Seen as an adventure destination, Gopeng is a town just slightly south of Ipoh and a 2-hour drive north of Kuala Lumpur by car. Gopeng is located in the Perak State of Peninsular Malaysia. The town and surrounding districts used to be heavily mined for tin by both the Europeans and the Chinese, so there is a long and rich history in the area. Because of this, it has been attracting adventurers for long time. You can see remnants of the tin mining all over the area. The location, which was good for mining tin, has now become well known as the adventure area of Peninsular Malaysia. With many adventure parks popping up and boasting fun things to do such as ATV’s, tubing, white water rafting, caving, and hikes, the area offers a lot for the adventurer.
While most people go specifically for one or more of the activities that are offered, what they all require is accommodations in and around the area. This is why these adventure parks have been popping up in the area, to offer a wide range of accommodations from cabins to tenting. They provide the accommodations and offer packaged tours.
As a family we like to travel and adventure in places that are off the beaten path. In Malaysia, Gopeng has become a great place for our family to go, because it offers so much variety. We like to go camping as a family, and at Gopeng camping is a great option.
Gopeng Camping
When it comes to camping, there are different interpretations as to what camping is. Luckily, Gopeng offers options that cater to all sorts of taste. From the fancy to the rugged, Gopeng will be able to deliver. Most of the options available are in the form of adventure parks that are dotted along the riverfront. Each adventure park caters to a different style and clientele. What these adventure parks have in common is the wide array of fun activities that each have available to offer. Each one will have a different package and prices, so it is best to check with them ahead of time to see what exactly they offer and what fits your needs the best.
Gopeng Glamping
Glamping is like camping for the fancy. It gives you the glamour of being outdoors, while offering the comfort you might expect from a hotel. One popular option in the Gopeng area are prefabricated dome-like structures set up along the river at the different adventure parks. Some are right by the riverside for easy access to the river, while some are perched on hillsides and offer good views.
Himalaya Camp Malaysia is one such adventure park that offers these domed glamping tents, situated right next to a bend in the river. It also offers glamping directly next to the river with a private pool, glamping on the hillside, and some A-frame bungalows on the hillside overlooking the river. Himalaya Camp Malaysia even has a small grassy lot where you can pitch a tent. Himalaya Camp Malaysia does also have a few spots for a campervan, but it is just a parking spot with an electrical outlet available for use. It does not have water and plumbing hookups.
Gopeng Tenting
There are a few places that are good for tent camping. One is Murni Camp. Murni Camp is set up to take large groups. Murni Camp offers both dormitory style accommodations and tent camping. Along the riverfront, you will see tent camping sites set up on sand and gravel. The sand and gravel help
While not the most comfortable without sleeping pads, the soil drains away well from the sand and gravel in wet tropical conditions which is good if you are not keen to sleep in puddles. Tents are available for rent at Murni Camp if you do not have your own available. Along with that there is free drinking water, both cold and boiling, on site which is amazing when camping.
Another option that is tucked away is The Hideout. The Hideout offers only tent camping which is nice for those who like a less busy place. Another all tent camping location which is further up the river is Wave Raider Campsite. Another place is Rock Garden Camping Resort which is right along the river and offers cabins and tenting sites.
Gopeng Camping Costs
The prices of camping in Gopeng varies depending on the adventure park you choose to camp at. Some are fancier and therefore cost more, and some are cheaper and more rugged. Expect to pay somewhere in the range of 35MYR per night plus 10MYR per person a night. Some places charge a set rate per sight and will be around 70MYR per night. Overall, the lowish price of camping makes for an affordable and enjoyable adventure. The activities offered run a higher price, so if you plan to take part in the activities such as white water rafting and trekking, expect to pay a higher price. There are some treks and caves and caves available in the area that you can go and explore on your own without booking a trip through the adventure parks. These include the Batu Putih hike and the Gua Tempurung cave. Both have small entrance fees but are low cost compared to booking a tour.
Weather
If you are planning a campaign trip to Gopeng or the surrounding area, it is always a good idea to know a bit about the weather. The last thing you want is to be rained out when you go camping. Malaysia is located in the tropics so rain is unpredictable and can happen any time. Luckily there is a pattern, and knowing when the best times to go will ensure a higher chance of not getting rained out.
June through September are generally considered the ‘dry’ months with January through February coming as the secondary ‘not quite as dry but still dry’ months. These are the best months to go camping, with July being the best. October through December are the heavy rainy months with March through May being the lighter rainy month. These are the least recommended months to go camping, with November being the worst.
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Another thing to note about the weather in Malaysia is that the rain usually comes late afternoon. If it rains, it often rains between 3 and 5pm. If you are going to set up a tent at a campsite, make sure you are set up before the rain, or wait until after the rains to set up. The rains can come quickly and suddenly, and you don’t want to be caught with your tent halfway up when the skies open up. These are only guidelines, and the weather can be just as unpredictable in Malaysia as in anywhere else.
The sun sets between 7:00 and 7:30 year-round, so you will usually have time once the rain stops to set your tent up, but the ground will still be wet.
Temperatures in Gopeng are tropical and consistent year-round. Because there is a lot of forests and vegetation, the temperatures are milder than in urban areas. You should expect nighttime lows possibly down to 21C/70F with daytimes highs averaging around 31C/88F.