A Full Guide to Travel Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
I actually don’t know how to start this guide. Perhaps a straightforward opening could be easier. So this post is a guide to travel to Cameron Highlands, a destination in my 5-day trip to 3 countries that I just did at the beginning of the year 2019.
About Cameron Highlands
As far as I know, Cameron Highlands is a district in Pahang, Malaysia. Along with other subdistricts such as Ringlet, Brinchang, and Tanah Rata, all the areas form one of the best places to visit in the country.
As well as my love for Dalat, all the cold-weather-destinations are always attractive to me. With a featured weather of a highland, Cameron Highlands focuses primarily on agriculture. Going to the area, it’s not hard to find the broad, green tea plantations, the glasshouses with many kinds of flowers, and the special environment of a highland, quiet and peaceful!
Cameron Highlands at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Country | Malaysia |
| State | Pahang |
| Main towns | Tanah Rata, Brinchang |
| Known for | Tea plantations, strawberry farms, and cool weather |
| Top attractions | BOH Tea Plantation, Mossy Forest, and local farms |
| Ideal stay | 2–3 days |
| Best for | Nature, food, hiking, and a relaxing mountain escape |
Cameron Highlands is a scenic mountain destination in Malaysia, famous for its tea plantations, farms, cool climate, and lush highland landscapes. It is an excellent stop for travelers planning a Malaysia travel itinerary or looking for a refreshing escape from the country’s tropical lowlands.
When is The Best Time to Go to Cameron Highlands?
From Apr to Sep, Cameron Highlands has the best weather, with the average temperature at around 16 degrees Celsius at night and around 25 degrees Celsius in the morning. During this period, the weather is really good for any outdoor activities during the day or at night.
From Oct to Mar, the weather is colder with a lot of rain. I went to Cameron Highlands in January, and I had to come back to the hotel early at night to avoid the cold weather. It was just approximately 8 p.m., and it was raining slightly.
CAMERON HIGHLANDS WEATHERHow to Go to Cameron Highlands?
Anywhere in the world, the simplest way is to take a flight from your destination to IPOH (IPH), or Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, then take a taxi directly to Cameron Highlands. The taxi may cost around $35-$45 USD for nearly 90km.
Another way, you can fly to Penang Airport, then take bus 102 to Terminal Sungai Nibong, and finally get a bus to Tanah Rata Bus Terminal. For any travelers who love to spend more time discovering around Malaysia, this route will be great! For the two buses on this route, it could cost about $15 USD. Furthermore, you can definitely see a lot of things in the country while on your way.
On my 5-day trip to 3 countries, I went to Cameron Highlands only by bus, taken in Singapore. As Singapore was my starting spot, I used a carrier search engine to find a bus from the city directly to the highlands. If you also love to discover Singapore, this may be a good choice.
Moving Around the Destinations
I actually intended to move to the attraction part. However, I just realized that this part should be written first.
In the highlands, transportation for tourists could be an issue. As there is no public transport in the area. There are only three ways to get around the spots. As far as I know, travelers who come to Cameron Highlands can get around using taxis, motorbikes, and walking.
When I was in Brinchang, I found a taxi station in the center of the town. Another way to call a taxi is to ask the receptionist at your hotel. At the place, all the taxis have a common deal for tourists. They charge 75RM for 3 hours of service and for 3 spots that you want to visit. It means that even if you go to 3 places in less than 3 hours, like just 2 hours, for example, their service will end, and they will take you back to your place. Therefore, taking a taxi is not an ideal choice, in my opinion. Unless you have a lot of money and you want a safe choice for your trip.
At the hotel where I stayed, the Wan Alyasa Hotel, the receptionist told me that I could get a motorbike to travel around if I had a driver’s license. Unfortunately, it was the Cameron Highlands’ election date, and there were a lot of police in the towns. Hence, I only had the taxi option left. Nevertheless, I would prefer this option the most. It was not because I come from a country with a lot of motorbikes, but because I could visit all the spots in the area without the limit of 3 hours or 3 places. At Cameron Highlands, you can rent a motorbike with 35RM for a half-day, 60RM for a full day (up to 10 hours), and an extra charge of 20RM until midnight.
