Day 231
The brisk mountain air greets me this morning and I feel at ease. The last time I found myself in the mountains was in northern Thailand, way back at the beginning of December. I hadn’t realized how much I missed them until now.
I’m in Cameron Highlands and have found a little nook away from all of the hotels. It’s a small colonial chalet and has opened just three months ago.
Today is quiet, peaceful, and beautiful. Today is the day that I will walk around the tea plantations. But I won’t be taking a car, I’ll be taking my feet.
Tim, a new friend I met in Kuala Lumpur, and I trek through the jungle, narrowly avoiding mud, grabbing onto tree roots for support as we climb hand-over-foot, and wiping off the occasional spider web to-the-face as we gain elevation. I am astounded that I’m not covered in mosquito bites despite not wearing DEET and am profoundly grateful for the cool weather.
It has been months since I’ve felt comfortable outside. This time, I’m sweating from pure hard work rather than a heat-induced suffering.
After two hours climbing almost directly uphill, I look around at the apex of the mountain I’ve just climbed, and am rewarded with astounding beauty.
A familiar feeling creeps over me, and breathes life into me.
I’m happy again, I’m grateful again, and I’m in the moment again.
Passing by a strawberry farm, an enthusiastic fruit picker takes photos of us playing the giant strawberry game, then helps us pick a few choice berries, and squeezes fresh strawberry juice.
He explains that he’s from Bangladesh and has been in Malaysia for about ten years, but sends almost everything back home to his family. We tip him a bit extra for his efforts and continue on our way.
The tea plantations provide a frame to a perfectly beautiful setting. The road is mostly quiet, giving Tim and myself a quiet and pleasant walk through the country roads.
Our terminus is found at the tea plantation where we watch a harvest take place in the distance and sip on rose and lychee tea while eating scones.
Something about this just feels so right, peaceful, and beautiful.
It might be the extremely friendly locals, the change of scenery, or simply switching it up enough to shock my system a little, but I’m glad to have my travel mojo back again after feeling as though I might have lost it.
Before I turn in for the evening I finally feel like doing something I haven’t done since January – I meditate.
It seems that a day hiking through the Cameron Highlands were just what I hadn’t realized I really needed.
Do It Yourself:
- Cameron Highlands can be VERY touristy, but the best way to have an off-the-beaten-path adventure like this one is to take the jungle walk #1 from Brinchang town. This is a tough jungle hike lasting about two hours to the summit – but it’s worth it!
- Take pictures at the summit and follow the paved track to the mossy forest. Stop if if you feel like it, don’t sweat it if not. You’ve seen similar fauna already on jungle walk #1.
- Stop off at the strawberry farm on the way. This was the least touristy of all the other farms I passed, which were quite commercial and had hoards of tourists. Myself and Tim were the only ones at this farm.
- Finish at the Boh Tea Plantation. Also less touristy than Cameron Tea (on the other side of town).
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Paul Lamens says
yeah, cameron highlands are beautiful place to visit, the views are just incredible
Kristin says
Just incredible!
Simmy says
Wow, it looks amazing! I love these little video clips you do too 🙂
Kristin says
Thanks 🙂
Micamyx|Senyorita says
Brings back the memories of my Cameron Highlands trip last year! We went to Boh Tea Plantation too and bought some Teh Tarik to bring back home (Manila)
Kristin says
I am obsessed with Teh Tarik!
francis says
Hi, where did you stay?
Dale says
Couldn’t agree more, finish your trip at BOH Tea Plantation where the views are fantastic and you can grab a fresh cup of tea.
melissa says
I kept coming to this page before I went to the Cameron Highlands. I just went to that same strawberry farm without realizing at first that it was the same one you went to. When the Bangladesh guy had us pose with the strawberries, that’s when it hit me!
Kristin says
That’s awesome! Wasn’t he cool? I’m so glad it helped you plan Cameron Highlands!
Mollie says
Hi Kristin! 🙂
Beautiful!!! Thanks for the amazing tips and pictures! Did you start and finish at Brinchang town? Also, where did you stay (town + name of hostel)? Would 2 days in the area be enough, or do you think we need more time?
Thank you for your help!
Mollie
Mollie says
Hi Kristin 🙂
Thank you for the beautiful post and pictures!
I wanted to know, where did you stay (city + hostel name)? Also, do you think 2 days is enough?
Thanks a lot for the help!!!
Mollie 🙂
Kristin says
Hi Mollie,
I two days is enough. I stayed at D’Native guesthouse which was okay, but he was in the building stages and still working on things. Very enthusiastic owner. This was in cameron highlands and I think I found him on trip advisor.
Beatrice says
Hi, that looks amazing! I just want to know which trail u took ?
Kristin says
I believe it was jungle trail 1
Angelina says
Hey did you do this all in 1 day? I’ve read that walks 10 and 5 are the best. Why did you do jungle walk 1, because its less touristy? I also read the most popular lookout point is from Mount Brinchang so I want to go there.
Kristin says
Yes that was done in one day and I did jungle walk 1 because my guesthouse recommended it. We probably ended up doing several of those trails that day, though. We walked all morning and afternoon and visited several tea and strawberry plantations as well. I just started with that one because it does end at Mount Brinchang.
orca says
Hey there, nice blog. Anyways m planning to getaway there, may i know which hotel u stay that is nearer to the place u can climb the mossy forest or mountain.
Kristin says
I got a ride there from the guesthouse owner but there were closer hotels. Might want to consult a map as I’m not sure anymore. That was 3 years ago.
Natalie says
I know this blog was years ago but do you know the name of the colonial chalet you stayed in? I’m heading to Cameron highlands in two days?
Fanny says
Hello Kristin, I really enjoyed reading about your trekking in Cameron H. My husband and I will be going trekking in en december – where in Southeast Asia has the best trekking (jungle, nature, not too many tourists) – is it Northern Thailand, Malaysia (Cameron), or what would you suggest?
Many thanks in advance 🙂
Best,
Fanny
Kristin says
Northern Thailand will be hot. My favorite place for trekking is actually Indonesia. So many volcanoes!
Basel says
Hi there! Just stumbled upon your blogs and I’m loving them!
I saw you mentioned that you have been to Da Lat as well as Cameroon highlands. I have been to Da Lat last year (and loved it!) And might end up in Malaysia this year. Da Lat and Cameroon Highlands seem very similar (in theory/images at least). Would you recommend Cameroon Highlands to someone who has already been to Da lat?
Thanks again!
Basel
Kristin says
I don’t feel that they are that similar. Cameron highlands is a tea growing area so it’s covered in plantations, which I thought were quite beautiful. Da Lat is still mostly in its natural state which made it very different. Cameron Highlands has a lot more tourists than Da Lat does. Hope that helps!