Hello, 2021!

2020 was a year where the travel industry saw a plunge due to the unprecedented pandemic that took the world with a storm. Most international borders are restricting entrance and thus putting international travel in a state of numbness. However, most countries' COVID-19 cases are still manageable, allowing domestic tourism to roll up to accelerate the economy.

Malaysia, for example, is picking up on the tourism arena domestically. The government had supported industry players with many stimulus and vouchers, ranging from tax, license exemptions to providing fellow Malaysia vouchers to promote the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia campaign.

Since 2020 was a dormant year for travelling, I have planned several trips to compensate for 2020. To kick start this hopeful 2021, I tried caving and rafting for the very first time. This one-night trip was pre-planned in advance with friends I knew from my travel to Kashmir in 2018. Okay, let me share my experience with both these fun outdoor activities.

Gua Tempurung

The distance to Gua Tempurung is 2 hours from Kuala Lumpur. Located in Gopeng, Perak, the cave is almost 4.5 km long and is known as one of the longest caves in Peninsula Malaysia. The part accessible to the public is only 1.9km. This cave is made up of 5 large domes and is believed to have existed since 8,000 B.C.

Golden Flowstone Cavern – reaching 90m in height, this gallery includes a smoothed stone cascade that looks golden when the river flows.

Gergasi Cavern – contains a massive 15m high column.

Tin Mine Cavern – excavations left by tin miners are seen here.

Alam Cavern – a 72m high cavern.

Battlefield Cavern – fallen stalactites and rock formations litter the gallery's floor.

The domes' ceiling resembles coconut shells, thus the name "tempurung" in the Malay language. These caves are famous for their magnificent gallery of stalagmites, stalactites and other fantastic rock formations. Bats inhabit the cave from Mar to May every year during their mating season. These bats' dropping has created bat guano artworks on some of the dome ceilings.

The cave for tourists is only accessible by purchasing tickets. APT Consortium Sdn Bhd manages the tours. There are 4 types of tour and 2 types of admission rate (normal and MyKad).

Tour 1 – Golden Flowstone (GF)

Duration: 40 mins Timings: 9 am to 4 pm (the last tour starts at 4 pm) Cost: Adult RM 20, Child RM 10 (age 6 -12), Seniors RM 10 (age 60+). MyKad Rate: Adult 8, Child & Seniors RM 4 GF is a dry walk along concrete pathways and steel staircases as far as the Golden Flowstone cavern (Platform 3). Plenty of viewing galleries to admire the fantastic rock formations. It is rated as Easy. No guide required.

Tour 2 – Top of the World (TOW)

Duration: 1 hrs 45 mins Timings: From 9 am (the last tour starts at 3 pm) Cost: Adult RM 30, Child & Seniors RM 15 MyKad Rate: Adult RM 12, Child & Seniors RM 6 TOW is a dry walk but covers all 5 domes (up to Platform 5). There are many steps to climb. Rated as Slightly Strenuous. No guide required

Tour 3 - Top of the World & Short River Adventure (TWR)

Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins. Timings: From 9 am (the last tour starts at noon) Cost: Adult RM 40, Child & Seniors RM 20 MyKad Rate: Adult RM 15, Child & Seniors RM 7.50 Min No. of Persons: 8 adults Participants going for TWR will get wet as part of the return journey involves wading in the underground river. It is rated as Exciting and Challenging. It requires a ranger guide.

Tour 4 - Grand Tour (GT)

Duration: 3 hrs 30 mins. Timings: From 9 am (the last tour starts at 11 am) Cost: Adult RM 50, Child & Seniors RM 25 MyKad Rate: Adult RM 30, Child & Seniors RM 15 Min No. of Persons: 8 adults GT covers all 5 caverns and the eastern side of the cave facing the North-South Expressway. The return journey is by an underground river, and It is rated as Challenging and Strenuous. It requires a ranger guide.

*TWR and GT are subject to weather conditions.

What to bring and preparations?

GF & TOW are both dry tours. Thus, loose, comfortable clothing is advisable as it will be hot and stuffy in the cave. Since there will be many walking and stairs climbing, a good hiking shoe/sandal with a good grip should do the trick. For the photo, please make sure your camera can take good quality pictures under low light conditions. A headlamp is a must.

TWR & GT are both wet tours. Wet shoes are highly recommended. For better protection, knee pads and gloves are a must. Also, be ready with a change of clothing and a TOWEL for after the tour. A good waterproof camera that takes good quality pictures under low light conditions should give you a good shot. Safety helmets will be provided. A headlamp is a must.

I would personally advise one need to be fit when caving here as it is a bit challenging. A simple workout 2 weeks before your trip will keep you at a fit level.

As for this trip, we opted for Tour 3 – TWR, and we had quite a fun and wet tour. I would say the best part was caving through a river and the part when the tour guide asked all of us to turn off our headlamp to enjoy the pitch-black moment accompanied by the glistering sound of the river flow. That feeling was tranquilising, relaxing and calm. I would personally recommend GT if you have the time as it is going to give you a complete caving experience at Gua Tempurung.