What would a travel experience be without a dose of nature? For the love of Malaysia’s ecological diversity, a day trip away from the city and to the highlands was a must.
Here’s a dose of Cameron Highlands with lots of love and nature.
About Cameron Highlands
- Cameron Highlands is located in Pahang, Malaysia.
- Cameron Highlands is the largest tea-producing region in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
- The BOH Tea Garden is one of the most iconic sites, for its lush tea fields and rich history.
- Cameron Highlands was named after William Cameron, a British explorer, and geologist who was commissioned to map out the Pahang-Perak border in 1885.
- Due to the high elevation, Cameron Highlands experiences low temperatures throughout the year and especially at night.
How to get there (Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands)
As mentioned previously in my blog post on Malaysia, long-distance buses to many cities are easily accessible, convenient, and economical. We physically booked our ticket at the TBS Bus Station 2 days in advance, and it was hassle-free on the day of our departure. The cost of a one-way ticket was 35 ringgits ($8.43). We left around noon and reached our destination by 5 pm.
Below are the main bus stations to travel long-distance.
TBS Bus Station (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan): this station has become a major terminal for outbound long-distance buses.
Pudu Sentral (Puduraya): also another major terminal for outbound long-distance buses, located near KL’s Chinatown.
Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur: On our way back to Kuala Lumpur, we returned to the bus station we were dropped off at and proceeded to purchase our tickets on the day of our departure. For some reason, we were only able to physically purchase a ticket on the day of our trip.
Where to stay – Traveller Bunker Hostel
A clean and cozy hostel near the bus station and in the center of the town. This hostel was quite the atmosphere, though we didn’t interact much with the guests, it had a very lively environment. We even got lucky and had a whole double-bed dorm to ourselves.
Eco Cameron Travel & Tours
Eco Cameron is a travel company based in Cameron Highlands specializing in eco-tourism. They provide half-day and full-day tour packages, along with transportation services to nearby cities. Leena chose the full-day experience tour for us which was a total of 7 hours for 100 ringgits ($23).
Here’s a quick rundown of what the Full-Day Tour Experience consisted of:
- First half of the day: Mount Brinchang, Mossy Forest, Tea Plantation, Tea Factory
- Lunch: (not included in price)
- Second half of the day: Butterfly and Insect Farm, Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers Market, The Time Tunnel – Mini Museum and Galleria, Sam Poh Buddhist Temple, and Strawberry Farm
Conveniently our hostel was right next to the tour company office where we joined our tour guide bright and early at 8 am. We picked up a couple of tourists who would also join the trip, and we were eventually a total of 7 people. I’d also like to add that our tour guide was the best. He was giving blunt and carefree “uncle” vibes and I lived for it.
Unfortunately, due to the rainy weather, we didn’t get the chance to make it to the vegetables, fruits, and flowers market 🙁 It’s an outdoor market, and by the time we would have gone, it started raining harder.
Mount Brinchang
Mount Brinchang is the second-highest peak in the highlands, standing at 1,800 meters above sea level. It is a popular tourist destination, offering scenic views of the surrounding area and the highlands below. The summit of the mountain can be reached by car or on foot, and there are several lookout points along the way where visitors can stop and enjoy the views.
Mossy Forest
The Mossy Forest is a highland forest known for its unique vegetation, which is characterized by a dense carpet of moss that covers the ground and the tree trunks. The forest offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty and tranquility of the tropical rainforest and is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species. Some of these species include a variety of moss, ferns, epiphytes, and animals such as birds, monkeys, and insects. The cool and humid climate of the Mossy Forest provides a habitat for these species, making it an important area for conservation.
To enter the forest, expect to pay an additional entry fee of 30 ringgits.
BOH Tea Garden & Shop
This was by far my favorite part. We experienced fields of tea, learned about the production of tea, and how they’ve been given their unique and individual flavors. We visited both the site where the tea is produced, along with the tea shop. I almost lost it trying to buy tea. The options, y’all!
As mentioned previously, BOH Tea Garden is one of the most iconic sights in Cameron Highlands for its vast landscape of tea. It was founded by a British man named John Archibald and a Sri Lankan veteran planter named A.B. Milne. They began planting tea in Cameron Highlands, and it eventually became the first highlands tea garden in the country. The name “BOH” came from “Bohea”, the hills in Fujian province, China, and was also where tea was said to have been discovered.
Butterfly & Insect Farm
The farm displays a variety of live insects, including butterflies, beetles, and other insects, in a natural setting. You can learn about the different species of insects, their habitats, and their role in the ecosystem. The farm also has a butterfly garden, where visitors can observe the life cycle of butterflies and see them in flight. Additionally, there are educational exhibits and displays that provide information about the biology and behavior of insects.
The Butterfly and Insect Farm is a great place for families and nature enthusiasts to learn about the fascinating world of insects and appreciate their importance in the ecosystem.
Time-Tunnel Galleria
It was at this very moment we made our “uncle” tour guide laugh. I know we were his favorites.
The Time-Tunnel Galleria is a unique attraction that showcases the history and culture of the highlands through interactive exhibits, dioramas, and life-size replicas. The museum is designed as a time tunnel, with each exhibit representing a different era in the history of the Cameron Highlands. You can learn about the early settlers and pioneers, the development of the tea industry, and the cultural heritage of the local people. The exhibits also use a combination of multimedia and hands-on experiences to bring history to life, making it an enjoyable and educational experience for all ages.
Sam Poh Buddhist Temple
A Buddhist temple known for its traditional Chinese architecture and intricate carvings and sculptures. The temple serves as a place of worship for the local Buddhist community, and also attracts many tourists and visitors who come to admire its cultural and historical significance.
Strawberry Farm
Last but not least, we ended the day visiting the Strawberry Farm. Here you’ll find the production of strawberries and other agricultural products. You can pick your own strawberries, visit the farm and learn about the strawberry cultivation process, and also purchase fresh strawberries and other locally grown produce.
If you’re a nature fanatic when traveling to different places, Cameron Highlands is a must-visit destination in Malaysia, among many others. For the short time, we were there, I wouldn’t have chosen any other way to have spent the time.
