The Malay Peninsula | Highlights of Malaysia

Day 1 - Kuala Lumpur - arrival and Chinatown walk

Arrival in Kuala Lumpur and check-in to our hotel close to the capital’s bustling Chinatown. Some time to relax, recover from your jet lag or explore the area’s lively street markets before a late afternoon introductory Chinatown walking tour and a local-style welcome dinner.

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

Day 2 - Kuala Lumpur - 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.

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 an orientation tour of some of the town’s sights by traditional rickshaw. 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,  Meals: B, 

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 by ferry to Penang Island and check in to our hotel in World Heritage George Town’s historic jetty district. Evening at leisure or an optional guided visit to the town’s famous New Lane street market to graze on the bewildering selection of offerings

Overnight: George Town Transport: Minibus, Train, Boat,  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 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 Hill - cable car up and hike down

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 - 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 garden’s large variety of local spices and herbs followed by a hands-on Malay cookery lesson. Short afternoon hike to unspoilt Pantai Keracut in nearby Penang National Park

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

Day 8 - Sam Poh Tong Temple and Ipoh Town

Late morning drive to Ipoh with a stop at Sam Poh Tong – the area’s most spectacular and picturesque temple sites. Originally founded on the back of its 19th-century tin mining industry today the town is renowned for its cuisine, rich architectural heritage and street art.

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

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

Head out to 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, extraordinary Gothic folly. Afternoon walking tour to check out some of Ipoh’s street art as well as the town’s well-preserved Chinese architecture and colonial-period buildings.

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. From here we continue onwards and upwards to today’s destination, the former hill station of the Cameron Highlands. Late afternoon orientation tour of the town followed by a chance to sample the town’s culinary speciality – a ‘steamboat’ dinner.

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 and strawberry farms as well as its rich and varied flora and fauna. Our day’s itinerary follows these threads with a morning forest hike up Coral Hill, followed by a tea plantation visit with an optional Malay-style afternoon tea.

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

Day 12 - Return to KL

Return drive to KL with a stop at the fascinating Time Tunnel Museum with its highly eclectic collection of historic, cultural and everyday 20th century objects and artefacts. Some time in the afternoon to relax or perhaps do some last-minute souvenir shopping in Chinatown before our evening farewell dinner.

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

Transport: Walk,  Meals: B,