4 Days Moonriver : Rafflesia Trek & Gunung Brinchang Trek with Half-day Cameron Highlands Tour

Many people visit Cameron Highlands for the cool atmosphere, the food, the farms and the nature trails. For us, Cameron Highlands has lost much of its charm with too much tourism, therefore we add a little twist in a program for travelers wishing to visit the highlands here. We put you up at Moonriver lodge, a family owned farm lodge promoting permaculture. It is situated 30minutes from the center of Cameron Highlands, away from the hordes of tourists and traffic. The serene setting provides an opportunity to rest well and mingle with fellow travellers, the owners and the farm helpers. We add some spice to the program with a trek to look for Rafflesia, visit a waterfall, visit a native village, do a little of the Cameron Highlands attractions and a little exercise trek up Mount Brinchang.

Mount Brinchang, is the tallest mountain in Cameron Highlands. There is a road that winds around the lush Sungai Palas Tea plantations leading up Mount Brinchang summit. There is an observation tower or canopy walkway which provides panoramic views of the Titiwangsa range. However, instead of the easy way up by car, we add a little adventure to the program by leading you up a scenic trek to Mount Brinchang summit from Tanah Rata. The trek can be rated as easy to intermediate.

What is Moonriver Lodge?

Moonriver Lodge located in Sigar area of Lojing Highlands. Designed and hand-built by a family and their workers. Initially meant to be the workers’ quarters, but grew into a family home and now a place where visitors can be a part of the highland farming community. The farm lodge is an earthly home, built with passion and pioneering spirit, amidst the highland forests at 800m above sea level. It is a “pioneers capsule” – a gathering place for pioneers in all fields and a live learning space. A fantastic location to escape the city and tourist traps yet it is within vicinity of conveniences.

Enjoy the cool temperate climate and quiet nature surroundings. Immerse yourself with the day-to-day organic farming activities, learn about permaculture and the designs in place, visit the farm and forest seedling nurseries and cook your own meals with fresh vegetables and herbs hand-picked from the garden.

Moonriver regularly conducts permatculture classes which educates methods of sustainable land use. Imagine a tropical River Cottage without a restaurant/canteen, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and filming crew. Who knows we might just have Hugh visiting us one day.

To enjoy the different forestscapes surrounding Moonriver Lodge, enjoy a few treks on the numerous trails. Trails range from the easy Red Earth Trail leading to the Orang Asli village, the magical Ferngully Trail to more challenging trails i.e Bamboo Canopy Trail, River Trail or Top Dam trail. 

Lodge Information

Accommodation
We can accommodate:
-    20 persons in the Lodge (4 standard rooms, 1 family bedroom, 2 bunk-bed rooms)
-    10 persons for Lovelock Huts.

All rooms are basic, clean, cosy with comfortable beddings.
Clean toilets and hot water shower facilities with common washbasins.

Facilities
- Facilities include basic kitchen comfortable lounge, library, shop, BBQ Pit, outdoor movie projector and DVD player
- Handphone reception is available at the Lodge.

Adventure Rating

A family owned farm lodge promoting sustainability and offers you a personal touch of service and a well managed lodging. There is also the attractions of Cameron's nature trails, indigenous community, Tea plantations, Flower and vegetable farms! We give it a 4 out of 5.

Rates (in Malaysian Ringgit and per person)

Please send us an enquiry

Itinerary

Day 01 (Tea/Dinner)
1330 Find own way to Kampung Raja Town & own lunch
1400 Transfer to Moonriver Lodge & check-in
1500 Moonriver Lodge Orientation Trail followed by Tea
1930 Dinner. Free & easy

Day 02 (Breakfast,Packed Lunch, Tea, Dinner)
0830 After breakfast, set off for Rafflesia Trek & Waterfall
Visit to Orang Asli (Indigeneous People) Village
Tea & refreshments
Free & easy
1930 Steamboat Dinner
Movie Night

Day 03 (Breakfast)
0800 After Breakfast, Set off for Mount Brinchang Trek (6,666 ft above sea level)
Own Lunch
Cameron Highlands Tour
   - Boh Tea Plantation
   - Farm visits – butterfly, bee, vegetable, watercress, strawberry, cactus valley
Farmer's market own shopping & own dinner
2030 Pickup from Brinchang town to Lodge

Day 04 (Breakfast)
0830 After Breakfast, Check out.
End

What does it include?

- Main/Lovelock Lodge Room Accommodation
- THREE Breakfast/ ONE Lunch/  TWO Packed Lunch/TWO Afternoon Tea / TWO Dinner
- Rafflesia Flower Trek & Lunch by Waterfall (~ 4 - 5 hours)
- Gunung Brinchang Trek (~ 2 - 3 hrs)

What does it exclude?

Transfer to Sigar Highlands
Travel Insurance
Admission charges for farm visits during Cameron Highlands tour
Complimentary services  
Free hands-on experience in the farm
Guests are welcomed to pick their own herbs, salads and vegetables to cook their own lunch

All other charterd hiking trails at your own risk (hired guide available at RM30 for half a day)

What should  i pack/wear?

A pair of trekking shoes /boots
Indoor slippers/sandals/bedroom slippers for Lodge
Long thick socks /thick panty hose for leech insulation
Long sleeves top
Swimming gear and small towel for waterfall. (Please do not take the Lodge towels out)
Sweater or jacket
Trekking pants
Personal Waterbottle
Small backpack for waterbottle, raincoat, personal items for trekking
Personal medication

Optional Packing List
 Binoculars
 Mosquito repellent
 Hand gloves (for those with sensitive skin

Getting Here

From Kuala Lumpur or Penang

On the North South Highway, exit Simpang Pulai then head towards Cameron Highlands. Drive pass the Cameron Highlands junction, heading towards Gua Musang. After passingby the Lojing Police station signage, there is a small signage for Moonriver Lodge. Note that accommodation and workshops need to be booked in advance. You may be surprised by no availability or worse still, no one on-site to greet you.

From Ipoh

Bus transportation from Ipoh to Kampung Raja. Cost is RM10-13/one way.
Bus company is Kurnia Bestari (Tel :+6016-5051698)
Return car/van transfer from Ipoh at RM40 per person