Visiting the Cameron Highlands is an absolute must if you’re planning a trip to Malaysia. The area is only a 3-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, but when you arrive you feel like you’ve been transported to a completely different country (and climate!).
The area boasts beautiful green rolling hills as far as the eye can see, full of mossy forests and tea plantations. There are times when it’s almost reminiscent of rural England with its gorgeous countryside views.
The local towns have been heavily influenced by the British. As soon as you arrive in the area, it’s hard not to notice the unique architecture. Many of the cafes in the main town, Tanah Rata, serve scones or afternoon tea, with some hotels even having British-themed menus.
Whether you’re a backpacker or luxury traveller, the Cameron Highlands should be on everyone’s Malaysia itinerary.
In the below guide, I’ve shared everything you need to know about visiting the Highlands. This includes where to stay, how to get there, the best things to do in the Cameron Highlands and where to eat.
How to get to the Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands are 3 hours north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city. They are in a convenient location for those travelling north to Penang or south to the capital.
The Cameron Highlands are well connected to other major tourist destinations in Malaysia including Ipoh and Penang.
Getting to the Cameron Highlands by bus
If you’re on a budget, the easiest way to get to the Cameron Highlands is by bus. There are several bus companies which operate busses from Kuala Lumpur and other major areas to Tanah Rata, the main town in the Cameron Highlands.
The best way to book busses in Malaysia is by using 12Go Asia. 12Go works with most transport operators in Malaysia including busses and boats. It’s the best way to look at the easiest, fastest and cheapest way of getting around Malaysia.
When booking your bus to the Cameron Highlands, select the town of Tanah Rata as the destination. This is the biggest town in the area and where you’ll find most of the hotels and hostels.
The bus from Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands takes just under four hours. They are air conditioned and generally quite comfortable. The roads into the Cameron Highlands are steep and windy, so I’d suggest taking motion sickness tablets if you need to.
Getting to the Cameron Highlands by private transfer
If you’re not keen on getting the bus, there is the option to book a private transfer to the Cameron Highlands.
It’s worth noting there are limited options for this and it well set you back cost wise.
If you’re travelling from Taman Negara, your accommodation can arrange you a shared shuttle.
Weather in the Cameron Highlands
Being at almost 1500m (5000ft) above sea level, the climate in the Cameron Highlands is much cooler than elsewhere in the country. This makes the Cameron Highlands a unique destination to visit in Malaysia.
The daytime temperature rarely goes above 25 degrees. At nighttime, the temperature often drops below 18 degrees. It was the only place in Malaysia where I needed some warmer clothes for the evening.
The cooler weather makes it perfect for hiking and exploring. However, it tends to rain a lot in the Cameron Highlands. With this in mind, make sure to carry a waterproof jacket.
In terms of the best time of year to visit the Cameron Highlands, there’s not really a clear answer. Ultimately, the area can be visited all year round. The dry season tends to be February to June, so if you want to avoid muddy hiking trails, these months are the best option.
How long to spend in the Cameron Highlands
Choosing how long to spend in the Cameron Highlands depends on what you want to do. For most, two nights is the best amount of time.
Two nights in the Cameron Highlands gives you a full day to hit one of the hiking trails or visit a local tea plantation.
If you’re keen to hike, see the local area and visit a plantation, you’ll likely need three nights in the Cameron Highlands.
This gives you a full day to do a tour around the area and an extra day to go hiking. I spent three nights in the Cameron Highlands and it was the perfect amount of time.
For more information on planning your perfect itinerary, check out my guide to backpacking in Malaysia.
Where to stay in the Cameron Highlands
Choosing an accommodation in the Cameron Highlands can be a bit of a headache. There’s an array of hotels, hostels and luxury resorts spread out around the area.
The two main towns with most of the accommodation options are Tanah Rata and Brinchang.
For backpackers or those who want to get around easily, I’d suggest staying in the town of Tanah Rata. It’s the perfect place to base yourself. The town’s main street is filled with restaurants serving delicious food and it’s easy to walk around. This is also where the main bus station is.
Brinchang is close-by, but has less to offer and definitely isn’t as nice as its neighbour, Tanah Rata. I also found it tricky to get between the two towns and had to wait 30-minutes for a taxi.
There are plenty of accommodation choices in Tanah Rata for all budgets.
Budget Options
The main hostels in the Cameron Highlands in Tanah Rata are Bricks, Sleepbox and Traveller Bunker. I stayed in Bricks Hostel and it was nice enough. For a more social experience, I’d consider Traveller Bunker. I met people staying in this hostel and it seemed much more social.
Luxury
With its beautiful countryside, the Cameron Highlands is the perfect place to splurge and book a countryside retreat.
One of the most luxurious resorts in the Cameron Highlands is the Lakehouse Cameron Highlands. The Tudor-style building offers guests a relaxing stay away from the hustle and bustle.
I use Booking.com when selecting any of my accommodations around the world.
The best things to do in the Cameron Highlands
There is no shortage of things to do in the Cameron Highlands. It’s an outdoor lovers paradise with its rolling hills, ancient rainforests, hiking trails and tea plantations.
Here are a few of my favourite things to do in the Cameron Highlands:
Visit a tea plantation
The Cameron Highlands is famous for its tea, and no trip would be complete without visiting a tea plantation here. You’ll need to leave the main town in order to visit one, and can easily reach them by taxi or as part of a day tour.
