Destination: Malaysia

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Peak & Jungle Challenge

Malaysia's wealth of national parks provides many challenges for the adventurous traveller. Top of the list is Taman Negara, the country's showcase national park; there are excellent trails and waterways to explore and good facilities. From inside the park you can climb Gunung Tahan, Peninsular Malaysia's highest peak; this would be a nine-day trip.

Also on the peninsula are the Kenong Rimba and Endau-Rompin national parks - both much less touristy than Taman Negara. Endau-Rompin has Malaysia's largest surviving population of Sumatran rhinos, although don't count on spotting these elusive beasts. To experience all three parks and do them justice, allow at least four days.

Malaysian Borneo has 16 national parks to choose from, including marine reserves and the rarefied heights of Mt Kinabalu; you'll need to set aside three days to reach this summit. In Gunung Mulu National Park allow four days to tramp the Headhunters' Trail and climb to the jagged Pinnacles. A day is sufficient for Niah National Park with its interesting giant caves. Give yourself two days in Bako National Park to hunt out exotic flora and fauna, including the rare proboscis monkeys, and to enjoy walks along the rugged, sand- and mangrove-fringed coastline.