Located on the archipelago of Langkawi off Malaysia’s northwestern coast, lies Gunung Raya, Langkawi’s tallest mountain. It reaches close to a staggering nine hundred metres high, and if you believe the local myth, is actually the dormant form of Mat Raya the giant, who once dwelled on Langkawi and was cursed to live out his days as a mountain. Gunung Raya is home to a range of wildlife that inhabits the dense rainforests that cover its base. Some of the animals species you’ll come across here are: flying foxes, mountain hawk eagles, great hornbills and a multitude of varieties of monkeys.
From the peak of Gunung Raya mountain you can get a good bird’s eye view of the surrounding region. You’ll be able to see the other adjacent little islands that pepper the Andaman Sea, as well as all the lush vegetation that blankets the island. It takes only around half an hour to ascend the mountain from its base by vehicle, and this journey is quite a scenic one as well, offering up breathtaking views of the natural abundance of fauna and verdant flora that can be found here. Interested in making the ascent during your holiday on the island? Most Langkawi resorts such as the Berjaya Langkawi Resort and similar others, will likely be happy to help arrange a trip to Gunung Raya mountain for you, if they don’t already operate regular tours here. So make sure to ask the front desk.
If you do end up making this trip, do make sure to take your best camera along with you, for there are great views to behold from the top. A lot of the excursions here include jungle treks or hikes. Veteran hikers and trekkers often prefer to go on solo adventures here, however if you’re new to the game, it is more advisable to go on a group tour instead.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
