The Malay Peninsula | Highlights of Malaysia

Day 1 - Kuala Lumpur - arrival and tour by night

Arrival in KL and check-in to our hotel in the heart of the capital’s bustling Chinatown.  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: Train, Walk,  Meals: D, 

Day 2 - Kuala Lumpur - City sights, Batu Caves, street food tour

Morning walking tour of some of the highly varied sites of the fascinating Malaysian capital including Little India and the fabulous Victorian-era architecture of Merdeka Square followed by a visit to the famous Batu Caves. An evening walking tour of Kampung Baru introduces you to the fantastic array of local street food on offer.

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

Day 3 - On to World Heritage Malacca

Early morning departure for the old port of Melaka (former Malacca) with a traditional-style orientation tour by rickshaw. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed town displays Portuguese, Dutch and British influences and we’ll allow you time to explore at your leisure before a late afternoon boat trip up the Malacca River to discover the old Malay district of Morton Village.

Overnight: Melaka Transport: Minibus, Boat,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 4 - North to Penang - A west coast train ride

Morning return to KL where we’ll catch the train north up the Peninsula to Butterworth. Late afternoon arrival, transfer to Penang Island and check in to our hotel in World Heritage George Town’s historic jetty district. Evening at leisure to perhaps check out the famous hawker street-food market.

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

Day 5 - George Town - history and heritage walk

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 clan houses, colourful Little India and impressive British colonial-period architecture.  The afternoon is free to explore the fascinating and friendly town at your leisure and check out the local markets, museums or vibrant street-life.

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

Day 6 - Penang Hill - cable car up and hike down

Visit Penang Hill with its Victorian-era funicular railway, graceful villas and spectacular views and hike down the lush jungle-clad slopes to the island’s picturesque Botanical Gardens. Guided evening visit to one of the town’s famous street markets to graze on the bewildering selection of offerings.

Overnight: George Town Transport: Minibus, Train, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 7 - George Town - spice garden tour and cookery class

A culinary morning with a visit to the lush Tropical Spice Garden for a guided tour of the bewildering array of local spices and herbs they grow followed by a hands-on Malay cookery lesson. Afternoon at leisure with options of being dropped at Batu Ferringhi for some beach time or a hike to unspoilt Pantai Aceh in nearby Penang National Park.

Overnight: George Town Transport: Minibus,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 8 - Sam Poh Tong Temple and Ipoh Town

Morning drive to Ipoh. Originally founded on the back of its 19th-century tin mining industry today the town is renowned for its cuisine, its 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 temple sites.

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

Day 9 - Ipoh, walking tour and Kellie's Castle

Walking tour to check out some of the 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, L, 

Day 10 - Tempurung Cave and on to the Cameron Highlands

Leaving Ipoh our first stop will be the impressive limestone cave system of Tempurung where pathways have been constructed inside the main cavern allowing us to appreciate the spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. From here we continue onwards and upwards to today’s destination, the former hill station of the Cameron Highlands.

Overnight: Cameron Highlands Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 11 - The Cameron Highlands

The site was chosen by the British due to its cool mountain climate and today the area is best known for its extensive tea plantations as well as its rich and varied flora and fauna. Our day’s itinerary follows these threads with a morning boardwalk hike through a misty moss and orchid forest and an afternoon plantation visit. (Not forgetting the opportunity to sample Malay-style afternoon tea at one of the Highland’s famous tea shops.)

Overnight: Cameron Highlands Transport: Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 12 - Time Tunnel Museum and afternoon return to KL

Visit the impressive ‘Time Tunnel Museum’ which highlights different periods of Malaysia’s history and the different cultures that compose its ethnic mix including the region’s earliest inhabitants, the Orang Asli. From here we continue the short return drive to KL with some time to relax or perhaps some last-minute souvenir shopping before our evening farewell dinner.

Overnight: Kuala Lumpur Transport: Minibus,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 13 - Kuala Lumpur and departure

Our tour finishes at check-out time with a transfer at your leisure to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. If you have any days to spare then we can drop you at the domestic terminal for a flight to either Langkawi, (Oct to March) or Kota Bharu for the Perhentian Islands (March to Sept.) for some quality island and beach time.

Airport transfers are included for those booking the flight option

Meals: B,