Coast to Coast | Malaysia Family Tour

Day 1 - Kuala Lumpur - arrival and night tour

Arrival in KL and check-in to our comfortable downtown hotel with the afternoon to relax, recover from your jet lag or explore the area’s lively markets before a late afternoon introductory walking tour and a local-style welcome dinner.

Overnight: Kuala Lumpur Transport: Walk,  Meals: D, 

Day 2 - Kuala Lumpur - walking tour and Batu Caves

In the morning we’ll travel by public transport to the famous Batu Caves before returning to the city for lunch and a walking tour of some of the highly varied sites of the fascinating Malaysian capital. These include the beautiful Central Mosque and fabulous Victorian-era architecture of Merdeka Square while an evening walking tour of Jalan Alor introduces you to the fantastic array of local street food on offer.

Overnight: Kuala Lumpur Transport: Train, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 3 - Local train ride to Ipoh

Morning ride by local train to Ipoh. Originally founded on the back of its 19th-century tin mining industry today the town is renowned for its cuisine, rich architectural heritage and, unusually, its spectacular street art!  The region is also famous for caves and after time for a wander, we’ll head out to Sam Poh Tong – one of the most spectacular and picturesque cave temple sites.

Overnight: Ipoh Transport: Minibus, Train, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 4 - Ipoh - walking tour and a haunted Scottish castle!

Walking tour to check out some of the fantastic street art as well as the town’s well-preserved Chinese architecture and impressive stock of colonial-period buildings. In the afternoon we’ll head out what is perhaps Ipoh’s most iconic site – Kellie’s Castle. Begun a century ago by a Scottish plantation owner, he died before work could be completed and is today thought by locals to haunt the corridors and towers of his unfinished gothic folly.

Overnight: Ipoh Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 5 - Northwest to Penang Island

Morning road transfer to Penang Island and check in to our heritage-style hotel in George Town’s historic, downtown jetty quarter with the afternoon free to explore the area or maybe check out one of the famous hawker, street-food markets.

Overnight: George Town (Penang) Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 6 - Walking tour of World Heritage George Town

Penang’s capital, George Town, reveals a bewildering mix of Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures; Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Hindu religions. Our walking tour of this well-preserved town takes in exotic temples, Chinese architecture, colourful Little India and impressive British colonial-period buildings. The afternoon is free to explore the fascinating and friendly town at your leisure, check out the local markets or museums, while an optional visit to the historic Cheong Fatt Tse ‘Blue Mansion’ can be arranged

Overnight: George Town Transport: Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 7 - Day on Penang Hill and evening food tour

Lush, forest-covered and colonial villa-topped Penang Hill towers over the island and today’s visit includes a ride on the old funicular railway to the summit, where we’ll visit the Habitat Park to check out their canopy walkway and ‘tree-tops’ trail. In the afternoon, we return down the hill for a short drive to the island’s picturesque Botanical Gardens. An evening, guided street food tour completes the day.

Overnight: George Town Transport: Train, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 8 - Into the jungle interior and Lake Temenggor

Time to leave Penang and head off into the rarely visited interior of the Peninsula through the jungle-clad hills to tranquil Banding Island in Temenggor Lake. Accommodation at a beautifully situated lakeside eco-resort.

Overnight: Banding Island Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 9 - Discover the rainforest's amazing flora and fauna

Day expedition into the surrounding Belum Forest – West Malaysia’s largest preserved forest area – including a boat trip on the scenic lake, a waterfall visit and a jungle hike to a salt lick as well as searching for the rare and spectacular Rafflesia flower. With luck, we’ll see monkeys, giant hornbills and maybe even elephants – spectacular scenery guaranteed!

Overnight: Banding Island Transport: Boat, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 10 - On to the east coast and a speedboat to the Perhentians

Transfer to Kuala Besut port on the Peninsula’s east coast, and on by speedboat to the jungle-clad and coral-fringed paradise of the Perhentian Islands. Tourism is still relatively undeveloped in these islands and we’ll be staying in a low-key but comfortable beach-side resort.

Overnight: Perhentian Besar Transport: Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 11 - Perhentian Islands - at leisure on these idyllic islands

A day at leisure or exploring the island? Your options include a hike into the well-preserved jungle interior to search for the prehistoric-looking giant monitor lizards that roam the islands – plus leaf monkeys, colourful birdlife or walks to some of the more remote bays and creeks.

Overnight: Perhentian Besar Transport: Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 12 - Perhentian Islands - another day in paradise

At leisure on the islands while optional and easily arranged activities include a snorkelling tour of some of the vibrant coral reefs that surround the island. Fantastic turquoise waters, myriad colourful fish and encounters with baby reef sharks and giant turtles!

Overnight: Perhentian Besar Transport: Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 13 - Time to leave the island and a return flight to KL

Transfer by speedboat and taxi to nearby Kota Bharu for a return flight to Kuala Lumpur.

Please note the tour is fully accompanied except for the island stay on days 10 to 13

Transport: Taxi, Plane, Boat,  Meals: B,