I never knew that I could climb mountains; literally climb mountains until I visited Gua Damai Extreme Park. If you are my friend on Facebook or Instagram, you’d probably noticed my updates where I attempted rock climbing a couple of weeks ago along with my friends from Tourism Malaysia Selangor.
Now, while I like to try new things and loves to travel alot, extreme sports is not exactly my forte and I steer away from them as far as I could. I’ll be honest with you. I prefer art and culture stuff over extreme sports, thank you very much, but Gua Damai simply beckons me to make acquaintance with it.
So, where is this Gua Damai Extreme Park? Gua Damai Extreme Park is surprisingly located somewhere near the well famed Batu Caves and is a rock climbing heaven.
Gua Damai extreme Park boasts of over 70 over climbing routes which is a place that still less known among the locals although it is internationally known among extreme sports enthusiasts. The spacious climbing area has spotlight for night climbing, ample parking area, toilet and children playground. It is basically a place for the whole family to chill outdoor.
Gua Damai. If you look closely, there is a cave in this huge chunk of rock. Apart from being a family friendly attraction, Gua Damai Extreme Park is also the first and only place in Malaysia where base jumpers can jump at the height of 316 feet from the peak of Gua Damai.
To accomodate base jumping, a special platform is built for the professional base jumpers. And guess what? We were quite lucky. Upon arrival of our visit, we were told there were base jumping activity going on, and I practically had my heart in my mouth watching that.
Here’s a base jumper jumping from the top of Gua Damai.
Perfect landing
Base jumpers. I don’t know what went over me. It must have been the adrenaline rush or something. I actually approached them and asked if they could do tandem base jumping ; you know, carry me along when they jump, but unfortunately for me, they lacked proper equipment to do so. According to the base jumper, if I want to do tandem base jump with them, they would have to customize the rope and the clips accordingly to my weight, which wasn’t exactly possible at the moment since I was terribly underweight and their equipments obviously is to accommodate people with normal weight. 🙁 But yes. If you are wondering if tandem base jumping is possible, the answer is yes. But you would need to inform them and make appointments beforehand.
For a coward who steer away from extreme sport, I was sorely disappointed, and I sulked for a little bit before heading to the rock climbing area after the base jumping performance.
Gua Damai Extreme Park staff, checking the ropes and getting things ready for rock climbing session.
Part of the equipments needed for rock climbing and abseiling; helmet, shoes, harness, clips and gloves.
The staff, preparing the ropes for rock climbing and abseiling.
Well, girl can’t get tandem base jump, so might as well do the next best thing, which is rock climbing and abseiling. Let me tell you something. I know nothing about rock climbing. I never tried it before in my life, not even those indoor ones in themepark, but I decided to try it nevertheless after giving it a thorough thought. There’s always a first time in everything, and one can’t just stay in their comfort zone, right?
That’s me. Trying to get a grip on the rock.
A little bit at a time. I do look like I was kissing the rock, don’t I?
Getting a grip
Climbing, with the dexterity of a snail. 😛
Seriously, it wasn’t as easy as it looks, and halfway through to the top, I felt like giving up. I kept calling out to my instructor, saying “I can’t do it!”, “There is no more climbing point, “, and “It’s too difficult,”. Thinking back, I’m really ashamed that said all the negative things to demoralize myself despite the fact that I’m a firm believer in the Law of Attraction.
But I was really blessed. My instructor had faith in me and did not give up on me when I nearly gave up on myself. He yelled encouragingly at me when I nearly cried, telling me that I can do it, and that there’s loads of climbing points for me to grip on, and he kept reminding me that I was nearly there on top of the cave, and I was glad that I listened to him.
I managed. Yes. I managed to reach the top although halfway through I didn’t think it was possible. 🙂 To say that I was ecstatic was an understatement, and to hear my son happily cheer for me from the ground as if I was a superhero was an indescribable feeling. Then, it suddenly occurred to me that I could practically climb mountains with the right push and motivation. The short rock climbing session was perhaps just a shot of adrenaline to most, but to me, it was quite a slap in the face. I come to a realization that I lacked people who will push me into the right direction in my life. I always wanted to do a lot of things in life. Achieve things and challenge myself, but I lack people who inspire me to do things that I want, and lack of people in my circle who will motivate me to be a better person, and perhaps, it is time for me to make some changes in my life instead of just being comfortable going nowhere.
The rock climbing session was not merely a physical thing, but a spiritual enlightenment to me. I’m truly glad that I did try and accomplish it against all odds.
If you haven’t try rock climbing or abseiling, I highly recommend for you and your kids to try it. Yes. They do cater rockclimbing for children too. Forget those indoor themepark rock climbing spots. Get your hands on the real thing here at Gua Damai Extreme Park.
Here’s the package for your reference:
Basic Rock Climbing
Price: RM160 (1 day course)
Module:
-Knowing the equipment
-Tying the knots
-Rules of belaying
-Safety of fundamentals
-Communication
-Basic climbing (top rope)
*Package caters to groups of more than 12 persons with packed lunch, full usage of climbing equipment and experienced guides
Fun climbing
Price: RM70
Duration: 1/2 a day trip
(morning or afternoon session)
Time: 9.30am- 1pm/ 2pm-5pm
*Accept walk in
Fun abseiling
Price: RM60
Duration: 1/2 a day trip
(morning or afternoon session)
Time: 9.30am- 1pm/ 2pm-5pm
*min 6 persons
Fun climbing & abseiling
Price: RM100
Duration: 1 day trip
(morning or afternoon session)
Time: 9.30am- 1pm/ 2pm-5pm
Caters to groups of more than 12 persons , includes packed meals, full usage of climbing equipment and experienced guides.
