Last month, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia took us on a 3-day endurance road trip with the Mercedes-Benz GLC, joined by local personalities Yasmin Hani, Sha’arin Razali, Ning Baizura and Jason PH. We didn’t just get to take the premium mid-sized SUV for a spin, we took it on an adventure as we made our way to Ipoh and Cameron Highlands and challenged ourselves with a range of exciting activities—not your average leisurely trip. We have to say: the GLC definitely proved to be a worthy companion for those #hungryforadventure. Read on to find out how the trip went down:
Day 1
Our first meeting point was at Desa ParkCity. A spot of breakfast at Three Little Birds Café and mandatory introductions later, and we were off! It must have been an impressive sight on the road, as 6 Mercedes-Benz GLCs formed a convoy to make its way through the North-South Expressway. The main agenda of the day? Rock climbing at Nomad Adventure Earth Camp, Gopeng—outdoor rock climbing, that is. It was definitely fun, and more challenging, climbing limestone rocks for a change. Besides rock climbing, there was also a high rope course, abseiling and the giant swing (imagine a playground swing, but five times the height) amongst other activities to keep the adrenaline pumping.
At the end of the afternoon, exhaustion set in and we withdrew from the day’s activities and headed to our stay for the night—The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat. This idyllic retreat is nestled in a stunning landscape of limestone hills, rainforest, natural caves and geothermal hot springs. The serenity and privacy of the villas made it the ideal place to relax and rejuvenate for the next day’s adventure.
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Day 2
The day started off nice and slow. Left to our own devices, I spent the morning taking a walk around the vicinity of the retreat, exploring the many caves (the crystal cave is a personal favourite) and hot springs. Surrounded by hills and greenery, it was cool and a little chilly in the morning—far from the heatwave that is enveloping the city. After lunch, it was time to hit the road and head off to the hills.
Our first stop in Cameron Highlands was for tea and cakes at the Sungai Palas Boh Tea Plantation. But being an endurance trip, it wasn’t long before the adventure continued. The bike racks mounted on our GLCs were there for a reason—today, we are taking on the terrains of Cameron Highlands on road bikes. This was no easy feat though, as traffic was moderately heavy and the roads were winding, so only those who were more familiar with the workings of a road bike took on the challenge. They cycled from the plantation to our home for the night, The Cameron Highlands Resort. Dressed in colonial architecture and set against a forested mountainscape, the resort is the picture of elegance—a luxurious and comfortable highland getaway.
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Day 3
As comfortable as the beds were, adventure calls at 7.30am that morning: we were headed for a 5km run. If the scorching weather in the city is the biggest hindrance when it comes to running outdoors, it certainly isn’t a problem here. At 1,500 metres above sea level and surrounded by hilly greenery, it was the perfect setting for a run. Led by experienced runners, we ran a manageable route—past the Smokehouse Hotel and golf course, with a fair amount of uphill and downhill roads to keep our heart rates racing.
5km didn’t feel that long at all, and it was a great way to start the day. But alas, we’ve come to the end of our trip here. After fuelling up at breakfast, it was time to bid the 3D2N getaway goodbye, and start on the journey back home.
On driving the Mercedes-Benz GLC:
As we drove out of Desa ParkCity on the first day, we were immediately impressed by the 360 camera. Behind the wheels of the GLC, it was easy to feel completely at ease when maneuvering tight spaces, as the camera enables all-round visibility, including a bird’s-eye view—an ingenious feature that allows for a top-down view of the car and its immediate surroundings. And the Burmeister audio system? Our ears certainly approve—perfect for long drives (and road trips!).
Built for those who are #hungryforadventure, traversing through the dirt roads as we made our way to Nomad Adventure Earth Camp was a comfortable feat in the GLC, proving its stellar off-road performance claims to be true. Elsewhere, the drive up the (super) winding roads to Cameron Highlands was enhanced by the powerful and sporty engine. Handling, as expected from Mercedes-Benz, was a breeze. This is largely attributed to the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system, which optimises traction with a torque split of 33% and 67% between the front and rear axle respectively.
In a nutshell: Sporty and luxurious, the Mercedes-Benz GLC is tailored for those who love comfortable everyday driving and an active, adventurous lifestyle.
Watch the GLC Endurance Road Trip in action below:
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