Hi travelers! Thanks for checking out my article on the best things to do in the Cameron Highlands. My name is Samuel and my passion for traveling started in Spain, the European country where I was born and raised.
Spain has given me many adventures – from the Pyrenees to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a country full of magical places to explore. As I grew up, I visited a wider region of Europe such as Paris and the French Alps and explored cities with a rich history like Bruges, Milan and Turin. I also got to see the epic coastline of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In 2012, I started my first adventure in a big way: touring New Zealand from north to south for one month and traveling 2500 kms by van. It was in NZ where I discovered how amazing our planet actually is. Eight months later, I repacked my backpack but this time to land in the stunning Philippines.
Asia changed my life. From that moment onwards, I knew that I would not recover from what backpackers call: “the travel bug”. Later on, I met my adventurous better half, Amaya Martinez. She is a Spanish biologist and together we decided to fulfil our great dream of moving to Asia full-time.
In 2017, we left our sable jobs in Spain to move to the heart of Cambodia where we spent two unforgettable years. Soon after, we traveled all over Southeast Asia with just a backpack and a bit of money in our pockets. It was an extraordinary experience that changed our lives forever.
Now, in this world hit by a pandemic, we are looking for nearby paradises in Spain. We are currently situated in Pamplona and are searching for new perspectives. The road to these dreams has not been easy or stable, but it has been full of exploration and adventure, which is what life is all about.
Not only are we passionate travelers but we also love writing for our blog – waipuru.com. Wai Puru means blue water in Maori. We have always been inspired and fascinated by the culture and life of Maori explorers on their journey through Oceania. The blog started when we moved to Asia.
We wanted to convey all the emotions that living in the heart of Southeast Asia entails. Wai Puru is a blog dedicated to motivating and encouraging a certain style of travel: let us say with no return ticket and to embrace slow travel – a much more ecological and immersive experience.
Two and a Half Months in Malaysia
Malaysia has always been on our radar due to its location in the middle of our favorite region of the world – Southeast Asia. On a backpacking trip through Asia, it’s a fundamental point of transit, with hundreds of islands, and with wild and impressive natural landscapes around the country.
We spent approximately two and a half months in Malaysia since the visa invited us to stay for three months. We arrived from Singapore to Malacca, a small colonial city full of history. From there we went to Kuala Lumpur where we settled for a few days to explore the city and its wonders.
From Kuala Lumpur we set off to the cool mountains of the Cameron Highlands and after a few days of relaxation, we took the bus to the island of Penang. After a few days we visited the natural jewel of Langkawi, shortly before continuing our journey by land to Thailand. It was a fantastic trip!
The Cameron Highlands made it onto our Malaysia itinerary as we saw some Instagram posts about the destination that really inspired us to visit. We also heard stories from other travelers about trekking through forests and tea fields and the cool temperatures of the mountains. This triggered us to pay a visit ourselves and it was one of the best decisions ever!
Top 5 Things To Do in the Cameron Highlands
- One of the main things to see and do in the Cameron Highlands region of Malaysia is trekking through the jungle that surrounds this mountainous area. There are green forests everywhere and most of them can be enjoyed on foot from your own accommodation! The most spectacular hike is arguably the wet and foggy Mossy Forest.
- Another incredible thing to do in the Cameron Highlands is to visit the tea plantations. These fields of the precious leaf form landscapes that resemble another planet, as if the whole mountain were stuffed green!
- A third must-do activity in the region is to check out the strawberry plantations and the bee and butterfly farms. There are lots of them and you can enjoy the taste of this mountain fruit in a relaxed way.
- Next on the list is to see the largest exotic flower in the world, Rafflesia. At almost 10 kgs and a meter in diameter, seeing this curious flower up close in the Cameron Highlands is something totally unique.
- Last but not least, relax in the mountains. Our favorite thing to do in the Cameron Mountains was to relax with tea at sunset. We would watch the rain, chat with other travelers, feel the breathtaking beauty of the mountains, enjoy the cool temperatures and take in the colors!
Favorite Memory from the Cameron Highlands
The most exciting moment of our trip was arriving from chaotic Kuala Lumpur and discovering lush green mountains with a peaceful village in the middle of the highlands. Although if we had to choose a single moment it would be the sunset in the fields of Cameron Valley Tea House.
Just walking from our hotel, we reached this vast ocean of tea where we were able to wander around the plantation and shoot epic photos. We ended the day in the garden of our hotel snuggled up with a blanket and tasting the flavor of the same tea we had just seen. It was unforgettable!
Where to Stay in the Cameron Highlands
The main town of the Cameron Highlands is Tanah Rata at 1400 meters above sea level. No need to worry because both Tanah Rata and the surrounding areas offer many options for accommodation. From hostels, to modest private rooms, to luxury resorts. Don’t forget that the Cameron Highlands are a place of vacation and refreshment for Malaysians. So even though it’s a quiet town, Tanah Rata has all kinds of services.
Some Amazing Places to Visit Nearby
The Cameron Highlands is located on the backpacking route to Thailand from Kuala Lumpur. From these mountains the island of Penang and the city of Georgetown are very close. Both of them are a backpacker’s paradise where you can taste all kinds of recipes from all over Southeast Asia.
A little further north and on the way to Thailand is Langkawi – an island paradise with waterfalls, beaches and green jungles. From there, and if your trip allows it, you can go by boat to continue the adventure in Thailand.
Need to Know Before you Go
The Cameron Highlands is a paradise in the mountains that every traveler is looking for on his route to slow down and rest for a few days. Surrounded by mountains, jungle, cool nights and warm tea – it will capture your heart!
Arriving at the Cameron Highlands, don’t expect big cities or touristy places. Just prepare your body and mind to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing vibe. Walk at sunset, enjoy sporadic rain in the garden, sip on hot tea and try strawberries while covering yourself in a blanket – remembering all the shades of green that these mountains in the equator of Asia are famous for.