13-Day Short Malaysia Itinerary

Malacca is the melting pot of Malaysia, a mosaic of many different cultures. Here, crumbling European colonial buildings, Indian bazaars, Chinese markets and modern chic all sit side by side. During this trip, you’ll stay in the heart of Malacca’s Chinatown, peppered with paper lanterns. We will organise an eco cycling trip for you, where you will learn about the tropical plantations and pedal through local villages.

Kuala Lumpur is a city of exciting extremes, where space-age skyscrapers nudge up against cluttered Chinese markets and timeless Indian. You’ll explore Kuala Lumpur independently, watching East bump into West with your own eyes. You can stare up at the famous Petronas Towers, throw yourself into lively food-court culture and get a bird’s eye view from the top of the KL Tower.

Today you will arrive in Ipoh – one of the largest cities in Malaysia with plenty of colonial charm. You’ll stay in a boutique hotel in the old town, perfect for exploring this fascinating city on foot. During your time here we’ll organise a city tour with an English speaking guide who’ll be able to tell you all about the city’s history. Ipoh is one of the culinary centres of Malaysia, and you’ll sample some typical Malaysian snacks whilst here.

Far off the beaten path, you’ll find no tourist crowds or bottlenecks, just spider monkeys playing in the thick jungle canopy and exotic birds twittering overhead. You’ll explore the Belum Rainforest, trekking, monkey-spotting and drifting along gently rushing rivers by wooden boat. You’ll sleep in the rainforest’s only lodge, buried deep in the jungle, and awake each day to a tropical dawn chorus.

Today you’ll take a boat transfer from Kuala Besut to the tropical Perhentian Islands. The first thing you’ll see when you hop off the boat from Kuala Besut onto the island’s warm white sands, is an idyllic palm-lined beach, a crystal clear turquoise sea and small wooden cabins. Staying on Perhentian Besar with a beautiful beach right on your doorstep and a tropical rainforest behind you, you really can’t go wrong.