Mount Santubong is renowned as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Malaysia. It is a beautiful mountain that is located in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. An absolute haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, an exciting adventure awaits you and the entire family. The lush surroundings of the tropical jungle presents a mesmerizing labyrinth of nature trails and paths that promise to entrance the senses and imagination, as it will place you in a magical kingdom far, far away from the madding crowd. The scenic peak and the popular trek to the top undertaken by many an international and local visitor will reveal a host of photographic panoramas that absolutely must be captured by your roving lens. There are fifteen check points, of which the last one is 3060m in height, and this journey remains exciting all the way to the top.
Ideally, you should start your tour as early as possible in the morning, as the journey presents many riveting sights that will command your attention for appreciation. You’ll come to a check point at the entrance to the path where you have to purchase a ticket, and that’s where your jungle adventure truly begins! At some points, the trail will present a welcome challenge for experienced hikers as there are ladders you have to clamber up. The higher you ascend, you’ll find trails of the cool mist unfurling around you, which will provide a refreshing accompaniment to the exercise you’re getting along the way. It will take almost 3 to 4 hours to reach the pinnacle, but the descent will take only half that time.
Hikers are advised to bring ample amounts of water and snacks in the form of energy bars and fruits to provide you with enough fuel to burn as you climb to the top. Birdwatchers, take note! If you are lucky enough, you will encounter the extremely rare Hornbills in the wilderness. At the very top, you will discover the entire Malaysian countryside unfolding before you a majestic expanse of sparking greens, blues and whites. Your camera will have a field day here so don’t be afraid to shoot at will!
Start to descend before 3p.m. to get back before dark, which obviously makes the trek more difficult. Leave yourself about three hours to climb down in case you like to take it slow. As this is a tropical country, your presence means a completely smorgasbord for the local mosquito population, so do not forget to take your mosi-guard with you. Alternatively, an eco-friendly alternative is citronella oil. Slather yourself generously with this aromatic oil and you won’t even hear the familiar whine of a mozzie as it would normally bear down on you, kamikaze-style.
After a an adventurous hike up in the Malaysian hills, check into one of the luxury serviced apartments Kuching has to offer travellers of all stripes, from corporate jetsetters and family vacationers to nature enthusiasts and holiday hikers. The range of options available will leave you spoiled for choice, but to experience the sumptuous elegance of a quality apartment hotel in kuching consider checking into the Citadines Uplands Kuching that will allow you to discover this beautiful country at your own pace. It enjoys a central location that is close to world-class dining, shopping and entertainment options that will aptly round out your tour of this intriguing Southeast Asian country.
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.