Malaysia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 431

Pulau Langkawi or tiny Pulau Pangkor for
a few lazy days on the beach.

plantation and the Buddhist temple Sam
Poh (daily 7am-7pm).
You can also go jungle trekking , taking
in some of the most spectacular scenery
in Malaysia; day tours of the Cameron
Highlands can also include a jungle hike
through the mossy forest.
Otherwise, there are a number of trails
from Tanah Rata itself; most guesthouses
provide rudimentary trail maps with
numbered routes, though some of the
trails are poorly maintained and are
sometimes badly signposted. Always
inform someone at your guesthouse
where you are going and what time you
expect to be back. Take plenty of water,
food, a whistle, a torch, a lighter and a
jacket; it's advisable to take a guide if you
want to do any extensive trekking.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS
Amid the lofty peaks of Banjaran
Titiwangsa, the various outposts of the
Cameron Highlands (1524m) form
Malaysia's most extensive hill station,
and have been used as a weekend retreat
since the 1920s. he rolling hills are
lush and tranquil, and the bright, pure
colour of the sky and tea plantations
alone is enough to make anybody feel
considerably rejuvenated (though during
rainy season you may face torrential rains
all day long). While Brinchang is the
principal settlement for locals, Tanah Rata
is the backpackers' centre, boasting
budget accommodation, travel
information, plenty of cheap places to
eat and a plethora of tours. Be aware that
it's considerably colder here than in the
lowlands, so it might be wise to bring a
sleeping bag as nights get chilly. here
are direct buses to Tanah Rata from
Georgetown, KL and Taman Negara, and
guesthouses in other towns can often
arrange minibus transfers.

6

Tanah Rata
Meaning “Flat Land” in Malay, TANAH
RATA is the one-street travellers' hangout
- the location of most hotels, banks and
restaurants - and a comfortable base for
exploring the highlands. Many walks
originate here, and a couple of waterfalls
and three reasonably high mountain
peaks are all within hiking distance.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By bus Local buses go from the bus station, about halfway
along the main road. Most guesthouses can arrange direct
minibus transfers to popular spots.
Bus destinations Ipoh (10 daily; 2hr); Kuala Lumpur
(12 daily; 4hr); Penang (3 daily; 5hr); Singapore (daily at
10am; 10hr).
Minibus destinations

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
here's plenty to keep you occupied in the
Highlands, and activities can either be
embarked on alone, armed with the maps
and information available at all guest-
houses, or as part of a tour - the easiest
way to take in all the highlights in one day
if you don't have your own transport. here
are strawberry farms (daily 8.30am-6pm),
where you can pick your own (at a price);
the butterfly farm (daily 8am-6pm; RM5),
where you can see leaf insects and cobras;
honey bee farms (daily 8am-7pm), the
BOH (Best Of the Highlands) tea

Taman Negara (2 daily; 3hr 30min
& 2hr boat journey) and the Perhentians (3 daily; 6hr &
1hr ferry).

ACCOMMODATION
Cameronian Inn 16 Jln Mentigi T 05 491 1327,
W thecameronianinn.com. The tidy rooms here are set at

TOURS FROM THE CAMERON HIGHLANDS
Cameron Secrets at Father's Guesthouse T 016
566 1111, W cameronsecrets.com. An established,
recommended outfit offering jungle walks, country-
side tours, tea plantation trips and Ra esia tours.
Kang Tours & Travel 38 Jln Besar T 05 491 5828,
W kangholiday.com. Not only do these guys arrange

daily transfers to Georgetown, Taman Negara, KL and
the Perhentian Islands, but they also have a host of
well-organized tours on offer - from the full-day
Rainforest Adventure (RM98) and whitewater rafting
(RM155) to the less demanding Agro Farm Adventure
(RM90).