Planning on your next trip to Cameron Highlands Part 1?

Allison of Singapore asked:

Hi Raymond,

I found your website on your cameron highlands trip and found it very interesting and informative. I would like to make a trip there this coming January during Chinese New Year but have found myself getting into many stumbling blocks.

First things first, i am not sure how easy it is to get bus tickets to Cameron Highlands. You took Konsortium's coach there and were the only 2 people onboard...im surprised they took you since it was not a full bus! I was thinking of calling them up to ask for tickets...is it difficult to get tickets? Did you book way in advance?

Secondly, i am also worried about the availability of hotel rooms in Cameron. I initially wanted to stay at Equatorial Cameron as the views from the window might be nicer. However, a travel agent convinced me to stay at Rosa Passadena which is in the heart of Brinchang town, making it more convenient to go the restaurants, shops, eateries...etc. Whereas, Equatorial is in the hills and it would be difficult to get a taxi...From your review, it seems that there are some farms and places you get to see in the surrounding areas in Equatorial. Did you have to walk far?

I do hope you can reply me soonest so I can make my reservations. =)

THank you very much for your help!

My Ans:
Hi Allison,
Thank you for visting my web site and I am glad that you found them interesting& informative.If you are going during the Chinese New Year holidays, that will be super peakperiod. You need 2 months in advance at least to be sure to get tickets. Trip and hotel costs will be much more. I believe many operators might tell you its fully booked or place you on waiting list for someone to pull out, nonethelessyou can still enquire.

We went during the off-peak season, and it was easy to get tickets. We actuallybooked our free and easy tours to Cameron Highlands with Grassland Express who does not have buses, so they employ Konsortium to fill in. The only reason wecan think of why Konsortium still took us up was because they need to takepeople down to Singapore. B.T.W the drivers who drove us up is a Malaysian.

Grassland gave us a choice of hotels and resorts to choose from. We chose Equatorial Hotel. The hotel is cosy with good view and there is no air condition since the air is cold and the food is great too.It is true that you need transportation if you decide to stay at Hotel Equatorial to get to Brinchang or Tana Rata. Some places of interest like the butterfly farm and market square is only walking distance away from Equatorial hotel. If you book short day tours there, you need not worry about transport, as it is provided.