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5 Days Kelabit Highlands: Mount Murud, Sarawak
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All images this page courtesy of Robert Tseu
The Kelabit highlands is one of Sarawak's last unspoiled regions with beautiful flora and a cool refreshing climate. The journey from the lowlands to highlands will have you passing by green pastures of fruit orchards, paddy fields with buffaloes and other farmland animals and rustic wooden homes that's surrounded by virgin jungle. The vegetation changes as you ascend and along the way, you witness the local life with plenty of opportunity to interact with the friendly natives, mainly Lun Bawang and Kelabit tribes.
"The Kelabit Highlands are a mountain range located in the northernmost part of Sarawak, on the island of Borneo. The highest mountains in this range are Mount Murud at 2,423 m (7,946 ft), Bukit Batu Buli at 2,082 m (6,831 ft), and Bukit Batu Lawi at 2,046 m (6,713 ft).
In the Kelabit Highlands, there are 14 villages, 7 of which in the Bario area, 8 others around the outskirt of the plateau. 'Bario Asal' as the original longhouse within the plateau and Ulung Palang, Arur Dalan, Pa'Ramapoh Atas and Pa'Ramapoh Bawah, Pa' Derung, Padang Pasir and Kampung Baru are resettled villages in 1960's. To the east side are Pa'Umor, Pa'Ukat and Pa'Lungan whereby to the south are Long Dano, Pa'Dallih and Remudu. The other two villages are Long Lellang and Long Seridan." - source
The program has you trekking up Mount Murud summit, the holy mountain, which at 2,423m / 7,946ft is the highest sandstone mountain in Sarawak. The first person to have successfully climbed to the summit is a Swedish Zoologist and Ethnographer, Eric Mjöherg, in 1922 after several failed attempts a few years earlier by J.C. Moulton who was a curator of the Sarawak Museum then. Mjöherg was astounded by the many species of plants especially pitcher plants that are endemic to this location. He documented many of plants and flowers, describing the mountain as a paradise which will forever be embedded in his mind. Many locals regard Mount Murud as a sacred location. Rumors of many astounding miracles is said to have happened here. Local folks make an annual pilgrimage to celebrate its majesty, therefore, it is no surprise that you will find a large church camp made of many assembled wooden houses on a plateau which can accommodate 1500 people.
Adventure Rating
5 - One of a kind hiking experience that cannot be found elsewhere. Average of 7-16 kms of hiking each day.
What do I get to do?
Hiking in the one of the last mountain frontiers in Sarawak. This is outback adventure with a healthy dose of Borneon culture.
Location
Starts at Lawas, Sarawak (near the Sabah border), Ends in Miri.
Itinerary
Day 1- Lawas to Parabata We drive 4WD from Lawas to PaRabata (5 Hrs)
From PaRabata to Lepo Bunga (Church Camp ) is 7 km on foot (5 hrs)
Day 2- From church Camp to Murud Summit is 3.5 km, takes 2 and half hours.
Return to church camp, another 2 hours.
Day 3- Church camp to Batu Linanit takes, 1/2 hr, 1 km
Batu Linanit to junction of Bario is 600 m, 15 min
From junction to Long Balaban is 3.5 km/ 4 hrs
Long Balaban to Long Repung is 4 km/ 2 1/2 hrs
Long Repung to Pa'Lungan is 8km/ 4 1/2 hrs.
Day 4- Pa'lungan- Pa'Ukat is 7 km, 2 hrs.
Pa'Ukat - Bario by 4WD is 3km, 15 mins.
Day 5- Fly back to Miri.
Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit and per person)
Estimated RM 1,500
Minimum 8 person. Rates vary with participants.
What does it include?
Land and river transfers, meals as stated, entry permit and fees, and English speaking guide
What does it exclude?
Items not mentioned such as gratuity tips for the guide, airfare, insurance and cost of alcoholic drinks.
What do I need to wear/bring?
Please bring the following in addition to what you would normally pack:
- Waterproof jacket / raincoat/ poncho
- Trekking / off road sports shoes/ adidas kampung
- Leech socks
- Dry bag to keep any important items dry
- Sandals - strapped preferably
- Sunblock
- Hat
- Insect repellent
- Swimwear - good for hiking then straight into the river!
- Light pullover
- Long sleeved shirt
- Trousers
- Torchlight / headlamp with 2 sets of backup batteries - waterproof and able to take some knocking is best
- Snacks/Drinks - for in-between meals. There are few snack/drink choices at the park and expect higher rates.
Best time to visit
This tour can be run at any time during the year. If it's the rainy season, there will be more activities to do on the river.
Getting Here
Lawas is accessible by flight from Miri. From Kuala Lumpur, you can choose to either fly via Malaysia Airlines (MAS) or AirAsia to Miri and hop on a connecting flight from Miri to Lawas.
Responsible Tourism practices
This is a true eco-adventure experience. Proceeds of this tour will directly and indirectly benefit the community of your guides. The men will also aid us as knowledgeable guides upriver and skilled boatmen to navigate us to our destinations.
All transportation used is locally owned and provided. The guides are slowly learning the value of eco-tourism and are ever slowly changing their ways of hunting to being nature guides.
All produce is purchased or planted locally. This tour enables these communities that depend on tourism to continue with their way of life.