Getting from KL to Cameron Highlands-Tapah route and other Cameron Highlands, Malaysia Transportation Tips

'Mode': TO
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: This tip was first composed in 2004 and totally re-written in Aug 2006.

This "Tapah" route used to be the only way to drive to Cameron Highlands from KL. I do not prefer this route, because it is windy and this causes many people to suffer from motion/car-sickness and vomitting. Get some plastic bags and panadol ready!

Use the North South highway and exit at Tapah toll booth. After that, just follow the signs to Cameron Highlands. The first town you'll reach is Ringlet, which is 1,000 m from sea-level. For some reason, there are always a lot of flies at Ringlet, so I usually don't prefer to stop here. Nevertheless, if you get hungry, or need a toilet break, this would be one place where you may consider to stop. After Ringlet, on your way to Tanah Rata, you'll pass the Lakehouse (now known as Concorde Resort I think), which is a nice and unique hotel facing a huge lake. You will also pass by the Bharat Tea Plantation and Boh Tea Plantation.

This route is quite scenic, with primary and secondary forest, some durian trees, and orang asli settlements. Once you reach Tanah Rata, which is 1,400 m above sea level, you'll know that you've arrived at the center of Cameron Highlands. Total journey takes about 1.5 hours from Tapah Toll to get to Tanah Rata.

As for me, I much prefer the Simpang Pulai route, which is mentioned in the tip below. The map which is enclosed is very useful and may be found from the Equatorial Cameron's website.

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Website: www.equatorial.com

'Mode': TO
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: This driving tip was originally written when Simpang Pulai route was newly open (and there were hardly any signs to Cameron Highlands at the time. The tip has been updated in August 2006. Signage is much better now

From KL: Take the North-South Highway and get off at the Simpang Pulai toll.

At the first set of lights (immediately after the toll), turn right, and then at the next set of lights, turn right again and follow this road. After about 25 km, you will pass by Pos Slim which is an Orang Asli Settlement. This is how you'll know that you are going on the right track for sure!

The next major towns you'll see are Blue Valley and Kg Raja, both of which are part of Cameron Highlands and do offer some minor attractions, restaurants and shops. The Rose Valley flower garden is located at Blue Valley & outside of this flower garden are numerous stalls selling fresh fruits, strawberry jam, honey and other local produce.

There is also a rather attractive & colourful Chinese temple up on the hill around Kg Raja town. If you have time, you should drop by to take a look.

The journey from Simpang Pulai toll to Brinchang town is around 72 km and takes about 1 hour.

On your return journey down this same route, you will drive pass by some flower & vegetable farms with their own shops for souveniors and a couple of tea plantations. The Bharat Tea shop makes for a nice stop as well and deserves a look-see. The views along this slightly windy stretch of highway are spectacular (see pics)! However, it is certainly a much easier drive and less windy as compared to the Tapah route, which is covered in my first transportation tip, above.

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When we drove there in June 2004, we noticed people CAMPING on the side of the highway (dangerous, isn't it?!). There were also people who stopped their cars to take pictures and I can't blame them because the view was really quite beautiful.

P.S. I have a good map, but it is in PDF format. Please e-mail me Wild Orchid at VT Mail if you want a copy of the Simpang Pulai route map.

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