Pahang Hills, Cameron Highland n Fraser`s Hill

Cameron Highlands

There is much to see and do in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia largest highland resort. Whether it is walks through lovely little villages, visits to the butterfly, strawberry and honey bee farms or the delightful Tudor styled country inns and sprawling tea plantations, this resort will captivate you.
Situated 1,500 metres above sea level, Cameron Highlands comprises a series of little townships that include Ringlet, Tanah Rata, Brinchang, Tringkap, Kuala Terla and Kampung Raja.

Cameron Highlands: Accommodation

Cameron Highlands offers a range of hotels, chalets and colonial bungalows to suit one's preference and budget.
* Equatorial Cameron Highlands* Heritage Hotel Cameron Highlands* Strawberry Park Resort Cameron Highlands* The Lakehouse Hotel Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands: What to See and Do

The journey from the foot of the hill to the summit is an adventure itself. You can begin via the town of Tapah or through the new highway at Simpang Pulai. The route via Tapah takes you past natural waterfalls, hot springs, Orang Asli (indigenous people) villages, religious shrines, souvenir shops, roadside markets and more.
A quick stop at Kuala Woh unveils a recreational park with natural hot springs, while further on at Chenderiang and Lata Iskandar sits the beautiful cascading waterfall.

Cameron Highlands: Ringlet

Ringlet, Cameron Highlands first township lies 1,135 metres above sea level. If you are driving, you may want to make a quick stop for petrol and even take in the surrounding attractions that include a market, a tender, a temple, a magnificent Tudor styled hotel (The Lakehouse) and delightful flower nurseries.
A right turn after Habu leads you past a multitude of vegetable farms and straight to the sprawling Boh Tea Estate where you can tour the Boh factory and indulge a cup of tea. For the adventurous, you may want to get off the beaten track and get on the Dayang Endah trail that will lead you to the Robinson Waterfall.
Back to Tanah Rata, you will come across the Cameron Bharat Tea Plantation and the Tea Shop that sells souvenirs and tea delicacies. In the valley below, the enchanting dark green terraces of tea plantation acts as the perfect backdrop for a photo opportunity.

Cameron Highlands: Tanah Rata

The main township, Tanah Rata, offers attractions like the Nine Emperor God Temple, the Parit Waterfall, a Hindu temple and the Rainbow Garden. Accommodation would not be a problem as you can choose from a range of first class hotels, motels and apartments.
Drop by Bala's Holidays Chalet & Restaurant or the Smokehouse Hotel to experience the feel of staying in a country inn.
The Smokehouse Hotel has managed to retain much of its country house charm, adorned with latticed windows, wooden beam and rose garden with white iron-wrought garden furniture.
Its interior is filled with antiques, portraits of the British Royal family, rich dark carpets, heavy sofas and four-poster beds.

Cameron Highlands: Brinchang Beckons

Five kilometres up the road is Brinchang, the highest-lying township in Cameron Highlands. Its attraction includes a Sikh temple, the ornate Sam Poh Temple, numerous amenities and a handicraft centre. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy teeing off at the 18-hole Cameron Highlands Golf Club, the only course on the hill.
The nearby Cactus Valley boasts a comprehensive variety of plants and foliage as well as apple trees, passion fruit and other temperate climate fruits.
Several strawberry farms dot the area. Some grow strawberries organically in coconut husks placed on stilt-like platforms off the ground.
Here you can pay a small fee to pick fresh succulent strawberries or simply purchase the assortment of homemade jam or dried strawberries.
A short distance away, the Multicrops Central Market and Kea Farm offers fresh highland produce at a fraction of what you would pay in the city. From big ripe brinjals and juicy avocados, to the multi-coloured dried flowers and dainty little souvenirs, you will want to spend some time exploring the many delightful finds.
On your descent, stop by the Butterfly Farm and Butterfly Garden to view the beautiful species, including the renowned Raja Brooke. Nearby, a giant comic replica of honey bees will lead you to the Ee Feng Gu Honey Bee Farm. You will be able to view bees gathering pollen amidst the plush sweet scented gardens and orchards, as well as savour and purchase bottles of pure honey. Don't miss the adjacent Rose Valley where 450 variety of roses flourish.
On the left of the Butterfly Farm is the picturesque Sungai Palas Boh Tea Estate. Stop by at the factory to learn about tea processing or watch an audio visual presentation and sample some Cameronian tea. The same road leads you to Gunung Brinchang, reputedly the highest road in Peninsular Malaysia at 2,000 metres above sea level. Enjoy the panoramic views from the mountaintop.

Cameron Highlands: The Descent

If you came up the hill via Tapah, you may want to try the Simpang Pulai route to Highway Exit 137, which leads to the North-South Expressway. This new 59-kilometre road is a pleasant scenic drive as the turns are not so tight.
On the way down, you will pass the Blue Valley Tea Estate and the townships of Tringkap, Kuala Terla and Kampung Raja, as well as farming communities living on the hillside.

Cameron Highlands: Practical Tips

Cameron Highlands offers many delightful jungle trails for nature lovers. However, during poor weather conditions, consult your hotel or guesthouse on the suitability of the trails before embarking on a trek.
It is advisable that you begin early in the morning as some of these walks may take up the whole day. Do inform your hosts or local authorities of the route you are taking, and when you plan to get back.

Cameron Highlands: How to Get There

Cameron Highlands is accessible via Tapah or the new highway at Simpang Pulai. If you are driving up from Kuala Lumpur, the Simpang Pulai exit takes an additional 45 minutes to reach the north of Tapah using the North-South Expressway. The ascent along this route is much smoother and less precarious than the route from Tapah.
Bus and Taxi services are available from the Pudu Raya Terminal in Kuala Lumpur and the journey will take you to Tanah Rata. Alternatively, take a train to Tapah and then continue your journey with a taxi or a bus.

Fraser's Hill

Sitting pretty amidst the Pahang rainforests is the little hamlet of Fraser's Hill. At 1,524 metres above sea level, this highlands resort is a naturalists' paradise that boasts innumerable plant, bird and animal species. This resort is popular for those who are interested in nature based pursuits such as trekking, bird watching, horse riding, fishing and camping.
OriginsFraser's Hill owes its name to a Scottish trader, Louis James Fraser, who established a tin ore trading station in the forested mountains between the Selangor and Pahang border at the end of the 19th century.
Fraser was known to have used a mule train to ascend the hill and trade in tin until the fateful day where he mysteriously disappeared into the dense forested hills. A search was mounted for Fraser but he was never found. The hills were eventually developed into a hill retreat and were named after the missing Scotsman in 1919.
Access to Fraser's Hill is only possible by road via the Gap at the base of the resort. Once through the Gap and into Fraser's Hill, you will feel as though you have gone back in time. Fraser's Hill is akin to a little Scottish village with granite coloured mock Tudor buildings dotting the landscape. The town is relatively small, with much of the activity centred on a market square dominated by a little clock tower. Most of the town's amenities are housed in colonial styled buildings.
To support the conservation efforts carried out in this naturalists' paradise, the Fraser's Hill Nature Education Centre (FHNEC) was set up. This outlet is the first stop for those who are looking to learn more about the resort and its abundant flora and fauna. To maintain the relatively unspoiled beauty, FHNEC and other parties are undertaking conservation efforts to preserve the eight scenic nature trails.
Considered one of Malaysia's premier locations for bird watching, this hill resort hosts the annual Fraser's Hill International Bird Race. This bird watching competition requires bird watchers to race against time by spotting as many bird species as possible within the resort's routes.
Fraser's Hill also has an abundance of relaxing activities to indulge in. You could play a game of golf at the 9-hole Royal Fraser's Hill Golf Club or the 18-hole Fraser's Hill Golf & Country Club, fishing and boating at Allans' Water, stroll along the many beautiful flower gardens and parks or splash it out in the icy cold Jeriau Waterfalls.

