Need a nature escape from the crowded streets of Kuala Lumpur? Just an hour and a half drive away from Malaysia’s bustling capital, Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya is an exclusive ecotourism resort hidden away in the old-growth tropical rainforests of Raub district in Pahang, Malaysia. Similar to The Sticks, an eco-resort I reviewed in Hulu Selangor, Tanah Aina is also a riverside jungle hideaway that provides an intimate venue for guests to commune with nature. Compared to the previous resort, however, Tanah Aina offers more upscale accommodations with well-furnished villas and dormitory-style rooms. I liked how the resort is committed to being an eco-friendly establishment down to encouraging guests to forgo using their own toiletries and use the biodegradable shampoo and shower gels provided.

Climbing a nearby hill rewards hikers with birdlife and views overlooking the surrounding rainforest.
Built by an entrepreneur with a passion for protecting the environment, Tanah Aina – which means Aina’s Land – is not only a sanctuary for city-dwellers seeking rest and recreation in the the middle of nature, but also for the very plants and animals living there. A boulder-strewn stream runs through the resort, offering a playground for endangered ikan kelah (mahseer), tree frogs and freshwater turtles. The thick vegetation attracts a variety of birdlife as well, which can be best spotted during guided morning walks to the top of a hill overlooking the resort and surrounding forests. The resort is tucked away in the last standing rainforest in Raub district, where forests are being cleared for plantations at an alarming rate.
No visit to this resort is complete without venturing into the surrounding rainforests. River trekking trails lead away from the resort deeper into the jungle, culminating in a series of waterfalls gushing into natural pools. A 17-foot high wooden platform called “Leap of Faith” challenges adventurous souls to jump into the biggest waterfall pool! After leaping, one can pull their way along a rope to the waterfall for a nice back massage under the gushing water. Besides jungle hiking, the resort also offers flying fox, jungle paintball, adventure race, team building activities, cooking lessons and organic farming.
Contact Details
Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya Ecotourism Resort
Address: 8 Jalan Tras, 27600 Raub, Pahang, Malaysia
Contact Numbers: +60 355121006, +60 166090493 (Ms. Juliet), +63 162159252 (Ms. Hannah), or +60 102265815 (Ms. Neni)
Email: booking@tanahaina.com
Location Map
This blog post was made possible through Pahang Eco Fam Trip, a media tour held last April 25 to 29, 2016. The event was organized by Tourism Malaysia.
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