Day 1: Into the Wild – The Trans Engkilili Begins
When Ian and Fazi invited me to join a jungle expedition across five summits in Engkilili, I didn’t hesitate. We departed Kuching the day before, reaching Lubok Antu by nightfall. There, under the dim orange lights of a small town, we fueled up on local food and rest—knowing that the next three days would test our endurance, patience, and spirit.
Early the next morning, the sun was still shy behind the hills as a local 4WD rumbled us down a narrow gravel road, cutting through the lush mist-covered valleys. The journey to the trailhead was a prelude to the wilderness that lay ahead—raw, untamed, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Our packs, filled to the brim with food, gear, and hope, were shouldered with quiet determination. The trail started mild but quickly turned wild. Mud clung to our boots like glue, and the forest floor—slippery with damp leaves—demanded every ounce of balance. We trekked through thick vines, crossed collapsed trees, and at one point, scaled a narrow moss-covered rock wall, where one wrong step meant an intimate meeting with the forest floor.
Somewhere between Bukit Tangga Saran and Bukit Tiang Laju, we stumbled upon wild pitcher plants—nature’s quiet predators, dotting the jungle with their alien beauty. Further up, we spotted a patch of feathers—likely from a wild bird, a quiet reminder of how alive this forest truly was, even in its silence.
The midday sun filtered through the thick canopy as we ascended Bukit Perepau. We moved slowly but surely, pausing to admire strange fuzzy-leaved plants, ancient boundary markers, and even indulging in a lighthearted break with Kokko & May comics (hahaha, well actualy it was my kids who hide their comics into my backpack, so no wonder i felt extra heavy when carring my backpack) ... proof that humor and curiosity survive even in sweat-soaked backpacks.
The jungle offered no easy paths. At times we crawled, sometimes scrambled, and often paused just to catch our breath. But when we finally reached one of the ridgelines, the view made everything worth it—a sea of clouds gently hugging the green canopy below us, as if the forest itself was dreaming.
By nightfall, under a golden glow of torchlight, our tent stood quietly among towering trees. The jungle orchestra played in the dark—crickets, frogs, rustling leaves—all blending into a natural lullaby. Day 1 was done. Three peaks conquered. And our real adventure was only beginning.
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| Locked and loaded – our gear packed and ready for three intense days in the wild. |
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| Driving into the clouds – a surreal view greeted us en route to the trailhead. |
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| First steps into Engkilili’s raw jungle terrain – slippery, muddy, and full of surprises. |
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| Trekking through thick fallen trees and wild vines – every meter hard-earned. |
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| The forest reveals its secrets – a beautiful Nepenthes, nature’s insect trap |
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| A rare sight – dozens of wild pitcher plants thriving undisturbed in the highland mossy jungle |
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| One of the summit markers we reached – proof of altitude, grit, and sweat. |
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| Above the clouds – pausing to take it all in from Bukit Tiang Laju’s peak |
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| Vertical challenge – gripping roots and branches to scale our way upward. |
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| Jungle wonders – soft, velvety foliage unlike anything we’ve seen |
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| Bukit Tiang Laju 900m. A rare moment of clear ground – brief relief before more steep climbs |
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| Treading cautiously – a narrow ledge against a vertical mossy wall |
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| Forest mysteries – a dead bird, and only feathers remain. A quiet reminder of nature’s cycle |
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| In the thick of it – one foot in front of the other through dense undergrowth |
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| Jungle humor – even out here, a few laughs go a long way during rest stop. My kids hide their comics into my backpack, giving me some extra weight. |
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| Documenting the journey – capturing each other in action deep in the forest. |
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| Taking a break – rehydrating, regrouping, and preparing for the final push |
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| Camp for the night – warm light in the heart of a cold, quiet jungle |
Day 2 – Into the Heart of the Wild: Batu Burak to Bukit Buwaya and the Church of the Waterfall
After a damp and dreamy night under the thick forest canopy, I woke to the gentle hum of the jungle and the soft glow of our campsite lantern. My friends inflatable mat had kept them just high enough from the forest floor to avoid waking up in a puddle—a small but important win in jungle hiking.
As I unzipped my hammock, a heavenly scene unfolded before me. The early morning mist hung like silk between the trees, and golden beams of sunlight pierced through, spotlighting the dew-laced leaves and a series of intricate spider webs. I swear, it looked like the forest gods hired a lighting crew just for us.