The most famous is the Boh Sungei Balas Tea Center. Situated in the most stunning setting with gorgeous 360-degree views, Boh attracts the crowds. It’s free to enter and there is a cafe/restaurant where you can buy a cup of their well-loved tea.
Despite it being the busiest tea plantation in the area, I’d highly recommend visiting here. The views are some of the best we saw in Malaysia. If you book a day trip, it will likely include a stop here.
If you want to escape the crowds, another option is the Kuala Terla plantation. Here, you can opt to go for an ATV ride through the plantations.
Visit the Mossy Forest
The enchanting Mossy Forest is around a 40-minute drive from Tanah Rata. There are plenty of tours available that include a stop here as part of the itinerary.
The Mossy Forest is one of the oldest forests in the country (and some believe the world). Many of the majestic trees are covered from top to bottom with green moss, hence the name. It creates a very eerie, almost fairytale setting, and it’s my favourite thing I did in the Cameron Highlands.
Once you arrive there is the option to do a short, well-maintained walk into the forest and up to a stunning viewpoint showing off views of the forest as far as the eye can see. The walk took us around 15 minutes each way.
Although a bit further away from the main town, a stop here is a must, especially if you love nature.
The entrance fee at the time of visiting was RM30 for adults.
Consider a day tour which includes a visit to Mossy Forest and the Boh Tea Plantation.
Hiking in the Cameron Highlands
There are various beautiful hiking trails in the Cameron Highlands. The main trails are numbered 1 through 14. Each trail is of varying difficulty meaning there is a hiking trail for everyone.
Due to rain and landslides, it’s not uncommon for the trails to be closed. Your accommodation will be able to tell you what the status is when you visit.
Unfortunately, when I visited, the rain meant only trail 6 was open. I went in the rainy season in January, so if you want to hike it might be best to avoid this time.
If you’re planning to hike in the Cameron Highlands, research the hikes ahead of time and decide which is best for you.
Walk to Robinson Falls
If you want a short and more local walk, a stroll to Robinson Falls is an option. It’s by no means the most spectacular waterfall you’ll ever see, but it’s worth a visit if you have the time.
The concrete path there is relatively well maintained, but wear sensible shoes are there were some slipperyy parts.
Visit a local market
With its unique climate, the Cameron Highlands are the perfect spot for growing a variety of fresh produce including strawberries and a range of vegetables.
There are several food markets dotted around the area which give you the chance to view and buy some of the locally grown products (especially strawberries).
I visited Kea Farm Market which is a well-known market selling a range of produce. The market is located just outside of Brinchang, so you’ll need to get a taxi from Tanah Rata.
I bought some of the local strawberries for a fraction of the cost than in the UK and they were delicious.
Have afternoon tea
With the Brits having a heavy influence on the area, afternoon tea is a popular pastime in the Cameron Highlands. At the least, most restaurants or cafes will sell scones with jam (and sometimes whipped cream – yes I know, WHIPPED cream, not clotted, the Brit in me nearly imploded).
A quick walk down the main street and you will see lots of advertisements for the “best afternoon tea in town” so you can choose your spot.
Many of the hotels on the outside of the towns offer luxury afternoon teas.
Go strawberry picking
There are endless strawberry farms in the Cameron Highlands. If you visit at the right time of year, you’ll be able to go strawberry picking.
Many farms grow strawberries all year round, but most will only offer strawberry picking in the peak season between May and August when the strawberries are at their best.
I was there in January and nowhere was offering the activity, but if I ever return it will definitely be something I do.
Day tours in the Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands area is full of exciting activities, ancient forests and stunning countryside. To access most of these attractions, you’ll need to use a car. Taxi costs can add up, so it’s worth looking at a day tour to try and cut down on costs.
There are many tour providers in the area offering varying half-day and full-day tours allowing you to easily visit multiple attractions.
These are often sold through the hostels and hotels and can be booked last minute. There is normally either a half-day or full-day option.
I chose the half-day tour and visited:
- A viewpoint over the tea plantations
- The Mossy Forest including a hike through the main path
- Boh Tea Plantation
The full day tour also included a visit to a strawberry and butterfly farm. Due to the time of year I visited, I decided this wasn’t worth the extra money.
There are also tours available to varying tea plantations, extended jungle treks and to local villages. You can book these on Klook which tends to be the best agent in that part of the world.
If you’d rather not do a tour and want to travel at your own pace, you can speak to your accommodation about booking a taxi or even hiring a local driver to take you around for the day.
Where to eat in the Cameron Highlands
There is no shortage of food options in the Cameron Highlands. Tanah Rata has many restaurants including Indian, Malaysian and Western (there’s even a Starbucks).
One of my favourite restaurants in the Cameron Highlands was an Indian restaurant called Highlands Spice. It served authentic Indian food and is some of the best I have ever eaten.
If you’re after somewhere with nightlife, fair warning, this is not the Cameron Highlands. There are one or two bars dotted around, but people don’t come here to party.
Is visiting the Cameron Highlands worth it?
Absolutely! A trip to the Cameron Highlands is a must on any visit to Malaysia. It’s such a unique destination in Malaysia and allows you to see another side to the country.
With its mossy ancient rainforests, endless hiking trails and British influence, it’s the perfect place to go spend a few days exploring and relaxing.
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