The last time I was in Malaysia (2016), I didn't have enough time to visit Cameron Highlands. So, when I was back in Malaysia again, I vow to myself that I will make it to the Cameron Highlands and I did. It was incredible and definitely worth visiting when you are in Malaysia.
I stayed for 2 full days in the chilly highlands of the peninsula, exploring all the cool attractions from hiking the rolling hills of the tea plantation to taking a walk in a secret mossy forest (no, not the main one). Here are adventurous things to do in Cameron Highlands.
- Cameron Highlands Attractions Map
- Where to Stay in Cameron Highlands ?
- 7 Things to Do in Cameron Highlands for 2 Days
- More Cameron Highlands Activities
- Southeast Asia Travel Video
- When to Visit Cameron Highlands?
- How to Get to Cameron Highlands?
- How to Get Around Cameron Highlands?
- What to Pack for Cameron Highlands, Malaysia?
- Further Reading for Malaysia
Cameron Highlands Attractions Map
| ❤️ Must Visit: | Boh Tea Plantation |
| 🥘 Place to Eat: | Cameron Valley Tea House |
7 Things to Do in Cameron Highlands for 2 Days
1. Visit the Boh Tea Plantation
On your first day in Cameron Highlands, I would recommend you to go on a tour to visit all the attractions that are further away from Tanah Rata. I went with Eco Cameron and they were awesome. I went for a half-day tour (8:30 AM - 12 PM) to Boh Tea Plantation and Mossy Forest, and it cost me 50 MYR.
With the Eco Cameron guide, you will learn about how the tea was made, why it plays such a great role in the Cameron Highland economy, and where the products go after they have been processed. It is quite interesting to learn that the granddaughter of the founder of Boh tea plantation still runs the place from where she lives in Singapore.
- Traveller Bunker Hostel (Budget)
- Gerards Place (Mid-Range)
- Cameron Highlands Resort (High-End)
- Cameron Highlands Day Tour from Kuala Lumpur with Lunch (SIC - Shared Tours) (12 hours)
- Cameron Highland Best Tour from Ipoh (Private Day Trip) (8 hours)
- Full Day Cameron Highlands Nature Tour (10 hours)
Starting in the early hours, the tour will drop you off at the Boh tea plantation before anyone else (we had the whole place to ourselves for a bit) and allow you to walk around before the guide explains the entire process.
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Keep in mind that the tea plantation factory is closed on Mondays, so avoid going on that day if you wish to go inside and sip their delicious tea.
The clouds often roll in during the afternoon and evening in Cameron Highlands, so if you wish to see the tea plantation in its full glory, I would recommend visiting in the morning.
Where to Stay in Cameron Highlands (Tanah Rata)?
2. Hike around Mossy Forest
Another popular attraction in Cameron Highlands is the Mossy Forest. However, as of March 2019, you are required to pay for an entrance fee. Our guide from Eco Cameron informed us that it is not worth paying 30 MYR just to walk for 300m on a wooden plank trail. Instead, he recommended that we visit Eco Cameron's private trail, which leads to a more beautiful viewpoint within a different Mossy Forest.
It was the best decision ever as I learned that the mossy forest is not exclusive to that area alone; they are all over Cameron Highlands. With Eco Cameron's private trail, we were able to experience the Mossy Forest in a more intimate way.
The trail was also more fun to hike up as we went through a real rugged trail instead of a plank wood one at the usual Mossy Forest. I couldn't recommend the Eco Cameron company more.
The viewpoint is also well-exposed and worth the 15-minute climb. The trail gets slippery at times, though, due to the impenetrable forest, so walk carefully.
The guide will stop and explain all the features of the mossy forest as you climb up. The whole trail should take around 30 minutes round-trip.
3. Stroll Around Tanah Rata and Try out the Scones
After hiking the Mossy Forest, you will be dropped off at Tanah Rata, where you can spend your afternoon and evening trying all the different food they have here. Cameron Highlands is also known for their homemade scones, so if you are hungry after the hike, be sure to drop by Lord's Cafe and try their scones.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
4. Hike up the Gunung Jasar (Trail #10)
For the second day, we are going to explore Cameron Highlands' nature on foot. There are several hiking trails in Cameron Highlands (14 trails to be exact), but the best one I found is trail #10 that goes up to Gunung Jasar and trail #6 from Gunung Jasar down to Cameron Valley tea plantation.
The hike up Gunung Jasar takes around 1 hour, and you will be able to see the Cameron Highland Heritage Hotel and the landscape surrounding the area in its entirety.
5. Hike in the Tea Plantation (Trail #6)
Trail #6 begins heading south from the summit all the way down to Cameron Valley tea plantation, where you will be able to experience the tea plantation up close, away from the crowds. You can combine trail #10 and #6 into a half-day hike, starting from Tanah Rata to Gunung Jasar and to Cameron Valley. It should take around 3.5 hours in total.
Personally, the combination of trail #10 and trail #6 is my favorite attraction in Cameron Highlands because it combines all the things I wanted to do and see in Cameron Highlands: hiking to a great viewpoint, seeing the tea plantation up close, and, best of all, being away from the crowds. I met only 4 other hikers the entire time I was hiking trail #10 and #6.
6. Have a Cup of Tea at the Cameron Valley Tea House
After hiking to the Cameron Valley tea plantation, you can sit and enjoy the view from their tea house while sipping a cup of their finest tea with your favorite pastries. You deserve it!
