The Classic Malaysia

📍 Singapore to Malacca Sentral (255km) 4 hours (included exit and entry border) Kuala Lumpur - Malacca (150 km): approx 2.15 hrs Malacca Walking Tour (3 km) 3-4 hours

Departure to Malacca from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. On arrival in Malacca, transfer to the hotel for check-in. 

Meet the guide at the hotel at 18:30 to experience the delights of Malacca cuisine and get a closer look at the local culinary culture that makes Malacca such a hub of international cuisine. 

Spend the evening walking and taking colourful rickshaws through the smaller streets of Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage town. Stop at a variety of local restaurants, some offer traditional Malay dishes while others offer culinary treats influenced by overseas traders who came to Malacca over the past 2,000 years. Run by the same family for generations these restaurants specialise in one type of dish, from chicken rice balls to cendol (a refreshing dessert with coconut and caramelised palm sugar) or asam pedas (a spicy fish stew), making them true experts in their craft. 

Start with a satay celup, which is a type of hot peanut fondue to dip the chicken and vegetable skewers in. With the piping hot aromatic peanuts and wide assortment of skewered meat and vegetables, it is one of Malacca’s signature dishes. Any trip will not be completed without savoring a taste! 

Loading a variety of spices, coconut-based sauces, meats and vegetables into clay pots at the traditional clay pot speciality restaurant. Roast them over a strong open fire, this brings out incredible flavors and aromas which one simply will not find at home.

Next, delight the palate in the sumptuous aromas of Indian tandoori spices. Arriving in Malacca 2,000 years ago as spice traders, the Indians brought with them a form of cuisine where marinated meat is put on long metal skewers and cooked over an intense fire in a clay oven. 

Continue onwards to try Chinese specialties like dim sum, as well street food from a hawker stall that boasts a variety of Malay and Chinese recipes. 

Continue to the old town and stroll through the heritage houses along Jonker street, before ending up at a picturesque cafe along the canal. Lined with street art, colorful lights and music playing from nearby bars, this is a fantastic spot to relax with a drink and muse upon the multicultural cuisines that people brought to this quaint world heritage town. 

Overnight in Malacca.

Inclusions:

📍 Malacca to Kuala Lumpur (150 km): approx 2.15 hrs

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. 

Note: Baba-Nyonya Museum closed on Monday

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.

Depart by vehicle to Kuala Lumpur. Check it at the hotel.

Evening free at leisure.

Overnight in Kuala Lumpur.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfer KL Hotel to Batu Caves (17km): 45 minutes

This morning at 08:00, discover another multicultural aspect of Malaysia and visit one of the most important sanctuaries of Hindu culture, the Batu Caves located on the outskirts of the city.
 
After climbing the 272 steps that lead to the Sanctuary of Murugan, one of the most revered deities of Hinduism, enjoy splendid panorama views of the city. It is also possible to find monkeys in constant search for food so be alert! These impressive caves remain a destination for pilgrims, especially during the most important Hindu festival in Asia, Thaipusam, which is celebrated during the full-moon Tamil month (January and February).
 
Return to the city and start the city tour of Kuala Lumpur. The tour will allow you to visit the colourful and unique Buddhist temple of Thean Hou and then walk through the lush lake with its tropical nature and stop in front of the modern National Mosque and the old train station built by the British. From here, arrive at the Independence Square, the center of the old Kuala Lumpur, born in the 19th century around the tin mines. Continue with a walking tour to discover the streets of the ancient city surrounded by small typical buildings of colonial / Malay style and the shops of the Central Market and the Chinatown where there is also the colourful Hindu temple of Sri Mahamariamman. Then, head to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers to take pictures of this marvel of technology before returning to the hotel.
 
Please note: Batu Caves is a religious site, thus a dress code for visitors is enforced. For women, they should cover their shoulders as well as their legs below knee length (nothing too short or revealing). For men, a t-shirt and shorts are acceptable, as long as the shorts are below the knee. Please do not wear singlets/tank tops or flip flops.
 
Please note that guests can rent a sarong/scarf if their dress code does not meet the requirements for a small fee. 