Fraser's Hill: Accommodation

* YE OLDE SMOKEHOUSE* FRASER'S PINE RESORT* SHAHZAN INN* PUNCAK INN

Fraser's Hill: What to See and Do

The TownPicturesque colonial-style buildings have found new use as the post office, police station, clinic, tourist information centre, inns, cafes and restaurants.
There is also a Nature Education Centre and an active bird watching group. Though equipped with good visitor amenities, development at this resort has been careful to co-exist with the environment, preserving the original charm of the place.
Bird WatchingFraser's Hill has long been a top bird watching destination for local and international bird watchers.
The relatively undisturbed jungle clad mountain terrain and the cool climate attracts over 250 species of birds, some coming from as far as Siberia.
Around the middle of the year, international as well as local bird watchers gather at the resort to participate in the Fraser's Hill International Bird Race, a non-competitive event that requires bird watchers to race against time to spot as many bird species as possible within the routes in Fraser's Hill. Some of the species found here are silver tailed mesia, chestnut-capped laughing thrush, blue-winged minla, golden babblers, mountain bulbul, mountain fulvettta, bronze drongo and greater yellow-necked woodpecker.
Nature WalksThe Beauty of Fraser's Hill is best experienced when you walk through the green splendours of a jungle trail. Small animal life like monkeys and squirrels can be spotted if you're lucky, while larger animals like tigers and tapirs are quite rare. Jungle trails are graded and marked to indicate varying degrees of difficulty.
PicnickingThe Jeriau Waterfalls is about 5km from the town centre. From the road, paved footpaths lead visitors to the waterfall. Public visitor facilities include a picnic area, shower rooms and changing areas.
SportsSport lovers will find that Fraser's Hill offers adequate public facilities for both indoor and outdoor activities. A Sports Complex provides a sauna, two tennis courts and a heated swimming pool. There are also two tennis courts which charge RM5 an hour for morning and afternoon sessions, and RM7 an hour for night sessions. Other activities include horse riding, jogging and angling.
GolfingA Short and tricky 9-hole golf course is available at the Royal Fraser's Hill Golf Club. Its unique feature is the three-tiered 7th fairway, which takes the shape of a man's body. It then narrows down at the landing area and widens again at the approach of the green. Green fees are RM30 on weekdays and RM40 on weekends and public holiday. Caddy fees are RM10 per round of 9 holes. Golf sets are available for hire. The 18-hole Fraser's Hill Golf and Country Club is located in the vicinity of the Jeriau Waterfalls, 3 kilometres from the town centre. Managed by the Silver Park Holiday Resort, the course features a colonial-style clubhouse with tennis courts, a restaurant and other amenities.
Flower GardensThe cool climate promotes a profusion of blooms in startling shades of colour. Freshly cut roses, dahlia, chrysanthemum, daisies, potted fushchia or geranium can be bought at the nurseries in Fraser's Hill.

Fraser's Hill: Practical Tips

The drive up the hill is a pleasant one, but the winding roads can give passengers motion sickness. You may want to roll down the windows for some fresh air and drive at a slow pace.
If you are descending the hill in the evening, do stop to take in the spectacular sunset near the Kuala Selangor Dam. Aim to drive up the hill in the daytime, as the winding roads can be precarious.

