Teja Orang Asli Village Adventure & Night Trek 2D/1N , Perak : journeymalaysia.com

Teja Orang Asli Village Adventure & Night Trek 2D/1N ~ Perak

Please Be advised that this trip is not one of those run-of-the-mill packages and require some time to prepare. Permits into the area, employment of the native guides and also securing the transportation needs time to sort out. Please then allow a minimum of 2 weeks booking period.

2 Days 1 Night Adventure & Trekking Package Rates ~ valid until 31st December 2008
(Rates based on per person basis)

No of Persons	2 Days 1 Night (RM)
2 - 8 persons	RM 690.00 nett per person

Package Inclusive of:
* 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, fruits and snacks * Complimentary 4 liters of bottled drinking water * Sleeping bags * English speaking naturalist and Orang Asli guides * 4×4 offroad return transfers ex-Ipoh * Rainforest and aboriginal reserve land entrance permits * Pick up from Ipoh Bus / train station or from hotel in Ipoh

**Please Note that there will be a credit card charge on payment made. Conditions apply

*tour package and/or accommodation by journeymalaysia's tour operator partner and/or accommodation partners.see 'about us' section for more on our list of travel partners

Trip Overview

“Low Impact” trip type - As this is a raw countryside destination, it is crucial that personal essentials are packed and brought along. Night shall be spent in raised-up dorm, stilt huts or bamboo chalets (depending on availability) to stay away from flash floods and wandering nocturnal wildlife.

And before your imagination runs wild, we know you’ll appreciate this bit of modernity - yes, proper shower rooms and flush seat toilets are available.

More than edging travellers to the Malaysian off grid frontier, we reveal deeper meaning of conservation, non-intrusive and low impact outdoor adventure. In search of the rare flower, trek uncharted forest, learn how to use the blowpipe and let untouched tribal village living thrill you to bits. And the best part, enjoy the activity-packed trip safely with local English-speaking expert and jungle savvy aborigines watching over you.

Teja aboriginal reserve is unsung and teeming with wonders of tropical nature. So captivated by its beauty and biodiversity, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has declared this hidden pocket a natural heritage and has spearheaded a conservation program in 2006 to create awareness among indigenous Semai natives in order to conserve and sustainably manage the surrounding forest. However, due to its far-flung location, Semai tribe’s shyness and inability to converse in mainstream language has made them trail far behind in reeling in visitors. To overcome these, we have carefully design a special 2D/1N package for independent travellers with a penchant for unpretentious eco-tourism and wish to play a part in bringing valued income to locals and village’s communal fund.

As this is an un-touristed and off-the-beaten-path destination, travellers are expected to blend in, rough it out and forgo creature comfort for 2 days. Take heart, small groups are fully escorted by English-speaking naturalist and aborigine man and woman guides who will go all out to ensure everyone enjoys an eye-opening stay - safely.

Using local helps, transport, catering and accommodation and paying fair wages, we ensure that not only do our guests gain a unique insight into the culture they are visiting but also that as much of their money as possible stays in the local community

Trail Talk

Try your hand at blowpiping. Light weight darts made from Bertam palm tree are coated with a deadly concoction made from the sap of the lpoh tree (Antiaris toxicaria) and carried in a bamboo tube. For windage, wool obtained from the Kapok cotton tree is used. In the hands of expert hunters, the blowpipe is deadly accurate within 70 meters.

Stick Insect. Teja is home to a class of insect known as Phasmatodea, a word derived from Greek “phasma” meaning an apparition or phantom. If one walk slow and look carefully enough, spotting some is easy.

Trek deep jungle and see something rare. The Rafflesia cantelyi, a parasitic plant which only grow inside Tetrastigma root vines, is endemic to areas of Teja Aboriginal Reserve. Members of the genus Rafflesiaceae hold the honour of possessing the largest flower in the world. Sometimes called the “Stinking Corpse Lily” by early English colonial settlers (although not all species stink), the flowers are traditionally used after childbirth to aid shrinking of womb and restore female figure. To pollinate and propagate is an overwhelming task considering buds take 8-9 months to grow but only bloom for 2-3 days. So, besides pure grit to trek far flung rainforest, one would also need some luck to spot a bloom or two.

Neon green coloured Brooke Birdwing butterflies pepper the forest floor of Teja during high noons. Discovered in 1855 by A.R Wallace, it was named after the British Rajah Brooke of Sarawak. Touted as “prince among butterfly tribes”, males usually flock river banks, moist spots and hot springs to feed on minerals and urine leftover by wildlife at night.

Go night trekking safely with jungle experts. Weather permitting, take an exciting opportunity to experience dark wilderness and let our experts point out mind-boggling insects and nocturnal wildlife that cross our path. Possible sightings on a good night: Civets, snakes, nocturnal mammals, leaf insects, flying fox and slow loris. If we trek quietly enough, night is the best time to spot alcoholic shrew feeding on naturally fermenting beer-like nectar that oozes from Bertam palms. Yup, the Malayan pen-tailed tree shrew (Ptilocercus lowii), locally known as “tupai ekor kembang”, raises eyebrows with its incredible ability to booze and keep a clear head. Each night they consume, weight for weight, the equivalent of a human downing up to nine glasses of wine. Bertam palm (Eugeissona tristis) that produces the brew grow abundantly in the jungles around Teja.

