This alternative Malay Peninsula private tour visits the country’s prime locations including Penang and Kuala Lumpur but also explores more off-the-beaten track destinations in the north.
After spending time in Penang experiencing the island’s excellent culinary and art scene, travel to the royal city of Kuala Kangsar and embarking on a traditional homestay where you will be immersed in local family life. Continue to Lake Banding for a stay in a rainforest retreat before travelling to Kota Bharu, often described as Malaysia’s cultural heart. This itinerary ends on the tropical Perhentian Islands, known for its slow pace of life, crystal clear waters and powder sand beaches. Please note, the Perhentian Islands can only be visited between October and March, if you would like to travel outside of this period we would recommend adding Langkawi to your itinerary.
Penang – Kuala Kangsar – Lake Banding – Kota Bharu – Perhentian Islands – Kuala Lumpur
Trip Highlights
- Explore Georgetown’s pastel-coloured shops, Chinese temples and street food stalls
- Renowned for its colourful culinary scene, enjoy a hands-on cookery class in Penang
- Be immersed in traditional Malay family life as you enjoy an authentic homestay
- Search for the Rafflesia plant in Belum, one of the world's oldest tropical rainforests
- See traditional weaving and batik techniques in Kota Bharu, Malaysia’s cultural heart
- Home to crystal-clear waters and white sandy shores, relax on the Perhentian Islands
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK on the Malaysia Airlines flight to Kuala Lumpur.
Day 2
Arrive Penang
This morning arrive in Kuala Lumpur before taking the short flight to Penang. A trader’s port for centuries and once a British colonial stronghold for the Malacca Strait trade route, Penang exudes the charm of its rich culture and heritage. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, explore the street art, culinary scene and beautiful scenery of Penang over the next couple of days. If time permits, take a walking or tri-shaw tour of Georgetown, observing the pastel-coloured shophouses, Chinese lantern strewn temples and winding lanes of this vibrant city. In the evening experience the sights and sounds of one of Penang’s favourite eating locations as you dine under the stars.
Campbell House
Eastern & Oriental Hotel
Day 3
Penang
This morning you will embark on a cookery class at Tropical Spice Garden. On arrival take a guided tour of the spice terraces and the lush, landscaped gardens set out over 8 acres of secondary jungle. Tucked away in a secluded corner of the gardens, the cooking school is surrounded by trees and a herb garden. Alongside professional chefs, cook traditional Malay and Peranakan cuisine before sampling the dishes outside on the patio where you can also glimpse the glistening Andaman Sea. Following lunch depart deep into the hills towards Balik Pulau to Art and Garden where nature meets with art. Explore the green sanctuary that showcases an amazing variety of bromeliads, aloes, air plants, agaves, trumpet pitchers and orchids, all amidst clay, glass and metal sculptures as well as colourful mosaics and paintings.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Campbell House
Eastern & Oriental Hotel
Day 4
Penang to Kuala Kangsar – 158 kms
Begin your day the local way with a dim sum breakfast alongside crowds of Penangites. Enjoy some of the city’s best dim sum as your guide explains culinary traditions and etiquette before heading out on a tour of Penang’s colourful food scene. Visit Chow Rasta, a wet market that has been in operation since the early 1800’s and is a great place to observe market culture and daily life. Depart Penang for the two-hour drive to the royal city of Kuala Kangsar which is home to perhaps Malaysia’s most beautiful mosque which was designed by the famous Kuala Lumpur architect AB Hubback in 1917. Explore this landmark that boasts a golden ‘onion’ dome, gold tipped minarets, intricately carved wooden screens and Islamic designed tiles. Sample a traditional laksa soup for lunch before continuing past the current Sultan’s Palace, a tribute to the art deco influences of the time, and make a stop at Istana Kenengan, a very-well preserved example of classic wood craftmanship. You can also explore local crafts including the making of keris, a dagger-like weapon, and labu sayong, a style of gourd-shaped pottery produced by fine clay. Travel onwards to your homestay with Mr Aziz and his family where you will be immersed in a traditional Malay home and learn about local life. Located by the edge of Chenderoh Lake take a two-hour kayak before an evening BBQ dinner followed by games.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Suka Suka Lake Homestay
Day 5
Chenderoh Lake Homestay
After a traditional breakfast with your hosts depart by boat to a local Malay village which is home to wooden stilted houses. After lunch back at the homestay you may wish to try a traditional sarong, or continue with a walk to a nearby waterfall.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Suka Suka Lake Homestay
Day 6
Kuala Kangsar to Lake Banding – 139 kms
