Langkawi | The Adventure Travel Site

Hiking the Highest Mountains in Langkawi – How to Explore Langkawi’s Soaring Mountains

Made up of 104 stunning islands laden with sandy beaches, Langkawi is also a hiker’s paradise thanks to its towering mountains laden with trails. Here’s how to hike the tallest peaks in Langkawi.

Hiking in Langkawi 101

Hikers and trekkers heading to Langkawi should be aware that there are two big mountains with excellent hiking trails at their disposal. Named Gunung Raya and Gunung Machinchang or Mat Cincang, both mountains are best explored with a local guide. This is due to the fact that tourists based at Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa or any venue that ranks itself as the best resort in Langkawi should not miss out on learning about the local flora and fauna during the hiking experience.

What to Pay Attention To

Regardless of the nature of the hiking activities that one signs up for during a getaway in Langkawi, it is important to notice the wild monkeys that always seem to be popping up out of nowhere on the trail as well as the magnificent Great Hornbills that will sit atop treetops. Funny looking insects and bugs are also known to inhabit Langakwi’s hiking trails; they prove to be harmless but fascinating distractions.

What to Pack and Use on a Hiking Tour

The extreme humidity of Langkawi’s mountains should not be overestimated. This is why staying hydrated and bringing your own water is crucial. Apply plenty of mosquito repellent on your body to keep the pesky creatures away.

Gunung Raya

Those who wish to climb to the top of this 840-metre-high mountain must devote at least four hours to the endeavour as the total distance is no less than 8 kilometres.

Gunung Machinchang

Made up of a series of summits, the “sky trail” is the best way to hike up to this mountain where one also finds the Seven Wells Falls.

Langkawi Sky Bridge Cable Car

Taking a ride on a cable car and then walking along the magnificent Sky Bridge is one of the best experiences to be had in Langkawi. So, if you’re touring through the area, here’s everything you need to know about this fantastic attraction.

Reaching the Cable Car

The cable car ride will take you up to a height of 2,300 feet above sea level! To take this ride, you’ll first have to reach the Oriental Village located on the northwest of Langkawi Island. If you’re staying at a prominent Langkawi resort– for example, the Berjaya Langkawi Resort – this should only take you a few minutes. The ride up can be a bit windy and chilly, so dress appropriately!

Riding to the Bridge

The ride up begins at the Oriental Village, and after a few minutes of gradual ascension, the cable car will begin to level out. From here, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of far-off mountain ranges and gorgeous waterfalls. The ride stops at the Sky Bridge where the grandest view awaits!

The View

The view from the Sky Bridge is truly breath-taking. The surrounding mountain ranges and forests combined with the cool mountain air will envelop you in a relaxing sense of tranquillity. You can walk along the bridge and reach the ‘forest deck’ for an even better view of the surroundings.

Photo Ops

Be sure to bring your camera along for the ride as there’s plenty of fantastic photo opportunities up here. The surrounding area is home to a myriad of endemic bird varieties, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready!

Langkawi Bucket List

In a country renowned for its natural beauty and scenic destinations, Langkawi stands out as Malaysia’s premier beach destination. From picturesque views to enthralling escapades, this little slice of paradise has got it all! Now if you ever find yourself vacationing here, these are the four things you want to tick off your bucket list.

Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas or alternatively © CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Langkawi Malaysia mangrove-Tour-Jetty-01, CC BY-SA 3.0

Island Hopping

Island hopping is one of the most popular activities to do in Langkawi. So much so, that pretty much all major Langkawi resort hotels will include it on their itinerary list – for example, the Berjaya Langkawi Resort. Here you’ll be travelling from one tropical paradise to another, exploring white sand beaches and mystical caves along the way.

Exploring the Mangroves

The area that surrounds the Langkawi beach is full of dense mangrove forests. This is a refuge for a variety of unique plants and animals that aren’t found anywhere else in Malaysia. By hiring a boat and a guide you can go on safari here and experience this fascinating ecosystem first-hand.

Going Snorkelling

It’s no surprise that the azure blue waters that lap away at the Langkawi beaches hide a vast reef of vibrant corals just waiting to be explored. There are even artificial reefs that have formed around old shipwrecks that are now teeming with life. So, grab your gear and go snorkelling if you’re ever here!

Reaching the Highest Peaks

Not every one of Langkawi’s attractions is centred around the Ocean – the Gunung Raya is the region’s highest peak and makes for an excellent hiking trip. The way up to the peak takes you through the dense rainforest that is full of vibrant characters like leaf monkeys and cheery songbirds. If you keep your eyes peeled you might even catch a glimpse of the majestic great hornbill!

Explore the Highest Peak in Langkawi: Gunung Raya

Found in the northern coast of the country, Langkawi is home to the tallest peak in the area, the Gunung Raya.

About Langkawi

Once you are done chilling at one of the Langkawi resorts the likes of Berjaya Langkawi Resort and are ready for some adventure, you can keep aside a day and get yourself to the Gunung Raya. Being about 880 metres above the sea level, the highest point of this mountain will give you a mind-boggling view.

The hike

Many people tend to go on the hike by themselves, but if you want to know about the things you pass and the plants you see, you might want to get yourself a guide to walk with you. The hiking trails are marked pretty clearly and don’t need much help with.

During the climb

During the climb, you will spot many wild monkeys who will try to grab your stuff. Also, carry insect repellent since you will see insects here that you have not ever heard of or seen before in your life!

