Day 1 – Arrival in Kota Bharu
Today, you’ll arrive in a traditional ‘kampung’ village that embraces authentic Islamic culture, located just outside Kota Bharu. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local life with lots of meaningful experiences offered here. Visit a nearby mosque to connect with the local community, or take a peaceful walk in the surrounding countryside, past winding rivers, lush rice paddies and swaying palm groves. You will stay in a wooden chalet with its own bathroom and air conditioning – a comfortable blend between a homestay and a guesthouse.
Day 2 – Batik painting workshop
Next, you’ll be introduced to the traditional textile art of batik, one of Malaysia’s most iconic crafts. At a nearby batik workshop, you will learn about the history of this colourful art and try your hand at traditional techniques like wax drawing and dye-painting, creating your own unique piece to take home. After getting creative, you can hire a bike and cycle through the countryside, or treat yourself to a traditional Malay massage.
If you would prefer to swap the batik painting for a cooking class, we can arrange this for you – speak to your travel specialist or see the bottom of this page for more information.
Day 3 – Departure from Kota Bharu
This morning, after a delicious breakfast, you’ll say goodbye to your hosts and continue your journey in Malaysia. For some tropical beach time, hop over to The Perhentian Islands, where you can explore the underwater world and stroll the soft sands. Or, head to the remote wilderness of Belum Rainforest if spotting monkeys and trekking through the jungle is what you’re after.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Kota Bharu - Cooking class
Today, you’ll explore Malaysian cuisine and discover the regional flavours of Kota Bharu by visiting the local market and picking up fresh ingredients for your tasty Kelantanese dish. Then, it’s all about chopping, seasoning, cooking, and enjoying. The food here is quite different from other regions of Malaysia, with a strong Thai influence, thanks to its close proximity to the border, bringing sweet-spicy flavours and aromatic herbs. Together with the kampung’s cooks, you’ll prepare your very own Malaysian dinner. In the evening, you’ll be driven back to your city hotel in Kota Bharu.