Fraser's Hill: How to Get There

Fraser's Hill is an hour and a half drive from Kuala Lumpur. En route, you will pass the town of Kuala Kubu Bharu and the journey thereafter will take approximately 45 minutes.
When you arrive at the foot of Fraser's Hill, you will need to stop at the 'Gap', a stretch that utilises a gate control system to regulate the flow of ascending and descending traffic.
Because the road is very narrow, uphill traffic is allowed at odd hours; from 7am to 7pm, while downhill traffic is allowed through at even hours from 8am to 6pm.
During these times, traffic is only allowed through for the first 40 minutes of each hour (no traffic is allowed through in the last 20 minutes). This 20-minute buffer act as a safety measure to ensure that all vehicles have enough time to reach their destinations. Traffic between 8pm and 6.40am is not controlled and the gate remains open on both lanes.
Bus and Taxi ServicesThere are regular bus services (Bus No. 66) between the Pudu Raya Bus Terminal and Kuala Kubu Bharu every half hour. From Kuala Kubu Bharu, bus services are available from 10am. Taxis are also available at the Pudu Raya Bus Terminal and will cost approximately RM120 - RM150.
Bukit Tinggi Resort
Just an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Tinggi Resort nestles amidst 16,000 acres of rugged hills surrounded by lush tropical rainforests.
Here you will find a unique resort that captures the essence of different cultures. In the area are other resorts such as the Selesa Hillhomes & Golf Resort and Janda Baik, a resort-cum-residential development.
Be it the picturesque French styled Colmar Tropicale or the Zen inspired Japanese Village, you will relish Bukit Tinggi Resort's interesting surroundings.
The Colmar Tropicale has retained the feel of its European counterpart with its architecture. Its tastefully decorated rooms are all clustered around Colmar Square, a cobblestone courtyard, where outdoor dining and street performances take place. Nice touches like a wishing well, a cuckoo clock tower and a viewing tower add to the French flavour.
A casual stroll along the same courtyard will render more French styled attractions. The La Cignone restaurant offers authentic French cuisine, the 24-hour coffee house Le Blason comes with an international buffet, the La Flamme Sidewalk Deli specialty includes pizza and pasta, and the Le Poulet Roti with its roasted chicken delights is sure to whet your appetite in the cool air. There's also the La Boulangerie bakery, the Le Vin wine and cigar place, and Haagen Dazs ice cream corner to tempt you. The Chateau De Colmar Hotel & Spa, a French themed boutique spa hotel modeled after an 18th century medieval castle in France, will join Bukit Tinggi's charming attractions in the near future.
Some 1,000 metres above sea level is the environmental friendly Japanese Village. The village setting comprises the Japanese Tea House, the Ryo Zan Tei Japanese Restaurant, the Botanical Gardens, Tatami Spa, Ume Tatami suites and a Japanese souvenir shop. You can experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, feed the 'Koi' or Japanese carp in the freshwater streams and pools, indulge in a luxurious hot bath at the Tatami Spa, drink in the serenity of the exclusive Tatami suites, or stroll through the peaceful Botanical Gardens. The tranquillity and sheer beauty of the settings will thoroughly invigorate and inspire you.
The undulating terrain of the 18-hole golf course at Bukit Tinggi Golf & Country Club offers one of the most challenging and picturesque golfing experiences in Malaysia. The golf club is equipped with luxurious furnished suites, golfers' rooms, a full-fledged sport and recreational facility and a paintball tag range. The nearby Meranti Park Suites provides additional accommodation. At the resort's Rabbit Park, there are over 200 furry rabbits which you can cuddle and feed. A deer sanctuary, donkey rides, archery and painting sessions are sure to captivate the children.
One of the highlights of this resort is its horse trail rides. Be it the adventurous Creek and River Rides or romantic Picnic Rides, a team of certified instructors and professional trainers will help in choosing the right horse and guide you on your trails. Choose from the resort's majestic Quartar horses, Australian stock, Arab-Draft Cross, Appaloosa, tough Standard Bred or Palominos as you view the stunning sunset and incredible surroundings.

Bukit Tinggi Resort:: How to Get There

Located 10km off the East-West Karak Highway, Bukit Tinggi is a mere 60-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur. The turn off to the Bukit Tinggi Resort is a few kilometers down the highway after the exit point to Janda Baik and the Selesa Hillhomes.
The drive up to the Bukit Tinggi Resort is a pleasant one with well-paved roads, although there are some precarious bends. Bukit Tinggi Resort operates a shuttle service to ferry passengers from Kuala Lumpur to Colmar Tropicale.