Malaysia World Heritage Tour
Discover the history, rich cultural heritage and varied landscapes of the Malay Peninsula, as well as its vibrant contemporary street-life and fantastic cuisine on our Malaysia World Heritage tour
An 8-day Kuala Lumpur to Penang - Straights of Malacca Tour
Malaysia World Heritage Tour
Our 8-day, Malaysia World Heritage small group tour kicks off in the modern-day capital, Kuala Lumpur and takes you on to the coast, and the old port town of Melaka (Malacca), before travelling north by train to Penang’s historic George Town.
Vibrant Kuala Lumpur is in some ways the archetypal Southeast Asian city with its remarkable juxtaposition of old and new – where the iconic, ultra-modern Petronas Towers form the backdrop to the classic British Victorian buildings and cricket club of Merdeka Square and the colourful street bustle of Chinatown contrasts with state-of-the-art overhead railways. Busy, hectic, perhaps bewildering, but certainly fascinating.
From here, we visit the World Heritage-listed port of Malacca (Melaka) with its Dutch and British-period architecture as well as the ancient Portuguese fort of A Famosa.
George Town displays later historical heritage with an impressive stock of 19th-century Victorian architecture in addition to Southeast Asia’s best-preserved Chinatown. We’ll explore the intriguing and fun town on foot; check out its brightly painted shop-houses, lively markets, street food, street life and venerable old Chinese clan houses as well as taking a ride up Penang Hill on the old funicular railway.
This Malaysia World Heritage tour is a shorter version of our 2-week Malay Peninsula tour with the option of adding an island extension after Penang. Nearby Langkawi, a short hop from George Town, is recommended from October through to March, while the wonderful east coast Perhentian Islands season is March to September.
For those with more time to spare, (and/or to optimise the cost of your airfare!), you can also continue your Malaysia exploration to the other half of the country with a flight from Penang to Kota Kinabalu on the island of Borneo to connect with our 1-week Sabah tour, ‘The Land Below the Wind’.
Includes: Meals: B x 7, L x 2, D x 3
Tour
Itinerary
Here's an idea of what you can expect to do and see day-to-day.
Day 1 - Kuala Lumpur - arrival and orientation
Our tour begins with a transfer from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to our downtown hotel (or rendezvous in the lobby for those booking a land only tour) and some time to settle in and relax before an introductory Chinatown walking tour and local-style welcome dinner.
Overnight: Kuala Lumpur Transport: Walk, Meals: D,
Day 2 - KL - Batu Caves and city sights
Leaving the city centre, we’ll travel by train to the northern edge of KL and the famous and highly revered Batu Caves. From here we return to the historic centre for a walking tour taking in the old central mosque and the fabulous Victorian-era architecture of Merdeka Square. An evening walking tour of Jalan Alor introduces you to some of the array of local street food on offer.
Overnight: Kuala Lumpur Transport: Train, Walk, Meals: B, D,
Day 3 - Malacca - visit the World Heritage town
Morning departure for the coast and Melaka (Malacca) with an afternoon orientation tour by rickshaw of the historic, UNESCO-listed city. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed town displays Portuguese, Dutch and British influences and we’ll allow you time in the late afternoon and evening to explore at your leisure.
Overnight: Melaka Transport: Minibus, Walk, Tuk Tuk, Meals: B,
Day 4 - Train journey to Penang
Return to Kuala Lumpur to catch the Butterworth express train to northern Malaysia. Late afternoon arrival and transfer by ferry to our heritage-style hotel in George Town’s historic, downtown jetty quarter with the evening free to explore the area or maybe check out one of the famous hawker, street-food markets.
Overnight: George Town Transport: Minibus, Train, Boat, Meals: B,
Day 5 - George Town - walking heritage tour
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, L,
Day 6 - Penang - Penang Hill and the Botanical Gardens
An ascent of Penang Hill by the famous jungle, funicular jungle railway – originally dating back to the Victorian era – for some spectacular views across the island and a visit to 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
Overnight: George Town Transport: Minibus, Train, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 7 - Penang - spice garden tour and cookery class
A food-orientated morning with a visit to the island’s Tropical Spice Garden. An explanation and tour of the garden’s myriad herbs and spices are followed by a hands-on cookery lesson where you’ll prepare your own lunch. Short afternoon hike to unspoilt Pantai Kerakut in nearby Penang National Park.
Overnight: George Town Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B, L, D,
Day 8 - End of tour or head to the beach
Morning at leisure and end of the tour. A transfer to Penang International Airport is included for those booking the flights package or, for those with a few more days to spare, we offer the options of island extensions to Langkawi (express boat from Penang) or the Perhentian Islands (domestic flight to Kota Baru and speedboat transfer) or a flight to Kota Kinabalu to link up with our 8-day Borneo, Sabah tour.
