Cameron Highlands is the ideal diversion during a Malaysia tour! Located in central Malaysia, you will find this unique destination with rolling tea fields, misty mountains and cool temperatures. Located at an altitude of around 1,500 metres, this nature reserve offers a unique blend of nature, adventure and culture. Because the area was discovered in 1885 by British expedition leader William Cameron, the atmosphere is completely different from other parts of Malaysia. In this blog, we share everything you need to know about visiting the Cameron Highlands!
General information on Malaysia
Are you planning your trip to Malaysia? Then check out our tips for the best travel period, daily budget and applying for a visa. You can find all the information you need about Malaysia here.
How to get to the Cameron Highlands?
Cameron Highlands is easily accessible from several cities in Malaysia. Many travellers travel from Penang or Kuala Lumpur to this destination, and so did we. Here's how to get to Cameron Highlands easily from these destinations.
From Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands
By bus: The most budget-friendly option (and therefore our choice) is by bus. Several bus companies operate from Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands, so there is always a suitable option. The journey takes about 4-5 hours and departs from TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan). Tickets cost an average of MYR 35 (€7) per person. Want to know more about departure times, different bus companies and prices, or book your ticket directly? Then take a look at 12GoAsia.
Other options: Of course, you can also travel this route by hire car or taxi/Grab. This gives you more freedom, but bear in mind that the cost will also be higher. Do you opt for a rental car? Then we recommend booking through Sunnycars. We almost always choose Sunnycars.co.uk, because it is by far the most reliable option. With their clear terms and conditions and all-inclusive service, you are always well insured, with no hidden costs.
From Penang to Cameron Highlands
From Penang, there is only one option as far as we know, which is the bus from Georgetown. The bus ride takes about 4-5 hours and costs around MYR 40 (€8). Want to know more or departure times, the different options and prices or just book straight away? Then take a look at 12GoAsia.
Tips for transport in Cameron highlands
The most fun and practical way to explore the Cameron Highlands area is by scooter. This gives you all the freedom you need to explore the island at your own pace. We hired a scooter through our hotel, which was ideal. Highly recommended if you want to get the most out of your stay!
Tip: Never give up your passport when renting a scooter. Are you asked for it? Then find another rental company. The safest option is to check with your hotel for a reliable rental company. It is also wise to make a short video of the scooter before departure. That way, you avoid discussion about any damage afterwards. Better safe than sorry!
Grab taxi booking
We are big fans of Grab and use this app during all our travels in Asia. In the Cameron Highlands, however, Grab is less reliable. Indeed, there is no guarantee that a driver will be available at all. Don't want to drive yourself? Then ask your hotel about alternative transport options, such as private transfers or a driver for a day.
Tip: The Grab app requires internet access. It is therefore useful to buy a local SIM card or arrange an e-sim card, for example through Airalo.
What to do in Cameron Highlands?
A visit to the Cameron Highlands is one not soon to forget! With cooler temperatures and beautiful surroundings, this is the perfect place to go. Wondering what there is to do? We share our best tips with you!
Tip: If your schedule allows, try to avoid weekends and public holidays in the Cameron Highlands. This is because this area is also very popular among locals!
1. Visit the tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands
A visit to the Cameron Highlands is not complete without a stop at the vast tea plantations. As soon as you leave the city, you are surrounded by rolling green hills full of tea fields. The views are truly insane and it is definitely worth learning more about the production process. There are a total of three tea plantations open to visitors:
- BOH Sungai Palas Tea Centre: This is the most famous and therefore busiest tea plantation in Cameron Highlands. This tea house seems to hover just above the tea fields and offers panoramic views. Admission is free, but as mentioned above, it can be very crowded, resulting in long queues and traffic jams. We therefore recommend visiting this place early in the morning. However, keep in mind that guided tours are no longer given here. This has in fact been replaced for a video in a separate room. This combined with the crowds and commercial atmosphere made it a lot less authentic for us.
