HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley on the outskirts of Gopeng is not your average tea plantation.
There’s a rare kind of tree (of the aquilaria species) here that is planted for its commercial use as perfume and medicine in Middle Eastern and Asian countries!
The 300-acre agarwood plantation is a doable drive out of Ipoh, and is another reason to visit Gopeng!
Table of contents:
Background On HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley
Firstly, what exactly is gaharu or agarwood?
There are many names for this tree:
- Oud (عود)
- Chen Xiang (沉香)
- Eaglewood
- Aloeswood
- Jin-koh (沈香)
- Gaharu (Malay)
Agarwood is the precious aromatic black resin formed when an agarwood tree suffers damage from lightning, insects, cuts, etc.
Fun fact: The color of the resin is darker if the resin has been secreted for longer periods of time.
At HOGA, they try to find ways to organically induce resin production in their trees. One such way is to introduce a type of mould into the tree bark.
Their very name HOGA comes from “Holistic Gaharu” as they are very passionate about keeping their plantation as chemical-free as possible!
The plantation started out close to the year 1992 with 200 seedlings as a bid to study and conserve this type of tree which was under threat from heavy logging.
After 15 years, the 200 seedlings grew to produce new seeds.
And now, HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley has over 200,000 of these trees attracting tourists who come to see the beautiful agro park (opened in 2011 to the public).
To date, around 70 of the original trees still survive at this agro tourism attraction!
Gaharu Tea Benefits
Long term consumption of gaharu tea (caffeine-free) has many beneficial properties to treat and improve:
- Sleep
- Flatulence
- Blood pressure
- Hangovers
- Gout
- Asthma
- Constipation
Malaysia exports millions’ worth of Gaharu to other countries like Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan and the Middle East every year!
Just a kilogram of even unprocessed gaharu can cost up to RM 10,000!
And distilled gaharu essential oil can reach RM 100,000 per kilogram!
Entrance Fees
Entrance is free. You don’t have to pay anything to check out the visitor center or to park your car at the visitor’s car park.
But if you want to take the tour around the estate, it is RM10 per adult (for Malaysians) and this includes a sachet of HOGA tea.
- Malaysians: RM10 (Adult), RM5 (Child)
- Non-Malaysians: RM35 (Adult), RM20 (Child)
Children under the age of 3 and disabled folk get to join for free.
Just get the tickets from the ticket counter behind the gift shop at the visitor centre. There is a lounge of sorts where you can wait for the van to come.
The tour will take you through 3 sections of the plantation and lasts for 20 to 45 minutes. They have multiple vans going round the plantation on the same route simultaneously.
So, you can always take the next one if that suits your pace better!
Sequence of the tour:
- Hilltop View & Cafe – Viewing Stage
- Tree Hugging Park
- Lover’s Park & Waterfall
What To Do In Gaharu Tea Valley
Nature lovers will thoroughly enjoy themselves here! Breath-taking views and fresh air await!
Note: If you do not find trees particularly interesting to begin with, you might want to go elsewhere!
1. Enjoy Valley Views From The Hilltop Viewing Stage
Tours of the estate stop first at the 3-storey viewing platform first. There is a beautiful cafe here that is only open during the weekends.
This is the highest point at HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley with incredible views of the magnificent trees on the slopes of the valley!
It’s especially gorgeous on a clear sunny day!
2. Walk Through Avenues Of Trees At The Hugging Park
You will get many opportunities to hug trees at the Tree Hugging Park.
Mural art of animals and cheeky quotes cover the barks of some of the trees here. It is a little touristy, but they do make an interesting photo backdrop!
There is a small tortoise enclosure at this park – the turtles and tortoises seem to be doing well.
Across the tortoise enclosure is a large fishpond stocked with fish of the edible variety as well as arowana. The large moving water wheel and wooden gazebo make for a lovely picture here.
3. See Giant Trees At The Lovers’ Park
This is the last stop if you take the van tours at HOGA. It begins with a steep but short staircase that leads down to the Lovers’ Park which features a pair of old trees intertwined in a way that reminds you of lovers embracing.
The guide told us that the trees are about 200 years old.
There is a large fishpond close to the huge trees. It’s overgrown with algae, and you can’t see the fish here. All around the pond are small statues of zodiac animals.
