[Activities] An adventure to the Taralamas River Canyon, Kg. Tiang Lama, Ranau.

Wow, what a year.  I can't remember the last time, oh wait I did went for hiking months back to Tamaza Waterfall (sorry blog post tergendala) but I haven't been doing it as often that I would have liked.  This time, went on a trip with my group from handstand class with a runner friend to Taralamas River Canyon in Ranau. 

 

We opt for overnight at the homestay which cost us RM30 per person, coz we needed the electricity to charge our phones (there's camping 🏕 option: Bring your own tent at RM10 per pax and RM20 per pax for option at the sulap), and coz it's way more convenient than waking up early and driving at 3am to get to our somewhat unknown destination that might take us 3 hours to reach. 

Left KK before noon by Ranau road coz we wanted to eat at Kantin Bakut in Tuaran. 

I had half a portion of Tuaran Mee, Kopi Botol is a MUST, Buko Pandan, Pineapples and dapao Kuchung Chicken for later. 

Low appetite barely can eat.

Reached our homestay at 3-4pm I think 🤔.  We stopped by Ranau town to dapao fried rice for dinner.  I vomited 🤮 (yeah coffee came out) reaching Ranau coz I was feeling dizzy, oh dear God.  Luckily there was a plastic bag in the car. 

Reached the junction of Kg Tiang Lama, Ranau.  Here's the challenge, a 24km gravel road to reach our destination 💆🏻‍♀️💆🏻‍♀️💆🏻‍♀️ took us more than an hour 😂😅.  When you have loose rocks in this kind of road condition, find a way to maneuver and turn off aircond.  Best option is 4WD but kancil also pass ok.

 

I have created the map for this homestay's location.  Few minutes from the community hall.

 

Brace yourself for a 24km gravel road to the village.  

 

Temperature check.

 

 

There's 2 rooms available for rent and can fit up to 10 pax (unless more people, then can sleep at the living room).  

Kitchen, shower and toilet is available, but personally I think we needed more than 1 shower in case there's more than 10 people to share 😂 Cozy place macam rumah di kampung kampung. 

 

 

Towels, pillow, mattress and blanket is provided. 

Luckily the toilet is not outside the house 😅🤪.

MR Homestay contact details:

Michael 017 8989598 or Rubiah 012 8268705. 

Really nice people. 

Group photo is a MUST!

I set to wake up at 5:30am and I did 5 minutes later.  It was so chilly, we didn't need the fan.  Love the atmosphere.  

Photo by Abigail

Got ready and walked to the community hall for briefing.  This walk probably takes about 15 minutes or so.  

We were greeted by an old lady and she hugged us, it's so welcoming and random. 

 

My 2 friends drove in the morning and reached the school at 7am.  My bad, I didn't know it was at the community hall. 

Starting point

 

Body temperature check, fill in details, I think they should have that MySejahtera check in QR code for easier flow.  Also to sign an indemnity form and payment be made there too.  Certificate will be sent through email (I have yet to receive this 😅, I don't think oh wait, I did write down my email though). 

 

If you're early, don't forget to take a photo at the view point.  You get the mountain view and it's beautiful.

Food and drinks are available for sell too.  Personally am not that fussy when it comes to food. 

Linopot and lauk sayur (that day was sayur tutan with ikan masin and sayur pahit with anchovies).  I totally forgot to snap a photo of that.  Also available fried noodles, kuih muih and etc.  Enough for you to bring along to the trail for lunch.  These are delicious 😋 btw.  And were selling for RM1 only. 

We were advised to use the Adidas Kampung (RM5 to rent) coz trail is muddy and slippery (it rained the day before) and walking sticks RM2 to rent (very useful).  I usually just crawl.  But my guide gave me a walking stick to use on the way back.  🙏🏻 

Here's the current fee:

Conservation fee: RM15 per person.

Guide fee: RM85 (1 guide 5 pax).

We paid RM27++ per person.  So affordable than their initial quoted price which was RM75 ans was so confusing.  Details are available online too. 

