Experience

Discover: Indigenous Tropical Adventure Homestay (ITAH Campsite)

August 8, 2020
Gerimis Art Project

Indigenous Tropical Adventure Homestay (ITAH Campsite), Pos Lenjang, Pahang

ITAH Campsite is located along Sungai Jelai Kecil, at an elevation of about 300m among the hills and mountains of Banjaran Titiwangsa, with the range that forms the Pahang-Perak border visible at the horizon.

The campsite is run by a Semai family, headed by Rahim and his father, Bah Sing’in with the help of his uncle, brothers and sisters, as well as his brother-in-law, Bek Raheed who acts as an advisor.

It takes an almost 3-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, passing by the towns of Bentong, Raub, and finally Sungai Koyan before turning into the Jalan Ringlet-Sungai Koyan highway. Along this highway, keep an eye out for the Pos Lenjang trailhead on the left shoulder of the road where you will turn into a beaten, off road path. For this, you will need a 4WD.

But with us, we arrange a rendezvous point with Bek Raheed at Klinik Kesihatan Betau. We leave our cars here and transfer our backpacks and selves into the back of his Hilux. Thus, begins the 1.5-hour bumpy ride to the ITAH Campsite, crossing streams, bridges, and rivers, and waving as we drive by Orang Asli villages towards our destination.

4WD journey

The end of the ride starts with the bridge over Sungai Jelai Kecil to ITAH Campsite

Comfortable chalets

One of the available chalets, built by Rahim and his family.
P.S. The toilet got jamban ok!

Kampung meals

Cak! This is how the Semai say “eat”. Eating communally is a norm among the Orang Asli.

Traditional cooking

Wrapping padi huma rice in bemban leaves, then slow cook in bamboo over fire.

Tapioca harvesting

Face painting with Sumbir fruit

The Semai traditionally use this sumbir fruit for face painting and make up. Breaking those red seeds will give a red-orangey colour. They would put the seeds in oil to extend its shelf life and for keeping when the fruit isn’t in season.