Gopeng is a small town about 2 hours north of Kuala Lumpur by car or 30 minutes south of Ipoh. This area of Western Malaysia has a lot of limestone mountains. Due to the limestone cliffs, the riverbed, and the forests, Gopeng recently has become known as the adventurers’ destinations of Peninsular Malaysia.
Adventures from these adventure tours are more expensive, touristy, and usually done in groups, we will start with the Gopeng attractions that can be self-guided and for less cost and then talk about the adventure options in the area that are tour based.
Besides the adventures available in the Gopeng area, you can keep the adventure going by camping.
Gopeng Attractions You Can Do Yourself
Gua Tempurung
Info
Gua Tempurung is a limestone cave located about 15 minutes south of Gopeng. This cave is famous and a popular attraction as it boasts the largest limestone cave on the peninsular Malaysia. It is about 1.9 kilometers long and stands 578 meters tall at its highest point.
The cave has been formed by a river flow, and the river still flows through the cave. To enter the cave, you must go into a small opening with the river rushing out the mouth of the cave. Once inside the cave you follow along a carefully constructed path so you do not disturb the natural rock formations.
Signs point out that some of the rock formations resemble sheep, tiger, crocodile, duck, and even a cat’s face. Personally I didn’t notice the rocks looked much like the animals, but the formations were very cool nonetheless.
During April through June a bat colony comes into the cave. We have not been in the cave during this time, but you can clearly see evidence of the colony all the time. Yes, there are guano piles in the cave which amount to a good sensory experience.
As you walk further into the cave you will experience different types of rock formations, and it is fun to see the changes as you walk deeper into the cave.
Should you go?
You should go to Gua Tempurung as it is an easy attraction to get to. From Gopeng it is a 15 minute drive south. If you start from Ipoh city it will only take about 45 minutes to get there, and from Kuala Lumpur it will take slightly over 2 hours to get to the cave.
Being the largest limestone cave in peninsular Malaysia means that it is really an epic cave to explore. There are 4 different levels or sections to the cave. Level 1 and 2 are self guided and are easy for all ages, if you can do stairs. Level 3 and 3 require a guide and will be discussed in the guided tour section below.
The first two levels are spectacular with many different types of formations to look at and see. The cavern itself gets massive within these two levels and it is really special to be in such a large underground space. You could easily build an entire condominium inside with room to spare.
The pathway you follow into the cave is easy to follow and reasonably lit. They have lights along the path to help you see, and the formations they want you to notice are lit up so you can see them. There are a few places where you need to duck to get through, and the walk from Level 1 to Level 2 has a lot of stairs.
At the entrance to the cave there is a souvenir shop and a little convenience store where you can buy stuff and snacks. There is also a small playground and pond to walk around that offer nice views of the jungle.
Price
The pricing for Gua Tempurung is a bit complicated as it depends on how far into the cave you wish to go and whether you are a Malaysian resident or not.
Level 1: (Self-guided)
Adult: RM 40 (foreign)
Child: RM20 (foreign)
Adult: RM 12 (Malay resident)
Child: RM 6 (Malay resident)
Child 3 and under is FREE
Level 2: (Self-guided)
Adult: RM 50 (foreign)
Child: RM 25 (foreign)
Adult: RM 16 (Malay resident)
Child: RM 8 (Malay resident)
Child 3 and under is FREE
Level 3 and 4 will be discussed below in the guided tour section.
Kellie’s Castle
Info:
Kellie’s Castle is a historical building in Malaysia in the Gopeng Perak area. It was built by a man named William Kellie Smith. He was an entrepreneur from Scotland and moved to Malaysia in 1890.
He had construction on his castle begin in 1910, and it includes over 4 floors and 10 different unique rooms. It was worked on until 1926, but was never finished. It has an elaborate wine cellar, bedrooms with escape tunnels, what they believed was going to be a photography dark room, and an open shaft going from the top floor to the bottom floor. Keep reading to find out what the shaft was for and why the castle was never finished.
Should you go?
Kellie’s Castle is located conveniently off Highway A8 just south of Ipoh and only a 15 minute drive from Gopeng. If you are into historical sites and interested in learning about the British influence on Malaysia and how colonialism affected the region, Kellie’s Castle is a fantastic place to visit. There are plenty of signs about the family scattered throughout the grounds, and the historical significance of William Kellie Smith in the area is clearly documented. It is also fascinating to see the architectural style mixing India, Malaysia, and Europe.
A stop to see Kellie’s Castle can simply be a quick detour on your way to and from the Gopeng/Ipoh area and Kuala Lumpur. A few members of our family were not interested in wandering the castle as they were tired so they decided to stay in the car and read books while the rest ran into the castle to explore.
There were enough rooms in the castle to spend lots of time exploring and doing photoshoots, but it is also small enough that a quick run through is more than enough if you aren’t keen on elaborate photoshoots.
Our kids especially loved finding a long shaft going from the top floor to the bottom floor. William Kellie Smith had built it to house the elevator for the castle, and they loved learning that it would have been the first elevator built in Malaysia had he been able to return with it to Malaysia. Unfortunately, he never made it back to Malaysia as he got sick and died while in Portugal on his way to acquire it.
Price
Parking: RM 5
Malaysian Adult: RM 8
Malaysian Children: RM6
Foreign Adult: RM15
Foreign Children: RM 12
9:30-6:00 pm Every Day
Bukit Batu Putih Trail
Info:
Bukit Batu Putih (White Rock Trail) is a hike up to a viewpoint. As the name suggests the viewpoint is at the topmost part of the trail where there is a large white rock. The view at the top overlooks a bend in the river down below. If you look closely, you can see multiple resorts and campgrounds dotted along the riverbanks. You can also see rafters as they go by if you look closely. The hike is uphill all the way to the viewpoint and has an elevation gain slightly over 200 meters.
The hike takes approximately one hour at a moderate leisurely pace. If you hike up to the rock it is slightly over 1 kilometer to get to the top, so an up and back hike would be slightly over 2 kilometers. The trail also offers a loop where you can continue on from the white rock and loop around and return by a different route. The second part of the hike turns from a simple hike into a less maintained trail. The trail turns into following trees marked with plastic tied around the trunks and is a wonderful trekking through the jungle without a path. It is a 4-kilometer loop with the final kilometer following the riverbank for an easy cooldown along the road.
Should you go?
Bukit Batu Putih is a great hike to go on because it is a rather simple hike uphill to a really nice view. If there is rain the hike could become much more difficult. The price being RM 5 per person is reasonable for the experience you get. This is a popular and well known hike. If there are not a lot of other people on the hike it would be worth going on; however, if there is a bus there the experience might not be worth it.
Price:
RM 5 per person, children and adults the same. The parking area is rather small and the payment is managed either before you hike or once you return, depending on when the guy manning the table is there. The payment system did not seem official. It felt more like handing money over to a local guy chilling by the side of the road, but other local Malaysians were also paying him to go on the hike. So, I guess the system works.
Gahuru Tea Valley
Info
Gahuru Tea Valley is a holistic farm that started in 1992. The organization is also known as HOGA which is a shortened version of HOlistic GAhuru. Gahuru, more commonly known as Agarwood, is a tree that is used for many reasons due to the scent of the wood. As the name suggests, Gahuru Tea Valley focuses its efforts on making it into their version of tea. From 1992 onwards the organization has been expanding and planting more and more trees creating a large farm that is set up for tourists to come and visit.
They have a nice visitor’s center at the front of their property where you can purchase tickets to take their shuttle bus tour. You have to take the shuttle bus to see the farm, but you can walk through the visitors centers, gift shop, and their restaurant. The restaurant offers various foods, all of which use Agarwood. Most notable is the ice cream. Agarwood has a very distinct flavor. Our family taste tested several different foods and had fun discussing what we liked and did not like that was made with agarwood.
If you choose to take the shuttle tour, see prices below, the shuttle bus goes every 15 minutes. There are 3 stops along the tour. Station 3, Lovers Park and Waterfall, you will see a famous tree and a waterfall. Station 2, Hugging Park, is just as it sounds. A place set up so you can hug the trees. Station 1, Viewing Stage and Hilltop Cafe, offers good views and another cafe to have a cup of their tea or coffee and have their ice-cream.
Should you go?
Gahuru Tea Valley is another popular tourist spot on our list of Gopeng attractions. In our travels around Asia, we have seen how popular these herbal tours can be. If your family enjoys learning about natural products this may be a good place for you to visit. After a short time our family realized that we would prefer to spend our time doing more active activities.
