Merapoh Caves and Trails - Kuala Lipis, Pahang

Mika W.

We basically landed in Merapoh without much of a plan. We were incredibly lucky to stumble upon Muhammad on Google Maps the night before and just sent him a message. He replied immediately and arranged a beautiful place for us to stay. Because it was very hard to find a grab he picked us up personally and helped us to get to our Hostel. For the next 4 days we had one of the best experiences of our life!

The adventures were incredible. On the very first day, we went into three caves. We equipped us with flashlight and helmets and started exploring. we had to wade through a small lake, climb, and squeeze through narrow openings. It was so much fun!

The jungle hikes were also a highlight. We went to a big beautifull waterfall and saw monkeys, birds, a turtle, and elephant tracks and even a tiger paw print. We learned so much about the nature and Muhammad told us a lot about the local trees, animals and medicine plants.  He is really experienced and knows so much about the nature and it's secrets. On day three we went deep into the Taman Negara Djungle. It is the oldest jungle in Malaysia and has a really diverse flora and fauna. It was muddy and full of leeches (a tip: regular mosquito repellent works surprisingly well against them!), but we loved every second of it. We even saw a snake on trek and went to a cave inside the Taman Negara in which elephants live.

But the heart of the trip was the time with Mohamed himself. He quickly turned into a true friend. He taught us so much about Malaysian culture with endless patience. We ate together Malaysian food and we got to dive right into village life: on his family's farm, we helped harvest durian, watched how rubber is tapped from trees, and tasted fresh cacao straight from the cacao tree. The perfect finale was when he took us to visit the indigenous Batek tribe, giving us a profound insight into their life.

What started as a spontaneous trip turned into one of the warmest and most authentic travel experiences we've ever had, all thanks to muhammad. Thank you for everything, Muhammad, we will really miss the time with you! Hopefully we will meet again in the future. Terima kasih!

Felix M.

We had only planned to take a bus to Gua Musang to explore the Taman Negara national parc near Merapoh away from the tourist crowds. Everything else happened spontaneously and turned into one of the best experiences of our lives.
By chance, we found a local guide online. He didn’t just help with a place to stay – he picked us up when we were stuck and spent three full days with us like a friend. We shared meals, and every day was packed with something special.
On the first day, we explored three untouched caves in complete darkness, guided only by our headlamps. The last one had an exit through an underground river, leaving us completely soaked but truly amazed by the experience.
The next day, we hiked through the rainforest to a hidden waterfall. Although we got attacked by a few leeches, we learned so much about the different trees and other plants in the rainforest — and also about the animals, like rare birds and various types of monkeys.
On our last day, we trekked to an elephant cave. The trail led us through muddy terrain, with countless animal tracks along the way. As a highlight, we spotted tracks and scratch marks from a real tiger. The cave itself was a massive hall where elephants are known to rest.
He also shared his world with us. One day, he picked us up for a scooter ride to search for wild durians, which we later had for dinner. That became one of my favorite memories. Along the way, he told us a lot about Malaysian and indigenous culture and introduced us to many traditional dishes. You could feel how much he loves what he does and how deeply connected he is to nature.
We had no idea a few unplanned days would turn into something so meaningful. He started out as a guide – but by the end of those few days, he had become something so much more. Saying goodbye wasn’t easy. It felt almost like saying goodbye to a family member.

Masita Z.

I got to know Cik Mat through a good friend who stumbled upon him while researching a previous trip to Kuala Lipis. Not long after, we planned a trip to Taman Negara Sungai Relau for the Tree Top Walk and Merapoh cave exploration—and we knew we needed a guide. So we booked Cik Mat.

The Tree Top Walk was refreshing and educational. With Cik Mat’s keen eyes and deep knowledge of the forest, we were able to spot and identify several birds like the Malkoha and the Black-and-Yellow Broadbill. We even saw a huge Prevost’s squirrel! Without Cik Mat, it would’ve just been a regular walk—but he made it so much more meaningful.

After lunch, we headed for the cave exploration. We hiked up to Gua Jinjang Pelamin, thinking it would be a simple walk-and-snap kind of visit. But we were wrong—in the best way! It was just the beginning of multiple climbs and even swimming inside the cave. Who would’ve thought?

Throughout it all, Cik Mat remained patient and encouraging. He constantly reminded us to move at our own pace and never rushed anyone. At times, he even became our motivational coach. He handled the entire experience professionally, all while sharing fascinating information about the area.

As both a guide and a Merapoh native, Cik Mat clearly knows his stuff. I give him a solid 5 stars and would absolutely love to return for another adventure with him.

Stefanie B.

We came across Mo by chance via Google and it was a real stroke of luck. Mo immediately accepted our request at very short notice and accompanied us as a guide on the Tree Top Walk Sungai Relai and on a jungle hike. He has a very good knowledge of the flora and fauna of Teman Negara National Park. We observed various hornbills, many other birds, giant squirrels and monkeys. The next day we visited two caves together. The cave hike was exciting and we saw a snake catch and eat a bat. The geological formations of the caves are very different and beautiful to look at. As Mo grew up in the area, he knows his way around. But the most important thing was that Mo is a very friendly person. He tailored the tour exactly to our needs, we were travelling with our four-year-old son and unfortunately didn't have that much time. We can only recommend anyone who wants to visit Teman Negara to do so via this beautiful place off the beaten track and hire Mo as a guide. Many thanks dear Mo!

jehanash

Cik Mat is a licensed guide and very knowledgeable in regards to caves surrounding Merapoh area. He's truly passionate in conserving and showcasing the beauty and history the caves have to offer. And whether you are travelling in a group or a solo women traveller, you can be sure to have a safe adventure when exploring with him. Highly recommend his service!

Juwairiyah A.

Great experience with incredible geoguides, Tqvm En Muhd …Will visit again… soon Gua Harimau 💪🏻

Hasanah O.