The last option is walking. However, this one is only suitable for those who stay around the center of town. Furthermore, there are, of course, not so many spots to visit in the center except the restaurants and old markets.
Best Things to Do in Cameron Highlands
I actually think of describing all the destinations brilliantly. Then my laziness forces me to list them all below, in more organized info. And I think that could be a better way for you to follow.
So at the highlands, you can:
Be surprised by the enormous BOH Tea Plantation
Not only by the verdant hills covered by the lush leaves of tea trees, but also by the whole process of producing one of the greatest teas in the town, or even in the country. I really don’t know how to describe my feelings at that moment. But in a very short time, I was really knocked out by the beautiful vista of nature from the finest tea shop I have ever seen. Moreover, I was pretty interested in the process of making tea. Honestly, I’m planning to open a nice coffee and tea shop in Ho Chi Minh City. This tea manufacturing process was kinda attractive to me. Perhaps this BOH manufacturer has made the name of Cameron Highlands tea.
Go Back in Time at the Time Tunnel Museum
Immerse yourself in the past life of the locals. Indeed, this museum lets you experience the locals’ lives by interacting with items and equipment. You can even have a cup of tea or play some vintage games. In my point of view, if you carefully prepare your clothes and the stuff you carry with you, you can even turn this museum into a studio for your nice photos of the past. A black-and-white one could be a great idea.
Enjoy the Beauty of Flowers at Lavender Gardens
Any time you feel a little bit bored with the whole highlands covered by green blocks, you definitely must go to this place. Lavender Gardens has a carpet of different colors of flowers, which will impress you right after you enter. I’m not an expert in flowers. However, I can see that a mix of purple, yellow, red, white, and green flowers has taken my eyes to another level of enjoyment. Furthermore, you shouldn’t forget to try the lavender ice cream. Honestly, I haven’t tried the same thing before, and this one really enhanced my food experience.
Enchant Yourself with the Colorful Butterflies
At the Butterfly Farm, there are a lot of butterflies that will delight any visitors and are ready to become a fancy background for any photographer. Additionally, the farm is also home to many spiders, insects, reptiles, and even a few ducks and fish.
Taste the Sweetness of the Strawberries
At many strawberry farms in the highlands. Nevertheless, I especially love the Big Red Strawberry Farm. It’s not solely because of their sweet and good strawberries; they also have a cafe where you can spend a few minutes relaxing while enjoying their special Chocolate Fondue. Furthermore, they have a shop with many strawberry-made products that you can buy as souvenirs for your family or friends.
Study Agriculture at Mardi’s Agro Technology Park
Honestly, I didn’t visit this destination on my last trip to the highlands. Nevertheless, I especially recommend this place to anyone who loves to learn about agriculture. I just find it interesting to learn more about this field nowadays. At Mardi, you can see gardens of tea, roses, and herbs growing. Also, you can buy seeds or plants alongside a big bag of agricultural knowledge from its information center to bring home.
Experience the Spikes of the Cactus
Of course, I’m just kidding!? But you can have a look at varied cacti of different sizes, shapes, and colors which come from many places around the world at Cactus Valley or Cactus Point.
Explore the Local Markets
There are many local products that you may be interested in. I stayed at Brinchang, and I spent a few hours walking around the town to see things. As it was on the election date, there were not so many things for me to see except the restaurants and the street food. Until I found the local market, where I spent nearly my whole morning discovering. They had many things, from local foods to stuff that I could buy as souvenirs.
At the three bee farms around the area, as far as I know, including Ee Feng Gu Bee Farm, Highlands Apiary Farm, and Cameron Tringkap Bee Farm. All the farms will give visitors a detailed look at the honey production, as well as the life cycle of the hardest-working creature. As usual, the farms have honey-made products such as jars, honey-flavored stuff, or even honey soaps, and hair products to sell to visitors.
Trekking through the Mossy Forest
This attraction is at the highest peaks of the highlands. I actually didn’t go to this destination. Then later on, I regretted my decision after doing a search about the destination. From what I have seen on the internet, this place would be ideal for trekking while experiencing its beautiful nature, with diverse fauna and flora. The tall trees, which provide plenty of shade, will support many of its visitors. When I was at Brinchang, the taxi driver didn’t include this place in the package. The destination is also far and wide to explore. Therefore, you should plan carefully before traveling to Mossy Forest.
