Cameron Highlands Day Tour: Everything You Need to Know!

Looking for help to plan your perfect Cameron Highlands day tour? You’ve come to the right place!

In this article I have outlined everything you need to know about spending one day in Cameron Highlands. Including the top attractions to visit, how to get there, the best tours and more.

Located high in the Malaysian hills, Cameron Highlands is one of the most popular destinations in Malaysia. It’s famous for its tea plantations, hiking trails and cooler climate.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in, and start planning the perfect Cameron Highlands day tour for you!

About Cameron Highlands

Located 200 kilometres to the north of Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands is a vast, hilly region famed for its tea plantations and cool climate.

With the area developed in the late 1920s – and the road opened in 1931 – the Cameron Highlands became a favourite of British colonial settlers in the 1930s, who came here to enjoy some relief from the sweltering temperatures elsewhere in the country.

The land was ideal for growing fresh vegetables and tea, but there were also many colonial buildings – a golf course, cottages, schools, a police office and administrative buildings.

So if you’re wondering what to do in Cameron Highlands in one day, there’s plenty!

How to get to Cameron Highlands

Today the hill station is the highest point in mainland Malaysia that you can get to by car. There is no airport or trains that service the area, so you’ll either have to rent a car and drive yourself, go with a driver or catch the public bus.

The main cities people travel to Cameron Highlands from are…

How to get to Cameron Highlands from Kuala Lumpur

Taking a day trip from Cameron Highlands day trip from Kuala Lumpur is possible, but you’d be pushing it slightly.

The journey takes 3 hours 40 minutes to drive, while by public transport (bus) the journey can range between 4 and 6 hours (costing between RM 30-40).

Many people opt to take a day tour from KL, but personally I find this means spending the majority of your day travelling, and not enough enjoying the beauties of Cameron Highlands.

Check out prices & availability for a KL to Cameron Highlands day tour here, or click here to book the bus from KL to Cameron Highlands!

How to get to Cameron Highlands from Georgetown

It’s around a 4-hour drive from Georgetown to Cameron Highlands. By bus, this is somewhere between 4.5 and 5 hours instead (the entrance fee is around RM 35-55).

Click here to book your transfer from Georgetown to Cameron Highlands!

How to get to Cameron Highlands from Ipoh

If you happen to be based in Ipoh, then a day trip to Cameron Highlands from here is much more doable. The 90-kilometre drive from Ipoh only takes around 2 hours.

By bus from Ipoh to Cameron Highlands it’s around 2 hours too, and costs RM 25-30. You can either book yourself onto a private Ipoh to Cameron Highlands day tour, or just book public buses and do your own thing.

Check out prices & availability for a Ipoh to Cameron Highlands day tour here, or click here to book your transfer from Ipoh to Cameron Highlands!

Cameron Highlands 1-Day Itinerary

There’s a lot to mark out on your Cameron Highlands tourist map! 

If you join a Cameron Highlands full-day tour, these are the highlights included in the standard tour. If you’re visiting independently, these are the highlights that you shouldn’t miss on a trip to this lush, green slice of upland Malaysia.

Enjoy the views over the tea plantations

The first stop for most Cameron Highlands tours will be to explore a selection of tea plantations. Boh is the most famous, but there are also other tea plantations you can visit.

For example there’s also Bharat Tea Plantations, which is where you’ll find the perfectly located Cameron Valley Tea House 1 and 2 – the views from here are amazing.

Fairlie Tea Plantation is another good option, which offers tours and a place to sample tea on a beautiful backdrop.

All in all, the tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands make for a pretty place for a walk, enjoy the views and to take some pictures.

Have tea at Boh Tea Centre

The Boh Tea Centre is an ideal stop for tea lovers, and the most common stop on most tours. This beautifully located plantation offers a glimpse into not just the tea industry, but the history of the Cameron Highlands as a whole. 

Located 5,000 feet above sea level, the conditions here – low temperatures, high rainfall, and acidic soil – make it ideal for tea growing.

You can spend time here wandering the tea garden, taking a peek inside the factory and enjoying the views over the plantations while you sip tea and have a bite to eat.

Plus it’s a great place to pick up souvenirs. Where better place to buy tea than straight from the source?

Hike in the Mossy Forest

Cameron Highlands is home to some prime highland forest, where tree ferns grow and moss hangs from old branches of ancient trees.

The mist and cool temperatures create the ideal environment for lichens, ferns, moss and orchids to grow. Interesting wildlife makes their home here, from snakes and frogs to various bird species and mammals.

Exploring the wondrous realm of this particular stretch of forest – dubbed Mossy Forest – has been made easy thanks to a boardwalk that has been constructed to wind through the trees.

The boardwalk stretches from the entrance out into the Mossy Forest, does a little loop at the end and then joins back with the same initial trail.

The whole walk takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour tops, and is a great way to get up close to this beautiful nature, but still walking in relative comfort on the boardwalk.

Visit the Butterfly Farm

Definitely on the Cameron Highlands attractions map is the popular Butterfly Farm. Comprising part of the Kea Farm, this is one of the oldest attractions in the region.

Set in a greenhouse, the Butterfly Farm occupies a sloping hillside and is filled not only with butterflies but other insects and animals too. These include snakes, leaf insects, huge beetles, and other animals and insects indigenous to Malaysia.

It’s open daily 8:30AM to 6PM. The entrance ticket usually isn’t included in your Cameron Highlands tour package, you have to pay it on the spot but admission is only RM 7.

Eat fresh strawberries at the Strawberry Farm

With more than one strawberry farm to its name, finding somewhere to pick fresh strawberries in the Cameron Highlands is relatively easy.

It’s the centre of Malaysian strawberry production, after all, with the cold climate providing good growing conditions for the sweet fruit. 

One spot is Kok Lim Strawberry Farm (open 9AM to 5PM, it costs RM 30 to pick 500 grams of strawberries yourself). 

Personally we didn’t pick strawberries, we just visited the Strawberry Farm and purchased some strawberry products from the shop. It was a bit of an odd stop on the tour, but still pretty interesting.

Visit a Local Market

A day trip to Cameron Highlands wouldn’t be complete without a trip to a colourful local market. The Pasar Pagi Kea Farm market is one of the biggest, while Raju Hill Strawberry Farm also has a decent vegetable market.

Here you can find all sorts of fruit and vegetables, as well as souvenirs. It’s a great place to learn about local culture. Here at night? Don’t miss Brinchang Night Market for edible delights.

Learn about local history at the Time Tunnel Museum

The Time Tunnel Museum is a must-visit museum that works as a time capsule filled with nostalgic memorabilia from Brinchang’s post-war past.

Think old TVs, barber chairs, children’s toys, and a recreation of a retro kopi tiam (traditional Malaysian eatery), among other things.

It’s the local museum in Cameron Highlands, and it’s a pretty interesting place to visit to learn about local history. It doesn’t go into a huge amount of detail, focusing more on showcasing memorabilia, but it’s still interesting.

Visit Sam Poh Temple

One interesting place at Cameron Highlands you should pay a visit to is Sam Poh Temple, a Chinese Buddhist temple that makes for a colourful stop to explore and snap pictures.

It’s a simple temple, but peaceful enough to make it worth visiting. It was the final stop of our Cameron Highlands day tour.

When you compare to other temples in Malaysia, like Batu Caves or Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Sam Poh isn’t as amazing, but it’s still an interesting cultural stop on an otherwise very nature focused tour.

Swim in a waterfall

Our tour didn’t include a waterfall stop, but they do usually feature on most Cameron Highlands day tours. Thanks to the hills and wet conditions, there are several waterfalls to check out.

One is Lata Iskandar Waterfall, which is a picturesque spot where you can dip your feet in the pool, and pick up a snack from a nearby vendor if you’re hungry. 

There’s also the scenic and sizeable Robinson Falls, which features a 10-minute hike along a trail (not well marked) to get to it.

The waterfalls in Cameron Highlands might not be as impressive as Seven Wells Waterfalls in Langkawi, but they’re still very pretty.

Best Cameron Highlands day tours

From Kuala Lumpur: Cameron Highlands Day Tour with Lunch

This Cameron Highlands day trip from KL is a shared tour. It includes pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, a visit to a tea plantation, the Butterfly Garden and a trip to a waterfall, as well as a stop at markets and a strawberry farm.

Local lunch at a Cameron Highlands restaurant is included in the price. It’s the classic Cameron Highlands day tour from Kuala Lumpur.

There are long transfer times, but it’s perfect for those who don’t have long in Malaysia and want to visit on a day trip.

Click here to book your Cameron Highlands group day tour from Kuala Lumpur!

From Kuala Lumpur: Cameron Highlands Private Day Tour

See the highlights of Cameron Highlands on this one-day trip. It’s a 12-hour private tour that begins with a pick-up at your accommodation in Kuala Lumpur, after which you’ll be whisked to the captivating landscapes of the highlands. 

You’ll see waterfalls, tea plantations, and traditional crafts, and stop for lunch at a local restaurant (included in the price), before heading to the Butterfly Farms. 

Being a private tour, you can tweak the itinerary to visit the stops that you’re most interested in.

Click here to book your private day tour to Cameron Highlands from Kuala Lumpur!

This private overnight tour allows you to see all the tourist attractions in Cameron Highlands without being rushed. Taking place over 2 days and 1 night, you’ll leave the busy city behind on an adventure into the highlands. 

Getting around via a 4×4, highlights include the Mossy Forest, the famous Boh Tea Plantation, and markets. Being private, you can edit or tweak the tour depending on what you want to do.

This Cameron Highlands day tour package is a great option for those who have enough time to spend at least one night in Cameron Highlands, but don’t want to worry about having to arrange their hotel stay.

Click here to book your private overnight tour to Cameron Highlands!

Cameron Highland Best Tour from Ipoh (Private Day Trip)

This tour starts from Ipoh, meaning shorter travel time than from KL. It’s another private day trip, meaning you can personalise the tour depending on what you want to do.

Stop options include the Kea Farm Market, the Bharat Tea Plantation and Boh Tea Centre, amongst others.

Click here to book your private day trip to Cameron Highlands from Ipoh!

This Cameron Highlands half-day tour starts directly in the highlands themselves.

This is ideal for those who are staying here for a night or two independently, as you’ll get to tick off the highlights without having to worry about long travel times.

Pick your own strawberries, sample tea, visit a tea plantation, do a factory tour and walk amongst the trails of the Mossy Forest, amongst other things.

Click here to book your half day tour starting in Cameron Highlands!

How many days do you need in Cameron Highlands?

Despite the distance between the two, there are day trips available from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands.

These day trips allow you to see the main sights of the area in a whirlwind tour that means you won’t have to worry about getting to and from the highlands yourself.

However, as it’s quite a long drive from KL, I really would suggest spending at least 1 night in Cameron Highlands. This will give you more time to explore at a leisurely pace.

Once you’re there you can then do a full day tour starting directly from Cameron Highlands, maybe even staying another night before heading back. This is what we did as part of our wider Malaysia itinerary, and it worked well for us.

We spent the morning in Kuala Lumpur, arrived in Cameron Highlands in the afternoon, spent the next day doing a full-day tour of Cameron Highlands, and then left the next day (total 2 nights in Cameron Highlands).

It ultimately depends on how much time you have in Malaysia and what else you want to see, but I personally think one night in Cameron Highlands is the bare minimum to avoid spending hours in a minivan or bus.

Where to stay for your Cameron Highlands day tour

As I already mentioned, I recommend spending at least one night in Cameron Highlands, if not two, as it means you’ll be able to do a full-day tour without excessively long transfers.

That said, I know many travellers choose to visit on a day trip from Kuala Lumpur or Ipoh. Which is why I listed below some great places to stay in each city.

