Tranquil Discovery of HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley Amidst Family Bonds

26 January 2020

“Shall we go somewhere?”, I asked Mince. “Where do you want to go?”, she asked in return. I enquired whether she was willing to drive to HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley (GTV) in Gopeng, Perak. “How do we get there?”, she asked. “Google Maps or Waze”, was my response.

Having discovered HOGA GTV online, we thought it presented a perfect opportunity to create family moments during the Lunar New Year holiday. Little did we anticipate that it would mark our final family excursion before the imposition of COVID-19 restrictions. Interestingly, almost exactly two years later to the day, we found ourselves back at HOGA GTV, a poignant reminder of the lasting impressions it had on us.

The 40-minute or so journey from Ipoh to HOGA GTV was mostly smooth, except for the final stretch through a village. While it was scenic, it demanded careful navigation. However, skilled drivers will find it relatively effortless.

HOGA GTV stands as Malaysia’s first and largest organic plantation of Gaharu or Agarwood. To reach the hilltop, a shuttle van ride is necessary. Walking may or may not be an option for the exceptionally fit (we did not check if it was), but going with the flow and taking the ride is advisable. Ticketing counters await the arrival of visitors after parking, unless a meal at the café below the hill beckons.

The plantation vistas are awe-inspiring, the air refreshingly pure. At the hill’s summit, there is another café. Though not as elaborate as the one at the bottom of the hill, it offers a range of gaharu teas amidst breathtaking scenery and picture-perfect photo-opportunities.

Beyond the plantation, it was an immersion of nature walks, breathing of fresh air, pondering on wise words, feeding the fish and encountering rare tortoises.

The HOGA GTV is an idyllic place to unwind and spend quality time with loved ones of all ages. I recall emerging from my first HOGA GTV experience feeling tranquil. It was during the Lunar New Year, and, perhaps in a sign of what was to come in the following months, the crowd relatively sparse. The 2023 visit was equally rejuvenating, although the influx of holiday crowds and heavy traffic post-COVID somewhat dampened the experience. To truly benefit from the best of HOGA GTV, I would recommend exploring the place during non-peak seasons.