Cameron Highlands -12 July 2008, we took bus from Skudai, Johor to Tapah, Perak, it took us around 8 hours to reach there. By the time we reached Tapah, just 6 a.m early morning, we ate our breakfast at a stall near the local bus station. There are 6 of us from southern part and another 3 from Penang. Haha.
A Short History of Cameron Highlands?!
Cameron Highlands was named after William Cameron, a British government surveyor who stumbled accross plateau in 1885 during a mapping expedition on the Titiwangsa Range. Failing to mark his discovery on the map. the location of the plateau was finally confirmed by subsequent expeditions after which Sir Hugh Low suggested that this would be an ideal location for a retreat and farmland. A narrow path to the highlands was then cut through the dense jungles. Until 1925, Sir George Maxwell visited the highlands and decided to develop it as hill station …
From Tapah bus to Tanah Rata took us 2 hours, each person RM6.00, going up the hill through the narrow path.
Tanah Rata
When we arrived at Tanah Rata, we saw a Tourist Centre in front of us, so we went there and wanna get more information about the return tickets to Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. The receptionist at the counter told us that in Cameron highlands only the tourist centre got the bus to Kuala Lumpur and no other bus to Johor in Cameron there. Oh my god, we quickly bought 6 tickets and 4 of my friend just plan to transfer bus from KL to Johor.
You know what?! After we left the tourist centre and walked along the street and we saw a lot of tour agents there, and we figured out that they offer many bus services to other cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and even Singapore. WE ARE CHEATED BY THE TOURIST CENTRE GIRL, feeling bad then we returned back there and ask her to sell back the ticket, but she say only can put there and wait for people to buy, we just lost RM90 for the return tickets.
Then we meet a really nice and helpful girl in Kang Tours Travel Sdn Bhd. We bought 9 daily tours tickets there, each cost RM25. There would be a van to take us to 7 places such as Cactus Valley, Strawberry Farm, Honey Bee Farm, Rose Garden, Sungai Palas Tea Plantation, and others.

Kang Tours Travel Sdn Bhd Shop
Inside the shop, we have asked a lot of questions, Haha. Furthermore, i bought a RM2.00 map and tourist info booklet as well. In case later needed to use it… Who knows?!
Tanah Rata Lunch
We felt so hungry and we ate Hainam Chicken Rice at the shop behind the tourist Centre there. There were 6 of us and our 3 friends from Penang still on their way going up the hill, Haha.
Parkland Apartment
Location: Lot 134, Brinchang, 39100 Cameron Highlands, Malaysia.
Check-in time - 14:00 pm
Check-out time - 12:00 noon
Tel: 605-4912366
20 fully furnished 3 bedroom apartments - A master bedroom with two double beds, other bedroom with two single beds. All rooms with attached bathroom, hot/cold shower, toiletries amenities, spacious lounge with colour TV, telephone system and dining area. Kitchen with fridge and tea/coffee making facilities. Balcony with golf course view. Porters, maids service and ample parking space.
This was the apartment we all stayed together, cost us total RM400 per night. We reached here around 1:00 p.m, but we could check in earlier. Yeah.

Parkland Apartment Balcony View
Cactus Valley
1st destination in our daily tour - “Cactus Valley“. The ticket price is RM4.00 each person. By the time we arrived there, it was starting to rain already. So bad. But luckily Cactus Valley was sheltered. We spent around 40 minutes here, taking photos and enjoy the scenes of all species of cactus and local vegetables.
Strawberry Farm
2nd destination - “Strawberry Farm“. Here was starting to rain dizzily and we could feel the cold wind blowing on us, we started to find the shelter and went inside the strawberry farm quickly. Haha.
After walking around the farm, we found a lot of strawberry there, “can see cannot touch”, hehe. Then, we went to the Strawberry Shop beside the farm, got many people there queuing to buy the strawberry jam and other strawberry related products.

