White-Water Rafting on the Selangor
With fast-flowing rapids, cloud piercing peaks and beautiful tranquil seas teeming with marine wildlife, Malaysia has one of the most diverse geographical landscapes on the planet. In fact more and more tourists seeking adventure holidays are making the Southeast Asian country their chosen destination. So, if lazing by the beach and sipping cocktails isn’t your idea of a fulfilling vacation then why not indulge your thrill-seeking side with one of the many adventure holidays the country has to offer.
White water rafting is becoming an increasingly popular activity with extreme sport enthusiasts. An adrenaline-fuelled ride down the Selangor river will appeal to both beginners and seasoned pros. Within an hour of Kuala Lumpur, the Selangor is the one of the most admired rivers in the recreational white-water rafting world since the early 1990’s.
The fact that the creek is just an hour’s drive from Malaysia’s capital has a lot to do with its popularity. Spend the day enjoying a high-octane experience on the river then take a short drive to Kuala Lumpur in the evening and experience the hustle, bustle and high-rises of the Malaysian capital.
During weekends tourists from far and wide visit the Selangor. However, many make the trip to take in the scenery rather than hurtle through the raucous water at break neck speeds. Rainforests, waterfalls and local wildlife border the creek and many people take part in trips through the physically challenging and visually unmissable nature trails.
For those less experienced at rafting, guides often arrange trips to nearby streams that are well known for their natural beauty rather than their demanding waters.
Diving on the Perhentian Islands
If you do fall into a group of people who enjoy their adventure holidays slightly less arduous then why not take a trip to the Perhentian Islands. Situated in the South China Sea the area is actually made up of two smaller islands called Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian) reserved for the more exclusive resorts in the area, and Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian), which is known as a backpackers paradise and is usually the best area for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Surrounded by beautiful shorelines and comprising of lush tropical greenery Perhentian Kecil is a relatively cheap area to indulge in underwater diving. Most dive schools will charge around 60-80 Malaysian ringgit to teach you the basics in the clear, temperate waters surrounding the island.
Anemones, moray eel and trigger fish can all be found flitting in and around the colourful coral and popular dive sites of the Pinnacle and the Sugar Wreck. If you’ve had your fill of diving for the day, twilight shows take place on Long Beach, with fire-breathing and juggling part of the regular festivities.
The best time to visit is between March and October when the diving season is in full swing. However, you can visit outside of those dates if you prefer to just take a stroll through jungle paths or enjoy beautiful tropical sunsets from the luxury of your beach hammock.
Hiking in Borneo
Some of the best hiking areas can be found in Malaysia. The Sabah and Sarawak states host breath-taking ascents and bio-diverse jungle trips making the area a hikers paradise.
Head to the Kinabalu National Park in Sabah to experience a wide array of insects, amphibians and plant life, along with some of the best hiking trails in all of Borneo. Expeditions in this area can last between 20minutes to 3 hours, so whatever level of climbing experience you have this will cater to you.
Quite possibly the most famous hike in all of Borneo, many tourists come exclusively to Kinabalu National Park to challenge the imposing gradient of Mount Kinabalu. From lush humid forests to high-altitude rockery this climb passes through a number of varied environments. Once you reach the summit, the panoramic views from the plateau make the trek worthwhile and on a clear day can reach as far as the Philippine islands.
For hikers of all levels of fitness, Gunung Mulu National Park in northern Sarawak has well marked trails leading to the razor sharp summits of the ‘Pinnacles’ that can be relatively easily reached. Teeming with wildlife, the park has many varied landscapes from gushing waterfalls to jagged rocky ranges.