Besides that, you can visit the Sam Poh Temple, the main pagoda of the land. There are also several waterfalls for those who love to swim in cold weather. For example, the Thompson Falls, Parit Waterfall, or the Robinson Falls. In addition, if you are a golf enthusiast, there is an 18-hole Cameron Highlands Golf Club with a scenic view of mountains and plantations, which will satisfy all golf lovers.
Book Cameron Highlands Tours & Activities
Make your Cameron Highlands trip even more memorable by joining local tours and activities. From exploring tea plantations and strawberry farms to discovering scenic highland attractions, book your Cameron Highlands tours and activities to experience the best of this beautiful Malaysian destination.
How is Cameron Highlands Food?
When I stayed in Brinchang, all I knew was that there was only one KFC store, surrounded by a lot of Chinese restaurants in the center of the town. Anyway, I pretty much enjoyed the Chinese cuisine. They had many kinds of food, from noodles and rice to some traditional drinks that travelers can try.
When night came, those restaurants all had a common signature of the town: the Charcoal Steamboat hotpot. Honestly, I didn’t know if it was really a special food of Cameron Highlands, but almost all the restaurants had that one. The hotpot has a special look with a tall aluminum tube heated by the burned charcoal put under the pot. When the tube is hot enough, it boils the soup, then the eater can dip meats and vegetables in to use.
While exploring the land, I stopped by Tanah Rata, which seemed like a more suitable place for foreign visitors. Tanah Rata has dozens of restaurants that sell burgers, spaghetti, fast food, etc. It also has a Starbucks store and some bars. If you feel bored with Chinese cuisine, perhaps Tanah Rata could be a better place to stay.
What is the Best Accommodation in the Highlands?
I started with Airbnb to find a cozy homestay for my 1-night stay. If you have read my post about leveraging the Airbnb bonus credit, you would know that I especially prefer the platform to find travel accommodation. Nevertheless, as I didn’t plan, I couldn’t find a suitable one for me and my friend. I then booked a hotel room at the Wan Alyasa Hotel, which was near the center of Brinchang, about min 5 walk away.
Honestly, I initially thought that the old town could be more fun. There, I would learn more about the culture and tradition of Cameron Highlands. Moreover, the place could reach different destinations more easily. Nevertheless, I figured out that Tanah Rata was possibly a better choice, with many restaurants of different kinds, alongside the bars and Starbucks. And to get to Cameron Highlands attractions are almost need a taxi or motorbike. Anyway, we all need a nice place to stay in the highlands. If you haven’t had any idea yet, I believe the tool below may support your decision.
Conclusion: Is Cameron Highlands Worth Visiting?
Cameron Highlands is a refreshing Malaysia travel destination known for its tea plantations, strawberry farms, cool weather, and beautiful mountain scenery. With plenty of things to do in Cameron Highlands, delicious local food, and scenic attractions, it makes a great escape for travelers exploring Malaysia.
If you plan to visit Cameron Highlands, choose the right time, accommodation, and attractions to make the most of your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is so Special about Cameron Highlands?
Cameron Highlands is special for its cool mountain climate, rolling tea plantations, strawberry farms, flower gardens, and lush forests. Its scenic landscapes and relaxed atmosphere make it one of the best places to visit in Malaysia for nature, food, and outdoor experiences.
Which Month to Avoid Cameron Highlands?
November is generally the month to avoid Cameron Highlands, especially for hiking and outdoor activities, because it receives heavy rainfall. October is also very wet, so consider visiting during a drier period if you want to explore the Mossy Forest and tea plantations.
Is Cameron Highlands Expensive?
Cameron Highlands can be quite affordable, especially compared with major Malaysian tourist destinations. You can find budget hotels, local food, and inexpensive attractions, while boutique hotels and private tours offer more upscale options.
How Many Days are Enough in Cameron Highlands?
Two to three days in Cameron Highlands are enough for most travelers. This gives you time to visit tea plantations, explore farms and gardens, enjoy local food, and experience popular attractions without rushing.
Is Cameron Highlands Colder than Genting?
Yes, Cameron Highlands is generally colder than Genting Highlands, particularly at night. Cameron Highlands has average daily temperatures around 21–23°C, with nights often dropping to about 15°C, making it a popular cool-weather escape in Malaysia.
