Trekking in Cameron Highlands, Pahang (Malaysia)

This paved path leads into the jungle.
One of the pleasures in Cameron Highlands is the great variety of flowers growing everywhere.

PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE BEFORE TREKKING

After encouraging you to trek in Cameron Highlands I feel duty-bound to warn you to take certain precautions. I have seen many times people walking into the jungle empty-handed and just wearing slippers/sandals.

Now mind you this is a real jungle, part of the great Malaysian rainforest and not a theme park! 99% of the time nothing will go wrong but still it's better to be safe than sorry.

Things to bring:

1. Water - despite the cool weather you'll still sweat a lot.
2. Food - to provide energy and in case the unthinkable happens and you get lost
3. Lighters, flashlights, whistle - in case you get lost
4. Raincoat
   
5. Walking stick to provide support
6. A fully-charged cell phone
7. A hat/cap
8. Long-sleeved shirt as there are thorny plants.
   

It's important to start as early as possible. It can be dangerous to start late in the afternoon as the jungle gets dark early.

Inform your hotel or the police before setting out. Trekking with a friend or in a group is the ideal. As mentioned in an earlier blog, don't try to be a hero and take an unfamiliar trail.

As for wild animals, don't worry I have yet to come across any. But you'll see hollow tree trunks and then your imagination works overtime and you imagine a leopard is hiding inside waiting to turn you into its lunch. But if you do come across any wild animals do consider yourself "lucky".

You won't be troubled by leeches either. Even during the rainy season none attacked me. Maybe they could tell my blood type is unfit for consumption or something. I don't know.

The trails become very slippery after a heavy shower so wearing shoes with a good traction is important. I fell down a few times but luckily I didn't break any bones. But it was more fun than a roller-coaster trekking in the rain! Skidding, sliding, falling, screaming...

Happy trekking, mate.

Oh, by the way if you come across a short guy coming out from the jungle don't worry. He's not an apparition but most likely an orang asli (aborigine) hunting for birds for dinner.