- ✓ Discover the rainforest in Taman Negara National Park
- ✓ Learn about tea production in the Cameron Highlands
- ✓ Explore the underwater world of the Perhentian Islands
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 - Arrive in Kuala Lumpur & transfer to Malacca
Welcome to Malaysia! On arrival at Kuala Lumpur Airport, you’ll be met by your driver and head straight to Malacca, a journey of around 1.5 to 2 hours. Your family-friendly hotel has a swimming pool, spacious rooms and a central location, making it easy to explore the city on foot. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants and cafés within walking distance.
Malacca is a colourful mix of cultures, with Dutch and Portuguese architecture, Chinese temples and bustling markets all woven into the city streets. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Visit the Portuguese fortress, wander around the historic Dutch Square, browse the antiques and curiosities along Jonker Walk or tuck into some delicious Baba Nyonya street food.
Day 2 - Guided bike tour
This morning, you’ll be picked up by your guide and taken 30 minutes out of the countryside to their home where your informative cycling trip will begin. After a quick bike fitting, you’ll pedal through tropical fruit and herb plantations, stopping to learn about them along the way. It’s a glimpse into rural Malaysia, where age-old traditions and simple lifestyles thrive. After cycling through the small Malaysian villages in the area, you will return back to your guides’ home, hang up your helmets and head back to Malacca.
The bike tour is suitable for children of all ages. Child bikes and seats for smaller children are available
Day 3 - Travel to Kuala Lumpur
Today you will be transferred to Kuala Lumpur – the capital of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is a city of exciting extremes, where space-age skyscrapers nudge up against cluttered Chinese markets and timeless Indian restaurants. We’ve chosen a family friendly hotel with a swimming pool, that’s perfect for a refreshing dip after a day of sightseeing. The rest of your day is free to relax or head out to explore.
Day 4 - Visit the KL Tower
During your stay in Kuala Lumpur we’ll arrange tickets to the KL Tower which provides sweeping views over the rooftops of the city. The panorama is impressive at any time of day, but it’s definitely best just before sunset. It’s a chance to see the Petronas Towers decked out with bright lights. Looking out across the skyline, it’s almost impossible not to feel inspired. The rest of your time in Kuala Lumpur is free for you to explore independently. Throw yourself into lively food-court culture which is sure to offer cuisine that the whole family will enjoy!
Day 5 - Travel to Taman Negara & night walk
Today you’ll swap the bright city lights for Taman Negara - the world’s oldest tropical rainforest. 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 6 - Discover the rainforest of Taman Negara
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 is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Malaysia, attracting visitors from across the world. If you would prefer a less touristic, rainforest adventure check out our Endau Rompin trip.
Day 7 - Travel to the Cameron Highlands
After breakfast it’s time to bid farewell to the jungle and follow winding roads to the lofty Cameron Highlands. This scenic region of rolling hills and green tea terraces sits 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 8 - Tea plantation Tour
The Cameron Highlands are famous for their many tea plantations and today you’ll learn how tea makes its journey from bush to cup. Together with an English-speaking guide and a small group of fellow travellers, you’ll explore the area. You’ll be picked up in the morning and taken to several viewpoints overlooking the vast tea fields. Afterwards, you’ll head into the Mossy Forest in search of unique plants and flowers. The morning ends with a visit to a tea estate, including a short tour. The afternoon is free for you to spend as you like. This excursion is suitable for children of all ages.
The Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s more popular spots, so it can feel busy, especially at weekends and during school holidays. But if you visit midweek and step away from the main towns you’ll find quieter corners where you can soak up the fresh air and enjoy being surrounded by nature.
Day 9 - Overnight in Kuala Besut
Today you’ll take a private transfer from the hills to the coast. It’s a 5 hour journey to Kuala Besut – which is the gateway to the Perhentian Islands. It’s quite a long day so we’ve included an overnight stay here at a comfortable hotel with a swimming pool.
Days 10 - 13 - Take a boat to the Perhentian Islands & relax
This morning you’ll take a boat transfer from Kuala Besut to the Perhentian Islands. The first thing you’ll see when you hop off the boat onto the island’s warm white sands, is an idyllic palm-lined beach and a crystal clear turquoise sea. This is a family-friendly island, and is the perfect place to end your Malaysia family adventure!
Your time here is free to explore as you wish. This is a place to kick off your flip-flops, stretch out and listen to the sound of swaying palms. Take a trip into the island’s jungle, hire a canoe, set off on a sea-fishing mission or explore the underwater world with a snorkel. Why not take a quick hop over to explore the smaller island of Perhentian Kecil?
It's easy to see why these popular idyllic islands attract plenty of visitors during high season. Advance booking is essential. Most of the islands close during the monsoon season (November to February)
Day 14 - Depart Malaysia
Today marks the last day of your Malaysia trip. We’ll arrange your boat transfer back to the mainland and a private transfer to take you to the airport, roughly an hour’s journey. You’ll catch a flight back to Kuala Lumpur in time to connect onto your international flight home.
Accommodation
