Location : Kampung Jantan, Lundu, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Guest written by Mr Jay Blakeney.

High above the agricultural plains that extend from Gunung Gading in the north to the Indonesian Border at Kpg Biawak in the south– lie the 1,600 m high Gunung Rumput (Berumput Ranges; from which flow jungle rivers (Sg Pueh, Sg Sebako, Sg Jangkar, etc., that provide water to nearby Bidayuh Jagoi kampungs, drive turbines of SESCO’s Minihydro stations & provide adventure recreation opportunities for residents of the Sarawak’s 1st Division (Kuching, Bau, Lundu, Sematan, etc).

Jangkar’s 1st Falls – 1 hour walk from Kpg Jantan – Jalan Biawak
Jangkar’s 1st Falls – 1 hour walk from Kpg Jantan – Jalan Biawak

Kampung Jantan is a focus of attention with it’s newly formed guiding cooperative under the able leadership of Ben (tel. 014 899 9158) & his neighbours Azizi  & Kapit, who (for a modest fee), will provide visitors with: secure parking, change/shower rooms & guiding to the falls, cooking delicious meals (pansuh chicken, etc.) and entertain visitors with spectacular aerial jumps into the clear, cool pools below the falls.

The 1st & highest of Jangkar’s 23 waterfalls is a 30+ m giant – highest in Western Sarawak—an easy 1 hr trek from Kampung Jantan. (check out Jangkar waterfall here)

For those with more energy & an adventurous spirit there are another 22 waterfalls upstream of the 1st waterfall.  We have only been to the first 8 of these falls (see below)…..leaving another 15 waterfalls to conquer…!UpperJangkar02The 2nd waterfall is reached by climbing up through the jungle to the left (east) of the 1st Falls to a lovely natural infinity pool-just below the 2nd falls (which also has a nice clear cool water pool at its base).

Infinity pool at top of 1st falls (base of 2nd falls).
Infinity pool at top of 1st falls (base of 2nd falls).
Falls No 2 with it’s elongated “lap pool” at its base.
Falls No 2 with it’s elongated “lap pool” at its base.

From here you can view the Plains & Gunung Gading & trek up a jungle path to Sesco pipeline trail by climbing up through jungle to left (east) of 2nd falls, pipeline trail leads to Sesco weir and the curtain 3rd waterfall and a nice green coloured pool below it.

Here “jungle trekking” ends & “canyoning” begins–walking up stream bed with inter-visible waterfalls continuing for about 1 km to  7th falls (start of Jangkar’s “Mid Levels” falls # 7 to # 11) which continue for another kilometer to huge land slide coming down east side of Jangkar Canyon.

Sesco pipeline trail (to weir & 3rd falls).
Sesco pipeline trail (to weir & 3rd falls).
3rd falls @ Sesco weir with beautiful green swimming pool below.
3rd falls @ Sesco weir with beautiful green swimming pool below.
Green water pool at base of Jangkar falls # 3.
Green water pool at base of Jangkar falls # 3.

A short distance walking above 4th falls lie 5th falls – an impressive wide cascade plummeting down into a deep green pool.

4th waterfall, cascades down narrow crack in granite riverbed.
4th waterfall, cascades down narrow crack in granite riverbed.
5th waterfall & deep swimming pool.
5th waterfall & deep swimming pool.
Between 6th & 7th falls.
Between 6th & 7th falls.

Climbing up to the left alongside the 5th falls, one is treated to a distant view of the towering granite rock face of Jangkar’s 6th falls, framed by exotic fern palm trees clinging to Jangkar’s rugged steep river banks.

6th waterfall – little water during the dry season (July 2011).
6th waterfall – little water during the dry season (July 2011).
6th waterfall – massive granite rock face – looks impassable at first view.
6th waterfall – massive granite rock face – looks impassable at first view.

There is a nice forested campsite below the 6th falls (safely above high water in case of a flash flood)…and trees to hang a hammock an over-hanging rock to shelter from rain and cool clear coloured rock pools  for a cool refreshing baths, before climbing through jungle (on the left) to reach the upper levels falls 7, 8, etc. further up Jangkar canyon.

Multi colored rock pools at base of 6th falls (next to campsite).
Multi colored rock pools at base of 6th falls (next to campsite).
Campsite at base of 6th falls – good base for exploring upper levels.
Campsite at base of 6th falls – good base for exploring upper levels.

