Take a Cameron Highlands Day Trip From Kuala Lumpur
Cameron Highlands is a colonial-era hill station sitting at 800-1600 metres above sea level in the rolling hills of Pahang, Malaysia. Besides its cooler climate, picturesque green hills and tea plantations, Cameron Highlands is also known for its strawberry farms and fresh vegetables.
These characteristics make it popular among people living in the humid concrete jungle of Kuala Lumpur, just over 200 kilometres away from Cameron Highlands. A day trip here, surrounded by misty forests and scenic mountain views, is literally a breath of fresh air from KL. It makes for a nice day to taste some tea, walk in tea fields, try strawberry picking and enjoy cooler weather.
It takes about 4 hours to get to Cameron Highlands from Kuala Lumpur. While that may be slightly ambitious for a day trip, it is doable. Keep reading for my tips on making the most of a day in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia!
Green hills and walking paths at Bharat tea plantations in Cameron Highlands
Highlights:
How many days are needed to see Cameron Highlands?
You can enjoy all of Cameron Highlands' best activities in a half day or a full day.
But, realistically, Cameron Highlands would be the most ideal for an overnight trip from Kuala Lumpur, because it makes for a lot of driving in one day. However, my friend only had time for a day trip, so we made it work. That means you can do it too if you want!
If you have time to spend the night, I suggest arriving around lunchtime to enjoy an afternoon in Cameron Highlands, spending the night at a hotel in town, going for a walk or hike in the morning, and then returning after lunch the next day.
An alternative for a day trip from KL would be Melaka, which is much closer but doesn't have the nature and fresh air vibes that Cameron Highlands offers.
Best Time to Visit Cameron Highlands
The weather in Malaysia is pretty unpredictable. It rains many days throughout the whole year, albeit not for long on most days. There is a dryer season, which tends to be from February to April and July to August, so these seasons can increase your chances of a sunny day. However, there are no guarantees.
I visited Cameron Highlands in mid-May and the weather was beautiful - warm with a cool breeze and mostly sunny, save for some grey clouds and drizzle for an hour.
How to Get to Cameron Highlands from KL
Cameron Highlands by Car
Of course, if you have your own vehicle, you can do your Cameron Highlands day trip with your own wheels. I personally wouldn't opt for this option unless you have others with you to share the long driving time, and you're comfortable with winding roads.
Cameron Highlands by Private Transfer
If you're going with others and you don't have your own car, opt for a driver for the day. That way, they can help you get around the main attractions easily throughout the trip, and you don't have to worry about parking.
Besides comfort, the major perk of this option is the flexibility it offers: you can choose your route and itinerary, you don't have to wait on anyone else and you can decide to pull over at any point.
Cost: Approx. RM 685 (USD $144 / CAD $199) total
Booking: Book a driver and car here on 12go.com
Cameron Highlands by Bus
If you don't have your own wheels and you're on a budget, you could consider getting to Cameron Highlands by bus from Kuala Lumpur in just under 5 hours.
The problem with this option is that the main attractions in Cameron Highlands are quite sprawled out and not walkable, so you'll need to take taxis/Grab cars while you’re there. Finally, in case you tend towards motion sickness, keep in mind that there are a lot of winding roads which will be felt more on a bus.
Cost: Approx. RM 40 (USD $8.40 / CAD $11.60)
Booking: Book a bus ticket here on 12go.com
Cameron Highlands by Tour Bus
A few tour operators offer day tours of Cameron Highlands from Kuala Lumpur. These would include your bus transportation throughout the day, a guide and some entrance fees. Some may also include meal(s).
Cameron Highlands is quite commercial, so a bus tour won't be for everyone. If you are looking for something easy where you can follow along and have no fuss all day, this option can work for you. If you want flexibility and to go off the beaten path, this may not be for you.
