You do not see the orangutans, just book that tour, as I should have. I booked this tour on a Saturday, for a Monday. I finally contacted the tour operator Sunday late afternoon to ask for confirmation as all I'd had was the tripadvisor automatic confirmation. Never mentioned the orangutan foundation being "closed." Because it wasn't? Telling me the day before left time for me to do something about it right? Like message them? For them to tell me they've BEEN open? And REMAINED OPEN? Yeah...like I did after the operator left the poor driver to he the one to tell me. See, I had a fat tip set aside, but no one seemed interested in getting me what I was promised so... owner got abusive and blackmailing with me over WhatsApp when I asked for a partial refund. I'd like to say: as a solo ride, it was $190. I asked for an $80 refund because I missed The. Biggest. Attraction. Of Ipoh. Everyone asked after, oh did you see the monkeys? No. Owner offered me $60 refund with threats to take the money back if I wrote a negative review. You can't do that sir, and if you play, I'll contact my credit card company and you'll get nothing because they don't accept partial refund requests. You're lucky $60 is all you lost, but I'm leaving a review because I'm not stupid and I know my rights. Use the difference to tip your driver, he at least did his best to recover the disaster you created. My driver was good, dealt with traffic well, polite, made time for stops to Ipoh (the boss pitched a fit on the way back because of our convo and that negated that, as he ordered my driver to drop me off at my hotel as expeditiously as possible). I got the impression the poor driver will get beef from the boss, I hope not. To everyone else: believe the low reviews of the company. I read them and decided to give grace as they seemed to be more complaints about the airport than the company. I gave them a chance and yeah...I'll never use or recommend them. To the operator: just take the orangutans out of the description if you can't be bothered to fulfill the request. I have a screenshot of my conversation with the orangutan sanctuary, your driver insists you spoke with them that morning or some such. Also, don't make threats, you're doing your country a disservice in the travel industry because this is the experience I'm taking home with me. The operator will tell everyone he offered me "alternatives" but more random temples that I'm not told anything about or history is not a substitution for an animal sanctuary. So yeah...I didn't realize that that's what those other temples were, especially as one that WAS listed actually was closed when we got there. I was so confused and frustrated by the end of the day....anyway, yeah don't take this tour....I hope my driver finds better employment, he deserves better than what I witnessed. It was a mess.
The biggest highlight was Kellie's Castle, it was cool, got some neat pictures and I liked to hear the story behind it. The cave would've been more awesome if the power hadn't gone out while I was alone between platforms 4 and 5 after I paid to go to 5. I will say this as well: either just go to Ipoh and stay for a few days, or make arrangements to stay longer here, the fun and adventurous tour is 4 hrs and the park has a penchant for opening late. My self tour was supposed to be 1 hr (I was told 45 mins by driver) but I knew I could climb fast because I have a lot of hiking and cave experience, so I chose that one. Very beautiful, worth it to see.