The canyon between the 6th and 7th waterfalls has many small curtain waterfalls leading to level 7 waterfall and it’s deep swimming pool.

Climbing up Jangkar’s “white water” canyon between 6th & 7th waterfalls.
Climbing up Jangkar’s “white water” canyon between 6th & 7th waterfalls.
Cooling off in one of many small “curtain” waterfalls between 6th & 7th waterfalls.
Cooling off in one of many small “curtain” waterfalls between 6th & 7th waterfalls.
Bombastic Borneo’s Mei Er & Sim C.K. enjoying a refreshing break in Canyon.
Bombastic Borneo’s Mei Er & Sim C.K. enjoying a refreshing break in Canyon.

Arriving at the 7th waterfall – one can swim across the pool at the base of the falls, then climb up to the right through thick jungle, and follow the river bed up to 8th falls @ 550 meters above sea level.

7th falls through trees & vines.
7th falls through trees & vines.
Idyllic 7th waterfall – with it’s deep pool & unusual red rocks. From 7th falls one trek right of falls then up the stream bed to 8th falls.
Idyllic 7th waterfall – with it’s deep pool & unusual red rocks. From 7th falls one trek right of falls then up the stream bed to 8th falls.
Jan's cell phone took this shot ! - of the two of us at level 8 falls..
Jan’s cell phone took this shot ! – of the two of us at level 8 falls..
8th waterfall – in landas double falls, in dry season only right fall is impressive.
8th waterfall – in landas double falls, in dry season only right fall is impressive.

From here one continues up to 9th & 10th Falls – before reaching a huge landslide on the left, through which passes Jangkar’s longest & highest falls – the majestic 11th falls at the base of huge land slide (photo below).

9th to 15th falls-note 11th falls Jangkar’s longest @ base of big land slide.
9th to 15th falls-note 11th falls Jangkar’s longest @ base of big land slide.

From the 11th falls which is 1,000 m above sea level, one continues on up another 12 falls to the  23rd waterfall, beyond which the Jangkar river continues on up to the 1,600 m high summit of the Berumput ranges… (Check out Upper Sebako here)

There is another river system “Sejingan Besar” that flows south from the Berumput ranges into West Kalimantan, with more falls (like Riam Berasap below)….which “Old Timer’s Trekkers” plan to visit in near future, when Biawak road is improved & Biawak Border crossing is open for travellers!

Riam Berasap Falls, Sejingan Besar, Sambas, Kalimantan Barat.
Riam Berasap Falls, Sejingan Besar, Sambas, Kalimantan Barat.

To see more photos, please click our facebook page as below,

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11 COMMENTS

  2. Bombastic Borneo has really done a service to all of Sarawak in publicizing these wonderful remote places and raising consciousness of S’wak’s natural heritage….for all to enjoy…..Government should take note of these SPECIAL SITES now and set them aside as CONSERVATION RESERVES – to be kept in their natural state…free from Logging, Development etc. so that they can continue to provide unique “tourism resources” to support & expand S’wak’s growing tourism sector…Sesco which operates mini hydro electric generating stations in this area should take the lead on ensuring the conservation of Jangkar, Sebako and other watershed areas of the Berumbut mountain ranges..for the enjoyment of future generations of Sarawakians and visiting tourists.

    • Thank you so much Jay for understanding what we are trying to do here. But just the few of us guys aren’t enough to shoulder this voluntary effort. We hope more guest writers like you can come in and help not only from S’wak but all corners of Borneo. Readers out there, if you have anything interesting on tourism or anything other than ‘politics’ you are most welcome to participate in this website or FB fan page by emailing to us at sim@bombasticborneo.com.

      • Mr. Sim & Captain Jay >>> what a wonderful combination of skills and determination. Congratulations to both of you and your teams in all the work you have done in creating awareness to friends of what is available in Sarawak / Borneo Island. My wife Vicky and I have trekked with Jay numerous times a couple of years ago, therefore, we have a great appreciation drooling over the photos that you all have taken over the past several months. We hope to join you early in the new year. Cheers and enjoy your paradise. >>> James

        • Thanks James for the formality & generosity. We try as much as possible to share in the best way we can from our ‘work’ but not w/o fun though. And as long as those tired knees allow. We look forward to meet you for the first time and perhaps do some treks together.

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