Back to Nature - Ulu Muda Escape

📍 Option 1 (not included): Transfer from Penang to Lake Muda Jetty by vehicle(150km): 1.5hrs Option 2 (not included): Transfer from Cameron Highlands to Lake Muda Jetty(350km): 5hrs Option 3 (not included): Transfer from Ipoh to Lake Muda Jetty(270km): 3.5hrs Transfer by boat from Lake Muda Jetty to Earth Lodge: up to 1.5hrs PM Boat Cruise at 1630 for up to 2 hours

12.00 Have a simple lunch at Ulu Muda jetty at a local stall before taking a traditional long-tailed boat across the Muda Lake and up the Muda River to Earth Lodge for the upcoming two nights in the middle of vast and wild rainforest. The duration of the boat journey depends very much on the water level and conditions and would usually take approximately 1 - 1.5 hours.

Take in the feeling of being in the rainforest far away from human civilisation, with its fresh air and soothing natural forest orchestra of insects, birds and other wildlife.

Arrive at Earth Lodge and be briefed by park ranger. Ulu Muda Forest Reserve is by far the largest at 105,000 hectares.  Lowland Dipterocarp Forest, Hill Dipterocarp Forest and the Upper Hill Dipterocarp Forest are the forest types found here with an elevation range from about 97 metres to the highest point of 1256 metres. The area is particularly known as an important site for Malaysia’s mega fauna. The main suspects usually caught on camera traps are the Asian elephant, Malaysian tapir, sambar deer, barking deer and wild boar. The other large mammals known to call Ulu Muda home are the gaur, tiger and leopard.

Late afternoon, take a river cruise in search of wildlife. With some luck, see elephants along the river bank.

Dinner and lights out.

Overnight at Earth Lodge.

Important Notes:

• It is advisable to travel light on the journey into Ulu Muda Rainforest, and have a waterproof bag. Heavier luggage can be left at the previous hotel if returning there or with the driver.
• The seats of the boats from Muda Lake Jetty to Earth Lodge are made of wooden planks without back-rest.
• Earth Lodge – chalet style accommodation equipped with two single mattresses, attached bathroom, balcony and ceiling fan. There is no water heater or bath towels and toiletries.
• Electricity to the Earth Lodge is powered by a generator which will be switched on between 18:00hrs to 23:00hrs daily.

Overnight at the lodge

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Jungle Trekking and caves round trip: 4 hours Boat Cruise from 1600 for up to 2 hours

Wake up to the haunting call of gibbons and the cacophony of various species of Ulu Muda’s avifauna.

After breakfast take a two-hour trek (easy to moderate) through the pristine jungle to Bukit Labu (Labu Hill), a newly discovered limestone hill with several caves. While visiting the hill and its mysterious caves, learn the importance of this mostly forgotten habitat. These pristine and beautiful caves were only discovered in 2006. Be prepared as there is many leeches on the trail (leech socks can be borrowed at Earthlodge).

Enjoy a simple lunch by a cool, wide stream before trekking back to the Lodge.

In the afternoon, go for a casual walk in search of Ulu Muda’s abundant avifauna and other wildlife. Ulu Muda is listed by Birdlife International as an important bird watching area. This is mostly due to it being home to many rare and globally threatened bird species. These include the very rare plain –pouched hornbill, masked finfoot, and the argus pheasant. Ulu Muda has recorded sightings of over 300 species of birds and still counting!

In the early afternoon, return to the lodge for some free time.

(An additional River Cruise can be organised and tailored to special requests depending on what nature sightings that are of interest. Wildlife photographers may need more time on the cruise for photo shooting opportunities.)

In the late afternoon cruise upstream to the Saltlick. Take a short 10-minute muddy walk into a saltlick where elephants, gaurs, deer’s, wild boar and tapirs are frequent visitors. From here, get back in the boat to cruise downstream in search of the late afternoon’s wildlife activities on the lake.

Evening Dinner and lights out.

Overnight at Earth Lodge.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Lodge to Lake Muda Jetty: 1.5hrs

Have breakfast and relax before departing Earth Lodge at 11:00 and return to Muda Jetty.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast