CAMERON HIGHLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG 2022 (Budget + Itinerary)

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.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE 2022

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 like Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Airasia, you can CHECK KUALA LUMPUR FLIGHTS HERE.

KUALA LUMPUR TO CAMERON HIGHLANDS BY BUS

From Kuala Lumpur, there are several buses going to Cameron Highlands.  But you need to get to TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan), the long distance bus terminal. First trip is around 8:30 AM and last trip is about 5:00 PM. You can BOOK YOUR CAMERON HIGHLANDS BUS TICKETS HERE. 

The bus terminal – TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) is just right beside Bandar Tasik Selatan train station, accessible by LRT, KTM and ERL (KLIA Transit) trains. If you plan to ride the LRT (recommended), take Ampang Line to Sri Petaling and alight at Bandar Tasik Selation. If you are taking KTM instead, ride the Seremban line and get off at Bandar Tasik Selation. If you are coming from Kuala Lumpur and you plan to go directly to Cameron Highlands, ride the KLIA transit and alight at Bandar Tasik Selation.  Fare is MYR 38.40 / PHP 447 / USD 8.97 for adults and MYR 17.30 / PHP 201 / USD 4 for children.  At Bandar Tasik Selation there is a bridge that connects to Bandar the bus terminal – TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan).  You can also book your bus tickets online 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 Ipoh Manjaya Terminal in Ipoh, you can take a bus directly to Cameron Highlands.  Bus fare is around MYR 20 / PHP 232 / USD 4.67 and travel time to Cameron Highlands from Ipoh is about 1.5-2 hours.  Bus usually leaves at 3:30 PM from Ipoh. Take motion sickness pills as the road is winding.  You can BUY BUS TICKETS TO CAMERON HIGHLANDS FROM IPOH HERE.

KUALA LUMPUR TO CAMERON HIGHLANDS BY PRIVATE VAN

If you are in a large group,  Choose KL –> Area E. Van can accommodate up to 7 persons.

GETTING AROUND IN CAMERON HIGHLANDS

Though there are buses that run between Tanah Rata and Brinchang for about MYR 6 /PHP 70 / USD 1.40 per person, the schedule is unreliable.  Some backpackers opt to hitchhike instead. You can also rent a bike for roughly MYR 6 /PHP 70 / USD 1.40.  Otherwise, you can take a taxi which will cost you about MYR 10/ PHP 116 / USD 2.34 to Brinchang, roughly  MYR 30 /PHP 349 / USD 7 to Ringlet and about MYR 40 / PHP 465/ USD 9.34 to Boh Tea Plantation.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS MAP (by Google Maps)

To give you an idea about Cameron Highlands, here is a map from Google.  The main towns are Ringlet, Tanah Rata and Brinchang.  If coming from Kuala Lumpur, you will pass by Ringlet first followed by Tanah Rata and then Brinchang.

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.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS BUDGET HOTELS

Here’s a list of some of the best budget hotels in Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands.

TJ Lodge

No. 68A, Persiaran Camellia 3, Bandar Baru Juta Villa, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

David’s Hotel Apartment @ Greenhill ResortApartment

A4/G, Greenhill Resort, Jalan Gereja, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

Mentigi Guesthouse

PT 1675 (A), Bungalow Jalan Mentigi, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

CAMERON HIGHLANDS TOUR PACKAGES 2017

Once you are in Cameron Highlands, you can join Cameron Highlands Tours, book through accredited travel agencies Tanah Rata.  Expect to pay roughly MYR 40 / PHP 465 / USD 9.34 for tour that includes the Tea Plantation, Strawberry Farm, Butterfly Garden and Mossy Forest.

But if you are pressed for time, you can BOOK A CAMERON HIGHLANDS DAY TOUR PACKAGE 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

BRINCHANG MOSSY FOREST

RAFFLEASIA

BUTTERFLY GARDEN

JIM THOMPSON HOUSE

CAMERON HIGHLANDS ITINERARY

Here’s a sample Cameron Highlands Sample 2 Days 1 Night Itinerary (Countryside Tour) which includes a visit to Boh tea Plantation, Strawberry Farm , Sam Poh Temple, Rose Village , Honey Bee Farm and Butterfly Farm.  If you want to do the trek to Gunung Brinchang for the moss forest and the raffleasia tour, you need at least 3 Days 2 nights in Cameron Highlands.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS TRIP BUDGET

Cameron Highlands is inexpensive, you can buy a decent meal from MYR 6 /PHP 70 / USD 1.40 to MYR 10 / PHP 116 / USD 2.34.  Day tours (where you will be joining others in a group tour) starts at MYR 40 / PHP 465 / USD 9.34.  Here’s a sample budget/expenses for a 2 day 1 night trip in Cameron Highlands.

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 at Camellia Building where most banks are located.

BOOK A CAMERON HIGHLANDS BUDGET HOTEL HERE in advance as they fill up real fast.  Most cheap accommodations are concentrated in Tanah Rata.  Brinchang is more peaceful with mostly mid-range to high-end hotels.

Check out the Brinchang Night Market now located along Golden Hill Sg Ruil.

Cameron Highlands is mostly about nature and trekking.

To avoid the crowd, travel to Cameron Highlands on weekdays and avoid the holidays.

From Cameron Highlands, Ipoh is just 1.5 to 2 hours away by bus.

ALSO READ:

KUALA LUMPUR TRAVEL GUIDE (Budget + Itinerary)