Cameron Highlands is known for its cool climate, lush landscapes, and tea plantations. It is situated in the state of Pahang, although parts of it extend into the states of Perak and Selangor. The highlands were named after William Cameron, a British colonialist who discovered the area in 1885. It is a great place to spend a couple of days as you make your way through Malaysia.
If you only have time for one full day in the Cameron Highlands, this is a perfect 1-day itinerary!
1-Day Itinerary in
Cameron Highlands
- Mossy Forest Visit
- Tea Plantation Tour
- Strawberry Picking
- Steamboat Dinner
These are the top 4 activities to do during your visit. You will find that there are a lot of options for each of these so let’s jump into them.
Mossy Forest
One of the main reasons people come to the Cameron Highlands is for the gorgeous landscape of the mossy forest! And who can blame them? This is easily one of the most unique spots to stop at. There are a few key things to know before planning your trip there.
There are multiple mossy forest trails throughout the area. It is easy to find many on a map and different lists. Here is where it gets tricky. In the past year they have changed the rules so that almost every trail requires a permit. To get a permit you have to go outside of town to the office and request it in advance. This can take up to a week. Some trails have also been completely shut down in the past year. Whether or not these trails are well-watched by the authorities is not something I can answer. People have reported being fined for going on the trails.
If you don’t have time to get a permit, the other option is going to the Mossy Forest boardwalk. It is a smaller area that can be completed in 30 minutes or so with basic footwear. It gives you a peek into the forest without having to plan ahead. The fee is ~RM30 for adults. They say you can’t ride a motorcycle or car up the road so we walked up the massive hill (took almost an hour). We got passed by cars and bikes the entire time. The guards are very serious here and will not let you wander off the path or sneak by without paying the entrance fee.
Tea Plantation Tour
Two of the best tea plantations are the Boh and Baharat plantations. Both locations have guided tours, informational areas, and snacks. Depending on which area of town you plan to stay in, you can choose one or the other as they are on opposite ends of town.
Boh Tea plantation is one shop. There is plenty of parking and it is easy to find with the signs leading the way. With multiple tour options, it is possible to find one that is right for you. The little shop has a variety of options for you to take home. The cafe has tons of space with a gorgeous view overlooking the area. The tea samples are yummy and we cannot recommend the ice cream enough! We found all the prices to be very affordable.
Baharat Tea Plantation is actually two separate shops. The great part is they have a shuttle that for a small fee will take you between the two. It’s not a far walk if you prefer to walk. We grabbed a few teas while here and took shelter from the rain. Once the rain stopped we headed to the second area. The best part is you get to walk through the tea plants! It makes for great photos. There is less parking at these locations and has more of a rural feel.
Strawberry Picking
Strawberry picking is abundant in the area. There are tons of small shops along the main roads that boast you can come pick your own. It looks like a bunch of open air greenhouses. Things to note about this experience is it is likely not what you are expecting. The strawberry ‘bushes’ are actually very small potted strawberries on shelving going across the space. They price you with a small basket and a pair of scissors. The strawberries aren’t very big. They generally go by weight so it is up to you how much you want to spend. We also got a small thing of chocolate with ours and it totaled to around RM20. If you prefer to not pick them yourself, they also sell them already packaged.
Steamboat Dinner
After your exciting day adventuring the highlands, it is time for dinner. Steamboat dinners can be found all over the town. Upon sitting you will choose if you want spicy or regular soup. They set you at a table with a gas stove/hotplate. In the bowl is your chosen broth and a plate around the outside as a grill. Then you walk around the restaurant to the food tables of different raw meats, veggies, and noodles. At your table you get to cook the meat on the grill area with the noodles and veggies going in the broth. The one we visited also had a variety of drinks and ice cream. We paid around RM35 per person for unlimited food. Definitely be hungry upon arrival.
Throughout SE Asia there are many restaurants that have a similar set up in terms of providing a broth and a hotplate where you cook your own food. The difference with this one is there is an area to grill the meat. It is also set up more as a buffet rather than one set amount of food. They provide multiple utensils for the uncooked and the cooked meat. Overall we found it to be delicious and a fun experience of trying the variety of flavors offered.
General Recommendations for Cameron Highlands
As you plan a visit to the Cameron Highlands, there are a few key things that you should know before your visit:
- Rent a car not a motorbike. The roads are bad and it rains a ton. There is also very few Grabs in this area.
- Warm clothes and umbrellas/ponchos. We got caught in the rain multiple times. A packable rain jacket like this one is a great option!
- Maps it first. The town isn’t huge but it’s easier to go in order across the town than drive back and forth on the curvy roads.
We hope you found this 1-day itinerary helpful! Let us know what you loved most on your visit to Cameron Highlands in the comments below!
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