This overnight stay will give one the rare opportunity to interact with jungle natives of the Semai tribe which comes under the Senoi Orang Asli tribal group. Principally, the Semai are hunters, gatherers of forest produce and medicinal herbs. Language-wise they speak an Aslian dialect. They also practice subsistence hunting and fishing. Orang Asli, which literally translates as “original people” or ‘first people” of Malaysia are divided into three groups. Each group Orang Asli group has its own language, history and customs that are distinct from each other. Orang Asli are one of the few aborigines in the world who do not practice of animal killing for “coming of age” rituals. They do not wear animal skins or furs and one will never find parts of animals hung in homes as hunting trophy. Orang Asli have deep respect for wildlife and only hunt for sustenance.

Part of the adventure is food. You may notice that our itinerary is peppered with food breaks. Expect to enjoy a variety of authentic Malay and aborigine cuisines. Food ingredients are gathered from the jungle and cooked by Semai womenfolk in accordance to native recipes. However, if you prefer something more familiar, let us know. We can arrange urban staples like breads, cakes, fruits, coffee or even vegetarian dishes

Itinerary (ex- Ipoh):
Day 1 – Blending In
12.00 noon	Pick up in Ipoh and enjoy an authentic Malay welcome lunch
1:00 pm	4×4 transfer to Teja Aboriginal Forest Reserve
3:00 pm	Trek to Semai aborigine villages
4:00 pm	Blowpipe demonstration and learning
5:00 pm	Swim and bath in a hidden waterfall
7:30 pm	Dinner
9:30 pm	Night rainforest trek (weather permitting)
Day 2 – Trek deep jungle
8.00 am	Breakfast
9.00 am	4×4 transfer to starting point of trek
10.00 am	Trek, explore and learn about rainforest ecology and useful medicinal, edible or special plants from Orang Asli natives. View Rafflesia colonies found in deep forest
3.00 pm	Late lunch
4.00 pm	Pack up
5:00 pm	4×4 transfer back to Ipoh
Note - We know the difference between adventure and recklessness. In adverse weather condition or if our trackers pick up clues of dangerous wildlife, we reserve the right to exercise our discretion and may cancel certain treks for safety reason.

Hotel/Trip Description

Destination Perak ~ Ipoh ~ Teja Native Reserve ~ native homestay Minimum no. of Persons 2 persons Tour Commences from Ipoh town Room Type in raised-up dorm, stilt huts or bamboo chalets (depending on availability) to stay away from flash floods and wandering nocturnal wildlife Room Description one can expect basic necessity such can hygenic food/water, proper shower rooms and flush seat toilets are available and clean sleeping place will be provided Facility & Activity as above Things to Bring Checklist Attire ~ Light cotton long sleeve and short sleeve tshirts , shorts and long pants (Whites, greys, browns and earthy coloured clothing to blend into the jungle), swimwear, underwear, long socks, raincoat or poncho, one pair of sandals or flip flops (the cheapest you can buy) for easy walking ; one pair of shoes with good grip(trainers for jogging, tennis, sporty types) for jungle treks . Do not wear tevas or open sandals for trekking. This will expose you to leech attacks especially on ground level Creature Comforts ~ towel, toilet paper, soap / facial wash, shampoo, toothbrush / toothpaste, comb, reading material Bag Packing ~ waterproof bag or separate your belongings and bundle them in a few small plastic bags before stuffing all in the master bag; keep important documents, passports, cash, wallets and electronic gadgets in zip-lock bags; garbage bag for waterproofing; a plastic bag for soiled clothes Essentials to get you through ~ personal medication, mosquito repellent, sunblock lotion, heat rub for muscles ache , flashlights , ear plugs or cotton balls (for those who can sleep with the TV blasting and not when its sound of nature that punctuates the night's silence), water bottle, minimum 2 liters capacity Nice to haves ~ camera and batteries , video cameras, bird book, binoculars Survival Kit ~ compass, anti-histamine ointment or pills, rubber bands, sewing kit, plaster, gauze, cotton wool, 1. Carry at least 3 ways to start a fire – Vaseline soaked cotton balls, magnifying glass and cigarette lighter. 2. A small bottle of iodine to disinfect water. Use 1 small drop for every litre. 3. A few zip lock bags for holding water. 4. Dental floss (100m). It’s a light and tough string with many uses. 5. Mini flashlight. 6. Heavy duty garbage bag. It makes great raincoat and waterproof shelter. You can also use it to collect rainwater. 7. All purpose knife made of carbon-steel that can throw sparks when struck on granite. 8. A bottle of antibiotic ointment. 9. Some energy bars. 10. A whistle to draw attention