Fraser Hill (Bukit Fraser) - Part I

It's back to Fraser Hill, a favourite among birders and visitors alike for its montane forest and cool climate. Fraser Hill, with elevations of between 1,200 - 1,500 is a perenial favourite both locally and internationally as well and plays host to the annual International Bird Race.

Getting there

By Car
From Singapore, head down the North-South Highway, (E2->E6--> E1), exit at Rawang, following the signs on trunk road (1 ) till you reach Kuala Kubu Bharu town and then follow trunk road (55).

View Rawang - Kuala Kubu Bahru - Fraser Hill in a larger map
By Taxi
If you arrive via KL Sentral (the main transit hub), there is a taxi counter (located at the main entrance /exit) where you could purchase a voucher to get to Fraser Hill. (est RM150 -175 one way). My suggestion is to arrange for a return upfront so at least your return trip is also secured.  ( I tried this method before !)

Other sites recommend taking a local train (called Komuter) from KL Sentral to Kuala Kubu Bahru and then transfer by taxi from Kuala Kubu Bahru to Fraser’s Hill.

Kuala Kubu Bharu is the place you should stop to take a break, feed yourself and most importantly pump petrol. (There are no petrol stations in Fraser Hill.  From the town to the Gap is about 35 minutes. The Gap is really a bottle-neck area whereby vehicles are allow either to travese up or down at a given time. It's pretty simple to remember: - Odd hours (Up) , Even hours (down). Roads are pretty windy, so a note of caution -don't fill up your stomach at Kuala Kubu Bharu too much if you are prone to car sickness !

Jln Merdeka, Kuala Kubu Bharu

We enjoyed the food in Jln Merdeka, Kuala Kubu Bharu. Can't really remember the name of the place (silly me), but when you reach there, the lunch/dinner crowd is a dead give away. A very simple shop serving "home" cook food.

Depending on your preference, you may wish to top up on supplies at the various shops around here before heading up.



"Grandma's Home cook food"

 Fraser Hill is very much organised now with the food vendors all  centralised and food not a problem, but getting some before hand was a personal choice and more variety of tit-bits and snacks. (lol)

After topping up supplies, off we go through the windy roads all the way up. One of our travelling companion did experience motion sickness and unfortunately all the nice food she ate ended up out again. Poor girl ! By the time we arrived to the hotel, we allowed time for her to rest and recover. 

Where to stay

We opted for the same place we stayed the last time- Jelai Highland Resort (RM$70-$90 per night). The place as usual is pretty spartan, but is popular among birders, cause the area surrounding it seems to attract quite a number of birds( just looking out your window, you see lots of them). The place is not the only accomodation choice of course. Depending on your budget, there are several hotels.We pass by TM High Pines (at High Pines Road) and it looked like a brilliant place to stay as well. Unfortunately it was fully booked. There are many bungalows in Fraser Hill too and if you are one of the fortunate ones who can book them frequently and affordably, do drop me a mail please ! : ) 

Trails

There are a number of trails there. All seemed pretty well marked.  Confession: we were lazy. Only completed 1 as a group.

1. Pine Tree Trail (5000M) -Difficult
2. Maxwell Trail (1800M) -Difficult
3. Bishop Trail (1500M) -Difficult
4. Mager Trail (1000M) -Easy
5. Hemmant Trail (1000M) -Easy (We did this trail !)
6. Kindersley Trail (750 M) -Easy
7. Rompin Trail (500M) -Easy
8. Abu Suradi Trail (500 M) -Easy

 



Chestnut capped Laughing Thrush

 

Fire-tufted Barbet

  





 

  

Birds Spotted and Identified

Silver eared Mesia

Long tailed Sibia

Chestnut Crowned Laughing Thrush

Chestnut Capped Laughing Thrush 

Streaked Spiderhunter

Black-throated Sunbird

Fire-tufted Barbet

White-throated Fantail

Little Cuckoo Dove

Orange-bellied Leafbird

Lesser racket-tailed Drongo

Blue throated Flycatcher