Nature Discovery Trip
Overview
The Nature Discovery Trip is an extended nature tour conducted by Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS). It is designed to provide participants a more in-depth experience with nature. The 2D1N programme includes the one-day Turtle & Fireflies Discovery Trip plus a beach cleanup and trash analysis activity the next morning. The 3D2N programme includes the 2D1N programme plus a river cruise and mangrove planting session.
Our Nature Discovery Trips are suitable for families with children aged between 5 and 12 years old, as well as high school, college and university student groups. Our activities can also be customised according to your age group and preferred activities.
If you prefer a shorter trip, check out our Turtle & Fireflies Discovery Trip.
Guided Tours
Our tours are guided by interns and volunteers who are rigorously trained to ensure that you get the most out of the trips. You have questions about turtles, fireflies and mangroves? Bring ’em on!
Community Work
Participants who sign up for the 3D2N Nature Discovery Trip will also experience multiple hands-on activities designed to expose them to some “back end” elements of a conservation project.
River Cruise
Our river cruises are extremely educational. Who would have thought that a somewhat small river tucked between mangroves would be home to many wildlife including snakes, bats, otters, monitor lizards and crabs? There are probably more that we haven’t discovered!
Mangrove Planting
Our programmes are also designed to ensure the participants get to contribute to Mother Nature as well. If your new year’s resolution is to plant a tree, come join us!
Itinerary
The itinerary for the 2D1N programme is as follows:
Day 1
Time | Activity |
|---|---|
2:00pm
| Arrive at the TCS River Terrapin Conservation Centre. Briefing on the critically endangered river terrapins and the conservation project carried out in the local community. Hands-on activities e.g. clean terrapin ponds, weeding, etc. (optional) |
4:15pm
| Refreshment
|
4:45pm
| Proceed to the riverbank for terrapin release. Terrapin adoption is optional
|
5:15pm | Proceed to Cherating for dinner |
6:00pm | Dinner |
7:30pm | Briefing on fireflies |
8:00pm | Fireflies-watching tour in the Cherating River |
9:00pm | Return from the river. Programme ends |
Day 2
Time | Activity |
|---|---|
8:00am | Proceed to the beach for a beach clean-up activity. Briefing on plastic consumption and marine debris. Split participants into smaller groups for beach clean-up. Trash analysis. |
10:00am | Picnic by the beach |
11:00am | Return to the hotel. Check out |
Each trip includes:
- A guided tour at each destination by our trained guides
- Photo opportunities
- Refreshments, Dinner
- Release of a river terrapin or a sea turtle hatchling
- Fireflies watching tour in the Cherating River
- Gloves, trash bags, trash analysis sheets
- A token donation to TCS
Each trip excludes:
- Accommodation in Cherating/ Kemaman
- Transportation to Cherating/ Kemaman
Note: While care is taken to ensure a smooth programme, we may need to make some changes to the itinerary if the weather is not favourable.
The itinerary for the 3D2N programme is as follows:
Day 1
Time | Activity |
|---|---|
2:00pm | Arrive at the TCS River Terrapin Conservation Centre. Briefing on the critically endangered river terrapins and the conservation project carried out in the local community. Hands-on activities e.g. clean terrapin ponds, weeding, etc. (optional) |
4:15pm | Refreshments |
4:45pm | Proceed to the riverbank for terrapin release. Terrapin adoption is optional |
5:15pm | Proceed to Cherating for dinner |
6:00pm | Dinner |
7:30pm | Briefing on fireflies |
8:00pm | Fireflies-watching tour in the Cherating River |
9:00pm | Return from the river. Programme ends |
Day 2
Time | Activity |
|---|---|
8:30am | Proceed to ecoCare Kerteh for a day of mangrove activities. Please bring along a change of clothes, cap/hat, sunblock, water, medications (if any) |
10:00am | Arrive at the ecoCare Centre. A short introduction to the green concept of the facilities (e.g. rainwater is harvested for flushing toilets, etc.). |
10:30am | A briefing on the different species of mangroves, the uses of the mangrove trees, and other interesting local ecological knowledge (approx. 1-hour) |
12:00noon | Lunch at the ecoCare cafeteria. Prayers/Rest |
2:00pm | Mangrove seeding (potting) and planting. These activities are dependent on the tides and are subject to change |
4:30pm | Refreshments. Prayers/Rest |
5:00pm | Return to Chukai. Dinner |
Day 3
Time | Activity |
|---|---|
8:00am | Proceed to the beach for a beach clean-up activity. Briefing on plastic consumption and marine debris. Split participants into smaller groups for beach clean-up. Trash analysis |
10:00am | Picnic by the beach |
11:00am | Return to the hotel. Check out |
Each trip includes:
- A guided tour at each destination by our trained guides
- Photo opportunities
- Refreshments, Lunch, Dinner
- Release of a river terrapin or a sea turtle hatchling
- Fireflies watching tour in the Cherating River
- Wellington boots for mangrove-related activities
- Gloves, trash bags, trash analysis sheets
- A token donation to TCS
Each trip excludes:
- Accommodation in Cherating/ Kemaman
- Transportation to Cherating/ Kemaman
Note: While care is taken to ensure a smooth programme, we may need to make some changes to the itinerary if the weather is not favourable.
Rates
Group Size // Rates
2 – 4 pax // RM420 per pax
5 – 9 pax // RM285 per pax
10 and more // RM260 per pax
Group Size // Rates
2 – 4 pax // RM720 per pax
5 – 9 pax // RM495 per pax
10 and more // RM457 per pax
Add-ons (optional)
- Terrapin adoption - RM35/terrapin
- Release sea turtles - RM35/pax (June to September only)
FAQ
Testimonials
THANK YOU to Pelf and the team from the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia!
The presentations that you shared with the Year 6 students were insightful and pitched perfectly. They were engaging and interactive. You were able to answer their questions and linked their recent experiences to your talk perfectly!
“Nature Club” also found your guidance invaluable – we have now changed the way we feed and care for our terrapins and tortoises! We would love to have you back again! Thank you!
We highly recommend the Turtle Discovery Trip. We loved it! Thanks to Dr. Chen and her intern Tyng Tyng, their explanations were clear and in detail, we learned to protect this critically endangered species better.
Now my cheeky daughter could explain to me the differences between sea and freshwater turtles :)
Once again, thanks to TCS!
Pelf, you set the standard for educational tours, both informative and fun. Engaging too. Keep it up! Wish you every success!
Book Trip
OUR NATURE TRIPS WILL RESUME IN MARCH 2022. PLEASE STAY TUNED!
If you would like to join our Nature Discovery Trip, please register your interest by filling up the following form. We will send you an email shortly to confirm the availability of your preferred date.