Cost: RM 400-600 (USD $84-126 / CAD $116-174)
Booking: Book a Cameron Highlands day tour on GetYourGuide
Plan Your Activities for a One-Day Trip to Cameron Highlands
Highlights for a Cameron Highlands day trip will include scenic drives, sipping tea with a view at Bharat and Boh tea plantations, learning how tea is made, strawberry picking and visiting produce markets to pick out fresh fruits and vegetables. Let’s explore some of the main attractions in Cameron Highlands:
Lata Iskandar Waterfall Tapah
Since it's en route to Cameron Highlands, stop by Lata Iskandar Waterfall to stretch your legs, enjoy the fresh air (it's totally different from the city air in KL!) and check out the artisan shops across the street.
Stop at Lata Iskandar Tapah on your way to Cameron Highlands to stretch your legs in lush green surroundings
Bharat Tea Plantation
In terms of great views and photo opportunities, Bharat Tea Plantations was our favourite stop of the full day tour. It costs RM 4 to enter, and then you can get up and close to the tea plants, walk through the paths, see the Cameron Valley Tea sign in the hills, and take in the lush green scenery.
There is also a restaurant and cafe here where you can sip tea with a view.
The view of green hilly tea plantations from Bharat Tea in Cameron Highlands, with the famous Cameron Valley Tea sign
The ticket booth at Bharat Tea Plantation, which costs RM 4 to enter the tea plantations walking paths
Boh Tea Plantations
Boh Tea is synonymous with Cameron Highlands. As Malaysia's largest tea producer (you'll know this if you visit the tea section of any grocery store in the country!), Boh has been making aromatic brews since 1929. Visitors to the tea factory and its sprawling plantations are treated to panoramic vistas, a glimpse into tea processing, and, of course, tea-tasting sessions.
Short factory tours of BOH Tea Estate Habu run seven times a day: 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00. You can join any time and it’s free.
BOH Tea Estate Habu cafe and factory in Cameron Highlands
There is more than one location for Boh tea plantations in Cameron Highlands, so have a look and pick which one(s) you’d like to visit:
BOH Tea Estate Habu (pictured here)
BOH Tea Estate Habu factory in Cameron Highlands
Pick Your Own Strawberries
After Boh tea, strawberries are the next icon from the Cameron Highlands. The region's cool climate is perfect for cultivating tiny but tasty strawberries. Here, visitors can pick fresh strawberries from one of many farms and/or indulge in a variety of strawberry-themed treats, like strawberry juice, pastries or candy. I recommend a strawberry milkshake!
Picking strawberries with my friend Hannah at Raju’s Strawberry Farm in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
The strawberry picking area in a greenhouse at Raju's Hill Strawberry Farm, where visitors can pay to pick their own delicious strawberries to take home
We opted for Raju's Hill Strawberry Farm, where we picked a bucket of delicious strawberries, bought dried candied strawberries, and had tea and scones.
Like most cafes in Cameron Highlands, Raju's Cafe at Raju's Hill Strawberry Farm sells tea and scones, plus a variety of strawberry items, like strawberry cake, strawberry yogurt cheesecake, strawberry milkshakes, ice cream, juice and more.
While Raju's was good, there are plenty of strawberry farms to choose from in Cameron Highlands, such as Big Red Strawberry Farm and many more that you'll see along the way.
Visit the Mossy Forest
If you're interested in Cameron Highlands jungle trekking, then you should check out the Mossy Forest while you're there. It's a short trek, totalling just 60 minutes roundtrip of easy to moderate hiking, including a wooden path to walk part of the way.
You can make arrangements to visit the Mossy Forest by hopping on a 4x4 jeep or driving up (limited parking). It costs RM 30 for foreigners or RM 10 for Malaysians. This is your chance to visit Mount Brinchang in a misty, fairytale-like forest.
We missed out on the last 4x4 of the day due to being stuck in traffic, so we weren’t able to go to the Mossy Forest.
Hiking in Cameron Highlands
For a scenic walk, check out this tea plantation trail by heading to this map pin (Tea Plantation Trail Starting Point) and be careful as it’s on a busy road. Just go up the concrete slope and then you'll take a left and be on a tea plantation trail. Note that the trailhead is completely unassuming, it's ridged concrete and looks quite steep (see photo below), but it is only like that for a minute. Walk up from here and you'll be greeted by beautiful rolling green hills and tea plants!