And if you don’t mind walking on a metal boardwalk across rushing water for about 10 minutes, you will be able to see a pretty waterfall too!
As well as some elephant statues and wall murals that pay homage to Gopeng’s past.
4. Get A Treat At The HOGA Outlet & Deli
Refreshments including HOGA coffee are available at the on-site deli at the visitor centre right in front of the shop.
All of the seating is outdoors but it is fully covered here, and fans keep the place decently cool.
We highly recommend trying the yummy HOGA ice-cream at the café. It’s made from 100% natural ingredients including HOGA tea eggs!
5. Try HOGA Tea
You will have a chance to try two types of gaharu tea while you are at the gift shop. One made from the seeds and another, made from the leaves of the tree.
It’s hard to explain the taste but it’s not sweet and has a mild flavor like barley tea.
The tea made from the leaves of the tree is not as bitter as the one made from the seeds.
You can find the tea sampling station is at the central counter inside the gift shop.
The deli outside the gift shop sells small bottle of chilled fruit tea for RM3 per bottle.
6. Take A Selfie At The Great Wall Of HOGA
To protect their valuable commodity from thieves and wild animals, HOGA has built a 3-metre high and 6-foot-wide crenelated wall at the entrance to the estate.
This barrier takes inspiration from the Great Wall of China and is not a bad place to stop and snap a photo! Just watch for vehicles first!
7. Check Out The Time Tunnel
In the middle of the visitor centre is an inconspicuous entrance to an indoorgallery and exhibition hall with photos and information on how gaharu tea was discovered.
As well as background information on the owner and how he started HOGA.
A display case full of awards lines the hallway that leads from the small gallery back to the gift shop.
8. Go Trekking (HOGATrek)
Alternatively, there is also a shaded trek (~850m) that you can take to reach the top of the hill too. The 3km trek begin at 7am and takes 1.5 hours.
This activity is not advisable if you have low stamina! But it is safe for children to attempt.
They charge RM10 per adult and RM5 if you want to join the hikes. And you will have to register beforehand (Their WhatsApp number is 0125886186) if you’re interested.
9. Browse The Gift Shop
HOGA manufactures all sorts of products at their on-site factory.
If you’ve been paying close attention to the tours or information from the gallery, you’ll learn that 36 different products can be made from the trees at this plantation.
They sell these in the Gaharu Retail Shop at the base of the valley. The sales promoters are knowledgeable in the products!
Note: Free and fast WiFi is available at the visitor centre.
See the full online product catalog on their website!
At the shop, HOGA offers the following selection of products besides tea:
- Cookies
- Instant Noodles
- Chocolate
- Wood Chips
- Soap
- Lotion
- Lip Balm
- Nougat
- Oil/ Fragrance
- Tea Egg Premix
- Bak Kut Teh Herbal Packs
- Herbal Jelly
- Kombucha
Getting Here From Ipoh
There is signage for the plantation along the way if you plan to drive here from Ipoh.
However just note that as you get closer to the plantation, the road starts to narrow to one car’s width and winds through a small kampung (e.g. village).
Note: There are no public buses to this place!
If you don’t have your own transport, you can include HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley as part of a personalized Ipoh itinerary with private tour service, RayTheTour!
The tour includes free pick-up and drop-off service anywhere in Ipoh on the same day.
Message us on WhatsApp for a quote!
Conclusion
Come see the lovely HOGA Gaharu Tree Valley. It’s not very often that you get to see an agarwood tree up close. Let alone thousands!
Learn the challenges of producing agarwood and why it is highly valued in many countries and religions.
Maybe even take some HOGA Gaharu tea back with you!
Gua Tempurung
Another gem in Gopeng that we highly suggest to visitors is Gua Tempurung. You will need good mobility and at least, average fitness to do the tours here though. If you have one full day to spare, even better because the Grand Tour is very exciting and fun!
Silverlakes Outlet Village
This new outlet village has yet to fill up completely. But with the presence of mature trees and a big lake nearby, it makes for a nice evening stroll with the family. Prepare for a lot of walking if you want to explore both the West and North Village.
Other Attractions In Ipoh
While HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley is nice, it is quite far from Ipoh. So, you might want to check out other attractions that are in or closer to town. And Ipoh Old Town specifically if you don’t have your own transport.
