- ✓ Explore the UNESCO site of Georgetown on 2 wheels
- ✓ Eat your way around Ipoh & Penang
- ✓ Discover Borneo’s unique wildlife in the rainforest
- ✓ Relax on the beach at a private island resort
This 15-day Malaysia and Borneo itinerary features the best that East and West Malaysia have to offer. The trip starts out in the lively city of Kuala Lumpur, before continuing onto the colonial town of Ipoh and the cultural island-city of Penang with its culinary delights. A short flight takes you to Borneo for serious wildlife spotting and beach time on a tropical island.
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Day 1 - Arrive in Kuala Lumpur
Your Malaysia and Borneo adventure begins in Kuala Lumpur. On arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. Kuala Lumpur is a fascinating mix of old and new, with gleaming skyscrapers rising above bustling Chinese markets and traditional Indian eateries. The rest of the day is free to settle in, relax and explore your local surroundings.
Day 2 - KL Tower visit & explore independently
Today we’ll arrange tickets to the KL Tower which provides sweeping views over the city skyline. The panorama is impressive at any time of day, but it’s definitely best just before sunset when you can see the famous Petronas Towers decked out with bright lights.
The rest of your stay is free for you to explore everything Kuala Lumpur has to offer. We can arrange guided tours of the city on foot or by bike. Or if you're a keen foodie, we can organise a cooking class. If this sounds interesting please ask for more information.
Day 3 - Take the train to Ipoh
This morning, you’ll take the train from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh, a journey of around 2.5–3 hours. The modern, air-conditioned trains are comfortable, with reserved seating, onboard toilets and large windows for enjoying the passing scenery. Known for its historic buildings and culinary treasures, Ipoh is a relaxed, down-to-earth city with faded shophouses, friendly locals and a laid-back atmosphere. You’ll stay in a boutique hotel within walking distance of the city’s shops, eateries and historic sights, making it an easy and enjoyable stop along your journey.
Day 4 - Heritage walking tour
Today you will meet your guide for an insight into Ipoh’s colonial past. Your starting point will be the Railway Station – which, in itself, is one of Ipoh’s most famous landmarks. You will wander through the streets with your guide visiting various landmarks including the Birch Memorial which has panels portraying the world’s most famous historical figures.
Ipoh is second only to Penang as a ‘foodie haven’ in Malaysia, so a visit isn’t complete without trying some of their local delicacies. During your city tour you will stop for lunch to sample local drinks and snacks such as spring rolls, satay and the famous white coffee. This area has a mix of Chinese and Indian influences so you can expect some tasty treats not typically found in other parts of Malaysia.
Day 5 - Travel to Penang
After breakfast, your driver will pick you up from your hotel for the two-hour journey to Penang. A melting pot of Chinese, Indian and Malay influences, Penang is full of colourful streets, historic buildings and tempting food stalls. Food is a big part of the island’s identity, with a delicious mix of Asian flavours and local specialities to try around every corner. 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.
Day 6 - Guided bike tour
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.
Day 7 - Fly to Kota Kinabalu in Borneo
Next, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu, Borneo. The direct flight time is around 2.5 hours. This bustling coastal city at the foot of the immense Mount Kinabalu is the starting point for your journey through Sabah. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your central hotel close to the restaurants and colourful markets of the city. Kota Kinabalu is a relatively modern city with many western influences and a whole host of delicious local food to try.
Day 8 - Kinabalu National Park day trip
Today you will leave your hotel early in the morning for Kinabalu National Park. On your way you will make a stop at Nabalu village and get to taste some of the local fruits. You can even try your hand at a bit of bargaining if you wish to purchase any local handicrafts. Continue your journey, making a stop at Poring which is known for its hot sulphur spring bath and canopy walkway. Visit the interpretive centre and learn about the local flora and fauna. You can then take a short stroll on one of the jungle trails, followed by a dip in one of the soothing, hot mineral springs set in beautifully landscaped gardens. Then proceed to Kinabalu National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site that covers an area of over 750 sq km. The park is home to Mount Kinabalu and a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Explore with your guide before returning to Kota Kinabalu in the late afternoon.
Day 9 - Fly to Sandakan, visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre & take a boat along the Kinabatangan River
This morning you’ll be transferred to the airport for the short flight to Sandakan. Borneo is the land of orangutans, and the very best place to see them and learn all about them is at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. This morning you’ll join a small group to visit Sepilok. The centre takes in young orangutans who have been orphaned by deforestation, and prepares them for an independent life in the wild. Mid-morning is feeding time, and you’ll be able to see the iconic great apes come out of the jungle to eat as much fresh fruit and nuts as they want. You’ll also stop in at a Sunbear Sanctuary nearby, where you can see these unique, endangered bears.
After your visit you’ll board a boat for a ride across the Kinabatangan River, Sabah’s longest waterway. After stopping for lunch, you’ll continue upstream for a couple of hours to Sukau, where you’ll check into a wooden lodge on the riverbank.
You’ll have some time to relax before your first wildlife cruise in the late afternoon, where you’ll watch the animals come to life as the sun goes down. No other spot in Borneo features such a wide variety of wild animals: monkeys, monitor lizards, crocodiles, sunbears, hundreds of species of tropical birds, and if you’re lucky you may even see wild pygmy elephants! In the evening you’ll have dinner back at your lodge, and fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle.
Day 10 - Wildlife spotting along the Kinabatangan River
You’ll probably wake up when the gibbon monkeys and hornbills do…they’ll make sure of that! It’ll be an early start anyway as you set out on your first cruise of the day – heading to a nearby lake as the animals begin to wake up around its shores. After breakfast back at the lodge, you can choose to relax for a while on the porch or head out on a nature walk to some nearby caves. As the sun begins to set, the final jungle cruise of your trip will head out, and you can take one more chance at spotting the unique Borneo wildlife. You’ll return to the lodge for another night in this unique setting.
Day 11 - Travel to Sepilok
After breakfast, leave your riverside lodge and travel back to Sandakan by road, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Your final stop is the tropical island of Lankayan, but as the boat departs early in the morning, we’ll arrange an overnight stay near Sepilok first. After your jungle adventures, you can relax in a peaceful nature lodge surrounded by greenery before continuing to Lankayan tomorrow morning…
Day 12 - Take a boat to Lankayan Island
You’ll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the pier where a boat will be waiting to take you to Lankayan Island. The journey itself is a memorable experience, and after around 1.5 hours the island will come into view. White sandy beaches and azure blue waters surround a tropical forest – truly paradise on earth.
You will be staying in a seafront bungalow, situated right on the beach. All your meals are included and are served at the restaurant, which boasts a beautiful open-air wooden terrace. After your dinner, you can sit on the terrace and watch the sun setting over the sea.
Days 13 & 14 - Time to relax
Lankayan Island is a secluded paradise hidden away in the tropical Sulu Sea just north of Sandakan, and the perfect place to rest up after your travels through Borneo. You can spend your days relaxing on the white sandy beaches or swimming in the crystal clear sea. The view beneath the sea is perhaps even more beautiful than above the water.
Lankayan is a breeding ground for sea turtles and is home to the Reef Guardian. You can visit the charity base on your stay here, and may even be lucky enough to witness a nest of baby turtles being released into the sea. The hatching season is July to October.
Day 15 - Depart Sandakan & fly home
On your last day on the island you will take the early boat back to Sandakan pier. Once you have arrived back on the mainland you’ll catch a taxi to the airport in Sandakan for your flight home.
Accommodation