The trail is mostly paved, but it is a bit steep at some points. You'll soon find a viewpoint with a swing where you can catch your breath. It's a nice peaceful walk up and takes about 40 minutes to go to the lookout point and back down. This was our favourite moment of the day.
Another popular hiking trail in Cameron Highlands is the 1.8 km Mount Jasar (Gunung Jasar) trail (via trail 10) near Tanah Rata. For a longer hike, check out the Cameron Valley Tea House trail via trails 6 and 10 which is 3.4 km.
Additional Cameron Highlands Activities
While tea plantations and a strawberry farm are mandatory stops during your Cameron Highlands day tour, there are a number of other things you can consider adding to your itinerary. You'll see loads of possibilities along the way, so don't feel like you need to plan it all in advance. Some options include:
Cactus Point
Prick your curiosity at Cactus Point, a haven for cactus lovers with a vast array of shapes and sizes. It's a perfect spot for quirky photos among these spiky plants.
Cost: Free entry
Golden Hill Night Market (Pasar Malam Golden Hills)
As the sun sets on Friday and Saturday evenings, the Golden Hill Night Market comes alive (4-10 PM). This local market is the go-to place to explore street food delights, fresh produce and local crafts in Cameron Highlands.
Cost: Free entry
Sam Poh Temple
Find serenity at Sam Poh Temple, a simple Buddhist temple nestled in the hills and offering a peaceful space with a glimpse into spiritual practices.
Cost: Free entry
Ee Feng Gu Honey Bee Farm
Head over to the Honey Bee Farm to learn about beekeeping and the art of honey production. It's a sweet spot to taste different types of honey and even take a little jar home.
Cost: Free entry
The Time Tunnel Museum
Take a trip down memory lane at The Time Tunnel Museum, showcasing Cameron Highland's history and culture through exhibits and vintage memorabilia.
Cost: RM 8
Cameron Lavender Garden
Cameron Lavender Garden is a flower garden that sells lavender ice cream and quaint souvenirs. They have increased the entrance fee and I'm not convinced it's worth it anymore.
Cost: RM 20 entry fee
Butterfly Farm
The Butterfly Farm is a mini zoo with a butterfly garden, suitable for families.
Cost: RM 10 entry fee
Something you can skip: "Sheep Sanctuary"
This was absolutely not worth visiting. The sheep are crowded in with visitors, they have no access to grass and don't appear to be well cared for. It seems like a pretty miserable experience for the animals, which makes it a pretty miserable thing to watch.
Selfie from the viewpoint at Bharat Tea Plantation in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Where To Stay In Cameron Highlands
The traditional experience when visiting Cameron Highlands is to stay in an old colonial home turned bed and breakfast. You'll see a number of these types of hotels when looking for accommodations online.
At no extra cost to you, you can check out hotel options in Cameron Highlands via my Booking.com link:
Is Cameron Highlands Worth Visiting?
If you're living in Malaysia, you definitely want to visit Cameron Highlands at some point to take in the beautiful rolling green hills and enjoy the crisp air. The area offers a refreshing change of scenery from the bustling city life of Kuala Lumpur, with its cooler climate and lush landscapes.
However, for those travelling to Malaysia from afar, your time might be better spent exploring other unique destinations the country has to offer. While Cameron Highlands has its charms with tea plantations, strawberry farms, and local markets, it can feel a bit commercialized and may not offer the authentic Malaysian experience some travellers seek. The journey from Kuala Lumpur isn't short either, so if your time in Malaysia is limited, consider whether this fits with your travel goals.
In essence, Cameron Highlands is a lovely spot for a leisurely visit, especially if you're already in Malaysia and looking for a quick getaway. But for international travellers with a packed itinerary, you may want to prioritize other Malaysian gems that are closer to the must-visit list, such as Penang or Malacca. As always, it's about what you seek in your travel adventures – whether it's the off-the-beaten-path experiences, cultural immersion, or simply a peaceful break amidst greenery.
Happy travels!
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