I graduated with a degree in Anthropology, the holistic study of humans which is divided into 4 fields: Archeology, Biological Anthropology, Social Anthropology and Linguistic Anthropology. When I’m on the road, I love the fact that just a small piece of artifact that probably isn’t impressive to anyone else can make such a difference to me. So just imagine my excitement when we visited the Archaeological Heritage Site of the Lenggong Valley in Perak, Malaysia. Inscribed last June 30, 2012 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
at Kota Tampan, the earliest known site of human habitation
Blissfully nestled in the verdant Lenggong Valley, it is as one of the longest culture sequences in a single locality in the world. The Archaeological Heritage Site of the Lenggong Valley includes four archaeological sites straddling close to 2 million years, a proud sanctuary of semi-sedentary population from all stages of pre-history – Paleolithic, Neolithic and Metal Ages.
Since the archaeological excavations in the 80’s, varied artifacts have been found at several sites here and showcased in the gallery. Inside the Lenggong Archaeological Gallery, visitors can see up close the stone tools, copper elements and pottery dating back to Paleolithic period. There’s also an open air museum at the back of the gallery where massive prehistoric rocks are displayed. You may also climb the tower for a scenic view of the surroundings and the Perak River. Also worth checking is Kota Tampan, located 101 meters above sea level, an ancient yard for creating stone tools. Excavations here since 1938 recovered about 50,000 pieces of stone and pebble tools made by early human civilization.
But what makes this place extra special is the discovery of the iconic Perak Man (10,000 B.P), an almost complete Paleolithic human skeleton unearthed from a prehistoric cave burial at the Gua Gunung Runtuh cave site. The actual skeletons of the Perak Man though is currently displayed at the National Museum of Kuala Lumpur but will soon be transferred back to Lenggong Valley. The discovery of Perak Man is vital in understanding the prehistory of South Asia because it has provided a reconstruction of prehistoric lifestyle and burial ritual practices.
UNESCO LENGGONG VALLEY TOUR PACKAGES
Package 1: UNESCO Lenggong Valley Package
– min. of 40 pax.
– 2D/1N – 135 RM/pax
– 3D/2N – 195 PM/pax
– Inclusion:
* Visit to Cottage Industries Factory
* Visit to Lenggong Valley Archaelogical Gallery
* Deer Farm and ChenderohLake
* Accommodation at KG Beng Homestay: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Contact info:
Arbtco Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
Tel: 04-5755634 Fax: 04-5759634
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
Package 2: Cycling Package
– Package A: Cycling to the Heritage Site Lenggong Valley
– 690RM/pax for 3D2N, min. of 2 pax
Inclusion:
* Visit to LenggongValley Archaeological Gallery
* Agro – Tourism Orchard
* Accommodation: 1N stay each at KG Beng Homestay/Lenggong Rest House
* Licensed tourist guide
* Entrance fees
* Transfer in & out
* Bicycle usage for 1 day around Lenggong
* Travel Insurance
* 2x breakfast, 1x Lunch
– Package B: 2D/1N Eco-Tourism Cycling to Lenggong Heritage Site
– 570RM/pax for 2D/1N, min. of 2 pax
Inclusion:
* Visit to LenggongValley Archaeological Gallery
* Cottage Industry, fish or shrimp cage, deer farm and LenggongTown
* Kekabu Waterfall
* Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
* 1 Night stay
* Licensed tourist guide
* Entrance fees
* Transfer in & out
* Bicycle usage for 1 day around Lenggong
* Travel Insurance
Contact info:
Aidil Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd.
Tel: 05-2543244 Fax: 05-2545266
www.aidiltours.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Package 3: 3D/2N Discover UNESCO Lenggong Valley
– 510 RM/ pax, min. of 20 pax
Inclusion:
* 2 nights accommodation
* AC 40 seater coach
* Return boat ride to and from KG Beng Homestay
* English / Malay Licensed Tourist Guide
* 2x Breakfast, 3x Lunch, 2x Dinner
* Visit to LenggongValley Archaeological Gallery
* Visit to Royal Town of Kuala Kangsar
* Activities at KG Beng Homestay
Contact info:
Leisure & Incentive Tours Sdn. Bhd
Tel: 03 – 22603667/4667 fax: 03-22605667
FOR MORE TOUR PACKAGES, CONTACT
Tourism Malaysia Perak
No. 12 Medan Istana 2, Bandar Ipoh Raya, Perak
Tel: 605 255 9962 / 255 2772 Fax: 605 253 2194
E-mail: [email protected]
Lumut Tourist Information Center
Kompleks Pelancongan Lumut Waterfront, Jalan Titi Panjang, Perak
Tel: 605 683 4057 Fax: 605 683 8443
Email: [email protected]
Disclosure: This trip was made possible through Celebrating 1 Malaysia Truly Asia, an event organized by Gaya Travel Magazine and Tourism Malaysia in celebration of Visit Malaysia Year 2014.