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Khoi Nguyen
Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.
73 Comments
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Khoi Nguyen
Yeah I also surprised in the first time knowing that too. Anyway I believe trekking in Cameron Highlands will be great with the weather so you may not feel tired
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crisshex88
It is a place that I would never have considered, but the beauty is this, discovering places that are different from those in which we travel.
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Khoi Nguyen
I’m sure you will consider to go back this place few times after your first time visit it 😉
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Thelittlelai: Beyond limits
This guide is absolutely amazing! I love that all the important information about Cameron Highlands is all in the blog post. I haven’t been to Malaysia yet, and perhaps I will include this place in my places to visit. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
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Khoi Nguyen
Glad that you like this guide. And hope that you will have an awesome trip to Malaysia 🙂
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joancajic
This looks like such a great place to visit and have a great experience too. I love the greenery and how rich it looks.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yeah I’m sure you will love it more when you visit it
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kittyslifestyle
Wow that place surely looks beautiful… I would love to visit once 😊👍🏼… I will share this post with my friends who are planning to visit Malaysia..
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Khoi Nguyen
Thank you for sharing this post! Cameron Highlands is such a beautiful place in Malaysia that you should visit once
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Tara Pittman (@momknowsbest15)
This place sounds wonderful. I would love to take in the strawberries and butterflies.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yeah it is. And I’m sure you will love trekking at Mossy Forest too 😉
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It's Danica
Great guide. I spent some time in Singapore last year and hoped to take a train to Malaysia but I didn’t have the time. I will definitely do this trek and keep your suggestions in mind.
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Khoi Nguyen
I’m sure you will pretty much enjoy Malaysia, especially Cameron Highlands
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briezyy97
I’ve never been here but it looks so beautiful!! I’ll have to put this on my travel list.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yeah you should visit this place. I’m sure you will love it!
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thevirginianymph
Such beautiful Imagery and so greatly informational. This truly was a great guide to this travel destination.
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Khoi Nguyen
Thanks for your complement! I will have more informational posts 🙂
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Sarah Bailey
This looks like such a beautiful place to go and explore I have to admit Malaysia is somewhere I have never thought of going but it looks beautiful.
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Khoi Nguyen
You may want to add this place to your travel list. I’m sure you will like it!
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Roshni
Wow the greenery there looks so lush! I love the flowers there too, so unexpected.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yeah me too I love the plantations a lot!
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Samantha
It looks so beautiful there! I wanna visit so bad! Also the good looks amazing!
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Khoi Nguyen
You will love it more when putting your steps on the place 😉
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妈妈易妈妈网
隔三差五来一趟，每次都有新气象！
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Holly Lasha
Oh wow…Malaysia seems like such a lovely place to visit. I love this guide! I definitely need to put this on my bucket list of vacations!
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Khoi Nguyen
You should put this place on top of your list. I’m so sure you will love it
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Brittany F
This seems like a great trip to take. Strawberry farms and cacti shopping! Lots of diverse adventures.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yes and there are more things waiting for you to discover 😀
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Chris
Looks like a great hiking destination, and more importantly, prices are looking sweet as well. Now, I just need a ticket for Malaysia 🙂
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Khoi Nguyen
Haha you should find a ticket ASAP. Check out my post finding cheap flights to get yours a ticket now!
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Alexithymia_Shubhi
The Charcoal hotspot is something I am seeing first time. I love these green lushy photos. I think this place is great for nature lovers. I had been to Malaysia but I did not know this place. Maybe, I will visit it next time.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yeah you should put this place on top of your travel list when visiting Malaysia 😉
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Lyosha Varezhkina
Malaysia sounds awesome to me as well. It is unique and amusing! you cna not go wrong with it
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Khoi Nguyen
Yes you should travel to this place. I’m sure you will like it
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Krysten (@WeirdGirlBlog)
Wow, this place looks amazing to explore. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
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Khoi Nguyen
You’r welcome! I will share to you more amazing places. Check out my blog usually!
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Passion Piece
I’ve never had a chance to visit Malaysia, but it looks like a wonderful place for a summer holiday! I’m putting it on my bucket list right now! 🙂
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Khoi Nguyen
I’m sure you won’t regret putting it to your bucket list 😉
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liveloveandadventure
What a great review And I love your photos, everything is so green!! it’s definitely one of those places I have not thought about travelling to but want to add to my travel list!
