Malaysia Highlights

Trip Type: Explorer
Malaysia | 10 Days | 1 - 12 People
Starts From:

NZD 2,650.00 /Person

From bustling cityscapes to the blissful countryside to the lush tropical rainforest, this trip showcases the diverse beauty of Malaysia. Across te...

Malaysia Highlights

From bustling cityscapes to the blissful countryside to the lush tropical rainforest, this trip showcases the diverse beauty of Malaysia. Across ten days, you’ll learn the local way of life as you journey from a local homestay in Penang to the Ulu Muda Forest and into the Cameron Highlands. You’ll play traditional games with the locals, tuck into a home-cooked dinner and mingle among the street stalls. Trek through the jungle to spot elephants, take a cruise through the wilderness and learn about local fishing traditions – this trip offers culture, nature and wildlife delights all in one!

Selamat Datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins in the bustling capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Here, you can expect streets lined with colourful food stalls, friendly locals and fast-paced energy. You have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your group leader and travel companions. If you arrive early, why not check out the Petaling Street Market – the vibrant hub of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown – or wander along the River of Life. After your meeting, maybe join your leader for an optional group dinner at Jalan Alor to experience the vibrant food scene in Kuala Lumpur and maybe explore the charming Bukit Bintang together before heading back to the hotel.

This morning, you’ll take the local metro to the train station for your journey to Butterworth. From here, take a private transfer to George Town – the port city turned UNESCO World Heritage site and the multicultural capital of the island of Penang. When you arrive, head out with your leader for an orientation walk to get your bearings. Then, enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. George Town has some great cuisine on offer, and your leader can always point you in the right direction for some great eats! You might also like to check out some of the hidden temples, Little India or go on a self-paced street art tour.

Hit the streets with your leader for a walking tour of George Town. You’ll notice a certain charm about this city as you wander by the historical building and ancient shopfronts and admire the fascinating street art at every turn. You’ll also explore Pinang Peranakan Museum – home to over 1000 pieces of antiques and collectables. This afternoon is free for you to explore or relax – maybe visit the Kapitan Keling Mosque, Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, The Clan Community of Penang or the Wonderfood Museum.

After a leisurely morning, take a private transfer to Teluk Bahang – a small fishing village in Penang. When you arrive, be welcomed into the homes of your homestay hosts, then tuck into some lunch. Visit a Batik factory where you’ll learn about the art of hand painting Batik patterns onto materials, before enjoying some fun with your group with a selection of traditional games. Then, take a late afternoon walk around the fishing village, learn how the locals make their nets and discover the life of a fisherman. Dinner tonight will be prepared especially for you by your hosts. Watch a cooking demonstration, then enjoy some local cuisine as a group, taking some time getting to know your hosts. Later, sit down for a special Silat (local martial art) performance where you can learn a few tricks from the local masters.

Visit a local market this morning for breakfast, then say goodbye to your homestay hosts. Take a private transfer to Ulu Muda Forest – your home away from home for the next two nights. You’ll arrive at the Lake Muda Jetty just in time for a bite to eat, freshly prepared by the locals. Then, you’ll board a boat to Earth Lodge in Kuala Labua – this socially conscious organisation fights for the preservation of the forest with research and awareness, low carbon footprint practices and ecotourism principles. Your accommodation tonight is surrounded by nature, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s the perfect launching pad to explore the nearby jungle trails, winding rivers and lush tropical rainforest. When you arrive, you’ll head out on a river cruise where you’ll have the chance to spot local wildlife (you might even see some elephants if you’re lucky!) before a free evening to settle in and make yourself at home.

After breakfast this morning, you’ll pull on your walking shoes for a trek into Bukit Labu where you’ll be accompanied by an expert guide. Listen carefully as your guide tells you all about the native plants and wildlife that call this lush rainforest home. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants! Enjoy a picnic lunch by the river before trekking back to your accommodation and visiting Salt-lick hot springs, where the local animals, including the elephants, go to get their minerals. In the late afternoon, maximise your chances of seeing wildlife with another river cruise.

Say goodbye to the forest this morning and head back to the jetty, where your private transfer will be waiting for your journey towards the Cameron Highlands. A serene spot, the rolling green highlands are blanketed by tea plantations and strawberry fields and boast a refreshingly cool climate. You’ll arrive in the mid-afternoon and have some have free time to wander the local market stalls and tuck into some typical Malay cuisine.