Overnight in Kuala Lumpur.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Transfer from Kuala Lumpur hotel to Labu Sentral Jetty (214km): up to 4 hours Transfer by boat from Labu Sentral Jetty to Kuala Tahan Jetty: 2 hours

Pickup from Kuala Lumpur Hotel at 07:00 for a 4 hour (214km) overland transfer to Labu Sentral jetty passing vistas of scenic countryside. 

11:30 From here board a wooden longboat for the scenic 2-hour rainforest ride to reach the lodge. 

14:00 Check in to the resort and enjoy a couple hours at leisure before evening dinner followed by night activities. 

20:30 This evening experience the jungle at night with a nocturnal guided night walk.
 
(Recommended Kit: Torch for the night walk and closed, sturdy walking shoes as trails can be slippery when wet. Long sleeved clothes)

Overnight in Taman Negara

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

This morning breakfast and meet the guide at 09:00 for the day's activities. 

Depart for a mornings trek under the high-density rainforest canopy about 1.7 km from the Wildlife HQ to Bukit Teresek. It will take up to 45 minutes (335m) to reach its peak to enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Gunung Tahan (can be seen in clear weather). 

Important note: Taman Negara’s canopy walkway is closed every Friday. It is open from 9am to 3pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays, , Saturdays and Sundays. On Friday the canopy will be closed for maintenance and structural inspections.
Please note that in inclement weather the canopy walkway may be closed, for safety reasons.

View the canopy of the rainforest as you walk on a 530m rainforest canopy walkway, 40m above ground level. Enjoy the panoramic view of flora and fauna along the walkway. 

Return to the resort for lunch at own leisure.

14:30 Cruise upstream on the Tahan river to Lata Berkoh and enjoy the riverside flora and fauna and a few rapids along the way. Take a short walk to reach a cascading waterfall where you have the opportunity to swim in the natural pool or just spend the time relaxing and enjoying the rainforest. 

19:00 Dinner will be served at the Seri Mutiara Restaurant.

(Recommended Kit: Sturdy walking shoes as trails can be slippery when wet, Insect repellant)

Overnight in Taman Negara

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands (260km) 4 hours

Meet with the English-speaking driver and depart on a scenic journey to Cameron Highlands.

On arrival check in at the hotel.

Long regarded as a refuge from lowland tropical heat, the area is also renowned for its picturesque scenery.

Afternoon is free at leisure.

Overnight in Cameron Highlands

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Cameron Highlands to Ipoh (85km) 2 hours Ipoh to Penang (175km) 2.5 hours

Start the day early to enjoy the crisp morning air and wispy light that streams across the Mossy Forest. 

Embark on a half-day exploration of Cameron Highlands. At 09:00 be picked up from the hotel by an experienced nature guide and transferred by 4WD to Cameron Highlands Tea Plantation for a short tour of the plantation. Drive to higher heights of the Mossy Forest of Gunung Brinchang. Be enlightened on the value of medicinal plants that can be found in the forest and learn all about the eco-system of the rainforest. 

With the knowledge of a nature guide, learn about some of the most exotic flora on earth, like the pitcher plant, orchids, primitive ferns, spices and medicinal plant, all home to the Mossy Forest. 

Following this take a short walk around the Sungai Palas BOH Tea Factory and enjoy some light refreshments.
Note : Daily opening of the Tea factory cannot currently be granted and is subject to change without prior notice. Tea factory and Tea House remain officially closed every Monday and Public Holidays. 

After experiencing the magic of the highlands, descend back down to the lowlands following a winding mountain range and head onwards to Penang. The journey takes around four hours. Stop en route at the historical mining town of Ipoh to the Perak Tong Cave Temple. Created in 1926 by a local Chinese couple, this beautiful temple features brightly coloured murals as well as a large standing Buddha - a serene experience.

Travel a further two hours to Georgetown.

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

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, head out with on a 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. The tour culminates with a visit to Kek Lok Si Temple. The largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, this is the perfect place to wander around for a look at Malaysia’s unique and traditional culture.

Return to the hotel. Free at leisure.

Overnight in Penang

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Hotel to Airport (18 km) 30m

Enjoy a leisurely morning before transferring to the airport for an onward journey.

There is a range of direct flights to a number of gem-like islands; travel consultants can advise on further details.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast