Perak: 4x4 trip to Orang Asli Settlement of Kuala Mu

"Wings are freedom only when they are wide open in flight. On one's back they are a heavy weight..."

(Holiday chalets at Pos Kuala Mu)

More than two decades ago, with our late youngest son, Mirza, we joined the Asian Adventure Team for a 4x4 Charity and Camping trip to Pos Kuala Mu. 

Since then we had passed the Orang Asli settlements several times on our Rain-Forest Challenge Adventure trips across the Banjaran Titiwangsa from Sungai Siput to Gua Musang. There was no paved road then. The only trail to Pos Kuala Mu was the lumber mud tracts full of ruts and ravines.

(A welcoming signage to the Orang Asli Settlement)

(Meeting the Tok Batin, Hadu Long)

(A walking tour around the village)

(Ice cool river dividing the villages)

(Clean river with serene beautiful surrounding)

Pos Kuala Mu is a settlement of Temiar tribe, located about 70km from Sungai Siput, Perak. It is strategically located near the convergence of Sungai Mu and Sungai Perlus which consists of 4 villages, Kampung Besrah, Kampung Gepeh Hulu, Kampung Gepeh Hilir and Kampung Kuala Mu. Kuala Mu is located in Piah Forest Reserve.

(The classic Orang Asli houses are supplied with electricity)

(Madrasah Darul Salam to cater for the Muslim community)

(Primary School at Pos Kuala Mu)

(Solar Station to serve the Primary School)

(Spacious Community Hall with sports facilities)

(The Orang Asli kids playing hide and seek)

Pos Kuala Mu is increasingly a popular holiday destination. Chalets are sprucing up almost in all the Orang Asli Villages. The famous one is in Kampung Bersah where the bamboo chalets are built overlooking the river. The chalets are quite spacious with very basic amenities. Camp sites are also available for those who want to overnight in tents.

(Direction to chalets in the fruit orchards)

(Another chalets across the river)

(Chalets at Kampung Bersah)

(A choice of chalets by the river)

(Or chalets in the woods)

If you are staying in the chalets for a couple of nights, some suggested activities are swimming, fishing or jungle trekking to Sungai Jak waterfall about 20 minutes' walk away. More challenging activities are trekking and climbing Gunung Yong Yap which will take about two days one night.