Starting point to TnTDaralamas River Canyon, Kg Tiang Lama Eco Tourism (Balai Raya) - Ranau, Sabah

Cynthia L. J. X.

Very epic location with easy to moderate hikes, clear and super cold water around the canyon where you get to swim inside and feed the fish. It’s so rich with flora and fauna, plus the canyon exploration was full of fun! Suitable for someone who’s looking for exciting adventure!

Mimi A.

1) To get to this village needs to drive through gravel and red-dirt-road for more than 20km, sedan and lowered-car not recommended.
2) If want to enjoy your hike without any obstacles please come during sunny or good weather. It is a mistake if you come during rainy time. As we not alert at that time, ranau was raining everyday for a few days before our hike so we facing a few frustrations. At first the management said will informed us if the weather not good or the water level of the river increases, the hike will postponed to another date because really not safe for hikers. But there was no information so we assumed everything was okay.
3) Unfortunately, the track was really slippery, muddy and wet until we slipped off for a few times along the way to the canyon. And another frustrating things when there were 2 spots or 2 routes we should went through (there was a waterfall) but we couldn't do that due to the water level high so it was too risky. We paid for 8km trail but because of that obstacles we had to take the 6km trail with no refund. For me it's not fair, because if the management being alert and do their work properly they will know they should postponed the date.
3) When we arrived at the canyon, we need to wait for the guide for some times to allow the to check the river safe or not to get through. The current so strong, the river became deep because the heavy rain a day before and we couldn't manage to touch the ground. We almost drifted away several times because the rope slipped from our grasp. So dangerous.
4) once again, unfortunately, we couldn't manage to finish to get through the canyon to the end, the situation not safe, and the guide just can bring us until the middle of the canyon (actually not the middle, there still far away to the end). We couldn't snap pictures properly. The situation not allowed us to do that 😢. Just one spot before turn back to the starting we enter the canyon, we could stood up and took pictures for memory.
5) hopefully management can be more alert, honest and do checking the trail so the visitors would not frustrated.

Tok R.

I really enjoyed my trip to Taralamas Canyon in Ranau. The river cutting through the rocks over time carving a unique natural formation. A humbling experience to witness God’s beautiful creation.

Tips:
Tell the guide that you are a photographer. Don’t rush the hike. Enjoy the moments.

Bring simple snack or instant noodle for lunch picnic. There’s a community kettle at the Taralamas camp. Ask your guide for boiled water. Make coffee/tea. Heaven!

Use walking stick. You guide can make one out of the small trees in the forest. The trail might be slippery. Rubber shoes (adibas kampung) are the shoes for this trail.

Deal with the guide to start the hike at 7am. Avoid afternoon rain.

Cherryen R. L.

"Tempat yang sangat cantik dan unik! Laluan pendakian mencabar tapi berbaloi dengan pemandangan tebing tinggi dan air terjun. Sesuai untuk pencinta alam dan fotografi. Pastikan bawa pakaian sesuai dan ada guide. Highly recommended!"

Masa saya p sana, mabuk jalan for the 1st time hahaah tapi lepas jumpa sungai, sihat terus. Thanks God perjalanan berjalan lancar 🙏

Wan A.

Came for their river canyon that was discovered in 2019. It is not an easy way into the deepest village, Kg Tiang Lama. 2 hours of gravel road with varying steepness of the tracks. My Honda Jazz survived though haha. Got leech somewhere in the journey. Once you arrived at the canyon, vest and helmet will be provided. If you don’t know how to swim, plenty of rope for you to hold onto. It is a magical experience, thank you

siew K. C.

It is an amazing place that would set off your spirit of adventurous! The tour guides are awesome, professional. There are doggie as your comrades and guide you through the journey to make sure you’re safe all the journey. We chose the Widu canyon 8km tracks and you can see two canyons which are astonishing. You will have a life jackets when you are at the Widu canyon but if you are phobia of the water maybe it will be intimidating for you as the the water is torrential and deep at the center of the river bed. Overall you still can enjoy the jungle trekking with chlorophyll synthesised trees and bamboos while little fur kid follows your side. In short, it is totally worth your penny.

Georgina T.

A hidden gem in Sabah, no doubt.

It wasn’t well managed, so do not expect proper or spacious hiking trail. Everything is “original”.

It rained a day before our hike, soil was muddy and slippery. Almost everyone of us (15 people) slipped. Most of the areas are dangerous, once you fall or slipped, you might roll down the hill. Not kidding, it was scary.

Due to the weather, our 8km trail was shorten to 6km. We managed to enjoy the magnificent canyon view and freezing cold water. We thanked God for that!

==== Minus 2 stars due to lack of professionalism of our guides
1 guide was suppose to “jaga” 6 hikers, however our guide “jaga” 3-4 persons only. What happen to the middle group of hikers? We figured out the trail ourselves. Extra challenge, we did not have any phone connection in the jungle, no other hikers around us. Luckily we did not lost!

Personally think that this place is not suitable for beginners.

Hope you find this review helpful! If yes, please vote to let me know. Beyond grateful ☺️

Steph

A must visit hidden gem. The trail were unexpectedly challenging for me after slipping through the cliff. Certain hiking spot needs some proper trail or rope to hold on too especially if using the widu canyon trail back.

Nevertheless it was a fun adventure!