Sponsored

I’m sure not many have heard of Lata Tengkoh Penyel Waterfall (or Air Terjun Tengkoh Penyel). I chanced upon this stunning waterfall from a friend’s photo and made up my mind to pay it a visit during my Ipoh trip. Lata Tengkoh Penyel Waterfall is located deep within the Orang Asli village of Kampung Pendeq, Pos Yum (Sungai Siput District) – about 2 hours drive due North from Ipoh. Check out this aerial video to get excited!

Sponsored
Aerial video of Lata Tengkoh Penyel Waterfall
Video Credit: Tajul Hazri A.S.S Youtube Channel

Lata Tangkoh Penyel is one of the tallest waterfall that I have seen in Peninsular Malaysia, towering from more than 60 metres above ground. The fact that it is hidden deep within the inland makes it so mysterious and thrilling for me. It also means that the waterfall would probably still retains its untouched, unpolluted natural state.

It is not easy to search this place on Google Map. Fortunately I was able to get hold of its coordinates which helped us a lot on our way to Lata Tengkoh Penyel Waterfall.

Lata Tengkoh Penyel Waterfall Location:

If you are driving from Ipoh, you may follow the route of:

Ipoh > Sungai Siput Utara > Lintang > Perlop > Kg. Bawong > Pos Yum

As you drive further inland, you may lose your GPS signal so make sure you have more than one GPS turned on (perhaps by using a few mobile phones with different telcos). Anyway, not to worry too much as there are signboards along the way.

An important reminder though, remember to fill up your tank as there is hardly any petrol station nearby. And be prepared to go up some hilly, winding roads.

Follow the sign of Pos Yum along this trunk road
It’s pretty deserted here so begin your journey early
When you see this crossroad, it means you are almost there. Follow Pos Yum and drive up the hill on your left

The GPS coordinate above guides you to this location (photo below) where you can park your car. The parking fee is RM10 per car. If there is no one at the “guard hut”, you may proceed straight in and pay the parking fee later.

Welcome to Lata Tengkoh Penyel Waterfall
Parking and lodging fees. Yes you can stay overnight!

From the entrance, we still had to trek about 600m (around 20 minutes) to reach the waterfall. We were the only visitors there on that day. As we walked into the village, it didn’t take long before we saw the Orang Asli settlements.

The Orang Asli village. Walk straight and head left behind the hut for the waterfall

There were adults and kids playing around the village. We were greeted by Mr. Hari, a local boy who was very helpful to guide us to the waterfall. Although the trek is not difficult, it is better to get them to guide you there.

Along the way, we were mesmerized by the serene, peaceful surroundings with birds chirping and insects cricketing. We could also hear the sound of the waterfall and streams.

Can you see the stream on the right?
Woohoo~ See those huts? We are here!

Finally after 20 minutes of trekking, we saw the majestic waterfall of Lata Tengkoh Penyel. It is much larger than I thought it would be and you really need to be there yourself to feel the energy generated from the waterfall. So refreshing and invigorating! Reminds me of the Chinese proverb:

飞流直下三千尺,疑是银河落九天

Pouring from three thousand feet above, like the falling of the galaxy

There are also a couple of bamboo and rattan huts around the area that were built for stay ins. The bamboo hut is charged at RM60 per night whereas the rattan hut is charged at RM80 per night. According to Mr. Hari, these huts were built by local villagers. However, there is no electricity and food supply for visitors so you might need to bring your own torch, lamp and food.

There is a little path that leads you to the base of the fall. This is where you can feel the full force of the water cascading down. We have seen kids play at the waterfall from some Youtube videos but I’d not want to do that as the current is rapid.

Can you feel the force?

We also had a chat with Mr. Hari and found out more about the villagers lives here. He told us that in the past, the route towards Pos Yum was not tarred and only four-wheel-drives are able to access the village. He also recommended another picnic hide-out nearby called Kuala Mu which is known for its crystal clear streams. However, we were a bit short of time as we still need to get back to Ipoh. Perhaps we will come back again next time.

With our local Kampung Pendeq guide Mr. Hari

Till today I’m still yearning to go back to Lata Tengkoh Penyel. If you are a nature lover like me and love to discover lesser-known wonders around Malaysia, I highly recommend Lata Tengkoh Penyel Waterfall. It definitely qualifies as a hidden gem in Peninsular Malaysia!

Sponsored

11 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you for this article. I am interested to visit next weekend. Is it dangerous for 2 women to go there without any male companion? Will appreciate if you could reply. Thank you.

    • Hi Marie, thank you for leaving us a comment. Yes from our experience it is safe. Just bear in mind that the place is quite remote into the inlands. It’s better to get different mobile carriers with you just in case one of the telco signal is off due to poor reception.
      If you’d like to chat further, you may reach me via email at onesteponefootprint@gmail.com =)

  2. Would be good to leave some contacts for bookings the huts. In case the place gets over booked during festive season.

    Thank you for such a nice info..

  3. Thank you, dude.

    I have not been to the waterfall. Didn’t even know it despite working in the area more than 6 months. But that was 2006 or earlier. Was in Yum and midway to Kuala Mu, unfortunately not at Kuala Mu.

    From Kuala Mu junction, it used to be at least an hour 4WD to Kg.Yum & you got to have mud tires or you never get there. Put up in Kg.Yum for weeks in a little house closest to the river. Brushed teeth and bathed in it some morning but not every; damn cold.

    Want to go back and enjoy this place and the waterfall too.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here