Best of Peninsula

📍 Transfer from Kuala Lumpur airport to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (65km): 1 hour

Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, receive a warm greeting from the local representative to meet the transfer to the hotel for check in.

After freshening up and taking some time to relax, meet with the English-Speaking Driver to start an introductory half day walking city tour.

Embark on a fabulous half day walking tour of Kuala Lumpur to experience the city’s history and ethnic heritage. Starting with a visit to Masjid Jamek, also known as Friday Mosque, one of the oldest building in Kuala Lumpur which gracefully sits on the banks of two rivers. Wander around the mosque grounds, learning about Islam in Malaysia and the arabesque influences in its design.  (Note: Like any place of worship, dress codes need to be adhered to, with robes and headscarves provided. Visit not available on Fridays.)

Then explore the vibrant streets around the mosque, where garland makers pedal brightly-coloured marigold offerings. Stop for a cup of traditional tea and Indian snacks, savouring the sweet flavours while discovering more about the Indian-Malay community and their beliefs. 

Continue to the architectural colonial heart of old Kuala Lumpur to learn about the past and present uses of these iconic buildings ranging from the late 1800’s to the mid 1930’s. Nearby there is a great viewpoint looking back at the Masjid Jamek. Snap a photo capturing the blend of the old and new architecture of Kuala Lumpur.

Wander into the Central Market, a vital hub of commerce for the city’s artisan community. Browse the stalls of local designers and craftsmen while enjoying the buzz of the marketplace. Learn about the history of this market and how it has transitioned over the years from a wet market into its modern-day commerce centre. 
  
Then cross into Chinatown, the last destination on today’s half day city tour. Explore the vibrant market, ancestral shrines and hidden old shop houses of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinese-Malay residents. This area is also the birthplace of many of Malaysia’s signature culinary dishes, thus making it the perfect place to refuel. Pull up a chair at a popular restaurant and savour a plate of hokkien mee noodles alongside the locals. 

After this snack, return to the hotel for a chance to freshen up or continue with an independent exploration of Kuala Lumpur. 

Please note: all dishes mentioned are offered on a share basis. The routing of this program may be changed subject to the location of your Hotel but all experiences will be enjoyed.

Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the mosque on a Friday or during religious ceremonies. It may be possible to stop only for a photo opportunity but not guaranteed.

Overnight Kuala Lumpur.
 

Inclusions:

📍 Transfer from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca (150km): 2.15 hours each way

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Be picked up from the hotel for a full-day city tour of quaint Malacca. Steeped in history as a trading post due to its vital location along the Malacca Strait, the town is a melting pot of cultures resulting from distinct history from the rest of Malaysia notable due to the substantial Portuguese and Dutch influences. 

Best explored on foot (a trishaw can be used for this tour at an additional cost), meander through areas steeped in history starting at the oldest remaining example of European architecture in Southeast Asia, A Famosa, before climbing St Paul’s Hill to visit St Paul’s Church and descending to one of the best examples of Dutch colonial architecture, the Stadthuys - the former Dutch City Hall which is flanked by flamboyantly decorated trishaws.

Sample food at Peranakan style restaurants in Malacca. This style of food is influenced by the Cantonese, Portuguese and Malay ingredients and methods. Taste a delicious warm Portuguese tart from one of the many nearby vendors.

Next, head to Temple Street, named for the multicultural range of temples and mosques that have lined the street since the early 18th century. This is the perfect place to get a taste of the area’s uniquely diverse local culture. Visit Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Kampong King Mosque and Sri Vinayagar Temple to better understand Indian, Chinese and Malay religious customs.

Continue to see restored Peranakan buildings (a cultural mix of Han-Chinese and Malay that forged its own style, known as the Baba-Nyonya, from the 15th century). 

Visit the excellent Baba-Nyonya Museum along the way to learn more about the unique Peranakan culture before exploring some interesting antique stores and cafes along the famous Jonker Street. 

Stop by a traditional Malay house to learn about distinctive Malay customs and take a river cruise along the newly developed key side for a unique view of the city. 

Overnight Kuala Lumpur

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves (16km) 40 mins Batu Caves to Cameron Highlands (210km) 3 hours

08:45 Meet with the driver and depart on a scenic journey to Cameron Highlands, a ride of around five hours. Stop on the way at Batu Caves, the largest and most important Hindu temple in Malaysia, nestled in the chamber of a large cave atop a stunning limestone mountain.

Pay a visit to the charming town of Tapah before taking the winding uphill road to Cameron Highlands. En route, stop to see Iskandar Waterfall. Reach Cameron Highlands in the afternoon and check into the hotel.

Overnight Cameron Highlands 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Cameron Highland to Ipoh (90km) 2 hours Ipoh to Penang (163km) 2 hours 15 mins

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, head on an overland journey to the Cameron Highlands. Long regarded as a refuge from lowland tropical heat, the area is also renowned for its picturesque scenery. Visit the area’s tea plantations and a tea-processing factory for a look at how local tea is produced. 

After having a quick but rewarding tour of the cool highlands, head down to Ipoh and Kek Lok Tong cave temple. A cave temple situated on 12 acres of land used as early as the 1920’s as a place of worship. Set in a limestone outcrop spend 45 minutes exploring the temple featuring a number of Buddhist figures. Have a quick lunch (own expenses) and continue the journey to Penang.

Upon arrival in Penang, check in to the hotel and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight Penang.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Penang to Banding (168km) 3 hours

08:30 After breakfast at the hotel, head out on a half day tour of the UNESCO Heritage city of Georgetown’s main attractions. Stop at the Thai Temple of the Reclining Buddha and at the Burmese Temple. Then visit Khoo Kongsi, a beautiful Chinese Clan House. Afterwards, head to Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia.

At the conclusion of the city tour, head on a scenic overland ride to Banding, an island of Temenggor Lake on Malaysia’s East Coast. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel there for a night of leisure.

Overnight in Banding

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Breakfast at the resort.

At 09:30 AM meet your nature guide at the jetty and start the cruise on Temenggor lake, directing yourselves to the Royal Belum conservation area.

Enter the rainforest and trek along Sungai Kooi trail. Once you reach the top you can see the wonderful waterfall.

Visit a native aboriginal village of "Orang Asli", who are the only people who still live within the national park. Be part also on our plastic free educational program during our visit at the Orang Asli villages.

After the lunch break follows a trek throughout the elephants’ trail at Sungai Papan Salt Lick area.

The last stop before proceeding back to the resort  is at a waterfall, where it is possible to dip in and col off from the heat or simply observe the surrounding nature. You can bathe at the waterfalls and relax by the area surrounded by tall trees and quiet vegetation.

Expected return to the jetty in the afternoon at around 15:30 / 16:30 PM.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure before dinner.

Overnight in Banding
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Banding to Kota Bharu (174km) 3 hours

09:00 After Breakfast, depart for Kota Bharu and be dropped off at hotel there or, alternatively, head directly to the airport to catch a flight to the next destination.

Notes: The tea plantation is closed to the public on Mondays and during the national holidays.
The Rafflesia flower in Belum is visible only when in bloom.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast