Stayed at Equatorial before. Price wise a bit high & location is way off after Brinchang & Tanah Rata. The only plus point it's located at the highest point of Cameron Highland.

Using PLUS, exit Tapah up will be nearest. But the road more narrow and twisty. If you ok with Ulu Yam-Genting, or Fraser Hill road, this is fine.

Using PLUS, exit Simpang Pulai up via Kg. Raja, the road is wider, not that twisty, but further slightly. Time wise, maybe just extra 10-20 minutes overall, since the average speed climbing here is faster than the slow/narrow/twisty Tapah side. First time up, I'll recommend this to be safer.

Sg. Koyan is very far and take more hours. Not advisable unless you are coming from Bentong/Raub/Kuantan.

Another road is from Gua Musang, if you coming from Kelantan/Terengganu.

Been to Cameron Highlands last year for a 3D2N trip. It was quite relaxing, I must say.

Now I'm wondering if 2D1N is sufficient. Any opinions?

sorry bro, never thought that so much of changes after 1 year. hmm

Depends where you coming from. Even Penang or KL, 2D1N is enough, but not much time to relax (to do nothing).
I still prefer 3D2N. Not that rush.

Then on the way to/fro, I can plan to stop at Ipoh, Kampar, Tapah area for quick stop food.

Surprisingly, 2d1n can do a lot of stuff. Felt like spent days there, but off course once its time to go back is like u want mooooooreee. Not enough cos too good lol

Went to kl bus station early morning, already bought ticket the week before. Then departed n slept in bus til beginning of the windy path upwards. Bus driver extremely skilled very smooth ride though so windy road, bus excellent very comfy. Check out the view and being inside cloud lol.

Reach the bus station at the tanan rata 3hrs before we supposed to check in Equatorial hotel at 3 pm (btw awesome hotel!!)
It was a rainy day so it was super collllddd teeth chattering. We waited a while the rain drizzling then walk round the town look at souvenir shops and the wine shop etc etc. then had lunch at a nice western european style restaurant named roselane i think. Had teriyaki grilled salmon. Recommended!

Afterwards we took a taxi to the hotel, during the ride we take note of the interesting places n tourist attractions.

We bought a map btw at a tour guide shop, but didnt buy any packages since is only 2d1n.

Equatorial hotel is at top of the hill. Extremely strategic. Walking distance to many places.
Strawberry farm, butterfly farm which also had cactus, rabbit, reptile, flower farms etc inside,
Markets, chinese stramboat place,

Once we checked in, explored hotel room etcetc then rest a bit since its raining. Unlucky but thats wat made first day so cold so i guess is nice haha.

Then once rain stopped went down to the strawberry n mushroom farm, and butterfly farm. By the time we done is ady 7pm. Most tour places closed by then. So for the night we braced through cold so enjoyable. The fog and night view is a bit like silent hill once it gets dark lol. W went down hill to the marketplace. For a few shops open. Bought jams n strawberry coffee (very aromatic-recommended) n tea etc. Then went to a grocery store bought snacks, to a buddhist shop. then back to hotel. Hang out at lobby, explore hotel floors, found out got indoor swimming pool but only open til 8pm. ordered room service for dinner, excellent food. And chillax.

Next day woke later than planned so didnt get to go tea farm and rose farm. But we check out with all our luggage to the tour van service at the hotel. And went to biggest strawberry n vegetable farm a lot people, can self pluck n various products. Went to craft shop but closed dunno why. The last bus back to kl was disappointingly early at 1pm. So had no choice but skip some places.

Not sure if i missed anything but overall the whole experience was priceless! Will definitely go again one day this time longer trip.

This post has been edited by bearer of truth: May 13 2012, 05:37 AM

wow strawberry coffee? nice?

wondering is there any news bout Sultan launching the road from Sg Koyan to Cameron? Any reference? Need the links...

Currently according to map, it was route C156 (if i m not mistaken) mean the road is gazette? Any accident in that road, insurance can claim?

Hi folks,

I'll be travelling to Cameron next Saturday (26th)

Im going to stay in Heritage Hotel. Just want to know is the pasar malam is nearby?? is it far away? Hopefully is a walking distance from the hotel..

Any nice food recommendation?? Hope to have feedback from you guys

Heritage Hotel is situated in Tanah Rata, Pasar Malam is in Brinchang.

If you wanted to walk to Brinchang, it is about 5 - 6 km away from Tanah Rata to Brinchang..

It has been launched eons ago! Are you anticipating accident? Better take public transport if you are such a bad driver.

Hello guys, I am planning a family trip to cameron to coming school holiday. It's 13 people, is there any cheap and nice apartment for rent? I will be going on weekend, most preferably is near town lar. Need two rooms which can fit in 13 people, and also hot water supply!

You either need two apartments or a bungalow for 13 persons. Unless you spend the day with bodies all over the apartment. I think many apartments are mentioned at the former posts and even the most 'chokia' hotel in CH comes with water heater. It's a must in CH, so don't worry about hot water.

13 ppl is too much for a single apartment (even with 3 rooms) as most of it have 1 bathroom only.
If everyone bath 10 minutes, or brush teeth + wash face + facial ... imagine 130 minutes.

2 hours before anyone can go out for breakfast

If pang-sai (make big cake business), 20 minutes total each including bath, brush teeth, etc ... 260 minutes

You will need at least two apartments, or a bungalow with at least 2 or more bathrooms.

adui... i tot there's a pasar malam at tanah rata...

man gotta jam all the way there.. i went once during holiday, it took me 2hrs plus jz for 2km...sigh...

There is a pasar malam in Tanah Rata actually.. well, a super small wan lor haha.. just beside Maybank

Need some advice.

Does winding road means less steep?

I had driven down from genting and Fraser hill before. I find that part of genting road is too straight and felt like going down too fast. I think my car was overweight with 3 to 4 pax behind plus driver and another pax in front. My car was vios. I used engine break, foot brake and hand brake to slow down. The engine was roaring. Half way down, the clutch gave up on me. My car had to change tow 3 times back to Singapore during Chinese year period.

This time, I am more prepared. http://www.letstalkdriving.co.uk/STEEP%20HILLS.htm.

On my Fraser hill trip, the road was winding and the road surface was rough. I have no problem going up and down.

My question is, how is tapan way compared to Fraser hill? Is it better to use tapan or simpang pulai if my aim is to slow down the descend.

I drive without share Tyre in the boot to speed up my car performance. If I have luggage, I would place it on the rear seat and never in the boot.

My 3rd question is, does putting the spare Tyre back in the boot help in braking while going downhill? Does removing of the spare Tyre affect weight distribution in the car, therefore affecting driving. I read that it is harder for heavy vehicle to stop. Does removing the spare Tyre helps while going downhill due to weight reduction.

I have booked century pine from 3 june to 4 june 21012. Anyone wants to form convoy with me? I would also be going to ipoh for 1 or 2 nights before ascend to Cameron highlands. Will be seeking out ipoh food too.


Thanks in advance.

Slow down for sure Tapah. I almost having accident when I came down using Spg Pulai due to less winding & going down too fast.. My auto gear that time don't hv fuzzy logic gear change..damn scary....Actually I also prefer going up via Tapah way for the same reason - less taxing to the gear. Interm of road wide, for sure Tapah wider than Fraser.. Fraser only built for 1.5car wide..That's why having diff timing going up & down

To me, Cameron is less steep (gradient) than the Awana->Genting stretch.
My 1.5L (but manual) car has no problem fetch 5 big adults, all the way up to Genting top (no cable car).
My car has done about >10x Genting trip, never change clutch pad, brake pad still ok, no burning.

Downhill, suggest your auto-box to switch from D -> 3 or 2 (no need L) for engine braking.

Tapah->Cameron is more windy, narrow, but less steep. Slower pace than Genting.
Simpang Pulai->Kg Raja is wider, less windy than Tapah and Genting.

Slow descend, I suggest to use Tapah, as the average speed here is much slower.

Simpang Pulai descend is like Genting Sempah (tunnel) down Karak highway. The road is wide, fast and sudden slow-down for cornering. I also feel dangerous.

Technically, less weight (spare tyre), lesser momentum, easier to brake or slow down. But the weight is negligible, as the other passengers & luggage weight make up for it.
The tyre at the back, will put more weight at the back, hence front tyre (and steering) will feel lighter (technically). The weight distribution at the rear (with spare tyre) will help in cornering (technically F1 speaking also) as vios is FF (front engine, front driven), i.e. to counter the front weight.

Frankly, I suggest to leave the spare tyre (pumped up) at the back.

Thanks stimix for your advice. Most website said Simpang Pulai is less windy and less steep and wider than Tapah. Thanks for saying Tapah is less steep. I have absolutely no problem with Fraser hill. If Tapah is like Fraser hill, i can drive with confidence but have to deal with more traffic at CH.

Definitely using Tapah for downhill even i have to return to Ipoh for 1 night stay, and then return to Singapore.

Cheers.