Gunung Chamah - Kuala Betis, Kelantan

The Trek

• Height : 7123 feet ( 2171 meter) N5.22735 E101.57393
• Location : Kuala Betis (Kelantan)
• Usually it takes 3D2N
• Distance : about 14 KM

Getting there

• From North-South highway, take exit 137 toward Simpang Pulai.
• Turn right and follow route 185 to Gua Musang.
• Turn left to Kuala Betis at route 185 "T" Junction.
• Engage 4x4 to Pos Simpoh / drop off point.

Facilities and Fees

• Toilet and Bathroom : No
• Parking : No
• Guide : Yes and 4x4 arrangement
• Permit Fee : RM 5.00 (Apply in advance)
• JPSM Permit Information  
• JPSM Contact Information

GPX in Google Map

Gunung Chamah Trail Map

GPX Download Link

Download

Exploring Gunung Chamah

April, 26~28 2016

Mount Chamah is located in Titiwangsa Mountains Range and the fifth highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia, standing at 2,171 meter. To access to the start of trekking point is not easy, you may need to arrange a 4x4 transport travel under the hot sun for 3~4 hours,  follow by another 3 hours expose to hot sun trek all the way to Pos Rekom.

There are two ways could go to Gunung Chamah :-

• Via Ulu Sepat Trail (Pos Lelar) : Trans Ulu Sepat~Chamah

• Via Chamah Trail (Pos Rekom) : Chamah only / Trans Chamah ~ Ulu Sepat

You could plan few options:-

• Trans Ulu Sepat ~ Chamah 6D5N (Pos Lelar - Camp Sungai Leweng - Ulu Sepat Summit - Camp Sungai Leper - Camp Sempadan - Camp Maggi - Camp Peres - Pos Rekom - Camp Tengah - Camp Tongat Ali - Anak Chamah - Chamah Summit - Anak Chamah - Camp Tongat Ali - Camp Tengah - Pos Rekom - 4x4 Pickup Point - Kuala Betis)

• Trans Chamah ~ Ulu Sepat 6D5N (Reverse direction as above)

• Chamah 3D2N (Kuala Betis - 4x4 Drop off Point - Pos Rekom - Camp Tengah - Camp Tongkat Ali - Anak Chamah - Chamah Summit - Anak Chamah - Camp Tongkat Ali - Camp Tengah - Pos Rekom - 4x4 Pickup Point - Kuala Betis)

We decided to do Chamah alone this round for more relax trip by not carrying a heavy backpack all the way up to Chamah and return back to the same starting point - Pos Rekom. We arranged the 4x4 transport in Kuala Betis, a OA guide from Pos Simpoh and accommodation arrangement in Pos Rekom which make the whole trip more relax by just focus on meal preparation, "short distance" backpack (14 KM two ways) and day hike to Chamah Summit (28 KM two ways).

Day 1 : Kuala Betis - Gua Cha - Pos Simpoh - Pos Rekom
A total distance of 50 KM from Kuala Betis all the way to 4x4 drop off point, follow by 3 hours trekking to Pos Rekom. We reached Pos Rekom at 18:01 and enjoyed our 1st night party.

Day 2 : Pos Rekom - Camp Tengah - Camp Tongkat Ali - Anak  Chamah -  Chamah - Return to Pos Rekom
A long day hike with approx. 14 KM (one way) to Chamah Peak and night walk after Camp Tengah. Ascent time with all the way up from Camp Tongkat Ali to Anak Chamah followed by never ending road to Chamah Peak.

Day 3 : Pos Rekom - 4x4 Drop Off Point - Kuala Betis
Trekked and travelled under the hot sun for 5 hours plus.

Stage 1: Kuala Betis - Gua Cha - Pos Simpoh - 4x4 Drop off Point (Day 1 - 4x4)

 

10:27  Kuala Betis

11::10  Visiting Gua Cha

11:29  Continue from Gua Cha

12:58  Telco Tower

13:24  Pos Simpoh for Lunch and Engage OA guide

14:30  Continue to 4x4 Drop Off Point

14:50  End of 4x4

Stage 2: 4x4 Drop Off Point - Pos Rekom (Day 1 - Trekking)

  

15:01  Start Trekking to Pos Rekom

18:01  Reached Pos Rekom    

Stage 3: Pos Rekom - Camp Tengah - Camp Tongkat Ali (Day 2 - Trekking)

 

07:30  Start Trekking

08:30  Camp Tengah (Just after the first river)

08:47  Continue from Camp Tengah

09:04  Sarsi Tree

09:36  Camp Tongkat Ali (Just after the second river)

Stage 4: Camp Tongkat Ali - Anak Chamah - Few False Peak - Chamah Summit (Day 2 - Trekking)

 

09:57  Continue from Camp Tongkat Ali

11:09  Anak Chamah

11:28  Continue from Anak Chamah

11:38  1st False Peak 

11:44  2nd False Peak

12:04  3rd False Peak

13:53  Chamah Summit

Descent from Chamah Summit to Pos Rekom (Day 2 - Trekking) 

15:07  Start Descent

16:15  3rd False Peak

16:31  2nd False Peak

16:36  1st False Peak

16:50  Anak Chamah

17:35  Camp Tongkat Ali

17:53  Continue from Camp Tongkat Ali

18:46  Camp Tengah

20:13  Pos Rekom

Pos Rekom - 4x4 Drop Off - Kuala Betis (Day 3 Trekking and 4x4)

09:43  Start Trekking
12:38  End of Trekking - 4x4 Drop Off Point
13:38  Start 4x4
16:38  Kuala Betis

Journey Start from Kampung Kuala Betis

4x4 Road

Visiting Gua Cha

Pos Tohoi

Still have 3G coverage

Pos Simpoh

On the way to 4x4 Drop Off Point after Pos Simpoh

Start Trekking

They need to travel (70 KM) and walk (7 KM) back to their hometown during school holiday / long weekend

River crossing before Pos Rekom

Pos Rekom

No water, no electricity...luckily still have solar power to turn on a small bulb at night

Water source in Pos Rekom

Ready for dayhike to Gunung Chamah

River is always on your left during ascent

Water source in Camp Tengah

Camp Tengah

Sarsi Tree

Crystal clear water source in Camp Tongkat Ali

All the way up from here onward till Anak Chamah

Hardly find a flat path

Turn left at the "T" junction

Anak Chamah

False Peak

Finally ....

Yes!

Gunung Chamah Peak

Mission Completed!!!

Gunung Chamah Trail Map (FULL)

Gunung Chamah Trail Map (Pos Rekom - Chamah Summit)

Chamah Full Trail Profile (Kuala Betis - Chamah Peak)

4x4 Kuala Betis to Pos Simpoh Trail Profile

4x4 Drop Off To Pos Rekom Trail Profile

Pos Rekom To Chamah Summit Trail Profile