Have breakfast just like the locals and treat your tastebuds to some traditional eats straight from a local street stall. This is breakfast on the go – Malay style! After you’ve fuelled up, hit the road to a track of mossy forested area to stretch your legs on a trek through this mist-shrouded spot. Your guide will point out the unique plants living here, under the blanket of rich, green moss. After, you’ll step back into reality and explore one of the local tea plantations to learn more about tea production here and see the endless rows of green shrubs that seem to hug the hillside. This afternoon is free and you might like to visit the Cameron Floral Park or indulge in some high tea at the Jim Thompson Tea Room.

Today it’s back to Kuala Lumpur by a local express bus, then a metro back to your hotel. You’ll arrive in the mid-afternoon, then the rest of the day is free to explore this energetic city. Maybe head to the observation deck on the 451-m tall Petronas Twin Towers or see the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Tonight, maybe head out to an optional farewell dinner to celebrate your adventure.

With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to extend your time in Kuala Lumpur, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.

Meals
9 Breakfast(s), 3 Lunch(s), 3 Dinner(s)

Transport
Private Vehicle , Public Bus , Metro , Ferry , Boat , Train

Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Jungle Eco Lodge ( 2 nights), Home Stay (1 night)

Included Activities
  • George Town - Heritage walking tour
  • Teluk Bahang - traditional games
  • Teluk Bahang - Home cooking demonstration & dinner
  • Teluk Bahang - Fishing village walking tour
  • Teluk Bahang - Silat (martial art) Performance
  • Teluk Bahang - Batik factory visit
  • Ulu Muda - River Cruise
  • Teluk Bahang - Local market visit
  • Ulu Muda - Bukit Labu hike & cave visit
  • Ulu Muda - Hot Spring Saltlick
  • Cameron Highlands - hike in mossy forest area
  • Cameron Highlands - Tea plantation visit
  • Stay in an eco-lodge on the edge of the jungle that’s fighting for the preservation of Ulu Muda Forest with research and awareness, low-footprint practices and ecotourism principles.
  • Take not one but two river cruises deep in the Ulu Muda Forest to double your chances of spotting roaming wildlife like elephants as your guide tells you about the native plants and wildlife that call this lush haven home.
  • Slip into the local way of life, staying with a family on a homestay that gives real insight into village culture – play traditional games, learn fishing techniques and tuck into a home-cooked dinner.
  • Explore the rolling green Cameron Highlands, blanketed by tea plantations and strawberry fields, and then trek through the mossy forest to learn more about the unique plants living beneath this sea of moss.
  • Wander the historic mural-lined streets of Georgetown, the vibrant cultural hub of Penang and see the array of contemporary art galleries, boutiques, traditional temples and churches.
  • You will need to be able to carry your own luggage throughout the trip, including some short walks between transport and accommodation, navigating through transport hubs, as well as on and off public transport including buses, trains and ferries. Packing light will improve your experience, especially on hot, humid days. There are some long days of travel by public transport, but don't worry, public buses in Malaysia are spacious and comfortable. Stock up on snacks and drinks for the journeys and sit back and watch the scenery stream by. The accommodation at your homestay is simple, but our overnight stay with village families is a highlight of the trip for most travellers. Bathroom facilities are shared with other travellers and host family, and some may only have cold water showers. Most houses have fan cooling systems rather than air conditioning. The climate in Malaysia is generally hot and humid, so be prepared for some steamy days no matter what time of year you visit. It tends to be wetter and more humid from May to October, but the temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year. This trip is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time but it can be part of a longer itinerary. If you have more time to explore, you might like to check out Best of Malaysia.

Departing

Finishing

Availability

Price: NZD 2,845.00

Price: NZD 2,845.00

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Price: NZD 3,070.00

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Price: NZD 3,225.00

Price: NZD 3,225.00

Price: NZD 3,225.00

Price: NZD 3,225.00

Price: NZD 3,110.00

Price: NZD 2,985.00

Price: NZD 3,110.00
Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
TMSA
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Trip Finishes:
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Countries Visited:
Malaysia
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Booking Enquiry

Destination Details
Malaysia | 10 Days | 1 - 12 People

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