Bukit Tinggi French Village Day Tour from Kuala Lumpur

Summary

Colmar Tropicale, Japanese Village & More: A Day in Bukit Tinggi

You’ll wander through French-inspired streets, sip tea in a Japanese garden, ride horses through rainforest trails, and meet friendly rabbits—all in one cool mountain day trip from Kuala Lumpur. This tour is perfect if you want something different from city life but still easy and fun for everyone.

What’s the experience like?

The drive up to Bukit Tinggi always feels like a mini escape—windows down, you catch that cool mountain air and the smell of wet leaves after last night’s rain. We reached Colmar Tropicale just before the crowds rolled in. The place really does look like a slice of Alsace dropped into the Malaysian hills: pastel shophouses, cobblestone lanes, and those funny little turrets poking above the rooftops. Our guide, Amir, pointed out the bakery where locals grab their morning croissants (the almond ones go fast). I snapped a photo by the clock tower—honestly, if you don’t tell your friends you’re in Malaysia, they’ll never guess.

Five minutes up the road is the Japanese Village. It’s quieter here—just the sound of slippers on gravel and bamboo leaves rustling. We tried on kimonos (the staff helped tie mine properly; it’s trickier than it looks) and wandered through the garden paths. The koi pond was full of fat orange fish lazing about. At the tea house, we watched a tea ceremony—slow, careful movements, steam rising from tiny cups. The whole place smells faintly of green tea and moss.

Lunchtime at La Cigogne was a surprise. The menu’s all French classics—think chicken breast with peppers and onions in a light gravy. I’m not usually big on fancy food but this was comforting and simple. The staff mentioned everything’s halal too, which is good to know if you’re traveling with family or friends who need that.

After lunch we headed for the horse trails. I’d never ridden before but the instructors were patient, matching me with an easy-going Palomino named Daisy. We trotted through rainforest paths—muddy in spots from last night’s rain—and stopped at a lookout where you could see mist rolling over the valley. My jeans got a bit muddy but honestly, that’s half the fun.

If you’re feeling brave, Colmar Adventure Park has this flying fox zipline—the longest in Southeast Asia at 500 meters. I chickened out but my friend went for it; she said you get this rush as you zip right above the treetops. You can hear people cheering from below.

The Botanical Garden was our next stop—a real change of pace. It’s quiet except for birds calling and water trickling through little streams lined with koi fish. There are benches tucked away if you want to just sit and listen for a while. One path leads up to Tatami Spa; we didn’t have time for a massage but poked our heads in anyway—the smell of lemongrass oil hits you right away.

Last stop: Rabbit Farm. Over 200 rabbits hopping around—kids were squealing everywhere. You can feed them or just watch them munching lettuce. There are guinea pigs too (one tried to nibble my shoelace), plus peacocks strutting about and even a couple of donkeys looking for snacks. If your little ones get nervous around animals, there are drawing classes inside—a nice touch when someone needs a break from all the excitement.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bukit Tinggi French Village Tour

• Visit Colmar Tropicale French Village
• Explore Japanese Village and Tea House
• Enjoy Colmar Adventure Park flying fox
• Walk through Botanical Garden
• Visit Rabbit Farm and interact with animals

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for young children?

Yes! Kids love the Rabbit Farm and there are stroller-friendly paths throughout most stops. Just let us know if you need extra help or have special requests.

Do I need any riding experience for the horse trails?

No experience needed—the instructors will match you with an easy horse and walk you through everything step by step.

Is lunch included?

Lunch isn’t included but there are several restaurants at Colmar Tropicale where you can choose what suits your taste and budget.

What should I wear?

The weather can be cool and breezy up in Bukit Tinggi—layers work best. Wear comfy shoes since there’s some walking (and maybe mud on the horse trails).

What’s included

Your air-conditioned ride comes with an English-speaking driver who’ll pick you up right at your hotel in Kuala Lumpur and drop you back after the tour. All main attractions are covered—you just show up ready to explore!