Cameron Highlands in 2 Days: The Tea, the Strawberry, the Mossy Forest

The Cameron Highlands is the most-British-feeling part of Malaysia, the 712-km² highland region 150 km north of KL, at 1,500 m elevation. The temperature is 15-25°C year-round, the only place in Malaysia where you need a jacket. 2 days is the sweet spot for a first visit.

Day 1: The tea + the strawberry + the Time Tunnel

7:00 a.m. — Depart for the Cameron Highlands

From KL, 3-4 hours by bus. From Penang, 4-5 hours. The most-photographed road trip in Malaysia.

From Ipoh (the alternative), 1.5 hours by car. The most-photographed alternative.

10:00 a.m. — BOH Tea Centre (the most-photographed)

The 1929-built tea factory, the most-visited in Malaysia. The factory tour, the tea tasting, the view of the plantation. The most-photographed 2 hours in the Cameron Highlands. 10 MYR entry for the tour + tasting.

12:00 p.m. — Lunch at the BOH Tea Centre café

The most-photographed lunch in the Cameron Highlands, the most-photographed view. The scones, the tea, the strawberry jam, the most-photographed 2 hours in the region.

2:00 p.m. — Sungai Palas Plantation (the most-photographed)

The most-photographed tea plantation in Malaysia. The green terraces, the most-Instagram-able, the most-photographed. The 5-km drive from the BOH Tea Centre. The most-photographed 1 hour in the Cameron Highlands.

3:30 p.m. — Strawberry farms

The Big Red Strawberry Farm, the Raju's Hill Strawberry Farm, the most-photographed strawberry farms in Malaysia. The fresh strawberries, the strawberry milkshakes, the strawberry tarts, the most-photographed 1 hour in the region.

5:00 p.m. — Time Tunnel (the most-photographed museum)

The most-photographed museum in the Cameron Highlands, the most-photographed 1950s British-Malaya memorabilia. 5 MYR entry. 1 hour.

6:00 p.m. — Cactus Point + Butterfly Garden

The most-photographed cactus collection in Malaysia, the most-photographed butterfly garden. The 2-3 hours for both is the most-photographed.

8:00 p.m. — Dinner at the Tanah Rata restaurants

The most-photographed dinner in the Cameron Highlands. The steamboat (the hot pot, the most-photographed), the Chinese stir-fry, the Indian curry. The most-photographed 2 hours in Tanah Rata.

Day 2: The Mossy Forest + the waterfalls + the market

6:00 a.m. — Sunrise at the Mossy Forest

The 4-km² cloud forest at 2,000 m elevation, the most-photographed in Malaysia, the most-photographed moss-covered trees, the most-photographed pitcher plants (the carnivorous plants), the most-photographed orchids. The guided tour (the 1-hour or 4-hour) is the most-photographed 4 hours in the Cameron Highlands. 30 MYR entry.

10:00 a.m. — Breakfast at the Cameron Highlands Resort

The most-photographed colonial hotel in the Cameron Highlands, the most-photographed breakfast. The colonial architecture, the high tea, the most-photographed 2 hours in Tanah Rata.

12:00 p.m. — Lunch at the Kea Farm Market

The most-photographed vegetable + fruit market in the Cameron Highlands. The fresh strawberries, the fresh corn, the local honey, the fresh flowers, the most-photographed lunch in the region.

2:00 p.m. — The waterfalls

The Lata Iskandar (the most-photographed, the most-accessible), the Robinson Waterfall (the most-photographed, the most-refreshing). The 30-minute drive from Kea Farm. The 1-2 hours for both is the most-photographed.

4:00 p.m. — Brinchang town + the Saturday Night Market (if it's the weekend)

The second town, the higher elevation, the cooler. The Saturday Night Market (the most-photographed night market in the Cameron Highlands) is the highlight. The fresh strawberries, the local honey, the fresh flowers, the most-photographed 2 hours in Brinchang.

7:00 p.m. — Dinner at the Brinchang restaurants

The most-photographed dinner in Brinchang. The steamboat, the Chinese stir-fry, the Indian curry. The most-photographed 2 hours in the region.

What to know

• The Cameron Highlands is year-round destination. The weather is the same (15-25°C). The rain is more common in October-December.
• The roads are steep and winding. Don't drive at night.
• The temperature drops to 10-12°C in the early morning. Bring a jacket.
• The Mossy Forest is best in the early morning (the mist, the dew, the most-photographed).

How to get there

3-4 hours by bus from KL. 4-5 hours by bus from Penang. 1.5 hours by car from Ipoh.

Where to stay

Tanah Rata: The main town, the most central, the most-developed. The Cameron Highlands Resort (the most-photographed, the most-British-feeling), the Heritage Hotel, the mid-range options. $30-150/night.

Brinchang: The second town, the higher elevation, the cooler. The Star View at Cameron Highlands, the Strawberry Park Resort. $30-100/night.

Cost (2 days, per person, 2 sharing, mid-range)

• Accommodation: $30-150/night × 2 = $60-300
• Food: $10-25/day = $20-50
• Activities: $20-40
• Transport from KL: $10-20
• Total: $110-410