Ian and Fazi stirred soon after, and we brewed our humble jungle breakfast. Hot Milo over a portable gas stove, steam rising as fast as our spirits. With our bellies warmed and boots laced up, we pushed forward—today was going to be a beast: Batu Burak (910m) and Bukit Buwaya (870m) were waiting.
The Beauty and the Bruises
The terrain didn’t ease us in gently. We scrambled up rock faces slick with moss and twisted vines, brushed past thorny shrubs, and crossed eerie forest plateaus, marked by old survey markers and forgotten border stones. Ian spotted a wild stick insect camouflaged against his hand, and I almost stepped on a curious giant mushroom that looked like it belonged in a Mario game (power-up, anyone?).
Halfway through, I noticed Ian's shoe had tragically betrayed him—there was a visible hole near the sole. “Air-conditioning,” he joked, trying to play it cool while avoiding every puddle like he was hopping lava tiles.
Fazi wasn’t spared either—her heel blister was the stuff of horror movies. And as for me, my right toe throbbed like it had a heartbeat of its own. Yet somehow, we kept climbing, laughing through the pain, pushing through the jungle symphony of buzzing bugs, rustling leaves, and distant bird calls.
Surprise Cave, Bats, and the Summit Marker Nap
At some point during a steep ascent, we stumbled upon a rocky overhang—inside, dozens of bats hung like living punctuation marks across the cave walls. We admired from a distance, not wanting to become part of the bat census.
Then came a moment I’ll never forget. After reaching a hill summit marker, I saw Ian collapsed onto the mossy ground, hugging the concrete like it was a long-lost friend. As for me, I felt that my soul temporarily left my body—caught somewhere between exhaustion and euphoria 🤣🤣🤣
Waterfalls, Drone Flights, and the Jungle Chapel
As the sun dipped toward the western ridge, we finally descended into the Kalimantan side of the forest. The reward? A thunderous, breathtaking mega waterfall, crashing down into a pristine jungle pool. It was as if the mountain saved its best secret for last.
Ian flew the drone to capture the full majesty of the fall from above. As I peeked at the drone screen, I saw the cascading waters slicing through the emerald canopy like a silver ribbon—this was wilderness cinematography at its finest.
Just beside the waterfall stood an abandoned wooden chapel, swallowed partially by vines and time. It was haunting and beautiful—half relic, half refuge. With night falling fast, we decided to camp there. Nothing beats the sound of a waterfall as your lullaby, except maybe knowing there's a roof over your tent flap.
Highlights of Day 2:
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Magical sunrise rays through jungle mist
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Batu Burak (910m) & Bukit Buwaya (870m) peaks conquered
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Stick insects, bats, strange mushrooms, and stunning border markers
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Ian’s holy shoes and Fazi’s blister saga
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Epic mega waterfall discovery at Kalimantan side
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Overnight stay at an abandoned jungle church
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| Morning camp scene – cooking breakfast over gas stove before the journey begins. |
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| The forest awakens – mist and soft light filtering through the trees. |
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| The golden sun rays piercing through the jungle canopy – nature's spotlight. |
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| Fazi heading deeper into the sunlit jungle with his red pack under the golden mist. |
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| A dew-laced spider web glistens in the morning sun – the art of nature. |
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| Border marker stone peeking from the forest floor, half-swallowed by the earth. |
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| Official GPS marker from Jabatan Ukur Malaysia – 2021 and still standing. |
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| Ian finds a perfectly camouflaged stick insect blending into her hand. |
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| Triangulation marker shelter – quiet witness to generations of explorers. |
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| Collecting water from the stream using Sawyer filtration system. |
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| Ian jockily collapses at the summit marker – the jungle nap of champions. |
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| Mossy rock cave along the trail – unexpected bat territory. |
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| Close-up: bats sleeping upside down inside the rocky overhang. |
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| A strange fuzzy-leaved plant with tiny white jungle blooms. |
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| Ian finds and examines a faded Indonesian flag deep in the forest. |
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| Towering rock wall with vibrant moss and purple blossoms overhead. |
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| Natural rock formation with strange crater-like |
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| Steep slope scramble – team crawling up jungle |
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| Fazi approaches another summit post, fatigue visible after long climb. |
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| A bizarre jungle mushroom with bumpy textures and alien-like cap. |
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| The same mushroom seen from below – straight out of a fantasy world. |
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| Mushroom-to-hand size comparison – nature flexing its scale. |
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| A rocky jungle stream flows peacefully through the forest. |
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| Wilson (Me) poses with waterfall backdrop – tired but still standing. |
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| The epic view from the top of the mega waterfall into Kalimantan. |
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| Drone controller displaying aerial footage of the waterfall. |
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| Rock-carved water pool above the falls – perfectly round and mysterious. |
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| Final jungle push in the twilight with headlamps glowing red. |
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| Arrival at the abandoned jungle church beside the waterfall – a surreal end to Day 2. |
Day 3: From Abandon Chapel to Holy Mountain Exit – The Final Push
After the madness of Day 2 — scaling Bukit Buwaya, hugging mossy border markers like long-lost friends, and discovering bats, bizarre mushrooms, and our sore toes — we spent the night at one of the most unexpected shelters imaginable: an abandoned chapel in the heart of the jungle, right next to a mega waterfall on the Kalimantan side. Yep, a literal house of God, wrapped in vines and mystery.