Getting back from Cameron Valley to Tanah Rata, you will either have to hitchhike (like I did, standing in the parking lot of the tea house), which shouldn't take long as there are lots of cars heading towards Tanah Rata, or you can flag down a taxi from the road.
7. Explore Tanah Rata's Night Market (Friday and Saturday)
Last but not least, if you are there on Friday or Saturday, be sure to go check out the night market at Golden Hills in Tanah Rata. It opens from evening until late at night. You will find plenty of native products such as strawberries, tea blends, and other souvenirs being sold here.
When to Visit Cameron Highlands?
It rains a lot in the Malaysian highlands throughout the year, so there is no escaping that. However, if you are looking for the most optimal time, February to April on weekdays is the best time to visit. The temperature is perfect, at around 21 - 24°C, and the roads and attractions are not as crowded.
It is best to avoid the peak season (May - September) as Cameron Highlands gets very crowded, especially on public/school holidays and weekends. The roads are small and traffic jams often occur during this time.
How to Get to Cameron Highlands?
First and foremost, you will have to get yourself to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and to do that, I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia for a cheap flight from your home country.
Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands
From Kuala Lumpur, you can get a direct bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan to Cameron Highlands (Tanah Rata) for 35 MYR, and it will take around 4 hours each way. You can easily book your bus ticket online at 12Go Asia.
Book A Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands
How to Get Around Cameron Highlands?
You can either go on a half/full-day tour (very affordable) that will take you to all the Cameron Highland attractions you want to see, or you can rent a scooter to explore yourself. Some attractions are quite far, so having a vehicle is recommended.
Keep in mind that the road is small, and traffic can be quite hectic up there, especially during the holiday season. So, please drive carefully if you are renting your own scooter.
That said, if you want to do some hiking, most of the good hiking trails begin in Tanah Rata (your base for exploring Cameron Highlands) within walking distance, so you do not need a vehicle to begin hiking.
Getting back, on the other hand, will require either hitchhiking a ride back (there are lots of cars heading towards Tanah Rata) or flagging down a taxi back yourself to Tanah Rata.
Are you looking for a tour company for day trips around Cameron Highlands? I had a great experience with Eco Cameron company during a half-day tour I did with them for 50 MYR. They took me to the Boh tea plantation and we climbed up a hill through a private Mossy Forest with their jeep. If you want to see more of Cameron Highlands, there are a number of tours available in the link below, so be sure to check that out.
Book A Day Trip to Explore Cameron Highlands
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Cameron Highlands, Malaysia?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Cameron Highlands, Malaysia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Cameron Highlands, Malaysia in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
That is it for the 7 Awesome Things to Do in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia for First-Timers. Have we missed anything? Have you found the guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Cameron Highlands, Malaysia! Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:
Are you planning to travel to Cameron Highlands, Malaysia independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Malaysia
Malaysia may often be overlooked by travelers, but the country has so much to offer that you can't find anywhere else in Southeast Asia.
Here are a selection of articles you might want to read about Malaysia:
- Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Malaysia? 10 Days Itinerary for Malaysia.
- Planning a trip to Malaysia and not sure where to begin? Check out: 10 Best Places to Visit in Malaysia.
- Are you planning to travel to Malaysia as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? Check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- Kuala Lumpur is where you will likely land when you are traveling in Southeast Asia, and from the outside, it may look like your typical Asian city. But KL is so much more, and at a cheaper price too. Here’s a complete guide on things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
- Not your first time in Kuala Lumpur? How about we go explore the cafes and the unique Kopitiam culture of Kuala Lumpur with the 8 Best Cafes and Restaurant to try in Kuala Lumpur guide?
- If you are looking for a day trip from Kuala Lumpur or somewhere to stop on your way to/from Singapore, Melaka is a great place to stop and learn a little bit about this ancient port city. Check out my 8 Incredible Things to Do in Melaka Travel Guide Here.
- Cameron Highlands is high up in the mountains, with the cool breeze making it the perfect place to go hiking. There are over 14 trails to pick from. Check out my ultimate hiking guide to Cameron Highlands.
- Penang is the food heaven of Malaysia, and it is a must-stop on your way to/from Thailand. Here are 10 Best Things to Do in Penang.
- Want to go off the beaten path in Malaysia? Let’s head over to Borneo with a complete travel guide and a 2-week itinerary for Borneo and Brunei.
- Want to know where to go after Malaysia? How about spending 3 days in Singapore or going snorkeling on Koh Lipe, Thailand?
- For all articles about Malaysia, visit the Malaysia Travel Guide page.
- Looking for more travel guides for Southeast Asia? You can find more on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- I have also compiled all of my favorite photos that I took in Southeast Asia into one post. Check out 64 photos of Southeast Asia that will inspire you to travel.
- For more of my travel guides, visit the All Destination Travel Guide page.
3 Comments
Hello! Could you please remember what was the name of tour to mossy forest that you had with Eco Cameron?what was the price? And what month you visited Cameron (the weather is great on your photos)??
Hey Aleksei,
I believe it was the Mossy Forest Tour seen here: https://www.ecocameron.com/the-mossy-forest-of-gunung-brinchang.html. When you arrive in Cameron Highlands, your accommodation should have a brochure with all the updated information you need to decide.
I hope this helps!
Oh and it was in January. I got lucky with the weather as it has been raining for the past week before I went to Cameron Highlands.