- BOH Tea Plantation (Fairlie Tea Plantation): This is a good alternative for those who want to avoid the crowds at Sungai Palas. Here you can take a short walk to a viewpoint over the tea fields and get a free tour of the factory. Don't expect a detailed explanation, but it's still interesting to see how the tea is processed.
- Bharat Tea Plantations (Cameron Valley Tea): Located near Tanah Rata, this is the most accessible tea plantation. There are two tea houses where you can taste and buy tea. Besides, you can take a nice walk among the tea fields here. Unlike the BOH plantations, there are no guided tours here and you pay a small entrance fee of 3 MYR (€0.70) to walk through the plantation.
2. Hike through the jungle and tea plantations in Cameron Highlands.
One thing is for sure, Cameron Highlands is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. The hilly landscape is ideal for hikes, and there are several marked trails that take you through dense jungle, past tea plantations and to panoramic viewpoints. One of the most popular trails is the combination of Trail 10 and Trail 6.
We ourselves started at Trail 10, where you start in a small patch of dense jungle. At times, you may wonder: Am I walking correctly? But don't worry, you're on the right route! The starting point is in a residential area, where you will find a small sign with the number 10 on it. Then you walk, to your right, into a backyard and head up the hill via narrow, dense bushes on the right. Keep following the path (right is to the top) until you reach the viewpoint, where, provided it's not foggy, you'll have a beautiful panoramic view of the city.
Then continue the route via Trail 6, a narrow and dense path that leads you through the jungle and past local farms. The hike is quite intense but well worth it. Here you can see the locals at work on the land. Unfortunately, they were not working during our hike, but it was still impressive to see all the fruit and vegetables hanging. The hike ends in the middle of Cameron Valley Tea's tea fields, where you can see tea pickers in action and walk through the fields yourself.
Note: From the tea fields, you then have two options to get back to the city. You can walk back along the road or take a taxi. If you choose to walk back, you will take about five hours including the trails.
Now you may be thinking: With this description, I'm never going to find it! And...that's right! The route can be confusing at times, and the paths are not always clearly marked. That's why we recommend you use the Komoot app to be used.
Practical tips:
- The descent via Trail 6 can be steep and slippery, especially after rain. Put on sturdy walking shoes.
- Start early to get ahead of the heat and crowds.
- Bring enough water and snacks, as there are no facilities along the way.
- By dense jungle we mean really dense jungle, put on clothes that cannot easily get stuck behind anything.
3. Visit Mossy Forest in the Cameron Highlands
Near BOH Sungai Palas Tea Centre, you will find a forest called Mossy Forest. This magical cloud forest is located at an altitude of 2,000 metres, where it is always damp due to the constant mist. This creates a unique ecosystem full of mossy trees, ferns and exotic plants like orchids. You can take a short walk here on wooden walkways specially constructed to protect the fragile ecosystem. The walk takes about 20 minutes and takes you past several vantage points.
Practical information:
- Entrance fee: 30 MYR (€6)
- How to get there? You can drive there yourself or book a tour from Tanah Rata or Brinchang.
- Alternative: Want a less touristy experience? Then visit Coral Hill, a similar mossy forest that is still largely unexplored.
Read also: 9x Tips for Malaysia's Langkawi Island: these are the most beautiful spots
Read also: What to do in Malacca (Melaka), Malaysia? Discover these 10 great tips!
4. Go strawberry picking at a strawberry farm
For us, this was an unexpected activity that we had not planned at all. However, because it was raining heavily, we could have used an indoor activity, and in retrospect, we wouldn't have wanted to miss it! This is because the cool climate of the Cameron Highlands is not only perfect for tea, but also for strawberries. There are strawberry farms all over the region where you can pick and taste strawberries yourself.
We visited Healthy Strawberry Farm, a welcoming, small and quiet farm. You can fill a 500-gram container of strawberries here for 35 MYR (€7). Super fun because you get to pick them yourself and walk all over the plantation. Other options are Raju's Hill Strawberry Farm and the most popular of the three: Big Red Strawberry Farm. This is also the largest strawberry farm in the Cameron Highlands, but keep in mind that it can be crowded here.
