Winding down the long slope in Cameron Highlands, we passed by a sea of tea plantations. Located in Pahang, this place is Malaysia’s most expansive hill station named after William Cameron, a British colonial government surveyor who went on a mapping expedition here back in 1885. Today, Cameron Highlands is a popular tourist destination in Malaysia for locals and foreign tourists alike because of its cold weather, serenity and beautiful countryside scenery. It’s a great escape from the bustling Kuala Lumpur city. Surprisingly, despite its popularity, it remains a pretty much inexpensive place to visit. Here’s my Cameron Highlands travel guide blog with sample budget and itinerary to help you plan your trip here.
TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS
CAMERON HIGHLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE 2023
HOW TO GO TO CAMERON HIGHLANDS
Cameron Highlands is located in Malaysia, so if you are coming from the Philippines, you need to fly to Kuala Lumpur first. There are several airlines flying between Kuala Lumpur and Manila, I recently visited Cameron Highlands via Cebu Pacific Air. They have daily flights between Manila and Kuala Lumpur. You can book your flights directly at cebupacificair.com. Estimated departure from NAIA Terminal 3 (Manila) is at 8:30 PM and estimated arrival in KLIA2 (Kuala Lumpur) is at 12:50 AM the next day.
KUALA LUMPUR TO CAMERON HIGHLANDS BY BUS
1.From Kuala Lumpur, you need to go to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), the long distance bus terminal. It is right beside Bandar Tasik Selatan (BTS) train station, accessible by LRT, KTM, KLIA Transit, and Airport Bus.
To get to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) from KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur, you can ride the KLIA transit and alight at Bandar Tasik Selatan (BTS). Fare for adults is RM 6.50 (₱82/$1.48) and fare for children is RM 2.90 (₱37/$0.66). You can also take the KLIA Transit from the airport (KLIA and KLIA2) to Bandar Tasik Selation (BTS), adult fare is RM 38.40 (₱486/$9) and child fare is RM 17.30 (₱219/$4). You can also take the Jet Bus or any other Airport Bus from Level 1 of KLIA2 to Bandar Tasik Selatan Station, travel time is roughly 1 hour. Bus fare is RM 12 (₱152/$3).
At Bandar Tasik Selation there is a bridge that connects to Bandar the bus terminal – TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan). Walk for about 2 minutes to the bus terminal.
2. At Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), you can take a bus to Cameron Highlands. First trip is at 8:30 AM and last trip is about 5:00 PM. Fare is roughly RM 38 (₱481/$8.63) and travel time is roughly 4 hours. You can buy your tickets at the centralized ticket booth in Terminal Bersepadu Selatan or book online ahead of time to secure a seat.
- KUALA LUMPUR TO CAMERON HIGHLANDS BUS: BOOK HERE
Alternatively, if you have many luggage, you can take a taxi TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan). By the way, TBS has lockers at Level 3, in case you need to leave your bags.
IPOH TO CAMERON HIGHLANDS BY BUS
At Amanjaya Terminal in Ipoh, you can take a bus directly to Cameron Highlands. Bus fare is around RM 25 (₱316/$6) and travel time from Ipoh to Cameron Highlands is approximately 2 hours. Bus usually leaves from Ipoh at 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM only. Take motion sickness pills as the road is winding. You can your tickets online to secure a seat.
- IPOH TO CAMERON HIGHLANDS BUS: RESERVE SEATS HERE
GETTING AROUND IN CAMERON HIGHLANDS
Though there are buses that run between Tanah Rata and Brinchang for about RM 6 (₱76/$1.36), the schedule is unreliable. Some backpackers opt to hitchhike instead. You can take a taxi for RM 30 (₱379/$7) per hour.
The most reliable way to get around Cameron Highlands is by tour package. If you are a solo traveler, traveling with a partner, or traveling in a small group (3-5 persons), you can join a group tour together with other tourists. Half day tours costs around RM 50 (₱632/$11) to RM 75 (₱948/$17) . And whole day tour costs around RM 90 (₱1,138/$20).
CAMERON HIGHLANDS TOUR PACKAGES 2023
Once you are in Cameron Highlands, you can join group tours, book through accredited travel agencies only. You can also book online ahead of time to secure a slot. Expect to pay roughly Half day tours costs around RM 50 (₱632/$11) to RM 75 (₱948/$17) . And whole day tour costs around RM 90 (₱1,138/$20).
