Exploring Gua Tempurung Perak On The Dry Tour Number One

What Makes Gua Tempurung Cave So Special?

Gua Tempurung is special because it is 1.9 km long and 578 m high, making it the largest and most magnificent limestone cave in Peninsular Malaysia. It is concealed within limestone hills and is an intricate system of five massive caverns, the most impressive being the Golden Flowstone Cavern, which has a golden shine to its walls.

The other four caverns are:

• Gergasi (Giant) Cavern (15-metre high column as a centrepiece)
• Tin Mine Cavern (with remnants of mining shovels)
• Alam (Universe) Cavern (reaching a height of over 70 metres)
• Battlefield Cavern (with stalactites and rocks)

Each cavern has unique formations of stalagmites and stalactites. The caverns also have different temperatures, water levels, and limestone and marble content depending on their position in the cave.

It is a popular tourist attraction in Perak for adventurers and those interested in geology due to its age of over 400 million years. The showcave also has a history of being used as a hideout during the communist war; etchings on the walls and rusty shovel heads are evidence of human activity in Gua Tempurung.

Getting To Gua Tempurung

Address: Pusat Pelancongan Gua Tempurung, 31600 Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia

Gua Tempurung is located in Gopeng, Perak. It can be reached from the North-South Expressway by exiting through the Gopeng interchange (about 25km south of Ipoh). If you're driving to Gua Tempurung, there is parking available. From Ipoh, it is a 30-minute drive.

Which Showcave Tour Should You Pick?

If you want to take a quick peek inside Gua Tempurung Cave, the shortest tour is called the "Number 1 Tour." It will take you to the third viewing platform, where you will be met with a no-entry sign indicating it's time to turn back. If you want to go on to the fourth and fifth viewing platforms, you will need a 'Number 2' tour. These are both dry tours.

Pre-book the wet cave potholing tours, as they are very popular with those seeking a river adventure. Come prepared with a head torch, as they are not provided. However, we did see a lady selling them from her stall in the car park. Also, wear gloves and shoes with a good grip, as the caverns become wet and slimy the deeper you go.

Cave tours commence at 9:00 a.m. The last admittance for the wet tours is 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for the dry tours.

Get there when it opens!! We arrived before the cashiers had even pulled up the blinds at the entrance counter, and it was full of people.

Luckily for us, most people were there for the water caving adventure tour, known as 'potholing' or 'spelunking' in the UK and USA, and were being kitted out in helmets and wetsuits.

We quickly got in line for our tickets as we wanted to be one of the first inside the cave. Don't waste time once you arrive, or you might end up at the back of a long queue.

Is it dark in Gua Tempurung cave?

Gua Tempurung Cave is not dark inside. Each cavern on the number one tour is well-lit, making it relatively easy to navigate the walkways. The lighting also illuminates the natural patterns and beauty of the rock formations. I believe the caverns further on are not lit and are a lot harder to navigate.

Do I need to be fit to climb the stairs in Gua Tempurung?

If I'm honest, it won't suit everyone. There are a lot of metal stairs to climb, and some can be pretty slippery, so you need to be sure-footed. We found climbing the stairs tough in places and weren't alone. Several people were stopping for a breather along the walkways. All the tours start in the same place, but Tour Number One is the shortest, so opt for it if you're unsure about your capabilities.

Is it cold in Gua Tempurung cave?

No, the complete opposite. I expected the cave to be chilly, like in other caves I've been in around the world. Gua Tempurung was warm and humid, and it got a little uncomfortable due to the number of stairs we had to climb in the heat. My tip would be to bring plenty of water and wear light cotton clothes.

What can I see on the Gua Tempurung tour number one?

Once you have entered the first-level walkway, you will ascend via many metal stairs until you reach level three, where the dry tour number one finishes. Along the way, you can view the enormity of the caverns you are passing through.

If you opt for dry tour number two, you can climb another two levels to the viewing platform 5.

Along the way, look out for the remnants of metal shovel heads found in the cave. Also, please read the information boards, as they provide more details about the cave's geological aspects.

How long does it take to complete tour number one?

From start to finish, Tour Number 1 in Gua Tempurung takes about an hour. The part that takes the longest is getting back to the entrance the same way you came in.

There will now be a trail of people who have entered after you, heading towards you as you try to return to the beginning. It's pretty hard to get past people on the narrow walkways, and as you can imagine, no one wants to move aside, so if you have a fear of heights, don't look down!

Where will I get the best view of Gua Tempurung?

When you reach platform two, also known as the Echo-Echo Chamber, for obvious reasons, you will get a superb view of the cave's karst features and formations.

Is Gua Tempurung Worth Visiting?

I recommend visiting the cave if you're in the Perak region. It's a 30-minute journey by bus or Uber from Ipoh.

I visited Gua Tempurung and Kellie's Castle during my transfer between Ipoh and the Cameron Highlands, which worked well as neither of these attractions took too long to see.

Please PIN for Future Travel to Malaysia

HEADING TO MALAYSIA IN THE FUTURE?  CHECK OUT MY TRAVEL GUIDES ↓

Penang

Discover Penang in 3 Nights: The Best George Town Travel Itinerary

25 Best Tourist Attractions In Penang

Pinang Peranakan Mansion: A Tour of Penang’s Heritage Museum

Chew Jetty: What To See in Penang’s Historic Waterfront Village

Penang Street Art Then And Now: Is It Still Worth Seeing?

Visiting Kek Lok Si: The Amazing Buddhist Temple In Penang

Penang Botanic Garden: What To See On A Visit

Blue Mansion Penang Review: Cheong Fatt Tze

Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort Review: Beachfront Luxury in Penang

Kuala Lumpur

Kwai Chai Hong: Beautiful Art Murals in Chinatown Kuala Lumpur

Ipoh

Is Ipoh Worth Visiting? Here’s 13 Reasons Why You Should Visit Ipoh in Malaysia

Best Ipoh Itinerary For 2 Days + Cave Temples

4 Best Ipoh Cave Temples To Visit in Malaysia

Is Kellie’s Castle In Ipoh Worth Visiting?

Borneo

Ultimate Guide for Visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Centre in Borneo

Sepilok Nature Lodge Review: A Beautiful Oasis in Sabah, Borneo

7 Best Places to See Orangutans in the Wild

Mari Mari Cultural Village: A Fantastic Experience in Kota Kinabalu

Malaysia Travel Planning

The Ultimate Malaysia Itinerary – From Penang to Borneo In 4 Weeks

Malaysia vs Singapore: Which One is Better for Your Next Trip?

Getting Around Malaysia: The Best Sightseeing Road Transfers with Daytrip

Exploring Malaysia: 20 Best Places and Most Unique Experiences