The Headhunter's Trail

The Headhunter's Trail was going to be our way out of the park. The trail itself follows the route taken by Kayan headhunting parties who paddled up the Melinau River to Melinau Gorge. They then dragged their longboats through the forest for 3 km until they reached the banks of the Terikan River, where they launched headhunting raids against the people of the Limbang area.

From Camp 5 we followed the 11.3 km trail to Kuala Terikan, a 4-5 hour trek, that we managed to do in 3 1/2 hours.  We then travelled by longboat for about 3-4 hours downriver to Naga Medamit.

Leaving Camp 5

The grueling trek begins.  Up hill, both ways...ok...maybe not.

Here we go.  Ready to conquer horrible blisters and leeches in my shoe.  I only fell twice, got two leeches, that I know of, and only cried twice....only.

  Descriptions of this trek on other travel websites describe it as "easy."  No way was it easy.  Leeches, heat and humidity, tree roots, narrow paths, slippery planks, rocks...it was fairly difficult.  I heard a story about a woman who slipped on a plank and broke her ankle and had to be carried out by her guide.  I guess she was an "ample" woman as well.  No where for a helicopter to land...no easy way to be rescued.

I have no other pictures of the actual 11.3 kn trek.  It was hot, I was in pain, muddy, and leeched up.  

Crossing the monkey bridge.

On our way for 3 hours by boat to Naga Medamit.  I wrapped up my camera in my poncho in case it rained or we capsized.

Longhouses on the banks of the river.

And BOY did it rain!  We ended up in a huge downpour just at the end of the ride.