About
Tours
Our Borneo and Malaysia tours include the island states of Sabah and Sarawak as well as the peninsula of mainland, West Malaysia.
Lying just north of the equator, Malaysia comprises 2 distinct areas; the north and western part of the island of Borneo – Sabah and Sarawak states – and the Malayan Peninsula stretching north to south from Thailand to Singapore and east to west from the South China Sea to the Straits of Malacca.
West Malaysia
Outside of one or two island ‘hot-spots,’ the Peninsula has been fortunately bypassed by mass tourism yet contains some of the country’s best-preserved forest areas, plentiful wildlife, unspoilt white sand beaches and historic towns. Jungle-dwelling, tribal groups, still hunting with blowpipes, live a mere 2 hours from KL’s ultra-modern Petronas Towers making the cliche – ‘a country of contrasts’ – true in Malaysia’s case while the ethnic mix of Chinese, Indian and Malays creates a genuinely wide cultural diversity, (as well as probably the best food in Asia!).
Our mainland Malaysia tours include The Malay Peninsula and our award-winning Coast to Coast family tour with a choice of island extensions to the Perhentian Islands or Langkawi.
Borneo
Needs no introduction! An evocative name for an exotic destination: jagged mountain peaks, jungle-lined rivers, mist-shrouded rainforest, unspoilt islands and rich wildlife complement the bustling Chinatowns and colonial Victorian architecture of the Malay Peninsula for a memorable tour of either, or both, parts of this fascinating yet surprisingly little-known Southeast Asian nation.
Borneo tour options are a 12-day Borneo Adventure itinerary and an 8-day Sabah tour with extensions to either the fabulous Danum Valley or Manukan Island or even an ascent of Mount Kinabalu itself.
Private and Family Tours
In addition to our regular, off-the-shelf, Borneo and Malaysia tours we also offer individual family tours as well as tailor-made options.
Tourism Tax
Please note as of 2023 all visitors to Malaysia are liable to a 10RM (c. £1.75 or $2.1) p/d tourism tax. Apologies for the inconvenience but this can’t be included in our tour price as it has to be paid in person at at your hotel reception.
Itineraries
Borneo Adventure
From £2,400 / 13 Days
Borneo | Sabah Tour
From £1,595 / 9 Days
Malaysia World Heritage Tour
From £1,350 / 8 Days
West Malaysia and Borneo Tour
From £2,750 / 16 Days
The Malay Peninsula | Highlights of Malaysia
From £1,725 / 13 Days
Coast to Coast | Malaysia Family Tour
From £1,695 / 13 Days
Danum Valley
From £985 / 3 Days
Mount Kinabalu
From £625 / 3 Days
Langkawi
From £320 / 4 Days
Manukan Island
From £325 / 4 Days
Perhentian Islands
From £275 / 4 DaysPlan your travels with us!
Highlights
Just a few of our favourite things to see, do and experience in Malaysia...
Penang
Food - with such a complex ethnic mix Malaysian cuisine is one of the richest and most varied anywhere in Asia
Sabah
Flora and fauna - some of the oldest and most ecologically diverse rainforests on the planet
Kuala Lumpur
Cultural heritage - with Little India, Chinatown, ultra-modern Petronal Towers plus impressive colonial period architecture
The Perhentians
Islands - both the Peninsula and Borneo offer fabulous tropical islands with vibrant reefs, unspoilt beaches and marine life
Sepilok
Orang-utan sanctuary - get up close to everbody's favourite, but critically endangered, primate at the wonderful Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary
Culture and Customs
Knowing what to expect from local culture and customs will help you get more out of your Malaysia/Borneo tour
Location
West Malaysia covers the lower section of the Malay Peninsula between Thailand and Singapore while Sabah & Sarawak States share the island of Borneo with Brunei and Indonesia's Kalimantan
Geography
Both Peninsula Malaysia & Borneo feature coastal plains & mountainous, jungle, interiors. Both have suffered deforestation for oil palms though certain parts of both remain well-preserved
Climate
Malaysia lies close to the equator so has more even rainfall throughout the year than mainland Southeast Asia. The west coast's monsoon period is May-Sept - the Gulf coast's Oct-March
People
An eclectic mix with original Orang Asli people in the interior; large urban populations of Chinese & Indians with the ethnic Malay majority concentrated largely in rural and coastal areas
Beliefs
A correspondingly mixed religious bag with a 60% Sunni Muslim majority but also large Hindu, Buddhist and Christian minorities to be found
Food
Indonesian, Thai and European influences abound alongside every kind of regional Chinese and Indian cuisine. Straights Chinese fusion cooking - or Nyonya - is unique to Malaysia
Local Experts
Genuine local knowledge is what turns a good travel experience into an unfforgettable one. Here's our shout-out to the locals that help maket that happen.'
