Kuala Lumpur: Batu Caves & Genting Highlands tour + cable car

Summary

Day trip to Batu Caves and Genting Highlands with cable car

You’ll climb Batu Caves’ colorful steps alongside locals and cheeky monkeys, then ride a cable car above misty jungle to Genting Highlands. Pick fresh strawberries at a hillside farm and let your guide handle all the details — from hotel pickup to entry fees — so you can just soak it in. It’s a day full of little surprises you’ll remember long after heading home.

What’s the experience like?

"You sure you’re not afraid of heights?" our driver teased as we pulled up to the Batu Caves, his grin in the rearview mirror. I was still half-asleep from the early start, but the sight of that rainbow staircase — all 272 steps, each painted like a different festival — snapped me awake. There were families everywhere, some carrying trays of fruit or flowers for the temple inside. The air smelled faintly of incense and fried snacks (someone was selling vadai nearby), and monkeys darted between tourists looking for dropped peanuts. I tried counting the steps but lost track around fifty — blame it on the humidity or maybe just being distracted by everything going on around me.

After catching my breath at the top (and pretending I wasn’t winded), our guide pointed out carvings in the limestone walls — he said they’re millions of years old, which is wild when you think about it. Inside, it was cooler and echoey, with prayers bouncing off stone. We didn’t stay too long because Genting Highlands was next on our list. On the way up, we stopped at this Strawberry Leisure Farm — honestly, I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. There’s something oddly satisfying about picking your own strawberries in Malaysia’s mountain air, even if mine were mostly tiny and a bit sour.

The real highlight though? That Awana SkyWay cable car ride up to Genting Highlands. It’s only about ten minutes but feels longer when you’re dangling above jungle valleys with clouds drifting past your window. My friend kept making nervous jokes about “trusting Italian engineering” (the system’s by Leitner Ropeways apparently) while I just stared out at all that green below us. At the top, there’s this weird mix of cool misty air and neon-lit resorts — kind of surreal after sweating through Kuala Lumpur earlier that morning.

We ended back at our hotel with sticky fingers from strawberries and more photos than I’ll ever post online. Our driver waved us off with a “next time, try Thaipusam!” — not sure I’m ready for that crowd yet, but who knows? Sometimes these day trips stick with you in ways you don’t expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Batu Caves and Genting Highlands Tour

• Visit Batu Caves temple
• Ride Awana SkyWay cable car
• Explore Genting Strawberry Leisure Farm
• Tour Genting Highlands resort area

Top questions

How long does the Batu Caves & Genting Highlands tour take?

The tour is a full-day experience starting in Kuala Lumpur with stops at Batu Caves, Strawberry Leisure Farm, and Genting Highlands before returning to your hotel.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, hotel or apartment pickup and drop-off in Kuala Lumpur city center are included.

Do I need to buy tickets for the cable car separately?

No, a 2-way Awana SkyWay cable car ride is included in your tour price.

Are there any food stops during the tour?

The tour includes a visit to Strawberry Leisure Farm where you can pick strawberries; other meals are not specified but snacks are available at attractions.

Is this tour suitable for young children or infants?

Yes, infants can join; prams/strollers are allowed and infants may sit on an adult's lap during transport.

How many steps are there at Batu Caves?

Batu Caves has 272 concrete steps leading up to the main temple cave.

What language does the driver speak?

Your driver speaks English for easy communication throughout the day trip.

How far is Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur city center?

Batu Caves is roughly a 30-minute drive from central Kuala Lumpur hotels or apartments.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned transport with an English-speaking driver who picks you up right at your Kuala Lumpur hotel or apartment. Entry fees for both directions on the Awana SkyWay cable car are covered too — plus there’s time to wander through Strawberry Leisure Farm before heading back home in comfort.