By Andrew J. Pan
“The Little World of Big Adventures”, the tagline promised. But would the Lost World Of Tambun, located right smack in a jungle, live up to that promise and impress the experienced traveller?
Located about two hours from Kuala Lumpur and twenty minutes from Ipoh City, the drive into the small town of Tambun on a single-lane B-road was uneventful, to say the least. But all that changed once Sunway City Ipoh came into view.
Draped in lush greenery against a backdrop of towering limestone hills, this scene was far removed from the drab concrete jungle of the big city, and a truly welcome sight.
Once past the grand Aztec-like structure gracing the entrance, it will dawn on you that the three-day-two-night stay you booked, affords hardly enough time to soak in all the fascinating sights here, especially if you’re the kind who likes to linger and savour every experience.
Split into seven main areas, the park offers entertainment not just for kids but the young at heart as well.
Lost World Tiger Valley
Take the Lost World Tiger Valley for instance. The sight of Siberian Tigers prowling majestically in their spacious habitat is jaw-dropping, to say the least. Stay on till feeding time and you will be tickled silly by an animal show that precedes it involving the cutest ever raccoons and parrots performing amazing tricks. A brood of chickens and a golden raccoon gamely take part in the performance although their only talent is running around aimlessly looking absolutely adorable.
Next stop, Hippo Kingdom. Taking a flight of stairs to a specially built underground viewing room, visitors will come face to face with Juwita the hippo, mostly likely taking a glorious snooze in the cool waters.
Her neighbours, however, are not so relaxed, preferring to spend their days swimming to and fro in a massive pool. Although they are in an enclosure, it can be quite unnerving being less than a metre away from such potentially dangerous creatures.
Between Tiger Valley and The Lost World Petting Zoo, you will find the Porcupine Trail and Giraffe & Friends. Here’s your chance for some real “face time” with porcupines, capybaras, emus, and ostriches, as well as a pair of zebras and a giraffe.
Lost World Hot Springs & Spa
If you’re feeling fatigued from all that traipsing around the theme park, heading over to the Lost World Hot Springs & Spa is the best thing to do. Here, twelve different pools will soothe your tired muscles and put that spring back into your step.
You will love Crystal Falls, a 25-foot high hot springs waterfall surrounded by amethyst, topaz and sapphire. It is here that you can indulge in one of three Jacuzzi pools of varying temperatures. For the kids, there’s a pool with water slides. Sephira’s Twister slide meanwhile is meant not just for children but the child in all of us.
And just when you thought you’d seen it all, there’s Sephira’s Lair, Crystal Pool, the Foot Spa, a Steam Cave and the Top of the World Pool that sits at the base of the magnificent Geyser of Tambun that shoots hot springs water 12 metres into the air upon the hour.
After the sun sets, the Lost World Of Tambun is transformed into a magical Night Park, dotted with lanterns and softly lit trees.
The Flaming Percussion show led by DJ Rock, and a percussionist is another awe-inspiring experience you wouldn’t want to miss. Especially when the fire-eaters take centre stage and enthral you with their death-defying antics. Kids, don’t try this at home!
The Lost World Petting Zoo is arguably one of the most impressive around. Besides petting the animals there under the watchful eyes of trained animal handlers, there is an abundance of information about the very animals you are interacting with.
Other than the rabbits, ferrets and birds you can pet, dropping by at night when most of the Binturongs, Fennec foxes and porcupines are active, is an experience unto itself.
You’ll also get to see Ruby the Raccoon and friends performing amazing tricks at the petting zoo and Tiger Valley.
The Lost World Of Tambun is more than just a theme park. A hidden gem, this hideaway offers the experienced traveller, who has seen it all, the opportunity to still lose himself in the glorious beauty of nature and all that it has to offer.
* 10 TICKETS TO BE WON! Watch out for the next article to find out how to win tickets to the Lost World Of Tambun.