ESSENTIAL MALAYSIA & BEACH

Day 1 : Kuala Lumpur (- / - / -)

Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, we will be met by our guide and drive to the hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is free to explore the cosmopolitan capital at our own pace. Kuala Lumpur is home to a swathe of iconic landmarks, including 88-storey chrome and steel towers Petronas Twin Towers – the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers, Petaling Street flea market and Batu Caves, which is more than 400 million-years-old. Shopaholics can hit the expansive shopping malls, including Pavilion KL and Suria KLCC.

Alternatively, take a stroll through colourful Chinatown or visit Perdana Botanical Gardens, which boasts the city’s largest collection of flower gardens and animal parks. A must-see is the Orchid Garden, which is dotted with meandering paths and fountains, and a rock garden with 800 species of orchids. Another must-visit spot is the Hibiscus Garden, where you can find Malaysia’s national flower in full bloom.

Overnight at hotel

Day 2 : Kuala Lumpur – Malacca (B / - / -)

After a hearty breakfast, we hit the road for a day-trip to historic Malacca (150km – 2 hours). Once colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese during a period of 400 years, the compact city is awash with historical architecture. We visit Dutch Square, home to the red Stadthuys, Christ Church, Clock Tower and Queen Victoria Fountain.

We will then stop at Cheng Hoon Teng, Malaysia’s oldest functioning Chinese temple founded in 1645, and Porta De Santiago, the Gate to the Portuguese fortress La Formosa, built in 1511. Our tour also takes us to St Paul’s Church, where St Francis Xavier was buried, and Kampong Kling Mosque. Built in 1748, it is one of the oldest mosques in Malacca. We then return to Kuala Lumpur, with the evening at our leisure.

Overnight at hotel 

Day 3 : Kuala Lumpur – Taman Negara (B / - / D)

After breakfast, heading towards the Labu Sentral Jetty or Kuala Tembeling Jetty. Serving as the gateway to Taman Negara, the small town is a delightful spot to enjoy the pristine landscapes it is set among. After lunch at a local restaurant, we board a boat – the only means of transportation into this enclosed area – and take a leisurely cruise along the meandering river.

Along the way we can lap up the gentle call of nature, the lush hue of greens, exotic fish and even the occasional monitor lizards swimming in the water. We disembark and continue to our hotel for check-in, with a delicious dinner served at the resort. However, the adventure is does not end there, with a Night Jungle Walk scheduled for about 8.30pm. This gentle jaunt through the jungle is a great way to spot the wealth of nocturnal wildlife that call this patch of jungle home.

Overnight at hotel 

Day 4 : Taman Negara (B / L / D)

We start the day exploring the area’s pristine natural beauty with a jungle trek to Bukit Teresek. We walk along picturesque trails that wind through a canopy of trees and colourful flora to a symphony of sounds. Expect to be greeted by an array of indigenous wildlife as we take the 45-minute hike to the canopy walk. At more than 400 m long, the Canopy Walkway comprises a series of rope bridges between the trees, with vantage points strategically dotted along the route, offering simply stunning panoramas of the surroundings.

We then return to the resort for lunch before embarking on another exciting excursion that takes us to Lata Berkoh. We board a boat to reach the cascading rapids on Sungai Tahan, with some time to take a dip in the clear pools or relax by the riverbank and recuperate after an adventurous day.

Note: The Canopy Walkway is open on Saturday to Thursday. It is closed on Friday.

Overnight at hotel of Standard OR Superior Package.

Day 5 : Taman Negara – Cameron Highlands (B / - / -)

After breakfast, we check-out of the resort and head to Kuala Tahan Point. Here, we will meet our driver and hit the road for a 5- to 6-hour scenic drive to Cameron Highlands. The refreshing retreat sits 1,542 m above sea level and is commonly referred to as the Giant Green Carpet of Malaysia due to its picturesque rolling hills, tea plantations and farms.

Upon arrival, we will visit one of the tea plantation and factories the area is famed for to learn about the tea production process. We then continue our exploration with a trip to some fruit farms and the lively local night market. The vehicle and driver will be at our disposal to explore more attractions in Cameron Highlands, with the evening free at our leisure. Note: It is not necessary to take the boat ride to Kuala Tembeling again as the group can depart to Cameron Highlands from Kuala Tahan Point. Entrance fees are not included. 

Overnight at hotel of Standard OR Superior Package.