Gua Damai Exploration package:
Price: RM130
Duration: 1 day trip
-Spot traditional herbs while trekking
-Educational caving
-Glide 250m zip line
-Abseiling
-Spelunking
*Cater to a groups of 12 persons, includes packed meals, full usage of climbing equipment, experienced guides.
Getting there can be quite tricky if you are not local, though. But below is a guide on how you can get there:
Getting there:
Via KTMB commuter: stops at Batu Caves station and take a taxi to Kg Melayu Wira Damai.
Via Rapidkl: stops at Pniggiran Batu Caves and walks briskly for 20 minutes to the destination.
Via Car: accessible via Jln Kuching or MRR2 from Kepong or from Hulu Kelang. Duke Highway heading for Gombak would take you to Sri Gombak. Once on the flyover of Sri Gombak, drive straight on Lebuh Utama Sri Gombak until you reach Taman Gombak Permai. Turn left into Jalan Gombak Permai 2 and via Jalan Gombak Permai 3 where there will be an open field that welcomes you into the view of gua Damai.
Address:
Sri Subramaniam Temple,
Jalan Zamrud,
Kampung Melayu Wira Damai,
68100 Selangor.
Contact:
Wira Adventure Consultant
No 3-2, Jalan PGN 1A/1,
Pinggiran Batu Caves,
68100 Batu Caves, Selangor
[email protected]
Mustapha: 012-4812005
wow fun adventure exploring there, should check out soon. Haven’t been there before.
Yup. You should check it out. Really fun!
Congrats for making it to the top. It looks adventurous. Would love to try it out with my Little Angels.
Hahaha. Thank you Jane. 🙂
I didnt know theres climbing activities at Batu Caves. This is very new to me 😀 TIME FOR A TRIP TO BATU CAVES!
Oh…not exactly Batu Caves but at a nearby cave, Gua Damai.
Adrenaline rush! For me la… I can never climb… My greatest enemy “stairs”…. So no-no to climbing up anywhere unless terpaksa… But Great job! I would be crying on my way Up lolx…
I didn’t know what’s gotten into me. But I sure glad I tried. Hahahaas
OMG this is not easy to climb up if you don’t have a good body. Like me must go for training before climb. It’s time to start training and go climb
Actually…I’m underweight. And locks stamina. I think it is just mind over matter…to climb up, I mean.
So scary…I got fear of height so can only watch from afar
Hahaha. It was really fun for me.
Wow this place is awesome!! But I am not going to try climb up because lazy to move lol hahaha btw thanks for sharing I will forward this to my friends who love adventurous
Yes. It is awesome.
I’ve never done any kind of climbing before. Doubt I have the strength in my arms to do so. haha! and why are you kissing the rock? xD
Not exactly the arm. To climb up, you need more strength on your legs to push your body up.
It’s gonna be very challenging! Not easy but definitely a great experience if I can try at least once 😛
Yesssss. Must try at least once!
ur anak got climb not. You have a great fun if i there jantung sudah jatuh
Anak? He want too. I tarak kasi. Hahahaaaa.
I attempted Gua Damai before and only managed half the height. I’ll just blame it on my shoes. LOL
Lol. I nearly put a blame on the shoes too. Trust me. But I managed. Somehow. Hahahaha
Climbing looks so adventurous and you need lot of stamina to do it. I wish to try this one day.
Actually you don’t need much stamina for it.
Batu caves looks nice and surely climbing looks so adventurous. I wish to try it soon sometime.
Yes. You should. 😉
I saw some of my friends did it, including you. It looks lasak, given a chance I would love to try also. Thanks for the information.
Call me if u wanna go. We go panjat together. Lol
This place looks exciting! I love the activities! I must go here!
Give me a holler if u wanna go. Let’s do it together. 🙂
wow, a really challenging activities! You done a great job as other ppl may not dare to climb. But nowadays KL is cover with haze, better to decrease outdoor activities! Have fun!
I didn’t really dare to climb up at first actually. But I really wanted to try it.
OMG, i’m so proud of you. Congratulations on reaching the top.
I’ve been through a similar situation, sad to say I gave up. 🙁 .. not an outdoor person.
Awwww. Well…I nearly gave up myself. Lol. Luckily I managed tho. Else god knows if they need go climb up to fetch me down. Lol
OMG that’s you Ellie climbing the rock, I don’t think I have the stamina to do so 😉
Actually you don’t really need the stamina. Just ‘clever’ hands and legs. Lol
Wow! This is interesting, a real rock climbing at cave in Ipoh. Awesome and I wanna join it soon
Actually Sienny, the cave is in Selangor. Huuuhuuu
Wow! This is interesting, a real rock climbing at cave in Ipoh. Awesome and I wanna join it soon
It is in Selangor, dear. Huuhuuu
you so brave, i think i might be too afraid of extreme sports. maybe could try those indoor ones first?
To be honest, the mad made indoor ones is scarier than the natural one. The natural ones got better gripping points, actually.
That’s strange.. my comp seems cannot see the photos. Must be my PC hardware problem. 🙁 Anyway, glad to know that you’re a travel blogger 😀 I love traveling and also being to Batu Cave. But I’m not brave enough to do rock climbing lol! So, thumbs up for you!!
Hahahaa. Thank you. 🙂
So adventurous!~ It’s been a long time, since I really step into batu caves…
Come…let’s make a trip there together.
You are adventurous dear. Lovely place. Should make a journey there. 😉
Yes, you should, dear.