Beverly
Hailing from just outside Kota Kinabalu, Sabah resident Beverly uses her extensive local knowledge to lead specialist wildlife and historical tours as well as our own Borneo Adventures
Things To Know
Useful information and practical tips you should know before you travel to Malaysia
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Handy Info
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FAQ
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Packing Guide
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Weather
Helpful Country Info
Official Name
Malaysia
Capital City
Kuala Lumpur
Population
c 32 million
Timezone
GMT +8
Currency
Ringgit (RM)
Banking Services
ATMs readily available
Power/Electricity
220-240V; socket is British-style, 3 pin
Internet
WiFi widely available in urban areas
Phone/Mobile
3G/4G SIM cards available
Dialling Code
+60
Language
Bahasa Malaysia, (English widely spoken in urban areas)
Religion
Muslim, Buddhist, Christian and Hindu
Frequently Asked Questions
Question #1
When’s the best time to go to Borneo?
For Borneo’s equatorial climate, it is suffice to say it’s hot and sticky all year round! Temperatures don’t vary widely and precipitation, apart from a pronounced drier season from January to April, remains fairly constant.
Question #2
When's the best time to go to Malaysia?
With regional variations, Western Malaysia experiences a rainy season or western monsoon period from around early May through to late September. March to September are the only time the gorgeous Perhentian Islands are open, making Malaysia a great destination for a tour during school Easter and Summer holidays. Note the rainy season is more short sharp downpours than constant rain and there are far fewer other visitors around. Landscapes will be lush and green, rivers and waterfalls at their most spectacular and the fauna too is more active and plentiful; nature comes alive so to speak!
Question #3
Which innoculations do I need?
For Malaysia and Borneo, there are no compulsory inoculations – however, Hep A, Polio, Typhoid and Tetanus are recommended. Borneo is considered a low-risk malaria area but if you are considering antimalarials we recommend you consult a health professional. A useful resource for information on travel health is the Scottish National Health Service’s Fit For Travel site.
Question #4
Do you recommend your tours for people travelling on their own?
Our small group tours make ideal holidays for solo travellers. Small, fully escorted, groups – eating together, family-style – with no compulsory single supplements create, we hope, an impression of travelling with a group of friends. If you don’t want to share a room then ask about single room supplements.
Question #5
If we book flights through you, which airlines do you use?
We are happy to book your flights from the UK to Malaysia/Borneo. There are no direct flights but we can offer a wide range of options, from regional airports as well as London using most major airlines – most often Malaysian, Emirates and Qatar. Prices on the website are a guideline and we find the best prices and routes for you. Upgrades to Premium Economy or Business class are available.
Question #6
What’s your policy for tipping?
Tipping is discretionary. People always appreciate a gesture for their hard work and dedication but staff are paid and don’t rely on tips. It’s hard to give a guideline before a tour as it does depend on the group size. The tour leaders don’t collect money for tips but are happy to advise. What often works well is if the group appoint someone to collect and distribute tips on behalf of the whole group.
Question #7
How do I pay for the holiday, and is there a surcharge for credit cards?
We ask you to pay a 10% deposit upon booking your holiday with the balance being due 60 days prior to departure. There is no surcharge for paying by credit card. There is no charge for debit cards. We accept most major credit cards including American Express.
Packing Guide
Packing light is a virtue, it'll make getting around easier and gives you room for souvenirs and the special things you find along the way. Packing "as little as possible" doesn't mean you have to forego comfort and any items you may forget are usually available locally for a fraction of the price.
Weather and Climate