Day 6 : Cameron Highlands – Penang (B / - / -)

After breakfast, we depart for Penang with a stopover in charming Ipoh. Here, we visit Sam Poh Tong cave temple, a Chinese temple nestled in an ancient cavern before lunch. We then continue on our drive, stopping at Taiping Town, famed for its well-preserved colonial architecture, and the charcoal factory in Kuala Sepetang, which bakes mangrove logs in kilns.

We later make visit to The Perak Museum, Malaysia’s oldest museum before the final leg of our road trip to Penang. There is the option to stop at Aun Tong Coffee Mill for a coffee break. Known as Malaysia’s most historical coffee mill, it was founded in 1933 in Taiping, Perak. Upon arrival in Penang, we check-in at the hotel before spending the evening exploring Penang’s local night market. Here, we can snap up souvenirs and feast on the wealth of street food the destination is famed for.

Overnight at hotel

Day 7 : Penang – Langkawi OR (Perhentian Island (Option)) (B / - / -)

After breakfast, we have the morning free to explore Penang’s George Town at our own pace. Having served as an international trading port and British colonial headquarters, George Town has centuries of heritage, food and culture, and serves as a creative hub. It is home to traditional coffee shops and eateries, hipster cafes and bars, stylish boutiques, galleries and street art, a smattering of temples and places of worship and a striking array of architecture. We recommend exploring the city by foot, stopping off at a traditional café to soak up your bustling surroundings. 

We then head to the airport to trade in one island for another as we head to the tropical paradise of either Langkawi or Kota Bharu Airport, where we catch a boat to the Perhentian Islands. After check-in, we have the day free to explore at our leisure. Home to sandy shores, turquoise waters, jungle-clad mountains and heaps of nature, the islands are a picturesque paradise.

Overnight at hotel

BEACH EXTENSION

Day 8 : Beach Extension | Langkawi OR (Perhentian Island (Option)) (B / - / -)

Whether we are lapping up laidback island life on Langkawi or the Perhentian Islands, we have the entire day to ourselves. We can either hit the beach for some chill time, take a dip in the warm waters or engage in some water sports.

Alternatively, set off on some sight-seeing. Langkawi’s top attractions include riding Langkawi Skycab, a cable car that sails above a canopy of virgin rainforest on Gunung Machincang mountain. At the peak, we can cross the 125 m Sky Bridge. The Perhentians are famed throughout Malaysia for their picturesque beaches. They are split into two islands, Besar (big) and Kecil (small). It is easy to hop between the two, with Besar being the more isolated and dotted with beaches. Kecil boasts two main beaches that are perfect for sunset.

In the evening, sample some fresh seafood delights with dinner at a beach side restaurant.

Overnight at hotel

Day 9 : Beach Extension | Langkawi OR (Perhentian Island (Option)) (B / - / -)

After breakfast, we have another day to ourselves to kick back and relax, hit the beach once again or continue with our exploration of the island. Langkawi is an archipelago of more than 90 islands and islets that dot the ocean. Spend the day island-hopping, with many cruise operators offering trips that sail past the dramatic limestone karsts, stopping at a handful of the islands to spend time on the beach or strolling along nature trails that wind through national parks.

Over on the Perhentians, a great way to break up a day on the beach is diving into its colourful underwater world. The islands are popular for snorkelling in Malaysia, with top snorkelling spots at Shark Point, Teluk Pauh and Tanjung Basi. Enjoy a sundowner at the beach before feasting on more fresh seafood and other local delights for dinner.

Overnight at hotel

Day 10 : Beach Extension | Langkawi OR (Perhentian Island (Option)) (B / - / -)

True to our word, we deliver the perfect beach extension with another day at our leisure to truly settle into lazy island life.

Alternative activities if we are on Langkawi are boarding a boat to tour the meandering waterways of Kilim Karst Geoforest Park. The park features mangrove forests, lagoons and beaches. Alternatively, take a trek through the island’s dense rainforest to discover an incredible array of endemic flora and fauna.

Over at the Perhentians, we can hit the network of trails that snake through both of the islands’ thick jungle that is home to waterfalls and viewing points. Alternatively, we can rent a sea kayak and get adventurous on the waters, or nature lovers can visit Penhentian Turtle Sanctuary Beach on Besar to learn about the conservation efforts taking place to boost the hawksbill and green turtle population.

Overnight at hotel

Day 11 : Langkawi OR (Perhentian Island (Option)) – Kuala Lumpur (B / - / -)

After breakfast at the hotel, we have some free time before our onward journey to soak up some last sun on the beach, take a final dip in the warm waters, or snap up some last-minute souvenirs. 

End of the Tour