The Jungle Train

There are two train services in Malaysia very interesting for tourists: The "Eastern Oriental Express" and the "Jungletrain"

The Jungle train is more basic. You can choose a hard seater or a soft seater, there are air-conditioned compartments and there are non air-conditioned compartments. In the last you will meet the local people, traveling to another kampong or there are girls/boys going to school.

The Eastern and Oriental Express has a lot of luxury. The train is going from Singapore to Bangkok and stops in every interesting city's along the railroad (Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth (Penang)). In these places the train will stop for some hours, so that the passengers can make an excursion. This train is expensive: 1500 US or Euro.

The jungle train is traveling through the jungle from Gemas to Tumpat, which is near Kota Bahru (10 km). If you want to make that trip, you have to do South to Gemas.

From Gemas the train will go North to the Thai border (Tumpat).

When you come for the first time to Malaysia, then it will be better to visit the National Park Taman Negara at first. You'll come back out of the jungle by boat at twelve o'clock from Taman Negara to Kuala Tembeling, In Tembeling you can take a taxi to the nearest station. Probably this will be: Mela or Jerantut.

Plenty of taxi's will be waiting for you to bring you to the nearest station. The train will leave at 13.00 hours, so you don't have to hurry. The passage to Tumpat will take 8 hours. Late in the evening you'll arrive in Tumpat.

From the little towns Jerantut or Mela the train will go North and you will be traveling through the thick jungle. The train will stop at a kampong to let passengers in and out.

The whole stretch has only one track. Every time the train stops (8x), the vendors will come so sell you eggs, litchi's, cake or those plastics bags with lemonade.

Until Gua Musang you will see nothing but jungle and sometimes a kampong. Near Gua Musang you get more view of the landscape. The green jungle is behind and you will see more rice fields.

You're arriving late in Tumpat, but don't worry, a lot of taxi's are waiting to bring you to Kota Bahru, the capital of Kelantan. The taxi-driver will take you to the hotel you want, even when you haven't booked.

There's a day train and a night train on the track from Gemas to Tumpat. The day train is stopping more often then the night train. It's obvious, that the day train does the track in shorter time, because less people are getting of the train.

Check the departure times at the KTMB: www.ktmb.com.my

Taman Negara is a 15-acre forest sanctuary. As one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world, the possibilities for eco-tourism are immense. Here, visitors find endless evological adventure and opportunity to observe diverse species of animal and plant life.

Here are some of the highlights found at Taman Negara:

Canopy walkway - The world's longest suspension bridge 50 meters above ground and stretching over 530 meters, it's an opportunity to see the various plants and animals that inhabit the topmost layer of the forest.

Jungle trekking and hiking - There are trails varying from an hours' walk to serious trekking lasting up to nine days. Pre-trek preparation is imperative and a guide must accompany guests on long treks.

Mountain climbing - The more adventurous can try climbing Gunung Tahan, the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia. This challenge demands will power, physical fitness, good equipment and a guide. The trail is 55km from MUTIARA Taman Negara.

Wildlife observation hide (Jungle hide) - Spend nights hidden up in the trees while waiting for a tapir, bear or elephant to appear. Most hides are built overlooking saltlicks, from which some animals obtain necessary minerals. Except for Bumbun Tahan, which is five minutes away, most require either a boat ride or a few hours walk to get to it.

Orang Asli Settlements - "Orang Asli", the local natives, are gentle folk who lead a nomadic lifestyle in Taman Negara. They are called Batek and their settlements are found along the trails whilst, some are accessible by boat.

Cave Exploration - The Gua Telinga (Ear Cave) has an ear-like rock formation, while Gua Daun Menari (Dancing Leaves Cave) and Gua Kepayang are limestone outcroppings. Gua Telinga is 2.6km from Mutiara Taman Negara, while Gua Kepayang and Gua Daun Menari are located 17.7km and 20.9km, respectively, from the resort.

Fishing - One of the main attractions of Taman Negara, it is best carried out during the drier months of February to April and June to August. Anglers will need permits, which are issued at RM10 per rod.

Shooting the Rapids - Experience an exhilarating ride upstream on Sungai Tembeling. Prepare to get drenched as the boat negotiates seven sets of rapids along the 45-minute journey.

Bukit Teresek - Hike up this 334-meter hill and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Gunung Tahan and the forest canopies that cover the hills and verdant valleys below. Located 1.7km away from the resort, it can be reached in 45 minutes.

Lata Berkoh - A spectacular cascade with a deep pool below it and a rocky area overlooking the rapids. Located 8km from MUTIARA Taman Negara, it is an ideal spot for a picnic.

Four Steps Waterfall - The eastern flanks of Gunung Tahan and Gunung Gedong drop off very sharply into the headwaters of Sungai Tahan. One of the tributaries in the Ulu Tahan plunges and cascades spectacularly down the mountainside in what is known as the Four Steps Waterfall