It’s no secret to frequent travelers that Malaysia regularly dishes up no end of thrills for its visitors. But those who prefer to explore the bolder side of travel are always looking for that little extra something to get their adrenaline pumping. Check out these incredible adventures available throughout Malaysia!
Paragliding & Para-motoring
Could there be anything more exhilarating than free flying through the air like a bird?
If you answered, “of course not!” to that question, Borneo Paragliders in Ranau, Sabah Highlands, Borneo might be just your ticket, lying approximately two hours outside of Kota Kinabalu by car.
Or, for something with a little more technology to it, Identified Flying Objects (IFO) offers para-motoring in Pulau Indah, Klang Selangor. Basically paragliding with a motor attached, para-motoring can add that little bit of “oomph” to your paragliding experience.
Both options offer the shorter, joyride-type sessions done with a trainer in addition to extended courses for certification. If you’re going for the latter you should be prepared to commit at least 5 days of your time, as certification can consist of up to 25 hours of training and additional solo flights.
Rock climbing & caving
Embark on a day trip out of Kuala Lumpur and check out the Batu Caves, which are located a quick half hour north of the city. They offer over 170 climbing routes and amazing views from the top, should you make it up there (tip: watch out for the monkeys!).
If a longer excursion is in order, Mulu Caves of the World Heritage Site Mulu Park near Miri, Sarawak offer beginner day trips as well as intermediate and “hard-core” (very advanced) multiple day outings. A bonus, you can also find hiking, canopy walks, and boat/waterfall tours in Mulu Park.
ATV tours
Located near Cemerung Waterfall Recreational Park, one of the most famous recreations forests in Terengganu state (if not all of Malaysia),ATV Cemerung Offroad Adventure at Kampung Jongok Batu in Dungun offers incredible jungle adventures on a variety of tracks, from beginner to challenging.
Brand new ATV adventures have also arrived in the jungles of Hulu Langat, which is located about 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur. As an added bonus, after all the riding around in the mud, clean up and cool off with a dip in the nearby waterfall.
Ziplining & canopy adventures
One of Southeast Asia’s most well-known marine parks, Tungku Abdul Rahman Park also plays home to the Coral Flyer, a zipline that stretches between the islands of Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sapi. At 250 meters long, it measures as the longest island to island zipline in the world.
Skytrex Adventures is an unusual jungle canopy adventure, self-described as a “sky-trekking” experience offered in three different course levels of difficulty. The original Skytrex is located in Shah Alam National Botanical Park, Malaysia’s first agricultural park, and they‘ve just recently opened a new park about 40 minutes outside of Kuala Lumpur in Langkawi as of August 2014.
If you are close to Langkawi, Langkawi Canopy Adventures also provides more traditional ziplining courses amidst other cool aerial adventures, from steel cable and suspension bridges to tree climbing and rappelling.
White water rafting
The Padas River (Grade III – IV) in the interior of southwestern Kota Kinabaluis is a tough ride that’s also the longest rafting route in Borneo (30 kilometers). Keep in mind that this is a full day excursion as the only way to and from the launch point is via antique train, a scenic and sometimes thrilling addition to the experience that takes you through rustic villages and dense jungle.
The Sedim River (Grade I – IV) near Penang offers a greater range of rafting options through Sedim White Water Rafting, which can include on-premise accommodations for multi-day trips (although single day trips are also available).