Gunung Benom (from Kg Ulu Cheka) courtesy of Eric Tan of Singapore

 Background
Gunung Benom (2107 m / 6913 ft) is the ninth highest peak in Peninsula Malaysia. It is located in the Krau Wildlife Reserve, which is the second most important protected area in Peninsular Malaysia after Taman Negara, covering 520 square kilometers (200 square miles).

 Location 
Within the State of Pahang, Virtually in the geographical centre of Peninsular Malaysia, halfway between Jerantut and Temerloh in western Pahang, about 150 km (93 km) from Kuala Lumpur.

 Climate 
Lowland forest: Warm by day (hot outside the forest), can be cool by night. 
Highlands forest and summit: Cool by day, can be cold by night or when raining. A tendency to more rain in April to May and October to February; rivers may flood at any season but more likely December to January.

 When to go
Anytime of the year, but best outside of the rainy months.

 How to get there
The most established route (and of shortest duration) is to access from the northeastern boundary of the Krau Wildlife Reserve via Kampong Ulu Cheka.

From Jerantut, by vehicle to Kampong Damak via HW64 (about 25 km). Kampong Damak to Kampong Ulu Cheka (about 7 km) on sealed road. Kampong Ulu Cheka to Kampong Tengah on unsealed road (about 2 km). No need of 4WD vehicle.

Kampong Tengah is the starting point to access the trailhead to Gunung Benom.

 Permits
Entry permit must be obtained from the the Department of Wildlife and National Park (DWNP) or Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara (PERHILITAN), Kuala Lumpur. Permits are officially granted only to serious researchers, but polices have laxed somewhat (i.e. anyone can try to apply for a permit).
A few local tour companies also organize adventure tours to climb Gunung Benom, please check credibility of these tour companies.

 The Trail
 Kg Tengah Community Hall (120 m) to Trailhead (150 m)
Distance: ~ 1.5 km
Duration: ~ 1 hrs (ascend/descend)
Terrain: exposed unsealed plantation road
Sidelines: lookout for durians
Trailhead to Camp 1 (530 m)
Distance: ~ 3.5 km
Duration: ~ 4 hrs (ascend); ~ 2.5 hrs (descend)
Terrain: tropical lowland forest with a few river crossing (shallow); gradual to moderate gradient; muddy and slippery when wet

Camp 1 to Camp 2 (1430 m)
Distance: ~ 3.5 km
Duration: ~ 5 to 6 hrs (ascend); ~ 3 hrs (descend)
Terrain: tropical lowland to sub-montane forest; few river crossing just beyond camp 1; moderate gradient; trail indistinct at times (trail cutting with parang necessary)

Camp 2 to Camp 3 (1900 m)
Distance: ~ 4 km
Duration: ~ 5 to 6 hrs (ascend); ~ 3 hrs (descend)
Terrain: sub-montane to montane forest; moderate gradient; trail indistinct at times (trail cutting with parang necessary);

Caution: narrow trail with steep edge fall near Camp 3; last water-point just beyond Camp 2

Camp 3 to Summit (2107 m)
Distance: ~ 4 km
Duration: ~ 4.5 hrs (ascend without packs); ~ 3 hrs (descend without packs)
Terrain: montane forest; moderate gradient; trail indistinct at times (trail cutting with parang necessary)

Note: true summit (Trigonometrical station marker) at southeastern part of summit massive

Campsites
Kg Tengah Community Hall 
·         No electricity
·         Piped water with faucet x 2
·         Toilet facilities (separate male and female)
·         No GSM Signal

Camp 1
·         Campsite by river
·         Accommodate up to 25 pax 
·         No GSM Signal 

Waterfall Campsite
·         Alternative campsite to Camp 1: ~ 300 metres beyond Camp 1
·         Campsite by river
·         Makeshift shelter present
·         Accommodate up to 10 pax 
·         No GSM Signal

