Malaysia – Getting to know the Cameron Highlands

The Cameron Highlands are a vast area of rolling green hills, tea plantations, and forest located about four hours drive north of Kuala Lumpur. Sitting at between 1,300m and 1,829m in altitude, the relaxing hill station offers visitors a cooler climate than they experience during lowland travels, and provides the perfect conditions for growing tea, flowers and all manner of fruit and vegetables.

What to do in the Cameron Highlands

Plantation tours are very popular, usually culminating in the devouring of some very fine scones washed down with some of the best tea you will ever taste.

There are various jungle walks, most of which can be achieved in one to three hours as well as longer trails for the more adventurous trekker.

Visit an Orang Asli village where you will meet the local tribesmen and where you will have the opportunity to participate in traditional activities such a blow-pipe making, and ancient hunting methods.

The Highlands take their name from Sir William Cameron, the British government surveyor who mapped the area in 1885. He was soon followed by tea planters, Chinese vegetable farmers and wealthy colonialists in search of respite from the heat.

The Cameron Highlands are home to some charming Colonial-style boutique hotels. A stay here is a must for any traveller wanting to refresh their senses in one of the Malay Peninsula’s most beautiful spots.