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Khoi Nguyen
yes you should and remember to put it on top of your travel list 😉
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itsasweetsweetworld
A lot of my friends have visited Malaysia but I have never heard anybody mention the name of Cameron Highlands. It looks like a wonderful place to visit and I would love to try out the local cuisine, especially the Charcoal Steamboat Hotpot as it seems very interesting.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yes Cameron Highlands is truly an amazing destination of Malaysia. You should visit it once
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Erin
Wow! Cameron Highlands sounds amazing!
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Khoi Nguyen
Yes it is 😀
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Gian and Sheila
Lovely place. It’s looks very much like our very own Central Cebu Highway. I bet there are great hiking trails there, right?
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Khoi Nguyen
Yes they have a great hiking trail at Mossy Forest
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Cindy Ingalls
I love how lush everything looks in Cameron. It seems like there is plenty to enjoy, from the food to the natural wonders of the highlands.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yes there are plenty of things for you to enjoy. Perhaps 3-4 days are good to experience everything
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Tom
This place is good for my next time visiting Malaysia!
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Khoi Nguyen
Yes you should visit this place
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Ana Ojha
One of my girlfriends went to Malaysia last year and absolutely loved it! Your pictures speak for itself how splendid is Cameron Highlands. Would love to visit someday!
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Khoi Nguyen
Yes I’m sure you will regret if you don’t visit Cameron Highlands
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Tadpoles And Mud Puddles
Your trip sounds amazing. So many things to do. I love that you did so much nature stuff with the farms and the hiking. And I’m sure the local market was fun. I visited a few local markets when I was living in China it’s one of my favorite places to go.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yeah the local markets were kinda fun to visit. But I’m sure you will be amazed with the plantations at Cameron Highlands
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Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions
Thank you for sharing this and opening my eyes to a region I’ve never heard of before! It looks like there is so much to see and do here, and all of it seems to have a bit of a nature theme with the flowers, butterflies, and tea plantation. The food also looks so delicious, including that interesting hot pot!
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Swathi
Thank for sharing the information about Cameron highlands looks beautiful. When I plan a trip for Malaysia sure I will try to visit this place . Great exploration of nature.
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Khoi Nguyen
I’m sure you will like this place when you visit it 😉
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Emily
Thank you so much for sharing this awesome guide! I love how much detail you gave about the places to go/things to do! Saving this! 🙂
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Khoi Nguyen
I’m so happy that you like this guide. Hope it help you planning your trip!
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Alexandra Cook
I would love to go exploring in the highlands. I recently went to the mountains in Alaska and had a blast.
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Khoi Nguyen
I’m sure you will have another blast at Cameron Highlands 😉
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thefinishingtouchokc
I have never heard of Cameron highlands but wow it is beautiful! Gives me serious wonderlust!
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Khoi Nguyen
Yeah me too I thought it have been good before but what I have experienced was even more awesome
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Laura G
That’s a wonderful guide! We’re on the fence of visiting Malaysia… This definitely makes me want to go there!
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Khoi Nguyen
Glad that this guide support your travel. Hope you have an experienced trip!
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Peachy A.
Oh my gosh! Malaysia is one of the places I want to visit. I wannna explore the place and try the food!
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Khoi Nguyen
yeah you should do it! 😉
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增大网
送你一片大海，让你一帆风顺；送你一个太阳，让你热情奔放；送你一份真诚，祝你开心快乐；送你一份祝福，让你快乐天天！
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Tiffany
The place looks amazing and I want to try their foods! Thanks for sharing ♥️ ♥️ Interested in doing collabs? xx
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Khoi Nguyen
That sounds great! Could you tell me more about the collab?
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Angela
Fabulous article. I’m planning a trip to Malaysia at the moment and it’s hard to find detailed information on travelling in the Cameron Highland so this is both timely and very useful.
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Khoi Nguyen
Glad that you like the post and it could help your trip 😀
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.Fad
Amazing article! All i know about Cameron Highlands that it is cooling for a place like that to be in Malaysia! Didn’t know you can do trekking too!