CAVING IN GUA TEMPURUNG & GUA KANDU

Deep within the jungle of Malaysia is one of the most majestic white marble and limestone towers called Gua Tempurung. Concealed within this limestone massif is an intricate system of caves of various dimensions honeycombed inside the limestone hills.

This cave is metaphorically a breathtaking gallery of stalagmites and stalactites and other amazing rock formations which are superb speleological wonders found only in this part of the world.

Gua Tempurung, is located in Gopeng, Perak, and can be reached from the North-South Highway by exiting through the Gopeng Interchange (about 25 km south of Ipoh). You then take Federal Route 1 and proceed south about 2 km until Kampung Gunung Mesah. Turn left and drive through the kampung road for about 4 km. This kampung road can support heavy vehicles including buses. As you drive through this kampung area you begin to see the limestone hills in the distance. Approaching the caves is a mystical experience with the mist hovering above the hills.

When exploring the cave one would have to crawl to fit through the labyrinth of stalagmites and stalactites. Bats could be heard squealing in the high caverns throughout the cave lending a very surreal atmosphere to the entire experience. It's all pitch black once you're in the cave and having flashlight is a must to all. A stalagmite aged over 2 million years old stands majestically right in the center of the cave that will make you appreciate more the wonder of nature.

At the base of this ancient stalagmite is a running river. Where pebbles from the river are so tempting that you need to get hold of them and keep it as a souvenir. When you finally reached the exit of the cave and you will see the sunlight filters down through the lush jungle greenery, with monkeys and birds frolicking all about, you are now truly in God's kingdom.