Kenyir Lake of Malaysia has long been on my travel list. When there were a few free days during the Chinese New Year, we finally seized the moment and embarked on our long-awaited journey to Kenyir Lake.
Some basic information about Kenyir Lake
Nestled in the state of Terengganu, Kenyir Lake is a breathtaking marvel and the largest man-made lake with many small islands in Southeast Asia. It is a large lake as big as Singapore!
To fully experience the lake's many attractions, you can hop on a speedboat with Pengkalan Gawi Jetty as the main gateway to this stunning destination. Due to its secluded setting, the nearest towns—Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Berang—are a bit of a journey away. Still, the trip is well worth it for those seeking a peaceful escape into nature's embrace.
It took us a day to reach from Kuala Lumpur
We spent three wonderfully relaxing days at Kenyir Lake, giving us plenty of time to soak in the beauty and explore the lake. However, getting there was no small feat—the road trip from Kuala Lumpur was a grueling eight-hour journey. We made several stops at rest areas (R&R) to stretch our legs and recharge, including a final pitstop in Kuala Berang, the last town, before reaching Tasik Kenyir. The drive took longer than expected due to heavy holiday traffic during the festive season, but the serene escape that awaited us made every minute of the trip worthwhile.
Places of Interest We Visited
We visited almost all the popular attractions at Kenyir Lake, with one notable exception: the Kelah Sanctuary, where thousands of fish surround visitors in the water. Unfortunately, our trip in January fell outside the peak season, so fish were scarce during our visit.
1. Melunak Trail
Melunak Trail is one of the most scenic trails I've ever hiked! It is deep inside the Taman Negara (National Park), which took us more than an hour of boat ride to reach. The trail is a perfect blend of babbling streams, rocky pathways, and massive boulders along the trail. It meanders through the area behind Bewah Cave, with its towering trees lining both sides.
The trail offers moderate difficulty, similar to the trek to Sungai Kooii Waterfall at Royal Belum Rainforest we had been to, and the scenery feels strikingly familiar—lush, wild, and utterly captivating. But the real gem of this hike lies at the end, where we saw Malaysia’s largest Melunak tree. If we ventured further, we would enter the untouched primary forests with no designated trail.
2. Bewah Cave
We entered the cave through the top entrance, but our boatman told us another entrance was hidden underwater. The cave isn't huge, but stepping inside felt like entering another world—pitch black and eerily quiet. We relied entirely on torches and headlamps to navigate, which made our exploration feel even more adventurous. However, the photos we took inside weren't clear due to the darkness.
There were some gigantic keladi leaves we stumbled upon at the entrance—it was massive! Look at the photos below and compare their size with our faces!
3. Lansir Waterfall
Our final stop for the day was Air Terjun Lansir. It is just next to the edge of the lake. So our boatman can secure his boat to a large rock jutting out of the water. To reach the waterfall, we carefully navigated over a series of large rocks, adding some adventure to the journey.
Lansir Waterfall is a true hidden gem tucked away in the heart of lush tropical rainforests. We saw many tourists there enjoying a refreshing dip.
We found a spacious shallow pool at the base of the falls, a popular spot for locals to swim and cool off. We walked further up to get closer to the waterfall cascading down with roaring power. There is a smaller waterfall merged into the main flow on the left.
As we walked up further, there was a hanging bridge. The trail beyond the hanging bridge was not well-maintained, and the slippery terrain required extra caution. So we decide not to go beyond that.
4. Taman Herba
On the second day, we first visited the Heba Garden. This fascinating garden showcases Malaysia's rich tradition of medicinal plants.
We saw well-known herbs like Tongkat Ali, Kacip Fatimah, and Aloe Star. They are clearly labeled, and a small wooden board is placed before each plant.
A small hut inside the garden offers a few bottles of herbal tea brewed from common plants for sampling. The tea is prepared using the traditional method of boiling over charcoal.
While we're not particularly passionate about delving into herbal medicine, the Herba Garden is an excellent place for anyone curious to understand Malaysia's traditional herbs. It's a simple yet enriching stop that adds a unique touch to the journey.
5. Soak Waterfall
After visiting the herbal garden, we headed to Saok Waterfall. Our boat stopped at the lakeside, where a short hiking trail, around 500 meters long, leads to the waterfall. The trail was quiet, with only a handful of visitors, and we only met another visitor who arrived at the waterfall that morning.
The water flow was breathtaking, with multiple cascades tumbling down in a mesmerizing display. I captured the waterfall with my drone and snapped a few photographs. We sat on the rock for a while, listening to the soothing sound of rushing water. It was a perfect escape into nature's embrace.
6. Kenyir Elephant Conservation Village (KECV)
A visit to Kenyir Elephant Village is an unforgettable experience, as we had the rare chance to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures.
We visited the conservation center in the afternoon and were pleasantly surprised to see a large crowd despite its remote location. The entry fee was RM25 for Malaysian adults, but we were lucky to receive a discount, paying only RM15 at the senior citizen rate.
One of the highlights was the section of hanging bridges, where a few elephants roamed freely, munching on the lush greenery below. At the end of the 600-meter bridge, we arrived at the area to ride and feed the elephants. We bought a tub of sugar cane for RM5 to feed them, and they were incredibly gentle and well-behaved.
