- ✓ Discover one of the world's oldest rainforests in Taman Negara
- ✓ Sample the freshest tea in the Cameron Highlands plantations
- ✓ Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Georgetown by bike
Do you want to travel at your own pace? Then ask us about the options for driving yourself. The roads are well-developed, signage is in English and they drive on the left-hand side of the road. The car rental company we work with in Malaysia is a reliable provider with good-quality vehicles and a wide network of rental locations. And our local partners are on hand 24/7 should you need assistance.
Day 1 - Arrival in Kuala Lumpur
On arrival in Kuala Lumpur, you’ll be collected at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. Kuala Lumpur is a city of contrasts, where modern skyscrapers sit side by side with Chinese markets and traditional Indian eateries. It’s easy to explore on your own, and experience the blend of cultures, flavours and architecture.
Day 2 - Guided walking tour
To help you get your bearings, this morning you’ll join a small group of travellers for a walking tour exploring historic and culinary Kuala Lumpur with a local guide. Your guide knows the city well and this walking tour takes you to some lesser-known areas of KL. The city has only developed into a modern metropolis in the last few decades, and it’s still possible to discover the original Kuala Lumpur. Along the way you will also stop at small street stalls where you can try some typical Malay food.
This afternoon is yours to explore. You can’t miss the iconic Petronas Twin Towers – standing 88 storeys tall, they’re the city’s most famous landmark. Getting around Kuala Lumpur is easy, with the handy monorail connecting many of the main sights. If you fancy heading a little further afield, take a trip about 45 minutes out of town to the Batu Caves. Climb the 272 steps to reach these impressive limestone caves, home to Hindu temples and colourful statues that make the journey well worth it.
Day 3 - Travel to Taman Negara & take a night walk
From Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, you’ll hop on a bus and head to the border of Taman Negara National Park. Here you’ll take a small wooden boat along the jungle-flanked Sungai Tembeling River to your comfortable resort in the rainforest – the Mutiara Taman Negara – which will be your home for the next two nights. There will be time to settle in before setting off into the jungle as the sun begins to set on a night walk. You’ll be surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest as you search for wildlife and insects hiding in the darkness
Day 4 - Explore the rainforest
After breakfast, an experienced guide will take you on a hike to Teresek Hill, a mountain top in the middle of the jungle. You’ll walk up to get a beautiful view of the Taman Negara National Park and Gunung Tahan, the highest mountain in West Malaysia. Continue your jungle exploration to the Canopy Walkway, where you can experience a birds eye view of the rainforest from a height of 45 metres above the forest floor. Your final day is free to relax or continue your exploration.
Due to fallen trees and ongoing reconstruction of the canopy, the canopy walkway is temporarily closed. Please note that some activities may be adjusted on the day of your visit.
Taman Negara National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Malaysia, but you can experience Taman Negara without the crowds. We can arrange for you to enter the park via a lesser-known route, staying overnight in a simple guesthouse. Check out our Merapoh: hidden Taman Negara trip.
Day 5 - Travel to the Cameron Highalnds
The Cameron Highlands is a scenic region of rolling hills and green tea terraces sitting between 1,100 and 1,600 metres above sea level. From Taman Negara it’s around a five-hour drive. As you get closer, the road becomes steeper and more winding, with plenty of bends and views across the hills.
The climate here is pleasantly cool, which explains why several British settlers made this area their home, and a few colonial-style bungalows remain tucked into the hills. The cooler climate also makes it ideal for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers, and you’ll find large areas dedicated to farms and greenhouses.
Your hotel enjoys views of the surrounding tea plantations and rolling hills. The rooms are comfortable and spacious, and there’s an indoor pool.
Day 6 - Tea plantation tour
The Cameron Highlands are known for their sweeping tea plantations, and today you’ll see how those leaves make their way from bush to cup. With an English-speaking guide and a small group, you’ll set off in the morning for a mix of viewpoints and gentle walks. You’ll take in the views across the tea fields, then step into the Mossy Forest to spot unusual plants and flowers. The morning wraps up with a visit to a local tea estate for a short tour, and your afternoon is free to spend your own way.
Day 7 - Travel to Penang
Next, you’ll take an early morning bus to the cultural island of Penang. The country has a well-developed network of air-conditioned coaches that run on reliable schedules, with reclining seats and plenty of space for luggage. We’ll book the bus in advance. You can sit back, relax, and enjoy the views along the way. Your travel time today is between 3 to 4 hours.
For two nights, you’ll stay in the centre of Georgetown, Penang’s most atmospheric and happening area and a recognised UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, the streets are lined with pastel-painted Chinese shopfronts, fragrant street food stalls and swinging paper lanterns.
Day 8 - Guided bike ride
There’s no better way to get to know Penang’s heritage and food scene than to hop on a bike and explore with a local guide. You’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the starting point where you’ll be given your bike, helmet and safety jacket. From here you will cycle with your guide in a small group around the city, discovering hidden temples and learning about the history of this area.
For breakfast you will stop to try a variety of different Indian breads alongside a local ‘teh tarik’, and lunch will include a selection of local dishes to share from a hawker centre including local favourites such as Assam Laksa and Char Keow Teow. At the end of this half-day tour you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of your stay in Penang is free to explore independently.
Days 9 - 11 - Travel to Langkawi & free time to relax
It’s time to head to the island of Langkawi with its long beaches and warm, shallow water. It’s one of Malaysia’s most popular islands and is quite well developed, with plenty of places to eat and stay. But you can still find quiet stretches of sand.
You’ll be collected from your hotel in Penang for the 2 hour journey north to Kuala Kedah. Here, you board the ferry to Langkawi, a journey of about 1 hour.
You’ll stay on one of the island’s most popular stretches of sand. For this accommodation option we have chosen one of the larger properties that has excellent facilities and good sized rooms. Time to relax!
If you manage to drag yourself away from the pool and the beach, Langkawi offers a variety of activities, including waterfall tours, sunset cruises and snorkelling trips. Take the cable car up to the top of Gunung Machincang for a panoramic view of Malaysia and Southern Thailand, paddle a kayak through the island’s mangrove forest or hire a bike to explore the traditional Kampungs behind the beaches.
Day 12 - Depart Malaysia
Today your holiday to Malaysia comes to an end. We’ll arrange for a driver to pick you up at your hotel and take you to Langkawi Airport for your onwards flight to Kuala Lumpur. Your short domestic flight will take approximately an hour and will normally be included as part of your international flight home to the UK.
Accommodation