We started few minutes late and I requested we distance ourselves from the other group.  Didn't wanna cramp all in 1.  Our guide, Adrian took us through the river side while the other groups started from the canyon side. 

 

What a beautiful 😍 side to start from.  

Mind you, this trail could be easy for some but it might be hard for beginners.  

 

I won't advise people to go through the 8km if they are afraid of heights or less adventurous 🙈

 

There is of course leeches along the route.  You will need Moziguard/Dettol/Salt.  Don scream too.  Just ask help from the guide or anyone to get it off of you.  If you bitten, you could spray with the mentioned solution or just leave it till it drops on its own.  Pulling it (after bitten) is just gonna make things worst, you will bleed like no tomorrow 😂 Only when you're not bitten, you can pull it off and flick it (yeah I learned this from a friend and it took me awhile to get used to it also haha). 

 

Plenty of beautiful plants that nursery sells at an expensive price, different kinds of fungus and etc.  I did enjoyed the trail coz it felt untouch and raw ❤️.  The waterfall might be a bit disappointing for some coz it's not the big kind.  It's still a beautiful route.  

This rock formation looking like shelter though.  

 

They probably have to improve on their marking and ropes, also some plants with thorn (luckily I wore long tights, I might have cuts from wearing shorts 😅).  But don't be alarmed, the guide will keep watch and doesn't leave anyone behind.  There's one with rattan as rope which was really beautiful.  I really appreciate a responsible and responsive person as my guide 👍🏻 

 

Had a bit of food before proceed to the canyon coz my guide worried that we might miss the canyon since it looks like it was gonna rain.  Somewhat a rush walk to the canyon.  Minor climb after the river. 

 

Cooled down and had my linopot with vege that I bought.  Also tuhau and bambangan tempoyak that Linda brought along with her.  Yummssss 😋.  I was shivering.  It was so cold.  The water was cold omgosh, so loving it.  

 

Now I know why they have a bonfire in the middle hahaha.  They also have a stall selling maggie cup for RM4 (I think) and coffee for RM2.  There's also a toilet 🚽 here.  Please bring along your trash when you're done 👌🏼. 

Waited for our turn to go into the canyon.  Met some of runner friends there 🤭 what are the odds? 

 

Also met these bunch from Sabah Tourism 🙃 Can't believe people still remembers me after so long 🙈

 

Safety vest is ready and we were in line and were told to just hold on to the ropes along the canyon as we enter.  Very cold water.  Thanks to our guides waiting for us while shivering 😂🤪  some parts are kind of deep, just don't panic and pull the rope you will be fine.  It's such a beautiful site 😍 wish we had more time and explore deeper into the caves.  

Thank you Lai for snapping this particular shot.  My action camera couldn't capture this serene moment. 

Photo credit to Lai, as requested by me hehe

 

To those who wanted to have more time to explore, please pick a weekday.  Weekends usually max out till 60 pax. 

What goes up must come down, vice versa 😂 going up was an uphill climb, it felt endless.  

We detoured to looked at a newly bloomed Rafflesia.  How lucky.  Took our turns for photos. 

 

After that is all the way back.  Endless uphill back to the community hall.  Karaoke session at the hall 🤭 your usual kg feel.  Saw some drinking sessiom at nearby houses too. 

Oh my nails

 

My toes were killing me, I just psych myself out from pain hahah.  Mind you, 3 of my nails are gone and I had blister on one toe haha.  It's all swollen now. 

Thank everyone and got back to the homestay for shower before we get back to KK.  Mind you I can still run but with my comfortable shoes haha.

 

Overall, it was a wonderful experience.  The people are nice and welcoming.  I'd probably will go insane with the gravel road if I were to go again haha 🤪. Maybe a camping trip at the canyon ❤️

For booking and enquiries, can contact

David 019-580 3558 or Eric +60 10-808 1611. 

Thanks for reading, I hope I didn't miss out anything.  Feel free to comment if you have any questions about this trail.  

I am contactable via Instagram DM at maslight 👌🏼