We spent a few days in Tanah Rata, the main town in the Cameron Highlands, hoping for a breath of fresh air (literally) and a change of pace. The bus ride up was an experience on its own—tight, winding roads snaking through steep hills blanketed in green. All along the way, plastic tunnel houses dominated the slopes—functional but not exactly scenic. And in the valleys, streams choked with rubbish painted a sobering picture of the region’s environmental struggles.
Into the Mist
One of the highlights of our visit was a tour into the mossy forest. As promised, it was misty, damp, and beautifully eerie. Thick fog curled around twisted trees and moss-covered branches, and it felt like wandering through a dream—or a scene from a fantasy film. Easily one of the most atmospheric places we’ve visited.
A Sip of BOH
Next, we made a stop at the famous BOH Tea Plantation. Perched high in the hills, the plantation offered stunning views and a peek into the tea-making process. We watched workers tending to the plants—spraying and weeding—and took a short walk through the factory. The tea itself? Surprisingly sweet—perhaps a little too much for our taste. Still, sipping a cup overlooking the rolling green hills made it worthwhile.
Strawberries & Surprises
From there, we visited a strawberry farm and a small reptile zoo. The strawberries, sadly, didn’t live up to the hype—less sweet and far more commercial than we’d hoped. But just across the road, a local market offered a much more authentic and colorful experience. Stalls were packed with fresh produce, souvenirs, and local snacks—a real window into everyday life here, watch the prices as Kat found out as she got ripped off with expensive strawberries for a 2nd time.
Tanah Rata Nights
We stayed in a simple motel room on the third floor, right in the center of Tanah Rata. It was all about location—walking distance to food, shops, and the night bazaar—but that came with a trade-off: plenty of street noise. Between the traffic and the fireworks vendors, quiet nights weren’t really part of the package.
Still, the food scene more than made up for it.
We found an incredible Indian restaurant that quickly became our go-to, and the night bazaar was a nightly ritual. The star of the show? A custard egg dessert that completely blew us away. Rich, warm, sweet, and satisfying. Even better—I got the chance to help cook a batch right there in the market! Easily one of my favorite moments of the trip.
Final Thoughts
The Cameron Highlands—and Tanah Rata in particular—offered a mix of charm, chaos, and cool mountain air. While parts of the experience were far from idyllic (the pollution, the tourist traps, the noise), there were still moments of magic: the misty forest, bustling markets, and unexpected street food joys.
If you’re planning a visit, come for the forests, stay for the food, and be ready for a little bit of everything.