Camp 2
·         Campsite on partially exposed knoll
·         Accommodate up to 20 pax 
·         Unreliable GSM Signal present
·         Water source: ~ 250 metres beyond Camp 2 (see below) 

Camp 3
·         Campsite on knoll sheltered by large boulder
·         Accommodate up to 20 pax 
·         Boulders can offer shelter 
·         Unreliable GSM Signal present
·         No water source. During the wet season, water drips down from overhanging vegetation on boulder

Summit Camp
·         Campsite partially sheltered by surrounding vegetation
·         Accommodate up to 25 pax 
·         Unreliable GSM Signal present
·         No water source 

Last Water Point
·         Located ~ 250 metres beyond Camp 2 along the main trail (after passing two small knolls) 
·         A puddle of water that dries up by 9 am (Caution: please ensure that you collect your water by 9 am; if not the source may be dry beyond that time) 

The Summit
 The summit massive consists of two knolls and is heavy with vegetation. The true summit has an intact trigonometrical station marker present, is located on the southeastern knoll. There may be some difficulties in locating the exact position of the true summit due to the dense vegetation and undulating terrain.

Do not expect stunning panoramic views from the summit! Views from the summit knoll is very restricted by vegetation.

Map and Route Profile 

GPS Coordinates 

Datum: WGS84

 Extra Caution
1.       Trail is often indistinct and trail cutting with parang often necessary. Ensure that guide has good local knowledge to avoid getting lost
2.       Water is an issue. There is no reliable water source beyond Camp 2 (see notes on water source at Camp 3. Ensure enough water is carried beyond that point. 
4.       Camp 3 and the Summit Campsite can get very cold (10 to 13 °C) in the night, especially if raining. Be adequately prepared for the cold

Emergency Information
Nearest Police Station: Jerantut 
Nearest Hospital: Jerantut
Nearest public telephone: Kg Ulu Cheka
GSM Signal: Present at all highpoints and campsites (except Camp 1) but very unreliable

Contacts
Permits and Guide Contacts:
Department of Wildlife and National Parks
Km 10, Jalan Cheras 
56100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-9052872
Fax: 03-9052873
Website: http://www.wildlife.gov.my

Guide Contacts and Use of Kg Tengah Community Hall:
Mr Mohd Roseli bin Ibrahim
Kampong Tengah
Ulu Cheka
27030 Jerantut
Pahang
Tel: 09-2665489

Vehicle Hire and Transport to Kg Ulu Cheka/Kg Tengah:
Mr Mohd Fawzi Fong Abdullah
Mak Agency & Services
Taman Negara Information Centre
Jerantut Railway Station
2700 Jerantut
Pahang Darul Makmur
Tel/Fax: 09-2663601
Mobile: 010-9189881

Train Information:
Corporate Communication Department
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad
Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin
50621 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Tel :(603) 2273 8000 Fax:(603) 22733882
Email: passenger@ktmb.com.my
Website: http://www.ktmb.com.my

WWW Links
Links on Krau Wildlife Reserve:
http://wildborneo.virtualave.net/TravelHelp/factsheets/destinations/lowland_hill_forest.htm#KrauWildlifeReserve
http://www.lovemalaysia.com/krau/index.htm
http://www.wcmc.org.uk/protected_areas/data/sample/0280v.htm

Links on Jerantut:
http://www.homecomm.net.my/dir/Pahang/_Jerantut 

Sidelines 

The recce expedition was from the 22^nd Jan to 27^th Jan 2001. The expedition was lead by Mr Taib Ali. Team members include:
Mr Nik Mohd Maseri
Mr Sabtu Asti
Mr Azman Ghazali
Mr Roslan
Mr Isbah Darian
Mr Rehan Yusoff
Mr Nobraham
Dr Eric Tan

This expedition was the first recorded Singaporean-organised expedition to have successfully peaked Gunung Benom. It was also the first recorded successful expedition in this millennium. The last expedition to have successfully peaked the summit was in Oct 1998.

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