What we’re about
Go take a HIKE!
I grew up in the beautiful wooded hills of Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur till my teens. Somehow, 35 years later, I found myself once again living next to the lush 160 acres wooded forests of Gasing Hills.
Gasing Hills, is a beginner friendly hike site for anyone who seeks to venture into hiking and I have been hiking there with my two children since 35 years ago. Kids grew up enjoying the wildlife, forests and flora. We bonded together with nature just as how I bonded growing up at & my Historical Heritage Hike is a personal journey of my life & my most popular FREE Hike.
14 years ago, in search of a healthy quasi-retirement hobby, I began hiking every weekend. However, hiking alone was boring and so I formed a group “Happy Hikers’. A few like-minded outdoor-loving folks joined and we began small hikes at Gasing Hills. Soon the group grew bigger, now 3000!
Our eager bunch of hikers, consisting of both Malaysians and foreigners soon got bored of the same tracks and ventured out further outside the Klang Valley and climbed dozens LOCAL mountains; first was Nuang which stands at 1,493 meters above sea level, followed by Datuk, Bukit Tabur, Pine Tree, Ledang, Rajah, Bunga Buah, Kinabalu, Repin, Kutu, Galla, Irau, Berembun, Hitam, Raka, Brinchang, Jasar, Broga and many other mountains not once anymore but over 13 years, several times each year!.
Hiking become a family affair, my supportive wife (now EX) has been with me on the adventures and on her 55th Birthday, she summitted Mt Kilimanjaro. I was leading 45 Climbers at Mt, Halasan Jeju Korea 0n my 60th Birthday! Both my children, who are now working adults in the 30's are ardent hikers too.
I am proud to say that Happy Hikers have had great adventures, more than a 1,500, amongst them, Mt Pulag in Manila Thrice (many times, Mt Kinabalu, Gunung Agung, Bali, Gunung Ranjani, ( five times) Pangkubang Perahu (twice), Doi Pui, Doi Sutep (Chiangmai-Twice), Mt Fansipan, Vietnam, Mt Fuji, Japan (8 times) Mt Homan, Mt Takao ( a dozen times) , Mt Apo, Philippines, Shiva Puri (Nepal), Hampta Pass (thrice), India, Tibet-Kailashm, Pulchowki, Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, (7 times) & Everest Base Camp which I did 6 times, going 5th!
I also have had hikes all over Europe. Having done many climbs till 6,000 meters, my sights on now on peaks above 7,200 meters in 2023. I never imagined that at retirement age of 63! (Now 666 years old) I could attempt and succeed at such feats.
Hiking builds confidence and self-esteem, which leads to managing issues, business or personal life an easy breeze. My group members are healthier, fitter, feeling better and are full of enthusiasm and confidence. Together we have made a difference in several hundreds of us, on health, friendships, self-esteem & personal growth.
Our hikes are Sundays, Saturdays and Wednesdays, usually lasting for a duration of three to six hours and we organize one or two major hike up a mountain twice a month & overseas every month. I found the morning hikes to be really beneficial. We hardly have any temptations to skip the mornings as opposed to the evening, we may be tired or stressed. In the mornings the mind is fresh and open for any exercise hikes which are technically, walking and climbing that requires no special skills!
What is it in for me? A great start to the day, less stress, better sleep, weight loss, overall muscular strength, increase in brain power, raises good cholesterol HDL levels in blood, lowers LDL or bad cholesterol levels, makes back pain or any pain disappear, boosts immune system, strengthens joints and better sexual health.
Only pain I feel on my local climbs and hikes, I loathe the wanton destruction of nature for development, agriculture and timber. I wonder in generations to come the beauty that we now enjoy would ever exist at the pace the jungle environment is mowed down.
Happy hikers contribute to nature by organizing annual jungle clean up, we have done SEVEN, 8th is soon. Happy Hikers is an Enterprise now, Happy Hikers Kuala Lumpur & being in Government Regulations has since morphed into Lifetime Adventures Holidays SDN BHD, a licensed Travel Agency!
As we all age, I would like to say, embrace the great outdoors, it’s FREE! Only if you hike or simply exercise Any ailments can be kept at bay and one will feel wonderful and years younger; I find that amongst all my holidays, when a nature hike is thrown in, it makes all the positive difference in life, work, family and most importantly health. Go take a HIKE!
Ganesan S Pillay
019 228 6666 or 012 203 8889
Founder & Lead Hike Captain
Happy Hikers Kuala Lumpur
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Asia's TOP! Mt Kinabalu, 5 days 4 Nights, 1 spot Available!Needs location
Mt Kinabalu-22-26 January 2025 Group Chat
Mt Kinabalu is one of the highest mountain in South East Asia. It’s a craggy, tectonic plateau, technically part of the Bornean Crocker Range, and looms over the surrounding Sabah jungle like something out of Lord Of The Rings**.**
### So, let’s start with the mountain.
Kinabalu is a World Heritage Site, and you’ll pass through several habitats and ecosystems on the way up: steamy Sabah rainforest, Montane grasslands, desolate rock-scrapes and the famous alpine meadows. Keep your eyes peeled too – there are 5,000 types of plants, 326 different birds and over 100 mammal species on the mountain.
Only 135 climbers are allowed on the mountain each day, so it does tend to book up early. For peak season travel, we recommend locking in your spot at least six months in advance.### What sort of stuff should I pack?
That’s your basics covered. But Mt Kinabalu will require some specialist trekking gear, along with all the common sense stuff (sunscreen, sunglasses, cap etc.). Here’s a few other things you might need.- A small backpack for your jacket, drink bottle, snacks etc.
- A waterproof jacket. It rains on Kinabalu. A lot. Pack a light-weight rain jacket and some waterproof bags for your gear.
- A head torch. For the morning summit hike (which starts in pitch darkness). You can pick these up easily in Kota Kinabalu.
- Water bottles. For obvious reasons. Pick a sustainable, re-useable drink bottle.
- Yummy snacks. Any good trail mix, chocolate or sugary treat will do.
- Good hiking boots. Make sure you get a pair that support your ankles, and wear them in at least two months before the trip.
- Thick hiking socks. Dry socks will be your best friend. Pack 3-4 pairs.
- Earplugs. Accommodation on the mountain is dorm-style. That means snoring.
- Shorts. At least for the first day, when you’re trekking through muggy rainforests. Bring pants for the summit climb.
- Money. You won’t need much, but it’s good for tipping porters and buying food.
- Waterproof gloves. These will keep your digits warm, but they’re also handy for the Via Ferrata.
- Layers. The big one. Pack some thermal skivvies, light jumpers and a jacket. Layer up or down, depending on temperature.
Borneo sits in the middle of a swirling tropical vortex, so it’s always raining somewhere. Really bad weather can sometimes close the Kinabalu summit The temperatures are mild, the skies are (mostly) clear, and you’ve got a better chance of seeing that marmalade sunrise. Best months are generally March and April, although June to September can be fine too (it just gets very hot).### Do I need to be fit?
You’ll need a certain base level of fitness: there are many, many, many steps on Mt Kinabalu, not to mention slippery, rain-soaked rocks, uneven terrain and high altitudes (which make breathing tricky). The mountain climb takes two days. On the first day you’ll climb about 6 kilometers worth of steps, up through the lowland jungle, to around 11,000 feet above sea level. The second day is more technical: you’ll get up early and climb to the summit. This stretch is rocky and steep, about 15-20 degrees incline.