Jungle Sanctuary (with Holy Wind)
While Ian and Fazi made a nest on the floor with their sleeping mats, I chose to rock the night away in my hammock, swinging to the lullaby of jungle wind. The breeze was surprisingly strong and comforting. It felt like nature’s version of air conditioning — minus the temperature control, of course.
At dawn, I decided to explore the chapel's surroundings. I tiptoed toward the sealed door, half-expecting Indiana Jones music to start playing. There it was — written boldly on the wooden planks:
"Dalam Nama Yesus Jangan Masuk."
(In the name of Jesus, do not enter.)
I looked at the message.
I looked at the locked door.
I looked at the message again.
And then I whispered to myself: "Copy that, Jesus."
Respectfully, I backed away and let the chapel keep its secrets.
The Never-Ending Exit
We had a hearty breakfast — and by hearty, I mean we finished every single scrap of food we had. Not out of gluttony, but out of survival strategy: lighter bags, happier backs. Then we began what I now refer to as "The Great Endless Hike."
It was hours of steep ups, sliding downs, and knee-bending zigzags. Somewhere along the trail, I began to question reality. Were we in a hiking loop? Were we ascending another secret summit? Was Ian’s shoe hole growing larger with every step? (It probably was.)
We passed through magnificent old trees, alien-like fungi, and delicate jungle flowers, each one a reminder that even when you're exhausted, Borneo's rainforest always finds a way to impress.
Civilization at Last: Engkilili!
At long last — just as my legs began submitting resignation letters — we stepped into Engkilili, Sarawak. And guess what greeted us? Another chapel — but this time, a new one being built by the local villagers. From an abandoned church to a reborn one, talk about full circle.
We were welcomed with smiles, and after sharing stories, laughs, and taking a group photo with the locals, it finally hit us — the adventure was almost over. We made it back to the foothills village, reunited with our parked cars, and began the bumpy road back to Kuching.
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| My cozy jungle hammock setup — nature's version of a 5-star suite. |
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| Ian and Fazi’s sleeping mats — flat, firm, and with a chance of ants. |
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| The mysterious chapel door. Message received, I didn’t go in. |
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| The abandoned chapel, our unexpected shelter in the wilderness. |
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| ‘Dalam Nama Yesus Jangan Masuk’ — ok loud and clear! |
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| Chapel exterior detail: skull on the wall, just in case you needed more reasons not to enter. |
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| Inside the chapel’s old wood storage — no congregation, just planks. |
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| Overgrown but still standing — the full view of our jungle refuge. |
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| The view from behind the chapel: cloud forest in full glory. |
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| Sea of clouds rolling across the jungle canopy — absolutely surreal. |
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| Spotted a fiery orange fungus — huge, wild, and probably not edible. |
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| One last selfie with a jungle giant before heading |
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| Delicate jungle flower on the trail — soft contrast to sore feet. |
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| We arrived in Engkilili and saw this: locals building a new church! |
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| Warm welcome and conversations at the village church build site. |
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| Group photo with our new friends before continuing the final stretch. |
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| Finally reached the village house, the end of our hike. |
Reflections from the Front Seat
As we drove away, dirty, sore, and proud, I couldn’t help but reflect on the past three days:
Day 1: Hopeful and energetic.
Day 2: Pushed to the brink but rewarded by nature’s wonders.
Day 3: Humbled by the jungle’s silence and blessed by a safe return.
This journey was more than just kilometers covered or peaks conquered. It was a reminder that adventure begins when comfort ends, and that sometimes, the greatest discoveries happen when you’re sore, sweaty, and surrounded by friends (and fungi).
Thank you for reading, I will catch up with you again in my next adventure, till then be safe.
Cheers,
Wilson Chin
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