The Cameron Highlands is a mountainous region in Pahang, Malaysia. It's typically a great weekend break or getaway from Kuala Lumpur for those seeking solitude, peace and harmony with nature. The highlands are conveniently located too, only 200km from Kaula Lumpur and 90km from Ipoh.
The landscape hosts many fauna and flora species, seen from the many paths and trails. The most famous landmarks would be Mossey Forest and the BOH Tea Plantation. What attracts you to the region is the slower pace of life, natural surroundings and the cooler, fresh air.
Wandering around between the tea estates and the many varied farms, the Cameron Highlands is an eco-friendly escape where most people want to stay forever more.
Yes, the Cameron Highlands are perfect for your Christmas winter break.
The weekend is normally busy in this region of Malaysia anyway, but public holidays will double the traffic footfall. On those occasions (public holidays) it's best to arrive before or after, because you will have to tolerate even heavier crowds.
Christmas and New Year, it's a similar experience of seeing more visitors (especially from Singapore) for the festive celebrations. But still worth it in our experience, don't be deterred or put off traveling from the capital Kaula Lumpur.
When you do holiday in the Cameron Highlands, you pretty much feel a touch of the colonial past. The region is known for being a "piece of England in Asia". Staying in one of the more luxurious hotels or resorts you certainly get that, with a full English breakfast.
With some establishments you may need to ask, and they'll prepare and serve for you. A lot of the architecture of the hotels and resorts are of the colonial period when the British ruled, which adds elegance and enchantment to your holiday break.
The second highest mountain in the Cameron Highlands but regarded as being number one.
Mount Irau is higher but not as accessible to most people, which explains why Mount Brinchang is far more popular. Ascending the mountain early in the morning you are entertained by countless bird songs ― each screaming louder than the other for attention.
The forest trail is idyllic for those coming to trek in the Highlands with the starting point on the outskirts of Brinchang Town itself.
At over 2000m the mountain has an observation tower at the summit promising panoramic views to Titiwangsa Mountain.
By now Kampar Town is a long-forgotten memory: 80km to the west. Your Malaysian Cameron Highlands weekend stay will begin after settling into your Tanah Rata hotel. There are many micro attractions throughout the Cameron Highlands:
What the Cameron Highlands are famous for are their rose gardens. There are a few of them scattered around the highlands and we highly recommend you visit at least one for the gardens. Between them all there are several hundred rose varieties on display, of all colors and fragrances you could imagine.
There are a few roses the size of a large plate. It is an amazing experience and not only for green fingered garden lovers because the gardens are located on hilltops. You can expect grand views of what lies below.
As you wander around the Cameron Highlands you will come across many other farms. If you are uneasy where they are all located and how to get to them then seek a local guide or book a tour is another suggestion. The honey is delectable, sweet and rich and all natural.
You will also want to purchase enough strawberries to feast on, when walking back down the hill.
A really popular stopping off spot on the Tapah Road, Perak. It is a busy road at times so take care if you are on two wheels. It's our suggestion you hire a taxi to enjoy the rolling scenery as it unfolds before you, in comfort. When you do arrive expect it to be a little crowded, especially on the weekends and public holidays.
The cascade to the waterfall results in a cooling effect when you are close to it, standing on one of the concrete bridges. When walking around be careful of the traffic as the waterfall is situated on a hairpin bend.
You can find a way to climb to the top, past the cascades through the jungle. We didn't try ourselves, but we heard it wasn't easy to negotiate the foliage. If you love a challenge, you could try for the top yourself.
During our visit there were a number of vendors with snacks and soft drinks serving long queues. Arrive as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
Looking all around, you see the forest floor carpeted in vibrant green moss. It is everywhere, on everything ― even the trees are not spared, the moss grows on the trunks as well. Walking around the forest you feel the softness beneath your feet and the aroma of fresh pine, the damp too.
Our advice is to book a tour to experience the forest because you are not allowed to drive any vehicle in the forest yourself.
Chances are your tour will take you onto other attractions in and around Tanah Rata. If you opt to go it alone, you will need to pay to enter Mossey Forest. And pay again to be driven around in an approved jeep or walk to the forest on foot.
