Amazing Rafflesia (Gunung Gading National Park)

Itinerary

Gunung Gading National Park is located 100 km from Kuching and is home to the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia. This tour combines a visit to Gunung Gading with a trip to nearby Siar Beach for lunch and time to relax or have a swim.

0750-0810 hours pick up from your hotel in Kuching and drive to the small town of Lundu, arriving at the park HQ around 1000 hours. Begin the tour with a visit to the park interpretation centre to learn about the ecology of the Rafflesia flower.

If a flower is in bloom hike along one of the park trails (10-30 minutes) to the see the amazing Rafflesia. Along the way your guide will point out the host vines and the cabbage-like Rafflesia buds that litter the forest floor. After seeing the Rafflesia, return to the park HQ or hike to Waterfall No.1 (if time). Depart the park around 1300 hours and have lunch in a local coffee shop in Lundu. The proceed to Siar Beach for a swim.

If a flower is not in bloom, depart the interpretation centre and walk for about 30 minutes to Waterfall No. 1. This waterfall is located 600 metres from the park HQ and is accessed via the park’s main trekking trail which leads to the summit of Gunung Gading. Waterfall No.1 consists of a small waterfall and a number of rock pools where you can take a dip in the cool waters surrounded by the rainforest. After enjoying the rainforest setting walk back along the main trail for 10 minutes until you reach the Rafflesia Trail plankwalk. This passes through a hilly area of rainforest where Rafflesia flowers are often seen. The Rafflesia depends on a host vine – the tetrastigma. These vines and the brown Rafflesia buds can be seen along the plankwalk. Return to the park HQ and depart Gunung Gading around 1300 hours.

Have lunch in a local coffee shop in Lundu. After lunch return to Kuching, arriving around 1600 hours.

Please note the Rafflesia Flower only blooms occasionally. Sightings are not guaranteed.