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 for solo travelers.
Cameron Highlands Attractions Map
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | Visit the Boh Tea Plantation |
|---|---|
| 🥘 Place to Eat: | Have a Cup of Tea at the Cameron Valley Tea House |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | Gerards Place |
| 🌤️ When to visit: | Feb - Apr (weekdays) |
| 🏃♂️ Getting around: | Tours / Scooter |
7 Things to Do in Cameron Highlands for 2 Days
1. Visit the Boh Tea Plantation
- 📍 Location: Boh Tea Plantation [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 12 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 50 MYR (~13 USD)
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.
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.
- Traveller Bunker Hostel (Budget)
- Gerards Place (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- 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)
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.
2. Hike around Mossy Forest
- 📍 Location: Mossy Forest [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: 30 MYR (~8 USD)
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
- 📍 Location: Lord's Cafe [Map Link]
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.
4. Hike up the Gunung Jasar (Trail #10)
- 📍 Location: Gunung Jasar [Map Link]
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)
- 📍 Location: Trail #6 [Map Link]
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
- 📍 Location: Cameron Valley Tea House [Map Link]
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)
- 📍 Location: Golden Hills in Tanah Rata [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Evening until late
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.
Where to Stay in Cameron Highlands (Tanah Rata)?
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.
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.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
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.