In Cameron Highlands

Budget: Sleepbox Hotel – This hostel is a great option for budget travellers as it has spacious dorms, fun common areas, and great reviews.

Click here to book your stay at Sleepbox Hotel in Cameron Highlands!

Mid-range: Hotel De’ La Ferns – If you want something a bit more high end, but without breaking the bank, this English-vibe inspired hotel is a great option as it has spacious and clean rooms, and a delicious breakfast buffet.

Check out prices & availability at Hotel De’ La Ferns in Cameron Highlands!

Luxury: The Lakehouse Cameron Highlands – If you want to treat yourself, this is the place to do so. This charming country house inspired by English heritage is exquisitely furnished, with spacious outdoors areas.

Click here to book your stay at The Lakehouse Cameron Highlands!

In Kuala Lumpur

Budget – Chinatown Hostel by Mingle: Located in Chinatown, this cool hostel is the place to be if you’re on a budget. From here, you can easily stroll to the night markets and main attractions of Kuala Lumpur. It also has a cool rooftop terrace to meet fellow travellers.

Click here to book your stay at Chinatown Hostel by Mingle in Kuala Lumpur!

Mid-range – ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre: This branch of the international chain Ibis is located right in the middle of KL. It’s modern and polished, with comfortable rooms equipped with all the amenities you’ll need. 

Click here to see prices & availability at ibis KLCC!

Luxury – Ascott Star KLCC: Treat yourself to an incredible stay at this high-end gem. Rooms come in a range of sizes and include private kitchenettes, as well as incredible views of Petronas Towers.

Don’t miss out, click here to book your stay at Ascott Star KLCC!

In Ipoh

Budget: The Brownstone Hostel & Space – Located close to the centre of Ipoh, this hostel is great for budget travellers, as it has cool common areas, spacious dorms and also private rooms available.

Click here to book your stay at The Brownstone Hostel & Space in Ipoh!

Mid-range: Ipoh City Executive Suite – This apartment is spacious, modern and has a rooftop infinity pool with epic views over Ipoh, all for an affordable price. What more do you need?

Click here to book your stay at Ipoh City Executive Suite!

Luxury: Banjaran Hotsprings Resort – Tucked away into the hills, this resort is a gem and great place to treat yourself. Imagine private pool villas, massages, cave restaurants and beautiful views!

Check out prices & availability at Banjaran Hotsprings Resort in Ipoh!

What to pack for a day trip to Cameron Highlands 

Cameron Highlands can have a very variable weather, so it’s important to pack accordingly.

Waterproof jacket – even if you’re visiting in dry season, you will need one of these! We even went as far as rain ponchos, as it was just too rainy when we were there.

Adapter – depending on where you come from you might need one of these to charge your electronics. I like to use an international one so that it can work for multiple destinations.

Power bank – if you’re out and about all day you don’t want your phone to die on you just as you’re about to snap a great photo of the beautiful temples in Kuala Lumpur!

Waterproof shoes – if it ends up raining, you don’t want to get your feet wet! It’s also a good idea to pack flip-flops or a change of shoes, that way you can get out of your wet shoes at the end of the day.

Do you need travel insurance for Cameron Highlands?

After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance.

You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your travel insurance with  Heymondo.

Heymondo offers tailor made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).

Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.

Plus, as a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance!

Click here to get your 5% off Heymondo travel insurance!

Final thoughts on doing a day tour to Cameron Highlands

That’s a wrap on the ultimate Cameron Highlands day tour guide! Have you been to Cameron Highlands before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

Cameron Highlands is the perfect place to escape the humid tropical climate of the lowlands. You will have the best time here, exploring tea plantations, verdant forests, flowing waterfalls and unique viewpoints.

From here many travellers continue onwards to Taman Negara, a famous tropical rainforest, but personally we chose to travel on to Ipoh, Georgetown and Langkawi.

There are different towns in the Cameron Highlands areas, all with their own charm.

I hope you found my Cameron Highlands day tour guide useful! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below.

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