Scene Outside the Strawberry Farm
[To be continued…you can see more Cameron Highlands trip Day 2 post, yeah!)
When you wake up this morning, what is your first thought appears in your mind? My thought is "It is a brand new day for me, i want to be myself, live my life and do something great!!! Yeah, Go Go Go!". Everyday, everyone will have their own life with different stories and tasks, but if you can enjoy doing what you are doing now, then you definitely is the happiest guy in this world!
So, BE YOURSELF, LIVE YOUR LIFE, ENJOY!
Terry & Vivayor
Borneo Falcon
July 25th, 2008 at 11:14 am
What do you reckon is it viable to cycle around Cameron Highland or the terrain is too steep to do so?
terrytsang
July 25th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I think if you wanna cycle around a town like Tanah Rata, Brinchang, is okay. But if you wanna go from 1 town to another town, it’s better take a car or public transport cos the road is long and winded. Haha.
Liane Schmidt
July 27th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Nice post and interesting history.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
terrytsang
July 28th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
yeah, glad you like it, we will be writing more and more our travel experience, cheers!
jennifer
September 6th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
pls advise as im going to Cameron soon..rite now planning..heard that not a gud idea to go there onpublic holidays..
terrytsang
September 6th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
hi, jennifer, nice to meet you. ya, if you go Cameron on public holidays, everywhere will have a lot of people. However, i will recommend to have your own transport when traveling in Cameron Highlands as all the tourist places are scattered around, so more convenient if have own transport. hope you have a nice trip there!
Sook Wah
September 21st, 2008 at 11:10 am
hihi, i plan to go there on Oct, as u mention there is bus travel back from Cameron to JB, do u have the agent contact info….. Thanks
terrytsang
September 21st, 2008 at 6:04 pm
hi, Sook Wah. nice to meet you
i have few contacts, maybe you can try to call these number:
1) Kang Tours Travel Sdn Bhd :05 - 491 5823 / 016-542 2249 (Karen)
2) Golden Highlands Adventure : 05 - 491 2978 / 019-423 2282 (Mr Thiru)
wish you have nice trip there!
khoo
October 28th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
hi, am going to stay at parkland apartment soon. how do you find the apartment? is it within walking distance to night market? is it clean?
terrytsang
October 28th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
hi, khoo. i found that the apartment is clean and nice view… around 15 minutes to the night market
Imran
November 11th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Hi we are a group of 3 couples plus 1 child (from Pakistan), we want to come to Cameron from Singapore/Johar Bharu (departure from Sing/Johar on 19th Dec. 2008 around 10 pm).
- Is there a good bus service from Johar to Cameron direct.
- Will it be a better idea to take the overnight train to Tapah and then bus to Tanah Rata?
- What are the good and under (US$ 80) places to stay in Cameron Highlands?
Would really appreciate if you could give an urgent detailed reply.
terrytsang
November 11th, 2008 at 9:42 am
hi, imran. i will try to help you on this
1) mostly bus service from singapore to cameron will stop at tanah rata, then you can take shuttle bus up cameron highlands.
reference links:
- http://www.cameron-highland-destination.com/highlands-getting-there-buses.html
- http://www.journeymalaysia.com/ptacamerons.htm
2) If you plan to take train to Tapah, definitely it will be better if you never take train in malaysia. Experience night jungle train and remember to take 2nd class seat or sleeping bed cos spacious. Tapah road Railway Station, tel : +605-481 040.
3) If family accomodation, i recommend take apartment, try to contact no. below:
- Parkland Apartment : +605-4912366
- other budget hotels list:
http://malaysiabudgethotel.com/accommodation/cameron-highlands-hostels.html
Wish you have a nice journey in Malaysia, cheers!
khoo
November 28th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
hi if you still remember, whether there was any utensils in the kitchen at parkland apartment? i thought of bringing my mini steam boat there;-O
vivayor
November 28th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
in my memory, only hv electricity kettle in the apartment… if ur mini steamboat using electricity one, then ok… but u’ve to bring ur own plate, spoon etc.
doksdayloaphy
December 19th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Действительно классная темка.
arsennie
January 2nd, 2009 at 8:37 am
hi,
i’m planning to go there during weekend before CNY.
i’m from Kulai, Johor. U mentioned that U took bus from Skudai. How do I get the ticket?
Hope to get you response ASAP. Thanx!
terrytsang
January 4th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
my friends take bus to Tapah from Sri Putri, Skudai. then we take bus from local bus station to go up Cameron Highlands
vivayor
January 4th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
i’m not sure whether kulai got direct bus or not la.. if not u can take bus from kulai to sri putri or to larkin and get a ticket to tapah…
Buvi
April 7th, 2009 at 3:26 am
Hi
Thanks for your info, found your blog very useful!
Buvi
April 7th, 2009 at 3:36 am
Hi im quite afraid of the taxi drivers there? How to know the rates? Any idea? Any recommended Tour package for young couple? Im going there in April
Your info will be useful!
thanks!
terrytsang
April 7th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
haha… i will suggest u drive there with your own car, because all the destinations there are located separately, so if take taxi will be expensive to go all the places. Somemore not convenient also…
vivayor
April 7th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
if u really dun hv transport then mayb u can try the tour package. there are some travel agencies just in front of the so call “tourist center” in tanah rata. is not very convenient but if u do not have own transport, there are still daily trip for u to join. go several agencies and compare price…
vivayor
April 7th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Buvi, by the way u can call to ask if u really feel afraid… here is two doing daily tour i think..
1) Kang Tours Travel Sdn Bhd :05 - 491 5823 / 016-542 2249 (Karen)
2) Golden Highlands Adventure : 05 - 491 2978 / 019-423 2282 (Mr Thiru)
Buvi
April 8th, 2009 at 1:02 am
Hey
Thanks guys! I think I’l get to Tanah Rata and compare prices from each travel agencies.. heheh
We don’t drive
We’re planning to stay there for 4D3N
Hoping to cover all areas in Cameron.. hahah I know its kinda long but also for relaxation!
Thanks! Appreciate your help!
cindy
September 1st, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Wonder is there any shuttle transfer / taxi from Tanah Rata to Brinchang? How’s the rate likely?
terrytsang
September 4th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Hi, cindy. I know there are taxi from Tanah Rata to Brinchang one… but the price i am not sure
vivayor
September 8th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
there is always bus and taxi from tanah rata to brinchang… rate i am not sure but won’t be expensive cos is quite a normal thing tat local ppl there also use these transports frequently…
Sun
November 20th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Can I know which strawberry farm that you guys visited?
vivayor
November 28th, 2009 at 10:31 am
not really remember the name…but the strawberry park we go not much strawberry we saw… i think we go to a not correct place..
QP
January 7th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Hi Terry,
I’m planning to go Cameron Highland on last wk of Jan for group of 5 girls, and we will go there from Singapore. May I have your advice whether I should take a bus from SG/JB to Cameron Highland, or we can drive from SG to Cameron Highland? And how is the road condition to go up Cameron Highland?
vivayor
January 8th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
hi QP, if u want to have more flexible time, driving will be better. u can take the “simpang pulai way” which is easier to drive. the road are wider. if 5 of u also can drive, then should be no problem. just try not to drive at night bcos the road will be dark.
but if u go by bus, it is more advisable to take tour packages since the public transport there is not so convenient.