Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak

 

We went to Gua Tempurung over the long CNY holidays while heading to Felda Hot Springs after two nights in Ipoh, a place I had always wanted to go after my visit to Sung Sot Cave in Halong Bay, Vietnam.

 

The cave has five gigantic domes with ceilings resembling coconut shell (tempurung), hence its name Gua Tempurung. The five domes form the showcase galleries:

• Golden Flowstone Cavern : Standing at a height of 90 metres, Golden Flowstone describes the sloping and wavering floor and wall of the cave which has a golden hue when water flows over it.
• Gergasi (Giant) Cavern : It holds a huge column that looks like a space ship. Measuring about 15 metres high and 17 metres long, the column seems to hang precariously.
• Tin Mine Cavern : Here, you will see the remnants of mining activities in the old days.
• Alam (Universe) Cavern : Measuring more than 130 metres in width and towers 72 metres high, the cavern has a slender stalactite called Tongkat (Walking Stick or Cane).
• Fallen Warrior and Battlefield Cavern : See many amazing formations with one looking like fallen warrior in a battlefield.
      
  
   There are 4 tour packages to choose from: 
For a short tour, you have an option to choose either Tour 1 or Tour 2 under the Dry Catwalk Tour:  
Tour 1 (Dry Tour)
Golden Flowstone
(from entrance to Golden Flowstone at platform 3 and return)
 
• Tour 2 (Dry Tour)
  Top Of The World
   (from entrance to Top of the World at platform 5 and return)
   
  We chose the easiest and shortest tour, Tour 1 as we were already running late when we reached Gua Tempurung and we aimed to get checked-in to Felda Hot Springs before 4pm to hit the pools before they closed at 7pm.  Ok, I lied.  We are a bunch of lazy and unfit people so we chosed Tour 1 of the 4 packages offered. Ha!
   
  For Tour 3 & 4, be prepared to get wet as the return journey will be through the underground river. Whoo.. sounds so excited.  You can do more like going through the tunnels and getting wet and all but that's just not for us, at least not for now but I do harbour hope that one day we would attempt Tour 4 when our body and mind are fit to do that.. Yes, one day....
   
  
  Tour 3 (Wet Tour)
  Top of the World & Short River Adventure
  (a journey of about 2.4km from the entrance to Golden Flowstone, Top of the World and return through the underground river)
   
  Tour 4 (Wet Tour)

  Grand Tour

  (a complete journey of about 3.8km from the entrance to Golden Flowstone, Top of the World and to the end of the cave (East) and return through the underground river)
   
  

   Types of Tour offered and fees charged
   
  
   
  
  
  I "plucked" the above 2 pics from the internet.  My camera could never captured such amazing shots. The view was really breathtaking and it looked exactly in real life if not better. The beauty of nature is simply awesome!
   
   
  
  Route Map 
   
  
  On our way out.. there is a lake just opposite the entrance to the cave.
   
  It's a very beautiful and magnificient cave with walkway but climbing stairs up and down can be tiring, not to mention the weather is rather humid inside. There was no guide in sight so basically ours was a self guided tour, sort of. It could have been better it there was more signs done for self guided tour and certain areas could have been better maintained but overall it's ok and for such a low price, what more can you ask for, right?
   
  For the shortest trip you don't need to have a torch.  The father and son did bring one in though.  For wet tours - take clothes for change and shoes which are difficult to lose (we saw guides collecting things lost by visitors, including shoes).