After saying farewell to your hosts, continue to the UNESCO-listed site of Lenggong Valley which is one of Malaysia’s most important archaeological sites where evidence of human life has been traced back more than 200,00 years. It is home to the site of the ‘Perak Man’ which at around 11,000 years old is the oldest and most complete skeleton found in the region. Continue to the Belum Rainforest Resort where you will stay for the next two nights. Spend the afternoon at leisure where you may wish to explore the onsite herbal garden or take a refreshing dip in the infinity pool that overlooks Lake Banding.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Belum Rainforest Resort
Day 7
Royal Belum State Park
Today enjoy a full day exploring Lake Banding and Belum State Park. After an early breakfast take a boat to the wilder parts of upper Belum where you will search for Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world. Discover some of the world’s oldest rainforests as you trek across rivers and through lush jungle to multi-tiered waterfalls for a swim. The exact routing will be determined on the day depending on Rafflesia sightings and water levels.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Belum Rainforest Resort
Day 8
Lake Banding to Kota Bharu – 170 kms
This morning depart from Banding Island and transfer by road to Kota Bharu, the cultural heart of Malaysia that is located on the peninsula’s northeast coast. This compact city is a great destination to explore the country’s artisanal crafts and age-old architecture and one of the most photographed markets in Malaysia – Pasar Siti Khadijah. Today enjoy a guided walking tour where you will encounter traditional weaving and batik techniques, visit early 19th century Malay palaces that house an assortment of historical artifacts and wander down Temenggong Street which is known for its artisanal crafts, fabrics and woodwork. See the grand State Mosque before having lunch along the riverside as you observe the local life.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Terrapuri Heritage Village
Day 9
Kota Bharu to Perhentian Islands – by speedboat
Take an hour drive to Kuala Kesut and board a local speedboat to transfer to the Perhentian Islands. Located off the northeast coast of Malaysia lie the Perhentians, a pair of tropical islands that conjure images of crystal-clear waters and white sandy shores that are framed by a lush jungle interior. Spend the afternoon at leisure.
- Breakfast
Bubu Long Beach Resort
Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa
Day 10-12
Perhentian Islands
Spend the next three days at leisure to enjoy paradise in the Perhentians. Options may include snorkelling through colourful coral reefs where you may be lucky enough to spot turtles, take a self-guided jungle walk or relax under the swaying palm trees.
- Breakfast
Bubu Long Beach Resort
Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa
Day 13
Perhentian Islands to Kuala Lumpur – by air
Early this morning transfer by boat to Kuala Besut and transfer by road to Kota Bharu airport where you will take the short flight to Malaysia’s bustling capital, Kuala Lumpur. Affectionately known as KL, the city has developed from a small, rural trading outpost into one of South East Asia’s most modern and cosmopolitan, boasting a melting-pot of culture, religion and art offers an excellent food scene.
- Breakfast
Stripes Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur
Day 14
Kuala Lumpur to the UK
Depart Kuala Lumpur on a direct flight back to the UK.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Spend further time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's bustling and vibrant capital city. Explore Chinatown's vibrant markets, be enchanted by the city's beautiful mosques or scale the Petronas Towers to the sky lounge for incredible views of Kuala Lumpur.
Malacca, a city over 600 years old, is a melting pot of cultures and people with influences ranging from the Dutch and Portuguese to the British and Chinese. Visit from Kuala Lumpur on an day trip or spend a night here to fully explore and be immersed in the local culture.
The Cameron Highlands are an important tea-producing region at an altitude of around 1,600 metres above sea level. Whilst here explore the rolling tea hills and dramatic mountains that make up this famous area and visit the oldest tea factory in Malaysia.
Singapore is a natural add on after visiting Kuala Lumpur. The mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western influences has created a fascinating city and melting pot of culture, cuisine and art. Highlights include the magnificent Botanic Gardens and bustling Chinatown.
from £3790 - £4390
Guide to Price
14 days from £3790 - £4390 per person
What's Included
- International and domestic flights
- Private car and driver
- Sightseeing with accompanying English speaking guide
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Meals unless specified
Travel Information
Getting there
There are regular direct flights to Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur from the UK with both Malaysia Airlines and British Airways. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines all offer indirect flights via their respective hubs.