The cafe and area where you enter, and before you pay, offers some cute photography spots if you enjoy nice pictures. If you are passing by the area and are looking for a nice stop, the location is not far off the road, making it an ideal place to stop and have a meal or snack. There is ample parking.
Price
Adult: RM 13
Child (Below 12): RM 8
Kid (Below 3): Free
Gopeng Attractions that Need a Guide
White Water Rafting
Info
When it comes to Gopeng attractions, white water rafting is by far the most popular and well known. All adventure camps offer this option as one of their activities. White water rafting is taken seriously and you will be instructed on proper techniques and safety before you go.
Should you go?
There is an age limit of 10 when it comes to white water rafting, so if you are traveling as a family that is something to consider. As water can be dangerous, having the ability to swim and be comfortable in the water is a must. Although, you will be provided a life jacket and helmet to wear while rafting, which you need to keep on for safety.
Price
Each adventure camp will have different prices, check with your chosen location for exact price.
Expect prices around RM 125 per person. There is often a minimum number of people allowed. Such as 5 people minimum.
ATV
Info
ATV driving is another popular Gopeng attraction. If you want to go on an ATV ride know that transportation to the place where you will go ATVing is provided. There are options for riding a single rider ATV or a double rider ATV.
Should you go?
If you enjoy the power and thrill of riding an ATV through rough terrain, then going on an ATV ride is a perfect thing you should do. It is a good way to see the jungles while getting an adrenaline rush.
Price
Each adventure camp will have different prices, check with your chosen location for exact price.
Expect prices around RM 150 per person. There is often a minimum number of people allowed. Such as 5 people minimum.
Cave Exploring
Info
Gua Tempurung cave offers more than self-guided walks along paths. For the more adventurous who wish to get off the path and get wet, you can continue past Level 1 and Level 2 into the ‘guided’ area. When you get to the end of Level 2 there are no more lights, and a staircase descends down. You will be required to bring a flightlight and headlamp to continue on as you bring your own light into the darkness. Both levels require a guide to take you along, and they will require basic spelunking skills like going under low passageways while crawling through the water.
You can just show up to the Gua Tempurung cave and sign up to go on one of the expeditions, but they recommend you book in advance as they will pair you with whoever else is there wanting to go on the tour at the time. If you cannot book ahead then you do need to get there early in the morning to secure a spot. They require at least ten people for the Level 3 and five people for the Level 4 tour. If you book through any one of the adventure parks throughout the area they will make sure the arrangements are made for you. If you choose to book directly with Gua Tempurung it will cost less
It is also notable that if you choose to go cave exploring, there and do it through an adventure company, some of them offer cave exploration in other caves that you cannot access without a tour, such as Gua Kandu.
Should you go?
This Gopeng attraction is one that you should not miss if you are an adrenaline junkie. It is also one you should not miss if you want to get over your fear and try something new and different. If the tropical heat is getting to you, getting a chance to slosh around in a cool cave river will be a welcome relief too!
It is to note that there is an age limit to going on these adventures as they do not allow young children to come along for safety reasons. So, if you have little ones along this may not be the adventure you are looking for. Stick with Level 1 and Level 2 of this cave. These levels still offer a cool relief from the tropical heat and amazing views of the largest limestone caves.
Price
Level 3:
Adult: RM 60 (foreign)
Child: RM 40 (foreign)
Adult: RM 30 (Malay resident)
Child: RM 20 (Malay resident)
Children under 10 are not allowed
Level 4:
Adult: RM 70 (foreign)
Child: RM 45 (foreign)
Adult: RM 40 (Malay resident)
Child: RM 25 (Malay resident)
Children under 12 are not allowed
Final Impressions on Gopeng
If you enjoy adventure and pairing it with education, then it is worth checking out Nomad Adventure. They offer adventures in Gopeng, but they also have programs throughout Malaysia that are worth taking looking into. A few other notable companies that offer tours through Gopeng are Ventrex, Murni Camp, and Kandu Adventure.
Overall our family enjoyed our time in Gopeng doing these attractions. We chose to go tent camping along the river. You can read about our experience camping. Here are a few adventure tour companies you can check out. You can see their rates and requirements to find what works best for you and your family.