The highlight of our trip was the elephant bathing session. The rangers brought them and slowly entered into the water. They slowly submerged themself, some only with the trunk poking above the water.
It was the perfect way to wrap up today's adventure!
7. Places that we missed
One of the highlights of visiting Kenyir Lake is the chance to experience the Kelah Fish Sanctuary. Unfortunately, we didn't see this time because the fish weren't in season during our trip.
Other include bird park, butterfly park, and orchid park, but we have seen all these before at other places, so we decided to give it a miss.
Not everything is perfect at Kenyir Lake!
So far, so good—Kenyir Lake has been nothing short of amazing, and we've shared all the highlights that make it a must-visit destination. But, as with any trip, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Before you pack your bags and head out, you should note three important things to ensure a satisfactory and enjoyable trip.
1. Accommodation
Limited hotels and resorts
It's true—accommodations around Kenyir Lake might not meet everyone's expectations, especially if you're hoping for a five-star experience. The area has limited options, and during my search, I only found three hotels and resorts near the jetty: Hotel Ketengah, Danga Cikgu Rumah Rakit, and Lake Kenyir Resort. After weighing my options, I decided to book Hotel Ketengah, as it was the closest to the jetty.
Since I stayed at Hotel Ketengah, I can't provide much insight into the other two. However, this hotel has one significant advantage: its location. It's just a 10 to 15-minute walk from the jetty or a mere one-minute drive if you have a car. This makes it incredibly convenient for hopping on a boat to explore the lake's many attractions.
That said, the hotel is quite basic. There's no restaurant on-site, and the rooms are simple, but with the essentials like an attached bathroom and air conditioning. If you're okay with no-frills accommodations, then Hotel Ketengah is a solid choice. Just don't expect luxury—this place is all about practicality and convenience.
Stay at the house boat.
If traveling with a larger group, renting a house boat is the best way to experience Kenyir Lake. Imagine staying overnight on a boat, drifting deep into the heart of the lake, surrounded by nothing but water and nature—it's an adventure like no other. However, this option works best for groups of at least 10 people, as the house boats are rented out to groups rather than individuals. This makes it ideal for family gatherings, company retreats, or group outings.
When it comes to meals, you have plenty of flexibility. You can either bring your food to cook, purchase raw ingredients, and ask their cook to prepare meals for you or let the boat owner handle everything.
2. Food
If you're not staying on a house boat, one of the biggest challenges at Kenyir Lake is figuring out your meals. Most restaurants here are open-air, roadside setups without air conditioning, and many close as early as 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. As shown in the photos below, we only found this one that stayed open at night during our visit.
This made dinner a hassle, especially since our hotel didn't offer dinner options. One evening, we drove 10 to 15 minutes to find a place to eat, and on another night, we went to Kuala Berang—about 40 minutes away—to enjoy a decent meal of fried chicken at Famous Fried Chicken.
Another challenge is the lack of food options once you leave the jetty and venture deeper into the lake. No stores or eateries are on the water, so you must pack your lunch and bring enough drinking water for the day. During our trip, we prepared our lunches with the help of the hotel staff on the first day and asked our boatman to pack rice for us on the second day.
A helpful tip is to bring self-heating instant food packs that only require cold water. This food pack is perfect, and you can get it from Lazada. The photos below show what we used during our trip, which worked well!
3. Hire a boat
Getting around the lake is a breeze if you stay in a house boat. However, since we opted for a hotel stay, we had to arrange for a boatman to take us around. Before our trip, we got a recommendation from our hotel and hired a boatman for one and a half days. We traveled in a speedboat that could accommodate up to six people, though we had to pay for the entire boat even though there were only two of us.
Our boatman was fantastic. He navigated the lake and acted as our guide, taking us to all the key spots and even joining us on the hiking trails we explored. The total cost was about RM1000 for the day and a half, though prices can vary depending on the season and availability. While it might seem steep, having a private boat and guide made the experience seamless and truly memorable.
So, is Kenyir Lake Worth the Trip?
So, that's everything I can share about Kenyir Lake! Without a doubt, it's a stunning destination, offering untouched natural beauty, lush forests, and serene lake views. This is the perfect place if you love hiking, scenic landscapes, and tranquil environments. It's also an excellent spot for bringing people together—whether it's family, friends, or even company retreats—especially if you opt to stay in a house boat.
That said, if you prioritize luxurious accommodations or fuss over food options, you should reconsider. For me, the breathtaking scenery is more important than the hotel amenities. This trip was one of the most memorable, and I wouldn't hesitate to return.
If you're curious about life on a house boat, I've experienced something similar at Royal Belum Rainforest. Like Kenyir Lake, Belum's vast lake was formed decades ago by constructing dams for hydroelectric power. During that trip, we stayed in a house boat overnight and had karaoke at night! Please check out our blog post about our trip to Belum Rainforest Resort here.
🎞️ Watch the video I shot during our trip to Kenyir Lake
Please watch the video we made at Kenyir Lake by clicking the image below.
