Love the idea of exploring uncharted grounds but don’t know where to go? Well, for a start, Ulu Chepor in Perak is so “ulu” (remote) it’ll take your breath away!
You can trek in the million-year-old rainforest that escaped the last Ice Age. Wallow in an uncharted creek and “discover” rare plants that may not even be listed in any botanical references. And the best part is... it’s all just minutes away from the nearest Plus exit toll in Jelapang near Ipoh.
Once in a while, it’s refreshing to uncover a hidden gem with such great potential for eco-tourism. Ulu Chepor is unpretentious and untainted by the bane of commercialisation.
The villagers of Kampung Ulu Chepor take pains to keep Sungai Chepor clean as it’s the river that attracts visitors to the area, especially on weekends and public holidays. After I wrote about Sungai Chepor last year, I returned to this place with my buddies one sunny day to trace the river upstream.
The river enchants with multiple falls at 20-30m intervals. There are shallow sections where you can wade in knee-deep water and admire peculiar plants populating the banks.
Look out for strikingly-coloured butterflies gathering near water pockets and you will particularly enjoy looking at a plethora of fungus mushrooming everywhere. These add colour to the dull forest floor.
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