Gopeng Glamping Park has been one of my favourite short getaways so far. It is only a short drive from Ipoh and two hours from Kuala Lumpur. The camping offers varied attractions that cater to all tastes and thus the urge to visit and return is high!
The demand for upscale camping or glamping seems to have taken off in Malaysia. I still feel the pull towards slumming it with a simple tent and sleeping under the stars in nature. However, as I mature (polite way of saying getting older), the appeal of comfort and luxury during these getaways certainly has its appeal.
An activity based place
With an array of glamorous glamping opportunities surrounding KL such as Tiarasa Escapes and The Sticks, why would you choose Gopeng Glamping Park?
Though not as luxurious as for example Tiarasa Escapes, Gopeng Glamping Park offers, in my opinion, so much more in terms of activities which far outweighs the ‘hotel in a tent’ replication. The more basic site, that still offers a very comfortable and welcoming experience, reflects generously in the price tag. Yet, we still had very comfortable beds, air-conditioning and a generously sized tent. Albeit the tent size was smaller than other glamping sites, but more than adequate for a family to sleep in.
I wouldn’t recommend this place for grandparents, as the wigwam style of accommodation means that standing is an issue inside. Having said this, I only stayed in the double tent. The larger quad or deluxe tents should offer more standing room. There is plenty of outdoor furniture and hammocks to relax in and read a book.
Situated close to the river, there is a welcoming river beach to get your toes wet, a playground and plenty of open space. I just loved being surrounded by nature and playing games with my family and friends in the evening or relaxing in the hammock. After a long day of external activities, I was ready for a reasonably early night. The food is included in the price and is served buffet style. On offer is local Malay food, oriental dishes, and western options.
Pros: the price, many activities on and off site, Ipoh is only a 30-minute drive away, buffet meals are included, free parking and WIFI. Cons: further away from Kuala Lumpur (roughly two hours by car), double tents are not suitable for older generations, not as luxurious as some other glamping sites.
It is also worth noting that Gopeng Glamping Park maintains a strictly halal status. Therefore, no alcohol or pig derivatives are allowed on the property. A minus for me (for the alcohol), but this did not deter me from booking for an adrenaline filled adventure weekend.
On-site activities
I felt spoilt for choice for entertainment and activities onsite. My personal favourite was the evening fire show. The guys’ enthusiasm for what they did emanated in their performance. It was an unexpected addition to the weekend’s schedule. Other activities on-site: karaoke, archery, bike hire, trampolines for both kids and adults, and a selection of traditional board games.
Off-site activities
There is so much to do in this area, and I think there is something for everyone. You can just enjoy the area using the bikes on offer or explore the cultural heritage. Don’t miss out though on the adrenaline rush activities like white water rafting at Sungai Kampar, sunset hiking at Bukit Batu Putih, paint ball or ATV riding. All tours include equipment needed and a small bottle of water. I also took my own water as I drink a lot.
There is a free shuttle service to every activity booked through the campsite. This transport was an experience in itself. The kids loved it – standing on the back of an open truck, holding onto the sides trying to avoid the overhanging branches, going down the bumpy off-roads, was a complete hoot!
Waterfall abseiling at Ulu Geruntum
This activity gave the trip away the wow factor. I love trying different things and waterfall abseiling was a must-try on my list. The 12 meters doesn’t look high in the pictures, and it doesn’t particularly challenging either. Trust me, it was! A dare-devil attitude is needed to work your way down a cascading waterfall whilst having nothing but a rope to support you.
The adrenaline rush was worth it (my daughter didn’t think so). The team takes safety very seriously and our friendly guide made sure we knew how to use the equipment properly by practicing first before heading for the big finale.
The RM90 per person is well worth the money, as you can go down the waterfall as many times as you like within the time period. Depending on your group size and how many people want to repeat, this can culminate in many descends.
Cave exploration at Gua Tempurung
Go big or go home. This is an activity like no other. The wet tour saw us venturing through the largest cave in Malaysia, descending down into the depths of the cave via 230 steps, sliding down slippery stones, ducking through and climbing down holes, and wading and crawling through underground rivers round the stalagmites and stalactites. I loved it!
Children as young as 6 years old can join, but unless your child is particularly gutsy, I would defer this activity until they are older. It was physically and emotionally challenging. The sight of daylight at the end of the tour was absolutely welcomed, as we were pretty exhausted by the end of the tour.
The guides were brilliant: fun, friendly and patient. We all wore safety hats with freshly charged torches. Make sure you wear suitable clothing. I went for quick drying clothes and old trainers. Hiking boots would work and some people wore wet shoes. I also took a dry bag and a waterproof phone holder, as lots of photos were a must. Another great value trip for RM55 per person for three hours caving.
I didn’t have time to do all the activities around Gopeng Glamping Park, but I will be back for sure. Have a look here at all their activities.
Where is Gopeng Glamping Park?
Found smack in the middle of hills, rivers, caves and jungle yet only half an hour drive away from Ipoh, Gopeng Glamping Park is ideally situated. Parking is free and the site is easy to find using Waze or Google maps. You can click here for the right location.
The address for Gopeng Glamping Park is Lot 10846, Jalan Besar Kampung, Chulek, 31600 Gopeng Perak. You can email them here or call them on 05 351 0248 or 013 240 8857 for bookings.
