many species of bats. As you cross the path of this cave, you will be led to the aforementioned Garden of Eden and a unique formation of Abraham Lincoln’s profile, guarding the southern entrance of the cave.
The entrance to Lang Cave is just a short walk from Deer Cave. Although relatively small in size, Lang Cave provides an enticing view of rock formations – aided with strategically placed spotlights for you to embrace the stalactites and stalagmites of the cave’s wall. The cave also exhibits various species of fauna in its ecosystem, such as worm larvae, bats, swiftlets, and cave snakes.
CLEARWATER CAVE & CAVE OF THE WINDS
The Clearwater Cave System is the eight longest caves in the world, and the longest in Asia – measuring about 170 km. The cave is part of a full streaming subterranean river and is accessible via boat. You are able to stroll around the caves with the presence of planks and floating bridges surrounding it. Entrance to the Wind Cave is just a short distance walk from Clearwater Cave. The cave has multiple small and narrow passages, giving way for the cool breeze of wind to be felt by all visitors.
TREKKING & SKYWALK
The wonders of Gunung Mulu National Park do not end only at the wondrous caves. For avid trekkers, the National Park also provides multiple climbing treks such as The Pinnacles Summit Trek, a hike to a wonderful view of Gunung Mulu Pinnacles; The Headhunter’s Trails, a hike to immerse yourself in the culture of the aborigines; and The Gunung Mulu Summit Trek, a challenging climb of Mount Mulu itself. The park also possesses the longest tree-based canopy walkway, spanning for 480 m and elevating for 25 m upon the forest floor.
TEMPURUNG CAVE, PERAK
Exploring nature’s best kept Tempurung Cave
Known to many caving enthusiasts, Tempurung Cave is only a few kilometers away from Ipoh. Famous for its limestone formation, the cave is definitely one of the places to go when visiting Perak.
Estimated to be between 250 to 400 million years old, did you know that Tempurung Cave is one of the biggest limestone caves in Peninsular Malaysia? This magnificent attraction is more than three kilometres long and divided into five unique domes that offer diverse stalactites and stalagmites, water level, glittering marbles, limestone content, and temperature.
The biggest dome is the gorgeous Golden Flowstone Cavern that reached about 90 metres in height and is known for its smoothed stone cascade.
Another dome is called Alam Cavern that is 73-metre high; Tin Mine Cavern where visitors can see some excavation left by earlier tin miners; Gergasi Cavern that contained a massive 15 metres high columns and the last one; the Battlefield Cavern where visitors can see fallen stalactites and rock formations litter the floor, including one that was nicknamed the Fallen Warrior.
When visiting the cave, tourists can either opt for a wet tour or dry packages, or even both. For the dry packages, visitors will walk up to 620 steps witnessing the unique stalactites and stalagmites resembling animals, objects and even humans while making pitstop at the Golden Flowstone.
While exploring Tempurung Cave, one would be surprised to feel the fresh cold breeze as they walk along the Golden Flowstone. The fresh wind and the glittering limestone will make anyone fall in love with the beauty of nature hidden in Tempurung Cave.
For the wet and wild tour, get ready to get your adrenaline pumping as you head to the short river adventure. In this tour, you will get to jump, slide down and pass across the hilly path and cross shallow rivers for at least 1.9 kilometres and even wade yourself in the underground river. This adventurous and fun tour will take you at least three hours to complete! While the first is a self-tour, the wet tour is a ranger-guided tour to ensure the safety of each visitor.
It is also advisable for visitors, especially those who opt for wet tours to bring extra clothes, gloves, knee pads, and waterproof camera if you have one.
Do remember that the final tour for wet packages is at 11.00 a.m. and you need to have a minimum of eight people in a group to start.
Once you are done exploring the cave, unwind yourself by enjoying local delicacies from nearby food stalls. During weekends, local music buskers will be there to entertain you as you shop at the souvenir booths.
As a preferred eco-tourism destination, Tempurung Cave is the perfect place not only for adrenaline junkies but also for families who are interested in nature. What are you waiting for? Get your adventurous mode on and let’s go to Tempurung Cave!
CROCKER RANGE PARK
Get up Close with Nature in the Crocker Range Park!
The Crocker Range Park is the realm of pure and diverse natural wonders.
Classified as a National Park, a Biosphere Reserve, and deemed as the biggest park in Sabah, this enormous park is located just two hours from the well-known Mount Kinabalu. The park is one of Sabah’s natural treasures, with astonishing wonders in its landscape; from its full-flowing pristine rivers, deep valleys, montane waterfall, to the over-the-top flourishing rainforest.
The beautiful landscape of Crocker Range Park would captivate most eyes. Bear in mind that this park is also home for various unique creatures in Malaysia, such as the orang-utan, gibbons, furry tarsier, and the long-tailed macaques – a perfect fusion of natural wonders and wildlife adventure!
BIOSPHERE RESERVE BY UNESCO
Being blessed with a diversity of rare and endemic species of plants and wildlife from its lowland tropical forest to the higher montane forest, Crocker Range Park was listed as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Covering 1,400 square kilometres of the area, the park also plays an important role in providing a clean source of water for the entire West Coast of Sabah – providing a source for drinking water, for agriculture, and for industrial purposes. The park is one of the places with the highest precipitation in Sabah making it an obvious water catchment area and a natural freshwater reserve area. So, it is best to plan your journey outside of the monsoon season for the best experience in Crocker Range Park.
