Endau Rompin National Park is a protected 870km2 of tropical
rainforest area that spans across 2 states of Pahang and Johor. It got its name
from the two main river that flows through the park that are Endau & Rompin
River. Gazetted in 1933 and was extended to include Lesong forest reserve about
30 years later, it has 3 main entrances which are from Bekok through Kampung
Selai, from Kahang through Kampung Peta and from Kuala Rompin through Kampung
Selendang.
This is our third visit to this area after Ride to Pantai Penyabong in 2015 and Ride around Taman Negara Endau Rompin in 2014. Syahril
has ridden with me through the first and second ride while this is Yusuf’s first
ride with me to Endau-Rompin.
The three of us met in Masjid Batu 14, Hulu Langat and I am
15 minutes late (I am sorry guys!) around 8.15am and we departed right after that. The route looks like this:
We rode towards Sungai Lui and the road was filled with bike
enthusiast riding through the morning breeze. It was foggy and very cloudy as
my gps couldn’t get any signal in this area. The tarmac was still wet from the
last night rain and we rode cautiously in this area. Grip for dual purpose
tyres on Syahril and my bike isn’t so great in wet condition.
We continue toward E10 to Bahau, Rompin before making a
right turn to Gemas through E1.
We made a quick stop for fuel in Bahau as my
bike is not fully filled when we departed this morning.
From there we pushed
toward Batu Anam, Segamat and Tenang.
We stopped one more time for petrol at
Petronas Labis before making an inbound towards Bekok and Kampung Selai.
We arrived in Bekok around 12.45pm and took lunch at a stall near the
park’s office.
I was under the impression that the park's office will be opened at 2pm as
promised during my tele-conversation with a park officer about three days ago.
However after we finished lunch and returned at exactly 2pm, the office was still closed and
we have to wait about 50 minutes before it was reopened.
Taman Negara Endau-Rompin (Selai Office):
GPS Coordinate 2.297550, 103.135065
(Do check out and confirm their office hours as it is not as written on the door)
Registration and payments were quick and we proceed to the
campsite, about 26km from the office. However, due to the delay, we couldn’t do
the hike to Takah Pandan that day as its getting dark soon.
The route inbound
towards the campsite consist of 40% good condition tarmac, 40% damaged tarmac
and 20% dirt road.
There are about three major incline/decline along the route
but all of it are treated with concrete surface. We arrived at the campsite around 4.15pm.
As we arrived, one of the park staff, Mr. Tali came and briefly
explained the campsite do & don’ts.
The campsite facilities are complete with toilet, canteen
and musolla. Basic phone line is available here and 500 meters further there is a resort complex with electricity,
chalets and dormitories. We camped by the Selai River with crystal clear and
cool refreshing water.
Photo Credit to Yusuf Musa
Lubuk Merekek Campsite:
GPS Coordinate 2.43170, 103.25389
Its Syahril’s turn to prepare dinner and he prepared spicy ayam
rendang with cucumber.
Photo Credit to Yusuf Musa
Photo Credit to Yusuf Musa
Photo Credit to Syahril Zulkifli
Photo credit to Yusuf Musa
Photo credit to Yusuf Musa
We had dinner by the campfire and chatted through the
night.
Yusuf had prepared a hammock in military camouflage and planned to sleep
in it tonight.
Later that night, Yusuf barbequed lamb slices for our late
nights and even Syahril’s sleepy eyes are turned fresh from its delicious aroma.
Photo Credit to Syahril Zulkifli
We retrieved
to our tents around 11pm and tried to catch a sleep that night.
I was awaken early in the morning from the night’s cold and I
did not brought my sleeping bag. Lucky I have my sarong to be used as a blanket
that night.
Photo Credit to Yusuf Musa
I was up around 6.30am and after morning prayer, I prepared
breakfast for the trio. We had fried mee with tomatoes and egg.
Photo Credit to Syahril Zulkifli
Yesterday, we had arranged to have the hiking session at
8.30am and our guide, Mr. Pak Yong was punctual. He is one of the local guide
appointed by the park to guide us to the nearest waterfall, Takah Pandan about
30 minutes away (according to him).
Photo Credit to Syahril Zulkifli
We started hiking around 8.35am towards Lubuk Tapah and we
took a lot of pictures.
Photo Credit to Syahril Zulkifli
the awesome trio
Photo Credit to Syahril Zulkifli
It started to climb and our pace dropped. Although fully
equipped with rope, the hike was very steep and high.
We took slightly over an hour to get to the waterfall
complex. It consists of a few smaller water cascading down before you will get to the
actual Takah Pandan. This the very first waterfall we met.
Photo credit to Yusuf Musa
Takah Pandan (Endau Rompin National Park)
Syahril and I took a dip in the icy cold and clear water. We
spend about an hour at the fall before headed back to campsite.
Along the route, Pak
Yong filled us with his life-experiences and the jungle’s insider. He keep
referring the jungle as their “Kebun” instead of a jungle or park.
Photo credit to Syahril Zulkifli
A few big logs are available along the route as Pak Yong
took us through Arboretum (botanical garden) route.
Photo credit to Syahril Zulkifli
We took slightly over 30 minutes to get back to campsite, clean
ourselves and pack our stuff.
We leave the site around 12.50pm and took our
bike to Lubuk Tapah for more pictures.
We went out from the
site and heads back to Bekok & Labis.
We refueled and increase tyre pressure in Caltex Labis.
Right after Masjid Labis, we turned left towards Bukit Kepong thorugh J32 and towards Sagil through J34 and E23.
We turned left
before Tangkak through J123 Bekoh and Jalan Bukit Senggeh towards Nyalas.
We made a stopped in Tangkak for lunch and we had Durian and mangosteen!
We had baby musang king, lion king and god knows what king!
Photo credit to Syahril Zulkifli
Photo credit to Syahril Zulkifli
Photo credit to Syahril Zulkifli
Photo credit to Syahril Zulkifli
Photo credit to Syahril Zulkifli
Around 4.30pm, we made a stop in Petronas Gemencheh for fuel & some refreshments
We passed through Dangi and Selaru before turning left in
Senaling towards Seri Menanti and Senawang.
Village road in Pilah is very beautiful and serene with a
lot of traditional minang houses by the road side.
We made a quick stop in Seri Menanti museum but it is closed for maintenance.
We continue towards Bukit Putus, Senawang and finally Lekas
highway.
The highest altitude achieved throughout the ride to home is achieve
here, near Gunung Angsi trail.
Our final stop is after Kajang Selatan toll and we said
goodbye to each other here.
It has been a very adventurous ride for me as I ride, hike
and swim in one overnight trip. The park is also very beautiful and I may return in the future.
In my view, one let down of this ride in particular is the
lack of offroading section as only less than 5km of the road leading to the campsite is dirt road.
Being close to nature is a blessing for all of us and it is
hoped that the pristine condition could last for the future. Billions of thanks to Syahril & Yusuf for joining me in this trip and you guys are truly awesome!
Ride snippets:
Rider:
Shahril Zulkifli V650
Yusuf Musa F800
Myself V650
Distance: 600km
Duration: 2 days
Time on bike: 6 hours 58 minutes 38 seconds
Average speed: 76km/h
Petrol: RM90
Date: 13th - 14th August 2016
Paid to the park:
RM141.00 includes 3 bikes and head passes, group insurance, a hiking guide
Durian + Mangosteen Lunch: RM121
