Our outing this weekend is headed towards Bentong town in the state of Pahang, to treck up the jungle along the Chamang waterfall. From the East-West Karak Highway, take a left turn into the inner trunk road and the next right turn heading pass the Bentong Town. A big signboard will indicate a left turn towards the Chamang Waterfall. A 10-kilometer bitumen road, which meanders along the river within its basin, takes visitors to a car park in the middle of a forest reserve.

By the time we arrived at the Chamang Waterfall, many early visitors were already there

Children were already having fun in the cool clear water below the waterfall

We were there at the invitation of our collegue, Azhar and Elliza who is having a family picnic retreat with their children and with their friend Joe Yap and family, their 'Waterfall Survivors' group member.

The Chamang Waterfall in Bentong is tucked in a lush valley bordered by verdant tropical rainforest. It is a soothing experience to be enveloped by such surroundings where the only sounds you hear are the beautiful noise of jungle insects and the rushing water. The waterfall used to be a favourite spot among locals who come here to fish and while away the hours.

A quick comparison to the size of the people will indicate how high the ferocious waterfall is from the base to the top.	And all around us is the majestic virgin tropical rainforest

The size of the boulders that had fallen downhill from the waterfall are truely huge, but this is not the main reason why we are here in the first place.

My greatest joy is being engulfed inside the thick tropical rainforest that borders it.

Dr. Baha focusing his Micro VR lense on a cluster of red coloured mushroom	A row of striking red coloured mushroom

On the opposite extreme, is this black coloured mushroom.	Azhar focusing on a bracket mushroom growing on a rotten log.

A more murky brown coloured musroom

The path that we followed is by the steep ravine, and far down there barely visible among the trees is the waterfall	The track is barely passable, and in some areas very precariously near the edge of the steep fall.

Descending the steep hill besides the fall	Azhar adjusting for firm footing on the steep, slippery rocks

We climbed up as far as we can go up the hill, trying to locate the river source, but had to turn back as the trail becomes more narrow, with thicker undergrowth and became more dangerous. From atop, it is apparent to us that there are several more layers of smaller waterfalls, but without the necessary ropes and absailing gears we could not explore the interesting landscape. Maybe next time when we come more prepared.

Above the waterfall, flows a gentle meandering stream

Dr Baha capturing the moment on his camera.

As it gets further downhill, the water begun to gush more ferociously downstream

Me and Dr. Baha sharing experiences.

Scouting for the perfect camera angle.

The waterfall, with its huge volume of water gushing from the top, is a visual wonder, but may be too dangerous for bathing. But, there is a small meandering stream at the bottom, away from the rush, that is perfect for a dip.

View from the top of the waterfall looking down to the car park way down below.

The area surrounding the waterfall is also picturesque with tiny, unidentified wild flowers sticking out from beneath the earth with multi-coloured butterflies fluttering about the place.

Chamang waterfall has facilities like a rest area, toilets and changing rooms nearby, making it a perfect area for a weekend retreat for those out of town.

Colourful moss and weeds surviving on the cliff rocks

Ending up with a heartiest tasty meal after descending from that very challenging climb.

The challenging climb, the heavy sweating and the hefty meal that follows that was prepared by Elliza , truely sums up the weekend fun for us. We look forward to many more of this soon.