- CAMERON HIGHLANDS HALF DAY TOUR: RESERVE HERE
- CAMERON HIGHLANDS SUNRISE TOUR: BOOK HERE
- CAMERON HIGHLANDS TOUR FROM KL: RESERVE HERE
- CAMERON HIGHLANDS PRIVATE NATURE DISCOVERY TOUR : BOOK HERE
PLACES TO SEE IN CAMERON HIGHLANDS
There are different tour packages in Cameron Highlands, depending on what you will choose. But here’s a list of Cameron Highland Tourist Attractions included in most tour packages (except for Jim Thompson House). Whatever package you choose, don’t miss the Tea Plantation tour. As I mentioned above, expect to pay around MYR 40 / PHP 465 / USD 9.34 for tour that includes the Tea Plantation, Strawberry Farm, Butterfly Garden and Mossy Forest.
TEA PLANTATION
SAM POH BUDDHIST TEMPLE
STRAWBERRY FARM
ROSE VALLEY
HONEYBEE FARM
CORAL HILL (MINI MOSSY FOREST)
BUTTERFLY GARDEN
WHERE TO STAY IN CAMERON HIGHLANDS
The main towns in Cameron Highlands are Ringlet, Tanah Rata and Brinchang. Most tourists stay at Tanah Rata, sprinkled with budget and midrange accommodations and Brinchang with mid-range to high-end hotels. I stayed at Tanah Rata town since everything I need is accessible: cheap hotels, restaurants and banks. And the main bus terminal (Terminal Freesia) is located in Tanah Rata.
- Brick’s Backpacker’s Hotel
- Location: Tanah Rata
- BOOK HERE
Stayed at Brick’s Backpacker’s Hotel during my last trip to Cameron Highlands. Got my own private room. This hostel is so clean and the manager is so helpful.
- Heritage Hotel Cameron
- Location: Tanah Rata
- RESERVE HERE
- Snooze Too Hotel
- Location: Brinchang
- RESERVE HERE
- Copthorne Cameron Highlands
- Location: Brinchang
- RESERVE HERE
CAMERON HIGHLANDS ITINERARY
Here’s a sample Cameron Highlands Sample 2 Days 1 Night Itinerary which includes a visit to Boh Tea Plantation, Coral Hill (Mossy Forest) Strawberry Farm and Buddhist Temple.
TIME | ACTIVITIES |
DAY 1 | |
11:30 AM – RM 38 (₱480/$9) | ETD for Cameron Highlands from KL. Take bus from TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) |
04:30 PM | ETA Cameron Highlands (Tanah Rata). Checked in at hotel. Freshen up. |
05:00 PM | Stroll around Tanah Rata. |
07:00 PM – RM 20 (₱253/$5) | Dinner. |
09:00 PM | Sleep. |
DAY 2 | |
07:00 PM – RM 15 (₱200/$3.41) | Breakfast. |
08:30 AM –RM 75 (₱948/$17) | Start of Tour : Boh Tea Plantation (Sungei Palas), Coral Hill, Strawberry Farm, Buddhist Temple |
01:00 PM | End of Tour. ETD for Tanah Rata. Check out from Hotel. |
01:30 PM –RM 20 (₱253/$5) | Late lunch. |
04:45 PM – RM 40 (₱504/$9) | ETD for Kuala Lumpur. (Bus from Terminal Freesia in Tanah Rata) |
09:00 PM | ETA Kuala Lumpur. |
ALSO READ: CAMERON HIGHLANDS ITINERARY 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS
CAMERON HIGHLANDS TRIP BUDGET
Cameron Highlands is inexpensive, here’s a sample budget/expenses for a 2 day 1 night trip to Cameron Highlands. Rates may change without prior notice.
EXPENSES | ACTIVITIES |
RM 38 (₱480/$9) | Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands |
RM 40 (₱504/$9) | Bus from Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur |
RM 75 (₱948/$17) | Cameron Highlands Tour |
RM 55 (₱706/$13.41) | Meals (3 x) |
RM 61.65 (₱780/$14) | Accommodation (1 day) |
RM 269.65 (₱3,418/$62.41) | TOTAL |
CAMERON HIGHLANDS TRAVEL TIPS
RENT A POCKET WIFI HERE and pick it up at Kuala Lumpur Airport KLIA. You can also PURCHASE A MALAYSIAN SIMCARD HERE.
Bring a jacket and socks as it get quite cold in Cameron Highlands especially at night. Bring umbrella too as it usually rains in the afternoon.
Try the steamboat offered in many restaurants sprinkled around Cameron Highlands.
Stack up cash (Malaysian Ringgit) but you can also withdraw from ATMs in Tanah Rata.
Cameron Highlands is mostly about nature and trekking.
To avoid the crowd, travel to Cameron Highlands on weekdays and avoid the holidays.
ALSO READ:
KUALA LUMPUR ITINERARY (5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS) WITH BUDGET
KUALA LUMPUR TRAVEL GUIDE (Budget + Itinerary)
MELAKA TRAVEL GUIDE
SINGAPORE TRAVEL GUIDE