Kiulu beckons adventure seekers with unique trek
KIULU: Living up to its reputation as a destination for adventure enthusiasts, Kiulu has come up with a unique trekking trails.
Aptly called “Kiulu Riverside Lung Washing Trekking Trails”, and spanning 45 km from Pekan Nabalu to Tamparuli, it is believed to be the first dedicated trekking trails in Sabah.
The term lung washing was coined after it was scientifically found that taking a break from all outside distractions and taking in the surrounding of the forest would boost immune system functions besides being a medium for rejuvenation process of the body.
The trekking trails pass through numerous villages and trekkers are recommended to spend three to four days for the journey.
Trekkers could start their journey from either Pekan Nabalu or Tamparuli Town which is about an hour’s drive from Kota Kinabalu with an assigned guide and spend their nights in community-managed base camps or village homestays.
The trekking route is categorised as “easy” and “challenging” as trekkers follow well marked trails, undulating with some small uphill sections.
Trekkers, among others, will be able to explore Borneo low land forest, learn basic jungle survival skills from the local natives, identify wild indigenous medicinal plants as well as edible plants, experience the culture and hospitality of the local people and see unique species of flora and fauna in the Kiulu forest.
“Kiulu offers you an experience of a lifetime by taking you through one of the most lovely and untouched parts of Sabah,” said Kiulu Assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai when officiating at the trekking trails community-managed Kakib base camp at Kg Lubok here.
Also present were Director of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture office in Sabah Awang Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar, Sabah Backpackers Association (SBA) president Richie Lee, Kiulu Tourism Association’s (KTA) Dr Edmon Guntis and KTA Adviser Octavius Dares Salam.
“It is the perfect place for you to unwind and unleash the adventurous spirit within you,” added Joniston, who is also Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman.
As it is a riverside trekking trail, trekkers will be crossing numerous suspension bridges, rivers and tributaries.
“You can have local expert guides who can share their knowledge of the jungle and at the same time show you how to use the natural resources from the forest to your advantage in order to survive,” said Edmon.
“At the end of the day, it is all about the adventure and experience you gain,” Lee chipped in.
Ahmad Zaki said the move to come up with the Kiulu riverside lung washing trekking trails was timely as Federal Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had described Kiulu as a model for rural tourism development in Malaysia.
Nazri spent a day visiting some of Kiulu’s tourist attraction and even took time to experience white water rafting along the pristine Kiulu river and conquered his fear of heights by trying out Sabah’s longest zip line at the River Bug base camp at Kg Rangalau Lama about two years ago.
Expressing his optimism that the Kiulu riverside lung washing trekking trails would become a hit among adventure seekers, Ahmad Zaki said locals would also benefit from it as provider of services required by the trekkers.
“Besides offering their services as guides, villagers along the trekking trails could also offer home stay services or open up stalls offering authentic local delicacies and hanficrafts, among others,” he said.