5. Other fun things to do in Cameron Highlands
Besides tea plantations, jungle hikes and strawberry picking, there are plenty of other fun activities. It is therefore impossible to do everything if you stay there for just two to three days. Do you have longer time anyway? Then find some inspiration below.
- Hike to Robinson Falls: Via Trail 9, you reach this beautiful waterfall, set in a green valley.
- Visit the Sam Poh Temple: A Chinese Buddhist temple in Brinchang, overlooking the city.
- High tea at The Smokehouse: A charming English country house where you can enjoy a traditional high tea with scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam.
- Explore the Time Tunnel Museum: A museum full of historical photos and objects from the time when Malaysia was a British colony. Admission: 6 MYR (€1.30).
- Visit the Kea Farm Market: A market where you can buy local produce such as fresh vegetables, fruit, honey and tea. Open daily.
- Taste scones at The Lord's Cafe: An atmospheric café serving fresh scones with cream and strawberry jam. Perfect for an afternoon break after a long hike.
- Discover the Night Market: Every Friday and Saturday night, you can enjoy local food and snacks at Golden Hills Market. From freshly grilled satay to sweet chocolate-covered strawberries, there is something for everyone. Note that there are no buses running to and from the market, so a taxi is the best option.
Tips for good restaurants in Cameron Highlands
Good food is a must while travelling, and in Cameron Highlands, thankfully, you have plenty of choice! Due to the rainy weather, we tried quite a few restaurants. These are our absolute favourites:
- Singh Chapati Urban Restaurant: A popular Indian restaurant in Tanah Rata, famous for its tasty chapattis and spicy curries. Perfect for a hearty meal.
- Barracks Café: Housed in an old military barracks and with a cosy atmosphere. You'll find a mix of Western and Asian dishes here.
- Restoran Sri Brinchang: In Brinchang, this is where you eat delicious Malaysian and Indian food for a small price. Simple, but incredibly delicious!
- Cameron Organic Produce: The place for vegetarians and lovers of healthy food. Everything is prepared with fresh, organic produce from the region.
- Kougen: Fancy Japanese? At Kougen, you can choose from rice bowls, sushi and dim sum.
- Orchen food corner: If you really want some local food, this is the place to be! We had no idea what we were ordering but with a little help we had a delicious meal here.
- Jungle Bar: For a drink and a fun evening, this is the place to be. There's a bar, a pool table and it's a nice place to meet other travellers.
- Delicious & Happiness Café: This Chinese restaurant in Brinchang has many vegetarian options and serves the traditional Malaysian “Steamboat”. This involves cooking your own vegetables, meat and fish in a hot broth at the table. Budget-friendly and fun to do!
Where to stay in Cameron Highlands?
Whether you are a budget traveller or just looking for a bit more luxury, there are accommodations for everyone. We often book our accommodation last minute and therefore always have a few favourites ready at Booking.com. These were our top choices:
- Father's Guesthouse: This is where we stayed ourselves and we can highly recommend it! This is one of the best budget options just outside the city centre.
- Traveller Bunker Hostel: A modern and cosy hostel with dormitories, ideal for backpackers who like to meet other travellers.
- The Smokehouse Hotel: A charming English inn. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in the garden or unwind in the cosy lounge with fireplace.
- The Backyard Glamping: For those looking for a special experience and not afraid to go back to basics, this cosy farmhouse is a great choice. You will sleep in a cosy tent and in the evening you can relax by the campfire with other travellers.
- Cameron Highlands Resort: A stylish colonial resort with spacious rooms, a spa and a sophisticated afternoon tea experience. Perfect for a relaxing and luxurious stay in the cool highlands.
Note: Cameron Highlands can get booked up quickly on weekends and holidays. Book your accommodation in time, especially if you want to stay in a popular hotel!
Cameron Highlands is a great destination for nature lovers, hikers and anyone looking to escape Malaysia's tropical heat for a while. With vast tea plantations, mysterious jungles and fun activities, there is plenty to do. We hope these tips help you plan your trip. Still have questions? Then feel free to drop us a line at Instagram.
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