Once you get to the top

After you climb about 4200 stairs and more, you will reach the top and be rewarded with the greatest view of them all. Misty hills, the ocean and endless skies await.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Langkawi Cable Car

The duty-free archipelago of Langkawi located in the Andaman Sea and owned by Malaysia is populated sparingly with many of the tiny islands uninhabited. However, the main island of Langkawi where most of the action takes place is replete with the most resplendent opportunities for tourists where they get to take a number of rides in the sky and in the water, a 3D Art Museum and much more. The excitement doesn’t stop there as visitors can indulge in the comforts offered by a hotel in Langkawi while everything else goes on. This string of islands experiences good rainfall during the months of September and October and the vegetation is luscious. In spite of the millions of tourists that call over each year the island remains beautifully green throughout, a remark made quite often by those who reap the most benefits of staying at Berjaya Langkawi Resort.
The Langkawi cable car is unlike the usual rides in the sky as one can choose between taking a sky cab which is a tiny capsule that transports people along a steep incline for 440m. Each cabin which is known as a gondola can accommodate 06 passengers, but if you wish to you could request a private gondola. There is only one stop en route to the summit and it is best that you do not alight at this intersection since the top most cable car station allows you to enjoy the unhampered splendour of Mount Machinchang. Food and drink are not permitted during these rides which usually commence at 09.30 am each day and go on until 07.00 pm. The administration takes maintenance related matters very seriously, hence always check the availability of the cable car operation prior to scheduling your trip.

For those who find this enclosed cable car too mainstream, there is always the option to choose the glass Sky Glide. The glass panels on all sides permit the travelers to enjoy the scenic views of the mountain range as the unit moves up and down on a track.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
Google+

A Bird’s Eye View of Langkawi

Located northwest of the mainland of Malaysia is the beautiful Island of Langkawi. Known as the Jewel of Kedah, Langkawi is a popular tourist destination and is a tax and duty-free island. It is known for its relaxed atmosphere, pristine beaches, bustling shopping districts, exciting nightlife and recreational and leisure activities. The natural beauty and secluded nature of the island also complement the overall Langkawi experience.

There is no doubt that Langkawi is one of the most beautiful islands of Malaysia with its marvelous and lush forests and stunning coastal features, and therefore is a great place to witness of great scenic beauty. One of the best ways of getting a bird’s eye view of the island and all its amazing attractions is on the Langkawi Cable Car. The Cable Car of Langkawi is one of the islands most popular and exciting attractions and is well worth a shot by all the visitors of the island.

Located on the upper northwest of the island in the Oriental Village, the Cable Car’s entrance is placed on Mount Mat Cincang, the second highest peak of Langkawi. Tourists can go here and thereafter embark on a cable car after paying a reasonable price. Once on the cable car, you will be treated to an opportunity to witness Langkawi like never before while being fanned by the cool tropical breeze. The ride gives you an aerial view of the many rainforests, quaint road networks, and the surrounding oceans and islands. The first stop on the cable track allows you to both disembark and embark on another cable car ride which travels at an even higher elevation than the first cable car, or to take a walk on the sky-bridge and observatory bridge and admire the marvelous scenery. There are times when the cable car occasionally gets a spurt of speed which definitely adds a bit of excitement to the cable car ride. All in all the Langkawi Cable Car is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which is sure to leave you with lasting memories.

For a comforting and refreshing stay at a luxury Langkawi beach resort, make a reservation at The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa. Located facing a beautiful white sandy beach, this resort offers accommodation in a range of tranquil, stylish and exquisite rooms, suites and villas. This 5 star hotel in Langkawi also offers a host of luxury facilities such as signature spa treatments, recreational and sports facilities, fine dining restaurants and many other amenities which are sure to cater to all your needs.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Gunung Mat Cincang in Langkawi

Business or leisure travellers based at a 5 star hotel in Langkawi such as The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa are in for a remarkable holiday experience. Take a break from the comforts of your Langkawi beach resort to experience the region’s splendour. During a holiday travel expedition to Langkawi be sure to pay a visit to its best known mountain, Gunung Mat Cincang. Being the second highest mountain in the region, it is known to offer breathtaking vistas of the island. It is here that visitors get to experience one scenic ride up to 709m above sea level, as a cable car takes passengers to the apex of the mountain. It is said that on a clear day one gets to see all the way to Southwest Thailand’s mainland. Just when you thought it cannot get any better, you will find that you can even enjoy a buffet dinner at the restaurant on the top of Gunung Mat Cincang.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Hiking in Langkawi

For outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy a little quiet time in the great outdoors to commune with nature, Langkawi is the perfect place to let your inner tree-hugger run wild. Make sure you secure accommodation that is also nature-friendly at a stylish Langkawi beach resort, and the choices are limitless. One possible option of a 5 star hotel in Langkawi can be discovered at the Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa, an ideal option to host your getaway into the lush Malaysian wilderness. A hiker’s paradise will be discovered along the winding paths of the area’s highest mountains, Gunung Raya and Mount Mat Cincang. The Gunung Raya area boasts an immense expanse of around 5,000 hectares, more than ample ground in which get to work your hikers’ feet off to the limit of endurance. You’ll be absolutely enchanted and transported to another era at the foot paths and trails that meander around the island, as they are home to gigantic trees that are centuries, if not millennia, old, shaded by a large and graceful canopies over head. You will also encounter an immensely vibrant array of local wildlife and flora to grace your digital camera. Avian enthusiasts will marvel at over 230 bird species dotting the forest range, flanked by over 400 species of tree. A wonderful trek can be found at the Lubuk Semilag Park in Gunung Raya and the reverse, started from the peak is a little easier to handle. Mount Mat Cincang’s trail starts at the Pantai Kok enclave, which will take you through some amazing settings as it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage geoparks collection. Trekkers and hikers are advised to secure the services of an experienced guide, as there have been reports of hikers who have gotten lost en route.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

Google+