Overnight: Departure Meals: B,
Details
Further details, background info and answers to your burning questions.
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Highlights
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Map
Departures
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Hotels
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Visa Info & Notes
Just a few of the many highlights
Our Malaysia World Heritage tour reveals the fascinating and complex cultural and historical heritage of the country as well as its vibrant contemporary life; cuisine, street scenes, local markets, Little India and Chinatown
- Combine the historic Dutch, Portuguese and British heritage with contemporary Indian, Chinese and Malay culture
- Explore the twin UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites of Melaka (Malacca) and George Town (Penang)
- Optional beach extensions to the Andaman Sea's Langkawi Island or the Perhentians Islands on the Gulf of Thailand
- Discover the contrasting sights of the vibrant capital Kuala Lumpur from the highly traditional to ultra-modern
- Varied activities include a jungle hike on Penang Island, a hands-on Malay cookery class and rickshaw tour of Malacca
- ...and last but not least - certainly some of the best and most varied food to be found anywhere in Asia
Air Departures (UK) *From
- 7 November 26 2,295 GBP
- 5 December 26 2,495 GBP
- 9 January 27 2,345 GBP
- 14 February 27 2,345 GBP
- 14 March 27 2,295 GBP
- 11 April 27 2,295 GBP
- 8 May 27 2,295 GBP
- 5 June 27 2,295 GBP
- 3 July 27 2,295 GBP
- 7 August 27 2,395 GBP
- 4 September 27 2,295 GBP
- 2 October 27 2,295 GBP
- 6 November 27 2,295 GBP
- 4 December 27 2,295 GBP
Land Departures
- 8 November 26 1,495 GBP
- 6 December 26 1,495 GBP
- 10 January 27 1,545 GBP
- 15 February 27 1,545 GBP
- 15 March 27 1,495 GBP
- 12 April 27 1,495 GBP
- 9 May 27 1,495 GBP
- 6 June 27 1,495 GBP
- 4 July 27 1,495 GBP
- 8 August 27 1,495 GBP
- 5 September 27 1,495 GBP
- 3 October 27 1,495 GBP
- 7 November 27 1,495 GBP
- 5 December 27 1,495 GBP
Guaranteed Places Left Special Price Contact Us Closed
*As fares are fluctuating wildly at present all ‘with flight’ prices are approximate.
*Air departures are from the UK. Land departures start from Kuala Lumpur.
*Land departure dates correspond to the FIRST day of the itinerary.
We choose our hotels based on a combination of location, comfort and convenience. Here is a *selection of the types of hotel/rooms you can expect to stay at on this tour...
AnCasa Hotel Kuala Lumpur view
- Comfortable, well-appointed 4 star hotel
- Excellent location a stone's throw from KL's Chinatown
- In-house spa, restaurant, coffee shop, gym and pool
Rosa Malacca view
- Carefully-designed and decorated boutique-style hotel
- Well appointed rooms and particularly helpful staff
- Quiet location a short walk from the historic centre
SAVV Hotel George Town view
- Great waterfront location close to the clan jetties
- Convenient for George Town's restaurants, shops and cafes
- In-house bar/restaurant and pool
*This list should be considered a guide only, hotels/rooms may change (without notice) depending on availability.
Visa Info & Notes
Please note that the Malaysian government has introduced a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) system as of 1st January 2024. This form needs to be submitted online at least 3 days prior to arrival.
Finally, also note that you may come across references to a daily ‘tourism tax’ of 10 RM, payable by visitors to Malaysia, but this has already been included in the cost of your tour and will be paid by your tour leader.
Visas: No visa in advance is required. A free 60-day visa is issued on arrival at any international airport. As usual, a minimum of 6 months validity from the date of arrival and at least 1 blank page in your passport is required.
The standard arrival point for this tour is Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the departure point is Penang International Airport.
Meals: Breakfasts are generally hotel buffets with lunch and dinners based on local food. Your tour leader will usually order a selection of dishes, local-style, while a number of meals are not included, which allows you to ‘do your own thing’ or take a break if you’re feeling ‘riced out’.
With its kaleidoscopic population, Malaysian cuisine is one of the most varied and richest anywhere on the planet and includes all the various, regional Indian and Chinese dishes, the unique Chinese/Malay Nonya cuisine as well as traditional Malay food alongside Thai and Indonesian influences. Dishes are generally mild with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options on offer.
Accommodation: all choices fall into the comfortable 3* range and are en-suite and air-conditioned. We have posted a selection of sample accommodation on the left-hand hotel tab but please note that as we try and avoid the larger hotels, availability, in high season, particularly, means we use several options in each destination.
Activities: Note that no activities are compulsory and that any, including trekking, can be tailored for any fitness level or alternatives suggested.
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