Flying times from UK
A direct flight from London to Kuala Lumpur takes between 12 and 14 hours. The total length of travel time for an indirect flight depends on the airline and the route you take.
Time zone
Malaysia is +8 hours ahead of GMT.
Visa requirements
If you are a British national you do not need a visa to visit Malaysia and on arrival in the country will be given permission to stay for three months. If you plan to stay for longer than three months a visa must be obtained in advance of your arrival. You should also ensure that your passport is valid for a minimum of six months from the date you arrive in Malaysia.
Do’s and don’ts
In Malaysia the head is the most sacred part of the body. You should only touch another person’s head if you know them very well and are certain they will not take offence. This includes children.
Avoid pointing at anything or anyone with your feet, or indeed resting them on a table. This is very disrespectful. It is also considered rude to point with your index finger, particularly if you are pointing at another person. Instead, use your thumb on your right hand.
Malaysia is a Muslim country and although western clothing is common in Kuala Lumpur and at some beaches you still need to be appropriately covered to visit a mosque. Some mosques will have long sleeved clothes for you to borrow.
Most Malaysians are very friendly and welcoming but you can avoid staring by covering your chest, arms and legs, especially if you are a woman.
Money
The currency in Malaysia is the Malaysia Ringgit (RM) and is divided into sen. Notes come in 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 Ringgits and coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 sen. Pound Sterling and US Dollars are widely accepted throughout Malaysia and both are easy to exchange with facilities to do this at airports, authorised dealers and hotels. If in remote areas it may be harder to exchange money so it is better to carry local currency with you. All major credit cards are accepted in Malaysia and ATM machines are widespread although in rural areas it is still better to carry Ringgits should a card not be accepted or an ATM not working.
Tipping
In Malaysia, tipping is not generally expected. Normally when you go to a restaurant, a service charge of 10% will be added to your bill, however, it is common practice to tip service staff in a bar. A guideline for tipping your drivers and guides will be advised prior to travel.
Food and drink
A fusion of three of the world’s most loved cuisines – Chinese, Indian and Malay – the food in Malaysia is truly exceptional. The national dish of Malaysia is called 'Nasi lemak' and is rice steamed with coconut milk, served alongside dried anchovies, peanuts and eggs. Nasi lemak can be found all over the country. Another favourite is 'Nasi goreng', a Malay-style fried rice, which is very popular and commonly found being served at street stalls and night markets. In Malaysia Chinese food is normally eaten with chopsticks whilst Indian and Malay food is eaten with the fingers or knife and fork. Beer, wine and spirits and found throughout the country and locally brewed beers such as Tiger and Anchor are very popular. In tribal areas of Borneo look out for a traditional rice wine called tuak.
Accommodation
As one of Asia’s most developed countries, Malaysia has a huge range of accommodation from smaller boutique hotels to historic properties and luxurious five star resorts. The vast majority of the accommodation on the peninsula is of a very high standard and there are some excellent heritage hotels. On Borneo accommodation tends to be more rustic in nature with a focus on eco-lodges, rainforest retreats and traditional style accommodation. With the exception of Kuala Lumpur where there are plenty of hotel options, accommodation in smaller towns and remote locations often needs to be booked well in advance, especially if planning to travel during peak times or key holidays such as Chinese New Year.
Shopping
Aside from Rough Guides, Lonely Planet and Bradt, a good place to start is with Janet Tay and Eric Forbes' ‘Urban Odysseys’ – a collection of short stories detailing everyday life in Kuala Lumpur. For a more holistic look at the country, try Farish A Noor's ‘Searching for the Other Malaysia’ which journeys around the country covering everywhere from Majapahit to Putrajay. For a history of the country try ‘A Short History of Malaysia’, by Virginia Matheson Hooker or ‘Malayan Spymaster: Memoirs of a Rubber Planter, Bandit Fighter and Spy’, by Boris Hembry.
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) Web Site on www.masta.org. The NHS ‘Fit for Travel’ website (http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx) is also a useful resource.
Travel advice
For current information on Malaysia the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (https://safertourism.org.uk/) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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