A jeep and driver are inexpensive (about US$5 per person) for an hour to enjoy the forest, before having to leave. The entrance fee is less than US$9 per person.
The forest is really beautiful, quiet and tranquil with amphibious animals (frogs mostly) seen from the paths. Uninterrupted bird song can be heard all around. Sights down onto the tea plantations are priceless, well worth capturing in photography.
A town located within the Cameron Highlands, it offers adequate accommodation, loosely meaning budget hotels. At least the basic facilities are all covered and in rural areas such as the Cameron Highlands, what more could you ask for?
The town is the perfect base to explore from, for your weekend getaway. Not far from the town there are two tea plantations that are worth seeing. In our opinion there is no point in seeing both so pick one or the other.
The latter is the biggest in acreage and likely the one that's better known outside the Highlands. The road leading to the BOH Tea Garden is not the best for inexperienced drivers to Malaysia ― the road winds around tight bends up the mountainside.
Arrive by private taxi is our recommendation, it's inexpensive anyway, being a few kilometers out of the town.
Arrive as early as possible to make sure your free tour begins without fault, and a) avoiding the traffic and b) have enough time to enjoy yourself and the various experiences put on for you, because the visitor center is open only until early afternoon.
Before heading back to Tanah Rata Town, the center has a gift shop to purchase specialty teas and small souvenirs.
Just as renowned as one of Malaysia's largest tea exporters, Bharat Tea Plantation is the second largest plantation by acreage. They too have a visitor center on their plantation. The building is spread over two floors with stunning views out over their tea estates (as with BOH Tea Garden and their center).
It's argumentative who has out done who. We favor Bharat because their center has the additional floor and their signature Indian inspired tea blend is amazing.
With an average temperature of about 60°F all year round, it's far cooler than it can be further north in Kuala Lumpur, that's for sure. But the temperature is only one aspect, because if you are going trekking, it's best to avoid going April, October and November ― the wettest.
The driest, warmest periods are in June and July ― the height of summer with the longest days. Pack a hat and sunscreen, just to be fully prepared.
December and January are cooler months, but still comfortable nonetheless. We can't say it's cold per se on the hilltops, you just put on a light cardigan that's all. But bear in mind there is all year-round rainfall, it's usually light outside the monsoon season and not for hours on end.
Actually, one of the best times you'll want to go for a stroll is once the rain has cleared, for the air is super fresh and clear.
There are over a dozen different hiking trails stretching all over the Cameron Highlands, some longer than others. During our stay we went along 3 of them, and those were:
What is great about the hiking trails of the Cameron Highlands is that quite a few of them crisscross each other so you can change your mind and head off somewhere else other than where you intended to go.
Most of the trails are easy to follow (some are not signposted though, it's potluck which ones are) but most of them can be a little (to moderately) steep on the climb up. But in nearly all cases it's worth the effort to complete the trail for grand panoramic views, especially on a clear sunny day.
If you are unsure of which trail is which, as at your hotel or resort for their recommendation, because there are so many. Your hotel will advise which one is nearest to you.
Or simply go wandering yourself which we did on one occasion, along with a couple from Germany: we didn't get lost but learnt it was the waterfall we reached on returning to the hotel. Take a light waterproof jacket with you and wear a pair of sturdy boots as many of the trails are through thick forests.
If you love nature and like to spend time watching out for birds, then the trails will most definitely add value to your stay in the Cameron Highlands.
Everything considered, the Cameron Highlands are a great weekend getaway from Kuala Lumpur. For a weekend, it's highly recommended just for a break away from the city, even when on holiday. Traveling to the highlands returns you to nature and the Cameron's beautiful lush green landscape.
Go, and relax. Go to the tea plantations and enjoy the trekking doing so.
It may not be for everyone but if it's something you feel is worthwhile then you can be in Tanah Kata as quickly as 5 hours by bus. There are various bus services from Kuala Lumpur's main bus terminals, to Tanah Rata daily. Weekend times differ so check with the bus service:
There are others but those are the services we have used when in Malaysia, when not hiring a private taxi.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.